UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of: March 2015
Commission file number 0-24762
FIRSTSERVICE
CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant’s name
into English)
1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 2B4
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will
file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F [ ] Form 40-F [X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form
6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form
6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information
contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Yes [ ] No [X]
If “Yes” is marked, indicate the file number assigned
to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
|
FIRSTSERVICE
CORPORATION |
|
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|
|
|
|
Date: March 27, 2015 |
/s/ John B. Friedrichsen |
|
Name: John B. Friedrichsen |
|
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | | Description of Exhibit |
99.1 | | Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Management Information Circular
with respect to Annual Meeting Matters and a Plan of Arrangement involving FirstService Corporation, its Shareholders, New FSV
Corporation, FSV Holdco ULC and FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. and resulting in the Separation of FirstService
Corporation into FirstService Corporation and Colliers International Group Inc. dated March 16, 2015 |
Exhibit 99.1
![](image_001.jpg)
Notice
of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders
AND
Management
Information Circular
with
respect to annual meeting matters and a
Plan
of Arrangement
INVOLVING FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION,
ITS SHAREHOLDERS,
NEW FSV CORPORATION, FSV HOLDCO ULC
AND
FIRSTSERVICE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
SERVICES INC.
AND RESULTING IN
THE SEPARATION OF FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION
INTO
FirstService
Corporation
AND
Colliers
International Group Inc.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time)
________________________
The Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street
Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario
M5K 1B2
This Notice,
Management Information Circular and the accompanying materials require your immediate attention. If you are in doubt as to how
to deal with these documents or the matters they refer to, please consult your professional advisors. If
you have questions, you may contact our proxy solicitation agent, Kingsdale Shareholder Services., by: (i) telephone, toll-free
in North America at 1-866-581-0506 or at 416-867-2272 outside of North America; (ii) facsimile to 416-867-2271 or, toll-free in
North America, to 1-866-545-5580; (iii) mail to The Exchange Tower, 130 King Street West, Suite 2950, P.O. Box 361, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada M5X 1E2; or (iv) e-mail to contactus@kingsdaleshareholder.com.
![](image_001.jpg)
March 16, 2015
Dear Shareholder:
You are invited to attend an annual and
special meeting (the "Meeting") of holders of Subordinate Voting Shares ("FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares") and Multiple Voting Shares ("FirstService Multiple Voting Shares") of FirstService Corporation
("FirstService") which will be held at The Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto,
Ontario M5K 1B2 on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time). At the Meeting,
you will be asked to consider the matters relating to our usual annual business as outlined in the accompanying Notice of Meeting.
You will also be asked to consider the transaction described below.
As we first announced on February 10, 2015,
the Board of Directors of FirstService (the "Board") has approved the split of FirstService into two focused services
companies – the first being Colliers International Group Inc. ("Colliers"), the commercial real estate services
division of FirstService, and the other being "New" FirstService Corporation ("New FSV"), a combination
of the residential real estate services and property services divisions of FirstService.
The proposed corporate reorganization will
be effected by way of a plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario).
Under the Arrangement, holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares will own one Colliers subordinate voting share and will
receive one subordinate voting share of New FSV, for each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share held and holders of FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares will own one Colliers multiple voting share and will receive one multiple voting share of New FSV, for each
FirstService Multiple Voting Share held. Share certificates will be issued to you representing the applicable shares of New FSV
and your existing FirstService share certificates will continue to represent a like number of shares of Colliers until replaced
against transfer. At the completion of the Arrangement, existing shareholders of FirstService will own 100% of both New FSV and
Colliers. The value of the Colliers and New FSV shares will be set in the marketplace on the Toronto Stock Exchange and The NASDAQ
Stock Market.
At the Meeting, you will be asked to pass
a special resolution approving the Arrangement as well as an ordinary resolution approving the stock option plan for New FSV.
The proposed corporate reorganization is
expected to create two market leaders in their respective industries with the scale and operational strength to compete effectively
in their respective markets. The Board approved the proposed corporate reorganization and believes that proceeding with the Arrangement,
and thereby creating two leading corporations, will, among other things:
| · | provide each with a sharper business and strategic focus; |
| · | enable each to improve and expand its strategic positioning and growth opportunities; |
| · | provide shareholders with more focused investments and additional flexibility; |
| · | provide each of them with independent access to capital; |
| · | improve the market's ability to evaluate the two businesses; and |
| · | enable the separate businesses to better attract, retain and motivate key employees. |
The Board has reviewed the terms and conditions
of the Arrangement and, for the reasons set out in the accompanying Management Information Circular (the "Circular"),
has unanimously concluded that the Arrangement is in the best interests of FirstService and is fair and reasonable to FirstService
and the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, each taken separately as a class.
The Board unanimously recommends that
holders of FirstService shares vote FOR the resolutions approving the Arrangement and the New FSV stock option plan at the
Meeting. The members of the Board and the executive officers of FirstService have advised that they intend to vote their shares
FOR the Arrangement resolution and the New FSV stock option plan resolution, which shares represented, in aggregate,
approximately 11.0% of the outstanding FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 100% of the outstanding FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares, respectively, as of March 16, 2015. These amounts include the shares held, directly or indirectly, by FirstService's
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jay S. Hennick.
To become effective, the special resolution
in respect of the Arrangement must be approved by: (i) not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders
of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, voting separately as a class; (ii) not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast at the
Meeting by the holders of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, voting separately as a class; and (iii) not less than a majority
of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, voting separately as a class (other
than the votes attaching to FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares held, directly or indirectly, by an "interested party"
within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions
or otherwise required to be excluded under the requirements of such instrument, an "affiliate" of FirstService, within
the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario), and "control persons" of FirstService, within the meaning of OSC
Rule 56-501 – Restricted Shares).
The Arrangement is also subject to the
satisfaction of certain other conditions, including the receipt of the approval of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, an advance
income tax ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency and required regulatory approvals from both the Toronto Stock Exchange and The
NASDAQ Stock Market. Subject to the receipt of such approvals and the satisfaction or waiver, as applicable, of the other conditions
contained in the Arrangement Agreement dated March 11, 2015 among FirstService Corporation, New FSV Corporation, FSV Holdco ULC
and FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc., if the special resolution in respect of the Arrangement is approved at the
Meeting, it is anticipated that the Arrangement will be completed on or around May 1, 2015.
The Circular provides a detailed description
of the Arrangement and the other matters to be considered at the Meeting. You are urged to read this information carefully and,
if you require assistance, to consult your own legal, tax, financial or other professional advisor.
Following the custom of past annual meetings,
we will also review our business operations and will be answering your questions following the formal part of the Meeting.
Your vote and participation in FirstService's
business is important regardless of the number of shares that you own. You have the ability to exercise your vote by telephone,
internet, mail, facsimile or by coming to the Meeting in person. Please consult the Circular and the notice of Meeting which, together,
contain all of the information you need about the Meeting and how to exercise your vote.
Kingsdale Shareholder Services ("Kingsdale")
has been engaged as proxy solicitation agent in connection with the solicitation of proxies with respect to the Arrangement for
the Meeting. If you have any questions in regards to the Meeting or require assistance with voting, please contact Kingsdale, by:
(i) telephone, toll-free in North America at 1-866-581-0506 or at 416-867-2272 outside of North America; (ii) facsimile to 416-867-2271
or, toll-free in North America, to 1-866-545-5580; (iii) mail to The Exchange Tower, 130 King Street West, Suite 2950, P.O. Box
361, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5X 1E2; or (iv) e-mail to contactus@kingsdaleshareholder.com.
On behalf of the Board, management and
the employees of FirstService, we would like to thank you for your support of FirstService. We look forward to seeing you at the
Meeting.
Sincerely
yours,
![](image_008.jpg)
Peter F. Cohen
Chairman |
|
![](image_007.jpg)
Jay S. Hennick
Founder & Chief Executive
Officer |
![](image_001.jpg)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that an annual and special meeting (the "Meeting") of the holders of Subordinate Voting
Shares and Multiple Voting Shares (collectively, the "FirstService Shares") of FirstService Corporation ("FirstService")
will be held at The Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B2 on Tuesday, April 21, 2015,
at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time) for the following purposes:
| 1. | to receive the audited consolidated financial statements of FirstService for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2014 and the report of the auditors' thereon; |
| 2. | to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditors of FirstService and to authorize
the directors to fix their remuneration; |
| 3. | to elect the directors of FirstService for the ensuing year; |
| 4. | to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, an ordinary resolution
approving an amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan, as amended, to increase the maximum number of Subordinate Voting
Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the exercise of stock options granted thereunder, all as more particularly set forth and
described in the accompanying Management Information Circular (the "Circular"); |
| 5. | to consider, pursuant to an interim order (the "Interim Order") of the Ontario
Superior Court of Justice (the "Court") dated March 13, 2015, and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without
variation, a special resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution"), the full text of which is set out in Appendix
"A" to the Circular, approving an arrangement (the "Arrangement") under Section 182 of the Business
Corporations Act (Ontario) (the "OBCA") involving FirstService, the holders of FirstService Shares, New FSV
Corporation ("New FSV"), FSV Holdco ULC and FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. pursuant to the
plan of arrangement attached as Schedule "A" to Appendix "C" to the accompanying Circular, all as more particularly
set forth and described in the accompanying Circular; |
| 6. | if the Arrangement Resolution is passed, to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or
without variation, an ordinary resolution, the full text of which is set forth in Appendix "B" to the accompanying Circular,
approving a stock option plan for New FSV (substantially in the form set forth in Appendix "G" to the accompanying Circular);
and |
| 7. | to transact such further or other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment(s)
or postponement(s) thereof. |
Specific details relating to the Arrangement
and the other matters to be considered at the Meeting are set forth in the accompanying Circular.
The board of directors of FirstService
has fixed the close of business on Friday, March 20, 2015 as the record date for determining holders of FirstService Shares of
record who are entitled to receive notice of the Meeting and to attend and vote at the Meeting, or at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s)
thereof.
Pursuant to the Interim Order and the provisions
of Section 185 of the OBCA (as modified by the Interim Order, the plan of arrangement and/or any other order of the Court), if
you are a registered holder of FirstService Shares, you have the right to dissent in respect of the Arrangement Resolution and,
if the Arrangement becomes effective and upon strict compliance with the dissent procedures set out in the Circular, to be paid
the fair value of your FirstService Shares in accordance with the Interim Order and Section 185 of the OBCA (as modified by the
Interim Order, the plan of arrangement and/or any other order of the Court). This right of dissent is described in the Circular.
If you fail to comply strictly with the dissent procedures set out in the Circular, you may not be able to exercise your right
of dissent. If you are a beneficial owner of FirstService Shares that are registered in the name of a broker, investment dealer,
bank, trust company, custodian or other intermediary and wish to dissent, you should be aware that ONLY REGISTERED HOLDERS OF
FIRSTSERVICE SHARES ARE ENTITLED TO EXERCISE RIGHTS OF DISSENT. A registered shareholder who holds FirstService Shares for
more than one beneficial owner, some of whom wish to exercise dissent rights, must exercise dissent rights on behalf of such holders.
A dissenting shareholder may dissent only in respect of all of the FirstService Shares held on behalf of any one beneficial owner
and registered in the name of such dissenting shareholder. See "Dissenting Shareholders' Rights" in the Circular.
If you are a registered shareholder
and are unable to attend the Meeting in person, please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed form of proxy to TMX
Equity Transfer Services, 200 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4H1, or by facsimile to 416-595-9593, or complete
the form of proxy by such other method as is identified, and pursuant to any instructions contained, in the form of proxy. In
order to be valid for use at the Meeting, proxies must be received not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
prior to the Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.
If you are a non-registered shareholder
and receive these materials through your broker or through another intermediary, please complete and return the materials in
accordance with the instructions provided to you by your broker or such other intermediary. If you are a non-registered shareholder
and do not complete and return the materials in accordance with such instructions, you may lose the right to vote at the Meeting,
either in person or by proxy.
Further information with respect to voting
by proxy is included in the accompanying Circular. If you have questions, you may contact our proxy solicitation agent, Kingsdale
Shareholder Services, by: (i) telephone, toll-free in North America at 1-866-581-0506 or at 416-867-2272 outside of North America;
(ii) facsimile to 416-867-2271 or, toll-free in North America, to 1-866-545-5580; (iii) mail to The Exchange Tower, 130 King Street
West, Suite 2950, P.O. Box 361, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5X 1E2; or (iv) e-mail to contactus@kingsdaleshareholder.com.
DATED at Toronto, Ontario this 16th
day of March, 2015.
By Order
of the Board of Directors
DOUGLAS
G. COOKE
Corporate
Secretary
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INFORMATION FOR ALL SHAREHOLDERS |
1 |
INFORMATION FOR UNITED STATES SHAREHOLDERS |
2 |
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION |
3 |
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
4 |
GLOSSARY OF TERMS |
6 |
SUMMARY |
13 |
THE MEETING |
21 |
Time, Date and Place |
21 |
Record Date for Notice and Shareholders Entitled to Vote |
21 |
Business of the Meeting |
21 |
Voting Options |
21 |
ANNUAL MEETING MATTERS |
22 |
Receipt of Financial Statements |
22 |
Appointment of Auditors |
22 |
Election of Directors |
22 |
Amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan |
29 |
Information Relating to Annual Meeting Matters |
30 |
THE ARRANGEMENT |
30 |
Background to the Arrangement |
30 |
Reasons for the Arrangement |
32 |
Recommendation of the Board |
34 |
Fairness Opinion |
34 |
Details of the Arrangement |
34 |
Arrangement Agreement |
36 |
Pre-Arrangement Transactions |
39 |
Plan of Arrangement |
39 |
Delivery of New FSV Share Certificates |
44 |
Treatment of Debt Securities and Credit Facilities |
44 |
Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans |
45 |
Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance |
49 |
Transitional Services and Separation Agreement |
49 |
Standstill Agreement |
51 |
Intention of Directors and Executive Officers |
51 |
Expenses of the Arrangement |
51 |
CERTAIN LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS |
51 |
Completion of the Arrangement |
51 |
Timing |
52 |
Shareholder Approval |
52 |
Court Approval |
52 |
Stock Exchange Listings |
53 |
Trading of Shares on the TSX and Nasdaq |
53 |
Canadian Securities Law Matters |
55 |
United States Securities Laws Matters |
60 |
Tax Ruling and Opinion |
61 |
DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS |
62 |
INFORMATION CONCERNING FIRSTSERVICE PRE-ARRANGEMENT |
64 |
Corporate Structure |
64 |
Description of the Business |
65 |
Summary Financial Information |
71 |
Directors and Executive Officers |
72 |
Share Capital |
72 |
Dividend Policy |
73 |
Trading Price and Volume |
74 |
Prior Sales of FirstService Shares |
74 |
Principal Holders of FirstService Shares |
74 |
Certain Rights of Holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
75 |
Interest of Informed Persons in Material Transactions |
76 |
Normal Course Issuer Bid |
76 |
Indebtedness of Directors and Officers |
77 |
Interest of Directors and Officers in Matters to be Acted Upon |
77 |
Board Committees |
77 |
Insurance |
78 |
Documents Incorporated by Reference |
78 |
INFORMATION CONCERNING COLLIERS POST-ARRANGEMENT |
78 |
Corporate Structure |
78 |
Description of the Business |
79 |
Summary Pro Forma Financial Information |
79 |
Directors and Executive Officers |
80 |
Share Capital |
81 |
Dividend Policy |
82 |
Listing and Trading of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares |
82 |
Board Committees |
83 |
Auditors |
83 |
Additional Information |
83 |
INFORMATION CONCERNING NEW FSV POST-ARRANGEMENT |
83 |
Corporate Structure |
83 |
Description of the Business |
83 |
Summary Pro Forma Financial Information |
84 |
Directors and Executive Officers |
85 |
Share Capital |
86 |
Dividend Policy |
88 |
Listing and Trading of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares |
88 |
Board Committees |
88 |
Auditors |
88 |
Additional Information |
89 |
OTHER ARRANGEMENT MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON |
89 |
New FSV Stock Option Plan |
89 |
CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS |
92 |
Canadian Tax Ruling |
92 |
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences to Shareholders |
93 |
Shareholders Resident in Canada |
93 |
Resident Shareholders Who Hold FirstService Shares, Other Than Dissenting Shareholders |
93 |
Dissenting Resident Shareholders |
97 |
Eligibility for Investment |
98 |
Shareholders Not Resident in Canada |
98 |
Non-Resident Shareholders Who Hold FirstService Shares, other than Dissenting Shareholders |
99 |
Dissenting Non-Resident Shareholders |
100 |
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS |
100 |
U.S. Holders |
101 |
Non-U.S. Holders |
101 |
U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed |
101 |
Transactions Not Addressed |
101 |
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Arrangement |
102 |
Distribution of New FSV Shares |
102 |
Treatment if Section 355 of the U.S. Code Applies |
102 |
Treatment if Section 355 of the U.S. Code Does Not Apply |
102 |
Consequences of Holding and Disposing of FirstService (Colliers) Shares or New FSV Shares |
104 |
Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) Considerations |
105 |
RISK FACTORS |
106 |
Risks Relating to the Arrangement |
106 |
Risks Relating to FirstService and Colliers |
109 |
Risks Relating to New FSV |
109 |
GENERAL PROXY MATTERS |
109 |
Solicitation of Proxies |
109 |
Information For Non-Registered Shareholders |
110 |
Appointment of Proxyholder |
111 |
Execution and Deposit of Proxy |
111 |
Manner Proxies Will Be Voted |
111 |
Revocability of Proxy |
112 |
Quorum |
112 |
Voting of FirstService Shares |
112 |
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL MATTERS |
112 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
113 |
CONTACTING THE BOARD |
113 |
GENERAL |
113 |
CONSENTS |
114 |
Consent of Wilson & Partners LLP |
114 |
Consent of William Blair |
114 |
APPENDICES
Appendix "A" |
– |
Arrangement Resolution |
Appendix "B" |
– |
New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution |
Appendix "C" |
– |
Arrangement Agreement (including Plan of Arrangement) |
Appendix "D" |
– |
Fairness Opinion of William Blair & Company, L.L.C. |
Appendix "E" |
– |
Notice of Application for Final Order |
Appendix "F" |
– |
Interim Order |
Appendix "G" |
– |
Form of New FSV Stock Option Plan |
Appendix "H" |
– |
Information Concerning Colliers Post-Arrangement |
Appendix "I" |
– |
Information Concerning New FSV Post-Arrangement |
Appendix "J" |
– |
Financial Statements of New FSV Corporation |
Appendix "K" |
– |
New FSV Carve-Out Combined Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis |
Appendix "L" |
– |
Pro Forma Financial Statements of New FSV |
Appendix "M" |
– |
Pro Forma Financial Statements of Colliers |
Appendix "N" |
– |
Section 185 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) – Dissent Rights |
Appendix "O" |
– |
Information Relating to Annual Meeting Matters |
![](image_001.jpg)
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
APRIL 21, 2015
INFORMATION FOR ALL SHAREHOLDERS
General
This Circular is furnished in connection
with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the management of FirstService for use at the Meeting to be held at the time
and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting, and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.
See "General Proxy Matters".
All capitalized terms used in this Circular,
including the appendices hereto, but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth under "Glossary of Terms".
A copy of this Circular is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Unless otherwise specifically stated, all information set forth
herein is given as at March 16, 2015. The address of the registered office of FirstService is 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4.
No person has been authorized to give any
information or make any representation in connection with the matters to be considered at the Meeting other than those contained,
or incorporated by reference, in this Circular and, if given or made, any such information or representation must not be relied
upon as having been authorized or accurate.
This Circular does not constitute an offer
to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, by any person in any jurisdiction
in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified
to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation of an offer or proxy solicitation. Neither
the delivery of this Circular nor any distribution of the securities referred to in this Circular will, under any circumstances,
create an implication that there has been no change in the information set forth herein since the date as of which such information
is given in this Circular.
Shareholders should not construe the contents
of this Circular as legal, tax or financial advice and should consult with their own legal, tax, financial or other professional
advisors in considering the matters contained in this Circular.
This Circular includes market and industry
data and other information that has been obtained from third party sources, including industry publications and other publicly
available sources. Although FirstService believes such information to be reliable, FirstService has not independently verified
any of the data or information included in this Circular that was obtained from third party or publicly available sources, nor
has FirstService evaluated the underlying data or assumptions relied upon by such sources. References in this Circular to any publications,
reports, surveys or articles prepared by third parties should not be construed as depicting the complete findings of the entire
publication, report, survey or article. The information in any such publication, report, survey or article is not incorporated
by reference in this Circular.
This Circular and the transactions contemplated
in connection with the Arrangement, including the securities to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement, have not been approved or
disapproved by any securities regulatory authority nor has any securities regulatory authority passed upon the merits or fairness
of such transactions or upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Circular. Any representation to the contrary is an offence.
Currency
In this Circular, references to "$",
"C$" and "Canadian dollars" are to the lawful currency of Canada and references to "US$" and "United
States dollars" are to the lawful currency of the United States. All dollar amounts herein are in United States dollars, unless
otherwise stated.
Live Webcast of the Meeting
Shareholders who are unable to attend the
Meeting in person have the opportunity to listen to a live webcast of the Meeting. The details concerning the live webcast will
be provided on FirstService's website at www.firstservice.com prior to the Meeting. Shareholders unable to listen to the live webcast
will also be able to listen to a recorded version of the Meeting at a later date, as one will be made available on FirstService's
website.
Proxy Solicitation Agent
Kingsdale has been retained as proxy solicitation
agent in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting with respect to the Arrangement Resolution from holders of
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and, in such capacity, is entitled to receive a fixed fee of $50,000 plus out-of-pocket
expenses. Holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares who have any questions in regards to the Meeting or require assistance
with voting may contact Kingsdale, by: (i) telephone, toll-free in North America at 1-866-581-0506 or at 416-867-2272 outside of
North America; (ii) facsimile to 416-867-2271 or, toll-free in North America, to 1-866-545-5580; (iii) mail to The Exchange Tower,
130 King Street West, Suite 2950, P.O. Box 361, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5X 1E2; or (iv) e-mail to contactus@kingsdaleshareholder.com.
All costs of the solicitation will be borne, directly or indirectly, by FirstService.
INFORMATION FOR UNITED STATES SHAREHOLDERS
The securities issuable to Shareholders
in exchange for their securities pursuant to the Arrangement have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities
Act. Such securities will be issued in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act
provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof on the basis of the approval of the Court, which will consider, among other things, the fairness
of the Arrangement to the persons affected. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – United States Securities Laws
Matters".
The solicitation of proxies is not subject
to the requirements of Section 14(a) of the U.S. Exchange Act. The solicitation of proxies and transactions contemplated herein
are being made by or on behalf of a Canadian issuer in accordance with Canadian corporate and securities laws, and this Circular
has been prepared in accordance with disclosure requirements applicable in Canada.
Shareholders should be aware that requirements
under such Canadian laws and such disclosure requirements may differ from requirements under United States corporate and securities
laws relating to United States corporations. Unless expressly noted, information concerning FirstService, Colliers and New FSV
and their respective current or expected businesses, properties and operations, as applicable, contained or incorporated herein
by reference has been prepared in accordance with disclosure requirements applicable in Canada and such disclosure requirements
may be materially different from those applicable in the United States.
The enforcement by Shareholders of civil
liabilities under the securities laws of the United States may be affected adversely by the fact that the parties to the Arrangement
are organized under the laws of jurisdictions other than the United States, that some or all of their officers and directors are
residents of countries other than the United States, and that some or all of the experts named in this Circular may be residents
of countries other than the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for Shareholders to effect service of
process within the United States upon the parties to the Arrangement, their respective officers and directors or the experts named
herein, or to realize against them upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon civil liabilities under the securities
laws of the United States. In addition, Shareholders should not assume that the courts of Canada: (a) would enforce judgments of
United States courts obtained in actions against such persons predicated upon civil liabilities under the securities laws of the
United States; or (b) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against such persons predicated upon civil liabilities under
the securities laws of the United States.
U.S. Shareholders should be aware that
the Arrangement described in this Circular may have tax consequences both in Canada and in the United States which are not described
fully herein. See "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations" and "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations".
U.S. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisor for advice on the Arrangement.
The U.S. Securities Act imposes restrictions
on the resale of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares issued pursuant to the Arrangement
by persons who were "affiliates" of FirstService or New FSV, as applicable, prior to the completion of the Arrangement
or who are "affiliates" of FirstService or New FSV, as applicable, after completion of the Arrangement. See "Certain
Legal and Regulatory Matters – United States Securities Laws Matters".
The securities to be issued pursuant
to the Arrangement have not been approved or disapproved by the SEC or the securities regulatory authority of any state of the
United States, nor has the SEC or the securities regulatory authority of any state passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this Circular.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Circular contains, and incorporates
by reference, information that constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities
laws. The forward-looking information in this Circular is presented for the purpose of providing disclosure of the current expectations
of FirstService, Colliers and/or New FSV for future events or results, having regard to current plans, objectives and proposals,
and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking information may also include information regarding
the respective future plans or objectives of FirstService, Colliers or New FSV and other information that is not comprised of historical
fact. Forward-looking information is predictive in nature, depends upon or refers to future events or conditions and, as such,
this Circular uses words such as "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely",
"expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project",
"estimate" and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events to identify forward-looking information. The
forward-looking information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Circular relates, but may not be limited, to: the
completion of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions; the completion and proposed terms of, and matters relating to, the Arrangement
and the expected timing related thereto; the expected benefits of the Arrangement to Shareholders and FirstService and the anticipated
effect of the completion of the Arrangement on FirstService, Colliers and New FSV and their respective future operations; the anticipated
business strategies or further actions of each of Colliers and New FSV following the completion of the Arrangement and their respective
abilities to accomplish same; certain Canadian and U.S. federal income tax consequences resulting from the completion of the Arrangement;
the timing for the delivery of share certificates representing the New FSV Shares; the objectives and priorities of FirstService,
Colliers and/or New FSV for 2015 and beyond; and expectations with respect to future general economic and market conditions.
Any such forward-looking information is
based on information currently available to FirstService and New FSV, and is based on assumptions and analyses made by FirstService
and/or New FSV in light of their respective experiences and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future
developments, as well as other factors FirstService and/or New FSV believe are appropriate in the circumstances, including but
not limited to: the anticipated approval of the Arrangement by Shareholders and the Court; the anticipated receipt of any required
governmental and regulatory approvals and consents (including from the TSX and Nasdaq); the expectation that each of FirstService,
New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI will comply with the terms and conditions of the Arrangement Agreement; the expectation that no
event, change or other circumstance will occur that could give rise to the termination of the Arrangement Agreement; that no unforeseen
changes in the legislative and operating framework for the respective businesses of FirstService, Colliers or New FSV will occur;
that each of Colliers and New FSV will meet its future objectives and priorities; that each of Colliers and New FSV will have access
to adequate capital to fund its future acquisitions and plans; that each of Colliers and New FSV's future acquisitions and plans
will proceed as anticipated; and that future market and economic conditions will occur as expected.
However, whether actual results and developments
will conform with the expectations and predictions contained in the forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties, many of which are beyond FirstService's control, and the effects of which can be difficult to predict. Factors
that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information include,
but are not limited to: the failure to complete the Arrangement for any reason (including due to the failure to satisfy the conditions
contained in the Arrangement Agreement); the potential benefits of the Arrangement not being realized; adverse changes and volatility
in the trading prices or value, as applicable, of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement; there being no established
market for the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares; the potential inability or unwillingness of current Shareholders to hold Colliers
Shares and/or New FSV Shares following the Arrangement; substantial tax liabilities that FirstService, Colliers and/or New FSV
may be exposed to if the tax-deferred Arrangement requirements are not met; FirstService's ability to delay or amend the implementation
of all or part of the Arrangement or to proceed with the Arrangement even if certain consents and approvals are not obtained on
a timely basis; the failure to obtain any required governmental, regulatory or other approvals and/or consents (including from
the TSX, Nasdaq, the Court and/or Shareholders); future factors that may arise making it inadvisable to proceed with, or advisable
to delay, all or part of the Arrangement; risks associated with indemnity obligations arising under the Arrangement Agreement or
the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement; the reduced diversity of Colliers and New FSV as separate companies; Colliers
or New FSV's inability to raise additional capital; the failure to accurately estimate the costs of the Arrangement and the implications
of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions; adverse changes in general economic and market conditions; the inability of Colliers or New
FSV to execute strategic plans and meet financial obligations; risks associated with the anticipated operations of each of Colliers
and New FSV in general, including risks related to economic conditions, especially as they relate to credit conditions and consumer
spending, commercial real estate property values, vacancy rates and general conditions of financial liquidity for real estate transactions,
residential real estate property values, resale rates and general conditions of financial liquidity for real estate transactions,
extreme weather conditions and their impact on demand for services or the ability to perform those services, economic deterioration
impact on the ability to recover goodwill and other intangible assets, the ability to generate cash from operations to fund future
acquisitions and meet debt obligations, the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates, competition in the markets served, labour
shortages or increases in wage and benefit costs, the effects of changes in interest rates on the cost of borrowing, continued
compliance with the financial covenants under debt agreements, or the ability to negotiate a waiver of certain covenants, unexpected
increases in operating costs, such as insurance, workers' compensation, health care and fuel prices, changes in the frequency or
severity of insurance incidents relative to historical experience, the ability to make acquisitions at reasonable prices and successfully
integrate acquired operations, risks arising from any regulatory review and litigation, intellectual property and other proprietary
rights that are material to the businesses, disruptions or security failures in information technology systems, political conditions,
including any outbreak or escalation of terrorism or hostilities and the impact thereof on the businesses and changes in government
policies at the federal, state/provincial or local level that may adversely impact the businesses. For a further description of
these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information contained, or
incorporated by reference, in this Circular, see the risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in this Circular as
well as the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "Risk factors" in the 2014 Annual Information Form and
subsequent filings made with securities commissions in Canada.
In evaluating any forward-looking information
contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Circular, FirstService cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such
forward-looking information. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Unless otherwise
required by applicable securities laws, FirstService does not intend, nor does it undertake any obligation, to update or revise
any forward-looking information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Circular to reflect subsequent information, events,
results, circumstances or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions
of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation.
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
General
The financial statements and selected pro
forma financial information contained in this Circular are reported in United States dollars. All such financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures
In this Circular, references are made to
"adjusted EBITDA" and "adjusted earnings per share," which are financial measures that are not calculated in
accordance with U.S. GAAP. FirstService believes that the presentation of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share provides
important supplemental information to management and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to the financial
condition and results of operations of FirstService, Colliers and New FSV. FirstService uses these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures
when evaluating operating performance because FirstService believes that the inclusion or exclusion of the items described below,
for which the amounts are non-cash or non-recurring in nature, provides a supplemental measure to operating results that facilitates
comparability of operating performance from period to period, against business model objectives and against other companies in
similar or comparable industries. FirstService has chosen to provide this information so readers can analyze operating results
in the same way that management does and use this information in their assessment of the core business of FirstService, Colliers
and New FSV and the valuation of FirstService, Colliers and New FSV. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share are not calculated
in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial
measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect
all of the costs or benefits associated with business operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As a result, readers
should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under U.S. GAAP.
| § | Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net earnings, adjusted to exclude: (i) income tax; (ii) other (income)
expense; (iii) interest expense; (iv) depreciation and amortization; (v) acquisition-related items; and (vi) stock-based compensation
expense. FirstService uses adjusted EBITDA to evaluate its own operating performance and its ability to service debt, as well as
an integral part of its planning and reporting systems. Additionally, this measure is used in conjunction with discounted cash
flow models to determine overall enterprise valuation and to evaluate acquisition targets. Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a supplemental
measure because FirstService believes such measure is useful to readers as a reasonable indicator of operating performance because
of the low capital intensity of its service operations. FirstService believes this measure is a financial metric used by many investors
to compare companies, especially in the services industry. This measure is not a recognized measure of financial performance under
U.S. GAAP, and should not be considered as a substitute for operating earnings, net earnings or cash flow from operating activities,
as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. FirstService's method of calculating adjusted EBITDA may differ from other issuers
and accordingly, this measure may not be comparable to measures used by other issuers. |
| § | Adjusted earnings per share is defined as diluted net earnings per common share from continuing
operations, adjusted for the effect, after income tax, of: (i) the non-controlling interest redemption increment; (ii) acquisition-related
items; (iii) amortization of intangible assets recognized in connection with acquisitions; and (iv) stock-based compensation expense.
FirstService believes this measure is useful to investors because it provides a supplemental way to understand underlying operating
performance and enhances the comparability of operating results from period to period. Adjusted earnings per common share is not
a recognized measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and should not be considered as a substitute for diluted net earnings
per common share, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. FirstService's method of calculating adjusted earnings per common
share may differ from other issuers and, accordingly, this measure may not be comparable to measures used by other issuers. |
For a reconciliation of the above noted
non-U.S. GAAP measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures: (a) for FirstService, please see "Reconciliation
of non-GAAP financial measures" in FirstService's management's discussion and analysis as at and for the year ended December
31, 2014 (which is incorporated herein by reference); (b) for Colliers, please see "Information Concerning Colliers Post-Arrangement
– Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information"; and (c) for New FSV, please see "Information Concerning New FSV
Post-Arrangement – Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information".
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
"2014 Annual Information
Form" means the annual information form of FirstService for the year ended December 31, 2014 dated February 23, 2015;
"Annual Meeting Matters"
means the matters relating to annual business outlined in items 1 to 3 in the Notice of Meeting to be considered at the Meeting
by the Shareholders;
"Arrangement" means the
arrangement under Section 182 of the OBCA on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Plan of Arrangement, subject
to any amendments or variations to the Plan of Arrangement made in accordance with the Arrangement Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement,
or made at the direction of the Court;
"Arrangement Agreement"
means the arrangement agreement made as of the 11th day of March, 2015 among FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI
(including the schedules thereto), a copy of which is attached as Appendix "C" to this Circular, as it may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms;
"Arrangement Resolution"
means the special resolution approving the Plan of Arrangement to be considered at the Meeting, substantially in the form and content
attached as Appendix "A" to this Circular;
"Articles of Arrangement"
means the articles of arrangement of FirstService in respect of the Arrangement, to be filed with the Director after the Final
Order is made, which shall include the Plan of Arrangement;
"Board" means the board
of directors of FirstService as constituted from time to time;
"Business Day" means a
day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory or civic holiday in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when banks are generally open for
the transaction of business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
"Canadian Tax Ruling"
means the advance income tax rulings received from the CRA with respect to certain Canadian federal income tax consequences in
respect of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Arrangement and certain other transactions and includes any replacements thereof
and amendments and supplements thereto received or anticipated to be received from the CRA;
"Certificate of Arrangement"
means the certificate of arrangement to be issued by the Director, pursuant to subsection 183(2) of the OBCA, in order to give
effect to the Articles of Arrangement;
"Circular" means this
management information circular dated March 16, 2015, together with all appendices hereto and documents incorporated by reference
herein, distributed by FirstService in connection with the solicitation of proxies at the Meeting;
"Colliers" means Colliers
International Group Inc., the corporation governed by the OBCA continuing following the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI
pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement; and any references in this Circular and the appendices hereto to FirstService and/or FCRESI
following the completion of the Arrangement refer to Colliers;
"Colliers MSA" means the
FirstService MSA, as required to be amended and restated among Colliers, Jayset and Jay S. Hennick in accordance with the terms
of the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, pursuant to which FirstService (and following the Effective Time, Colliers)
will continue to receive the various management and other services being provided by Jayset to FirstService in respect of the "Commercial
Real Estate Services" division of FirstService pursuant to the FirstService MSA;
"Colliers Multiple Voting Shares"
means the Multiple Voting Shares in the capital of Colliers (which were previously FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and
which became Multiple Voting Shares in the capital of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI under the
Plan of Arrangement);
"Colliers Replacement Stock Options"
means the FirstService Replacement Stock Options which become stock options of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService
and FCRESI under the Plan of Arrangement;
"Colliers Shares" means,
collectively, the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares;
"Colliers Stock Option Plan"
means the FirstService Stock Option Plan which becomes the stock option plan of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService
and FCRESI under the Plan of Arrangement;
"Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares"
means the Subordinate Voting Shares in the capital of Colliers (which were previously FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares
and which became Subordinate Voting Shares in the capital of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI under
the Plan of Arrangement);
"Court" means the Ontario
Superior Court of Justice;
"CRA" means the Canada
Revenue Agency;
"Demand for Payment" has
the meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "Dissenting Shareholders' Rights";
"Director" means the Director
appointed pursuant to Section 278 of the OBCA;
"Dissent Notice" has the
meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "Dissenting Shareholders' Rights";
"Dissent Rights" has the
meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "Dissenting Shareholders' Rights";
"Dissenting Shareholder"
has the meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "Dissenting Shareholders' Rights";
"Dissenting Shares" has
the meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "Dissenting Shareholders' Rights";
"Distribution" means the
distribution of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares to holders of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares of record as of
the Distribution Record Date pursuant to the Arrangement;
"Distribution Date" means
the date on which the Distribution occurs (which will be the same date as the Effective Date);
"Distribution Property"
has the meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "The Arrangement – Plan of Arrangement – Arrangement
Steps";
"Distribution Property Exchange"
has the meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "The Arrangement – Plan of Arrangement – Arrangement
Steps";
"Distribution Record Date"
means the Business Day immediately prior to the Effective Date;
"Effective Date" means
the date shown on the Certificate of Arrangement;
"Effective Time" means
12:01 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario local time) on the Effective Date;
"Elected Amount" has the
meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations – Resident
Shareholders Who Hold FirstService Shares, Other Than Dissenting Shareholders – Transfer of FirstService SV Special Shares
& FirstService MV Special Shares for New FSV Shares";
"Eligible Holder" means
a Shareholder, other than a Dissenting Shareholder:
| (a) | who is resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and not exempt from tax under Part I of the
Tax Act; |
| (b) | who is a non-resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and whose FirstService Shares constitute
"taxable Canadian property" (as such term is defined in the Tax Act) to the holder, provided that any gain realized by
the holder on a disposition at fair market value of such shares would not be exempt from tax under the Tax Act by virtue of an
applicable Tax Treaty; or |
| (c) | that is a partnership that owns FirstService Shares if one or more of the partners thereof would
be described in either paragraphs (a) or (b) of this definition, above, if such partner held such FirstService Shares directly; |
"Encumbrance" means any
mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, hypothec, security interest, encumbrance, adverse claim or right of any third party to acquire
or restrict the use of property;
"fair market value" means
the highest price available in an open and unrestricted market between informed prudent parties acting at arm's length and under
no compulsion to act and contracting for a taxable purchase and sale, expressed in terms of cash;
"Fairness Opinion" means
the opinion of William Blair dated March 11, 2015, a copy of which is attached as Appendix "D" to this Circular;
"FCRESI" means FirstService
Commercial Real Estate Services Inc., a corporation existing under the OBCA, which will be amalgamated with FirstService on the
Effective Date pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement to form Colliers;
"FCRESI Arrangements"
means the arrangements entered into between FirstService and one or more shareholders and/or optionholders of FCRESI (other than
FirstService) and/or under the FCRESI Governance Agreement pursuant to which FirstService will acquire (outside and not as part
of the Plan of Arrangement) all of the issued and outstanding shares (and options to acquire shares) of FCRESI it does not own
for consideration consisting of FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and/or cash and, following the effectiveness of which,
FCRESI will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstService;
"FCRESI Governance Agreement"
means the amended and restated governance and support agreement made as of the 7th day of August, 2012 between FCRESI
and FirstService;
"Final Order" means the
final order of the Court approving the Arrangement, as such order may be amended or varied at any time prior to the Effective Time
or, if appealed, then, unless such appeal is withdrawn or denied, as affirmed or amended, with or without variation, on appeal;
"FirstService" means FirstService
Corporation, a corporation existing under the OBCA, which will be amalgamated with FCRESI on the Effective Date pursuant to the
Plan of Arrangement to form Colliers;
"FirstService Articles"
means the certificate and articles of amalgamation of FirstService effective on April 1, 1999, as amended by the certificate and
articles of amendment of FirstService effective on June 27, 2007;
"FirstService MSA" means
the management services agreement made effective as of and from the 1st day of February, 2004 among FirstService, Jayset
and Jay S. Hennick, as same may have been amended, pursuant to which FirstService retained Jayset to provide various management
and other services, and Mr. Hennick agreed to perform such services on behalf of Jayset;
"FirstService Multiple Voting Shares"
means the Multiple Voting Shares in the capital of FirstService (that will be re-designated under the Plan of Arrangement as "Class
A Multiple Voting Shares");
"FirstService MV Special Shares"
means the new series of preference shares in the capital of FirstService to be created pursuant to the Arrangement, designated
as "Preference Shares, Series MV" and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit
"I" to the Plan of Arrangement;
"FirstService New Multiple Voting
Shares" means the new class of shares in the capital of FirstService created pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, designated
as "Multiple Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit
"I" to the Plan of Arrangement;
"FirstService New Subordinate Voting
Shares" means the new class of shares in the capital of FirstService created pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, designated
as "Subordinate Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit
"I" to the Plan of Arrangement;
"FirstService Replacement Stock
Options" means the options to acquire FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares to be granted and issued by FirstService
to the holders of FirstService Stock Options pursuant to the Arrangement;
"FirstService Share Exchange"
has the meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "The Arrangement – Plan of Arrangement – Arrangement
Steps";
"FirstService Shares"
means, collectively, the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares;
"FirstService Stock Options"
means the options to acquire FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares granted pursuant to the FirstService Stock Option Plan;
"FirstService Stock Option Plan"
means the FirstService Stock Option Plan, as amended and/or restated;
"FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares" means the Subordinate Voting Shares in the capital of FirstService (that will be re-designated under the Plan
of Arrangement as "Class A Subordinate Voting Shares");
"FirstService SV Special Shares"
means the new series of preference shares in the capital of FirstService to be created pursuant to the Arrangement, designated
as "Preference Shares, Series SV" and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit
"I" to the Plan of Arrangement;
"FSV Holdco" means FSV
Holdco ULC, an unlimited liability company existing under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), which will be
wound-up into New FSV on the Effective Date pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement;
"Interim Order" means
the interim order of the Court dated March 13, 2015 under subsection 182(5) of the OBCA which provides for the calling and holding
of the Meeting, a copy of which is attached as Appendix "F" to this Circular, as the same may be varied or amended by
the Court;
"IRS" means the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service;
"Jayset" means Jayset
Capital Corp., a corporation existing under the OBCA;
"Kingsdale"
means Kingsdale Shareholder Services, FirstService's proxy solicitation agent in connection
with the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting with respect to the Arrangement Resolution from the holders of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares;
"Long Term Arrangement"
has the meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "Executive Compensation – FirstService MSA" in
Appendix "O";
"Management" means management
of FirstService;
"Meeting" means the annual
and special meeting of Shareholders to be held at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, and any adjournment or postponement
thereof, for the purposes of, among other things, considering and, if deemed appropriate, approving the Annual Meeting Matters,
the Arrangement Resolution and the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution;
"MI 61-101" means Multilateral
Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, as it may be amended or re-enacted
from time to time;
"Nasdaq" means The NASDAQ
Stock Market (including any applicable tier thereof);
"Net Fair Market Value"
means, in respect of any property, the net fair market value of that property determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with all administrative policies of the CRA in effect at the time of the FirstService Share Exchange and, in determining Net Fair
Market Value, the following principles will apply: (a) any tax-related accounts in any corporation (such as deferred income taxes,
the balance of non-capital losses and the balance of net capital losses) will not be considered to be property of that corporation;
(b) the amount of any liability will be its principal amount; (c) no amount will be considered to be a liability unless it represents
a true legal liability which is capable of quantification; (d) the portion of the long-term debt due within one year will be treated
as a current liability; and (e) liabilities of a corporation will include its respective partnership share of each liability of
any partnership of which such corporation is a partner;
"New FSV" means New FSV
Corporation, a corporation existing under the OBCA, which will change its name on the Effective Date pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement
to "FirstService Corporation";
"New FSV Board" means
the board of directors of New FSV as constituted from time to time;
"New FSV MSA" means the
management services agreement required to be entered into among FirstService, Jayset and Jay S. Hennick in accordance with the
terms of the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, as a continuation of the existing rights and obligations under the
FirstService MSA, pursuant to which FirstService (and following the Effective Time, New FSV) will continue to receive the various
management and other services provided by Jayset to FirstService in respect of the "Residential Real Estate Services"
and "Property Services" divisions of FirstService pursuant to the FirstService MSA;
"New FSV Multiple Voting Shares"
means the shares in the capital of New FSV designated as "Multiple Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "II" to the Plan of Arrangement;
"New FSV Replacement Stock Options"
means the options to acquire New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares to be granted and issued by New FSV to the holders of FirstService
Stock Options pursuant to the Arrangement;
"New FSV Shares" means,
collectively, the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares;
"New FSV Special Shares"
means the new series of preference shares in the capital of New FSV created pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, designated as
"Preference Shares, Series Special" and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in
Exhibit "V" to the Plan of Arrangement;
"New FSV Stock Options"
means the options to acquire New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares to be granted by New FSV pursuant to the New FSV Stock Option Plan
and includes, following completion of the Arrangement, New FSV Replacement Stock Options;
"New FSV Stock Option Plan"
means the stock option plan adopted by New FSV prior to the Effective Date (substantially in the form and content attached as Appendix
"G" to this Circular);
"New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution"
means the ordinary resolution ratifying and approving the New FSV Stock Option Plan to be considered at the Meeting, substantially
in the form and content attached as Appendix "B" to this Circular;
"New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares"
means the shares in the capital of New FSV designated as "Subordinate Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "II" to the Plan of Arrangement;
"NI 41-101" means National
Instrument 41-101 – General Prospectus Requirements, as it may be amended or re-enacted from time to time;
"Notice of Meeting" means
the notice of the Meeting accompanying this Circular;
"OBCA" means the Business
Corporations Act (Ontario) and the regulations made thereunder, each as amended or re-enacted from time to time;
"Offer to Pay" has the
meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "Dissenting Shareholders' Rights";
"OSC" means the Ontario
Securities Commission;
"OSC Rule 56-501" means
OSC Rule 56-501 – Restricted Shares, as it may be amended or re-enacted from time to time;
"Paid-Up Capital" has
the meaning attributed to that term in subsection 89(1) of the Tax Act;
"Pre-Arrangement Transactions"
means the reorganization mechanics and transactions to be effected prior to the Arrangement becoming effective (including the FCRESI
Arrangements) and described under the section entitled "The Arrangement – Pre-Arrangement Transactions";
"Plan of Arrangement"
means the plan of arrangement involving FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco, FCRESI and the Shareholders, a copy of which is attached
as Schedule "A" to the Arrangement Agreement (which is attached as Appendix "C" to this Circular), as it may
be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms;
"Record Date" means the
close of business on Friday, March 20, 2015;
"Registered Shareholder"
means a Shareholder whose name is set out in the register of FirstService for the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares maintained
by TMX Equity Transfer Services or for the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares maintained by FirstService;
"SEC" means the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission;
"SEDAR" means the Canadian
System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval;
"Shareholders" means,
collectively, the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares;
"Standstill Agreement"
means the standstill agreement made effective as of the 10th day of February, 2015 among Jay S. Hennick, Henset Capital
Inc., New FSV, FSV Holdco, FCRESI and FirstService pursuant to which, among other things, Mr. Hennick and Henset Capital Inc. have
agreed to certain restrictions on the disposition of certain property to any person who is not related to the transferor;
"Tax Act" means the Income
Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations made thereunder, each as amended or re-enacted from time to time;
"Tax Election" means a
joint election pursuant to Section 85 of the Tax Act (and the corresponding provisions of any applicable provincial tax legislation)
that will be made by an Eligible Holder with New FSV to defer all or a portion of the taxable income that otherwise may arise on
the disposition of FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV Special Shares by an Eligible Holder to New FSV as part
of the Arrangement;
"Tax Proposals" means
all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act that have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada)
prior to the date of this Circular;
"Tax Ruling and Opinion"
means, collectively, the Canadian Tax Ruling and the U.S. Tax Opinion;
"Tax Treaty" means any
bilateral tax convention to which Canada is a party that is in force as at the date of this Circular;
"Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement" means an agreement to be made between FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco, FCRESI, Jay S. Hennick, Jayset, Jayset
Management CIG Inc. and Jayset Management FSV Inc. for the provision of transitional services and facilities by or to Colliers
and its affiliates, on the one hand, and by or to New FSV and its affiliates, on the other hand, and in respect of separation,
transition and management services matters resulting from the completion of the Arrangement (including providing for the Colliers
MSA and the New FSV MSA), which agreement will be on terms and conditions as agreed among the parties thereto;
"TSX" means the Toronto
Stock Exchange;
"United States" and "U.S."
means the United States of America, the District of Columbia and the territories and possessions of the United States;
"U.S. Code" means the
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and includes the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder;
"U.S. Exchange Act" means
the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
"U.S. GAAP" means generally
accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States;
"U.S. Holder" has the
meaning attributed to such term in the section entitled "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations – U.S. Holders";
"U.S. Securities Act"
means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
"U.S. Shareholders" means
any Shareholder resident in the United States;
"U.S. Tax Opinion" means
an opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to be dated at or prior to the Effective Date, addressed to the Board and to the New FSV
Board and otherwise in a form acceptable to the Board, confirming, based on the provisions of the U.S. Code, Treasury Regulations,
published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, the U.S. Treaty and U.S. court decisions that are
applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as at the date of such opinion, the U.S. federal income tax consequences
of certain aspects of the Arrangement and the Pre-Arrangement Transactions;
"U.S. Treaty" means the
Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended; and
"William Blair" means
William Blair & Company, L.L.C., the financial advisor to the Board.
SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain
information contained elsewhere in this Circular, including the Appendices hereto, and is qualified in its entirety by the more
detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Circular and incorporated by reference herein. Shareholders
are urged to review this Circular and the documents incorporated by reference, including the Appendices, in their entirety. Certain
capitalized words and terms used in this summary are defined in the Glossary of Terms.
The Meeting
FirstService has called the Meeting as
an annual and special meeting to vote upon the Annual Meeting Matters and to consider and vote upon the Arrangement Resolution
and, if the Arrangement Resolution is approved, to consider and vote upon the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution. Shareholders
may also be asked to consider other business that properly comes before the Meeting.
The Meeting will be held at The Design
Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B2 on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time).
The Board has fixed the close of business on Friday, March 20, 2015 for the determination of Shareholders entitled to receive notice
of, to attend and to vote at the Meeting, or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. At the Meeting, each FirstService Subordinate
Voting Share of record entitles the holder thereof to one (1) vote per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share and each FirstService
Multiple Voting Share of record entitles the holder thereof to twenty (20) votes per FirstService Multiple Voting Share. As at
the close of business on March 16, 2015, there were 34,644,911 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares outstanding.
For further information on voting FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares or FirstService Multiple Voting Shares at the Meeting, see "General Proxy Matters".
The Arrangement
The Arrangement involves the division of
FirstService into two focused and independent publicly traded services companies – the first being Colliers, the commercial
real estate services division of FirstService, and the other being New FSV, a combination of the residential real estate services
and property services divisions of FirstService. The proposed corporate reorganization of FirstService is designed to enhance long-term
value for Shareholders by creating two sustainable, independent, publicly traded companies, each with an ability to pursue and
achieve greater success by employing operational strategies best suited to its unique business plans.
If the Arrangement is approved by the Shareholders
and the Court and the other conditions precedent to the Arrangement are satisfied or waived, FirstService will be divided into
two separate publicly traded companies and: (i) each holder of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (other than a Dissenting
Shareholder) will hold one Colliers Subordinate Voting Share and receive one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share for every FirstService
Subordinate Voting Share held on the Distribution Record Date; and (ii) each holder of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares (other
than a Dissenting Shareholder) will hold one Colliers Multiple Voting Share and receive one New FSV Multiple Voting Share for every
FirstService Multiple Voting Share held on the Distribution Record Date. Share certificates will be issued to Shareholders of record
as at the close of business on the Distribution Record Date (other than a Dissenting Shareholder) representing the New FSV Shares.
The Colliers Shares will continue to be represented by the existing FirstService Share certificates, until replaced against transfer.
See "The Arrangement – Details
of the Arrangement". The Plan of Arrangement is attached as Schedule "A" to the Arrangement Agreement (which is
attached as Appendix "C" to this Circular).
Reasons for the Arrangement
The Board, acting with the advice and assistance
of its financial and legal advisors and Management, carefully evaluated the proposed corporate reorganization and Arrangement and
the Board unanimously: (i) determined that the Arrangement is fair to Shareholders; (ii) determined that the Arrangement is in
the best interests of FirstService and its Shareholders; and (iii) recommended that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution.
In reaching these determinations, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors:
| · | Sharper Business and Strategic Focus – Each of the proposed successor companies has
different operating characteristics, industry dynamics and growth strategies. As one of the leading branded commercial real estate
service companies in the world, Colliers operates in a dynamic industry with well capitalized competitors on a global scale. The
industry in which Colliers operates is more cyclical than New FSV and is impacted to a greater extent by macroeconomic trends.
New FSV is primarily a North American residential management and services company where a strong brand, scale and depth of services
offer key competitive advantages. The business profile is comprised of highly predictable and recurring streams with high contract
retention rates. Separating into two independent companies, each with its own management team and board of directors will allow
each to pursue independent internal and acquisition growth strategies and implement a sharper focus on the customers and markets
they serve; |
| · | Strategic Positioning and Growth – The Arrangement will improve and expand the strategic
positioning and growth opportunities of each company. Colliers is one of the top players in commercial real estate on a global
basis. This sector is extremely large and highly fragmented where global capabilities and brand are key competitive advantages.
As a separate company, Colliers will be strategically positioned to take advantage of significant internal growth opportunities,
industry consolidation, pursue tuck-in acquisitions in different geographic regions and expand service offerings while leveraging
its global brand in 67 countries around the world. New FSV will be strategically positioned to expand its branded residential property
management and property services platforms, expand its geographic footprint, pursue strategic acquisitions and strategically add
company-owned operations that meet its criteria; |
| · | Focused Investment Decision – The Arrangement will provide Shareholders with ownership
of two separate investment opportunities, a pure-play global commercial real estate services business and a leading North American
property management and services business. Shareholders will retain ownership in both companies immediately after the Effective
Date in the same proportionate voting and equity interest, directly or indirectly, in all of the assets currently held by FirstService.
Going forward Shareholders will have additional investment flexibility with respect to exposure to each type of investment as they
will hold a direct interest in two public companies; |
| · | Independent Access to Capital – As separate companies, Colliers and New FSV will have
independent public currencies and balance sheets, which will provide them with independent access to capital which will result
in more focused capital allocation practices, including an appropriately focused alignment of debt capacity and dividend policy
with the individual cash generation profile and growth opportunities of each company; |
| · | Better Ability to Attract, Retain and Motivate Key Employees – The separation of FirstService
into two independent public companies will also enable each to provide business specific incentives to key employees. Compensation
arrangements can more closely align the role of each employee with the performance of the business that employs them, enhancing
each company's ability to better attract, retain and motivate key people; |
| · | Improved Market Understanding and Valuation – By establishing two separate public
companies with independent public reporting and a simplified corporate structure, investors and analysts will be able to more easily
evaluate each one on a stand-alone basis relative to competitors, benchmarks and performance criteria specific to their respective
industries. This should improve alignment of the two companies with their direct public company peers and facilitate sector-specific
analyst coverage for each; |
| · | Experienced Leadership – Each company will be led by experienced executives who have
demonstrated success building FirstService into the success it is today and who have requisite experience to grow their respective
companies. Jay S. Hennick, the Founder and CEO of FirstService, will continue to control both public companies, will serve day-to-day
as the Executive Chairman of Colliers International and act as the Founder and Chairman of New FSV. Scott Patterson, President
and COO of FirstService will assume the role of CEO of New FSV. John Friedrichsen, currently Senior Vice President and CFO of FirstService,
will assume those roles at Colliers International and Jeremy Rakusin, FirstService's Vice President of Strategy & Corporate
Development, will take on the role of CFO of New FSV. Under the leadership of Jay S. Hennick, FirstService has delivered greater
than a 20% compound annual growth rate over its twenty years as a public company; |
| · | Fairness Opinion – The Board has received and considered the Fairness Opinion and
its conclusion that, as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to the scope of the review, analysis undertaken and various
assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth in the Fairness Opinion, the consideration to be received by Shareholders
pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such Shareholders; |
| · | Shareholder and Court Approval – The procedures by which the Arrangement will be approved
will be the requirement for approval of the Arrangement by 66⅔% of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, each voting separately as a class, and the requirement for approval
of the Arrangement by the Court after a hearing at which fairness to the Shareholders will be considered; |
| · | Dissent Rights – Registered Shareholders who oppose the Arrangement may, upon compliance
with certain conditions, exercise their Dissent Rights and receive the fair value of their FirstService Shares in accordance with
the Plan of Arrangement; and |
| · | Neutral Tax Treatment – The Arrangement will generally occur on a tax-deferred basis
for Shareholders resident in Canada and the United States who hold their FirstService Shares as capital property (in Canada) and
capital assets (in the United States). |
See "The Arrangement – Background
to the Arrangement" and "The Arrangement – Reasons for the Arrangement".
Recommendation of the Board
The Board has unanimously determined
that the Arrangement is fair to Shareholders and the Arrangement is in the best interests of FirstService and the holders of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, each taken separately as a class. The Board unanimously recommends
that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution. See "The Arrangement – Recommendation of the Board".
The members of the Board and the executive
officers of FirstService have advised that they intend to vote their shares FOR the Arrangement Resolution and the
New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution, which shares represented, in aggregate, approximately 11.0% of the outstanding FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares and 100% of the outstanding FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, respectively, as of March 16, 2015.
Fairness Opinion
In connection with the evaluation by the
Board, the Board received an opinion from William Blair in respect of the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders
of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares of the consideration to be received by such Shareholders
pursuant to the Arrangement.
The Fairness Opinion is summarized under
"The Arrangement – Fairness Opinion", and a copy of the Fairness Opinion, which sets forth the assumptions made,
information reviewed, matters considered and limitations on the scope of the review undertaken, is attached as Appendix "D"
to this Circular. Shareholders are urged to, and should, read the Fairness Opinion in its entirety. The Fairness Opinion is not
a recommendation as to how Shareholders should vote in respect of the Arrangement Resolution.
Completion of the Arrangement
Completion of the Arrangement is subject
to the conditions precedent in the Arrangement Agreement having been satisfied or, where legally permissible, waived, as applicable,
including the following:
| (a) | the required Shareholder approval of the Arrangement Resolution having been obtained; |
| (b) | the Canadian Tax Ruling having been received, not withdrawn or modified and remaining in full force
and effect and all of the transactions referred to in the Canadian Tax Ruling as occurring on or prior to the Effective Time having
occurred and all conditions or terms of the Canadian Tax Ruling having been satisfied; |
| (c) | the U.S. Tax Opinion having been received, not withdrawn or modified and all of the transactions
referred to in the U.S. Tax Opinion as occurring on or prior to the Effective Time having occurred and all conditions or terms
of the U.S. Tax Opinion having been satisfied; |
| (d) | the Final Order having been obtained; and |
| (e) | receipt of the required approvals of the TSX and Nasdaq. |
The Arrangement Agreement provides for
the Articles of Arrangement to be filed with the Director at such time as FirstService deems appropriate, in its sole discretion,
after the conditions precedent contained in the Arrangement Agreement have been satisfied or, where legally permissible, waived,
as applicable. See "The Arrangement – Arrangement Agreement – Conditions Precedent".
Arrangement Shareholder Approval
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked
to approve the Arrangement Resolution. In accordance with the Interim Order, the approval of the Arrangement Resolution will require
the affirmative vote of:
| (a) | not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares, voting separately as a class, present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting; |
| (b) | not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares, voting separately as a class, present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting; and |
| (c) | not less than a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares, voting separately as a class (other than the votes attaching to FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares held, directly
or indirectly, by an "interested party" within the meaning of MI 61-101 or otherwise required to be excluded under the
requirements of MI 61-101, an "affiliate" of FirstService, within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario),
and "control persons" of FirstService, within the meaning of OSC Rule 56-501). |
The New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution
must be approved by a simple majority of the votes cast by Shareholders in person or by proxy at the Meeting. Shareholder approval
of the Arrangement Resolution and the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution are conditions precedent to the completion of the Arrangement.
See "Certain Legal and Regulatory
Matters – Shareholder Approval", "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Canadian Securities Law Matters"
and "Other Arrangement Matters to be Acted Upon".
Court Approval
It is a condition of the Arrangement Agreement
that the Interim Order and the Final Order must be obtained from the Court. Prior to the mailing of this Circular, FirstService
obtained the Interim Order, which provides for, among other things, the calling and holding of the Meeting, the required Shareholder
approval, the Dissent Rights, the notice requirements with respect to the presentation of the application to the Court for the
Final Order and other procedural matters. A copy of the Interim Order is attached as Appendix "F" to this Circular.
It is expected that shortly after the Meeting,
subject to the approval of the Arrangement Resolution by Shareholders at the Meeting, an application will be made for the Court's
final approval of the Arrangement (the Final Order hearing) on April 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario local time). At the
hearing for the Final Order, the Court will determine whether to approve the Arrangement in accordance with the legal requirements
and the evidence before the Court. Participation in the hearing for the Final Order, including who may participate and present
evidence or argument and the procedure for doing so, is subject to the terms of the Interim Order and any subsequent direction
of the Court. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Court Approval".
Timing
Subject to the receipt of the required
Shareholder approval, receipt of the Tax Ruling and Opinion, the issue of the Final Order and receipt of the required approvals
of the TSX and Nasdaq, it is anticipated that the Arrangement will be completed (and the New FSV Shares will be distributed) on
or about May 1, 2015 (referred to herein as the Effective Date and the Distribution Date). However, completion of the Arrangement
is dependent on many factors and it is not possible at this time to determine precisely when the Arrangement will become effective.
See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Timing".
Stock Exchange Listings
The FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
(which will become Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to the Arrangement) are currently listed on the TSX and Nasdaq,
and on and following the Effective Date (at which time, pursuant to the Arrangement, FirstService will have changed its name to
"Colliers International Group Inc." and amalgamated with FCRESI to form Colliers), the Colliers Subordinate Voting
Shares will continue to be listed on the TSX and Nasdaq under the new trading symbols "CIG" and "CIGI", respectively.
The trading price of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares will be determined by the market.
There is no current trading market for
the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. New FSV has applied to have the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares listed on the TSX and
Nasdaq under the same symbol, "FSV". Listing on the TSX and Nasdaq is subject to New FSV fulfilling all of the respective
original listing requirements of the TSX and Nasdaq. The trading price of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will be determined
by the market.
See "Certain Legal and Regulatory
Matters – Stock Exchange Listings".
Delivery of New FSV Share Certificates
Holders of FirstService Shares need not
take any action with respect to the Arrangement. Upon the Arrangement becoming effective, share certificates formerly representing
FirstService Shares will represent the Colliers Shares and New FSV Shares, as applicable, to be issued to Shareholders pursuant
to the Arrangement. As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, there will be delivered to each Shareholder of record as at
the close of business on the Distribution Record Date, certificates representing the New FSV Shares to which such holder is entitled
pursuant to the Arrangement. The certificates representing FirstService Shares will continue to represent a like number of Colliers
Shares until replaced against transfer. Shareholders as at the close of business on the Distribution Record Date are not required
to take any action, including making any payments in cash or exchanging or delivering their FirstService Shares, to receive New
FSV Shares. See "The Arrangement – Delivery of New Share Certificates".
Dissenting Shareholders' Rights
If you are a Registered Shareholder, you
are entitled to dissent from the Arrangement Resolution in the manner provided in Section 185 of the OBCA, as modified by the Plan
of Arrangement, the Interim Order and any other order of the Court. In order to exercise Dissent Rights, you must ensure that a
Dissent Notice is received by the Corporate Secretary of FirstService at its office located at 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4, no later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto, Ontario local time) on the second Business Day preceding the date of
the Meeting (as it may be adjourned or postponed from time to time).
If the Arrangement is completed, Dissenting
Shareholders are entitled to be paid the fair value of their Dissenting Shares and will not be entitled to any other payment or
consideration. It is recommended that you seek independent legal advice if you wish to exercise Dissent Rights.
For further details, see the section entitled
"Dissenting Shareholders' Rights".
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax
Considerations
Canadian Tax Ruling
The Canadian Tax Ruling that has been requested
from the CRA seeks to confirm that the Arrangement generally will occur on a tax-deferred basis for FirstService and New FSV, and
for Shareholders resident in Canada who hold their FirstService Shares as capital property and who do not choose to recognize a
capital gain or a capital loss on such shares. Although FirstService expects to receive the requested Canadian Tax Ruling, no assurances
can be given in this regard. The Arrangement is conditional upon the receipt of the requested Canadian Tax Ruling.
See "Certain Canadian Federal Income
Tax Considerations".
Non-Dissenting Shareholders
Generally, a non-Dissenting Shareholder
that is resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act who holds its FirstService Shares as capital property will be entitled to
decide whether to indirectly exchange its FirstService Shares for Colliers Shares and New FSV Shares, as applicable, on a fully
taxable basis or to obtain a full or partial tax deferral for purposes of the Tax Act.
A non-Dissenting Shareholder that is resident
in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act who is not an Eligible Holder, or a non-Dissenting Shareholder that is resident in Canada
for purposes of the Tax Act who is an Eligible Holder that does not make the joint Tax Election described below, will obtain a
full tax deferral in respect of such exchange, except where such holder chooses to recognize a capital gain or a capital loss on
such exchange by including in computing income for the relevant taxation year any portion of such capital gain or capital loss.
A non-Dissenting Shareholder that is resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act who is an Eligible Holder may make a joint
Tax Election with New FSV pursuant to section 85 of the Tax Act. In the Tax Election, such holder may decide to obtain full, partial
or no tax deferral in respect of such exchange. Eligible Holders who wish to make a Tax Election can obtain the Tax Election materials
by e-mailing firstservice.tax.election@ca.pwc.com or by calling 1-855-348-5088.
Generally, a non-Dissenting Shareholder
that is not resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act who does not hold its FirstService Shares as "taxable Canadian
property" for purposes of the Tax Act will not be subject to Canadian income tax as a result of the transactions in the Arrangement.
See "Certain Canadian Federal Income
Tax Considerations".
Dissenting Shareholders
Generally, a Dissenting Shareholder that
is resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act will be subject to tax (as a deemed dividend) on the difference between the fair
value received for their Dissenting Shares and the average Paid-Up Capital of such shares. Such holder may also realize a capital
gain or capital loss to the extent that their adjusted cost base differs from the average Paid-Up Capital of such shares.
Generally, a Dissenting Shareholder that
is not resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act will be subject to Canadian withholding tax on the difference between the
fair value received for their Dissenting Shares and the average Paid-Up Capital of such shares.
See "Certain Canadian Federal Income
Tax Considerations".
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
Some of the tax consequences of the distribution
of the New FSV Shares are summarized below. The discussion below is a general summary that is intended to be supplemented by the
discussion under "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations". As described in more detail under "Certain U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations", the discussion of the U.S. federal income tax considerations herein applies to you only
if you are a U.S. Holder of FirstService Shares for U.S. tax purposes and does not apply to you if you are a non-U.S. Holder or
if you are subject to special rules or are otherwise excluded from the discussion. The following section assumes that the description
of the Arrangement is materially correct. FirstService believes that Section 355 of the U.S. Code should apply to the deemed distribution
of New FSV Shares to the U.S. Holders of FirstService Shares. The characterization of the Arrangement for U.S. federal income tax
purposes is complex and there is no certainty that the IRS or the Courts will agree with the intended treatment. Accordingly, each
U.S. Holder is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the proper treatment of the Arrangement for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
If Section 355 of the U.S. Code applies
to the distribution of New FSV Shares to the U.S. Holders of FirstService Shares, then, in general, no gain or loss will be recognized
for U.S. federal income tax purposes by the U.S. Holders by reason of the receipt of said distribution. The U.S. Holders' former
tax bases in the FirstService Shares will be allocated between those shares and the New FSV Shares received in proportion to their
fair market values, and each U.S. Holder's holding period for the New FSV Shares received pursuant to the Arrangement will include
the holding period of such holder for the FirstService Shares with respect to which such New FSV Shares are received.
It is possible that the IRS could seek
to characterize the distribution in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For
example, the IRS could assert that the distribution of the New FSV Shares should be treated as a taxable dividend. If the distribution
were treated as a dividend, U.S. Holders will be required to include the fair market value of the New FSV Shares received pursuant
to the Arrangement in gross income as a dividend to the extent of the current and accumulated "earnings and profits"
of FirstService.
For a further discussion of the U.S. tax
treatment of the Arrangement, including treatment of your Colliers Shares, please see the discussions under "Certain U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations".
Risk Factors
Shareholders should be aware that there
are various risks in connection with the Arrangement and the ownership of securities of Colliers and New FSV after the Arrangement.
In deciding whether to approve the Arrangement Resolution, Shareholders should carefully consider the risk factors described in
the section of this Circular entitled "Risk Factors".
Selected Pro Forma Financial Information
The following is a summary of: (a) selected
financial and pro forma financial information for FirstService and Colliers, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014,
prior to and after giving effect to the Arrangement; and (b) selected pro forma financial information for New FSV for the year
ended December 31, 2014, after giving effect to the Arrangement. The following is a summary only and must be read in conjunction
with: (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of FirstService for the year ended December 31, 2014, along with the corresponding
management's discussion and analysis, as specifically incorporated by reference into this Circular; (ii) the unaudited pro forma
financial statements of Colliers set out in Appendix "M"; (iii) the audited carve-out combined financial statements in
relation to New FSV for the year ended December 31, 2014, along with the corresponding management's discussion and analysis thereon
set out in Appendix "K"; and (iv) the unaudited pro forma financial statements in relation to New FSV set out in Appendix
"L". Please refer to the notes to the pro forma financial statements which disclose the pro forma assumptions and adjustments.
| |
FirstService Year Ended December 31, 2014 prior to giving effect to the Arrangement | |
Colliers Pro Forma Year Ended December 31, 2014 after giving effect to the Arrangement | |
New FSV Pro Forma Year Ended December 31, 2014 after giving effect to the Arrangement |
(US$ thousands, except per share amounts) | |
| |
| |
|
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Operations | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Revenues | |
$ | 2,714,273 | | |
$ | 1,582,271 | | |
$ | 1,132,002 | |
Operating earnings | |
| 134,427 | | |
| 88,806 | | |
| 45,621 | |
Net earnings | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Continuing operations | |
| 89,399 | | |
| 57,507 | | |
| 26,192 | |
Discontinued operations | |
| 1,537 | | |
| 1,537 | | |
| - | |
| |
| 90,936 | | |
| 59,044 | | |
| 26,192 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net earnings per common share from continuing operations | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic | |
| 1.16 | | |
| 0.64 | | |
| 0.36 | |
Diluted | |
| 1.15 | | |
| 0.64 | | |
| 0.36 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Financial position | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Total assets | |
| 1,639,427 | | |
| 1,263,240 | | |
| 615,544 | |
Long-term debt | |
| 493,348 | | |
| 493,348 | | |
| 239,357 | |
Redeemable non-controlling interests | |
| 230,992 | | |
| 150,066 | | |
| 80,926 | |
Shareholders' equity | |
| 233,215 | | |
| 65,466 | | |
| 157,749 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Other data | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | |
| 221,745 | | |
| 146,748 | | |
| 74,997 | |
Adjusted EPS(1) | |
| 2.73 | | |
| 1.74 | | |
| 0.84 | |
Note:
| (1) | "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Adjusted EPS" are financial measures that are not calculated
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a reconciliation of these non-U.S. GAAP measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial
measures: (a) for FirstService, please see "Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures" in FirstService's management's
discussion and analysis as at and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (which is incorporated herein by reference); (b) for Colliers,
please see "Information Concerning Colliers Post-Arrangement – Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information"; and
(c) for New FSV, please see "Information Concerning New FSV Post-Arrangement – Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information". |
THE MEETING
Time, Date and Place
The Meeting will be held at The Design
Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B2 on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time).
Record Date for Notice and Shareholders
Entitled to Vote
The Board has fixed the close of business
on Friday, March 20, 2015 for the determination of Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, to attend and to vote at the Meeting,
or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. At the Meeting, each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share entitles the holder
thereof to one (1) vote per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share and each FirstService Multiple Voting Share entitles the holder
thereof to twenty (20) votes per FirstService Multiple Voting Share.
Business of the Meeting
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked
to consider and, if applicable, vote upon the Annual Meeting Matters. See "Annual Meeting Matters". In addition, Shareholders
will be asked to consider and vote upon the Arrangement Resolution and, if the Arrangement Resolution is approved, to consider
and vote upon the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution. See "The Arrangement" and "Other Arrangement Matters to
be Acted Upon".
Voting Options
Voting By Registered Shareholders
You are a Registered Shareholder if your
FirstService Shares are held in your name or if you have a certificate for FirstService Shares. As a Registered Shareholder you
can vote in the following ways:
In Person : |
Attend the Meeting and register with the transfer agent, TMX Equity Transfer Services, upon your arrival. Do not fill out and return your proxy if you intend to vote in person at the Meeting |
Mail: |
Enter voting instructions on, and sign,
the form of proxy and send your completed proxy form to:
TMX Equity Transfer Services
200 University Avenue, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4H1
|
Fax: |
416-595-9593 – Please scan and fax both pages of your completed, signed form of proxy |
Internet: |
Go to www.voteproxyonline.com. Enter your 12-digit control number printed on the form of proxy and follow the instructions on the website to vote your FirstService Shares. |
Questions: |
Call Kingsdale Shareholder Services at 1-866-581-0506 (toll-free within North America) or 416-867-2272 (collect call outside North America). |
Voting for Non-Registered FirstService
Shareholders
If your FirstService Shares are not registered
in your own name, they will be held in the name of a "nominee", usually a bank, trust company, securities dealer or other
financial institution and, as such, your nominee will be the entity legally entitled to vote your FirstService Shares and must
seek your instructions as to how to vote your FirstService Shares.
If you have any questions or require more
information with respect to voting your FirstService Shares at the Meeting, please contact our proxy solicitation agent, Kingsdale
Shareholder Services, by e-mail at contactus@kingsdaleshareholder.com or by telephone at 1-866-581-0506 (toll-free within North
America) or 416-867-2272 (outside North America).
ANNUAL MEETING MATTERS
Receipt of Financial Statements
The audited consolidated financial statements
of FirstService for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and the report of the auditors' thereon will be presented to the Meeting.
No vote by the Shareholders with respect thereto is required. If any Shareholders have questions regarding such financial statements,
the questions may be brought forward at the Meeting.
The audited consolidated financial statements
of FirstService for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and the report of the auditors' thereon and management's discussion
and analysis relating thereto are included in the 2014 Annual Report of FirstService sent to shareholders.
Appointment of Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants
and Licensed Public Accountants, are the independent auditors of FirstService and have served as its auditors since May 23, 1995.
Management recommends that shareholders reappoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the auditors of FirstService to hold office until
the close of the next annual meeting of the Shareholders, and to authorize the Board to fix the remuneration of the auditors. It
is intended that the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy (provided the same is duly executed in their favour and is
duly deposited), unless their authority to do so has been withheld, will vote the shares represented thereby in favour of appointing
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the auditors of FirstService and authorizing the directors of FirstService to fix their remuneration.
From time to time, PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP also provides non-audit services to FirstService and its subsidiaries. The Audit Committee of FirstService has considered whether
the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's independence and has concluded
that it is. Total fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in fiscal 2014 were approximately US$2,719,300. Of such amount, US$2,227,700
related to audit fees (being fees billed by FirstService's external auditor for audit services, including subsidiary audits), US$19,000
related to audit-related fees (being fees billed for statutory audits or assurance and related services by FirstService's external
auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of FirstService's financial statements and are not
reported under audit fees), US$463,500 related to tax fees (being the fees billed for professional services rendered by FirstService's
external auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning) and US$9,100 related to all other fees (being fees for licensing
and subscriptions to accounting and tax research tools). In addition, US$170,200 in administration and out-of-pocket expenses were
reimbursed in fiscal 2014 to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. For more information on the Audit Committee of FirstService, consult the
2014 Annual Information Form available at www.sedar.com.
Election of Directors
The Board currently consists of nine directors.
Pursuant to the articles of FirstService, the number of directors to be elected by the shareholders shall be a minimum of one and
a maximum of twenty. The Board proposes to nominate the following nine individuals for election by the Shareholders at the Meeting
as directors of FirstService: Peter F. Cohen, David R. Beatty, Brendan Calder, John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr., Bernard I. Ghert, Michael
D. Harris, Jay S. Hennick, Frederick F. Reichheld and Michael Stein. Each director elected will hold office until the next annual
meeting of FirstService, or until his successor is duly elected or appointed, unless: (i) his office is earlier vacated in accordance
with the articles and by-laws of FirstService; or (ii) he becomes disqualified to act as a director. All of the nominees are currently
directors of FirstService.
Unless provided to the contrary, the persons
named in the accompanying form of proxy (if the same is duly executed in their favour and is duly deposited) will vote the shares
represented thereby in favour of electing as directors the nominees named below. In case any of the following nominees should become
unavailable for election for any reason, unless provided to the contrary, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will
vote the shares represented thereby in favour of electing the remaining nominees and such other substitute nominees as a majority
of the directors of FirstService may designate in such event.
FirstService has adopted a policy for non-contested
meetings whereby Shareholders vote separately for each director nominee and each director to be elected at a meeting of Shareholders
must be elected by a majority (50% + 1 vote) of the votes cast with respect to his or her election. Any director nominee must immediately
tender his or her resignation to the Board if he or she is not elected by at least a majority (50% + 1 vote) of the votes cast
with respect to his or her election even though duly elected as a matter of corporate law. Such director nominee's resignation
to the Board must be effective when accepted by the Board. The Board shall determine whether or not to accept a director nominee's
resignation tendered pursuant to the policy within 90 days after the date of the relevant shareholders' meeting. The Board shall
accept the resignation absent exceptional circumstances. FirstService will promptly issue a press release announcing the resignation
of the director or explaining the reasons justifying its decision not to accept such resignation.
The following information is submitted
with respect to the individuals proposed to be nominated for election as directors at the Meeting:
David R. Beatty, c.m.,
o.b.e.
Ontario, Canada
Age: 73 |
Mr. Beatty is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Beatinvest Limited (an investment company), Director of the Clarkson Centre for Business Ethics and Board Effectiveness and Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management at The Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Mr. Beatty was previously the founding Managing Director of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance, founding Chairman of Orogen Minerals Limited, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Old Canada Investment Corporation Limited and President of Weston Foods. Mr. Beatty is Honorary Consul to Canada for the Government of Papua New Guinea and in 1993 was awarded the O.B.E. In 2013, he was awarded the Order of Canada for his work in corporate governance. A graduate in economics from the University of Toronto (Trinity College), he was a Nuffield Scholar at the University of Cambridge (Queens' College) where he obtained an M.A. in Economics. |
|
Director Since: May 15, 2001 |
|
Independent |
|
Board & Committees |
Attendance |
Securities Owned, Controlled or Directed(1)(2) |
Areas of Expertise:
|
Board
Audit
Compensation
Governance (Chair) |
4 of 4
1 of 1
4 of 4
1 of 1 |
100%
100%
100%
100% |
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares
Total Value of Securities(11)
|
45,560
US$2,317,182
|
· Governance |
FirstService Stock Options Held(12) |
· Compensation |
Date Granted |
Expiry Date |
No. Granted |
Exercise Price |
Total Unexercised |
Value |
· Public Policy |
Feb. 17, 2012 |
Feb. 17, 2017 |
5,000 |
US$31.86 |
5,000 |
US$95,000 |
· Real Estate |
Feb. 15, 2013 |
Feb. 15, 2018 |
5,000 |
US$31.03 |
5,000 |
US$99,150 |
· Management |
Public Board Memberships During the Last Five Years |
|
|
Walter Energy, Inc.
Inmet Mining Corporation (Chair:
2009 – 2013)
Bank of Montreal
Western Coal Corp. |
2011 – 2014
2003 – 2013
1992 – 2012
2009 – 2011 |
|
Brendan Calder
Ontario, Canada
Age: 68
|
Mr. Calder has been an Adjunct Professor and an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto since 2001 (currently conducting the MBA course, GettingItDone), is Chair of Rotman's Desautels Centre for Integrative Thinking, was the founding Chair of the Rotman International Centre for Pension Management and is a Senior Fellow at Massey College. Mr. Calder was with CIBC Mortgages, Inc. and served as that company's Chair, President and CEO from 1995 to 2000. Mr. Calder is also past Chair of the Peter F. Drucker Canadian Foundation and The Toronto International Film Festival Group and was a director of the public entities listed below. He is a director of EllisDon Corporation and Equity Financial Holdings Inc. Mr. Calder holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo and attended the Advance Management Program at Harvard University. Mr. Calder is an Institute of Corporate Directors certified director (ICD.D). |
|
Director Since: June 14, 1996 |
|
Independent |
|
Board & Committees |
Attendance |
Securities Owned, Controlled or Directed(1)(3) |
|
Board
Compensation (Chair)
Governance |
4 of 4
4 of 4
1 of 1 |
100%
100%
100% |
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares
Total Value of Securities(11)
|
19,033
US$968,018
|
Areas of Expertise: |
FirstService Stock Options Held(12) |
· Governance |
Date Granted |
Expiry Date |
No. Granted |
Exercise Price |
Total Unexercised |
Value |
· Finance |
Feb. 17, 2012 |
Feb. 17, 2017 |
5,000 |
US$31.86 |
5,000 |
US$95,000 |
· Management |
Feb. 15, 2013 |
Feb. 15, 2018 |
5,000 |
US$31.03 |
5,000 |
US$99,150 |
|
Public Board Memberships During the Last Five Years |
|
|
Coventree Inc. (Chair: 2007 – 2011) |
2005 – 2011 |
Peter F. Cohen
Ontario, Canada
Age: 62
|
Mr. Cohen is a Chartered Accountant and a former partner in an audit practice of a public accounting firm. Mr. Cohen is currently the Chair of the Board of FirstService and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dawsco Group, a private real estate and investment company owned by Mr. Cohen and his family. Mr. Cohen was a co-founder and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Centrefund Realty Corporation, a publicly traded shopping center investment company until August 2000 when control of the company was sold. Mr. Cohen serves as the Treasurer and a Director of the Sinai Health System and is the Co-Chair of the Resources Committee and Building and Development Committee. |
|
Director Since: March 30, 1990 |
|
Board & Committees |
Attendance |
Securities Owned, Controlled or Directed(1)(4) |
Chair of the Board Since: May 2005
|
Board (Chair)
Audit
Governance
|
4 of 4
5 of 5
1 of 1 |
100%
100%
100% |
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares
Total Value of Securities(11)
|
180,000
US$9,154,800
|
Independent |
FirstService Stock Options Held(12) |
Areas of Expertise: |
Date Granted |
Expiry Date |
No. Granted |
Exercise Price |
Total Unexercised |
Value |
· Governance |
Feb. 17, 2012 |
Feb. 17, 2017 |
5,000 |
US$31.86 |
5,000 |
US$95,000 |
· Real Estate |
Feb. 15, 2013 |
Feb. 15, 2018 |
5,000 |
US$31.03 |
5,000 |
US$99,150 |
· Accounting |
Public Board Memberships During the Last Five Years |
|
· Management |
None |
|
John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr.
Ontario, Canada
Age: 64
|
Mr. Curtin is an Advisory Director in the Investment Banking Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. in Toronto and New York. From July 2010 to December 2014, Mr. Curtin served as Chairman and Chief Executive of Goldman Sachs Canada Inc. From 2003 to July 2010, Mr. Curtin was Chairman of Goldman Sachs Canada Inc. From 1999 to 2003, Mr. Curtin was an Advisory Director of Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Curtin was Chief Executive of Goldman Sachs Canada Inc. in Toronto. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Curtin was co-head of Global Money Markets and Chairman of Goldman Sachs Money Markets LP. Mr. Curtin moved to Money Markets in 1987 after serving as head of Fixed Income Syndicate/New Issues. Mr. Curtin joined the firm in 1976 in the Corporate Finance Department and was named partner in 1988 and managing director in 1996. Mr. Curtin is also a member of the Board of Directors of Cadillac Fairview Corporation and the Art Gallery of Ontario Foundation. He serves as a Director of the Canada/United States Fulbright Foundation. Mr. Curtin is a former governor of the Toronto Stock Exchange, a former director of Brascan Corporation, Maxxcom Corporation and the Investment Dealers Association of Canada. Mr. Curtin served as a trustee of Lakefield College School as well as Royal St. George's College. Mr. Curtin received an MBA from Harvard in 1976 and his BA from Williams College in 1972. |
Director Since: February 10, 2015
Independent
|
Areas of Expertise:
·
Governance
·
Real Estate
·
Finance |
|
Board & Committees |
Attendance |
Securities Owned, Controlled or Directed(1)(8) |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares
|
10,560
|
|
|
|
|
Total Value of Securities(11) |
US$537,082 |
|
FirstService Stock Options Held(12) |
|
Date Granted |
Expiry Date |
No. Granted |
Exercise Price |
Total Unexercised |
Value |
|
Feb. 13, 2015 |
Feb. 13, 2020 |
5,000 |
US$57.83 |
5,000 |
N/A |
|
Public Board Memberships During the Last Five Years |
|
|
None. |
|
Michael D. Harris, icd.d
Ontario, Canada
Age: 70
|
Mr. Harris was elected the twenty-second Premier of the Province of Ontario on June 8, 1995 and then re-elected in 1999, at the time making him the first Ontario Premier in over 30 years to form a second consecutive majority government. After leaving office in April 2002, Mr. Harris joined the law firm of Goodmans LLP as a Consultant and Senior Business Advisor until February 28, 2010. On March 1, 2010, Mr. Harris joined Cassels Brock & Blackwell LP as Senior Business Advisor until September 15, 2013. On September 16, 2013, Mr. Harris joined Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP as Senior Business Advisor. Mr. Harris is President of his own consulting firm, Steane Consulting Ltd., and, in this capacity, acts as a consultant to various Canadian companies. Mr. Harris also serves as a director on several corporate public company boards listed below as well as the board of the Luminato Festival and, until 2014, the board of Tim Horton Children's Foundation. Mr. Harris is the Honorary Chair of the North Bay District Hospital Capital Campaign and the Nipissing University and Canadore College Capital Campaign. Mr. Harris is also a Senior Fellow with the Fraser Institute, a leading Canadian economic, social research and education organization, and an Institute of Corporate Directors certified director (ICD.D). |
|
Director Since: June 26, 2006 |
|
Independent |
|
Board & Committees |
Attendance |
Securities Owned, Controlled or Directed(1)(6) |
|
Board
Compensation |
4 of 4
4 of 4 |
100%
100% |
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
14,889
|
Areas of Expertise: |
|
|
|
Total Value of Securities(11) |
US$757,255 |
· Governance |
FirstService Stock Options Held(12) |
· Public Policy |
Date Granted |
Expiry Date |
No. Granted |
Exercise Price |
Total Unexercised |
Value |
|
Feb. 17, 2012 |
Feb. 17, 2017 |
5,000 |
US$31.86 |
5,000 |
US$95,000 |
|
Feb. 15, 2013 |
Feb. 15, 2018 |
5,000 |
US$31.03 |
5,000 |
US$99,150 |
|
Public Board Memberships During the Last Five Years |
|
|
Canaccord Genuity Group Inc.
Chartwell Retirement Residences
Route1 Inc.
Element Financial Corporation
Magna International Inc.
Augen Capital Corp.
EnGlobe Corp.
|
2004 – Present
2003 – Present
2009 – Present
2011 – Present
2003 – 2012
2008 – 2010
2004 – 2011 |
Bernard I. Ghert, c.m.
Ontario, Canada
Age: 75
|
Mr. Ghert was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited from 1981 to 1987 and President of Stelworth Investments Inc. from 1987 to 1992. Mr. Ghert has been a director of many organizations in the private and public sectors, including Cadillac Fairview, Stelworth, CT Financial and Canada Trust, Wellington Insurance and the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mr. Ghert has served as Director of the Managers of several Middlefield Funds, President of the Canadian Institute of Public Real Estate Companies and was a former member of the Advisory Board of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. Mr. Ghert currently is Chairman of the Independent Review Committee of Middlefield Fund Management Limited, President of the B.I. Ghert Family Foundation, President of Coppi Holdings Ltd., a Director on Sinai Health System's Board and Past Chair of the Mount Sinai Hospital Board of Directors. |
|
Director Since: June 23, 2004 |
|
Independent |
|
Board & Committees |
Attendance |
Securities Owned, Controlled or Directed(1)(5) |
|
Board
Audit (Chair) |
4 of 4
5 of 5 |
100%
100%
|
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares |
24,679
|
Areas of Expertise: |
|
|
|
Total Value of Securities(11) |
US$1,255,174 |
· Governance |
FirstService Stock Options Held(12) |
· Finance |
Date Granted |
Expiry Date |
No. Granted |
Exercise Price |
Total Unexercised |
Value |
· Real Estate |
Feb. 17, 2012 |
Feb. 17, 2017 |
5,000 |
US$31.86 |
5,000 |
US$95,000 |
|
Feb. 15, 2013 |
Feb. 15, 2018 |
5,000 |
US$31.03 |
5,000 |
US$99,150 |
|
Public Board Memberships During the Last Five Years |
|
|
Chairman of the Independent Review Committee
of Middlefield Fund Management Limited, as General Partner of the following:
Resource Funds: MRF 2008
Resource Limited Partnership (2008 to 2010), MRF 2009 Resource Limited Partnership (2009 to 2011), Discovery 2008 Flow-Through
Limited Partnership (2008 to 2010) and Discovery 2009 Flow-Through Limited Partnership (2009 to present)
Chairman of the Independent Review Committee
of Middlefield Limited, as Manager of the following (as of December 1, 2009, except where noted):
TSX-Listed Funds: ACTIVEnergy
Income Fund (as of September 25, 2009), COMPASS Income Fund, INDEXPLUS Income Fund, MINT Income Fund, Middlefield Tactical Energy
Corporation (formerly, OilSands Canada Corporation), Uranium Focused Energy Fund, YIELDPLUS Income Fund, Pathfinder Convertible
Debenture Fund (as of December 21, 2009), Convertible Debenture Trust (as of December 21, 2009), GMIncome & Growth Fund (as
of October 20, 2010) and INDEXPLUS Dividend Fund (as of February 18, 2011)
Resource Funds: MRF 2010
Resource Limited Partnership (as of December 11, 2009), Discovery 2010 Flow-Through Limited Partnership (as of March 3, 2010) and
MRF 2011 Resource Limited Partnership (as of December 10, 2010)
Middlefield Mutual Funds Limited (a mutual
fund corporation comprising a number of outstanding classes of mutual funds)
|
2007 – Present
|
|
Jay S. Hennick
Ontario, Canada
Age: 58
|
Mr. Hennick is the CEO and Founder of FirstService. In 1998, Mr. Hennick was awarded Canada's Entrepreneur of the Year, in 2001 he was named Canada's CEO of the Year by Canadian Business Magazine and in 2011, received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from York University and the University of Ottawa. Mr. Hennick currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sinai Health System, in Toronto and is the immediate past Chair of The Mount Sinai Hospital Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Hennick has endowed the Jay S. Hennick JD-MBA Program at the Faculty of Law and School of Management at the University of Ottawa Law School, his alma mater, and The Hennick Centre for Business and Law, a joint program of the Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business at York University. Mr. Hennick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University in Toronto and a Doctorate of Laws from the University of Ottawa. |
|
Director Since: May 30, 1988 |
|
Non-Independent |
|
Board & Committees |
Attendance |
Securities Owned, Controlled or Directed(1)(7) |
|
Board |
4 of 4 |
100% |
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares
FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares
|
2,273,526
1,325,694
|
Areas of Expertise: |
|
|
|
Total Value of Securities(11) |
US$183,056,329 |
· Management |
FirstService Stock Options Held |
·
Real Estate
·
Finance
|
None. Mr. Hennick is not eligible to participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan or to receive grants of FirstService Stock Options thereunder. See "Executive Compensation – FirstService MSA" in Appendix "O" to this Circular. |
|
Public Board Memberships During the Last Five Years |
|
|
None. |
|
Frederick F. Reichheld
Massachusetts, USA
Age: 63
|
Since 1977, Mr. Reichheld has been employed at Bain & Company, Inc., a global business consulting firm, and was elected to the partnership at Bain in 1982. Mr. Reichheld is the creator of the Net Promoter® system of management and founded Bain's Loyalty practice, which helps clients achieve superior results through improvements in customer, employee, partner and investor loyalty and has also served in a variety of other roles, including as a member of Bain & Company's Worldwide Management, Nominating, and Compensation Committees. In January 1999, he was elected by the firm to become the first Bain Fellow. Mr. Reichheld is a frequent speaker to major business forums and groups of CEOs and senior executives worldwide and has authored several books, including The Loyalty Effect: The Hidden Force Behind Growth, Profits, and Lasting Value (Harvard Business School Press, 1996), The Loyalty Rules!: How Today's Leaders Build Lasting Relationships (Harvard Business School Press 2003), The Ultimate Question (Harvard Business School Press, 2006) and The Ultimate Question 2.0 (Harvard Business School Press 2011). Mr. Reichheld received his BA from Harvard College and his MBA from Harvard Business School. |
Director Since: April 8, 2014
Independent
|
Areas of Expertise:
· Consulting/Professional
Services
·
Competitive Strategy
|
· Service Quality |
Board & Committees |
Attendance |
Securities Owned, Controlled or Directed(1)(8) |
· Customer and Employee Loyalty |
Board |
3 of 3 |
100% |
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
|
Total Value of Securities(11) |
US$101,720 |
|
FirstService Stock Options Held(12) |
|
Date Granted |
Expiry Date |
No. Granted |
Exercise Price |
Total Unexercised |
Value |
|
Nov. 17, 2014 |
Nov. 17, 2019 |
5,000 |
US$51.56 |
5,000 |
Nil |
|
Public Board Memberships During the Last Five Years |
|
|
Rackspace Hosting, Inc. |
2008 – Present |
Michael Stein
Ontario, Canada
Age: 63
|
Mr. Stein is the founder, Chairman and CEO of the MPI Group, a property development and investment group with a track record in incubating, investing in, and managing successful companies. Between 1978 and 1987, Mr. Stein held progressively senior positions with the Mortgage Insurance Company of Canada, ultimately holding the position of Executive Vice-President responsible for operations. Mr. Stein is a founder of CAPREIT, Canada's first TSX listed apartment REIT, where he continues to serve as chairman. He is a director of City Financial Investment Company Limited, a United Kingdom FCA regulated asset management company. He currently serves as a director of McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE/TSX), chairman of Cliffside Capital Ltd. (TSX-V) and previously served as a director of Goldcorp Inc. Mr. Stein is a graduate engineer and has an MBA in finance and international business from Columbia University. |
|
Director Since: December 12, 2013 |
|
Board & Committees |
Attendance |
Securities Owned, Controlled or Directed(1)(9) |
Independent |
Board
Audit |
4 of 4
4 of 4 |
100%
100% |
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares
|
10,000
|
Areas of Expertise: |
|
|
|
Total Value of Securities(11) |
US$508,600 |
· Real Estate |
FirstService Stock Options Held(12) |
· Management |
Date Granted |
Expiry Date |
No. Granted |
Exercise Price |
Total Unexercised |
Value |
· Human Resources |
Dec. 12, 2013 |
Dec. 12, 2018 |
5,000 |
US$40.66 |
5,000 |
US$51,000 |
· Governance |
Public Board Memberships During the Last Five Years |
|
·
Finance
·
Capital Markets
|
Canadian Apartment Properties
REIT (Chair)
McEwan Mining Inc.
Cliffside Capital Ltd.
Minera Andes Inc. |
1997 – Present
2012 – Present
2014 – Present
2009 – 2012 |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | Securities relates to FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares.
See "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement – Principal Holders of FirstService Shares". The information
contained herein as to securities beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly is based upon information
furnished to FirstService by the respective director nominees. |
| (2) | Mr. Beatty owns all of the shares listed directly other than 5,560 FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares, which are owned by Beatinvest Limited, which Mr. Beatty controls or directs. |
| (3) | 17,025 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are held in a registered retirement savings plan
of which Mr. Calder is the annuitant. Mr. Calder owns the remainder of the shares listed directly. |
| (4) | The Dawsco Group, which Mr. Cohen controls or directs, owns 100,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares. The Ricky and Peter Cohen Family Foundation, an entity which Mr. Cohen controls or directs, is the holder of 60,000 FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares. Mr. Cohen owns the remainder of the shares listed directly. |
| (5) | 1306159 Ontario Limited, a corporation which Mr. Ghert controls or directs, is the direct holder
of 888 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. The B.I. Ghert Family Foundation, an entity which Mr. Ghert controls or directs,
is the direct holder of 2,300 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. Mr. Ghert owns 777 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
in a life income fund. The remainder of the shares listed are directly owned by Mr. Ghert. |
| (6) | Steane Consulting Limited, a corporation which Mr. Harris controls or directs, is the holder of
4,889 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. Mr. Harris owns the remainder of the shares listed directly. |
| (7) | Beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares as described under "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement –
Principal Holders of FirstService Shares". Henset Capital Inc., an entity which Mr. Hennick controls or directs, is the holder
of 2,273,526 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple Voting Shares. Mr. Hennick also has rights
under the Long Term Arrangement. See "Executive Compensation – FirstService MSA" in Appendix "O" to this
Circular. |
| (8) | Mr. Reichheld owns all of the shares listed directly. Mr. Reichheld became a director of FirstService
on April 8, 2014. |
| (9) | Mr. Stein owns all of the shares listed directly. |
| (10) | Mr. Curtin owns all of the shares listed directly. |
| (11) | Determined using the closing price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share on Nasdaq on December
31, 2014 of US$50.86. |
| (12) | The FirstService Stock Options vest 10% on the grant date, 15% on the first anniversary, 20% on
the second anniversary, 25% on the third anniversary and the balance on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the vesting of the noted options held by each non-employee director is accelerated, such that they become immediately
fully vested and exercisable, in the event that such director does not stand for re-election, resigns as a director or fails to
be re-elected as a director, in each case, in circumstances where there is no willful and substantial breach of such director's
fiduciary duties or other legal obligations to FirstService. The expiration date is the fifth anniversary of the grant date. All
FirstService Stock Options held by each non-employee director were awarded in lieu of receiving a portion of the annual director
retainer for a period of one year. See "Executive Compensation – Compensation of Directors" in Appendix "O"
to this Circular. The value of the FirstService Stock Options was determined using the closing price per FirstService Subordinate
Voting Share on Nasdaq on December 31, 2014 of US$50.86 less the exercise price of the applicable stock options. |
Following the Meeting, FirstService will
issue a news release disclosing, among other things, the detailed results of the vote for the election of directors in accordance
with the rules of the TSX.
Corporate Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies,
Penalties or Sanctions
To the best of the knowledge of FirstService
and based upon information provided to it by the proposed directors for election to the Board, none of the proposed directors:
| (a) | is, as at the date of this Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date of this Circular,
a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including FirstService) that: (i) was subject to
an order that was issued while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial
officer; or (ii) was subject to an order that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer
or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director,
chief executive officer or chief financial officer; |
| (b) | is, as at the date of this Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date of this Circular,
a director or executive officer of any company (including FirstService) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or
within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to
bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver,
receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or |
| (c) | has, within the 10 years before the date of this Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under
any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise
with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director; |
except for: (i) David R. Beatty who was
a director of Thistle Mining Inc. ("Thistle") when Thistle announced on December 21, 2004 that it intended to
undertake a restructuring under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. While Thistle completed the restructuring on June
30, 2005, its common shares were suspended from trading on the Alternative Investment Market from June 30, 2005 to July 13, 2005
and its common shares were suspended from trading on the TSX on December 31, 2004 due to the restructuring until Thistle delisted
in February 2006. Mr. Beatty is no longer a director of Thistle; (ii) Michael D. Harris who (A) was a director of Grant Forest
Products Inc., an Ontario corporation, which, among others, filed for and obtained protection under the Companies' Creditors
Arrangement Act on June 25, 2009 and (B) was a director of Naturade, Inc., a company publicly traded in the United States,
from December 2005 until August 2006, which company, within a year after Mr. Harris' resignation as a director, filed for reorganization
under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code; and (iii) Brendan Calder, who was a director of Coventree Inc. ("Coventree").
In 2009, staff of the OSC commenced proceedings against Coventree with respect to alleged breaches of Ontario securities laws relating
to Coventree's continuous disclosure obligations. In September 2011, the OSC released its decision and concluded that Coventree
breached sections 75(1) and 75(2) of the Securities Act (Ontario). In a decision released on November 9, 2011, the OSC ordered
Coventree to pay an administrative penalty of $1 million and $250,000 of OSC costs. The OSC also ordered that trading in any securities
by Coventree cease and that any Ontario securities law exemptions not apply to Coventree until its winding up is completed, provided
that these orders will not prevent the winding up of Coventree or trades in securities reasonably related to that winding up. Mr.
Calder was a director of Coventree in 2007 during the period of time to which the OSC proceedings relate, however no proceedings
were brought against Mr. Calder in his individual capacity with respect to these matters. Mr. Calder is no longer a director of
Coventree.
Amendment to the FirstService Stock
Option Plan
The FirstService Stock Option Plan, as
previously approved by Shareholders, provides that the aggregate number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares that can be issued
upon exercise of options granted thereunder will not exceed 4,600,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. Of the options which
may be issued for an aggregate of 4,600,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, options for 3,992,750 FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares have been previously allocated, exercised or otherwise terminated as of March 16, 2014. See Appendix "O"
to this Circular, under the heading "Executive Compensation – Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – FirstService
Stock Option Plan", for a complete description of the FirstService Stock Option Plan.
FirstService proposes to, and the Board
has approved (subject to receiving Shareholder approval at the Meeting) an, increase the total number of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the FirstService Stock Option Plan by 1,000,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares, to 5,600,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. The increase in the number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
issuable upon exercise of FirstService Stock Options is intended to replenish the number of FirstService Stock Options available
as a result of previous allocations and exercises of options.
In order to be competitive, particularly
in the United States where FirstService competes, it must make available to employees and officers long-term incentives in the
form of stock options. With the adoption of the proposed amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan, FirstService is asking
Shareholders to authorize it to grant additional FirstService Stock Options exercisable for a further 1,000,000 FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares in this regard.
If the proposed amendment to the FirstService
Stock Option Plan is approved and if all of such new FirstService Stock Options were granted, vested and exercised, the 1,000,000
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares would represent 2.8% of the FirstService Shares outstanding as at the date hereof. Such
amount, together with the 2,263,500 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares remaining reserved for issuance pursuant to issued and
unissued FirstService Stock Options, would represent approximately 9.1% of the FirstService Shares outstanding as at the date hereof.
Based upon: (i) the fact that a significant
number of employees and officers of FirstService and its subsidiaries have historically participated in the option plans of FirstService;
(ii) the discipline that FirstService exercises in issuing additional shares to avoid diluting existing shareholders; and (iii)
the five year vesting period FirstService intends to impose on all option grants under the FirstService Stock Option Plan, Management
recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of approving the proposed amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan. Unless provided
to the contrary, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy (if the same is duly executed in their favour and is duly
deposited) will vote the shares represented thereby in favour of approving the proposed amendment to the FirstService Stock Option
Plan.
Pursuant to the policies of the TSX, the
proposed amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan must be approved by a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy
at the Meeting. At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to approve the proposed amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan
by passing an ordinary resolution in the following form:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
| 1. | The amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan to increase the maximum number of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the exercise of stock options granted thereunder by an additional 1,000,000
(to a total of 5,600,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares), together with any required consequential amendments, be approved;
and |
| 2. | Any one director or officer of FirstService be and is hereby authorized and directed to perform
all such acts, deeds and things and execute all such documents and other instruments as may be required to give effect to the true
intent of this resolution. |
Information Relating to Annual Meeting
Matters
See Appendix "O" to this Circular
for the information required to accompany, and typically provided by FirstService so that Shareholders may make an informed decision
in relation to, the Annual Meeting Matters.
THE ARRANGEMENT
Background to the Arrangement
Management continually reviews its businesses
and capital structure to pursue transactions that create and enhance long-term Shareholder value.
The Residential Real Estate Services and
Property Services divisions of FirstService have been a part of FirstService for over 25 years, in some cases, dating back to the
origins of FirstService itself, and through various acquisitions and internal growth, now generate, in total, 2014 annual revenues
and adjusted EBITDA of US$1.13 billion and US$74.0 million, respectively.
In November 2004, FirstService established
a new Commercial Real Estate Services division by acquiring Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc., which operates under the Colliers International
brand name. Since that time, FirstService has strengthened the business in existing markets and acquired numerous businesses within
existing and new markets greatly expanding its geographic scope, services and talent, so that today it is one of the world's largest
commercial real estate services providers offering a full range of commercial real estate services in the United States, Canada,
Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and several other countries in Asia, Europe and Latin America. 2014 annual revenues and
adjusted EBITDA of this division were US$1.58 billion and US$145.0 million, respectively.
Periodically in 2013, the Board and Management,
in conjunction with various advisors, analyzed various strategic alternatives to focus FirstService's Commercial Real Estate Services
division, on the one hand, and its remaining businesses, on the other hand, but the Board made no decisions to proceed with any
such alternatives. Management continued to keep the Chair of the Board and other directors informed of its consideration of strategic
alternatives through 2013 and into 2014, which, as time progressed, became more focused on a possible transaction which would split
FirstService into separate companies.
At a meeting of the Board held on May 15,
2014, members of Management provided the Board with Management's views as to the feasibility and benefits and considerations of
dividing FirstService along the lines proposed in the Arrangement, into two separate publicly traded services companies. The Board
reviewed, in detail, the anticipated benefits, risks and other matters in connection with the proposed transaction, including implications
for employees, the effect on debtholders, impact on Shareholders and other stakeholders, potential market reaction and the financial
viability of each entity after giving effect to the proposed transaction. After considering the matter in camera, the Board
authorized Management to continue to work on, and expend resources with respect to, the proposed transaction and to report to the
Board as appropriate, with any decision as to whether or not to proceed with the proposed transaction remaining subject to Board
approval. The Board also decided to retain William Blair, as financial advisor to the Board, and approved the obtaining of independent
professional advice by FirstService's Founder and Chief Executive Office, Jay S. Hennick, at the expense of FirstService, with
respect to the proposed transaction and the special implications thereof on Mr. Hennick and the FirstService MSA.
Management continued its business, legal
and financial review of the feasibility and benefits and considerations of the possible division of FirstService and updated the
members of the Board regarding its progress. On September 19, 2014, the Board received an update from Management and its legal,
accounting and financial advisors in respect of various details and determinations made in relation to the proposed division of
FirstService, including a preliminary view of strategic, business and tax matters related to the transaction, a preliminary capital
structure and financing plan for the new entities, proposed strategic rationale for the transaction, proposed timing considerations
and a preliminary view of the anticipated market positioning of Colliers and New FSV relative to likely peers.
On February 6, 2015, FirstService retained
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. for advice and assistance related to capital markets and communication plans for the Arrangement in Canada.
On February 10, 2015, the Board met to
further consider the proposed division of FirstService and to receive the recommendation of Management. Management provided its
recommendation to proceed with the transaction and reported to the Board on, among other things, the strategic, business and tax
matters related to the transaction, the capital structure and financing plan for the new entities, the results of its legal review
and the effect on FirstService's businesses. Management also updated the Board in respect of the readiness of the transaction documentation.
Furthermore, the Board received an updated presentation from its financial advisor, William Blair, regarding the strategic rationale
for the transaction, timing considerations, anticipated market positioning of Colliers and New FSV relative to likely peers and
other matters. The Board also received advice regarding the transaction from FirstService's Canadian corporate and securities counsel,
Fogler, Rubinoff LLP. After a detailed review and discussion, for the reasons set out below, the Board approved, in principle,
proceeding with the Arrangement, and Management was authorized to continue to work on, and expend resources with respect to, the
Arrangement and to report to the Board as appropriate, with the formal decision as to whether or not to proceed with the Arrangement,
and the documentation to be entered into or issued in order to implement the Arrangement, remaining subject to Board approval.
A public announcement with respect to the
proposed Arrangement was made by FirstService after the close of trading on the TSX on February 10, 2015. Thereafter, FirstService
and its advisors proceeded to advance the necessary tax ruling, tax opinion and other regulatory requests.
On March 11, 2015, the Board met to further
consider the Arrangement. At such Board meeting, Management reported to the Board on, among other things, the strategic, business
and tax matters related to the Arrangement and, on the basis of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the readiness
of the transaction documentation, their expectations of FirstService receiving each of the Canadian Tax Ruling and the U.S. Tax
Opinion and committed financing for Colliers and New FSV having been secured, Management provided its recommendation to the Board
to formally proceed with the Arrangement. The Board received an updated presentation from its financial advisor, William Blair,
summarizing their analysis of the proposed Arrangement and the Fairness Opinion. Representatives from FirstService's legal advisors
discussed certain legal elements of the proposed Arrangement. The Board received a report and certain recommendations from the
Audit Committee of FirstService regarding proposed financial and other disclosure. After further discussion and consideration,
the Board unanimously determined to approve the Arrangement, the terms of the Arrangement Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, the Standstill Agreement
and the ancillary agreements thereto as well as this Circular and its mailing to Shareholders. The Board also unanimously determined
to recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement Resolution at the Meeting. See "Reasons for the Arrangement"
below.
On March 11, 2015, FirstService entered
into the Arrangement Agreement. A public announcement regarding the execution of the Arrangement Agreement was made after the close
of trading on the TSX on March 11, 2015.
Reasons for the Arrangement
The Board, acting with the advice and assistance
of its financial and legal advisors and Management, carefully evaluated the proposed corporate reorganization and Arrangement and
the Board unanimously: (i) determined that the Arrangement is fair to Shareholders; (ii) determined that the Arrangement is in
the best interests of FirstService and its Shareholders; and (iii) recommended that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution.
In reaching these determinations, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors:
| · | Sharper Business and Strategic Focus – Each of the proposed successor companies has
different operating characteristics, industry dynamics and growth strategies. As one of the leading branded commercial real estate
service companies in the world, Colliers operates in a dynamic industry with well capitalized competitors on a global scale. The
industry in which Colliers operates is more cyclical than New FSV and is impacted to a greater extent by macroeconomic trends.
New FSV is primarily a North American residential management and services company where a strong brand, scale and depth of services
offer key competitive advantages. The business profile is comprised of highly predictable and recurring streams with high contract
retention rates. Separating into two independent companies, each with its own management team and board of directors will allow
each to pursue independent internal and acquisition growth strategies and implement a sharper focus on the customers and markets
they serve; |
| · | Strategic Positioning and Growth – The Arrangement will improve and expand the strategic
positioning and growth opportunities of each company. Colliers is one of the top players in commercial real estate on a global
basis. This sector is extremely large and highly fragmented where global capabilities and brand are key competitive advantages.
As a separate company, Colliers will be strategically positioned to take advantage of significant internal growth opportunities,
industry consolidation, pursue tuck-in acquisitions in different geographic regions and expand service offerings while leveraging
its global brand in 67 countries around the world. New FSV will be strategically positioned to expand its branded residential property
management and property services platforms, expand its geographic footprint, pursue strategic acquisitions and strategically add
company-owned operations that meet its criteria; |
| · | Focused Investment Decision – The Arrangement will provide Shareholders with ownership
of two separate investment opportunities, a pure-play global commercial real estate services business and a leading North American
property management and services business. Shareholders will retain ownership in both companies immediately after the Effective
Date in the same proportionate voting and equity interest, directly or indirectly, in all of the assets currently held by FirstService.
Going forward Shareholders will have additional investment flexibility with respect to exposure to each type of investment as they
will hold a direct interest in two public companies; |
| · | Independent Access to Capital – As separate companies, Colliers and New FSV will have
independent public currencies and balance sheets, which will provide them with independent access to capital which will result
in more focused capital allocation practices, including an appropriately focused alignment of debt capacity and dividend policy
with the individual cash generation profile and growth opportunities of each company; |
| · | Better Ability to Attract, Retain and Motivate Key Employees – The separation of FirstService
into two independent public companies will also enable each to provide business specific incentives to key employees. Compensation
arrangements can more closely align the role of each employee with the performance of the business that employs them, enhancing
each company's ability to better attract, retain and motivate key people; |
| · | Improved Market Understanding and Valuation – By establishing two separate public
companies with independent public reporting and a simplified corporate structure, investors and analysts will be able to more easily
evaluate each one on a stand-alone basis relative to competitors, benchmarks and performance criteria specific to their respective
industries. This should improve alignment of the two companies with their direct public company peers and facilitate sector-specific
analyst coverage for each; |
| · | Experienced Leadership – Each company will be led by experienced executives who have
demonstrated success building FirstService into the success it is today and who have requisite experience to grow their respective
companies. Jay S. Hennick, the Founder and CEO of FirstService, will continue to control both public companies, will serve day-to-day
as the Executive Chairman of Colliers International and act as the Founder and Chairman of New FSV. Scott Patterson, President
and COO of FirstService will assume the role of CEO of New FSV. John Friedrichsen, currently Senior Vice President and CFO of FirstService,
will assume those roles at Colliers International and Jeremy Rakusin, FirstService's Vice President of Strategy & Corporate
Development, will take on the role of CFO of New FSV. Under the leadership of Jay S. Hennick, FirstService has delivered greater
than a 20% compound annual growth rate over its twenty years as a public company; |
| · | Fairness Opinion – The Board has received and considered the Fairness Opinion and
its conclusion that, as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to the scope of the review, analysis undertaken and various
assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth in the Fairness Opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders
of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial
point of view, to such Shareholders; |
| · | Shareholder and Court Approval – The procedures by which the Arrangement will be approved
will be the requirement for approval of the Arrangement by 66⅔% of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, each voting separately as a class, and the requirement for approval
of the Arrangement by the Court after a hearing at which fairness to the Shareholders will be considered; |
| · | Dissent Rights – Registered Shareholders who oppose the Arrangement may, upon compliance
with certain conditions, exercise their Dissent Rights and receive the fair value of their FirstService Shares in accordance with
the Plan of Arrangement; and |
| · | Neutral Tax Treatment – The Arrangement will generally occur on a tax-deferred basis
for Shareholders resident in Canada and the United States who hold their FirstService Shares as capital property (in Canada) and
capital assets (in the United States). |
The foregoing are the material factors
considered by the Board in its consideration of the Arrangement, but this discussion is not intended to be exhaustive. In view
of the wide variety of factors considered by the Board, and the complexity of these matters, the Board did not find it practicable
to, and did not quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the foregoing factors. In addition, individual members of the
Board may have assigned different weights to various factors. The Board, by a unanimous vote, approved the Arrangement and recommended
that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution based upon all of the information presented to and considered by it.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board has unanimously determined
that the Arrangement is fair to Shareholders and the Arrangement is in the best interests of FirstService and the holders of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, each taken separately as a class. The Board unanimously recommends
that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution.
Fairness Opinion
In connection with the evaluation by the
Board, the Board considered, among other things, an opinion from William Blair in respect of the fairness, from a financial point
of view, to the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares of the consideration
to be received by such Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement. The following summary of the Fairness Opinion is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the full text of the Fairness Opinion, a copy of which is attached as Appendix "D" to this
Circular. Shareholders are urged to, and should, read the Fairness Opinion in its entirety. The Fairness Opinion is not a recommendation
as to how Shareholders should vote in respect of the Arrangement Resolution.
Fairness Opinion
Pursuant to an engagement letter between
FirstService and William Blair dated May 15, 2014, FirstService engaged William Blair to act as financial advisor to the Board
to assist in connection with the proposed restructuring of FirstService into two public entities. At the meeting of the Board on
March 11, 2015, William Blair delivered its verbal opinion and, after the meeting, William Blair delivered a written opinion dated
March 11, 2015 to the Board that, as at March 11, 2015, based upon and subject to the assumptions, explanations and limitations
set forth in such written opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and
FirstService Multiple Voting Shares pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such Shareholders.
A copy of the Fairness Opinion, which sets
out, among other things, the assumptions made, information reviewed, matters considered and limitations on the scope of review
undertaken by William Blair in rendering its opinion, is attached as Appendix "D" to this Circular. Shareholders are
urged to, and should, read the Fairness Opinion in its entirety.
FirstService will pay fees to William Blair
in connection with its services, a portion of which are contingent upon the completion of the Arrangement. FirstService has also
agreed to reimburse William Blair for certain expenses and to indemnify it against certain liabilities arising out of or in connection
with its engagement, including certain liabilities under securities laws (or contribute to payments that they may be required to
make in respect thereof).
The Fairness Opinion addresses only the
consideration to be received by Shareholders, is for the information of the Board in connection with its consideration of the proposed
Arrangement and does not constitute a recommendation as to how Shareholders should vote at the Meeting.
Details of the Arrangement
The Arrangement will result in the division
of FirstService into two focused and independent publicly traded services companies. Following completion of the Arrangement, FirstService
(which will then be Colliers and renamed Colliers International Group Inc.) will continue to own and operate the Colliers International
business, one of the largest commercial real estate services providers in the world offering a full range of commercial real estate
services in the United States, Canada, and across a total of 67 countries. Colliers International
provides services to owners, investors and tenants, covering property management and maintenance, valuation, project management
and corporate advisory services. See "Information Concerning Colliers Post-Arrangement" and Appendix "H" for
a further description of Colliers after completion of the Arrangement.
Following completion of the Arrangement,
New FSV (which will be renamed FirstService Corporation) will own and operate the combined FirstService Residential and FirstService
Brands businesses. FirstService Residential is North America's largest manager of residential communities and FirstService Brands
is one of North America's largest providers of essential property services delivered through seven individually branded franchise
systems and company-owned operations. See "Information Concerning New FSV Post-Arrangement" and Appendix "I"
for a further description of New FSV after completion of the Arrangement.
If the Arrangement is approved by the Shareholders
and the Court and the other conditions precedent to the Arrangement are satisfied or waived, FirstService will be divided into
two separate publicly traded companies and: (i) each holder of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (other than a Dissenting
Shareholder) will hold one Colliers Subordinate Voting Share and receive one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share for every FirstService
Subordinate Voting Share held on the Distribution Record Date; and (ii) each holder of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares (other
than a Dissenting Shareholder) will hold one Colliers Multiple Voting Share and receive one New FSV Multiple Voting Share for every
FirstService Multiple Voting Share held on the Distribution Record Date. Share certificates will be issued to Shareholders of record
as at the close of business on the Distribution Record Date (other than a Dissenting Shareholder) representing the New FSV Shares.
The Colliers Shares will continue to be represented by the existing FirstService Share certificates, until replaced against transfer.
The following diagram illustrates the three
operating divisions of FirstService immediately before the Arrangement becomes effective:
The following diagram illustrates the proposed
material operating divisions of Colliers and New FSV immediately after the Arrangement becomes effective:
Arrangement Agreement
The following is a summary of the material
terms and conditions of the Arrangement Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Arrangement
Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Appendix "C" to this Circular. Shareholders are urged to, and should, read
the Arrangement Agreement in its entirety.
FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI
have entered into the Arrangement Agreement providing for, among other things, the terms of the Plan of Arrangement, representations,
warranties and covenants of the parties, conditions precedent to completion of the Arrangement, certain indemnities among FirstService,
New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI, and the amendment and termination provisions of the Arrangement Agreement.
Representations, Warranties and Covenants
The Arrangement Agreement includes certain
representations and warranties of each party to the others including, but not limited to, representations and warranties relating
to the authorized capital of each party.
Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement,
the parties have agreed to: (i) use all commercially reasonable efforts and do all things reasonably required of it to cause the
Arrangement to become effective on such date as FirstService may determine; (ii) use all commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy
the conditions precedent to completion of the Arrangement; (iii) cooperate with and assist each other in dealing with transitional
and other matters relating to or arising from the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement,
the Arrangement or the Arrangement Agreement; and (iv) cooperate in obtaining the Tax Ruling and Opinion.
Conditions Precedent
The obligations of FirstService to complete
the Arrangement (subject to its rights to determine whether to proceed with the Arrangement, to determine the timing of the completion
of the Arrangement and to terminate the Arrangement at any time prior to the Effective Date) are subject to the satisfaction, or
in certain cases waiver by FirstService, of certain conditions precedent, including the following:
| (a) | the Interim Order and the Final Order will have each been obtained on terms consistent with the
Arrangement Agreement and shall not have been set aside or modified in a manner unacceptable to the FirstService, in its sole discretion,
whether on appeal or otherwise; |
| (b) | the Pre-Arrangement Transactions will have been completed; |
| (c) | the Arrangement Resolution shall have been approved by the requisite number of votes cast by the
Shareholders at the Meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Interim Order and any applicable regulatory requirements; |
| (d) | the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution shall have been approved by the requisite number of votes
cast by the Shareholders at the Meeting in accordance with any applicable regulatory requirements; |
| (e) | the Articles of Arrangement and all necessary related documents, in form and substance satisfactory
to FirstService, in its sole discretion, shall have been filed with the Director together with the Final Order in accordance with
the OBCA; |
| (f) | all consents, orders, rulings, approvals, opinions and assurances, including regulatory, judicial,
third party and advisor opinions, approvals, orders and exemptions, required or necessary, in the sole discretion of FirstService,
for the completion of the transactions provided for in the Arrangement Agreement, the Plan of Arrangement, the Pre-Arrangement
Transactions and the Tax Ruling and Opinion shall have been obtained or received; |
| (g) | no action shall have been instituted and be continuing on the Effective Date for an injunction
to restrain, a declaratory judgment in respect of, or damages on account of or relating to, the Arrangement and there shall not
be in force any order or decree restraining or enjoining the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Arrangement Agreement,
the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Tax Ruling and Opinion or the application made for the Canadian Tax Ruling and no cease trading
or similar order with respect to any securities of any of the parties shall have been issued and remain outstanding; |
| (h) | no law, regulation or policy shall have been proposed, enacted, promulgated or applied that interferes
or is inconsistent with the completion of the Arrangement or the Tax Ruling and Opinion or their effective application to the Arrangement,
including any material change to the income tax laws of Canada or the United States, or any province, state or territory thereof; |
| (i) | the Canadian Tax Ruling having been received by FirstService and New FSV, in form and substance
satisfactory to FirstService, will not have been withdrawn or modified and will remain in full force and effect and all of the
transactions referred to in the Canadian Tax Ruling as occurring on or prior to the Effective Time will have occurred and all conditions
or terms of the Canadian Tax Ruling shall have been satisfied; |
| (j) | the U.S. Tax Opinion will have been received by FirstService and New FSV, in form and substance
satisfactory to FirstService, will not have been withdrawn or modified and all of the transactions referred to in the U.S. Tax
Opinion as occurring on or prior to the Effective Time will have occurred and all conditions or terms of the U.S. Tax Opinion shall
have been satisfied; |
| (k) | the Fairness Opinion will have been received by the Board and will not have been withdrawn or modified; |
| (l) | there shall not, as of the Effective Date, be Shareholders that hold, in the aggregate, in excess
of 0.1% of all outstanding FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares that have validly exercised
their Dissent Rights and not withdrawn such exercise; |
| (m) | the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares shall continue to be listed on the TSX and the New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares shall have been conditionally approved for listing on the TSX, subject to compliance with the normal listing requirements
of the TSX; |
| (n) | the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares shall continue to be listed on Nasdaq and the New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares shall have been accepted for listing on Nasdaq, subject to office notice of issuance; |
| (o) | there shall have not developed, occurred or come into effect or existence any event, action or
occurrence of national or international consequences, any governmental law or regulation, state, condition or major financial occurrence,
including any act of terrorism, war or like event, or other occurrence of any nature, which, in the sole discretion of FirstService,
materially adversely affects, or may materially adversely affect, the financial markets in Canada or the United States or the business,
financial condition, operations or affairs of FirstService, Colliers or New FSV going forward; and |
| (p) | the Arrangement Agreement shall not have been terminated. |
The conditions precedent are for the sole
benefit of FirstService and certain of them may be waived, in whole or in part, by FirstService at any time where legally permissible.
Certain conditions precedent to the completion of the Arrangement in the Arrangement Agreement will be deemed to be satisfied,
waived or released on the filing of the Articles of Arrangement.
The obligation of each party to complete
the Arrangement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following mutual conditions precedent (which may be waived by each
party): (i) the covenants of the parties to be performed on or before the Effective Date shall have been duly performed in all
material respects; (ii) except as set forth in the Arrangement Agreement, the Plan of Arrangement, the Tax Ruling and Opinion or
the application for the Canadian Tax Ruling, the representations and warranties of the parties will be true and correct in all
material respects as at the Effective Date; (iii) the Standstill Agreement shall have been entered into by all of the parties thereto
on or prior to the date of the Arrangement Agreement; and (iv) each of the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement and the
New FSV MSA shall have been entered into by all of the parties thereto, and the FirstService MSA shall have been amended and restated
by the parties thereto (and will thereafter be referred to as the Colliers MSA), in each case, on or prior to the transfer to FSV
Holdco of the "FirstService Residential" residential real estate services division and "FirstService Brands"
property services division of FirstService, and the assets and liabilities respectively referable to such divisions, pursuant to
the Pre-Arrangement Transactions.
Indemnification
Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement,
FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI each agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the other parties and their representatives
against any losses suffered or incurred by the others as a result of or in connection with a breach of any tax-related covenant
made by the indemnifying party, including in respect of a covenant that, for a period of three years after the Effective Date,
each party will not (and that it will cause its subsidiaries to not) take any action, omit to take any action or enter into any
transaction that could cause the Arrangement or any transaction contemplated by the Arrangement Agreement to be taxed in a manner
inconsistent with that provided for in the Tax Ruling and Opinion without obtaining a tax ruling or an opinion of a nationally
recognized accounting firm or law firm that such action, omission or transaction will not have such effect. Upon execution of the
Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, the indemnity provisions contained in the Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement will supersede and replace the indemnity provisions contained in the Arrangement Agreement. See "Risk Factors –
Risks Relating to the Arrangement – Indemnification Obligations".
Amendments
The Arrangement Agreement may, at any time
and from time to time before and after the holding of the Meeting, but not later than the Effective Date, be amended by written
agreement of the parties without, subject to applicable law, further notice to or authorization on the part of their respective
shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, FirstService has reserved the right, in its sole discretion, without notice to or
the approval of the other parties or the Shareholders, to amend: (i) the Plan of Arrangement so long as such amendment(s) is not,
in the opinion of FirstService (acting reasonably), materially adverse to the other parties; and (ii) the Arrangement Agreement
to the extent FirstService may reasonably consider such amendment necessary or desirable due to the Tax Ruling and Opinion, the
Interim Order or the Final Order. It is possible that market or other conditions could make it imprudent to proceed with the Arrangement
or make it advisable to otherwise amend the Arrangement Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement. In addition, it is also possible
that the Board may determine that it is appropriate that amendments be made. The Arrangement Resolution authorizes the Board to
amend, modify or supplement the Arrangement Agreement. See Appendix "A" and "The Arrangement – Plan of Arrangement
– Amendments".
Termination
The Arrangement Agreement may, at any time
before or after the holding of the Meeting but prior to the issue of the Certificate of Arrangement, be unilaterally terminated
by FirstService in its sole discretion at any time without the approval of the Shareholders, New FSV, FSV Holdco or FCRESI. The
Arrangement Agreement will terminate without any further action by the parties if the Effective Date has not occurred on or before
March 30, 2016. The Board considers it appropriate to retain the flexibility not to proceed with the Arrangement should some event
occur after the Meeting and prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Arrangement which, in the opinion of the Board, makes it
inappropriate to complete the Arrangement. Accordingly, the Arrangement Resolution authorizes the Board not to proceed with the
Arrangement prior to the Effective Time without further notice to, or approval of, the Shareholders.
Pre-Arrangement Transactions
Prior to the Effective Date, a number of
preliminary transactions to reorganize the business of FirstService (the "Pre-Arrangement Transactions") have
been, and will be, undertaken by FirstService to facilitate the Arrangement in a tax-efficient manner. On October 6, 2014, New
FSV was formed under the OBCA and, on October 15, 2014, FSV Holdco was formed under the Business Corporation Act (British
Columbia), in each case, in order to facilitate the Arrangement. Until the Arrangement is effected, New FSV will not have any assets
or liabilities, carry on any business or issue any shares in its capital stock. The effect of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions
will be, among other things, to transfer to FSV Holdco the assets and liabilities associated with the FirstService Residential
and FirstService Brands businesses to be owned and operated by New FSV after giving effect to the Arrangement (including the New
FSV MSA) and upon the FCRESI Arrangements becoming effective at the time provided for in the Arrangement, result in FCRESI (which
holds the Colliers International business) being a wholly-owned subsidiary of Colliers (with the former minority shareholders and
optionholders of FCRESI holding Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares after the Effective Time).
Outside of the Arrangement, the FCRESI
Arrangements will be entered into pursuant to which the minority shareholders and optionholders in FCRESI, which holds the Colliers
International business, will ultimately exchange all of the FCRESI shares and options to acquire FCRESI shares held by them for
Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares (and FCRESI will thereby become a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstService). Up to 2,010,000
Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares are expected to be issued as part of the FCRESI Arrangements and, as part thereof, the holders
of such shares will contractually agree to certain share transfer restrictions and an escrow of shares as described in "Escrowed
Securities and Securities Subject to Contractual Restriction on Transfer" in Appendix "H" annexed hereto.
Pursuant to the Arrangement, FirstService
will, among other things, transfer its shares in FSV Holdco to New FSV, and FSV Holdco will wind-up into New FSV, thereby completing
the transfer of the FirstService Residential and FirstService Brands businesses, and amalgamate with FCRESI to form Colliers, resulting
in Colliers retaining all of the Colliers International business. See "The Arrangement – Arrangement Steps".
If the Arrangement is not completed as
expected, there will be no material adverse consequences to FirstService in having commenced or completed the Pre-Arrangement Transactions
as described above, other than the taxes payable on certain inter-company investments between Colliers and New FSV which will be
settled as a result of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions. The impact on 2015 cash tax expense is expected to be an increase of approximately
US$725,000.
Plan of Arrangement
The following description of the steps
of the Arrangement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan of Arrangement set out in Schedule "A"
to the Arrangement Agreement which is attached as Appendix "C" to this Circular. Shareholders are urged to read the Plan
of Arrangement in its entirety.
The Arrangement Agreement provides for
the implementation of the Plan of Arrangement pursuant to Section 182 of the OBCA. The Arrangement will become effective on the
date of filing of the Articles of Arrangement with the Director.
Arrangement Steps
Provided that the Arrangement Resolution
is passed, the Final Order is granted by the Court and the other conditions precedent to the Arrangement set forth in the Arrangement
Agreement are satisfied or waived, the Articles of Arrangement and related documents, in the form prescribed by the OBCA, will
be filed with the Director, at such time as FirstService deems appropriate, in its sole discretion. Commencing at the Effective
Time, except as otherwise noted, the following steps shall occur and shall be deemed to occur sequentially, in the following order,
without any further act or formality required on the part of any person:
| (a) | no FirstService Stock Options may be exercised or surrendered after the Effective Time; |
| (b) | the FirstService Shares held by Dissenting Shareholders, who duly exercise their Dissent Rights
and who are ultimately entitled to be paid fair value for those FirstService Shares, as described in the Plan of Arrangement, will
be deemed to have been transferred to FirstService, with good and marketable title thereto and free and clear of any Encumbrances,
and cancelled and will cease to be outstanding at the Effective Time, and such Dissenting Shareholders will cease to have any rights
as Shareholders other than the right to be paid the fair value for their FirstService Shares by FirstService; |
| (c) | the FirstService Articles will be amended as follows: |
| (i) | to change the designation of the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares from "Multiple Voting
Shares" to "Class A Multiple Voting Shares", with such class of shares having the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions set out in the FirstService Articles, as amended in accordance with Exhibit "I" to the Plan
of Arrangement; |
| (ii) | to change the designation of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares from "Subordinate
Voting Shares" to "Class A Subordinate Voting Shares", with such class of shares having the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions set out in the FirstService Articles, as amended in accordance with Exhibit "I" to the Plan
of Arrangement; and |
| (iii) | to create and authorize the issuance of (in addition to the shares that FirstService is authorized
to issue immediately before such amendment) the following new classes or series of shares: |
| (A) | an unlimited number of FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares; |
| (B) | an unlimited number of FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares; |
| (C) | an unlimited number of FirstService MV Special Shares; and |
| (D) | an unlimited number of FirstService SV Special Shares; |
and the rights, privileges, restrictions
and conditions attaching to each such new class or series of shares of FirstService will be as set out in Exhibit "I"
to the Plan of Arrangement;
| (d) | concurrently with the FirstService Share Exchange, each holder of a FirstService Stock Option will
dispose of a specified portion of such holder's FirstService Stock Options to New FSV and to FirstService and, as the sole consideration
therefor, New FSV will grant and issue New FSV Replacement Stock Options to such holder and FirstService will grant and issue FirstService
Replacement Stock Options to such holder. The exercise price of each FirstService Replacement Stock Option and New FSV Replacement
Stock Option will be determined, based on the exercise price of the FirstService Stock Option surrendered, in accordance with an
agreed formula, and the FirstService Stock Options will be concurrently cancelled and terminated, and the FirstService Stock Option
Plan will be amended and restated to include provisions to accommodate the foregoing; |
| (e) | each issued and outstanding FirstService Multiple Voting Share and FirstService Subordinate Voting
Share held by a Shareholder (other than a Dissenting Shareholder) will be exchanged concurrently as follows (the "FirstService
Share Exchange"): (i) each FirstService Multiple Voting Share will be exchanged for one FirstService New Multiple Voting
Share and one FirstService MV Special Share; and (ii) each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share will be exchanged for one FirstService
New Subordinate Voting Share and one FirstService SV Special Share, and the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares and FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares so exchanged will be cancelled; |
| (f) | concurrently with the issuance of the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService
SV Special Shares pursuant to the FirstService Share Exchange, the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares will, outside and
not as part of the Plan of Arrangement, continue to be listed and posted for trading on the TSX and Nasdaq (subject to standard
listing conditions imposed by the TSX and Nasdaq in similar circumstances) and, for greater certainty, such continued listing will
be effective before the Distribution Property Exchange; |
| (g) | the articles of incorporation of New FSV will be amended to create and authorize the issuance of
(in addition to the shares New FSV is authorized to issue immediately before such amendment) an unlimited number of New FSV Special
Shares, and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to this new series of shares of New FSV will be as set
out in Exhibit "V" to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (h) | each issued and outstanding FirstService MV Special Share and FirstService SV Special Share will
be transferred concurrently to New FSV, with good and marketable title thereto and free and clear of any Encumbrances, in exchange
for the issuance of shares of New FSV as follows (as the sole consideration therefor) (the "New FSV Share Exchange"):
(i) each FirstService MV Special Share will be transferred in exchange for one New FSV Multiple Voting Share; and (ii) each FirstService
SV Special Share will be transferred in exchange for one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share. In connection with these share transfers,
if requested by an Eligible Holder within 120 days after the Effective Date, New FSV will jointly elect with such Eligible Holder
to have the provisions of subsection 85(1) of the Tax Act (or, in the case of an Eligible Holder that is a partnership, subsection
85(2) of the Tax Act) and the corresponding provisions of any applicable provincial tax legislation apply to such transfer(s) with
the agreed amount(s) in such election to be specified by the Eligible Holder (subject to the limitations in the Tax Act and any
applicable provincial tax legislation); |
| (i) | concurrently with the issuance of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to the New FSV
Share Exchange, the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will, outside and not as part of the Plan of Arrangement, be listed or accepted
for trading on the TSX and Nasdaq (subject to standard post-closing listing conditions imposed by the TSX and subject to official
notice of issuance by Nasdaq, in each case, in similar circumstances); |
| (j) | FirstService will transfer to New FSV all of the outstanding shares in the capital of FSV Holdco
(such shares, the "Distribution Property" and, such transfer, the "Distribution Property Exchange"),
with good and marketable title thereto and free from any Encumbrances, at a price equal to the fair market value of the Distribution
Property at the time of the transfer, in consideration for the issuance to FirstService of 1,000,000 New FSV Special Shares having
an aggregate redemption amount, as determined pursuant to the articles of incorporation of New FSV, as amended, equal to the fair
market value of the Distribution Property at the time of transfer; |
| (k) | New FSV will redeem for cancellation all of the outstanding New FSV Special Shares held by FirstService
and will issue to FirstService a demand promissory note (the "New FSV Redemption Note") in respect of the redemption
amount; |
| (l) | FirstService will redeem for cancellation all of the outstanding FirstService MV Special Shares
and FirstService SV Special Shares held by New FSV and will issue to New FSV a demand promissory note (the "FirstService
Redemption Note") in respect of the aggregate redemption amounts; |
| (m) | FirstService will pay the principal amount of the FirstService Redemption Note by transferring
to New FSV the New FSV Redemption Note, and New FSV will pay the principal amount of the New FSV Redemption Note by transferring
to FirstService the FirstService Redemption Note, and each of the FirstService Redemption Note and the New FSV Redemption Note
will thereupon be cancelled; |
| (n) | the articles of FirstService, as amended, will be amended as follows: (i) to change its name from
"FirstService Corporation" to "Colliers International Group Inc."; and (ii) to remove all of
the FirstService MV Special Shares, FirstService SV Special Shares, FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares, Series 1 Preference Shares of FirstService and 7% Cumulative Preference Shares, Series 1 of FirstService from the
authorized capital of FirstService; |
| (o) | the articles of New FSV will be amended as follows: (i) to change its name from "New FSV
Corporation" to "FirstService Corporation"; and (ii) to remove all of the New FSV Special Shares from
the authorized capital of New FSV; |
| (p) | the number of directors of New FSV will be set at six (6) and the persons listed in Part A of Exhibit
"III" to the Plan of Arrangement will become the directors of New FSV; |
| (q) | the directors of New FSV will have the authority to appoint one or more additional directors of
New FSV, who will hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders of New FSV,
but the total number of directors so appointed may not exceed one third of the number of persons who become directors of New FSV
as contemplated by the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (r) | the by-laws of New FSV will be the by-laws set out in Exhibit "IV" to the Plan of Arrangement,
and such by-laws will be deemed to have been confirmed by the shareholders of New FSV; |
| (s) | PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will become the initial auditors of New FSV, to hold office until the
close of the first annual meeting of shareholders of New FSV, or until PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP resigns or is removed from office
as contemplated by the OBCA, and the directors of New FSV will be authorized to fix their remuneration; |
| (t) | New FSV will resolve to voluntarily dissolve FSV Holdco in accordance with Part 10 of the Business
Corporation Act (British Columbia) and subsection 88(1) of the Tax Act, and in connection therewith: (i) all of the rights,
title and interest of FSV Holdco in and to all of its property, assets and business of every kind and nature, real and personal,
both tangible and intangible, and movable and immovable, wherever situate will be transferred and assigned to New FSV; and (ii)
New FSV will assume and become liable to pay, satisfy, discharge and observe, perform and fulfill all of the liabilities and obligations
of FSV Holdco; |
| (u) | the FCRESI Arrangements will, outside and not as part of the Plan of Arrangement, become effective
and the FCRESI Governance Agreement will be terminated and be of no further force and effect; |
| (v) | the amount standing to the credit of the stated capital accounted maintained by FCRESI in respect
of all of its issued and outstanding shares shall be reduced to the sum of One Dollar ($1.00), in aggregate; |
| (w) | FirstService and FCRESI will be amalgamated and continued as one corporation under the OBCA to
form Colliers in accordance with the following: |
| (i) | Name: the name of Colliers will be "Colliers International Group Inc."; |
| (ii) | Registered Office: the registered office of Colliers will be 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4; |
| (iii) | Number of Directors: the number of directors of Colliers will consist of a minimum number
of three (3) directors and a maximum number of twenty (20) directors. Until changed by the shareholders of Colliers, or by the
directors of Colliers if authorized to do so, the number of directors of Colliers will be six (6); |
| (iv) | Initial Directors: the initial directors of Colliers will be those persons listed in Part
B of Exhibit "III" to the Plan of Arrangement and such persons will hold office until the next annual meeting of the
shareholders of Colliers or until their successors are elected or appointed; |
| (v) | Restrictions on Business and Powers: there will be no restrictions on the business Colliers
may carry on or on the powers it may exercise; |
| (vi) | Authorized Capital and Rights, Privileges, Restrictions and Conditions: Colliers will be
authorized to issue: |
| (A) | an unlimited number of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares having the rights, privileges, restrictions
and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to the Plan of Arrangement in respect of the FirstService New Subordinate Voting
Shares; |
| (B) | an unlimited number of Colliers Multiple Voting Shares having the rights, privileges, restrictions
and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to the Plan of Arrangement in respect of the FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares; |
| (C) | an unlimited number of "Preference Shares", issuable in one or more series, having
the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (vii) | Restrictions on the Issue, Transfer or Ownership of Shares: there will be no restrictions
on the issue, transfer or ownership of shares of Colliers; |
| (viii) | By-laws: the by-laws of Colliers will be the by-laws of FirstService, mutatis mutandis; |
| (ix) | Effect of Amalgamation: the provisions of section 179 of the OBCA shall apply to the amalgamation
with the result that: |
| (A) | FirstService and FCRESI cease to exist as entities separate from Colliers; |
| (B) | Colliers possesses all the property, rights, privileges and franchises and is subject to all liabilities,
including civil, criminal and quasi-criminal, and all contracts, disabilities and debts of each of FirstService and FCRESI; |
| (C) | a conviction against, or ruling, order or judgment in favour of or against FirstService or FCRESI
may be enforced by or against Colliers; and |
| (D) | Colliers shall be deemed to be the party plaintiff or the party defendant, as the case may be,
in any civil action commenced by or against FirstService or FCRESI before the amalgamation has become effective; |
| (x) | Articles: the Articles of Arrangement will be deemed to be the articles of amalgamation
and articles of incorporation of Colliers and the Certificate of Arrangement will be deemed to be the certificate of amalgamation
and certificate of incorporation of Colliers; |
| (xi) | Auditors: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be the initial auditors of Colliers, to hold office
until the close of the first annual meeting of shareholders of Colliers, or until PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP resigns or is removed
from office as contemplated by the OBCA, and the directors of Colliers will be authorized to fix their remuneration; |
| (xii) | Cancellation and Continuation of Shares: on the amalgamation: (A) each issued and outstanding
share in the capital of FCRESI held by FirstService shall be cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect thereof; (B)
no securities will be issued and no assets will be distributed by Colliers in connection with the amalgamation; and (C) the issued
and outstanding FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares shall survive and become,
and continue on as, Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares, respectively, without amendment; and |
| (xiii) | Stated Capital: the stated capital of: (A) the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares will be
an amount equal to the stated capital of the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares; and (B) the Colliers Multiple Voting Shares
will be an amount equal to the stated capital of the FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares; and |
| (x) | concurrently with the continuation of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares above: (A) the Colliers
Subordinate Voting Shares will, outside and not as part of the Plan of Arrangement, continue be listed and posted for trading on
the TSX and Nasdaq (subject to standard listing conditions imposed by the TSX and Nasdaq in similar circumstances); and (B) each
outstanding FirstService Replacement Stock Option will become a Colliers Replacement Stock Option entitling the holder thereof
to acquire the same number of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares, and the FirstService Stock Option Plan will become the Colliers
Stock Option Plan, with all of the other terms and conditions of, and restrictions on, the Colliers Replacement Stock Options,
including exercise price, vesting conditions and exercise or surrender restrictions, being the same as the FirstService Replacement
Stock Options. |
Dissent Rights
The Plan of Arrangement provides for Dissent
Rights in respect of the Arrangement Resolution. See "Dissenting Shareholders' Rights".
Amendments
The Plan of Arrangement may at any time
and from time to time, not later than the Effective Date, be amended, modified or supplemented unilaterally by FirstService, provided
that each such amendment, modification or supplement is contained in a written document which is filed with the Court and, if made
following the Meeting, is approved by the Court and communicated to any persons in the manner required by the Court. Any amendment,
modification or supplement to the Plan of Arrangement may be made following the Effective Date by Colliers and New FSV without
the approval of the Court, the shareholders of Colliers or the shareholders of New FSV, provided that it concerns a matter which,
in the reasonable opinion of Colliers and New FSV, is of an administrative nature required to better give effect to the implementation
of the Plan of Arrangement and is not adverse to the financial or economic interests of any holder or former holder of FirstService
Shares, Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares.
Delivery of New FSV Share Certificates
Holders of FirstService Shares need not
take any action with respect to the Arrangement. Upon the Arrangement becoming effective, share certificates formerly representing
FirstService Shares will represent the Colliers Shares and New FSV Shares, as applicable, to be issued to Shareholders pursuant
to the Arrangement. As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, there will be delivered to each Shareholder of record as at
the close of business on the Distribution Record Date, certificates representing the New FSV Shares to which such holder is entitled
pursuant to the Arrangement. The certificates representing FirstService Shares will continue to represent a like number of Colliers
Shares until replaced against transfer.
Share certificates representing the New
FSV Shares will be sent to Shareholders by first class mail or other delivery method to the most recent address of the Shareholder
on the lists of registered Shareholders maintained, in the case of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, by TMX Equity Transfer
Services, the registrar and transfer agent for the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, and, in the case of the FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares, by FirstService, the registrar and transfer agent for the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares. Shareholders
as at the close of business on the Distribution Record Date are not required to take any action, including making any payments
in cash or exchanging or delivering their FirstService Shares, to receive New FSV Shares.
Treatment of Debt Securities and Credit
Facilities
General
As at December 31, 2014, FirstService and
its subsidiaries had total third party debt outstanding of US$493.3 million, of which US$20.0 million was outstanding under FirstService's
senior secured notes which mature on April 1, 2015 (the "April 2015 Notes") and bear interest at the rate of 5.44%
per annum, US$12.5 million was outstanding under FirstService's senior secured notes which mature on September 30, 2015 and bear
interest at the rate of 6.40% per annum (the "September 2015 Notes"), US$150.0 million was outstanding
under FirstService's senior secured notes which mature on January 16, 2025 and bear interest at the rate of 3.84% per annum (the
"2025 Notes") and US$299.0 million was outstanding under FirstService's revolving credit facility and the remainder
was outstanding pursuant to various capital leases and other debt at the FirstService subsidiary level.
The April 2015 Notes will mature on April
1, 2015, and will be repaid in full by FirstService prior to the Effective Date. In addition, FirstService will prepay the entire
remaining principal amount owing under the September 2015 Notes, plus all accrued interest thereon and a make-whole payment of
approximately US$356,000, prior to the Effective Date.
Pursuant to the Pre-Arrangement Transactions,
FirstService will transfer to FSV Holdco the assets and liabilities associated with the FirstService Residential and FirstService
Brands businesses in exchange for, among other things, an interest bearing demand intercompany note in the amount of approximately
US$187.5 million (which amount is subject to change). See "The Arrangement – Pre-Arrangement Transactions". Upon
completion of the Arrangement, New FSV intends to draw on its new revolving credit facility described below to partially repay
this intercompany note. The remainder of this intercompany note will be repaid by New FSV assuming the 2025 Notes with an outstanding
principal amount of US$150 million. See "– New FSV Debt Securities and Credit Facility". Colliers (formerly FirstService)
expects to use the cash proceeds from the repayment by New FSV of such intercompany note to repay amounts outstanding under its
revolving credit facility and, if applicable, any amounts outstanding under the 2015 Notes. "– Colliers Debt Securities
and Credit Facility".
Upon completion of the Arrangement, each
of Colliers and New FSV intend to pursue a financing strategy appropriate for its business model and growth plans, with Colliers
targeting financial leverage (net debt/adjusted EBITDA, including annualized contributions from acquisitions) of 1.0 – 1.5
times and New FSV targeting financial leverage (net debt/adjusted EBITDA, including annualized contributions from acquisitions)
of 2.0 – 2.5 times.
New FSV Debt Securities and Credit Facility
In order to provide ongoing liquidity,
including working capital requirements, New FSV has obtained a commitment from a Schedule 1 bank to make available to New FSV a
US$150 million five-year revolving credit facility. The term of this facility commences on the Effective Date. The commitment from
such bank to make advances available under such credit facility on the Arrangement becoming effective is subject to customary conditions
for a credit facility of this type. In addition, all amounts outstanding under the 2025 Notes will be assumed by New FSV. See Appendix
"I" to this Circular for further information.
Colliers Debt Securities and Credit
Facility
In order to continue to provide ongoing
liquidity, including working capital requirements, FirstService has obtained a commitment from a Schedule 1 bank to amend and restate
its existing credit facility to make available to Colliers a US$500 million five-year revolving credit facility. The term of this
amended and restated facility commences on the Effective Date. The commitment from such bank to make advances available under such
amended and restated credit facility on the Arrangement becoming effective is subject to customary conditions for a credit facility
of this type. As all amounts outstanding under the 2025 Notes will be assumed by New FSV, and all amounts outstanding under the
April 2015 Notes and September 2015 Notes will be repaid or prepaid, as the case may be, prior to the Effective Date, Colliers
will not have any additional debt securities from and after the Effective Date. See Appendix "H" to this Circular for
further information.
Treatment of Certain FirstService
Employees and Benefit Plans
In order to provide for the allocation
of management and employees to each of Colliers and New FSV after giving effect to the division of FirstService into two separate
companies, certain modifications are required to be made to certain employment arrangements and benefit plans. These arrangements
will become effective at various times both before and after the Effective Date. Other than as described herein, the Arrangement
will not result in employees, officers or directors of FirstService receiving any material benefit that Shareholders do not receive
generally in connection with the Arrangement. There will be no acceleration of vesting of options, triggering of change in control
provisions or other payments or, other than as described herein, benefits being made to the employees, officers or directors of
FirstService in connection with the Arrangement. The objective is to make such modifications on a basis that will result in compensation
arrangements as equivalent as possible to those in effect prior to the Arrangement becoming effective.
The modifications made, or to be made,
to compensation arrangements in connection with the Arrangement are described below.
FirstService Stock Options
The purpose of the FirstService Stock Option
Plan is to attract, retain and motivate talent, align the interests of employees of FirstService and its subsidiaries with those
of Shareholders by linking a significant portion of such employee's total pay opportunity to share price and to provide long-term
accountability for such employees. The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FirstService, Jay S. Hennick, is not entitled to
receive FirstService Stock Options under the FirstService Stock Option Plan.
The FirstService Stock Option Plan is administered
by the Board, with all proposed option grants being first submitted to the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board for review
and a recommendation to the Board. All FirstService Stock Options have exercise prices that are not less than the fair market value
of a FirstService Subordinate Voting Share at the time of the applicable grant. FirstService Stock Options generally vest over
four years based on the continuation of employment of the holder during that period. Each FirstService Stock Option (unless sooner
terminated in accordance with the terms, conditions and limitations of such FirstService Stock Option) is exercisable during such
period, not exceeding five years from the date such FirstService Stock Option was granted. A complete description of the FirstService
Stock Option Plan is contained in Appendix "O" to this Circular under the heading "Executive Compensation –
Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – FirstService Stock Option Plan".
As at March 16, 2015, there were 1,656,250
FirstService Stock Options outstanding under the FirstService Stock Option Plan and 607,250 FirstService Stock Options to acquire
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares available for grant. At the Meeting, FirstService is proposing an amendment to the FirstService
Stock Option Plan. See "Annual Meeting Matters – Amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan". The FirstService
Stock Option Plan contains a provision requiring "appropriate adjustments" in the kind of shares issuable under the plan
and the exercise price of those shares in the event of a restructuring such as the Arrangement. The Board and the Executive Compensation
Committee of the Board have determined, based on certain assumptions at the Effective Date, that the Arrangement will not cause
a "change in control" for purposes of the FirstService Stock Option Plan and accordingly, will not cause accelerated
vesting of the unvested FirstService Stock Options.
Pursuant to the Arrangement, each holder
of FirstService Stock Options will dispose of his or her rights to such FirstService Stock Options to FirstService and New FSV
in consideration for the grant by FirstService to such holder of FirstService Replacement Stock Options and the grant by New FSV
to such holder of New FSV Replacement Stock Options and the old FirstService Stock Options will be cancelled and terminated.
To preserve the economic benefits of the
FirstService Stock Options, immediately before the Arrangement becomes effective, to the holder thereof, the exercise price of
the FirstService Stock Options exchanged will be apportioned between the FirstService Replacement Stock Options and the New FSV
Replacement Stock Options. The exercise price of each New FSV Replacement Stock Option will be determined in accordance with the
following formula and rounded up to the nearest whole cent:
Exercise Price of New FSV Replacement Stock Option |
= |
Original Exercise Price |
x |
Net FMV of Distribution Property |
Net FMV of FirstService Property |
where:
"Net FMV of Distribution
Property" means the Net Fair Market Value of the Distribution Property immediately before the Distribution Property Exchange;
"Net FMV of FirstService
Property" means the Net Fair Market Value of all property owned by FirstService immediately before the Distribution Property
Exchange; and
"Original Exercise Price"
means the original exercise price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share of the FirstService Stock Option.
The result of the above formula is subject
to adjustment, as determined by the board of directors of FirstService, Colliers and/or New FSV, as applicable, in order to ensure
that the exercise price of each FirstService Stock Option immediately prior to the Effective Time is fairly and appropriately apportioned
among the associated Colliers Replacement Stock Option and New FSV Replacement Stock Option at the Effective Time.
The exercise price of each FirstService
Replacement Stock Option will be determined by subtracting the exercise price of the New FSV Replacement Stock Option from the
Original Exercise Price of the FirstService Stock Option exchanged. Under the Arrangement, a FirstService Replacement Stock Option
will become a Colliers Replacement Stock Option and the FirstService Stock Option Plan will become the Colliers Stock Option Plan.
The FirstService Replacement Stock Options
(which will become Colliers Replacement Stock Options) and New FSV Replacement Stock Options will otherwise have similar terms
and conditions, including as to vesting, adjusted as appropriate, as the FirstService Stock Options currently held.
In furtherance of the foregoing, the FirstService
Stock Option Plan (as amended at the Meeting, and which will become the Colliers Stock Option Plan) will be amended and restated
to include provisions that provide that each person that is a director, officer and/or full-time employee of FirstService or any
of its subsidiaries who holds a FirstService Stock Option immediately prior to the Effective Time and who will, following the Effective
Time, not be a director, officer and/or full-time employee of Colliers or any of its subsidiaries shall, for so long as such person
remains a director, officer and/or full-time employee, as applicable, of New FSV or any its subsidiaries on or after the Effective
Time, be permitted to hold and exercise his or her Colliers Replacement Stock Options in accordance with their terms as though
such person was a director, officer and/or full-time employee, as applicable, of Colliers or any of its subsidiaries.
FirstService has requested rulings from
the CRA (which will form part of the Canadian Tax Ruling) to confirm that the foregoing exchange of FirstService Stock Options
for FirstService Replacement Stock Options and New FSV Replacement Stock Options will occur on a tax-deferred rollover basis for
Canadian tax purposes for optionholders who are resident in Canada or who were granted the FirstService Stock Options in respect
of services rendered in Canada and has sought the advice of its U.S. tax advisors and opinions in the U.S. Tax Opinion on the treatment
to optionholders who are resident in the United States. Adjustments may be made to the foregoing treatment of the FirstService
Stock Options to comply with any requirements arising in connection with the requested Tax Ruling and Opinion.
New FSV has approved for adoption the New
FSV Stock Option Plan. Ratification and approval of the New FSV Stock Option Plan by Shareholders is required by the TSX and is
a condition precedent to completion of the Arrangement that may be waived by FirstService. See "Other Arrangement Matters
to be Acted Upon – New FSV Stock Option Plan".
FirstService MSA
Under the terms of the FirstService MSA,
FirstService retained Jayset to provide various management and other services, and Jay S. Hennick agreed to perform such services,
being the services of Chief Executive Officer of FirstService, on behalf of Jayset. Mr. Hennick is the sole officer, director and
shareholder of Jayset. A complete description of the FirstService MSA is contained in Appendix "O" to this Circular under
the heading "Executive Compensation –FirstService MSA".
The FirstService MSA provides for certain
severance type payments to be made to Jayset in the event of a change of control of FirstService, a transfer of all or substantially
all of the assets of FirstService to the shareholders of FirstService or if the FirstService MSA is not renewed at the end of its
initial five-year term or any renewal term. The Board has determined that the implementation of the Arrangement will not in and
of itself require FirstService to make these severance type payments to Jayset under the FirstService MSA.
The FirstService MSA also contains the
Long Term Arrangement. A complete description of the Long Term Arrangement is contained in Appendix "O" to this Circular
under the heading "Executive Compensation –FirstService MSA". The Board has determined, and the Transitional Services
and Separation Agreement will stipulate, that the implementation of the Arrangement will not in and of itself require FirstService
to make any payment to Jayset under the Long Term Arrangement.
In furtherance of the implementation of
the Arrangement and the transactions related thereto, the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement will provide that FirstService,
Jayset and Jay S. Hennick will agree to amend and restate the FirstService MSA in the following manner:
| (a) | the terms of the FirstService MSA will be clarified to indicate that a divisive reorganization
of the type described in subsection 55(3) of the Tax Act does not in itself constitute a "partial event" under the Long
Term Arrangement or result in a change of control of FirstService (and that consequently no amounts will be payable to Jayset or
to any other person by FirstService pursuant to the Long Term Arrangement in the FirstService MSA solely as a result of the implementation
of such a reorganization); |
| (b) | FirstService will continue to receive, on the terms and conditions set forth in the FirstService
MSA as so amended and restated (which is then referred to as the Colliers MSA), those various management and other services that
are currently being provided by Jayset to FirstService in respect of the "Commercial Real Estate Services" division
of FirstService; |
| (c) | as a continuation of the existing rights and obligations under the FirstService MSA, FirstService,
Jayset and Jay S. Hennick will enter into the New FSV MSA, pursuant to which FirstService will continue to receive, on the terms
and conditions set forth in the New FSV MSA, those various management and other services that are currently being provided by Jayset
to FirstService in respect of the "Residential Real Estate Services" and "Property Services"
divisions of FirstService pursuant to the FirstService MSA; and |
| (d) | the base prices under the Long Term Arrangement in the FirstService MSA will be divided between
the base prices under the similar long term arrangements in the Colliers MSA and the New FSV MSA, based on the ratio of the Net
Fair Market Value of the Distribution Property to the Net Fair Market Value of all property owned by FirstService immediately before
the Distribution Property Exchange. |
Otherwise, the terms of the Colliers MSA
and New FSV MSA will, in all material respects, be the same as the FirstService MSA, except that:
| · | under the New FSV MSA, Mr. Hennick will perform the services of the Founder and Chairman of New
FSV and under the Colliers MSA, Mr. Hennick will perform the services of the Executive Chairman of Colliers; |
| · | each of the fees and financial amounts provided for in the FirstService MSA (other than the base
prices under the Long Term Arrangement, which will be apportioned as described above) will be apportioned between the Colliers
MSA and the New FSV MSA, with such amounts in the New FSV MSA being the original amounts as contained in the FirstService MSA immediately
prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the ratio of the Net Fair Market Value of the Distribution Property to the Net Fair Market
Value of all property owned by FirstService immediately before the Distribution Property Exchange, and with such amounts in the
Colliers MSA being the original amounts as contained in the FirstService MSA immediately prior to the Effective Time less the corresponding
applicable amounts as are contained in the New FSV MSA. Such apportionment is intended to reflect the anticipated time commitment
and level of services to be provided to New FSV and Colliers, respectively, following completion of the Arrangement; and |
| · | the assignment provisions will be modified in each of the Colliers MSA and the New FSV MSA to provide
that Jayset may assign the agreement to any person who is a person not dealing at arm's length with Jayset (including a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Jayset). |
The above terms of the Colliers MSA and
New FSV MSA were reviewed and approved on behalf of FirstService by the Chair of the Audit Committee of FirstService, Bernard I.
Ghert.
As part of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions,
FirstService will, among other things, transfer the New FSV MSA to FSV Holdco and, pursuant to the Arrangement, FSV Holdco will
wind-up into New FSV. See "The Arrangement – Pre-Arrangement Transactions". As a result of the foregoing, the New
FSV MSA will end up being a contract of New FSV and New FSV will receive the services and other benefits contained in, and will
be subject to the obligations under, the New FSV MSA. See "Executive Compensation – New FSV MSA" in Appendix "I"
to this Circular for a description of the New FSV MSA.
The Colliers MSA will remain as a contract
of FirstService and, pursuant to the Arrangement, FirstService will amalgamate with FCRESI to form Colliers. As a result of the
foregoing, the Colliers MSA will end up being a contract of Colliers and Colliers will receive the services and other benefits
contained in, and will be subject to the obligations under, the Colliers MSA. See "Executive Compensation – Colliers
MSA" in Appendix "H" to this Circular for a description of the Colliers MSA.
Directors' and Officers' Liability
Insurance
FirstService presently carries directors'
and officers' liability insurance on behalf of its directors and officers, and on behalf of the directors and officers of its subsidiaries.
After the Effective Date, Colliers will establish a new program of directors' and officers' liability insurance on behalf of the
directors and officers of Colliers, and on behalf of the directors and officers of its subsidiaries, in respect of acts occurring
after the Effective Date. New FSV will also establish its own program of directors' and officers' liability insurance on behalf
of its directors and officers, and on behalf of the directors and officers of its subsidiaries, in respect of acts occurring after
the Effective Date. It is presently expected that the directors' and officers' liability insurance of each of Colliers and New
FSV will be on substantially the same terms as the current FirstService directors' and officers' liability insurance.
After the Effective Date, FirstService's
current program of directors' and officers' liability insurance will be in effect on behalf of the directors and officers of pre-Arrangement
FirstService, and on behalf of the directors and officers of its subsidiaries, on a run-off basis for a period of discoverability
of six years in respect of acts occurring on or prior to the Effective Date or otherwise in connection with the Arrangement.
Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement
Following the Arrangement, Colliers and
New FSV will be independent of each other to the greatest extent practicable. While the owners of both companies will initially
be the Shareholders (plus, in respect of Colliers, the FCRESI minority shareholders and optionholders as a result of the FCRESI
Arrangements becoming effective under the Arrangement), there will be no overlap in the management or employees of Colliers and
New FSV, except as set forth in the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, the Colliers MSA and the New FSV MSA. See "–
Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService MSA" above. The contractual arrangements
between Colliers and New FSV will generally be limited to their mutual obligations under, among others, the Arrangement Agreement
and the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, including indemnification in certain circumstances, and confidentiality
and access to records necessary to comply with, among other things, continuous disclosure requirements. Colliers and New FSV will
not enter into a non-competition agreement, but the two companies will initially have distinct businesses and will employ business
plans and strategies to maximize the value of their respective businesses.
In connection with the Arrangement, FirstService,
New FSV, FSV Holdco, FCRESI and others will enter into the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement to, among other things,
provide for the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, including the transfer of the businesses which make up the Residential Real Estate
Services and Property Services divisions of FirstService to FSV Holdco and to prescribe various provisions and services to be provided
upon completion of the Arrangement.
The terms of the Transitional Services
and Separation Agreement have not been finalized prior to the printing and mailing of this Circular; changes, some of which may
be material, may be made thereto prior to the Effective Time. The Transitional Services and Separation Agreement will set forth
the agreement with respect to the transfer of the assets associated with the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services
divisions of FirstService from FirstService to FSV Holdco and the assumption of the associated liabilities by FSV Holdco and certain
transitional arrangements governing the relationship between FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI following the time specified
therein on the Effective Date (the "Reorganization Time"). Such assets will be transferred, and such liabilities
assumed, on an "as-is", "where-is" basis.
The Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement will also allocate ultimately between New FSV and Colliers responsibility and liability for outstanding legal actions
based on whether such legal actions relate primarily to the businesses and assets being transferred to New FSV (on the one hand)
or the retained businesses and assets (on the other hand). With respect to outstanding legal actions that affect both Colliers
and New FSV or unknown or future legal actions brought after the Reorganization Time, the Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement will provide that each party will be liable for its proportionate share of all costs and liabilities arising out of or
relating to such legal actions based on the extent to which such legal actions relate to the New FSV businesses or the New FSV
assets (in the case of FSV Holdco and ultimately New FSV) or the retained businesses and assets (in the case of FirstService and
ultimately Colliers).
Pursuant to the Transitional Services and
Separation Agreement, each of Colliers and New FSV have agreed, in respect of certain litigation matters (collectively, the "Joint
Litigation"), to cooperate fully with the other and its counsel in the investigation, prosecution, defense and resolution
of such Joint Litigation. FirstService (and ultimately Colliers) will have exclusive authority and control over the investigation,
prosecution, defense and appeal of all Joint Litigation. See "Risk Factors" in Appendix "I" to this Circular.
The Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement will provide for a full and complete mutual release and discharge of all liabilities existing or arising from all acts,
events and conditions (including liabilities arising under contractual agreements or arrangements between or among such parties
other than the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement and the Arrangement Agreement) occurring or existing on or before
the Reorganization Time, between FSV Holdco or any of its affiliates, on the one hand, and FirstService or any of its affiliates
(other than FSV Holdco and its affiliates), on the other hand, except as will expressly be set forth in the Transitional Services
and Separation Agreement.
Under the terms of the Transitional Services
and Separation Agreement, FSV Holdco (and ultimately New FSV) will generally agree to indemnify FirstService (and ultimately Colliers)
and its affiliates from and against any liabilities associated with, among other things, the New FSV businesses or the New FSV
assets, whether relating to the period, or arising, prior to or after the Reorganization Time. The Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement will contain a reciprocal indemnity under which FirstService (and ultimately Colliers) will generally agree to indemnify
FSV Holdco (and ultimately New FSV) and its affiliates from and against any liabilities relating to, among other things, the businesses
and assets retained by Colliers. FirstService and FSV Holdco (and ultimately Colliers and New FSV) will indemnify each other with
respect to non-performance of their respective obligations under the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, including
the obligation not to do anything after the Arrangement which could interfere with any transactions outlined in the Tax Ruling
and Opinion.
The transfer of the New FSV businesses
and the New FSV assets will be effective as at the Reorganization Time. To the extent that certain of the legal documentation necessary
to evidence any of the transfers contemplated by the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement have not been completed on
or prior to the Reorganization Time, the parties will agree to cooperate to complete such legal documentation as promptly as practicable
following the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement. In addition, each of the parties will agree to cooperate with each
other and use reasonable commercial efforts to take or to cause to be taken all actions, and to do, or to cause to be done, all
things reasonably necessary under applicable law or contractual obligations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated
by the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement.
Other matters governed by the Transitional
Services and Separation Agreement include responsibility for taxes, access to books and records, confidentiality, insurance, dispute
resolution and, as outlined under "– Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService
MSA" above, the FirstService MSA and the amendment and restatement thereof into the Colliers MSA and New FSV MSA.
The Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement also provides that FirstService and FSV Holdco (and ultimately Colliers and New FSV) will agree to provide each other,
on a transitional basis, certain services and facilities in order to facilitate the orderly transfer of the New FSV businesses
to FSV Holdco. The transitional services and facilities will include, among other things, certain information technology, accounting
and tax services and the lease of a portion of certain premises. The transitional services and facilities will be provided, at
negotiated rates, and, with respect to such transitional services, for a period of 12 months after the Effective Date and with
respect to such facilities, for a period of 12 months after the Effective Date.
The Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement will contain provisions governing the use by FirstService and FSV Holdco (and ultimately Colliers and New FSV) of certain
trade-marks owned by the other of them during the period following the Reorganization Time.
Standstill Agreement
The Standstill Agreement provides that
Mr. Hennick and Henset Capital Inc. will abide by certain restrictions in order to ensure that subsection 55(2) of the Tax Act
does not apply to the transactions and events forming part of the Arrangement, including not: (i) disposing of shares in the capital
of any of FirstService, Colliers and/or New FSV, any property acquired in substitution for such shares or any property 10% or more
of the fair market value of which is or may be derived from such shares (or any property acquired in substitution for such property)
to any non-related person; and (ii) commencing, participating in or in any way supporting a transaction or series of transactions
pursuant to which control of Colliers or New FSV is acquired by any person or group of persons, in each case, other than in connection
with certain permitted events.
Intention of Directors and Executive
Officers
Each of the directors and executive officers
of FirstService has indicated an intention to vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution. As at March 16, 2015, such directors and executive
officers beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, an aggregate of 3,806,321 FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, representing approximately 11.0% of the issued and
outstanding FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 100% of the issued and outstanding FirstService Multiple Voting Shares (and
49.6% of the total number of votes attached to all FirstService Shares).
Expenses of the Arrangement
The estimated fees, costs and expenses
of the Arrangement are expected to aggregate approximately $10.0 million. The estimate includes, without limitation, financial
advisor fees, legal and accounting fees, tax advisor fees, printing and mailing costs, proxy solicitation fees, stock exchange
and regulatory filing fees and financing fees in respect of FirstService and New FSV. All of these fees, costs and expenses will
be borne by FirstService (and ultimately Colliers), with the exception of the financing fees associated with the financing to be
entered into by New FSV, the fees for the listing of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and certain other fees, costs and expenses
identified in the Arrangement Agreement as being for the account of New FSV and/or FSV Holdco, which fees, costs and expenses are
in the aggregate estimated to be approximately $1.0 million. In addition, each of FirstService (and ultimately Colliers)
and New FSV will be responsible for all taxes properly attributable to it by virtue of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions.
CERTAIN LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS
Completion of the Arrangement
Completion of the Arrangement is subject
to the conditions precedent in the Arrangement Agreement having been satisfied or, where legally permissible, waived, as applicable,
including the following:
| (a) | the required Shareholder approval of the Arrangement Resolution having been obtained; |
| (b) | the Canadian Tax Ruling having been received, not withdrawn or modified and remaining in full force
and effect and all of the transactions referred to in the Canadian Tax Ruling as occurring on or prior to the Effective Time having
occurred and all conditions or terms of the Canadian Tax Ruling having been satisfied; |
| (c) | the U.S. Tax Opinion having been received, not withdrawn or modified and all of the transactions
referred to in the U.S. Tax Opinion as occurring on or prior to the Effective Time having occurred and all conditions or terms
of the U.S. Tax Opinion having been satisfied; |
| (d) | the Final Order having been obtained; and |
| (e) | receipt of the required approvals of the TSX and Nasdaq. |
The Arrangement Agreement provides for
the Articles of Arrangement to be filed with the Director at such time as FirstService deems appropriate, in its sole discretion,
after the conditions precedent contained in the Arrangement Agreement have been satisfied or, where legally permissible, waived,
as applicable. See "The Arrangement – Arrangement Agreement – Conditions Precedent".
Timing
Subject to the receipt of the required
Shareholder approval, receipt of the Tax Ruling and Opinion, the issue of the Final Order and receipt of the required approvals
of the TSX and Nasdaq, it is anticipated that the Arrangement will be completed (and the New FSV Shares will be distributed) on
or about May 1, 2015 (referred to herein as the Effective Date and the Distribution Date). However, completion of the Arrangement
is dependent on many factors and it is not possible at this time to determine precisely when the Arrangement will become effective.
Shareholder Approval
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked
to approve the Arrangement Resolution. In accordance with the Interim Order, the approval of the Arrangement Resolution will require
the affirmative vote of:
| (a) | not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares, voting separately as a class, present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting; |
| (b) | not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares, voting separately as a class, present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting; and |
| (c) | not less than a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares, voting separately as a class (other than the votes attaching to FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares held, directly
or indirectly, by an "interested party" within the meaning of MI 61-101 or otherwise required to be excluded under the
requirements of MI 61-101, an "affiliate" of FirstService, within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario),
and "control persons" of FirstService, within the meaning of OSC Rule 56-501). |
See "Application of MI 61-101"
and "Application of OSC Rule 56-501 and NI 41-101".
Notwithstanding the approval by the Shareholders
of the Arrangement Resolution in accordance with the foregoing, the Arrangement Resolution authorizes the Board, at its discretion
and without further notice to, or approval of, the Shareholders: (i) to amend, modify or supplement the Arrangement Agreement or
the Plan of Arrangement to the extent permitted thereby, as described under "The Arrangement – Arrangement Agreement
– Amendments" and "The Arrangement – Plan of Arrangement – Amendments"; and (ii) subject to the
terms of the Arrangement Agreement, not to proceed with the Arrangement and/or any related transactions.
Court Approval
It is a condition of the Arrangement Agreement
that the Interim Order and the Final Order must be obtained from the Court. Prior to the mailing of this Circular, FirstService
obtained the Interim Order, which provides for, among other things, the calling and holding of the Meeting, the required Shareholder
approval, the Dissent Rights, the notice requirements with respect to the presentation of the application to the Court for the
Final Order and other procedural matters. A copy of the Interim Order is attached as Appendix "F" to this Circular.
It is expected that shortly after the Meeting,
subject to the approval of the Arrangement Resolution by Shareholders at the Meeting, an application will be made for the Court's
final approval of the Arrangement (the Final Order hearing) on April 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario local time). At the
hearing for the Final Order, the Court will determine whether to approve the Arrangement in accordance with the legal requirements
and the evidence before the Court. Participation in the hearing for the Final Order, including who may participate and present
evidence or argument and the procedure for doing so, is subject to the terms of the Interim Order and any subsequent direction
of the Court. A copy of the Notice of Application for the Final Order is attached as Appendix "E" to this Circular.
At the hearing for the Final Order, the
Court will consider, among other things, the fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement to those to whom securities
will be issued. The Court may approve the Arrangement in any manner the Court may direct, subject to compliance with such terms
and conditions, if any, as the Court deems fit. In connection with the hearing for the Interim Order, the Court was informed that
the Final Order will also constitute the basis for an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act for the New FSV
Shares to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement to Shareholders pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act.
Stock Exchange Listings
The FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
(which will become Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to the Arrangement) are currently listed on the TSX and Nasdaq under
the symbols "FSV" and "FSRV", respectively, and on and following the Effective Date (at which time, pursuant
to the Arrangement, FirstService will have changed its name to "Colliers International Group Inc." and amalgamated
with FCRESI to form Colliers), the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares will continue to be listed on the TSX and Nasdaq under the
new trading symbols "CIG" and "CIGI", respectively. The trading price of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares
will be determined by the market.
There is no current trading market for
the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. New FSV has applied to have the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares listed on the TSX and
Nasdaq under the same symbol, "FSV". Listing on the TSX and Nasdaq is subject to New FSV fulfilling all of the respective
original listing requirements of the TSX and Nasdaq. The trading price of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will be determined
by the market.
Receipt of the TSX's conditional approval
and Nasdaq's authorization for the continued listing of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and the listing of the New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement is a condition precedent to the completion of the Arrangement under the
terms of the Arrangement Agreement. FirstService will not proceed with the Arrangement unless the TSX has conditionally approved
(subject to compliance with the normal listing requirements of the TSX) and Nasdaq has authorized (subject to official notice of
issuance) the listing of such shares.
Trading of Shares on the TSX and Nasdaq
The following is a summary of the trading
markets that are expected to develop in FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV
Subordinate Voting Shares prior to the Distribution Date. Additional information on trading will be provided by press release once
available. Shareholders are encouraged to consult their brokers and financial advisors regarding the specific consequences of trading
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares prior to the Distribution
Date.
Type of Trading and Markets
Shares may trade on the TSX and Nasdaq
under a variety of methods and markets as follows:
| · | Regular Way: "regular-way" trading typically involves a trade of a listed
share that settles on the third full trading day following the date of the acquisition or disposition of such share. |
The FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares currently trade on a "regular-way" basis on the TSX and Nasdaq and, on the first trading day following
the Distribution Date, the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will trade on a "regular-way"
basis on the TSX and Nasdaq;
| · | Ex-Distribution: as the settlement of a "regular-way" trade occurs on the
third full trading day following the date of the acquisition or disposition of a listed share, in the event an issuer is making
a distribution to holders of that share of record on a particular record date, at the opening of trading on the date that is two
days prior to such record date (the "Ex Date"), the share will trade "ex-distribution", meaning
those who acquire or dispose of that share on or after the Ex Date will have settlement occur on the third full trading day following
the date of the acquisition or disposition, which settlement day will be after the record date and thus the buyer will not be entitled
to receive, and the seller will retain the right to receive, the applicable distribution when made. As a result, the market value
of the listed share will typically decline as of the Ex Date to reflect the lack of the entitlement to the distribution. |
Under the Arrangement, holders
of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares of record as at the close of business on the Distribution Record Date (other than a Dissenting
Shareholder) will be entitled to receive one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share for every FirstService Subordinate Voting Share held.
Accordingly, on and after the Ex Date, the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares will trade "ex-distribution",
and a buyer who acquires a FirstService Subordinate Voting Share on or after the Ex Date will not be entitled to receive the distribution
of a New FSV Subordinate Voting Share when made, and the seller who disposed of such FirstService Subordinate Voting Share will
retain the right to receive the distribution of such New FSV Subordinate Voting Share;
| · | Due-Bills: a "due bill" is an entitlement to receive (among other things)
a security that can attach to a share. In circumstances where an issuer will be undergoing certain material corporate events that
will involve a distribution, such as stock-splits, spin-offs or other distributions in circumstances where the effective date or
payment date of the event cannot be determined with certainty in advance, "due bills" are often attached to the
listed shares of that issuer on the Ex Date, which "due bills" represent the entitlement to receive that distribution
notwithstanding that the shares began trading "ex-distribution" on the Ex Date. In this way, the buyer and seller
of the share will be acquiring and disposing of both the share and the distribution "due bill" entitlement on
and after the Ex Date, and therefore the listed share should continue to carry the appropriate market value until the "due
bill" entitlement has been paid. |
With respect to the Arrangement,
since completion of the Arrangement is subject to the satisfaction of conditions precedent, it is possible that the Arrangement
will not be completed on the expected Effective Date or at all, in which case, the expected Distribution Record Date and Distribution
Date will change or be nullified, as the case may be. Therefore, the Ex Date in respect of the Arrangement cannot be determined
with certainty and market valuation issues could arise between the expected Ex Date and the actual Effective Date and/or Distribution
Date. Accordingly, a "due bill" trading market will be used in connection with the Arrangement in order to address
such uncertainties. In such market, any FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares traded during the applicable period will have "due
bills" attached carrying the right to receive New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. By having such a "due bill"
market for the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares/New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, the Ex Date for the FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares in such market will be deferred and buyers and sellers of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares will be certain
of the entitlements attaching thereto. Shareholders trading FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares in this market during the applicable
period will not be required to take any special action. Any trades of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares that are executed
during the applicable period will be automatically flagged to ensure buyers receive the distribution entitlement and sellers do
not;
| · | When Issued/If, As and When Issued: "when-issued" or "if, as and
when issued" trading refers to a share transaction made conditionally on or before the distribution or issuance date because
the share is not yet available (and if the conditions to the distribution or issuance are not met, such that the distribution or
issuance is not made, all "when-issued" or "if, as and when issued" trades do not settle and
are null and void). |
As the New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares will not be issued until the Distribution Date, a "when-issued" or "if, as and when issued"
market for the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will be made available on the TSX and Nasdaq prior to the Distribution Date. On
the first trading day following the Distribution Date, it is expected that the "when-issued" or "if, as
and when issued" market for the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will end and "regular-way" trading
will begin. If the Arrangement is not approved and the Arrangement and the issuance of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares does
not occur, all "when-issued" or "if, as and when issued" trades in the New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares will not be settled and therefore will be null and void.
Trading on the TSX and Nasdaq
It is anticipated that, on the second business
day prior to the record date and continuing through the Distribution Date, there will be the following two markets in the FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares (which will become Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares after the Effective Date pursuant to the Arrangement)
on both the TSX and Nasdaq:
| (1) | a "due-bills" market – the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares that trade
on the "due-bills" market will trade with an entitlement to receive New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares under
the Arrangement, and such shares will settle on a "regular-way" basis; and |
| (2) | a "when issued ex-distribution" market – FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares that trade on the "when issued ex-distribution" market will trade without an entitlement
to receive New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares under the Arrangement, and such trades will generally settle within four trading days
after the Distribution Date. |
Therefore, if you sell FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares in the "due-bills" market during the period commencing on the second business day prior to the record
date and ending on the Distribution Date, you will be selling your right to receive New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares under the
Arrangement. However, if you own FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on the Distribution Record Date and sell those shares in
the "when issued ex-distribution" market during the period commencing on the second business day prior
to the record date and ending on the Distribution Date, you will still be entitled to receive New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares
under the Arrangement. On the first trading day following the Distribution Date, FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (which
will then be Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares) will begin trading on the TSX and Nasdaq without any entitlement to receive New
FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. If the Arrangement is not approved and the Arrangement and the issuance of the New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares does not occur, all "when issued ex-distribution" trades in FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares will not be settled and therefore will be null and void.
It is also anticipated that a "when-issued"
market in the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will develop on the TSX and Nasdaq during the period commencing on the second business
day prior to the record date and ending on the Distribution Date. When-issued trades on the TSX and Nasdaq generally settle within
four trading days after the applicable distribution date. If you own FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on the Distribution
Record Date, you will be entitled to receive New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares under the Arrangement. You may trade this entitlement
to receive New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, without the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares you own, on the "when-issued"
market during the period commencing on the second business day prior to the record date and ending on the Distribution Date. On
the first trading day following the Distribution Date, it is expected that "when-issued" trading of the New FSV
Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX and Nasdaq will end and "regular-way" trading in those shares will begin.
If the Arrangement is not approved and the Arrangement and the issuance of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares does not occur,
all "when-issued" trades in the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will not be settled and therefore will be null
and void.
Canadian Securities Law Matters
Application of MI 61-101
As a reporting issuer or the equivalent
in all provinces of Canada, FirstService is, among other things, subject to the securities laws of Ontario and Québec, including
MI 61-101. MI 61-101 regulates certain types of related party and other transactions to ensure equality of treatment among security
holders and may require enhanced disclosure, approval by a majority of security holders (excluding interested or related parties),
independent valuations and, in certain instances, approval and oversight of certain transactions by a special committee of independent
directors. The protections afforded by MI 61-101 apply to, among other transactions, "business combinations" (as such
term is defined in MI 61-101).
The Arrangement may be a "business
combination" subject to MI 61-101. If a person that is a "related party" (as such term is defined in MI 61-101)
of FirstService, at the time the Arrangement was agreed to, is a party to any "connection transaction" (as such term
is defined in MI 61-101) to the Arrangement, the Arrangement will be subject to the requirements of MI 61-101. MI 61-101 defines
"connected transactions" to mean two or more transactions that have at least one party in common, directly or indirectly,
other than transactions related solely to services as an employee, director or consultant, and: (a) are negotiated or completed
at approximately the same time; or (b) the completion of at least one of the transactions is conditional on the completion of each
of the other transactions.
The entering into of the Transitional Services
and Separation Agreement and the Standstill Agreement with, among others, Jay S. Hennick, Jayset, Henset Capital Inc. and other
entities controlled by Mr. Hennick, as applicable, may be considered "connected transactions" to the Arrangement since
such agreements each have parties in common with the Arrangement Agreement (being FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI)
and will be completed at approximately the same time. As: (i) Mr. Hennick, a director, senior officer and control person of FirstService,
is a related party of FirstService; and (ii) Jayset, Henset Capital Inc. and certain other entities controlled by Mr. Hennick are
related parties of FirstService because they are owned and/or controlled by Mr. Hennick, and one or more of such persons are parties
to the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement and the Standstill Agreement, the entering into of the Transitional Services
and Separation Agreement and the Standstill Agreement would render the Arrangement a "business combination" subject to
MI 61-101. Accordingly, FirstService will comply with MI 61-101 on the basis that the entering into of the Transitional Services
and Separation Agreement and the Standstill Agreement with, among others, Mr. Hennick, Jayset, Henset Capital Inc. and other entities
controlled by Mr. Hennick are connected transactions to the Arrangement.
Pursuant to MI 61-101, the Arrangement
is not a business combination for which a formal valuation is required as, despite an interested party being a party to a "connected
transaction" (as such term is defined in MI 61-101) to the Arrangement that is a "related party transaction" (as
such term is defined in MI 61-101), FirstService is entitled to rely on an exemption under MI 61-101 from the requirement to obtain
a formal valuation under MI 61-101. In particular, FirstService is relying on the exemption available in subsection 5.5(a) of MI
61-101, which provides for such an exemption if neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value
of the consideration for, the "connected transactions", insofar as it involves interested parties, exceeds 25% of FirstService's
market capitalization. The Board, with the advice and assistance of its advisors, has concluded that the fair market value of the
Transitional Services and Separation Agreement and the Standstill Agreement, in relation to the related party aspects thereof,
is nil or negligible, which is substantially less than 25% of FirstService's market capitalization (which, as at the close of trading
on March 16, 2015, was in excess of $2.7 billion).
MI 61-101 also requires that, in addition
to any other required security holder approval, a business combination is subject to "minority approval" (as such term
is defined in MI 61-101) of every class of "affected securities" (as such term is defined in MI 61-101) of the issuer,
in each case voting separately as a class. In relation to the Arrangement, the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and the FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares are "affected securities" and "minority approval" means the approval of the Arrangement
Resolution by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes cast by the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, in each case, other than: (A) any interested party, which is defined under MI 61-101 as,
among others, a related party of FirstService who is a party to any connected transaction to the Arrangement; (B) a related party
of any interested party, and (C) any person that is a "joint actor" (as such term is defined in MI 61-101) with any of
the foregoing, voting separately as a class. In relation to the Arrangement, Jay S. Hennick and Henset Capital Inc. are the only
interested parties or related parties thereto or joint actors thereof, as applicable.
As at March
16, 2015, Mr. Hennick owns, indirectly through Henset Capital Inc., 2,273,526 FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares (representing 6.6% of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares then outstanding) and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares (representing 100% of the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares then outstanding). See "Information Concerning
FirstService Pre-Arrangement – Principal Holders of FirstService Shares". Accordingly,
in relation to the Arrangement, "minority approval" means approval by a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting by
the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, voting separately as a class, other than Mr. Hennick and Henset Capital
Inc.
The following indicates, as at March 16,
2015, the number, designation and the percentage of the outstanding securities of any class of securities of FirstService beneficially
owned or over which control or direction is exercised by each director and officer of FirstService and, to the knowledge of FirstService
after reasonable inquiry, by the other insiders of FirstService and the associates and affiliates of FirstService and its insiders:
Name of Holder & Position |
Holdings
(Approximate Percentage Ownership
of Class or Series) |
David R. Beatty
Director
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
45,560 (1) (0.13%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
10,000 (0.60%) |
Brendan Calder
Director
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
19,033 (2) (0.05%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
10,000 (0.60%) |
Peter F. Cohen
Chairman of the Board and Director
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
180,000 (3) (0.53%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
10,000 (0.60%) |
John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr.
Director
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
10,560 (0.03%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
5,000 (0.30%) |
Bernard I. Ghert
Director
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
24,679 (4) (0.07%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
10,000 (0.60%) |
Michael D. Harris
Director
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
14,889 (5) (0.04%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
10,000 (0.60%) |
Jay S. Hennick
Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
2,273,526 (6) (6.56%) |
FirstService Multiple Voting Shares |
1,325,694 (6) (100%) |
Frederick F. Reichheld
Director
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
2,000 (0.01%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
5,000 (0.30%) |
Michael Stein
Director
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
10,000 (0.03%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
5,000 (0.30%) |
D. Scott Patterson
President and Chief Operating Officer
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
705,262 (2.04%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
300,000 (18.11%) |
John B. Friedrichsen
Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
250,000 (0.72%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
300,000 (18.11%) |
Elias Mulamoottil
Senior VP, Strategy and Corporate Dev't
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
9,123 (7) (0.03%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
203,000 (12.26%) |
Jeremy Rakusin
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Dev't
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
600 (0.00%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
150,000 (9.06%) |
Alex Nguyen
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Dev't
|
FirstService Stock Options |
51,800 (3.13%) |
Douglas G. Cooke
VP, Corporate Controller and Corp. Secretary
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
166,811 (8) (0.48%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
123,000 (7.43%) |
Christian Mayer
Vice President, Finance
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
70,022 (9) (0.20%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
123,000 (7.43%) |
Neil (Sunile) D. Chander
Vice President, Tax
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
24,256 (0.07%) |
FirstService Stock Options |
82,500 (4.98%) |
Charles E. Chase
President and Chief Executive Officer, FirstService
Brands
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
12,301 (0.04%) |
Charles M. Fallon
Chief Executive Officer, FirstService Residential
|
FirstService Stock Options |
50,000 (3.02%) |
Douglas P. Frye
President and CEO, Colliers International
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
44,940 (0.13%) |
Chris R. McLernon
CEO, EMEA, Colliers International
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
500 (0.00%) |
Michael Natale
Chief Financial Officer, FirstService Residential
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
7,500 (10) (0.02%) |
Name of Holder & Position |
Holdings
(Approximate Percentage Ownership
of Class or Series) |
Kevin Roy
Chief Financial Officer, FirstService Brands
|
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
35,258 (0.10%) |
Notes:
| (1) | Mr. Beatty owns all of the shares listed directly other than 5,560 FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares, which are owned by Beatinvest Limited, which Mr. Beatty controls or directs. |
| (2) | 17,025 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are held in a registered retirement savings plan
of which Mr. Calder is the annuitant. Mr. Calder owns the remainder of the shares listed directly. |
| (3) | The Dawsco Group, which Mr. Cohen controls or directs, owns 100,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares. The Ricky and Peter Cohen Family Foundation, an entity which Mr. Cohen controls or directs, is the holder of 60,000 FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares. Mr. Cohen owns the remainder of the shares listed directly. |
| (4) | 1306159 Ontario Limited, a corporation which Mr. Ghert controls or directs, is the holder of 888
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. The B.I. Ghert Family Foundation, an entity which Mr. Ghert controls or directs, is the
holder of 2,300 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. Mr. Ghert owns 777 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares in a life income
fund. The remainder of the shares listed are directly owned by Mr. Ghert. |
| (5) | Steane Consulting Limited, a corporation which Mr. Harris controls or directs, is the holder of
4,889 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. Mr. Harris owns the remainder of the shares listed directly. |
| (6) | Henset Capital Inc., an entity which Mr. Hennick controls or directs, is the owner of all listed
shares. |
| (7) | 5,456 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are held in a registered retirement savings plan of
which Mr. Mulamoottil is the annuitant. Mr. Mulamoottil owns the remainder of the shares listed directly. |
| (8) | DSBK Corp., a corporation which Mr. Cooke controls or directs, is the holder of 20,491 FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares. 496 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are held in a registered education savings plan of which
Mr. Cooke is the subscriber. 10,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are held Mr. Cooke's spouse. The remainder of the shares
listed are directly owned by Mr. Cooke. |
| (9) | 263 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are held in a registered education savings plan of which
Mr. Mayer is the subscriber. 5,008 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are held in a registered retirement savings plan of which
Mr. Mayer is the annuitant. Mr. Mayer owns the remainder of the shares listed directly. |
| (10) | 1,500 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are held in a registered retirement savings plan of
which Mr. Natale is the annuitant. Mr. Natale owns the remainder of the shares listed directly. |
Application of OSC Rule 56-501 and NI
41-101
OSC Rule 56-501 regulates the creation
and distribution of "restricted shares" by reporting issuers governed by Ontario securities law. The definition of "restricted
shares" includes equity shares to which are attached voting rights exercisable in all circumstances, irrespective of the number
or percentage of shares owned, that are less, on a per share basis, than the voting rights attaching to any other shares of an
outstanding class of shares of the issuer.
OSC Rule 56-501 provides, among other things,
that the prospectus exemptions under Ontario securities law are not available in respect of a "stock distribution" (as
defined in OSC Rule 56-501), unless either: (i) the "stock distribution" or (ii) the "reorganization" (as defined
in OSC Rule 56-501) that resulted in the creation of the "restricted shares", received "minority approval"
in addition to any other required security holder approval. "Minority approval" means approval by a majority of the votes
cast by holders of voting shares and, if required by applicable corporate law, by a majority of the votes cast by holders of a
class of shares voting separately as a class, other than, in both cases, the votes attaching at the time to securities held directly
or indirectly by: (A) "affiliates" (as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) of the issuer; or (B) "control
persons" (as defined in OSC Rule 56-501) of the issuer. OSC Rule 56-501 provides an exemption from the foregoing requirements
to obtain minority approval if the stock distribution is of securities of an issuer that was a private company immediately before
the completion of the stock distribution or it is a subsequent distribution by such an issuer of securities of the same class.
NI 41-101 provides, among other things,
that an issuer must not file a prospectus under which restricted securities are to be distributed unless: (i) the distribution
has received prior majority approval of the securityholders of the issuer in accordance with applicable law, including approval
on a class basis if required and excluding any votes attaching at the time to securities held, directly or indirectly, by "affiliates"
of the issuer or "control persons" of the issuer (as such terms are defined under applicable securities laws); or (ii)
at the time of any "restricted security reorganization" (as defined in NI 41-101, and which would include the Arrangement)
related to the securities to be distributed: (A) the restricted securityholder reorganization received prior majority approval
of the securityholders of the issuer in accordance with applicable law, including approval on a class basis if required and excluding
any votes attaching at the time to securities held, directly or indirectly, by "affiliates" of the issuer or "control
persons" of the issuer (as such terms are defined under applicable securities laws); (B) the issuer was a reporting issuer
in at least one jurisdiction; and (C) no purposes or business reasons for the creation of the restricted securities were disclosed
in the relevant information circular that are inconsistent with the purpose of the distribution.
In connection with the Arrangement, the
Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, which will be "restricted shares" within the
meaning of both OSC Rule 56-501 and NI 41-101, are being created and distributed. The distribution of the New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares may be exempt from the minority approval requirements of OSC Rule 56-501 because New FSV will be a private company immediately
prior to the Arrangement. There is no similar exemption available under NI 41-101.
Therefore, in order to: (a) create and
distribute Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares in connection with the Arrangement and to create and distribute New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares without the benefit of the "private company" exemption that may be available under OSC Rule 56-501; and
(b) effect distributions of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares in the future either pursuant to a prospectus or on a prospectus-exempt
basis and to effect distributions of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on a prospectus-exempt basis without the benefit of the
"private company" exemption that may be available under OSC Rule 56-501, in each case, without obtaining "minority
approval" for any such distribution, FirstService is seeking "minority approval" of the Arrangement Resolution.
As any future distribution of New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares by means of a prospectus will require securityholder approval at the relevant time because New FSV will not be a
reporting issuer at the time of the Arrangement and will therefore not meet the applicable requirements of NI 41-101, notwithstanding
the receipt of "minority approval" for the Arrangement. A specific discretionary exemption is being sought by FirstService
and New FSV from the applicable securities regulators for relief from such future securityholder approval requirement under NI
41-101 (and, to the extent applicable in the future, OSC Rule 56-501). If obtained, a copy of such exemption order issued by the
OSC will be available at www.osc.gov.on.ca.
In relation
to the Arrangement Resolution, "minority approval" means approval by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the
votes cast by holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, other than the votes attaching to FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares held directly or indirectly Jay S. Hennick. As at March 16, 2015, Jay S. Hennick directly or indirectly held 2,273,526 FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple Voting Shares. See "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement
– Principal Holders of FirstService Shares". Accordingly, 2,273,526 FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares are expected to be excluded for the purpose of confirming the requisite "minority approval"
has been obtained for the Arrangement Resolution in accordance with OSC Rule 56-501.
Resale of Securities
The Colliers Shares and New FSV Shares
to be issued in connection with the Arrangement will be issued in reliance on an exemption from the prospectus requirements of
applicable Canadian securities laws. In accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, the sale of Colliers Shares and New
FSV Shares received pursuant to the Arrangement will be free from restriction on the first trade of such shares provided that:
(i) such sale is not a control distribution; (ii) no unusual effort is made to prepare the market or to create a demand for the
shares that are the subject of the sale; (iii) no extraordinary commission or consideration is paid to a person or company in respect
of such sale; and (iv) if the selling security holder is an insider or officer of Colliers or New FSV, as applicable, the selling
security holder has no reasonable grounds to believe that Colliers or New FSV, as applicable, is in default of Canadian securities
legislation. Each Shareholder is urged to consult its professional advisor to determine the conditions and restrictions applicable
to such Shareholder in trading Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares received pursuant to the Arrangement.
Judicial Developments
The Plan of Arrangement will be implemented
pursuant to Section 182 of the OBCA which provides that, where an arrangement has been approved by shareholders of a corporation
and by holders of shares of each class or series entitled to vote separately thereon, in each case, by special resolution, a corporation
may apply to the Court for an order approving the arrangement proposed by such corporation. Pursuant to this section of the OBCA,
such an application will be made by FirstService for approval of the Arrangement. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters
– Court Approval". Although there have been a number of judicial decisions considering this section and applications
to various arrangements, there have not been, to the knowledge of FirstService, any recent significant decisions which would apply
in this instance. Shareholders should consult their legal advisors with respect to the legal rights available to them in relation
to the Arrangement.
United States Securities Laws Matters
Exemption from the Registration Requirements
of the U.S. Securities Act
The issuance of the Colliers Shares and
New FSV Shares pursuant to the Arrangement will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and will be made in reliance on
Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act. Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act exempts from registration the offer and
sale of a security which is issued in exchange for one or more bona fide outstanding securities, claims or property interests,
or partly in such exchange and partly for cash, where the terms and conditions of such issue and exchange are approved, after a
hearing upon the fairness of such terms and conditions at which all persons to whom it is proposed to issue securities in such
exchange have the right to appear, by a court or governmental authority expressly authorized by law to grant such approval. The
Court will conduct a hearing to determine the fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement, including the proposed issuance
of New FSV Shares and Colliers Shares in exchange for the outstanding FirstService Shares. The Final Order, if granted, will constitute
the basis for the Section 3(a)(10) exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act with respect to these
shares issued in connection with the Arrangement. In connection with the hearing for the Interim Order, the Court will be advised
that these shares will be issued in reliance on the Section 3(a)(10) exemption. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters
– Court Approval".
Resale of Colliers Shares after the
Completion of the Arrangement
Colliers Shares received by a Shareholder
who will be an "affiliate" of Colliers after the Arrangement will be subject to certain restrictions on resale imposed
by the U.S. Securities Act. Under Rule 405 of the U.S. Securities Act, an "affiliate" of an issuer is a person or entity
that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
the issuer. Typically, executive officers, directors and 10% or greater shareholders of an issuer are considered to be its "affiliates".
Shareholders who are not "affiliates"
of Colliers, and have not been "affiliates" of Colliers within 90 days of the Effective Date, may resell their shares
of Colliers issued to them pursuant to the Arrangement in the United States without restriction under the U.S. Securities Act.
Shareholders who are "affiliates"
of Colliers after the Arrangement may not resell their shares of Colliers that they receive in connection with the Arrangement
except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements of the U.S. Securities Act, such as the exemptions afforded by Rule 144 or Regulation S under the U.S. Securities
Act.
Shareholders that are U.S. residents or
are otherwise subject to laws of the United States are urged to, and should, consult their legal advisors prior to transferring
Colliers Shares.
Resale of New FSV Shares after the Completion
of the Arrangement
Similarly, New FSV Shares received by a
Shareholder who will be an "affiliate" of New FSV after the Arrangement will be subject to certain restrictions on resale
imposed by the U.S. Securities Act. Individuals or entities who are affiliates of FirstService on the Distribution Date may be
deemed to be "affiliates" of New FSV.
Shareholders who are not "affiliates"
of New FSV, and have not been "affiliates" of New FSV within 90 days of the Effective Date, may resell their shares of
New FSV issued to them pursuant to the Arrangement in the United States without restriction under the U.S. Securities Act.
Shareholders who are "affiliates"
of New FSV after the Arrangement may not resell their shares of New FSV that they receive in connection with the Arrangement except
pursuant to an effective registration under the U.S. Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements
of the U.S. Securities Act, such as the exemptions afforded by Rule 144 or Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.
Shareholders that are U.S. residents or
are otherwise subject to laws of the United States are urged to, and should, consult their legal advisors prior to transferring
New FSV Shares.
Tax Ruling and Opinion
Canadian Tax Ruling
The respective obligations of the parties
to the Arrangement Agreement to complete the Arrangement are conditional upon the Canadian Tax Ruling having been received by FirstService
and New FSV, in form and substance satisfactory to FirstService, not withdrawn or modified and remaining in full force and effect
and all of the transactions referred to in the Canadian Tax Ruling as occurring on or prior to the Effective Time having occurred
and all conditions or terms of the Canadian Tax Ruling having been satisfied.
The Canadian Tax Ruling is expected to
confirm that, based on the current provisions of the Tax Act, the transactions as disclosed in this Circular will be treated for
the purposes of the Tax Act as a tax-deferred "butterfly" reorganization, thereby not imposing any material current Canadian
federal income tax on any of FirstService, New FSV or their affiliates or Shareholders who hold their FirstService Shares as capital
property, in general and subject to the comments under "Pre-Arrangement Transactions". FirstService and New FSV have
applied to the CRA for, and expect to receive, the Canadian Tax Ruling, although no assurances can be given in that regard.
Advance income tax rulings are issued by
the CRA in respect of provisions of the Tax Act as enacted as of the date of the relevant ruling and are binding upon the CRA,
provided that the material facts presented are accurately stated and the transactions are implemented as disclosed to the CRA.
This requires, among other things, that the transactions comply with all requirements of the public company "butterfly"
rules in section 55 of the Tax Act. The Arrangement is structured to comply with these rules. However, there are certain requirements
of these rules that may depend on events occurring after the Arrangement is completed or that may not be within the control of
FirstService (which will become Colliers) and/or New FSV. For example, under section 55 of the Tax Act, FirstService and/or New
FSV will recognize a taxable gain on the transfer by FirstService of the Distribution Property if: (i) within three years of the
transfer, New FSV engages in a subsequent spinoff or split-up transaction under section 55 or FirstService engages in a split-up
(but not a spinoff) transaction under section 55; (ii) a "specified shareholder" disposes of FirstService or New FSV
shares (or property that derives 10% or more of its value from such shares or property substituted therefor) to an unrelated person
or partnership as part of the series of transactions which includes the transfer by FirstService of the Distribution Property;
(iii) there is an acquisition of control of FirstService or of New FSV that is part of the series of transactions that includes
the transfer by FirstService of the Distribution Property; (iv) New FSV sells to a person unrelated to it (otherwise than in the
ordinary course of operations) as part of the series of transactions that includes the transfer by FirstService of the Distribution
Property, property acquired on the transfer from FirstService that has a value greater than 10% of the value of all property received
on the transfer from FirstService; (v) FirstService sells to a person unrelated to it (other than in the ordinary course of operations)
as part of the series of transactions that includes the transfer by FirstService of the Distribution Property, property retained
by FirstService on the transfer that has a value greater than 10% of the value of all property retained by FirstService on the
transfer; or (vi) certain persons acquire shares of FirstService (other than in specified permitted transactions) in contemplation
of, and as part of the series of transactions that includes, the transfer by FirstService of the Distribution Property. If any
of the above events were to occur and to cause the spinoff to be taxable to FirstService or to New FSV under section 55, FirstService
or New FSV, as applicable, and in some cases both FirstService and New FSV, would be liable for a substantial amount of tax. In
addition, if such an event were due to an act of FirstService or New FSV (or one of their respective affiliates), or an omission
by one of them to act, FirstService or New FSV, as applicable, would generally be required to indemnify the other party for tax
under the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement. See "The Arrangement – Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement". The provisions of the Standstill Agreement are intended to mitigate certain of the foregoing. See "The Arrangement
– Standstill Agreement".
Canadian tax counsel to FirstService and
New FSV has opined herein that the Arrangement generally will occur on a tax-deferred basis for Shareholders resident in Canada
who hold their FirstService Shares as capital property, as discussed in the section entitled "Certain Canadian Federal Income
Tax Considerations".
U.S. Tax Opinion
FirstService and New FSV expect to receive
the U.S. Tax Opinion prior to the Effective Date which will confirm that, among other things, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
the transactions as disclosed in this Circular should be treated as exchanges or distributions of stock for U.S. federal income
tax purposes pursuant to Section 355 of the U.S. Code and that, subject to the discussion under "Certain U.S. Federal Income
Tax Considerations", generally no material current U.S. federal income tax should be imposed on any Shareholder that is subject
to U.S. federal income taxation.
See "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations".
Tax Ruling and Opinion Facts and Information
FirstService and New FSV believe that the
facts and other information contained in the application for the Canadian Tax Ruling, and provided to tax counsel in respect of
the provision of the U.S. Tax Opinion, and in all correspondence to the CRA and tax counsel are accurate in all material respects
and that, to their knowledge, there has been no omission to state a material fact or to provide other material information to the
CRA or to tax counsel that would be relevant to any of the Canadian Tax Ruling and/or the U.S. Tax Opinion.
DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS
Registered Shareholders are entitled to
dissent (the "Dissent Rights") from the Arrangement Resolution in the manner provided in Section 185 of the OBCA,
as modified by the Plan of Arrangement, the Interim Order and any other order of the Court.
This section summarizes the provisions
of Section 185 of the OBCA, as modified by the Plan of Arrangement and the Interim Order. If you are a Registered Shareholder and
wish to dissent, you should obtain your own legal advice and carefully read the provisions of the Plan of Arrangement, the Interim
Order and the provisions of Section 185 of the OBCA, which can be found in Schedule "A" to Appendix "C", Appendix
"F" and Appendix "N", respectively, to this Circular.
Anyone who is a beneficial Shareholder
whose FirstService Shares are registered in the name of an intermediary (such as a bank, trust company, securities dealer or broker
or other financial institution) and who wishes to dissent should be aware that only Registered Shareholders are entitled to exercise
Dissent Rights. A Registered Shareholder who holds FirstService Shares as intermediary for one or more beneficial owners, one or
more of whom wish to exercise Dissent Rights, must exercise such Dissent Rights on behalf of such holder(s). In such case, the
Dissent Notice (as defined below) should specify the number and class of Dissenting Shares (as defined below). A Dissenting Shareholder
(as defined below) may only dissent with respect to all the FirstService Shares held on behalf of any one beneficial owner and
registered in the name of the Dissenting Shareholder. Registered Shareholders who exercise the Dissent Rights, will be deemed to
have transferred their Dissenting Shares to FirstService, with good and marketable title thereto and free and clear of any Encumbrances,
as of the Effective Time, and if they:
| (a) | are ultimately entitled to be paid fair value for their Dissenting Shares (a "Dissenting
Shareholder"), will be entitled to be paid the fair value of such Dissenting Shares, which fair value will be determined
as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the date on which the Arrangement Resolution is adopted,
and will not be entitled to any other payment or consideration (including any payment that would be payable under the Arrangement
had they not exercised their Dissent Rights). There can be no assurance that a Dissenting Shareholder will receive consideration
for its Dissenting Shares of equal value to the consideration that such Dissenting Shareholder would have received under the Arrangement;
or |
| (b) | are ultimately not entitled, for any reason, to be paid fair value for their Dissenting Shares,
will be deemed to have participated in the Arrangement. |
A Registered Shareholder who wishes to
dissent must ensure that a written notice of dissent (a "Dissent Notice") is received by the Corporate Secretary
of FirstService at its office located at 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4, no later than 5:00 p.m.
(Toronto, Ontario local time) on the second Business Day preceding the date of the Meeting (as it may be adjourned or postponed
from time to time). It is important that Shareholders strictly comply with this requirement, which is different from the statutory
dissent provisions of the OBCA which would permit a Dissent Notice to be provided at or prior to the Meeting.
The filing of a Dissent Notice does not
deprive a Registered Shareholder of the right to vote at the Meeting; however, a Registered Shareholder who has submitted a Dissent
Notice and who votes in favour of the Arrangement Resolution will no longer be considered a Dissenting Shareholder with respect
to the FirstService Shares voted in favour of the Arrangement Resolution. If such Dissenting Shareholder votes in favour of the
Arrangement Resolution in respect of a portion of the FirstService Shares registered in his, her or its name and held by same on
behalf of any one beneficial owner, such vote approving the Arrangement Resolution will be deemed to apply to the entirety of the
FirstService Shares held by such Dissenting Shareholder in the name of that beneficial owner, given that Section 185 of the OBCA
provides there is no right of partial dissent. A vote against the Arrangement Resolution will not constitute a Dissent Notice and
the execution or exercise of a proxy does not constitute a written objection for the purposes of subsection 185(6) of the OBCA.
Within 10 days after the approval of the
Arrangement Resolution, FirstService is required to notify each Dissenting Shareholder that the Arrangement Resolution has been
approved. Such notice is not required to be sent to a Registered Shareholder who voted for the Arrangement Resolution or who has
withdrawn a Dissent Notice previously filed.
A Dissenting Shareholder must, within 20
days after the Dissenting Shareholder receives notice that the Arrangement Resolution has been approved or, if the Dissenting Shareholder
does not receive such notice, within 20 days after the Dissenting Shareholder learns that the Arrangement Resolution has been approved,
send a written demand for the payment of the fair value of his, her or its FirstService Shares (a "Demand for Payment")
containing: (i) the Dissenting Shareholder's name and address; (ii) the number and class of FirstService Shares in respect of which
he, she or it has exercised Dissent Rights ("Dissenting Shares"); and (iii) a demand for the payment of the fair
value of such Dissenting Shares. Within 30 days after sending a Demand for Payment, the Dissenting Shareholder must send to the
Corporate Secretary of FirstService at 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4 or to TMX Equity Transfer
Services at 200 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 4H1, the certificates representing the Dissenting Shares.
A Dissenting Shareholder who fails to send the certificates representing the Dissenting Shares forfeits its right to make a claim
under Section 185 of the OBCA. FirstService or TMX Equity Transfer Services will endorse on share certificates received from a
Dissenting Shareholder a notice that the holder is a Dissenting Shareholder under Section 185 of the OBCA and will forthwith return
the share certificates to the Dissenting Shareholder.
On the filing of a Demand for Payment (and
in any event upon the Effective Date), a Dissenting Shareholder ceases to have any rights in respect of its Dissenting Shares,
other than the right to be paid the fair value of its Dissenting Shares as determined pursuant to Section 185 of the OBCA and the
Interim Order and any other order of the Court, except where, prior to the Effective Date: (i) the Dissenting Shareholder withdraws
its Demand for Payment before FirstService makes an Offer to Pay (as defined below) to the Dissenting Shareholder; (ii) an Offer
to Pay is not made and the Dissenting Shareholder withdraws its Demand for Payment; or (iii) the Board revokes the Arrangement
Resolution, in which case FirstService will reinstate the Dissenting Shareholder's rights in respect of its Dissenting Shares as
of the date the Demand for Payment was sent. Pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, in no case will FirstService, Colliers, New FSV
or any other person be required to recognize any Dissenting Shareholder as a Shareholder (or as the holder of any securities of
FirstService, Colliers, New FSV or any of their respective subsidiaries) after the Effective Date, and the names of such Shareholders
will be deleted from the list of Registered Shareholders at the Effective Date. In addition to any other restrictions under
Section 185 of the OBCA, holders of FirstService Shares who vote or have instructed a proxyholder to vote such FirstService Shares
in favour of the Arrangement Resolution shall not be entitled to exercise Dissent Rights.
No later than 7 days after the later of
the Effective Date and the date on which a Demand for Payment of a Dissenting Shareholder is received, as applicable, each Dissenting
Shareholder who has sent a Demand for Payment must be sent by FirstService (then Colliers) a written offer to pay (an "Offer
to Pay") for his, her or its Dissenting Shares in an amount considered by the Board to be the fair value thereof, accompanied
by a statement showing how the fair value was determined. Every Offer to Pay in respect of FirstService Shares of the same class
must be on the same terms as every other Offer to Pay in respect of FirstService Shares of that class.
Payment for the Dissenting Shares of a
Dissenting Shareholder must be made within 10 days after an Offer to Pay has been accepted by a Dissenting Shareholder, but any
such Offer to Pay lapses if an acceptance thereof is not received within 30 days after the Offer to Pay has been made. If an Offer
to Pay for the Dissenting Shares of a Dissenting Shareholder is not made, or if a Dissenting Shareholder fails to accept an Offer
to Pay that has been made, FirstService (then Colliers) may apply to the Court to fix a fair value for the Dissenting Shares of
Dissenting Shareholders within 50 days after the Effective Date or within such further period as the Court may allow.
If no such application is made, a Dissenting
Shareholder may apply to the Court for the same purpose within a further period of 20 days or within such further period as the
Court may allow. A Dissenting Shareholder is not required to give security for costs in such an application.
Upon an application to the Court, all Dissenting
Shareholders whose Dissenting Shares have not been purchased will be joined as parties and bound by the decision of the Court,
and FirstService (then Colliers) shall notify each affected Dissenting Shareholder of the date, place and consequences of the application
and of their right to appear and be heard in person or by counsel. Upon any such application to the Court, the Court may determine
whether any other person is a Dissenting Shareholder who should be joined as a party, and the Court will then fix a fair value
for the Dissenting Shares of all such Dissenting Shareholders. The final order of the Court will be rendered against FirstService
(then Colliers) in favour of each Dissenting Shareholder joined as a party and for the amount of the Dissenting Shares as fixed
by the Court.
The Court may, in its discretion, allow
a reasonable rate of interest on the amount payable to each such Dissenting Shareholder from the Effective Date until the date
of payment. Any judicial determination of fair value will result in the delay of receipt by a Dissenting Shareholder of consideration
for such Dissenting Shareholder's Dissenting Shares.
The above is only a summary of the provisions
of the OBCA pertaining to Dissent Rights, as modified by the Plan of Arrangement and the Interim Order, which are technical and
complex. If you are a Shareholder and wish to directly or indirectly exercise Dissent Rights, you should seek your own legal advice
as failure to strictly comply with the provisions of the OBCA, as modified by the Plan of Arrangement and the Interim Order, may
prejudice your Dissent Rights.
It is a condition precedent to the completion
of the Arrangement that there shall not be Shareholders holding, in the aggregate, in excess of 0.1% of all outstanding FirstService
Shares that have validly exercised their Dissent Rights and not withdrawn such exercise. See "The Arrangement – Arrangement
Agreement – Conditions Precedent".
INFORMATION CONCERNING FIRSTSERVICE
PRE-ARRANGEMENT
Corporate Structure
FirstService was formed under the OBCA
by Certificate and Articles of Incorporation effective February 25, 1988. FirstService amalgamated with Coloma Resources Limited
pursuant to a Certificate and Articles of Amalgamation effective July 31, 1988, and the amalgamated corporation continued under
the name "FirstService Corporation". By Certificate and Articles of Amendment effective April 2, 1990, FirstService
consolidated each of its Class A Subordinate Voting Shares on a 30 to 1 basis and changed the designation of that class of shares
to "Subordinate Voting Shares", each such share carrying one vote, and consolidated each of its Class B shares
on a 30 to 1 basis and changed the designation of that class of shares to "Multiple Voting Shares", each such
share carrying 20 votes. By Certificate and Articles of Amalgamation effective April 1, 1999, FirstService amalgamated with one
of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. By Certificate and Articles of Amendment effective June 27, 2007, FirstService created the 7%
cumulative preference shares, series 1 of FirstService, which shares were eliminated as outstanding shares of FirstService on May
3, 2013 by way of a partial redemption for cash immediately followed by a mandatory conversion into FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares.
FirstService's registered and head office
is located at 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4.
Description of the Business
FirstService is a global leader in the
rapidly growing real estate services sector. As one of the largest property managers in the world, FirstService manages more than
2.5 billion square feet of residential and commercial properties through its industry-leading service platforms in Commercial Real
Estate Services, delivered through Colliers International, one of the top global players in commercial real estate services; Residential
Real Estate Services, delivered through FirstService Residential, the largest provider of residential property management services
in North America, and Property Services, delivered through FirstService Brands, a leading provider of essential property services
through franchise systems and company-owned operations.
Each service line provides near-essential
services, generates a significant percentage of recurring revenues, has substantial operating cash flow, generates superior returns
on invested capital and can be leveraged through margin enhancement, cross-selling or consolidation.
The business of FirstService is conducted
through three operating divisions as set out above under "The Arrangement – Details of the Arrangement".
Colliers International
FirstService, operating under the Colliers
International brand name, is one of the world's largest and fastest growing commercial real estate services firms, offering a full
range of services to occupiers, owners and investors in office, industrial, retail, hotel, multi-family and other commercial real
estate assets. Through an enterprising culture of service excellence, FirstService integrates the resources of real estate professionals
worldwide to accelerate the success of its clients, employees and shareholders. As of December 31, 2014, FirstService operated
from 219 offices in 41 countries worldwide with over 10,000 employees (excluding affiliate and franchised offices), providing services
under the "Colliers International" brand name. Including affiliates and franchisees, Colliers International operates
from 502 offices in 67 countries servicing the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Asia and Latin America.
FirstService's comprehensive service offerings
includes property agency leasing; property investment sales; capital markets; tenant representation; property appraisal and valuation;
facility, property and asset management, workplace solutions and project management. FirstService is dedicated to creating strategic
partnerships with clients and providing them with customized solutions to transform their real estate into a competitive advantage
while capitalizing on the macro trends of outsourcing in the commercial real estate sector.
Service offerings are split into the following
lines of business:
Sales and Lease Brokerage Division
The largest business is transaction brokerage,
which provides services in sales, leasing, and mortgages for commercial clients. Commercial real estate brokers advise buyers and
sellers of real estate in connection with the acquisition or disposition of real estate; assist owners, occupiers and tenants with
lease opportunities; and assist borrowers and lenders with the placement of debt capital on commercial real estate assets. Brokers
typically perform their services on a commission basis calculated based on the value of a transaction. The Sales and Lease Brokerage
Division has more than 3,100 brokers system wide. This division executes transactions across a diverse client base, including corporations,
financial institutions, governments and individuals. The Sales and Lease Brokerage Division generates approximately 47% of its
revenues from office transactions, 22% from industrial transactions and 11% from retail and multi-family, with the balance coming
from hotels, land and other property types.
Services for sales, leases, and mortgages
are provided in the following areas:
- Landlord Representation: Agency teams work on behalf of property owners to search
for and sign tenants and other occupiers by positioning the property in the marketplace. Colliers International teams look to secure
the right tenants for their client's properties and otherwise support the landlord's ownership goals for their real estate assets.
- Tenant Representation: Leases are often landmarks in the lifetime of a business
marking a significant investment of time and resources in a building's physical space which will have a long-term impact on the
business of our clients. Colliers International brokerage teams work on behalf of tenants to locate the right rental properties
and to secure the right terms, helping to turn a lease, often the second-greatest expenditure for a business after payroll, from
a cost center into a competitive advantage.
- Capital Markets & Investment Services: Capital Markets & Investment Services
teams are represented by professionals that work collaboratively to provide real estate expertise to clients, acting in an advisory
capacity to help each client maximize investment returns, whether as a buyer, seller or borrower.
| · | The Capital Markets & Investment Services teams are organized around office, industrial, retail,
multifamily and hotel assets in order to drive thought leadership for each major asset class. Many team members also represent
subspecialties in areas such as Healthcare, Student Housing, Seniors Housing, Land, Transit Oriented Development and the like.
These investment teams are also organized in subsets to meet the needs of both our institutional and private capital clients, recognizing
that these client groupings have different needs. These investment teams understand the intricacies of single asset and portfolio
executions and, with the assistance of Colliers International's investment advisors in 140 offices and 27 countries, are globally
connected every second of every day with the active market participants. |
| · | Integrally supporting these investment teams is a national group of Debt & Equity Financing
advisors that help both institutional and private capital clients with all manner of senior and subordinated debt strategies and
placements with a global network of capital providers, including Banks, Life Companies, Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities Lenders,
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Housing Administration, Sovereign Wealth Funds and Private Equity Funds. Many of the Colliers
International financing advisors have experience helping our clients with preferred and common equity strategies and placements,
including partnership capitalizations and recapitalizations. Colliers International financing professionals are in the market every
day with these global capital providers, which provides clients with significant market intelligence and leverage when evaluating
their financing needs. |
| · | The Capital Markets & Investment Services teams work closely with each service line, including
property management, leasing, valuations and our entire Occupier Services group, in order to serve the broader business needs of
each client. |
In the Sales and Lease Brokerage Division,
professionals work with all asset classes, including office, industrial, retail, multi-family, hotel and mixed-use properties.
This division focuses primarily on the $5 to $50 million segment, which consistently comprises over 75% of the total number of
property transactions in the commercial real estate market. In 2014, the Sales and Lease Brokerage Division completed more than
47,000 sale and lease transactions for a total transaction value of US$79 billion. The Sales and Lease Brokerage Division represented
approximately 65% of the Commercial Real Estate Services division revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 and provided opportunities
for cross selling other real estate services.
Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
The Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
provides corporate and workplace solutions, appraisal and valuation services, facility, property and asset management services,
project management services and research for commercial real estate clients. The Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division partners
with large corporations in managing their overall real estate portfolios and transactions to reduce costs, improve execution across
multiple markets and increase operational efficiency, thereby benefitting from the global trends around the outsourcing of commercial
real estate advisory services. Professional staff combines proprietary technology with high level strategic planning, portfolio
management, lease administration and facilities and project management. The Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division has more
than 3,200 advisors globally.
The Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
services include:
- Corporate Solutions: A comprehensive set of portfolio management, transaction
management, project management, workplace solutions, strategic consulting, property and asset management as well as other corporate
real estate services to clients with large, geographically-diverse real estate portfolios. Corporate Solutions' clients are typically
companies or public sector institutions with highly distributed real estate portfolios. This division typically enters into long-term,
contractual relationships with these clients with the goal of ensuring that their real estate strategies support their overall
business needs. This service line offers clients a fully integrated suite of services under the leadership and accountability of
an account leader or team who are responsible for overall performance around the world. Many contracts contain fees that are tied
to performance against client objectives (such as cost and footprint reduction, cycle-time improvement and customer satisfaction)
instead of fees based solely on transaction commissions. The corporate solutions teams have a unified value proposition which is
to deliver customized, accountable and innovative real estate solutions that result in the best service experience and alignment
with each client's core business strategy. Industry leading technology was developed through Colliers360 (which provides clients
with customized, secure web portals to manage all real estate activity) which allows this division to measure performance and help
clients make efficient, well-informed decisions regarding their real estate portfolio. Colliers 360 also includes leading-edge
business intelligence that populates data from various independent and client related sources. This division also provides leading
edge lease administration, transaction, project management and facilities management systems.
- Valuation & Advisory Services: Advisors leverage best-in-class technology
to offer clients both speed and accuracy while maintaining a dedicated project leader and senior management oversight to ensure
quality and accountability. Services include valuation and appraisal review and management, portfolio or single asset valuation,
arbitration and consulting, highest and best use studies, tax appeals and litigation support.
- Property and Asset Management Services: Property and Asset Management provides
oversight and management of the daily operations of a single property or portfolio of properties and provides on-going strategic
advice on ways in which clients can maximize the value of their properties. Services include property level accounting, tenant
service/relations and bidding, awarding and administering subcontracts for management and maintenance, landscaping, security, parking,
capital and tenant improvements. This division ensures that it implements the owner's specific property value enhancement objectives
through maximization of opportunities to help clients ensure excellent tenant relations while maximizing property level cash flows.
- Project Management: Project Management provides project management services for
a wide range of projects regardless of size. It has more than 160 LEED© accredited professionals and green building associates
and the highest accreditation ratios in the industry. These services include bid document review, construction monitoring and delivery
management, contract administration and integrated cost control, facility and engineering functionality, milestone and performance
monitoring, quality assurance, risk management and strategic project consulting.
- Workplace Solutions: Workplace Solutions provides a full suite of visioning,
change management and strategic consulting services to occupiers to allow them to maximize the effectiveness of their workplace.
These consulting services are designed to help clients turn their real estate into a competitive advantage to recruit and retain
talent through the analysis and design of optimal work environments.
- Property Marketing: Property Marketing provides turnkey property marketing solutions
for both commercial and high end residential projects. FirstService has made a significant investment in its property marketing
strategies, increasing volumes of leads and reducing time-on-market. The majority of the leads generated for clients now come from
online sources. By transforming the typical industry marketing mix, Property Marketing can both reduce costs and decrease lease-up
time. the property marketing platform is impactful with both domestic and sophisticated international buyers.
- Research Services: Research Services provides insights for owners and landlords
into emerging trends and market activity, projections for projected lease rates, guidance on the impacts of subleasing, valuation
estimations based on comparable transactions, competitive sets and mapping services. Research Services provide insights for occupiers
and tenants into future lease rates, expansion potential, potential to sublease and mapping services.
The Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
focuses on the same client segments as the Sales and Lease Brokerage Division. Revenues are derived from fees which are typically
contractual, both fixed and performance based, and contract terms are often multi-year providing recurring or repeat revenues.
The Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
represented approximately 33% of the Commercial Real Estate Services division revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 and
provided opportunities for cross selling other real estate services.
See Appendix "H" for a further
description of Colliers International, the Commercial Real Estate Services division of FirstService.
FirstService Residential
FirstService Residential is North America's
largest manager of private residential communities, offering a full range of services across multiple geographies to a wide variety
of clients, including condominiums (low, medium and high-rise), co-operatives, homeowner associations, master-planned communities,
active adult and lifestyle communities, and a variety of other residential developments governed by common interest or multi-unit
residential community associations. Its 14,000 employees in over 100 offices across 21 U.S. states and three
Canadian provinces manage approximately 7,000 communities, representing more than 3 million residents in 1.6 million residential
units. FirstService Residential's operational and client coverage footprint is extensive, with a presence in major markets that
constitute over 70% of the North American population.
Typically, owners of residential units
within these communities are required to pay monthly or quarterly fees to cover all expenses to operate and maintain the common
areas of the communities. Resident owners elect volunteer homeowners to serve on a board of directors to oversee the operations
of the community association. Historically, decision-making for the day-to-day operations of the communities was delegated to these
volunteer board members, although, increasingly, these boards outsource this responsibility to professional property management
companies like FirstService Residential.
There are two types of professional property
management companies within the industry – traditional or full-service:
- Traditional property management: Traditional property managers focus principally
on administrative and governance property management functions on behalf of community association clients, including advising homeowner
boards on matters relating to the operation of their communities, collection of monthly maintenance fees, sourcing and payments
to suppliers, financial statement preparation and outsourcing of support services.
- Full service property management: Full service property managers provide all
of the traditional functions, plus a range of ancillary services including, among other things, on-site staffing (in areas such
as building engineering and maintenance, full-service amenity management, security and concierge/front desk personnel), banking
and insurance products, energy conservation and management solutions, and resale processing services.
Only a small number of industry participants
have the expertise and capital to provide full-service property management services comparable to FirstService Residential. FirstService
Residential has the scale, highly recognized brand, geographic footprint, resources, operating expertise and innovation to deliver
a full-service offering. FirstService Residential combines its advantages of size and national presence with a local touch and
dedication focusing on service excellence, which solidifies its client relationships and market-leading reputation. The annual
aggregate budget of the community associations managed by FirstService Residential exceeds US$7 billion.
FirstService Residential generally provides
residential property management and recurring ancillary services under contract, with a fixed monthly fee. These contracts typically
range in duration from one to three years, yet are generally cancellable by either party with 30 to 90 days' notice. Historically,
approximately 90% of FirstService Residential's revenue is recurring due to the nature of its contracts, which have a 95%+ retention
rate and therefore have a long-term tenure.
In addition to its dedicated property management
capabilities, FirstService Residential strives to add value and provide differentiated services to its clients by leveraging its
combined size and financial resources through the following ancillary services:
- FirstService Financial: FirstService Financial provides best-in-class financial
services for FirstService Residential's community associations. As an industry pioneer, FirstService Residential leverages its
scale, expertise and innovative strategies to create value and procure cost savings for management clients by: (i) customizing
cash management solutions for higher investment yields in client deposit accounts (known as "lock-box" services) and
reduced bank charges for client accounts; (ii) using proprietary data and in-house insurance expertise to source and secure a variety
of comprehensive insurance products required to mitigate insurance risks at client properties; and (iii) originating loans through
dedicated in-house mortgage specialists for clients wishing to complete capital improvements at their properties. FirstService
Residential has approximately $2.5 billion in average daily client deposits under management, help to underwrite insurance for
over 3,000 communities per year with more than $125 million in total annual premiums, and have completed over $3 billion in client
loan transactions.
- FS Energy: Launched in 2009, FS Energy is FirstService Residential's energy management
and advisory services provider, offering customized, cost-effective, "green" solutions that reduce energy costs, boost
energy efficiency and shrink environmental impact including carbon footprints across clients' properties. The core of FS Energy's
success is its proprietary, industry-leading FSdata benchmarking database, which comprises years of comprehensive historical
data for hundreds of residential properties representing a variety of diverse building types. FS Energy also offers financing capabilities
with partner financial institutions, providing loans to our clients for energy retrofit projects on a stream-lined basis. Currently,
FS Energy's services have been rolled out primarily to approximately 600 high-rise buildings in New York City, the greater Chicago
area and South Florida, with plans to expand into other key metropolitan markets. In 2014, in New York City, FS Energy saved clients
in excess of US$5 million representing 10% of their overall energy bills through participation in its proprietary energy programs.
FirstService Residential also provides
other amenities to both existing FirstService Residential customers and third party clients. These services are offered through
the following well-recognized, branded operating platforms:
- American Amenities: Launched earlier this year as a new platform, American Amenities
is the largest North American amenity company providing a comprehensive suite of lifestyle-focused staffing and management services
through two market-leading brands:
| (i) | American Pool Enterprises: Founded in 1984 and merged with the commercial swimming
pool and recreation facility management operation founded by FirstService's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, American Pool
Enterprises is the largest commercial swimming pool management, maintenance and construction business and recreational facility
management operation in North America. With 23 branches operating in 14 U.S. States and Washington D.C. as well as two locations
in Canada, American Pool Enterprises services over 3,000 commercial swimming pool and recreation facilities and over 7,000 residential
pools employing 250 full-time and more than 5,000 part-time employees; and |
| (ii) | American Leisure: Founded in 1967 and acquired by FirstService Residential earlier this
year, American Leisure is a recognized leader in urban residential lifestyle management providing services to clients who offer
a range of amenities in the areas of fitness, recreation, spa, concierge and event planning. American Leisure manages more than
70 lifestyle amenity facilities with a significant presence in New York City, as well as Florida and California. Clients include
hotels, homeowner association properties, active adult communities, corporate fitness centers, country clubs, recreation centers,
and government-owned sites (municipal, military, school/university). |
- Planned Companies: Founded in 1989, Planned Companies consists of three property
service divisions: (i) Planned Building Services; (ii) Planned Security Services; and (iii) Planned Lifestyle Services. Through
these service lines, Planned Companies provides industry-leading facility maintenance, concierge/front desk and security services
to a diverse client base, including over 400 residential, corporate, commercial and retail properties in seven
states in the northeast U.S.
FirstService Residential also offers landscaping
services in Florida and Arizona under the brand-names Lukes Sawgrass, Luke Brothers and Desert Classic.
See Appendix "I" for a further
description of FirstService Residential, the Residential Real Estate Services division of FirstService.
FirstService Brands
FirstService Brands is a leading North
American operator and provider of property services, with extensive franchise and contractor networks comprising over 1,900 franchises
and 11 company-owned locations in all 50 U.S. states and ten Canadian provinces. In 2014, FirstService Brands serviced more than
500,000 customers and generated aggregate system-wide revenues of more than US$1.4 billion from franchised and corporate-owned
operations, resulting in over US$90 million in recurring franchise system royalties and other revenues. Services are delivered
through the following seven well-known brands, each of which is ranked as the #1 or #2 player in its respective market:
- Paul Davis Restoration: Paul Davis Restoration is a franchisor of residential
and commercial restoration services serving the insurance industry in the U.S. and Canada through 370 franchises. Paul Davis provides
full-service water, fire and mold cleanup, construction rebuild and restoration services for property damaged by natural or man-made
disasters.
- California Closets: California Closets is North America's largest provider of
custom-designed and installed closet and home storage solutions. California Closets has 86 franchises in the U.S. and Canada, including
ten corporate-owned locations. There are currently over 100 branded California Closets retail showrooms in operation which are
used by franchisees to demonstrate and sell product. California Closets franchises and corporate locations install more than 50,000
systems annually across North America.
- CertaPro Painters: CertaPro Painters is the largest provider of residential and
commercial painting services in North America. CertaPro Painters has 350 franchises operating in major markets across the U.S.
and Canada, with a focus on high-end painting and decorating work. CertaPro completes more than 80,000 projects in a typical year.
- Service America: Service America is Florida's largest provider of
residential home warranty contracts and provides repair and maintenance services for home appliances including heating, ventilation
and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing services and duct/dryer vent cleaning. Service America also provides mechanical HVAC and
plumbing services to commercial buildings. Service America services more than 50,000 customers
annually.
- College Pro Painters: College Pro Painters is an exterior residential painting
and window-cleaning operator with 600 franchises across 28 U.S. states and seven Canadian
provinces, driven largely by students who are actively recruited and trained to run the businesses. College Pro's operations are
seasonal, with earnings generated in the June and September quarters followed by losses in the December and March quarters. As
the largest student-driven painting and window-cleaning business in North America, College Pro Painters services approximately
40,000 customers annually.
- Pillar to Post: Pillar to Post is North America's largest home inspection
service provider, with a network of nearly 700 home inspectors in more than 400 franchises
in 44 U.S. states and eight provinces in Canada. Through its proprietary inspection model,
Pillar to Post can assess up to 1,600 categories or items inside and outside the home as part of its evaluation process.
Pillar to Post inspects more than US$25 billion in residential real estate each year.
- Floor Coverings International: Floor Coverings International is a leading North
American in-home design and installation floor coverings brand operating through 100 franchises.
Overall, FirstService Brands' operations
include a total of 1,200 employees (excluding franchisees) in offices across all 50 U.S. states and ten
Canadian provinces.
Franchising is a unique business model
where a franchisor licenses the franchise rights to use certain trademarks, logos, operational manuals, business formats and computer
programs to provide some product or service to an end customer. Usually the license is granted for a specific period of time, within
a defined geographic territory in which the franchisee is allowed to operate. The franchisor will provide operational information,
training of employees and information on marketing the product or service. Franchise agreements typically have terms of five or
ten years, with the exception of College Pro Painters where the agreements are typically for one year terms. All franchise agreements
contain renewal provisions. With all of our franchise systems, FirstService Brands earns revenues from an upfront franchise fee
(except College Pro Painters), as well as royalties from franchisees based on a percentage of franchisee gross revenues, creating
a recurring stream of highly profitable revenue. Royalties are usually reported and paid monthly in arrears. FirstService Brands
also uses its scale advantages to source and provide various materials for franchisees to use and sell, increasing the value proposition
for the franchisees while providing additional revenue opportunities.
See Appendix "I" for a further
description of FirstService Brands, the Property Services division of FirstService.
Summary Financial Information
The following selected historical consolidated
financial information of FirstService should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of FirstService
for the year ended December 31, 2014, along with the corresponding management's discussion and analysis, all as specifically incorporated
by reference in this Circular.
| |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 | |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
FirstService, prior to giving effect to the Arrangement | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
(US$ thousands, except per share amounts) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Operations | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Revenues | |
$ | 2,714,273 | | |
$ | 2,344,625 | | |
$ | 2,098,987 | |
Operating earnings | |
| 134,427 | | |
| 88,780 | | |
| 79,248 | |
Net earnings (loss) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Continuing operations | |
| 89,399 | | |
| 46,601 | | |
| 41,393 | |
Discontinued operations | |
| 1,537 | | |
| (5,183 | ) | |
| (671 | ) |
| |
| 90,936 | | |
| 41,418 | | |
| 40,722 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Net earnings (loss) per FirstService Share from continuing operations | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic | |
| 1.16 | | |
| (0.48 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) |
Diluted | |
| 1.15 | | |
| (0.48 | ) | |
| (0.10 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Financial position | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Total assets | |
| 1,639,427 | | |
| 1,443,511 | | |
| 1,317,910 | |
Long-term debt | |
| 493,348 | | |
| 372,794 | | |
| 337,205 | |
Convertible debentures | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 77,000 | |
Redeemable non-controlling interests | |
| 230,992 | | |
| 222,073 | | |
| 147,751 | |
Shareholders' equity | |
| 233,215 | | |
| 249,049 | | |
| 244,153 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Other data | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | |
| 221,745 | | |
| 183,893 | | |
| 151,047 | |
Adjusted EPS(1) | |
| 2.73 | | |
| 2.13 | | |
| 1.62 | |
Note:
| (1) | "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Adjusted EPS" are financial measures that are not calculated
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a reconciliation of these non-U.S. GAAP measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial
measures, please see "Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures" in FirstService's management's discussion and analysis
as at and for the year ended December 31, 2014 (which is incorporated herein by reference). |
Directors and Executive Officers
Directors
The directors of FirstService are currently
as follows:
Peter F. Cohen (Chairman)
David R. Beatty
Brendan Calder
John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr.
Bernard I. Ghert
Michael D. Harris
Jay S. Hennick
Frederick F. Reichheld
Michael Stein
Executive Officers
The executive officers of FirstService
are currently as follows:
Name |
Position |
Jay S. Hennick |
Founder and Chief Executive Officer |
D. Scott Patterson |
President and Chief Operating Officer |
John B. Friedrichsen |
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Elias Mulamoottil |
Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development |
Jeremy Rakusin |
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development |
Alex Nguyen |
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development |
Douglas G. Cooke |
Vice President, Corporate Controller and Corporate Secretary |
Christian Mayer |
Vice President, Finance |
Neil D. Chander |
Vice President, Tax |
Share Capital
The authorized capital of FirstService
consists of an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in series (the "Preference Shares"), of which are
authorized 2,500 Series 1 preference shares (the "S1 Preferred Shares") and an unlimited number of 7% cumulative
preference shares, series 1 (the "7% Preferred Shares"), an unlimited number of FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares and an unlimited number of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares. As at March 16, 2015, FirstService had outstanding 34,644,911
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, and no other shares. The following is
a brief description of the material attributes of the FirstService Shares, Preference Shares, S1 Preferred Shares and 7% Preferred
Shares. This description does not purport to be complete, and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, FirstService's
articles.
FirstService Shares
Except as described herein, the FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares and the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares carry the same rights, are equal in every respect and are
treated as if they were shares of one and the same class.
The FirstService Shares rank junior to
the Preference Shares or series thereof ranking in priority with respect to the payment of dividends, return of capital and distribution
of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or any distribution of the assets of FirstService for the purpose of winding-up
its affairs. The holders of outstanding FirstService Shares are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions on a share-for-share
basis (or, in the discretion of the directors, in a greater amount per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share than per FirstService
Multiple Voting Share) out of the assets legally available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board may determine,
but without preference or distinction between the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares and the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares.
The FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares carry one vote per share and the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares carry 20 votes
per share. The holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and the holders of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares are entitled
to receive notice of any meeting of Shareholders and to attend and vote thereat as a single class on all matters to be voted on
by the Shareholders, except at meetings where the holders of shares of one class or of a particular series of shares are entitled
to vote separately.
The rights, privileges, conditions and
restrictions attaching to the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares may be respectively
modified if the amendment is authorized by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares and the holders of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares duly held for that purpose. However, if the holders of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares, as a class, or the holders of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, as a class, are to be affected in
a manner different from the other classes of shares, such amendment must, in addition, be authorized by at least two-thirds of
the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of the class of shares which is affected differently.
Each outstanding FirstService Multiple
Voting Share is convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into one FirstService Subordinate Voting Share. The FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares are not convertible into any other class of shares. No subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or
other change of the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares or the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares can be made without, concurrently,
having the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares or FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, as the case may be, subdivided, consolidated,
reclassified or other change made under the same conditions. The FirstService Shares are not redeemable nor retractable but may
be purchased for cancelation by FirstService in the open market, by private contract or otherwise. Upon the liquidation, dissolution
or any distribution of the assets of FirstService for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of FirstService Shares
are entitled to participate equally, on a share-for-share basis, in the remaining property and assets of FirstService available
for distribution to such holders.
The FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
have certain rights attached thereto in the event that a take-over bid is made for FirstService Multiple Voting Shares. A summary
of such rights is set out below under the heading "– Certain Rights of Holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares".
Preference Shares
The Preference Shares are issuable, from
time to time, in one or more series, as determined by the Board. The Board determines, before the issue of any series of Preference
Shares, the designation, preferences, rights, restrictions, conditions, limitations, priorities as to payment of dividends and/or
distribution on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or prohibitions attaching to such series. The Preference Shares, if issued,
rank prior to the FirstService Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of FirstService or any other distribution of assets of FirstService among its shareholders
for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, and may also be given such other preferences over the FirstService Shares as may be
determined with respect to the respective series authorized and issued. Except as required by law, the Preference Shares do not
carry voting rights.
The S1 Preferred Shares have a stated value
of $1,000.00 and carry a fixed cumulative annual dividend of $50.00 payable quarterly. The holders of the S1 Preferred Shares are
not entitled, except as required by law, to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of FirstService but such holders are entitled
to receive notice of and attend at all meetings of shareholders of FirstService.
The 7% Preferred Shares have a stated value
of US$25.00, carry a fixed cumulative annual dividend of US$1.75 payable quarterly and are redeemable, in whole or in part, for
cash or FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares at the option of FirstService. The holders of the 7% Preferred Shares are not entitled,
except as otherwise provided by law or in the conditions attaching to the Preference Shares, to receive notice of, attend or vote
at any meeting of the shareholders of FirstService.
Dividend Policy
Effective on May 3, 2013, the Board adopted
a new dividend policy pursuant to which FirstService makes quarterly cash dividends to holders of FirstService Shares of record
at the close of business on the last business day of each calendar quarter. The quarterly dividend is set at US$0.10 per FirstService
Share (a rate of US$0.40 per annum). Each quarterly dividend is paid within 30 days after the dividend record date.
FirstService commenced paying the quarterly
FirstService Share dividend under the new dividend policy effective for the quarter ended June 30, 2013. For the purposes of the
Tax Act and any similar Canadian provincial legislation, all dividends on the FirstService Shares will be designated as eligible
dividends unless FirstService indicates otherwise. The declaration of dividends by FirstService is at the discretion of the Board.
Trading Price and Volume
The outstanding FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares are listed for trading on the TSX and Nasdaq under the symbols "FSV" and "FSRV", respectively.
The FirstService Multiple Voting Shares are not listed and do not trade on any public market or quotation system.
The following table sets forth the reported
high and low trading prices and the aggregate volume of trading of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on Nasdaq (in United
States dollars) and on the TSX (in Canadian dollars) for each month in the twelve-month period preceding the date of this Circular:
|
Nasdaq |
TSX |
Month |
High
Price
(US$) |
Low
Price
(US$) |
Volume
Traded |
High
Price
(C$) |
Low
Price
(C$) |
Volume
Traded |
March 2014 |
50.10 |
45.53 |
335,773 |
55.39 |
50.50 |
1,171,274 |
April 2014 |
49.97 |
46.81 |
219,156 |
54.67 |
51.49 |
911,068 |
May 2014 |
50.864 |
48.14 |
434,178 |
55.37 |
52.85 |
954,920 |
June 2014 |
53.15 |
50.17 |
299,983 |
58.00 |
53.675 |
1,014,391 |
July 2014 |
56.68 |
49.88 |
331,709 |
61.88 |
53.25 |
715,773 |
August 2014 |
55.85 |
52.93 |
233,048 |
60.74 |
57.90 |
796,219 |
September 2014 |
57.20 |
50.71 |
286,846 |
62.40 |
56.26 |
1,002,575 |
October 2014 |
56.07 |
49.99 |
460,661 |
62.99 |
56.01 |
1,432,331 |
November 2014 |
54.73 |
50.51 |
440,645 |
62.38 |
57.35 |
1,047,937 |
December 2014 |
58.06 |
49.41 |
399,583 |
65.95 |
57.59 |
1,021,064 |
January 2015 |
54.50 |
49.12 |
256,957 |
67.18 |
58.42 |
732,489 |
February 2015 |
62.16 |
52.44 |
457,506 |
77.84 |
66.22 |
1,124,976 |
March 1 to 16, 2015 |
61.30 |
56.65 |
285,378 |
78.50 |
71.15 |
702,147 |
On February 10, 2015, the last full trading
day prior to the public announcement that FirstService planned to split into two companies via the Arrangement, the closing sale
price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share as reported on the TSX was $66.405 and the closing sale price per FirstService
Subordinate Voting Share, as reported on Nasdaq, was US$52.56. On March 16, 2015, the last full trading day prior to the date of
this Circular, the closing sale price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share, as reported on the TSX, was $77.60, and the closing
sale price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share, as reported on Nasdaq, was US$60.63. Shareholders are urged to obtain current
market quotations for their FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. Historical trading prices are not indicative of future trading
prices.
Prior Sales of FirstService Shares
During the twelve-month period preceding
the date of this Circular, FirstService: (i) granted FirstService Stock Options to acquire an aggregate of 699,000 FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares at an average exercise price of US$53.41 per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share; and (ii) issued 451,100
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on the exercise of FirstService Stock Options at an average exercise price of US$20.76 per
FirstService Subordinate Voting Share.
Principal Holders of FirstService
Shares
The following table sets forth, as at March
16, 2015, the only persons who, to the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of FirstService, beneficially own, or
control or direct, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the issued and outstanding FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares or
FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, the approximate number of outstanding FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by such persons and the percentage
of outstanding FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares and votes represented by the number
of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares so owned or controlled or directed:
Name |
Number of FirstService Shares Owned or Controlled or Directed |
Percentage of |
Percentage of |
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares |
FirstService Multiple Voting Shares |
FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares |
FirstService Multiple Voting Shares |
Total Number of FirstService Shares |
Total Number of
Votes |
Jay S. Hennick (1)
Toronto, Ontario |
2,273,526 |
1,325,694 |
6.6% |
100.0% |
10.0% |
47.1% |
Note:
| (1) | All 2,273,526 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple Voting
Shares are held by Henset Capital Inc., a corporation controlled by Mr. Hennick. |
As at March 16, 2015, the directors and
executive officers of FirstService beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, an aggregate
of 3,806,321 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, representing approximately
11.0% of the issued and outstanding FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 100% of the issued and outstanding FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares (and 49.6% of the total number of votes attached to all FirstService Shares).
Certain Rights of Holders of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares
The following is a summary of the rights
attaching to the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares in the event that a take-over bid is made for FirstService Multiple Voting
Shares. Reference should be made to the FirstService Articles for the full text of these provisions.
If a take-over bid (as defined in the Securities
Act (Ontario)) is made to the holders of the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share
shall become convertible into a FirstService Multiple Voting Share at the option of the holder thereof at any time during the period
commencing on the eighth day after the date on which the offer is made and ending on the last date upon which holders of FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares will be entitled to accept the offer. However, this conversion right shall not come into effect if:
| (a) | an identical offer is made concurrently to purchase FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (if
any are then issued and outstanding), which offer has no condition attached to it other than the right to not take-up and pay for
shares tendered if no shares are purchased pursuant to the take-over bid for FirstService Multiple Voting Shares; |
| (b) | holders of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding FirstService Multiple Voting Shares deliver
a certificate or certificates to FirstService's transfer agent certifying that such holders will not deposit such FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares under the take-over bid therefor; or |
| (c) | the take-over bid for FirstService Multiple Voting Shares is not completed by the offeror. |
The FirstService Articles provide that
a holder of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares is entitled at any time and from time to time to convert all or any part of the
FirstService Multiple Voting Shares held by such holder into FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on a share-for-share basis,
upon irrevocable notice.
Jay S. Hennick and Henset Capital Inc.
(the "Multiple Voting Shareholder") are subject to an agreement (the "Trust Agreement") with
The Equitable Trust Company (the "Trustee") and FirstService in order to provide the holders of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares with certain additional rights in the event that a take-over bid, having certain characteristics, is made for the
FirstService Multiple Voting Shares. Under applicable securities law, an offer to purchase FirstService Multiple Voting Shares
would not necessarily require that an offer be made to purchase FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares.
The Trust Agreement prevents the sale,
directly or indirectly, of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares owned by the Multiple Voting Shareholder pursuant to a take-over
bid at a price per share in excess of 115% of the then current market price of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares as determined
under such legislation. This prohibition does not apply if: (a) such sale is made pursuant to an offer to purchase FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares made to all holders of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares and an offer identical in all material respects
is made concurrently to purchase FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, which identical offer has no condition attached other
than the right not to take-up and pay for shares tendered if no shares are purchased pursuant to the offer for FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares; or (b) there is a concurrent unconditional offer to purchase all of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares at
a price per share at least as high as the highest price per share paid pursuant to the take-over bid for the FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares.
The Trust Agreement provides, among other
things, that prior to any direct or indirect transfer of any or all of the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares owned by the Multiple
Voting Shareholder to any party other than a member of the Hennick Family (as defined below), the transferred FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares will be automatically converted to FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. The Trust Agreement does not prevent certain
indirect sales resulting from the transfer of shares of a corporation which, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled
by the Multiple Voting Shareholder or FirstService where the transferor and transferee are members of the Hennick Family and the
transferee is the spouse or child of the transferor and where the sale is otherwise made in accordance with applicable law. The
phrase "Hennick Family" is defined to mean: (i) Jay S. Hennick; (ii) the spouse, children or estate of Jay S.
Hennick; (iii) a trust, the sole beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing; and (iv) any and all corporations or entities
which are directly or indirectly controlled by any of the foregoing.
The Trust Agreement contains provisions
for the authorization of action by the Trustee to enforce the rights thereunder on behalf of the holders of the FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares. No holder of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares has the right, other than through the Trustee, to institute
any action or proceeding or to exercise any other remedy to enforce any rights arising under the Trust Agreement unless the Trustee
fails to act on a request authorized by holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
after provision of reasonable funds and indemnity to the Trustee.
Holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares may have additional rights under applicable securities legislation in the event of a take-over bid.
Interest of Informed Persons in Material
Transactions
To the knowledge of FirstService, other
than as disclosed elsewhere in this Circular, as at March 16, 2015, no informed person of FirstService, or any associate or affiliate
of any informed person, has had any interest in any transaction since the commencement of FirstService's last financial year or
in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or could materially affect FirstService or any of its subsidiaries.
For the purposes of this Circular, an "informed
person" means a director or officer of FirstService, a director or officer of a person or company that is itself an "informed
person" or subsidiary of FirstService; any person or company who beneficially owns or controls or directs, directly or indirectly,
voting securities of FirstService or who exercises control or direction over voting securities of FirstService or a combination
of both carrying more than 10 percent of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting securities of FirstService.
Normal Course Issuer Bid
Pursuant to a notice of intention to make
a normal course issuer bid dated June 3, 2014, FirstService commenced a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to a maximum of
3,080,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, being approximately 10% of the "public float" of such class of shares
as at June 3, 2014 (the "NCIB"). FirstService believes that the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares may from
time to time trade in a price range that does not adequately reflect the value of such shares in relation to the business of FirstService
and its future business prospects and that purchases of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to the NCIB will enhance
shareholder value and represent an attractive investment to FirstService. Purchases pursuant to the NCIB may occur on the TSX and
Nasdaq between June 9, 2014 and June 8, 2015 at prices not exceeding the market price of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
at the time of acquisition. The actual number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares which may be purchased pursuant to the
NCIB and the timing of any such purchases is determined by senior management of FirstService. Daily purchases under the NCIB are
limited to 11,923 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares other than as permitted by the TSX and/or Nasdaq (including block purchases).
FirstService purchased 552,927 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (at an average price of US$52.21 per share) on the TSX under
the current or prior NCIB during fiscal 2014.
The purchase price for FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares purchased by FirstService under the NCIB, if any, will be paid in cash on delivery of the shares. FirstService intends
to finance any purchase of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares under the NCIB from its working capital. FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares purchased by FirstService under the NCIB will be cancelled. Shareholders can obtain a copy of the Notice of Intention
to Make a Normal Course Issuer Bid filed with regulators by FirstService in relation to the NCIB by requesting a copy in writing
from FirstService at 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2B4.
Indebtedness of Directors and Officers
The following table sets out certain information
regarding the aggregate indebtedness owing to FirstService or its subsidiaries which is outstanding as at March 16, 2015 by all
executive officers, directors, employees and former executive officers directors and employees of FirstService and its subsidiaries:
AGGREGATE INDEBTEDNESS (US$) |
Purpose |
To FirstService or its Subsidiaries(1) |
To Another Entity |
Share Purchases |
$649,594 |
– |
Other(2) |
$4,136,439 |
– |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | All indebtedness noted is owing to subsidiaries of FirstService from directors and employees of
subsidiaries of FirstService. Amounts noted relating to share purchases are in connection with acquisitions of shares of a subsidiary
of FirstService. No individual who is, or at any time during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 was, a director or executive
officer of FirstService, a proposed nominee for election as a director of FirstService or an associate of any such director, executive
officer or proposed nominee is indebted to FirstService or any of its subsidiaries in respect of a security purchase program or
otherwise. |
| (2) | Of the amount noted, US$4,136,439 reflects the aggregate indebtedness owed to FirstService's subsidiaries
entered into in connection with the purchase of securities from all subsidiary executive officers, directors, employees and former
executive officers, directors and employees. |
Other than as set out above, as at the
date hereof, there was no other indebtedness owed to FirstService or any of its subsidiaries from executive officers, directors,
employees and former executive officers, directors and employees of FirstService or any of its subsidiaries (or to another entity
as a result of the indebtedness being subject to a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement
or understanding provided by FirstService or any of its subsidiaries).
Since 1999, FirstService has had a policy
to prohibit any new loans to its directors or executive officers.
Interest of Directors and Officers
in Matters to be Acted Upon
To the knowledge of FirstService, other
than as disclosed elsewhere in this Circular, as at March 16, 2015, no person who has been a director or executive officer of FirstService
at any time since the commencement of FirstService's last financial year, no proposed nominee for election as a director of FirstService
and no associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership
of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors or the appointment
of auditors. See "The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans".
Board Committees
The Board has three standing committees:
an Audit Committee (members: Peter F. Cohen, John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr., Michael Stein and Bernard I. Ghert, Chair), an Executive
Compensation Committee (members: David R. Beatty, Michael D. Harris and Brendan Calder, Chair) and a Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee (members: Brendan Calder, Peter F. Cohen and David R. Beatty, Chair). See "Statement Of Corporate Governance Practices
– Board Committees" in Appendix "O" to this Circular.
Insurance
FirstService holds a directors' and officers'
liability insurance policy which is designed to protect FirstService and its directors and officers against any legal action which
may arise as a result of wrongful acts on the part of directors and/or officers of FirstService. Such insurance policy is written
for limits of US$55,000,000 subject to a corporate deductible of US$500,000 on securities claims and US$250,000 on all other claims.
In respect of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, the cost to FirstService in maintaining such insurance policy was US$498,200.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Except to the extent that their contents
are modified or superseded by a statement contained in this Circular or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated
by reference in this Circular, the following documents, filed with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities
in Canada, are specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of, this Circular:
| · | the 2014 Annual Information Form; |
| · | the audited consolidated financial statements of FirstService and the notes thereto as at December
31, 2014 and 2013 and for the twelve-month periods then ended, together with the auditors' report thereon; |
| · | management's discussion and analysis of FirstService as at and for the year ended December 31,
2014; |
| · | the management information circular of FirstService dated February 28, 2014 relating to the annual
and special meeting of Shareholders held on April 8, 2014; and |
| · | the material change reports of FirstService dated February 11, 2015 and March 12, 2015, respectively,
with respect to the Arrangement. |
Any document described in Section 11.1
of Form 44-101F1 of National Instrument 44-101 – Short Form Prospectus Distributions that is filed by FirstService
with a securities commission or any similar authority in Canada after the date of this Circular and prior to the Effective Date
(or if FirstService announces that the Arrangement will not be completed, prior to the date of the Meeting) will be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Circular.
Any statement contained in this Circular
or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Circular will be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Circular to the extent that a statement contained in this Circular or in any subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Circular modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified
or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Circular. The modifying or
superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set
forth in the document which it modifies or supersedes. The making of a modifying or superseding statement will not be deemed an
admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement
of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement
not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Circular.
INFORMATION CONCERNING COLLIERS POST-ARRANGEMENT
Corporate Structure
FirstService was formed under the OBCA.
Outside of the Arrangement, the FCRESI Arrangements will be entered into in order to allow the minority shareholders and optionholders
in FCRESI, which holds the Colliers International business, to become holders of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares on completion
of the Arrangement, and thereby cause FCRESI to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstService. Pursuant to the Arrangement,
FirstService will change its name to "Colliers International Group Inc.", the FCRESI Arrangements will become
effective and FirstService will amalgamate with FCRESI to form Colliers. Colliers' registered and head office will be located at
1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4. See "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement –
Corporate Structure".
Description of the Business
Following completion of the Arrangement,
Colliers will continue to operate, under the Colliers International brand name, one of the world's largest and fastest growing
commercial real estate services firms, offering a full range of services to occupiers, owners and investors in office, industrial,
retail, hotel, multi-family and other commercial real estate assets. Colliers' comprehensive service offerings include property
agency leasing; property investment sales; capital markets; tenant representation; property appraisal and valuation; facility,
property and asset management, workplace solutions and project management. See "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement
– Description of the Business – Colliers International".
See Appendix "H" for a further
description of the business of Colliers after giving effect to the Arrangement.
Summary Pro Forma Financial Information
The following is a summary of selected
pro forma financial information for Colliers after giving effect to the Arrangement for the periods indicated. The pro forma statement
of (loss) earnings is for the year ended December 31, 2014 and assumes completion of the Arrangement as if it had taken place on
January 1, 2014. The pro forma consolidated balance sheet information is as at December 31, 2014 and assumes completion of the
Arrangement as if it had taken place on December 31, 2014.
The following selected pro forma financial
information of Colliers should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of FirstService for the
year ended December 31, 2014, along with the corresponding management's discussion and analysis, all as specifically incorporated
by reference in this Circular, and the unaudited pro forma financial statements of Colliers set out in Appendix "M" to
this Circular. Please refer to the notes to these pro forma financial statements which disclose the pro forma assumptions and adjustments.
| |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 |
Colliers pro forma, after giving effect to the Arrangement | |
| | |
(US$ thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Operations | |
| | |
Revenues | |
$ | 1,582,271 | |
Operating earnings | |
| 88,806 | |
Net earnings | |
| | |
Continuing operations | |
| 57,507 | |
Discontinued operations | |
| 1,537 | |
| |
| 59,044 | |
| |
| | |
Net earnings per Colliers Share from continuing operations
| |
| | |
Basic | |
| 0.64 | |
Diluted | |
| 0.64 | |
| |
| | |
Financial position | |
| | |
Total assets | |
| 1,263,240 | |
Long-term debt | |
| 493,348 | |
Redeemable non-controlling interests | |
| 150,066 | |
Shareholders' equity | |
| 65,466 | |
| |
| | |
Other data | |
| | |
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | |
| 146,748 | |
Adjusted EPS(1) | |
| 1.74 | |
Note:
| (1) | "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Adjusted EPS" are financial measures that are not calculated
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a reconciliation of these non-U.S. GAAP measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial
measures, please see below. |
| |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 |
Adjusted EBITDA | |
| | |
Colliers pro forma, after giving effect to the Arrangement | |
| | |
(US$ thousands) (unaudited) | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Net earnings from continuing operations | |
$ | 57,507 | |
Income tax | |
| 25,257 | |
Other expense (income) | |
| (1,263 | ) |
Interest expense, net | |
| 7,305 | |
Operating earnings | |
| 88,806 | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| 35,936 | |
Acquisition-related items | |
| 10,642 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | |
| 11,364 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | |
$ | 146,748 | |
| |
| | |
| |
| | |
Adjusted EPS | |
| | |
Colliers pro forma, after giving effect to the Arrangement | |
| | |
(US$) (unaudited) | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations | |
$ | 0.64 | |
Non-controlling interest redemption increment | |
| 0.25 | |
Acquisition-related items | |
| 0.28 | |
Amortization of intangible assets, net of tax | |
| 0.29 | |
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax | |
| 0.28 | |
Adjusted EPS | |
$ | 1.74 | |
Directors and Executive Officers
Directors
Following the completion of the Arrangement,
the directors of Colliers will be as follows:
Peter F. Cohen (Vice Chairman)
David R. Beatty
John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr.
Michael D. Harris
Jay S. Hennick (Executive Chairman)
Frederick Sutherland
By approving the Arrangement Resolution,
Shareholders will be deemed to have approved the proposed directors of Colliers, which are formally appointed pursuant to the Arrangement.
Each of the proposed directors of Colliers will hold office until the next annual meeting of the holders of Colliers Shares or
until his or her successor is duly elected or appointed, unless his or her office is earlier vacated.
Executive Officers
Following the completion of the Arrangement,
the executive officers of Colliers will be as follows:
Name |
Position |
Jay S. Hennick |
Executive Chairman |
Douglas P. Frye |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Dylan E. Taylor |
Chief Operating Officer |
John B. Friedrichsen |
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Elias Mulamoottil |
Senior Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development |
Robert D. Hemming |
Senior Vice President, Global Finance & Chief Accounting Officer |
Christian Mayer |
Vice President, Finance and Corporate Secretary |
Alexander A. Baehr |
Chief Legal Officer |
Share Capital
Following completion of the Arrangement,
the authorized capital of Colliers will consist of an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in series (the "Colliers
Preference Shares"), an unlimited number of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and an unlimited number of Colliers Multiple
Voting Shares.
Upon completion of the Arrangement, based
on the number of FirstService Shares outstanding as at March 16, 2015 (and assuming that no Dissent Rights are exercised in connection
with the Arrangement) and the number of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares estimated to be issued pursuant to the FCRESI Arrangements,
approximately 36,654,911 Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 Colliers Multiple Voting Shares will be outstanding and
no Colliers Preference Shares will be outstanding. See "The Arrangement – Pre-Arrangement Transactions".
Colliers Shares
Except as described herein, the Colliers
Subordinate Voting Shares and the Colliers Multiple Voting Shares will carry the same rights, will be equal in every respect and
will be treated as if they were shares of one and the same class.
The Colliers Shares will rank junior to
the Colliers Preference Shares or series thereof ranking in priority with respect to the payment of dividends, return of capital
and distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or any distribution of the assets of Colliers for the purpose
of winding-up its affairs. The holders of outstanding Colliers Shares will be entitled to receive dividends and other distributions
on a share-for-share basis (or, in the discretion of the directors, in a greater amount per Colliers Subordinate Voting Share than
per Colliers Multiple Voting Share) out of the assets legally available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the board
of directors of Colliers may determine, but without preference or distinction between the Colliers Multiple Voting Shares and the
Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares. The Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares will carry one vote per share and the Colliers Multiple
Voting Shares will carry 20 votes per share. The holders of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and the holders of Colliers Multiple
Voting Shares will be entitled to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders and to attend and vote thereat as a single class
on all matters to be voted on by the shareholders, except at meetings where the holders of shares of one class or of a particular
series of shares are entitled to vote separately.
The rights, privileges, conditions and
restrictions attaching to the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and the Colliers Multiple Voting Shares may be respectively modified
if the amendment is authorized by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of Colliers Subordinate Voting
Shares and the holders of Colliers Multiple Voting Shares duly held for that purpose. However, if the holders of Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares, as a class, or the holders of Colliers Multiple Voting Shares, as a class, are to be affected in a manner different
from the other classes of shares, such amendment must, in addition, be authorized by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a
meeting of the holders of the class of shares which is affected differently.
Each outstanding Colliers Multiple Voting
Share will be convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into one Colliers Subordinate Voting Share. The Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares will not be convertible into any other class of shares. No subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other
change of the Colliers Multiple Voting Shares or the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares will be able to be made without, concurrently,
having the Colliers Multiple Voting Shares or Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares, as the case may be, subdivided, consolidated,
reclassified or other change made under the same conditions. The Colliers Shares will not be redeemable nor retractable but will
be able to be purchased for cancelation by Colliers in the open market, by private contract or otherwise. Upon the liquidation,
dissolution or any distribution of the assets of Colliers for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of Colliers Shares
will be entitled to participate equally, on a share-for-share basis, in the remaining property and assets of Colliers available
for distribution to such holders.
The Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares
will have certain rights attached thereto in the event that a take-over bid is made for Colliers Multiple Voting Shares. A summary
of such rights is set out above under the heading "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement – Certain Rights
of Holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares".
Colliers Preference Shares
The Colliers Preference Shares will be
issuable, from time to time, in one or more series, as determined by the board of directors of Colliers. The board of directors
of Colliers will determine, before the issue of any series of Colliers Preference Shares, the designation, preferences, rights,
restrictions, conditions, limitations, priorities as to payment of dividends and/or distribution on liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up, or prohibitions attaching to such series. The Colliers Preference Shares, if issued, will rank prior to the Colliers
Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of Colliers or any other distribution of assets of Colliers among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, and
may also be given such other preferences over the Colliers Shares as may be determined with respect to the respective series authorized
and issued. Except as required by law, the Colliers Preference Shares will not carry voting rights.
Colliers Stock Option Plan
The Colliers Stock Option Plan provides
for grants of stock options to directors, officers and full-time employees of Colliers and its subsidiaries (other than Jay S.
Hennick) to purchase Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares. Following completion of the Arrangement, the FirstService Stock Option
Plan will become the Colliers Stock Option Plan. Colliers stock option exercise prices are based upon the closing market price
for Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares on the date immediately preceding the date the Colliers stock options are granted, except
for Colliers Replacement Stock Options of which the exercise price will be determined in accordance with the formula described
under the heading "The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService
Stock Options". A complete description of the Colliers Stock Option Plan (which, other than as described under "The Arrangement
– Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService Stock Options", is the same as
the FirstService Stock Option Plan) is contained in Appendix "O" to this Circular under the heading "Executive Compensation
– Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – FirstService Stock Option Plan".
Dividend Policy
Following completion of the Arrangement,
the declaration of dividends will be at the sole discretion of the board of directors of Colliers. Following the Effective Date,
for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, it is anticipated that the board of directors of Colliers will adopt a dividend policy pursuant
to which Colliers will make quarterly cash dividends to holders of Colliers Shares of record at the close of business on the last
business day of each calendar quarter. The quarterly dividend is anticipated to be set at US$0.02 per Colliers Share (a rate of
US$0.08 per annum). Each quarterly dividend is expected to be paid within 30 days after the dividend record date.
The payment of dividends in the future
will depend on the results of Colliers' operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, business
opportunities, provisions of applicable law and other relevant factors. Under the terms of Colliers' credit facility, it is expected
that Colliers will not be permitted to pay dividends, whether in cash or in specie, in the circumstances of an event of
default thereunder occurring and continuing or an event of default occurring as a consequence thereof.
Listing and Trading of Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares
The FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
(which will become Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to the Arrangement) are currently listed on the TSX and Nasdaq under
the symbols "FSV" and "FSRV", respectively, and on and following the Effective Date (at which time, pursuant
to the Arrangement, FirstService will have changed its name to "Colliers International Group Inc." and amalgamated
with FCRESI to form Colliers), the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares will continue to be listed on the TSX and Nasdaq under the
new trading symbols "CIG" and "CIGI", respectively. The trading price of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares
will be determined by the market. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Stock Exchange Listings" in this
Circular.
For a summary of the trading markets that
are expected to develop in the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares prior to the Distribution
Date, see "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Trading of Shares on the TSX and Nasdaq" in this Circular.
The FirstService Multiple Voting Shares
are not listed and do not trade, and the Colliers Multiple Voting Shares will not be listed and will not trade, on any public market
or quotation system.
Board Committees
Colliers will continue to have three standing
committees of its board of directors following completion of the Arrangement as follows: an Audit Committee (members: John (Jack)
P. Curtin, Jr., Frederick Sutherland and Peter F. Cohen, Chair), an Executive Compensation Committee
(members: David R. Beatty, Peter F. Cohen and Michael D. Harris, Chair) and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (members:
John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr., Michael D. Harris and David R. Beatty, Chair).
Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants
and Licensed Public Accountants, will be the independent auditors of Colliers following completion of the Arrangement. By approving
the Arrangement Resolution, Shareholders will be deemed to have approved PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the auditors of Colliers,
which are formally appointed pursuant to the Arrangement.
Additional Information
See Appendix "H" for more detailed
information concerning Colliers after giving effect to the Arrangement.
INFORMATION CONCERNING NEW FSV POST-ARRANGEMENT
Corporate Structure
New FSV was incorporated on October 6,
2014 under the OBCA as New FSV Corporation. Pursuant to the Arrangement, FSV Holdco will wind-up into New FSV Corporation and New
FSV Corporation will change its name to "FirstService Corporation". New FSV's registered and head office will
be located at 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4.
FSV Holdco will, prior to winding-up into
New FSV Corporation pursuant to the Arrangement, acquire the assets related to the Residential Real Estate Services and Property
Services divisions of FirstService as part of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions. See "The Arrangement – Pre-Arrangement
Transactions".
As of the date hereof, New FSV Corporation
has not carried on any active business and has not issued any shares.
Description of the Business
Following completion of the Arrangement,
New FSV will be named "FirstService Corporation" and will own and operate FirstService's legacy FirstService Residential
and FirstService Brands businesses. See "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement – Description of the Business
– FirstService Residential" and "– FirstService Brands".
FirstService Residential is North America's
largest manager of private residential communities, offering a full range of services across multiple geographies to a wide variety
of clients, including condominiums (low, medium and high-rise), co-operatives, homeowner associations, master-planned communities,
active adult and lifestyle communities, and a variety of other residential developments governed by common interest or multi-unit
residential community associations. Its 14,000 employees in over 100 offices across 21 U.S. states and three
Canadian provinces manage approximately 7,000 communities, representing more than 3 million residents in 1.6 million residential
units. FirstService Residential's operational and client coverage footprint is extensive, with a presence in major markets that
constitute over 70% of the North American population.
FirstService Brands is a leading North
American operator and provider of property services, with extensive franchise and contractor networks comprising over 1,900 franchises
and 11 company-owned locations in all 50 U.S. states and ten Canadian provinces. In 2014, FirstService Brands generated aggregate
system-wide revenues of more than US$1.4 billion from franchised and corporate-owned operations, resulting in over US$90 million
in recurring franchise system royalties and other revenues, and the servicing of more than 500,000 customers. Services are delivered
through the following seven well-known brands, each of which is ranked as the #1 or #2 player in its respective market: Paul Davis
Restoration, California Closets, CertaPro Painters, Service America, College Pro Painters, Pillar to Post and Floor Coverings International.
See Appendix "I" for a further
description of the business of New FSV after giving effect to the Arrangement.
Summary Pro Forma Financial Information
The following is a summary of selected
pro forma financial information in relation to New FSV after giving effect to the Arrangement for the periods indicated. The pro
forma statement of (loss) earnings is for the year ended December 31, 2014 and assumes completion of the Arrangement as if it had
taken place on January 1, 2014. The pro forma consolidated balance sheet information is as at December 31, 2014
and assumes completion of the Arrangement as if it had taken place on December 31, 2014.
The following financial data should be
read in conjunction with the audited carve-out combined financial statements in relation to New FSV for the year ended December
31, 2014 as set out in Appendix "K" to this Circular, and the unaudited pro forma financial statements in relation to
New FSV set out in Appendix "L" to this Circular. New FSV represents the historical operations, assets, liabilities and
cash flows of the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services divisions of FirstService, as well as a portion of the
corporate general and administrative expenses of FirstService. Please refer to the notes to these unaudited pro forma financial
statements which disclose the pro forma assumptions and adjustments.
| |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 |
New FSV pro forma, after giving effect to the Arrangement | |
| | |
(US$ thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Operations | |
| | |
Revenues | |
$ | 1,132,002 | |
Operating earnings | |
| 45,621 | |
Net earnings | |
| 26,192 | |
| |
| | |
Net earnings per New FSV Share from continuing operations
| |
| | |
Basic | |
| 0.36 | |
Diluted | |
| 0.36 | |
| |
| | |
Financial position | |
| | |
Total assets | |
| 615,544 | |
Long-term debt | |
| 239,357 | |
Redeemable non-controlling interests | |
| 80,926 | |
Shareholders' Equity | |
| 157,749 | |
| |
| | |
Other data | |
| | |
Adjusted EBITDA(1) | |
| 74,997 | |
Adjusted EPS(1) | |
| 0.84 | |
Note:
| (1) | "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Adjusted EPS" are financial measures that are not calculated
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a reconciliation of these non-U.S. GAAP measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial
measures, please see below. |
| |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 |
Adjusted EBITDA | |
| | |
New FSV pro forma, after giving effect to the Arrangement | |
| | |
(US$ thousands) (unaudited) | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Net earnings from continuing operations | |
$ | 26,192 | |
Income tax | |
| 12,242 | |
Other expense (income) | |
| 255 | |
Interest expense, net | |
| 6,932 | |
Operating earnings | |
| 45,621 | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| 26,474 | |
Acquisition-related items | |
| 1,183 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | |
| 1,719 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | |
$ | 74,997 | |
| |
| | |
| |
| | |
Adjusted EPS | |
| | |
New FSV pro forma, after giving effect to the Arrangement | |
| | |
(US$) (unaudited) | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations | |
$ | 0.36 | |
Non-controlling interest redemption increment | |
| 0.28 | |
Acquisition-related items | |
| 0.03 | |
Amortization of intangible assets, net of tax | |
| 0.14 | |
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax | |
| 0.03 | |
Adjusted EPS | |
$ | 0.84 | |
Directors and Executive Officers
Directors
In order to facilitate the incorporation
and organization of New FSV, including the adoption of the New FSV Stock Option Plan, one officer of FirstService has been appointed
to the New FSV Board on an interim basis. Immediately following completion of the Arrangement, the directors of New FSV will be
as follows:
Jay S. Hennick (Chairman)
Brendan Calder
Bernard I. Ghert (Lead Director)
D. Scott Patterson
Frederick F. Reichheld
Michael Stein
By approving the Arrangement Resolution,
Shareholders will be deemed to have approved the proposed directors of New FSV, which are formally appointed pursuant to the Arrangement.
Each of the proposed directors of New FSV will hold office until the first annual meeting of the holders of New FSV Shares or until
his or her successor is duly elected or appointed, unless his or her office is earlier vacated.
Executive Officers
Following the completion of the Arrangement,
the executive officers of New FSV will be as follows:
Name |
Position |
Jay S. Hennick |
Founder and Chairman |
D. Scott Patterson |
Chief Executive Officer |
Jeremy Rakusin |
Chief Financial Officer |
Douglas G. Cooke |
Treasurer and Corporate Secretary |
Alex Nguyen |
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development |
Share Capital
Following completion of the Arrangement,
the authorized capital of New FSV will consist of an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in series (the "New
FSV Preference Shares"), an unlimited number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and an unlimited number of New FSV Multiple
Voting Shares.
As of the date hereof, no shares of any
class of New FSV have been issued. Upon completion of the Arrangement, based on the number of FirstService Shares outstanding as
at March 16, 2015 (and assuming that no Dissent Rights are exercised in connection with the Arrangement), approximately 34,644,911
New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will be outstanding and no New FSV Preference Shares
will be outstanding.
New FSV Shares
Except as described herein, the New FSV
Subordinate Voting Shares and the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will carry the same rights, will be equal in every respect and
will be treated as if they were shares of one and the same class.
The New FSV Shares will rank junior to
the New FSV Preference Shares or series thereof ranking in priority with respect to the payment of dividends, return of capital
and distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or any distribution of the assets of New FSV for the purpose
of winding-up its affairs. The holders of outstanding New FSV Shares will be entitled to receive dividends and other distributions
on a share-for-share basis (or, in the discretion of the directors, in a greater amount per New FSV Subordinate Voting Share than
per New FSV Multiple Voting Share) out of the assets legally available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the New FSV
Board may determine, but without preference or distinction between the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares and the New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares. The New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will carry one vote per share and the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will
carry 20 votes per share. The holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and the holders of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will
be entitled to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders and to attend and vote thereat as a single class on all matters to
be voted on by the shareholders, except at meetings where the holders of shares of one class or of a particular series of shares
are entitled to vote separately.
The rights, privileges, conditions and
restrictions attaching to the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares may be respectively modified
if the amendment is authorized by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares and the holders of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares duly held for that purpose. However, if the holders of New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares, as a class, or the holders of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares, as a class, are to be affected in a manner different
from the other classes of shares, such amendment must, in addition, be authorized by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a
meeting of the holders of the class of shares which is affected differently.
Each outstanding New FSV Multiple Voting
Share will be convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share. The New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares will not be convertible into any other class of shares. No subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other
change of the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares or the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will be able to be made without, concurrently,
having the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares or New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, as the case may be, subdivided, consolidated, reclassified
or other change made under the same conditions. The New FSV Shares will not be redeemable nor retractable but will be able to be
purchased for cancelation by New FSV in the open market, by private contract or otherwise. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or
any distribution of the assets of New FSV for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of New FSV Shares will be entitled
to participate equally, on a share-for-share basis, in the remaining property and assets of New FSV available for distribution
to such holders.
As any future distribution of New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares by means of a prospectus will require securityholder approval under NI 41-101 at the relevant time because New FSV
will not be a reporting issuer at the time of the Arrangement and will therefore not meet the applicable requirements of NI 41-101,
notwithstanding the receipt of "minority approval" for the Arrangement. A specific discretionary exemption is being sought
by FirstService and New FSV from the applicable securities regulators for relief from such future securityholder approval requirement
under NI 41-101 (and, to the extent applicable in the future, OSC Rule 56-501). If obtained, a copy of such exemption order issued
by the Ontario Securities Commission will be available at www.osc.gov.on.ca. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters –
Canadian Securities Law Matters – Application of OSC Rule 56-501 and NI 41-101".
New FSV Preference Shares
The New FSV Preference Shares will be issuable,
from time to time, in one or more series, as determined by the New FSV Board. The New FSV Board will determine, before the issue
of any series of New FSV Preference Shares, the designation, preferences, rights, restrictions, conditions, limitations, priorities
as to payment of dividends and/or distribution on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or prohibitions attaching to such series.
The New FSV Preference Shares, if issued, will rank prior to the New FSV Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and in
the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of New FSV or any other distribution of assets
of New FSV among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, and may also be given such other preferences over
the New FSV Shares as may be determined with respect to the respective series authorized and issued. Except as required by law,
the New FSV Preference Shares will not carry voting rights.
Certain Rights of Holders of New FSV
Subordinate Voting Shares
The following is a summary of the rights
that will attach to the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares in the event that a take-over bid is made for New FSV Multiple Voting
Shares. Reference should be made to the articles of New FSV for the full text of these provisions. See Exhibit "II" to
the Plan of Arrangement.
If a take-over bid (as defined in the Securities
Act (Ontario)) is made to the holders of the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares, each New FSV Subordinate Voting Share shall become
convertible into a New FSV Multiple Voting Share at the option of the holder thereof at any time during the period commencing on
the eighth day after the date on which the offer is made and ending on the last date upon which holders of New FSV Multiple Voting
Shares will be entitled to accept the offer. However, this conversion right shall not come into effect if:
| (a) | an identical offer is made concurrently to purchase New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares (if any are
then issued and outstanding), which offer has no condition attached to it other than the right to not take-up and pay for shares
tendered if no shares are purchased pursuant to the take-over bid for New FSV Multiple Voting Shares; |
| (b) | holders of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding New FSV Multiple Voting Shares deliver a
certificate or certificates to New FSV's transfer agent certifying that such holders will not deposit such New FSV Multiple Voting
Shares under the take-over bid therefor; or |
| (c) | the take-over bid for New FSV Multiple Voting Shares is not completed by the offeror. |
The articles of New FSV provide that a
holder of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares is entitled at any time and from time to time to convert all or any part of the New FSV
Multiple Voting Shares held by such holder into New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on a share-for-share basis, upon irrevocable
notice.
In connection with the completion of the
Arrangement, Jay S. Hennick and Henset Capital Inc. (collectively, the "New FSV Multiple Voting Shareholders")
will enter into an agreement (the "New FSV Trust Agreement") with Equity Financial Trust Company (the "New
FSV Trustee") and New FSV in order to provide the holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares with certain additional
rights in the event that a take-over bid, having certain characteristics, is made for the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares. Under
applicable securities law, an offer to purchase New FSV Multiple Voting Shares would not necessarily require that an offer be made
to purchase New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. The terms of the New FSV Trust Agreement will be the same as the existing agreement
among the same parties in relation to the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and, following completion of the Arrangement,
the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares. See "Information Concerning Colliers Post-Arrangement – Share Capital –
Colliers Shares" and "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement – Certain Rights of Holders of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares". For a summary of the New FSV Trust Agreement, see Appendix "I" to this Circular under
the heading "Description of Capital Structure – Certain Rights of Holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares".
Holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares
may have additional rights under applicable securities legislation in the event of a take-over bid.
New FSV Stock Option Plan
The New FSV Board has approved for adoption
the New FSV Stock Option Plan. If ratified and approved at the Meeting, the New FSV Stock Option Plan will permit the New FSV Board
to grant to directors, officers and full-time employees of New FSV and its subsidiaries (other than Jay S. Hennick) stock options
to purchase New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares (in addition to the New FSV Replacement Stock Options granted pursuant to the Arrangement).
New FSV Stock Option exercise prices will be based on the closing market price for New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on the date
immediately preceding the date the options are granted, except for New FSV Replacement Stock Options the exercise price of which
will be determined in accordance with the formula described under "The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain FirstService
Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService Stock Options". See "Other Arrangement Matters to be Acted Upon –
New FSV Stock Option Plan".
Dividend Policy
Following completion of the Arrangement,
the declaration of dividends will be at the sole discretion of the New FSV Board. Following the Effective Date, for the quarter
ended June 30, 2015, it is anticipated that the New FSV Board will adopt a dividend policy pursuant to which New FSV will make
quarterly cash dividends to holders of New FSV Shares of record at the close of business on the last business day of each calendar
quarter. The quarterly dividend is anticipated to be set at US$0.10 per New FSV Share (a rate of US$0.40 per annum). Each quarterly
dividend is expected to be paid within 30 days after the dividend record date.
The payment of dividends in the future
will depend on the results of New FSV's operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, business
opportunities, provisions of applicable law and other relevant factors. Under the terms of New FSV's credit facility, it is expected
that New FSV will not be permitted to pay dividends, whether in cash or in specie, in the circumstances of an event of default
thereunder occurring and continuing or an event of default occurring as a consequence thereof.
Listing and Trading of New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares
There is no current trading market for
the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. New FSV has applied to have the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares listed on the TSX and
Nasdaq under the same symbol, "FSV". Listing on the TSX and Nasdaq is subject to New FSV fulfilling all of the respective
original listing requirements of the TSX and Nasdaq. The trading price of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will be determined
by the market. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Stock Exchange Listings" in this Circular.
For a summary of the trading markets that
are expected to develop in the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares prior to the Distribution
Date, see "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Trading of Shares on the TSX and Nasdaq" in this Circular.
The FirstService Multiple Voting Shares
are not listed and do not trade, and the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will not be listed and will not trade, on any public market
or quotation system.
Board Committees
New FSV will have three standing committees
of its board of directors following completion of the Arrangement as follows: an Audit Committee (members: Frederick F. Reichheld,
Michael Stein and Bernard I. Ghert, Chair), an Executive Compensation Committee (members: Bernard I. Ghert, Michael Stein and Brendan
Calder, Chair) and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (members: Brendan Calder, Frederick F. Reichheld and Michael
Stein, Chair).
Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants
and Licensed Public Accountants, will be the independent auditors of New FSV following completion of the Arrangement. By approving
the Arrangement Resolution, Shareholders will be deemed to have approved PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the auditors of New FSV,
which are formally appointed pursuant to the Arrangement.
Additional Information
See Appendix "I" for more detailed
information concerning New FSV after giving effect to the Arrangement.
OTHER ARRANGEMENT MATTERS TO BE ACTED
UPON
New FSV Stock Option Plan
New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked
to consider and, if deemed appropriate, approve the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution to authorize, approve and ratify the New
FSV Stock Option Plan. See Appendix "B" to this Circular for the full text of the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution.
In order for the New FSV Stock Option Plan
Resolution to be passed, it must be approved by a simple majority of the votes cast by Shareholders who vote in person or by proxy
at the Meeting. The persons named in the enclosed proxy form, if named as proxyholder, intend to vote FOR the New FSV Stock
Option Plan Resolution.
Ratification and approval of the New FSV
Stock Option Plan by Shareholders is required by the TSX and has been made a condition precedent to completion of the Arrangement
to allow the New FSV Replacement Stock Options to be granted under a stock option plan. This condition precedent may be waived
by FirstService.
The Board recommends that you vote FOR
the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution.
Purpose of the New FSV Stock Option
Plan
The purpose of the New FSV Stock Option
Plan is to provide eligible individuals with an incentive to achieve the longer-term objectives of New FSV; to give suitable recognition
to the ability and industry of such persons who contribute materially to the success of New FSV; and to attract and retain in the
employ of New FSV or any of its subsidiaries, persons of experience and ability by providing them with the opportunity to acquire
an increased proprietary interest in New FSV. Non-employee directors of New FSV are entitled to receive New FSV Stock Options under
the New FSV Stock Option Plan. However, Jay S. Hennick is not entitled to receive New FSV Stock Options under the New FSV Stock
Option Plan.
New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares Reserved
Assuming completion of the Arrangement,
there will be 1,656,250 New FSV Replacement Stock Options outstanding under the New FSV Stock Option Plan, representing approximately
4.6% of the estimated total number of outstanding New FSV Shares on the Effective Date, based upon the number of FirstService Shares
outstanding as at March 16, 2015. Assuming approval by Shareholders at the Meeting of the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution,
there will be an additional 607,250 New FSV Stock Options (other than New FSV Replacement Stock Options) available for grant, representing
approximately 1.7% of the estimated total number of outstanding New FSV Shares on the Effective Date, based upon the number of
FirstService Shares outstanding as at March 16, 2015. In aggregate, there will be a maximum of 2,263,500 New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares reserved for issuance under the New FSV Stock Option Plan, being 6.3% of the estimated issued and outstanding New FSV Shares
on the Effective Date, based upon the number of FirstService Shares outstanding as at March 16, 2015. Any New FSV Subordinate Voting
Share subject to a New FSV Stock Option that expires or terminates without having been fully exercised may be made the subject
of a further option.
Summary of the New FSV Stock Option
Plan
The following is a summary of the principal
terms of the New FSV Stock Option Plan, which plan is consistent in all material respects with the current FirstService Stock Option
Plan. See Appendix "G" to this Circular for the full text of the form of the New FSV Stock Option Plan.
Subject to the terms of the New FSV Stock
Option Plan, the New FSV Board has the authority to select those directors, officers and full-time employees of New FSV or its
subsidiaries (other than Jay S. Hennick) to whom New FSV Stock Options will be granted and to fix the terms of such options which
may not be for less than one year nor more than ten years from the date of grant (subject to an automatic 10 business day extension
to the expiry date of a New FSV Stock Option which otherwise would expire within a blackout period). The New FSV Stock Option Plan
provides flexible vesting, completely at the discretion of the New FSV Board. Jay S. Hennick is not eligible to participate in
the New FSV Stock Option Plan or to receive grants of New FSV Stock Options thereunder. The New FSV Stock Option Plan will be administered
solely by the New FSV Board and, other than with respect to the New FSV Replacement Stock Options, grants of New FSV Stock Options
under the New FSV Stock Option Plan are made as follows (the "Option Granting Process"): all proposed option grants
are submitted to the Executive Compensation Committee of the New FSV Board for review and a recommendation is made to the New FSV
Board; proposed option grants recommended by such Executive Compensation Committee are then submitted to the New FSV Board for
approval and, if approved, are granted on the date so approved by the New FSV Board. The Executive Compensation Committee of the
New FSV Board, in considering any grant of options, and the New FSV Board in approving any grant of New FSV Stock Options, take
in account whether the amount of New FSV Stock Options proposed to be granted to each optionee is competitive, both in terms of
past practice at FirstService as well as with respect to New FSV Stock Options granted to officers, employees and directors of
public company peers of New FSV, as well as the contribution of the optionee in the success of the business. Grants of New FSV
Stock Options are approved subject to compliance with the New FSV Stock Option Plan and all applicable laws and regulatory and
stock exchange requirements.
Except with respect to the New FSV Replacement
Stock Options, the option price per New FSV Subordinate Voting Share with respect to any New FSV Stock Option granted under the
New FSV Stock Option Plan is determined by the New FSV Board at the time the option is granted, but such price shall not be less
than the Minimum Price on the day on which the issuance of the New FSV Stock Option is authorized or approved by the New FSV Board.
For the purposes of the New FSV Stock Option, "Minimum Price" means: (i) in the event that the New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares are then traded on the TSX and/or Nasdaq, the closing price of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX or
Nasdaq on the trading day prior to the day on which the issuance of the New FSV Stock Option is authorized or approved by the New
FSV Board; (ii) in the event that the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares are not then traded on the TSX and Nasdaq, the closing
price of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on such public market on which the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares are then traded,
as selected by the New FSV Board, in its sole discretion, on the trading day prior to the day on which the issuance of the New
FSV Stock Option is authorized or approved by the New FSV Board; or (iii) in the event that the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares
are not then traded on any public market, the price of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares as determined by the New FSV Board,
in its sole discretion, on the day on which the issuance of the New FSV Stock Option is authorized or approved by the New FSV Board.
In the event of the death of an optionee
while in the employment, or as an officer, of New FSV or a subsidiary prior to the end of the term of the New FSV Stock Option,
the optionee's legal representative may exercise the New FSV Stock Option for a period of one year following the death of the optionee
or the expiry of the term of the New FSV Stock Option, whichever is earlier. In the event that an optionee resigns, is removed
as an officer or is discharged for "cause" as an employee of New FSV or a subsidiary, the New FSV Stock Option
will in all respects cease and terminate. In the event an optionee's employment is otherwise terminated by New FSV or a subsidiary
or the optionee ceases to be a non-employee director of New FSV in circumstances where there is no willful and substantial breach
of such optionee's fiduciary duties or other legal obligations to New FSV, such optionee may exercise the option for a period of
30 days following the effective date of termination or cessation of directorship or the expiry of the term of the New FSV Stock
Option, whichever is earlier (and, in the case of such a non-employee director of New FSV, the vesting of the options held by such
an optionee are automatically accelerated, such that they become immediately fully vested and exercisable).
The New FSV Stock Option Plan provides
that the aggregate number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all New FSV Stock Options granted
to any one optionee shall not exceed 5% of the number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares outstanding on a non-diluted basis at
the time of such grant. In addition, the New FSV Stock Option Plan provides that the aggregate number of securities of New FSV:
(a) issued to insiders of New FSV, within any one year period; and (b) issuable to insiders of New FSV, at any time under the New
FSV Stock Option Plan, or when combined with all of New FSV's other share compensation arrangements, shall not exceed 10% of New
FSV's total issued and outstanding securities. New FSV Stock Options are non-assignable.
Where there is a take-over bid to acquire
the outstanding shares or New FSV enters into an agreement providing for the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
New FSV such that, following completion of such sale, New FSV will cease to carry on, directly or indirectly, an active business,
the New FSV Board may advise optionees that all New FSV Stock Options will expire (subject to certain limitations) on the date
determined by the New FSV Board and each optionee shall have the right to exercise their New FSV Stock Options in whole or in part,
regardless of vesting.
The New FSV Stock Option Plan provides
that appropriate adjustments in the number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and in the exercise price per New FSV Subordinate
Voting Share, relating to New FSV Stock Options granted or to be granted, shall be made by the New FSV Board to give effect to
adjustments in the number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares resulting from any subdivisions, consolidations or reclassifications
of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, the payment of stock dividends by New FSV or other relevant changes in the capital structure
of New FSV. Any such adjustments shall be subject to the approval thereof by such stock exchanges on which the New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares are then listed for trading (including, if required by any such stock exchanges, approval of the shareholders of
New FSV).
The New FSV Stock Option Plan provides
that, subject to regulatory approval, the approval of any stock exchange on which the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares are then
listed for trading and the limitations set out in the next two following paragraphs, the New FSV Board may, by resolution, amend,
vary or discontinue the New FSV Stock Option Plan, or any agreement or entitlement subject to the New FSV Stock Option Plan, at
any time without notice to or approval of the shareholders of New FSV, including, without limitation, for the purpose of: (i) changing
the class of persons who will be eligible to be granted New FSV Stock Options pursuant to the New FSV Stock Option Plan; (ii) ensuring
continuing compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the requirements or policies of any governmental or regulatory authority,
securities commission or stock exchange having authority over New FSV or the New FSV Stock Option Plan; (iii) changes of a "housekeeping",
clerical, technical or stylistic nature; (iv) changing the method of determining the option price for New FSV Stock Options granted
pursuant to the New FSV Stock Option Plan, provided that the option price shall not in any case be lower than the "market
price" of a New FSV Subordinate Voting Share, as that term (or any successor term) is interpreted and applied by the TSX;
(v) changing the following terms governing New FSV Stock Options under the New FSV Stock Option Plan: (A) vesting terms (including
the acceleration of vesting); (B) exercise and payment method and frequency; (C) transferability or assignability; (D) to fairly
or properly take into account a sale, arrangement or take-over bid; (E) adjustments required in the circumstances of a change in
the structure of the capital of New FSV; and (F) the effect of termination (for whatever reason) of the optionee's employment or
service; (vi) determining that any of the provisions of the New FSV Stock Option Plan or any agreement subject to the New FSV Stock
Option Plan concerning the effect of termination (for whatever reason) of the optionee's employment, service or consulting agreement/arrangement
or cessation of the optionee's directorship or office, shall not apply for any reason acceptable to the New FSV Board; (vii) changing
the terms and conditions of any financial assistance which may be provided by New FSV to the optionees to facilitate the purchase
of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, or adding or removing any provisions providing for such financial assistance; (viii) adding
or amending a cashless exercise feature, payable in cash or securities, provided same includes a full deduction of the number of
underlying New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares from the New FSV Stock Option Plan reserved under the New FSV Stock Option Plan; (ix)
providing for the granting of non-equity based kinds of awards under the New FSV Stock Option Plan; (x) adding or amending provisions
necessary for options under the New FSV Stock Option Plan to qualify for favourable tax treatment to optionees and/or New FSV under
applicable tax laws; (xi) changing any terms relating to the administration of the New FSV Stock Option Plan; and (xii) any other
amendment, whether fundamental or otherwise, not requiring shareholder approval under applicable law (including, without limitation,
the rules and policies of the TSX and of any other stock exchange or market having authority over New FSV or the New FSV Stock
Option Plan).
The New FSV Stock Option Plan further provides
that, subject to regulatory approval, the approval of any stock exchange on which the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares are then
listed for trading and the limitations set out later in this section, the New FSV Board may, by resolution, amend, vary or discontinue
the New FSV Stock Option Plan, or any agreement or entitlement subject to the New FSV Stock Option Plan, at any time for the following
purposes, provided that any such amendment, variance or discontinuance will not become effective unless and until approved by a
majority of the votes cast by shareholders of New FSV, in person or by proxy, at a meeting of shareholders: (a) any increase in
the maximum number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares issuable under the New FSV Stock Option Plan or any change from a fixed
maximum number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares issuable under the New FSV Stock Option Plan to a fixed maximum percentage;
(b) any reduction in the option price of an outstanding New FSV Stock Option except for the purpose of maintaining option value
in connection with a change in the structure of the capital of New FSV (for this purpose, the cancellation or termination of a
New FSV Stock Option of an optionee prior to expiry of the option term for the purpose of reissuing a New FSV Stock Option to the
same optionee with a lower exercise price shall be treated as an amendment to reduce the option price of a New FSV Stock Option);
(c) any extension of the option term or any amendment to permit the grant of a New FSV Stock Option with an expiry date of more
than 10 years from the date the New FSV Stock Option is granted; (d) permitting any New FSV Stock Option granted under the New
FSV Stock Option Plan (or any other kind of award which may form part of the New FSV Stock Option Plan) to be transferable or assignable
other than for estate planning or normal estate settlement purposes; (e) providing for the granting of equity based kinds of awards
under the New FSV Stock Option Plan; and (f) any other amendment requiring shareholder approval under applicable law (including,
without limitation, under the rules and policies of the TSX and of any other stock exchange or market having authority over New
FSV or the New FSV Stock Option Plan). In the case of any amendment or variance referred to above, insiders of New FSV who directly
benefit from such amendment or variance will not have the votes attaching to the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities
of New FSV held, directly or indirectly, by them counted in respect of the required approval of the shareholders of New FSV.
Notwithstanding the two immediately preceding
paragraphs, the New FSV Stock Option Plan provides that no amendment, variance or discontinuance of the New FSV Stock Option Plan,
or any agreement or entitlement subject to the New FSV Stock Option Plan, may be made, without the prior written consent of the
optionee, if the New FSV Board determines that the effect thereof is to impair, derogate from or otherwise materially and adversely
affect any New FSV Stock Option previously granted to such optionee under the New FSV Stock Option Plan.
In addition, the New FSV Stock Option Plan
provides that New FSV shall have the right, in certain circumstances and in lieu of delivering New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares,
to pay to an optionee the "in the money" amount of the New FSV Stock Options held by such optionee, at its election,
in the event of a formal take-over bid for all of the shares of New FSV, a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of New
FSV (under circumstances such that, following the completion of such sale, New FSV will cease to carry on an active business) or
any merger, arrangement, amalgamation or other similar form of transaction involving New FSV under circumstances such that, following
the completion of such transaction, there is a change in control of New FSV.
The New FSV Stock Option Plan also includes
provisions that provide that each person that is a director, officer and/or full-time employee of FirstService or any of its subsidiaries
who holds a FirstService Stock Option immediately prior to the Effective Time and who will, following the Effective Time, not be
a director, officer and/or full-time employee of New FSV or any of its subsidiaries shall, for so long as such person remains a
director, officer and/or full-time employee, as applicable, of Colliers or any of its subsidiaries on or after the Effective Time,
be permitted to hold and exercise his or her New FSV Replacement Stock Options in accordance with their terms as though such person
was a director, officer and/or full-time employee, as applicable, of New FSV or any of its subsidiaries.
CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS
Canadian Tax Ruling
The Canadian Tax Ruling that has been requested
from the CRA seeks to confirm that the Arrangement generally will occur on a tax-deferred basis for Shareholders resident in Canada
who hold their FirstService Shares as capital property and who do not choose to recognize a capital gain or a capital loss, as
described below. Although FirstService expects to receive the Canadian Tax Ruling, no assurances can be given in that regard. The
Arrangement is conditional upon the receipt of the requested Canadian Tax Ruling. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters
– Tax Ruling and Opinion".
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax
Consequences to Shareholders
In the opinion of Wilson & Partners
LLP, a law firm affiliated with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, tax counsel to FirstService and its affiliates in respect of the Arrangement
and related transactions, as of the date hereof, the following summary fairly presents the principal Canadian federal income tax
considerations relating to the Arrangement generally applicable to a holder of FirstService Shares.
This summary is not applicable to a holder
of FirstService Shares: (i) that is a "financial institution" for the purposes of the "mark-to-market" rules
in the Tax Act; (ii) that is a "specified financial institution" as defined in the Tax Act; (iii) an interest in which
is a "tax shelter investment" as defined in the Tax Act; or (iv) to whom the functional reporting rules in the Tax Act
apply.
This summary does not address any specific
Canadian federal income tax considerations that may be applicable to a Shareholder in respect of the acquisition of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares on the exercise of a FirstService Stock Option.
This summary is based upon the current
provisions of the Tax Act as enacted to the date of this Circular, the Tax Proposals and tax counsel's understanding of the published
administrative practices and policies of the CRA in effect as at the date of this Circular. It is not certain that any of the Tax
Proposals will be enacted in the form announced or at all. This summary is not exhaustive of all considerations under the Tax Act
and, except for the Tax Proposals, does not take into account or anticipate any changes in the law or administrative practices
or policies of the CRA, whether by judicial, governmental or legislative action or decision, nor does it take into account other
federal tax legislation or the tax legislation of any province or territory of Canada, or of any foreign jurisdiction. Provincial
and territorial income tax legislation varies in Canada and in some cases differs from federal income tax legislation.
This summary is of a general nature
only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed to be, legal, business or tax advice to any particular holder of FirstService
Shares, and no representations with respect to the tax consequences to any particular holder are made. Holders of FirstService
Shares should consult their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences to them of the Arrangement having regard to their
particular circumstances, including the application and effect of the income and other tax laws of any country, province, territory,
state or local tax authority.
Shareholders Resident in Canada
The following portion of the summary is
generally applicable to holders of FirstService Shares who, for purposes of the Tax Act: (i) at all relevant times are, or are
deemed to be, resident in Canada; (ii) deal at arm's length with, and are not "affiliated" with, FirstService, Colliers
and New FSV; and (iii) hold their FirstService Shares and will hold all other shares discussed in the following summary, as "capital
property" as defined in the Tax Act ("Resident Shareholders").
Generally, the FirstService Shares will
constitute capital property to a Resident Shareholder for purpose of the Tax Act, provided such Resident Shareholder does not use
or hold such shares in the course of carrying on a business and has not acquired such shares in one or more transactions considered
to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade. Certain Resident Shareholders whose FirstService Shares might not otherwise
qualify as capital property may be entitled to make an irrevocable election in accordance with subsection 39(4) of the Tax Act
to have such shares, and any other "Canadian security" (as defined in the Tax Act) owned in the taxation year in which
the election is made and all subsequent taxation years, deemed to be capital property. Resident Shareholders contemplating making
such an election should consult their own tax advisors as such an election will affect the income tax treatment of other Canadian
securities held. Resident Shareholders who do not hold their FirstService Shares as capital property should consult their own tax
advisors regarding their particular circumstances.
Resident Shareholders Who Hold FirstService
Shares, Other Than Dissenting Shareholders
Amendments to the Terms of the FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares
As part of the Arrangement, the terms of
the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares will be amended to increase the voting rights
of each such class. Holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares will not be considered
to have disposed of their shares for purposes of the Tax Act by virtue of the amendment to the terms of the FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares.
Exchange of FirstService Shares for
FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares & FirstService SV Special Shares
and FirstService New Multiple Voting
Shares & FirstService MV Special Shares
As part of the Arrangement, there will
be a share exchange and:
| · | each Resident Shareholder who holds FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares will, in exchange for
each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share, receive one FirstService New Subordinate Voting Share and one FirstService SV
Special Share; and |
| · | each Resident Shareholder who holds FirstService Multiple Voting Shares will, in exchange for each
FirstService Multiple Voting Share, receive one FirstService New Multiple Voting Share and one FirstService MV Special Share. |
On such share exchange, a Resident Shareholder
will be deemed to have disposed of shares of each class of such FirstService Shares for proceeds of disposition equal to the aggregate
adjusted cost base of shares of such class to the Resident Shareholder immediately before the exchange. Accordingly, a Resident
Shareholder will not realize a capital gain or a capital loss as a result of such share exchange.
The aggregate adjusted cost base of:
| · | the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and the FirstService SV Special Shares; and |
| · | the FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and the FirstService MV Special Shares; |
acquired by a Resident Shareholder on such
share exchange will be equal to the aggregate adjusted cost base to the Resident Shareholder immediately before such share exchange
of shares of the applicable class of FirstService Shares disposed of by the holder on such share exchange. The aggregate adjusted
cost base of shares of the applicable class of a Resident Shareholder's FirstService Shares immediately before such share exchange
will be allocated among the Resident Shareholder's FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares, FirstService SV Special Shares,
FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and FirstService MV Special Shares received on the exchange in proportion to the
relative fair market value of such shares immediately after such share exchange. FirstService intends to inform Resident Shareholders
by press release or on FirstService's website following the Arrangement as to FirstService's estimate of the proportionate allocation;
however, FirstService's allocation will not be binding on the CRA or on any Resident Shareholder.
Transfer of FirstService SV Special
Shares & FirstService MV Special Shares for New FSV Shares
As part of the Arrangement, there will
be a share transfer and:
| · | each Resident Shareholder who holds FirstService SV Special Shares will transfer each such share
to New FSV in consideration for the issuance to the Resident Shareholder of one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share; and |
| · | each Resident Shareholder who holds FirstService MV Special Shares will transfer each such share
to New FSV in consideration for the issuance to the Resident Shareholder of one New FSV Multiple Voting Share. |
Subject to two exceptions noted below,
on the transfer of a Resident Shareholder's FirstService SV Special Shares and FirstService MV Special Shares to New FSV, such
holder will be deemed to have disposed of all such shares for proceeds of disposition equal to the adjusted cost base of such shares
to the Resident Shareholder immediately before the transfer. Accordingly, such Resident Shareholder will not realize a capital
gain or a capital loss as a result of the share transfer. The cost of the New FSV Shares acquired by such Resident Shareholder
will be equal to the adjusted cost base immediately before the share transfer of the FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService
MV Special Shares, as applicable, disposed of by the holder on the share transfer.
There are two important exceptions to the
foregoing. The first exception is that a Resident Shareholder may choose to recognize all or a portion of a capital gain or a capital
loss on the share transfer by including all or a portion of the amount of the taxable capital gain or allowable capital loss, as
otherwise determined, in computing such Resident Shareholder's income for the taxation year in which such transfer occurs. A Resident
Shareholder who chooses to realize a gain or loss in this manner will realize a capital gain (or capital loss) on the FirstService
SV Special Shares or the FirstService MV Special Shares, as applicable, to the extent that such holder's proceeds of disposition,
net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceed (or are less than) the adjusted cost base of the FirstService SV Special Shares
or the FirstService MV Special Shares, as applicable, to the Resident Shareholder immediately before the transfer. Where a Resident
Shareholder has chosen to recognize a capital gain or a capital loss on the transfer of shares of FirstService SV Special Shares
or the FirstService MV Special Shares, as applicable, for New FSV Shares, the adjusted cost base of shares of each class of the
New FSV Shares acquired by the Resident Shareholder on the transfer will be equal to the corresponding proceeds of disposition
received or deemed to have been received by the Resident Shareholder.
The second exception is that the Arrangement
contemplates that a Resident Shareholder who is an Eligible Holder may make a joint Tax Election with New FSV pursuant to Section
85 of the Tax Act to obtain a full or partial tax-deferred "rollover" for purposes of the Tax Act of the disposition
of their FirstService SV Special Shares or FirstService MV Special Shares, as applicable, to New FSV.
A Resident Shareholder that is an Eligible
Holder may realize all or a portion of the amount of the capital gain accrued on their FirstService SV Special Shares or FirstService
MV Special Shares, as applicable, by filing a Tax Election with New FSV in which such holder specifies an amount (the "Elected
Amount") that, subject to certain limits specified in the Tax Act, will be deemed to be the proceeds of disposition of
the particular FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV Special Shares to the Resident Shareholder. By designating
an appropriate Elected Amount in respect of such FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV Special Shares, an Eligible
Holder may, for purposes of the Tax Act, defer realizing all or any portion of the capital gain that the Eligible Holder would
otherwise realize on the transfer of such shares for New FSV Shares. The tax treatment of capital gains and capital losses is discussed
in this section below under the heading "– Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses".
In general, the Elected Amount for FirstService
SV Special Shares or FirstService MV Special Shares may not be:
| · | less than the lesser of: (i) the Eligible Holder's adjusted cost base of their FirstService SV
Special Shares or FirstService MV Special Shares, as applicable; and (ii) the fair market value of their FirstService SV Special
Shares or FirstService MV Special Shares, as applicable, in each case, determined at the time of the transfer; or |
| · | greater than the fair market value of their FirstService SV Special Shares or FirstService MV Special
Shares, as applicable, at the time of the transfer. |
An Elected Amount that does not comply
with these limitations will automatically be adjusted under the Tax Act so that it is in compliance.
The tax treatment to an Eligible Holder
who makes a valid Tax Election with New FSV in respect of their FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV Special Shares,
as applicable, generally will be as follows:
| · | the Eligible Holder will be deemed to have disposed of their FirstService SV Special Shares and/or
FirstService MV Special Shares, as applicable, for proceeds of disposition equal to the Elected Amount; |
| · | the Eligible Holder will not realize any capital gain or capital loss provided the Elected Amount
equals the aggregate of the Eligible Holder's adjusted cost base of their FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV
Special Shares, as applicable, determined immediately before the transfer and any reasonable costs of disposition; and |
| · | the Eligible Holder will realize a capital gain (or a capital loss) to the extent that the Elected
Amount exceeds (or is less than) the aggregate of the Eligible Holder's adjusted cost base of their FirstService SV Special Shares
or FirstService MV Special Shares, as applicable, and any reasonable costs of disposition. |
The relevant federal Tax Election form
is CRA Form T2057 (or, in the event the Eligible Holder is a partnership, CRA Form T2058). Certain provincial jurisdictions may
require that a separate joint election be filed for provincial income tax purposes. Eligible Holders who wish to make a Tax Election
can obtain the Tax Election materials by e-mailing firstservice.tax.election@ca.pwc.com or by
calling 1-855-348-5088.
Where FirstService SV Special Shares or
FirstService MV Special Shares are held by two or more co-owners who wish to make a Tax Election, one of the co-owners designated
for such purpose must file one copy of Form T2057 (and, where applicable, the corresponding provincial forms) on behalf of each
co-owner with a list of all co-owners electing under Section 85 of the Tax Act, and their respective addresses and social insurance
or business numbers. Where FirstService SV Special Shares or FirstService MV Special Shares are held as partnership property, a
partner designated by the partnership must file one copy of Form T2058 (and, where applicable, the corresponding provincial forms)
on behalf of all members of the partnership. Form T2058 must be accompanied by a list containing the name, address, social insurance
number or business number of each partner and written authorization signed by each partner authorizing the designated partner to
complete and file the form. Eligible Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine which filing requirements, if any,
there are under provincial legislation applicable in their particular circumstances.
To make a Tax Election, an Eligible Holder
must ensure that three signed copies of the necessary election forms are delivered to New FSV on or before one hundred and twenty
(120) days after the Effective Date (although, as discussed below, an Eligible Holder may be required to deliver the forms to New
FSV by an earlier date), duly completed with the details of the number of FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV
Special Shares transferred, the adjusted cost base of the FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV Special Shares
transferred, the number and class of New FSV Shares received, and the applicable Elected Amount in respect of the FirstService
SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV Special Shares transferred. In accordance with the terms of the Arrangement and subject
to the Tax Election forms being correct and complete and complying with the provisions of the Tax Act (and any applicable provincial
income tax law), two copies of such forms will be signed by New FSV and one copy will be returned to the Eligible Holder and one
copy will be mailed to the CRA (or any applicable provincial tax authority) within thirty (30) days after the receipt thereof.
To avoid late filing penalties imposed
under the Tax Act, a Tax Election must be received by the CRA on or before the earliest day on which either New FSV or the Eligible
Holder is required to file an income tax return for the taxation year in which the share transfer occurs. New FSV's taxation year
in which the share transfer will occur will end on the Effective Date. Each Eligible Holder is urged to consult the Eligible Holder's
own tax advisors as soon as possible respecting the deadlines applicable to the Eligible Holder's particular circumstances. Regardless
of such deadlines, New FSV must receive the Tax Election forms of an Eligible Holder no later than one hundred and twenty (120)
days after the Effective Date. New FSV has agreed to execute and mail a Tax Election to the CRA within thirty (30) days after New
FSV receives the election, however, Eligible Holders may be required to forward their Tax Election forms to New FSV earlier than
one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Effective Date in order to avoid late filing penalties. While New FSV may choose, in
its sole discretion, to sign a Tax Election received by it more than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Effective Date,
it has no obligation to do so.
Amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI
As part of the Arrangement, FirstService
and FCRESI will amalgamate to form Colliers and on the amalgamation:
| · | each Resident Shareholder who holds FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares will continue to
hold an equal number of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares; |
| · | each Resident Shareholder who holds FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares will continue to hold
an equal number of Colliers Multiple Voting Shares. |
Resident Shareholders will not recognize
any capital gain or capital loss as a result of the conversion or continuation of their FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares
and/or FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares into Colliers Shares and the aggregate adjusted cost base of the FirstService New
Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares will become the aggregate adjusted cost base of the Colliers
Subordinate Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares, respectively.
Dividends on Colliers Shares or New
FSV Shares (Post-Arrangement)
Dividends received or deemed to be received
by a Resident Shareholder on Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares after the Arrangement will be included in computing the holder's
income for the purposes of the Tax Act. Such dividends received or deemed to be received by a Resident Shareholder that is an individual
(including a trust) will generally be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules in the Tax Act normally applicable
to taxable dividends received from corporations resident in Canada, including the enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit rules
applicable to any dividends designated as "eligible dividends" for these purposes, if applicable. Dividends received
or deemed to be received on such shares by an individual and certain trusts may give rise to alternative minimum tax under the
Tax Act.
Generally, dividends received or deemed
to be received on Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares after the Arrangement by a Resident Shareholder that is a corporation will
be included in computing the corporation's income, but will be deductible in computing the corporation's taxable income, subject
to certain limitations in the Tax Act. A holder of such shares that is a "private corporation" or a "subject corporation"
(as defined in the Tax Act) generally will be subject to a refundable tax of 33⅓% on dividends received or deemed to be received
on such shares to the extent such dividends are deductible in computing the holder's taxable income.
Dispositions of Colliers Shares or New
FSV Shares (Post-Arrangement)
A disposition by a Resident Shareholder
of Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares after the Arrangement generally will result in a capital gain (or a capital loss) to such
holder to the extent that the proceeds of disposition received, net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceed (or are less
than) the aggregate adjusted cost base of such shares to such holder immediately before the disposition. The tax treatment of capital
gains and capital losses is discussed in this section below under the heading "– Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital
Losses".
Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital
Losses
A Resident Shareholder will be required
to include in income one-half of the amount of any capital gain (a "taxable capital gain") and generally will
be entitled to deduct one-half of the amount of any capital loss (an "allowable capital loss") against taxable
capital gains realized by such holder in the year of the disposition. Allowable capital losses in excess of taxable capital gains
in a particular year may be carried back and deducted in any of the three preceding years or carried forward and deducted in any
following year against taxable capital gains realized in such year to the extent and under the circumstances described in the Tax
Act. In certain circumstances, a capital loss otherwise arising on the disposition of shares by a Resident Shareholder that is
a corporation may be reduced by dividends previously received or deemed to have been received on such shares or shares for which
the particular shares were issued in exchange. Analogous rules apply to a partnership or trust of which a corporation, partnership
or trust is a member or beneficiary. Resident Shareholders to whom these rules may be relevant should consult their own tax advisors.
A "Canadian-controlled private corporation"
(as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay, in addition to tax otherwise payable under the Tax Act, a refundable tax of 6⅔%
of its "aggregate investment income". For this purpose, aggregate investment income will include taxable capital gains.
Capital gains realized by individuals and
certain trusts may give rise to alternative minimum tax under the Tax Act.
Dissenting Resident Shareholders
A Resident Shareholder that exercises Dissent
Rights (a "Dissenting Resident Shareholder") will be deemed under the Arrangement to have transferred such holder's
Dissenting Shares to FirstService for a dissent payment equal to the fair value of such shares. A Dissenting Resident Shareholder
generally will be deemed to have received a dividend in respect of shares of each class disposed of equal to the amount by which
such dissent payment for shares of the particular class (less the amount of any interest) exceeds the Paid-Up Capital of such shares,
and such deemed dividend will reduce the proceeds of disposition to such holder on the disposition of shares of such class. However,
if the Dissenting Resident Shareholder is a corporation, the full amount of such dissent payment for shares of a class (less the
amount of any interest) may be treated as proceeds of disposition under subsection 55(2) of the Tax Act and not as a deemed dividend.
The general tax treatment of the receipt of dividends is discussed in this section above under the heading "Resident Shareholders
Who Hold FirstService Shares, Other Than Dissenting Shareholders – Dividends on Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares (Post-Arrangement)".
A Dissenting Resident Shareholder will
also realize a capital gain (or a capital loss) to the extent that the proceeds of disposition of such class of shares, as reduced
by the amount of any deemed dividend as discussed above and net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceed (or are less than)
the adjusted cost base of such class of shares to such Dissenting Resident Shareholder immediately before the disposition. The
general tax treatment of capital gains or capital losses is discussed in this section above under the heading "Resident Shareholders
Who Hold FirstService Shares, Other Than Dissenting Shareholders – Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses".
Any interest awarded by a court to a Dissenting
Resident Shareholder will be included in such holder's income for the purposes of the Tax Act.
Eligibility for Investment
The Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares,
provided they continue to be listed on a designated stock exchange (the current definition of which includes the TSX and Nasdaq),
and the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, once listed on a designated stock exchange, will constitute qualified investments under
the Tax Act for trusts governed by registered retirement savings plans ("RRSPs"), registered retirement income
funds ("RRIFs"), deferred profit sharing plans, registered disability savings plans, registered education savings
plans and tax-free savings accounts ("TFSAs"). Notwithstanding that the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and
the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares may be a qualified investment for a TFSA, RRSP or RRIF, the holder of a TFSA or the annuitant
of a RRSP or RRIF, as the case may be, which acquires Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and/or the New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares will be subject to a penalty tax under the Tax Act if such shares are a "prohibited investment" (within the meaning
of the Tax Act) for the particular TFSA, RRSP or RRIF.
The Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares
and the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will not be a prohibited investment for a TFSA, RRSP or RRIF provided the holder of the
TFSA, or annuitant of the RRSP or RRIF, as applicable, deals at arm's length with Colliers or New FSV, as applicable, for purposes
of the Tax Act and does not have a "significant interest" (within the meaning of the Tax Act) in Colliers or New FSV,
as applicable. A "significant interest" of a shareholder of Colliers or New FSV, as applicable, generally means ownership
by the shareholder, either alone or together with persons with which the shareholder does not deal at arm's length for purposes
of the Tax Act, of 10% or more of the issued shares of any class of the capital stock of Colliers or New FSV, as applicable. In
addition, the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will not be a prohibited investment
if they are "excluded property" as defined in the Tax Act for trusts governed by a TFSA, RRSP or RRIF. Holders and
annuitants should consult their own tax advisors to ensure that the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and the New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares would not be a prohibited investment for a trust governed by a TFSA, RRSP or RRIF in their particular circumstances.
FirstService has advised tax counsel that
it expects that the requirements that must be satisfied in order for the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares to be qualified investments
as described above will be satisfied at the time such shares are issued in the Arrangement. Provided that New FSV makes an election
within a specified time period, the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will be qualified investments as described above at the time
such shares are issued in the Arrangement. FirstService has advised counsel that it expects New FSV to make this election on a
timely basis.
Shareholders Not Resident in Canada
The following portion of the summary is
applicable generally to holders of FirstService Shares who, for purposes of the Tax Act: (i) at all relevant times, and for purposes
of any applicable Tax Treaty, are not, and are not deemed to be, resident in Canada; (ii) deal at arm's length with, and are not
"affiliated" with, FirstService and New FSV; and (iii) hold their FirstService Shares, and will hold all other shares
discussed in the following summary, as "capital property" and do not use or hold and are not deemed to use or hold, and
will not use or hold or be deemed to use or hold, such shares in carrying on a business in Canada ("Non-Resident Shareholders").
Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a Non-Resident Shareholder that is an insurer which carries
on business in Canada and elsewhere.
Non-Resident Shareholders Who Hold
FirstService Shares, other than Dissenting Shareholders
The Arrangement
A Non-Resident Shareholder who holds FirstService
Shares, who acquires Colliers Shares, FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV Special Shares in exchange for FirstService
Shares and who exchanges the FirstService SV Special Shares and/or FirstService MV Special Shares for New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares and/or New FSV Multiple Voting Shares under the Arrangement will generally be subject to the same tax consequences as a
Resident Shareholder on the Arrangement, as discussed in this section above under the heading "Shareholders Resident in Canada
– Resident Shareholders Who Hold FirstService Shares, other than Dissenting Shareholders". Accordingly, a Non-Resident
Shareholder will generally not realize a capital gain or a capital loss as a result of the Arrangement.
Dividends on Colliers Shares or New
FSV Shares (Post-Arrangement)
Dividends on the Colliers Shares or New
FSV Shares that are paid or credited, or that are deemed to be paid or credited, to a Non-Resident Shareholder after the Arrangement
will be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25% of the gross amount of such dividends. This rate may be reduced
under any applicable Tax Treaty. Under the U.S. Treaty, a Non-Resident Shareholder that is a resident of the United States for
the purposes of, and entitled to the benefits of, the U.S. Treaty will generally be subject to Canadian withholding tax at a rate
of 15% of the amount of such dividends.
Dispositions of Colliers Shares or New
FSV Shares (Post-Arrangement)
On a disposition of Colliers Shares or
New FSV Shares after the Arrangement, a Non-Resident Shareholder will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act unless, at the time
of disposition, the shares of the particular class are "taxable Canadian property" to the Non-Resident Shareholder. Generally,
Colliers Shares and New FSV Shares, respectively, will not be "taxable Canadian property" to a Non-Resident Shareholder
at a particular time unless at any time during the 60-month period immediately preceding that time:
| · | the Non-Resident Shareholder, persons with whom the Non-Resident Shareholder did not deal at arm's
length, or the Non-Resident Shareholder together with all such persons, owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or
series of shares of the capital stock of Colliers or New FSV, as applicable, where the particular shares are listed on a designated
stock exchange (which currently includes the TSX and Nasdaq) at that particular time; and |
| · | more than 50% of the fair market value of shares of the particular class or series of shares was
derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of: (i) real or immoveable properties situated in Canada; (ii) "Canadian
resource properties" (as defined in the Tax Act); (iii) "timber resource properties" (as defined in the Tax Act);
and (iv) options in respect of, or interests in, property described in the foregoing (i) to (iii). In certain circumstances set
out in the Tax Act, Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares held by a particular Non-Resident Shareholder could be deemed to be "taxable
Canadian property". |
Generally, a Non-Resident Shareholder who
realizes a capital gain on a disposition of Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares which constitute "taxable Canadian property"
of the Non-Resident Shareholder and which is not exempt from tax under an applicable Tax Treaty will be subject to the tax treatment
described in this section above under the heading "Shareholders Resident in Canada – Resident Shareholders Who Hold
FirstService Shares, Other Than Dissenting Shareholders – Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses". Under the U.S.
Treaty, a capital gain realized on the disposition of Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares by a Non-Resident Shareholder that is a
resident of the United States for the purposes of, and entitled to the benefits of, the U.S. Treaty generally will be exempt from
tax under the Tax Act where at the time of disposition such shares, such shares do not derive their value principally from real
property situated in Canada. Non-Resident Shareholders who will hold Colliers Shares and/or New FSV Shares as "taxable Canadian
property" should consult with their own tax advisors.
Dissenting Non-Resident Shareholders
A Non-Resident Shareholder that exercises
Dissent Rights (a "Dissenting Non-Resident Shareholder") will be deemed under the Arrangement to have transferred
such holder's Dissenting Shares to FirstService for a dissent payment equal to the fair value of such shares. A Dissenting Non-Resident
Shareholder generally will be deemed to have received a dividend in respect of shares of each class disposed of equal to the amount
by which such payment for the particular class of shares (less the amount of any interest) exceeds the Paid-Up Capital of such
shares. A deemed dividend received by a Dissenting Non-Resident Shareholder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax as described
in this section above under the heading "Non-Resident Shareholders Who Hold FirstService Shares, other than Dissenting Shareholders
– Dividends on Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares (Post-Arrangement)".
A Dissenting Non-Resident Shareholder will
also realize a capital gain (or a capital loss) to the extent that the proceeds of disposition of shares of such class, as reduced
by the amount of any deemed dividend as discussed above and net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceeds (or is less than)
the adjusted cost base of shares of such class to such Dissenting Non-Resident Shareholder immediately before the disposition.
A Dissenting Non-Resident Shareholder generally will not be subject to income tax under the Tax Act in respect of any such capital
gain provided such shares do not constitute "taxable Canadian property" to the Dissenting Non-Resident Shareholder. See
this section above under the heading "Non-Resident Shareholders Who Hold FirstService Shares, other than Dissenting Shareholders
– Dispositions of Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares (Post-Arrangement)" for a general discussion of the tax treatment
of capital gains realized on shares which constitute "taxable Canadian property" to the Dissenting Non-Resident Shareholder.
Any interest paid to a Dissenting Non-Resident
Shareholder will generally not be subject to Canadian withholding tax.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain anticipated
material U.S. federal income tax considerations to U.S. Holders (as defined below) arising from and relating to the receipt of
New FSV Shares pursuant to the Arrangement. This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a
complete description of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences that may apply to a U.S. Holder as a result of the Arrangement.
In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that
may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Arrangement to such U.S. Holder. Accordingly, this summary is not intended
to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder.
No ruling from the IRS has been requested,
or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Arrangement to U.S. Holders. This summary is not
binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions
taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations,
the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the positions taken in this summary.
The information contained in this notice
generally describes the application of certain existing U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations relating to the Arrangement.
It does not constitute tax advice and does not purport to be complete or to describe the consequences that may apply to particular
categories of Shareholders who exchange FirstService Shares for New FSV Shares in the Arrangement. You are urged to consult your
tax advisor regarding the particular consequences of the Arrangement to you, including the applicability and effect of all U.S.
federal, state and local and foreign tax laws.
This summary is based on the U.S. Code,
Treasury Regulations, published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, the Convention Between Canada
and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the "U.S.
Treaty") and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of
this Circular. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time,
and any such change could be applied on a retroactive basis. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse
or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive basis.
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR
OWN U.S. TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME, U.S. STATE AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ARRANGEMENT IN LIGHT
OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. EACH TAXPAYER IS HEREBY NOTIFIED TO THAT: (A) ANY DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL TAX ISSUES IN THIS
CIRCULAR IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE RELIED UPON BY YOU FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON YOU UNDER
THE U.S. CODE; (B) SUCH DISCUSSION IS BEING USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMOTION OR MARKETING OF THE TRANSACTIONS OR MATTERS ADDRESSED
HEREIN; AND (C) YOU SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, a "U.S.
Holder" is a beneficial owner of FirstService Shares that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is: (a) an individual
who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.; (b) a corporation, or any other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state in the United States or the District
of Columbia; (c) an estate if the income of such estate is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source of such
income; or (d) a trust if (i) such trust has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes
or (ii) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons
have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust.
Non-U.S. Holders
A "non-U.S. Holder" is
a beneficial owner of FirstService Shares other than a U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences
of the Arrangement to non-U.S. Holders. Accordingly, non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the
U.S. federal income, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences (including the potential application and operation of any
income tax treaties) of the Arrangement.
U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S.
Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the Arrangement to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the U.S. Code,
including the following U.S. Holders: (a) U.S. Holders that are tax exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual
retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) U.S. Holders that are financial institutions, insurance companies, real
estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) U.S. Holders that are dealers in securities or currencies or U.S.
Holders that are traders in securities that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) U.S. Holders that have a "functional
currency" other than the U.S. dollar; (e) U.S. Holders that are liable for the alternative minimum tax under the U.S. Code;
(f) U.S. Holders that own FirstService Shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive
sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (g) U.S. Holders that hold FirstService Shares other than as a capital
asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the U.S. Code; (h) U.S. Holders who are U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents
of the United States or (i) U.S. Holders that own (directly, indirectly, or through application of certain constructive ownership
rules) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of FirstService entitled to vote. U.S. Holders that
are subject to special provisions under the U.S. Code, including but not limited to U.S. Holders described immediately above, are
urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Arrangement.
If an entity that is classified as a partnership
for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds FirstService Shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Arrangement to
such partnership and the partners of such partnership generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status
of such partners. Partners of entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes are urged to consult
their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Arrangement.
Transactions Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S.
federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of any transactions that may be entered into prior to, concurrently with or subsequent
to the Arrangement (regardless of whether any such transaction is undertaken in connection with the Arrangement), including, but
not limited to, the following transactions: (a) any exercise of any option to acquire FirstService Shares and (b) any conversion
of any stock option or other right to acquire FirstService Shares into a stock option or other right to acquire New FSV Shares.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
of the Arrangement
The Arrangement will be effected under
applicable provisions of Canadian corporate law, which are technically different from analogous provisions of U.S. corporate law.
Therefore, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of certain aspects of the Arrangement are not certain. For purposes of the
discussion below, it is assumed that: (i) the Arrangement will be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as resulting in
a distribution of New FSV Shares to holders of FirstService Shares; and (ii) the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI to form
Colliers will be treated as a tax-free statutory reorganization under section 368(a) of the U.S. Code.
Distribution of New FSV Shares
The deemed distribution of New FSV Shares
to holders of FirstService Shares expected to result from the Arrangement is intended to qualify for nonrecognition of gain or
loss (if any) under Section 355 of the U.S. Code. The requirements of Section 355 of the U.S. Code are highly complex and include
both objective and subjective requirements, including requirements that (in addition to the Arrangement being treated as a distribution
of the stock of New FSV Shares notwithstanding its form as a series of transactions other than a distribution): the transaction
be effected for one or more corporate business purposes; the transaction not be used "principally as a device for the distribution
of the earnings and profits" of FirstService or New FSV; and that both FirstService and New FSV continue to be engaged after
the transaction in one or more trades or businesses actively conducted by FirstService or its subsidiaries throughout the 5-year
period ending on the date of distribution.
FirstService believes that Section 355
of the U.S. Code should apply to the deemed distribution of New FSV Shares to holders of FirstService Shares. As indicated above,
however, the characterization of the Arrangement for U.S. federal income tax purposes is complex and there is no certainty that
the IRS or the Courts will agree with the intended treatment. Accordingly, each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its own tax advisor
regarding the proper treatment of the Arrangement for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Treatment if Section 355 of the U.S.
Code Applies
If Section 355 of the U.S. Code applies
to the deemed distribution of New FSV Shares to U.S. Holders of FirstService Shares, then, in general, no gain or loss will be
recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes by the U.S. Holders of FirstService Shares by reason of the receipt of said distribution.
The U.S. Holders' former tax bases in the FirstService Shares will be allocated between those shares and the New FSV Shares received
in proportion to their fair market values, and each U.S. Holder's holding period for the New FSV Shares received pursuant to the
Arrangement will include the holding period of such holder for the FirstService Shares with respect to which such New FSV Shares
are received. In the event that Section 355 of the U.S. Code applies, certain U.S. Holders of FirstService Shares will be subject
to specific reporting and recordkeeping requirements imposed by Treasury regulations with respect to transactions within the scope
of Section 355 of the U.S. Code. FirstService intends to provide U.S. Holders with the information required to satisfy such requirements.
Treatment if Section 355 of the U.S.
Code Does Not Apply
If Section 355 of the U.S. Code does not
apply, the deemed distribution of New FSV Shares to U.S. Holders of FirstService Shares will be taxable under the rules of Section
301 of the U.S. Code that are generally applicable to the distribution of property by a corporation to its shareholders. In that
event, U.S. Holders will be required to include the fair market value of the New FSV Shares received pursuant to the Arrangement
in gross income as a dividend to the extent of the current and accumulated "earnings and profits" of FirstService. To
the extent the fair market value of the New FSV Shares exceeds FirstService's adjusted tax basis in such shares (as calculated
for U.S. federal income tax purposes), the proposed Arrangement would generate additional earnings and profits for FirstService.
This dividend generally would constitute
"Qualified Dividend Income" and would therefore be eligible for taxation at the preferential tax rates applicable to
long-term capital gains if: (a) FirstService is a "qualified foreign corporation" (a "QFC"), as defined
below; (b) the U.S. Holder receiving such dividend is an individual, estate or trust; and (c) such dividend is paid on FirstService
Shares that have been held by such U.S. Holder for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the "ex-dividend
date." FirstService generally will be a QFC if: (x) FirstService is eligible for the benefits of the U.S. Treaty; (y) FirstService
is not a "passive foreign investment company" (a "PFIC") for either the taxable year of FirstService
during which the dividend is considered to have been paid or for the preceding taxable year; and (z) FirstService is not treated
as a PFIC with respect to the U.S. Holder receiving such dividend under the "once a PFIC, always a PFIC" rule discussed
below.
FirstService believes that it is currently
eligible for the benefits of the U.S. Treaty. As discussed below, FirstService believes that it was not a PFIC for 2014 and, based
on current business plans and financial projections, does not expect to be a PFIC for 2015.
If FirstService is not a QFC, or if the
other requirements in the preceding paragraph are not satisfied, the dividend arising from the distribution of New FSV Shares by
FirstService to a U.S. Holder, including a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, generally would be taxed at ordinary
income tax rates (and not at the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains). The dividend rules (including,
in particular, the rules regarding QFC status and Qualified Dividend Income) are complex. Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult
its own tax advisor with respect to such rules.
If Section 355 of the U.S. Code does not
apply to the deemed distribution: (i) a U.S. Holder's initial tax basis in the New FSV Shares received pursuant to the Arrangement
will be equal to the fair market value of such New FSV Shares on the date of distribution; and (ii) such U.S. Holder's holding
period for the New FSV Shares received pursuant to the Arrangement will begin on the day after the date of distribution.
As noted above, FirstService believes that
the distribution of the New FSV Shares to Shareholders should be treated as a distribution pursuant to Section 355 and not as a
dividend; FirstService will report the transaction as an Organizational Action on Form 8937 and has no intention to calculate what
the amount of the dividend were the distribution characterized as such. Therefore, if the distribution of the New FSV Shares was
characterized as a dividend, then the expectation is that the dividend would equate the value of the New FSV Shares received. As
FirstService can provide no assurance regarding the U.S. federal tax treatment of the Arrangement, U.S. Holders are urged to consult
their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Arrangement.
Dissenting U.S. Holders
A U.S. Holder that exercises the right
to dissent from the Arrangement and is paid cash for all of such U.S. Holder's FirstService Shares generally will recognize gain
or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between: (a) the amount of cash received by such U.S. Holder in exchange
for the FirstService Shares (other than amounts, if any, that are or are deemed to be interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
which amounts will be taxed as ordinary income); and (b) the tax basis of such U.S. Holder in the FirstService Shares surrendered.
Such gain or loss should be characterized
as a capital gain or loss, and, if the FirstService Shares have been held for more than one year by the U.S. Holder, such gain
or loss should be classified as a long-term capital gain or loss. Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of a
U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains
of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to substantial limitations under the U.S. Code.
A U.S. Holder exercising dissent rights
from the Arrangement will have a tax basis in the Canadian dollars received on the sale of FirstService Shares equal to such currency's
U.S. dollar value determined at the "spot rate" on the date of payment. Any gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder on
a sale or other disposition of such Canadian dollars on a subsequent date (including the exchange of such currency for U.S. dollars)
generally will be ordinary income or loss and generally will be U.S. source gain or loss.
Amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI
to form Colliers
The Arrangement should qualify as a tax-deferred
exchange under Section 368(a) of the U.S. Code. Accordingly, no gain or loss should be recognized by a U.S. Holders on the amalgamation
of FirstService and FCRESI to form Colliers.
Consequences of Holding and Disposing
of FirstService (Colliers) Shares or New FSV Shares
Except as otherwise expressly indicated,
the consequences described below are based on the assumption that none of the FirstService Shares, the Colliers Shares or the New
FSV Shares will at any relevant time be considered shares in a PFIC.
Distributions on Colliers Shares or
New FSV Shares (Post-Arrangement)
A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution,
including a constructive distribution, on Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares after the Arrangement will be required to include the
amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any Canadian income tax paid whether directly
or withheld from such distribution, but see section below entitled "Foreign Tax Credit Considerations") to the extent
of the current and accumulated "earnings and profits" of the distributing corporation. To the extent (if at all) that
a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the distributing corporation, such distribution will
be treated: (a) first, as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Colliers Shares or New
FSV Shares, as applicable; and (b) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. See more detailed discussion at
"Disposition of the New FSV Shares" below.
If dividends paid by Colliers or New FSV
constitute Qualified Dividend Income under the rules discussed above (see "U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Arrangement
– Distribution of New FSV Shares" above), then, subject to the PFIC discussion below, such dividends generally will
be eligible for taxation at the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains.
If dividends paid by Colliers or New FSV
Shares do not constitute Qualified Dividend Income, such dividends will not be eligible for taxation at the preferential tax rates
applicable to long-term capital gains.
Dividends Received Deduction
Dividends paid on Colliers Shares or New
FSV Shares after the Arrangement generally will not be eligible for the "dividends received deduction". The availability
of the dividends received deduction is subject to complex limitations that are beyond the scope of this discussion, and a U.S.
Holder that is a corporation should consult its own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regarding the dividends received
deduction.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition
of Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares
Subject to the PFIC discussion below, upon
a sale, exchange or other disposition of Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss
on the sale or other taxable disposition of Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between:
(a) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received; and (b) such U.S. Holder's tax basis in the shares
sold or otherwise disposed. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, which will generally be long-term capital
gain or loss if the shares sold are held for more than one year. Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other
taxable disposition of Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares generally will be treated as "U.S. source" for purposes of applying
the U.S. foreign tax credit rules. For a more detailed discussion, see "Foreign Tax Credit Considerations" below.
Preferential tax rates apply to long-term
capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term
capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under
the U.S. Code.
Foreign Tax Credit Considerations
A U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly
or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on the Colliers Shares or New FSV Shares generally will
be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax paid.
Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction
will reduce a U.S. Holder's income subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies
to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year.
Complex limitations apply to the foreign
tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal
income tax liability that such U.S. Holder's "foreign source" taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder's worldwide taxable
income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder's various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules,
as either "foreign source" or "U.S. source". In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect
to specific categories of income. Dividends paid by both Colliers and New FSV generally should constitute "foreign source"
income and generally should be categorized as "passive income".
The foreign tax credit rules are complex,
and each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
(PFIC) Considerations
A foreign corporation held by a U.S. Holder
will be a PFIC under Section 1297 of the U.S. Code for a taxable year of such foreign corporation if, for such taxable year: (a)
75% or more of its gross income for such taxable year is passive income ("income test"); or (b) on average, 50%
or more of the assets held by such corporation during such year either produce passive income or are held for the production of
passive income ("asset test"). For purposes of the asset test, assets will be measured by reference to their fair
market values, provided that, for the relevant taxable year the foreign corporation: (i) is considered to be publicly traded; or
(ii) is not a "controlled foreign corporation" (as defined in Section 957 of the U.S. Code) and does not elect to measure
assets for these purposes by reference to their adjusted tax bases. Subject to certain exceptions, "passive income" includes,
among other things, dividends, interest, rents, royalties, gains from the sale of stock or securities and gains from commodities
transactions.
For purposes of applying the income and
asset tests of Section 1297 of the U.S. Code to determine whether FirstService or New FSV was a PFIC in any given prior taxable
year, FirstService or New FSV, as applicable, generally will be treated as if it owned its proportionate share of the assets, and
received directly its proportionate share of the income, of each U.S. or foreign corporation in which it owns a 25%-or-greater
interest, measured by value.
Although a foreign corporation's status
as a PFIC or non-PFIC is generally determined on a year-by-year basis, a foreign corporation that is not a PFIC in a given taxable
year under the rules of Section 1297 of the U.S. Code described above generally will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S.
Holder if: (1) such foreign corporation was a PFIC in any prior taxable year; and (2) such U.S. Holder's holding period for its
shares includes any portion of such prior taxable year. This rule is referred to herein as the "once a PFIC, always a PFIC"
rule.
If a foreign corporation is a PFIC, or
is treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder under the "once a PFIC, always a PFIC" rule described above, the following
consequences will generally apply to the U.S. Holder under Section 1291 of the U.S. Code:
| · | any gain recognized upon a sale or other disposition of stock in the foreign corporation, and certain
"excess distributions" received with respect to such stock, will be allocated over the U.S. Holder's holding period for
such shares. The portion of such gain or excess distribution that is allocated to the current year (or, potentially, certain prior
years) will be treated as ordinary income in the current year; |
| · | any portion allocated to a prior year (and not treated as ordinary income in the current year)
will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest tax rate applicable to ordinary income in such prior taxable year and
also subject to an interest charge; and |
| · | any preferential rate for which such gain or excess distribution might otherwise qualify (e.g.,
under the rules applicable to long-term capital gains or qualified dividend income) will not be available. |
Numerous additional rules may also apply,
including extremely broad rules applicable to indirect dispositions and indirect excess distributions. U.S. Holders are encouraged
to seek advice from their own tax advisors to determine whether there are any additional tax consequences under these circumstances.
FirstService does not believe that it or
New FSV was a PFIC for 2014, and, based on current business plans and financial projections, does not expect that it, Colliers
or New FSV will be a PFIC for 2015. Accordingly, FirstService anticipates that the PFIC rules would not result in Colliers or New
FSV not being qualified foreign corporations for 2015 for purposes of the reduced qualified dividend rate discussed above. FirstService
has made no determination as to whether Colliers or New FSV may be PFICs for any other taxable year.
The determination of whether FirstService,
Colliers or New FSV may be PFICs for a taxable year depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules,
which are subject to differing interpretations. In addition, whether FirstService, Colliers or New FSV will be PFICs for 2015 or
any subsequent year will depend on the income and assets of such corporation (and its subsidiaries) over the course of the entire
taxable year and, as a result, cannot be predicted with certainty as of the date of this Circular. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that FirstService, Colliers or New FSV was not, is not or will not be a PFIC for any taxable year.
Medicare Tax
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act of 2010 generally imposes on certain U.S. resident individuals, trusts and estates a tax of 3.8% on the lesser of: (i) "net
investment income"; or (ii) the excess of modified adjusted gross income over a threshold amount. Net investment income generally
includes dividends, and net gains from the disposition of stock and other investments, unless such income or gains are derived
in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or
trading activities). U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this
legislation on their ownership and disposition of FirstService Shares or New FSV Shares in light of such holders' individual circumstances.
Backup Withholding Tax and Information
Reporting
Distributions, including the distribution
of New FSV Shares pursuant to the Arrangement if such distribution does not qualify for non-recognition of gain or loss under Section
355 of the U.S. Code, within the U.S., or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, generally will be subject to information reporting
and backup withholding tax, currently at a rate of 28%, if a U.S. Holder: (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder's correct U.S.
taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9); (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number; (c) is
notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax; or
(d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number
and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, U.S. Holders that are
corporations generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding tax rules. Any amounts withheld under
the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if
any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes the required information to the IRS. Each U.S. Holder should consult its
own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and backup withholding tax rules.
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the risk factors set forth
below, additional risk factors relating to FirstService's business are discussed in the 2014 Annual Information Form, which risk
factors are incorporated herein by reference. In evaluating the Arrangement, Shareholders should carefully consider the risk factors
set out below as well as the other information included and incorporated by reference herein.
Risks Relating to the Arrangement
Conditions Precedent and Required Approvals
The completion of the Arrangement is subject
to a number of conditions precedent, some of which are outside FirstService's control, including receipt of the Final Order. At
the hearing for the Final Order, the Court will consider whether to approve the Arrangement based on the applicable legal requirements
and the evidence before the Court. Other conditions precedent which are outside of FirstService's control include, without limitation,
the receipt of the Canadian Tax Ruling, the required Shareholder approvals and the approvals of the TSX and Nasdaq. There can be
no certainty, nor can FirstService provide any assurance, that all conditions precedent to the Arrangement will be satisfied or
waived, or, if satisfied or waived, when they will be satisfied or waived. If certain approvals and consents are not received prior
to the anticipated Effective Date, FirstService may decide to proceed nonetheless, or it may either delay or amend the implementation
of all or part of the Arrangement, including possibly delaying the completion of the Arrangement in order to allow sufficient time
to complete such matters. If the Arrangement is delayed or not completed, the market price of the FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares may be materially adversely affected.
Financing Arrangements
Each of FirstService (which will become
Colliers) and New FSV has arranged, or is in the process of arranging, amended or new financing arrangements for its operations
after the Arrangement becomes effective. FirstService believes that it will have effected appropriate new financing arrangements
prior to the anticipated Effective Date. However, if such amended or new financings are not finalized prior to the anticipated
Effective Date, FirstService may decide to proceed nonetheless, or it may either delay or amend the implementation of all or part
of the Arrangement, in order to allow sufficient time to complete such new financings.
Pre-Arrangement Transactions
If the Arrangement is not completed as
expected, there should be no material adverse consequences to FirstService in having commenced or completed all or any part of
the Pre-Arrangement Transactions as described under the heading "The Arrangement – Pre-Arrangement Transactions"
other than the taxes payable on certain inter-company investments between Colliers and New FSV which will be settled as a result
of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions (with an impact on 2015 cash tax expense expected to be an increase of approximately US$725,000).
Value and Trading Price Following Completion
of the Arrangement
Upon completion of the Arrangement: (i)
the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares will become holders of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares; and (ii) the holders of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares will become holders of Colliers Multiple Voting Shares
and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares. Following the completion of the Arrangement, the respective businesses of New FSV and Colliers
will differ (to varying degrees) from the business of FirstService as it existed immediately prior to the completion of the Arrangement,
and their respective results of operations may be affected by factors different from those previously affecting FirstService's
results of operations prior to the completion of the Arrangement. Therefore, events or circumstances that might have caused an
increase or decrease in the value of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares or FirstService Multiple Voting Shares might not
result in an increase or decrease, respectively, in the value of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares or New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares or Colliers Multiple Voting Shares or New FSV Multiple Voting Shares.
In addition, the trading prices of the
Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares may be affected by factors different from those previously
affecting the trading price of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. The trading price of the Colliers Subordinate Voting
Shares is expected to be lower following the Arrangement than the trading price of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares prior
thereto, reflecting the division of the business of FirstService, and such price may fluctuate significantly for a period of time
following the Arrangement. Moreover, the trading prices of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares, taken together, may also be less than, equal to or greater than the trading price of the FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares prior to the Arrangement.
Market for New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares; Selling of Shares
Currently, there is no public market for
the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and there can be no assurance as to the price at which trading in these shares will occur
after the completion of the Arrangement.
Upon the establishment of a public market
for the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares in connection with the Arrangement, there may be Shareholders who wish to sell their
New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares or their Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares. Some Shareholders may determine that they do not
wish to have an investment solely in the post-Arrangement business of Colliers or New FSV, as applicable. In addition, some Shareholders
may be subject to investment restrictions which preclude them from holding New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares or Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares, while other Shareholders may elect to sell for different reasons. If there are a significant number of sellers of
New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares or Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares without a corresponding number of buyers, the trading price
of those shares could decline and such decline could be material.
Indemnification Obligations
In connection with the Arrangement, FirstService
and New FSV have entered into the Arrangement Agreement which contains a number of representations, warranties and covenants of
those parties, including agreement by each of those parties to indemnify and hold harmless the other party against any loss suffered
or incurred resulting from a breach of certain tax-related covenants. One of these covenants is that each party will not perform
any act or enter into any transaction or permit any transaction within its control to occur that could reasonably be considered
to interfere or be inconsistent with the Tax Ruling and Opinion. Another of these covenants is that each of FirstService (which
will then be Colliers) and New FSV, for a period of three years after the Effective Date, will not (and that it will cause its
subsidiaries to not) take any action, omit to take any action or enter into any transaction that could cause the Arrangement or
any transaction contemplated by the Arrangement Agreement to be taxed in a manner inconsistent with that provided for in the Tax
Ruling and Opinion. With respect to Canadian income taxation, in addition to various transactions that the respective parties are
prohibited from undertaking prior to and after the implementation of the Arrangement, after the implementation of the Arrangement,
neither Colliers nor New FSV will be permitted to dispose of or exchange property having a fair market value greater than 10% of
the fair market value of its property or, among other things, undergo an acquisition of control without severe adverse tax consequences
where such disposition or control acquisition is, for Canadian tax purposes, part of the "series of transactions or events"
that includes the Arrangement, except in limited circumstances.
In connection with the Arrangement, FirstService
and New FSV are expected to enter into the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, pursuant to which: (i) New FSV will
generally agree to indemnify FirstService (which will become Colliers) and its affiliates from and against any liabilities associated
with, among other things, the post-Arrangement assets and businesses of New FSV, whether relating to the period, or arising, prior
to or after the Effective Time; and (ii) FirstService (which will become Colliers) will generally agree to indemnify New FSV and
its affiliates from and against any liabilities associated with, among other things, the assets to be owned by Colliers or any
affiliate of Colliers and the businesses to be carried on by Colliers or any affiliate of Colliers after the Effective Time, whether
relating to the period, or arising, prior to or after the Effective Time.
Any indemnification claim against FirstService
or New FSV pursuant to the provisions of the Arrangement Agreement or Transitional Services and Separation Agreement could be substantial,
may not be able to be satisfied and may have a material adverse effect upon FirstService (which will become Colliers) or New FSV,
as applicable.
Canadian Tax Considerations
The Canadian Tax Ruling requested from
the CRA requires, among other things, that the Arrangement complies with all of the requirements of the public company "butterfly
reorganization" rules in Section 55 of the Tax Act. Although the Arrangement is structured to comply with these rules, there
are certain requirements of these rules that depend on events occurring after the Arrangement is completed or that may not be within
the control of FirstService, Colliers or New FSV. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Tax Ruling and Opinion".
If these requirements are not met, FirstService (which will become Colliers) and/or New FSV would recognize a taxable gain in respect
of the Arrangement. If incurred, tax liabilities could be substantial and could have a material effect on the financial position
of FirstService (or Colliers) and/or New FSV, as applicable. In addition, if such requirements are not met due to an act of FirstService
(which will become Colliers) or New FSV, FirstService (or Colliers) or New FSV, as applicable, would generally be required to indemnify
the other party under the Arrangement Agreement. See "The Arrangement – Arrangement Agreement".
U.S. Tax Considerations
The tax treatment of the Arrangement is
dependent on, among other things, the Arrangement complying with all of the requirements pursuant to Section 355 of the U.S. Code.
If either FirstService, Colliers or New FSV is a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Shareholder that is a U.S. person
may suffer adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, including with respect to the receipt of New FSV Shares pursuant to the
Arrangement and the ownership of such shares and the Colliers Shares following the Arrangement. See "Certain U.S. Federal
Income Tax Considerations – Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) Considerations". No tax ruling has been received
from the authorities in the United States in respect of tax consequences of the Arrangement.
Costs of the Arrangement
There are certain costs related to the
Arrangement, such as those for legal, accounting and financial advisory services and the Fairness Opinion, that must be paid even
if the Arrangement is not completed. There are also opportunity costs associated with the diversion of Management attention away
from the conduct of business in the ordinary course.
Diversification
The three operating divisions of FirstService,
Commercial Real Estate Services (Colliers International), Residential Real Estate Services (FirstService Residential) and Property
Services (FirstService Brands), have businesses that operate in different industries and have different geographical markets. FirstService
currently benefits from the industry and geographical diversification resulting from its ownership and operation of all of these
businesses. The Arrangement will separate the ownership and operation of these businesses. Accordingly, this separation will result
in reduced diversification which, in turn, will exacerbate the risks to each of the businesses of the cyclicality associated with
its particular industry as well as the other risks associated with the particular industries or the particular places in which
they operate.
Risks Relating to FirstService and
Colliers
Whether or not the Arrangement is completed,
FirstService (or, following the Arrangement, Colliers) will continue to face many of the risks that it currently faces with respect
to its business and affairs. Certain of these risk factors have been disclosed in the 2014 Annual Information Form on pages 17
to 20 thereof under the heading "Risk factors". The 2014 Annual Information Form has
been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and, upon request to the Chief Financial Officer of FirstService at 1140 Bay Street, Suite
4000, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2B4, Phone 416-960-9500, Facsimile: 416-960-5333, a Shareholder will be provided with a copy of the
2014 Annual Information Form without charge.
Shareholders should understand that if
the Arrangement Resolution is approved at the Meeting and the Arrangement is completed, Shareholders will hold both shares of Colliers
and New FSV. Accordingly, a Shareholder will become a shareholder of New FSV and will remain a shareholder of FirstService (which
will then be Colliers) and will be subject to all of the risks associated with the operations of Colliers and New FSV and the industries
in which such corporations operate. With respect to Colliers, those risks include the risk factors set forth in FirstService's
2014 Annual Information Form as described above and, with respect to New FSV, see "Risks Relating to New FSV" below.
Risks Relating to New FSV
For a complete discussion of the risk factors
relating to the business of New FSV following the completion of the Arrangement, please see Appendix "I" and the Management's
Discussion and Analysis set out in Appendix "K" to this Circular.
GENERAL PROXY MATTERS
Solicitation of Proxies
The form of proxy accompanying this
Circular is being solicited on behalf of Management in connection with the Meeting. The solicitation of proxies will be primarily
by mail, but some proxies may be solicited by newspaper publication, personal interviews, email, telephone or facsimile communication
by directors, officers or employees (or representatives thereof) of FirstService, who will not be specifically compensated therefor,
or agents of FirstService who will be specifically compensated therefore. FirstService has engaged Kingsdale as proxy solicitation
agent and will pay a fixed fee of $50,000 to Kingsdale for the proxy solicitation service in addition to certain out-of-pocket
expenses. FirstService may also reimburse brokers and other persons holding FirstService Shares in their name or in the name of
nominees for their costs incurred in sending proxy materials to their principals in order to obtain their proxies. Holders of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares who have any questions in regards to the Meeting or require assistance with voting may contact Kingsdale,
by: (i) telephone, toll-free in North America at 1-866-581-0506 or at 416-867-2272 outside of North America; (ii) facsimile to
416-867-2271 or, toll-free in North America, to 1-866-545-5580; (iii) mail to The Exchange Tower, 130 King Street West, Suite 2950,
P.O. Box 361, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5X 1E2; or (iv) e-mail to contactus@kingsdaleshareholder.com. All costs of the solicitation
will be borne, directly or indirectly, by FirstService. The address of the registered office of FirstService is 1140 Bay Street,
Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4.
FirstService is not sending this Circular
and related Meeting materials directly to non-objecting beneficial owners under National Instrument 54-101 – Communication
with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer.
Information For Non-Registered Shareholders
Holders of FirstService Shares who are
Non-Registered Shareholders
Subject to applicable laws, the only Shareholders
entitled to vote at the Meeting are Registered Shareholders. However, FirstService Shares of the majority of Shareholders are not
held in their own name, but rather are registered in the name of nominee accounts (the "Non-Registered Shareholders"),
usually The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited ("CDS"). CDS acts as clearing agent for brokers and other
intermediaries (the "Intermediaries") who, in turn, act on behalf of the holders of FirstService Shares.
As a result, Non-Registered Shareholders
can only exercise their rights as beneficial owners of FirstService Shares through CDS or a participant in the CDS depository service.
This means that in order for Non-Registered Shareholders to exercise their rights to vote their FirstService Shares at the Meeting,
they must provide voting instructions to the Registered Shareholder.
If Non-Registered Shareholders wish
to vote their FirstService Shares, they must carefully review and follow the voting instructions provided by their Intermediary.
Delivery of Voting Instructions by Non-Registered
Shareholders
Applicable regulatory policies require
Intermediaries to seek voting instructions from Non-Registered Shareholders in advance of shareholder meetings. Each Intermediary
has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions, which should be carefully followed by Non-Registered Shareholders
in order to ensure their FirstService Shares are voted at the Meeting. Generally, Non-Registered Shareholders who receive meeting
materials will be given either:
| (a) | a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped
signature), which is restricted as to the number of FirstService Shares beneficially owned by the Non-Registered Shareholder but
which is otherwise not completed. This form of proxy need not be signed by the Non-Registered Shareholder. In this case, the Non-Registered
Shareholder who wishes to submit a proxy should complete the rest of the form of proxy and deliver the proxy in accordance with
the instructions provided by the Intermediary; or |
| (b) | a voting instruction form which must be completed and signed by the Non-Registered Shareholder
in accordance with the directions on the voting instruction form and returned to the Intermediary or its service company. In some
cases, the completion of the voting instruction form by telephone, the internet or facsimile is permitted. |
The purpose of these procedures is to permit
Non-Registered Shareholders to direct the voting of the FirstService Shares that they beneficially own. These procedures do not
permit a Non-Registered Shareholder to vote FirstService Shares in person at a Meeting.
Voting in Person by Non-Registered Shareholders
A Non-Registered Shareholder who receives
a form of proxy or a voting instruction form and wishes to vote at the Meeting in person should strike out the names of the persons
designated in the form of proxy and insert the Non-Registered Shareholder's name in the blank space provided or, in the case of
a voting instruction form, follow the corresponding directions on the form. In either case, Non-Registered Shareholders should
carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the proxy or voting instruction
form is to be delivered.
Appointment of Proxyholder
The individuals specified as proxyholders
in the enclosed form of proxy are representatives of Management and are directors and/or officers of FirstService. A Shareholder
may, by properly marking, executing and depositing the accompanying form of proxy, appoint as proxyholder the individuals named
in the accompanying form of proxy, or some other individual or entity, who need not be a Shareholder. This latter right may be
exercised by striking out the names of the designated individuals and inserting the name of such other proxyholder in the blank
space provided in the enclosed form of proxy or by completing another proxy in proper form. The proxyholder may attend and
act for the Shareholder at the Meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.
Execution and Deposit of Proxy
If a Shareholder is an individual, the
form of proxy must be executed by the Shareholder or a duly authorized attorney of the Registered Shareholder. If a Shareholder
is a corporation or other form of entity, the form of proxy must be executed by a duly authorized attorney or officer of the corporation
or other form of entity. Where a form of proxy is executed by an attorney or officer of a corporation or other form of entity,
the authorizing documents (or notarized copies thereof) should accompany the form of proxy. To be valid, an executed form of proxy
must be received at the offices of TMX Equity Transfer Services, 200 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4H1, if
sent by facsimile, to 416-595-9593, or if by such other method as is identified in the form of proxy, in accordance with the instructions
set out in the form of proxy, in any case, not later than 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on Friday, April 17, 2015 or, if the Meeting
is adjourned, not later than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, preceding the time of such adjourned Meeting.
The time limit for the deposit of proxies may be waived or extended by the Chair of the Meeting at his or her discretion without
notice.
The execution or exercise of a proxy
does not constitute a written objection to the Arrangement Resolution for the purposes of Section 185 of the OBCA. For information
on exercising Dissent Rights, see "Dissenting Shareholders' Rights".
Manner Proxies Will Be Voted
The FirstService
Shares represented by the accompanying form of proxy will be voted or be withheld from voting, as the case may be, on any ballot
that may be called for at the Meeting and, subject to the provisions of the OBCA, where a choice is specified in respect of any
matter to be acted upon, will be voted in accordance with the specification made. If a Shareholder does NOT specify how to vote
on a particular matter, the proxyholder is entitled to vote the FirstService Shares as he or she sees fit. Please note that if
a completed form of proxy does not specify how to vote on any particular matter, and if a Shareholder has authorized either of
the individuals named therein to act as proxyholder (by leaving the line for the proxyholder's name blank on the form of proxy),
your FirstService Shares will be voted at the Meeting as follows:
| • | FOR the election of the nine nominees to the board of directors of FirstService, those nominees
being the nine current directors of FirstService; |
| • | FOR the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants and Licensed Public
Accountants, as independent auditors of FirstService and to authorize the Board to fix the auditors' remuneration; |
| • | FOR approving the amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan to increase the maximum number
of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the exercise of FirstService Stock Options granted
thereunder; |
| • | FOR approving the Arrangement Resolution; and |
| • | FOR approving the New FSV Stock Option Plan Resolution. |
See "Annual Meeting Matters",
"The Arrangement" and "Other Arrangement Matters to be Acted Upon". If any other matters properly arise at
the Meeting that are not described in the Notice of Meeting, or if any amendments are proposed to the matters described in the
Notice of Meeting, a proxyholder is entitled to vote the FirstService Shares as he or she sees fit. The Notice of Meeting sets
out all the matters to be determined at the Meeting that are known to Management as of March 16, 2015.
Revocability of Proxy
A Shareholder giving a proxy has the power
to revoke it. Such revocation may be made by the Shareholder attending the Meeting, duly executing another form of proxy bearing
a later date and depositing it before the specified time, or may be made by written instrument revoking such proxy executed by
the Shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing and deposited either at the registered office of FirstService at
any time up to and including the last Business Day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, or with the Chair
of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof or in any other manner permitted by law. If such written instrument
is deposited with the Chair of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, such instrument will not be effective
with respect to any matter on which a vote has already been cast pursuant to such proxy.
Quorum
The by-laws of FirstService and the Interim
Order each provide that the presence of any two Shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting, whether present in person or represented
by proxy, constitutes a quorum. If a quorum is present at the opening of the Meeting, the Shareholders present or represented by
proxy may proceed with the business of the Meeting, notwithstanding that a quorum is not present throughout the Meeting.
Voting of FirstService Shares
As at March 16, 2015, FirstService has
outstanding 34,644,911 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (having 56.5% of the total votes attached to all FirstService Shares)
and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple Voting Shares (having 43.5% of the total votes attached to all FirstService Shares). Only those
Shareholders of record on the Record Date are entitled to vote their FirstService Shares at the Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.
The Record Date was fixed by the Board and has been confirmed by the Court in the Interim Order.
Voting at the Meeting will be by show of
hands, except with respect to the Arrangement Resolution or where a ballot is demanded by a Shareholder or proxyholder entitled
to vote at the Meeting. Each Shareholder will be entitled to vote with respect to such number of FirstService Shares shown as registered
in his, her or its name on the list of Shareholders as of the Record Date prepared by FirstService, which list is available for
inspection by Shareholders at the Meeting or, after the 10th day following the Record Date, during usual business hours
at the registered office of FirstService or the office of the registrar and transfer agent of the FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares and/or FirstService Multiple Voting Shares.
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the Arrangement
are to be passed upon on behalf of FirstService by Fogler, Rubinoff LLP (regarding Canadian corporate and securities law matters),
Wilson & Partners LLP, a law firm affiliated with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (regarding Canadian federal tax law matters) and
Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP (regarding U.S. federal securities law matters). As of March 16, 2015, the partners and associates of
each of Fogler, Rubinoff LLP, Wilson & Partners LLP, and Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP each beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
less than one percent of the outstanding securities of any class or series of FirstService.
The Board retained William Blair to prepare
the Fairness Opinion, which states that, in the opinion of William Blair, as of March 16, 2015, the consideration to be received
by the Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such Shareholders. The Fairness Opinion
is subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications contained therein and should be read in its entirety. A copy of the
Fairness Opinion is contained in Appendix "D". As of March 16, 2015, William Blair and each of its designated professionals
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, less than one percent of the outstanding securities of any class or series of FirstService.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to FirstService
is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Financial information relating to FirstService is provided in FirstService's annual consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the related management's discussion and analysis. A copy of the following
documents may be obtained, without charge, upon request to the Chief Financial Officer of FirstService at 1140 Bay Street, Suite
4000, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2B4, Phone 416-960-9500, Facsimile: 416-960-5333: (a) the 2014 Annual Information Form together with
any document, or the pertinent pages of any document, incorporated by reference therein; (b) the annual consolidated financial
statements of FirstService for the year ended December 31, 2014 together with the accompanying report of the auditors thereon,
any interim consolidated financial statements of FirstService for periods subsequent to December 31, 2014 and the related management's
discussion and analysis therefor; and (c) this Circular.
CONTACTING THE BOARD
Shareholders, employees and other interested
parties may communicate directly with the Board through the Chair of the Board by writing to:
Chair of the Board
FirstService Corporation
1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 2B4
GENERAL
Management knows of no matters to come
before the Meeting other than the matters referred to in the Notice of Meeting. However, if matters not now known to Management
should come before the Meeting, shares represented by proxies solicited by Management will be voted on each such matter in accordance
with the best judgement of the nominees voting same. The contents and the sending of the Notice of Meeting and this Circular have
been approved by the Board.
By
Order of the Board
![](cooke.jpg)
DOUGLAS G. COOKE
Corporate Secretary
March 16, 2015
CONSENTS
Consent of Wilson & Partners LLP
We consent to the references to our name
and opinion under "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations" and to our name under "Legal and Financial
Matters" in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Management Information Circular of FirstService Corporation
dated March 16, 2015 with respect to a Plan of Arrangement involving FirstService Corporation, its shareholders, New FSV Corporation,
FSV Holdco ULC and FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc.
Toronto, Ontario
March 16, 2015
|
(Signed) Wilson & Partners LLP |
Consent of William Blair
We consent to the references to our name
and fairness opinion dated March 11, 2015 under "Table of Contents", "Glossary of Terms", "The Arrangement
– Background to the Arrangement", "The Arrangement – Fairness Opinion" and "Legal and Financial
Matters" in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Management Information Circular of FirstService Corporation
dated March 16, 2015 with respect to a Plan of Arrangement involving FirstService Corporation, its shareholders, New FSV Corporation,
FSV Holdco ULC and FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. and to the inclusion of a copy of our fairness opinion as
Appendix "D" to the Management Information Circular. In providing such consent, we do not intend that any person other
than the Board of Directors of FirstService Corporation rely upon the Fairness Opinion.
Chicago, Illinois
March 16, 2015
|
(Signed) William Blair & Company, L.L.C. |
APPENDIX "A"
ARRANGEMENT RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED, AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION,
THAT:
| 1. | the arrangement (the "Arrangement") under Section 182 of the Business Corporations
Act (Ontario) (the "OBCA") involving FirstService Corporation ("FirstService"), as more particularly
described and set forth in the Management Information Circular (the "Circular") of FirstService dated March 16,
2015 (as the Arrangement may be, or may have been, amended, modified or supplemented in accordance with the terms of the arrangement
agreement dated March 11, 2015 among FirstService, New FSV Corporation, FSV Holdco ULC and FirstService Commercial Real Estate
Services Inc. (the "Arrangement Agreement") or the Plan of Arrangement (as defined below)), is hereby authorized,
approved and adopted; |
| 2. | the plan of arrangement (the "Plan of Arrangement") involving FirstService and
implementing the Arrangement, the full text of which is set out in Schedule "A" to Appendix "C" to the Circular
(as the Plan of Arrangement may be, or may have been, amended, modified or supplemented in accordance with its terms or the terms
of the Arrangement Agreement), is hereby authorized, approved and adopted; |
| 3. | the Arrangement Agreement, and all the transactions contemplated therein, together with the actions
of the directors of FirstService in approving the Arrangement and the actions of the directors and officers of FirstService in
executing and delivering the Arrangement Agreement, together with any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto, are hereby
ratified and approved; |
| 4. | each of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions (including the FCRESI Arrangements), the Standstill Agreement,
the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement and the FirstService MSA (as each of the foregoing terms is defined in the Arrangement
Agreement) is hereby authorized and approved and adopted, or ratified and approved, as the case may be, and, in accordance with
the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, each of the entering into of the New FSV MSA (as such term is defined in the
Arrangement Agreement) and the amendment and restatement of the FirstService MSA (which will thereafter be referred to as the Colliers
MSA (as such term is defined in the Arrangement Agreement)) is hereby authorized, approved and adopted; |
| 5. | FirstService is hereby authorized to apply for a final order from the Ontario Superior Court of
Justice (the "Court") to approve the Arrangement on the terms set forth in the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan
of Arrangement (as they may be, or may have been, amended, modified, or supplemented to the extent permitted by the Arrangement
Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement, as applicable); |
| 6. | notwithstanding that these resolutions have been passed (and the Arrangement approved) by the shareholders
of FirstService or that the Arrangement has been approved by the Court, the directors of FirstService are hereby authorized and
empowered, at their discretion and without further notice to, or approval of, the shareholders of FirstService: (a) to amend, modify
or supplement the Arrangement Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement to the extent permitted by the Arrangement Agreement or the
Plan of Arrangement, as applicable; and (b) subject to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, not to proceed with the Arrangement
and/or any related transactions; |
| 7. | any one or more directors or officers of FirstService are hereby authorized and directed for and
on behalf and in the name of FirstService to execute, whether under the corporate seal of FirstService or otherwise, and to deliver
for filing with the Director under the OBCA, articles of arrangement and such other documents as such director(s) or officer(s)
determine may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the Arrangement in accordance with the Arrangement Agreement (including,
but not limited to, the FCRESI Arrangements, the Standstill Agreement, the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, the
New FSV MSA and the Colliers MSA), such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery by such director(s)
or officer(s) of such articles of arrangement and any such other documents; and |
| 8. | any one or more directors or officers of FirstService are hereby authorized, for and on behalf
and in the name of FirstService, to execute, whether under the corporate seal of FirstService or otherwise, and deliver all such
agreements, forms, waivers, notices, certificates, confirmations and other documents and instruments and to do or cause to be done
all such other acts and things as such director(s) or officer(s) may determine to be necessary, desirable or useful for the purpose
of giving effect to these resolutions, the completion of the Arrangement, the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement
in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement (including, but not limited to, the FCRESI Arrangements, the Standstill
Agreement, the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, the New FSV MSA and the Colliers MSA), such determination to be
conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery by such director(s) or officer(s) of any such agreement, form, waiver, notice,
certificate, confirmation or other document and instrument or the doing of any such act or thing. |
APPENDIX "B"
NEW FSV STOCK OPTION PLAN RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
| 1. | the stock option plan (the "New FSV Stock Option Plan"), substantially in the
form attached as Appendix "G" to the Management Information Circular (the "Circular") of FirstService
Corporation ("FirstService") dated March 16, 2015, is hereby authorized, approved and ratified as the stock option
plan for New FSV Corporation ("New FSV"), with New FSV to be renamed "FirstService Corporation"
pursuant to the arrangement under Section 182 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) involving FirstService,
its shareholders, New FSV, FSV Holdco ULC and FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc.; and |
| 2. | any one or more directors or officers of FirstService or New FSV is hereby authorized and directed
for and on behalf and in the name of FirstService or New FSV, as applicable, to execute, whether under the corporate seal of FirstService
or New FSV or otherwise, and to deliver all such agreements, forms, notices and other documents and instruments and to do or cause
to be done all such other acts and things as such director(s) or officer(s) may determine to be necessary, desirable or useful
for the purpose of giving effect to this resolution, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery
by such director(s) or officer(s) of any such agreement, form, notice or other document and instrument or the doing of any such
act or thing. |
APPENDIX "C"
ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING PLAN
OF ARRANGEMENT)
ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT is made
as of the 11th day of March, 2015
AMONG:
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION, a corporation
existing pursuant to the laws of the Province of Ontario ("FirstService")
- and -
NEW FSV CORPORATION, a
corporation existing pursuant to the laws of the Province of Ontario ("New FSV")
- and -
FSV HOLDCO ULC, an unlimited liability
company existing pursuant to the laws of the Province of British Columbia ("FSV Holdco")
- and -
FIRSTSERVICE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
SERVICES INC., a corporation existing pursuant to the laws of the Province of Ontario ("FCRESI")
WHEREAS:
| A. | the business of FirstService consists of the following three divisions: (i) the "Colliers
International" commercial real estate services division; (ii) the "FirstService Residential" residential
real estate services division; and (iii) the "FirstService Brands" property services division; |
| B. | FirstService wishes to separate and spin-off its "FirstService Residential" residential
real estate services division and "FirstService Brands" property services division, and the assets and liabilities
respectively referable to such divisions, into a separate public company, by means of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions (as defined
below) and the Arrangement (as defined below); |
| C. | New FSV has been incorporated in order to facilitate and participate in the Arrangement; |
| D. | FSV Holdco and FCRESI, both Subsidiaries (as defined below) of FirstService, have agreed to participate
in the Arrangement; |
| E. | the Parties (as defined below) will participate in a series of transactions for the separation
and reorganization of the assets and liabilities of FirstService, such that: (i) FSV Holdco will hold the "FirstService
Residential" residential real estate services division and "FirstService Brands" property services division
of FirstService, and the assets and liabilities respectively referable to such divisions, and will, under the Plan of Arrangement
(as defined below), become a wholly-owned Subsidiary of New FSV and dissolve and wind-up into New FSV, and New FSV will change
its name to "FirstService Corporation"; (ii) FCRESI will (outside of the Arrangement) become a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of FirstService; and (iii) FirstService will, outside of FSV Holdco and through FCRESI, continue to hold the "Colliers
International" commercial real estate services division, and the assets and liabilities referable to such division, and
will, under the Plan of Arrangement, amalgamate with FCRESI to form a corporation that will be named "Colliers International
Group Inc."; and |
| F. | the Board (as defined below) has reviewed the terms and conditions of the Arrangement and, for
the reasons set out in the Meeting Materials (as defined below), has unanimously concluded that the Arrangement is in the best
interests of FirstService and is fair and reasonable to FirstService and the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares (as such terms are defined below), each taken separately as a class; |
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration
of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration now paid by each of the Parties
to the others of them, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
Parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Article 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1
Definitions. In this Agreement, including the recitals hereto, unless there is something in the subject matter or
context inconsistent therewith, the following terms have the following meanings, respectively:
| (a) | "Affiliate" means, in respect of any Person, another Person if: (i) one of them
is the Subsidiary of the other; or (ii) each of them is Controlled by the same Person; |
| (b) | "Agreed Amount" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 6.4; |
| (c) | "Agreement" means this Arrangement Agreement and all schedules attached to this
Arrangement Agreement, all as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time; |
| (d) | "Applicable Law" means in respect of any Person: (i) any applicable domestic or
foreign law, including any statute, subordinate legislation or treaty; and (ii) any applicable guideline, directive, rule, standard,
requirement, policy, order, judgment, injunction, award or decree of a Governmental Authority having the force of law; |
| (e) | "Arrangement" means the arrangement under Section 182 of the OBCA on the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in the Plan of Arrangement, subject to any amendments or variations thereto made in accordance
with this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement, or made at the direction of the Court; |
| (f) | "Arrangement Resolution" means the special resolution approving the Plan of Arrangement
to be considered at the Meeting, to be substantially in the form and content attached as Appendix "A" to the Circular; |
| (g) | "Articles of Arrangement" means the articles of arrangement of FirstService in
respect of the Arrangement, to be filed with the Director after the Final Order is made, which shall include the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (h) | "Board" means the board of directors of FirstService as constituted from time
to time; |
| (i) | "Business Day" means a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory or civic
holiday in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when banks are generally open for the transaction of business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; |
| (j) | "Canadian Tax Ruling" means the advance income tax rulings received from the CRA
with respect to certain Canadian federal income tax consequences in respect of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Arrangement
and certain other transactions and includes any replacements thereof and amendments and supplements thereto received or anticipated
to be received from the CRA, in form and substance satisfactory to FirstService, in its sole discretion; |
| (k) | "Canadian Tax Ruling Application" means the advance income tax rulings application
and related submissions made by Wilson & Partners LLP, a law firm affiliated with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, on behalf of
FirstService, New FSV and Jayset Capital Corp., as same may be revised, supplemented, modified or replaced at the request of FirstService,
New FSV and/or Jayset Capital Corp., seeking the Canadian Tax Ruling; |
| (l) | "Certificate of Arrangement" means the certificate of arrangement to be issued
by the Director, pursuant to subsection 183(2) of the OBCA, in order to give effect to the Articles of Arrangement; |
| (m) | "Circular" means the management information circular of FirstService relating
to, among other things, the Arrangement, including all appendices and schedules thereto, and any information incorporated by reference
therein, to be sent to the FirstService Shareholders in connection with the Meeting, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time; |
| (n) | "Claim" means any act, omission or state of facts, or any demand, action, suit,
proceeding, claim, assessment, judgment, settlement or other compromise relating thereto, which may give rise to a right of indemnification
under Article 6; |
| (o) | "Claim Notice" has the meaning ascribed to such term in subsection 6.3(a); |
| (p) | "Claimed Amount" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 6.4; |
| (q) | "Colliers" means the corporation governed by the OBCA continuing following the
amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (r) | "Colliers MSA" means the FirstService MSA, as required to be amended and restated
among Colliers, Jayset Capital Corp. and Jay S. Hennick in accordance with the terms of the Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement, pursuant to which FirstService (and following the Effective Time, Colliers) will continue to receive the various
management and other services being provided by Jayset Capital Corp. to FirstService in respect of the "Commercial Real
Estate Services" division of FirstService pursuant to the FirstService MSA; |
| (s) | "Colliers Multiple Voting Shares" means the Multiple Voting Shares in the capital
of Colliers (which were previously FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and which became Multiple Voting Shares in the capital
of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI under the Plan of Arrangement); |
| (t) | "Colliers Stock Option Plan" means the FirstService Stock Option Plan which becomes
the stock option plan of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI under the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (u) | "Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares" means the Subordinate Voting Shares in the
capital of Colliers (which were previously FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and which became Subordinate Voting Shares
in the capital of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI under the Plan of Arrangement); |
| (v) | "Control" means, when applied to a relationship between two Persons, that a Person
(the "first Person") is considered to control another Person (the "second Person") if: (i) the
first Person, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns or exercises control or direction over securities, interests or contractual
rights of the second Person carrying votes which, if exercised, would entitle the first Person to elect a majority of the directors
of the second Person, or a majority of any other Persons who have the right to manage or supervise the management of the business
and affairs of the second Person, unless that first Person holds the voting securities only to secure a debt or similar obligation;
(ii) the second Person is a partnership, other than a limited partnership, and the first Person, together with any Person Controlled
by the first Person, holds more than 50% of the interests (measured by votes or by value) of the partnership; or (iii) the second
Person is a limited partnership and the general partner of the limited partnership is the first Person or any Person Controlled
by the first Person, and the term "Controlled" has a corresponding meaning; |
| (w) | "Court" means the Ontario Superior Court of Justice; |
| (x) | "CRA" means the Canada Revenue Agency, and any successor Governmental Authority
thereto; |
| (y) | "Direct Claim" means any Claim by an Indemnified Person against an Indemnifying
Party; |
| (z) | "Director" means the Director appointed pursuant to Section 278 of the OBCA; |
| (aa) | "Dissent Rights" means the right of a registered FirstService Shareholder to dissent
in respect of the Arrangement pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 185 of the OBCA, as modified by Article 4 of the
Plan of Arrangement, the Interim Order and any other order of the Court; |
| (bb) | "Effective Date" means the date shown on the Certificate of Arrangement (being
the effective date of the Arrangement); |
| (cc) | "Effective Time" means 12:01 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario local time) on the Effective
Date; |
| (dd) | "Encumbrance" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, hypothec, security interest,
encumbrance, adverse claim or right of any third party to acquire or restrict the use of property; |
| (ee) | "Excess" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 6.6; |
| (ff) | "Fairness Opinion" means an opinion of William Blair & Company, L.L.C. to
be dated on or about the date of this Agreement which is addressed to the Board and provides that the consideration to be received
by the FirstService Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such FirstService Shareholders,
and is otherwise in a form acceptable to the Board; |
| (gg) | "FCRESI Arrangements" means the arrangements entered into between FirstService
and one or more shareholders and/or optionholders of FCRESI (other than FirstService) and/or under the FCRESI Governance Agreement
pursuant to which FirstService will acquire (outside and not as part of the Plan of Arrangement) all of the issued and outstanding
shares (and options to acquire shares) of FCRESI it does not own for consideration consisting of FirstService New Subordinate Voting
Shares and/or cash and, following the effectiveness of which, FCRESI will be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of FirstService; |
| (hh) | "FCRESI Governance Agreement" means the amended and restated governance and support
agreement made as of the 7th day of August, 2012 between FCRESI and FirstService; |
| (ii) | "Final Order" means the final order of the Court approving the Arrangement, as
such order may be amended or varied at any time prior to the Effective Time or, if appealed, then, unless such appeal is withdrawn
or denied, as affirmed or amended, with or without variation, on appeal; |
| (jj) | "FirstService MSA" means the management services agreement made effective as of
and from the 1st day of February, 2004 among FirstService, Jayset Capital Corp. and Jay S. Hennick, as same may have
been amended, pursuant to which FirstService retained Jayset Capital Corp. to provide various management and other services, and
Mr. Hennick agreed to perform such services on behalf of Jayset Capital Corp.; |
| (kk) | "FirstService Multiple Voting Shares" means the Multiple Voting Shares in the
capital of FirstService (that will be re-designated under the Plan of Arrangement as "Class A Multiple Voting Shares"); |
| (ll) | "FirstService MV Special Shares" means the new series of preference shares in
the capital of FirstService created pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, designated as "Preference Shares, Series MV"
and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (mm) | "FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares" means the new class of shares in the
capital of FirstService created pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, designated as "Multiple Voting Shares" and
having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (nn) | "FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares" means the new class of shares in
the capital of FirstService created pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, designated as "Subordinate Voting Shares"
and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (oo) | "FirstService Shareholders" means, collectively, the holders of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares; |
| (pp) | "FirstService Stock Option Plan" means the "FirstService Stock Option
Plan" of FirstService, as amended and/or restated; |
| (qq) | "FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares" means the Subordinate Voting Shares in
the capital of FirstService (that will be re-designated under the Plan of Arrangement as "Class A Subordinate Voting Shares"); |
| (rr) | "FirstService SV Special Shares" means the new series of preference shares in
the capital of FirstService created pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, designated as "Preference Shares, Series SV"
and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (ss) | "Governmental Authority" means any: (i) multinational, federal, provincial, territorial,
state, regional, municipal, local or other government, governmental or public department, court, tribunal, commission, board or
agency, domestic or foreign; or (ii) regulatory authority, including any securities commission or stock exchange; |
| (tt) | "Indemnified Person" means each Person, actually or potentially, entitled to indemnification
pursuant to Article 6; |
| (uu) | "Indemnifying Party" means a Party that is, actually or potentially, required
to indemnify an Indemnified Person pursuant to Article 6; |
| (vv) | "Indemnity Payment" means any amount of Loss required to be paid by an Indemnifying
Party pursuant to Article 6; |
| (ww) | "Independent Accountant" has the meaning ascribed to such term in paragraph 6.7(b)(iii); |
| (xx) | "Interested FirstService Subordinate Voting Shareholder" means, at the applicable
time, a holder of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares who is, for the purposes of voting on the Arrangement Resolution: (i)
an "interested party" within the meaning of MI 61-101 or otherwise required to be excluded for the purposes of
a vote on the Arrangement Resolution under the requirements of MI 61-101; (ii) a "control person" of FirstService
within the meaning of OSC Rule 56-501 – Restricted Shares; or (iii) an "affiliate" of FirstService
within the meaning of the Securities Act; |
| (yy) | "Interim Order" means the interim order of the Court in respect of the Arrangement,
as it may be varied or amended, as contemplated by Section 2.3 of this Agreement; |
| (zz) | "IRC" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and includes the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder; |
| (aaa) | "Judgement Conversion Date" has the meaning ascribed to such term in subsection
6.9(a); |
| (bbb) | "Judgement Currency" has the meaning ascribed to such term in subsection 6.9(a); |
| (ccc) | "Loss" means any loss, liability, damage, cost, expense, charge, fine, penalty,
assessment or reassessment of whatever nature or kind, including Taxes, the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of any
action, suit, proceeding, demand, claim, assessment, judgment, settlement or other compromise relating thereto and reasonable legal
fees (on a solicitor and its own client basis) and disbursements incurred in connection therewith, excluding loss of profits and
consequential damages; |
| (ddd) | "Material Adverse Effect" means, in respect of any Person, any change, event,
development or occurrence that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, material and adverse to the business, operations, results
of operations, liabilities (including contingent liabilities), obligations (whether absolute, accrued, conditional or otherwise),
capital, properties, assets or financial condition of that Person (including its Affiliates) considered as a whole; |
| (eee) | "Meeting" means the annual and special meeting of FirstService Shareholders (including
any adjournment or postponement thereof) to be called and held in accordance with the Interim Order to consider and, if deemed
advisable, to approve the Arrangement Resolution, the Stock Option Plan Resolution and the other matters set out in the notice
of meeting accompanying the Circular; |
| (fff) | "Meeting Materials" means the notice of meeting, the Circular and the forms of
proxy in respect of the Meeting which accompany the Circular; |
| (ggg) | "MI 61-101" means Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority
Security Holders in Special Transactions, as it may be amended or re-enacted from time to time; |
| (hhh) | "Nasdaq" means The NASDAQ Stock Market (including any applicable tier thereof); |
| (iii) | "New FSV MSA" means the management services agreement required to be entered into
among FirstService, Jayset Capital Corp. and Jay S. Hennick in accordance with the terms of the Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement, as a continuation of the existing rights and obligations under the FirstService MSA, pursuant to which FirstService
(and following the Effective Time, New FSV) will continue to receive the various management and other services being provided by
Jayset Capital Corp. to FirstService in respect of the "Residential Real Estate Services" and "Property
Services" divisions of FirstService pursuant to the FirstService MSA; |
| (jjj) | "New FSV Multiple Voting Shares" means the shares in the capital of New FSV designated
as "Multiple Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit
"II" to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (kkk) | "New FSV Special Shares" means the new series of preference shares in the capital
of New FSV created pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, designated as "Preference Shares, Series Special" and
having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "V" to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (lll) | "New FSV Stock Option Plan" means the "FirstService Stock Option Plan"
of New FSV adopted prior to the Effective Date; |
| (mmm) | "New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares" means the shares in the capital of New FSV
designated as "Subordinate Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out
in Exhibit "II" to the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (nnn) | "OBCA" means the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and the regulations
made thereunder, each as amended from time to time; |
| (ooo) | "Party" means a party to this Agreement, and, for greater certainty, Colliers
will be deemed to be a party to this Agreement upon the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement,
at which time Colliers will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, FirstService and FCRESI
under this Agreement and all references herein to FirstService or FCRESI will be deemed replaced with a reference to Colliers; |
| (ppp) | "Person" means and includes an individual, limited or general partnership, limited
liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, joint venture, association, body corporate, unlimited liability company,
trustee, executor, administrator, legal representative, government (including any Governmental Authority) or any other entity,
whether or not having legal status; |
| (qqq) | "Plan of Arrangement" means the plan of arrangement annexed hereto as Schedule
"A", as amended, varied or supplemented in accordance with the terms thereof; |
| (rrr) | "Pre-Arrangement Transactions" means the transactions and actions referred to
in paragraphs 60 to 68, inclusive, of the Canadian Tax Ruling Application (including the FCRESI Arrangements); |
| (sss) | "Prime Rate" means the floating rate of interest established from time to time
by The Toronto-Dominion Bank (and reported to the Bank of Canada) as the reference rate of interest The Toronto-Dominion Bank will
use to determine rates of interest payable by its borrowers on Canadian dollar commercial loans made by The Toronto-Dominion Bank
to such borrowers in Canada and designated by The Toronto-Dominion Bank as its "prime rate"; |
| (ttt) | "Recovery" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 6.6; |
| (uuu) | "Representatives" means, collectively, the directors, officers, employees, agents
and advisors of a Party at any time and their respective heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives and all
of their respective successors and assigns; |
| (vvv) | "Securities Act" means the Securities Act (Ontario) and the regulations
made thereunder, each as amended from time to time; |
| (www) | "Specified Corporation" has the meaning attributed to such term in subsection
55(1) of the Tax Act; |
| (xxx) | "Standstill Agreement" means the standstill agreement made effective as of the
10th day of February, 2015 among Jay S. Hennick, Henset Capital Inc., New FSV, FSV Holdco, FCRESI and FirstService pursuant
to which, among other things, Mr. Hennick and Henset Capital Inc. have agreed to certain restrictions on the disposition of certain
property to any Person who is not related to the transferor; |
| (yyy) | "Stock Option Plan Resolution" means the ordinary resolution of FirstService Shareholders
approving the New FSV Stock Option Plan to be considered at the Meeting; |
| (zzz) | "Subsidiary" means, at a particular time, a Person Controlled, directly or indirectly,
by another Person; |
| (aaaa) | "Tax" or "Taxes" includes all taxes, surtaxes, duties, levies,
imposts, rates, fees, assessments, withholdings, dues and other charges of any nature imposed by any Governmental Authority (including,
income, capital (including large corporations), withholding, consumption, sales, use, transfer, goods and services or other value-added,
excise, customs, net worth, stamp, registration, franchise, payroll, employment, Canada Pension Plan contributions, Employment
Insurance premiums, health, education, business, school, property, local improvement, development, education, development and occupation
taxes, surtaxes, duties, levies, imposts, rates, fees, assessments, withholdings, dues and charges), together with all fines, interest,
penalties on or in respect of, or in lieu of or for non-collection or non-remittance of, those taxes, surtaxes, duties, levies,
imposts, rates, fees, assessments, withholdings, dues and other charges; |
| (bbbb) | "Tax Act" means the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations made thereunder,
each as amended from time to time; |
| (cccc) | "Tax Benefit" has the meaning ascribed to such term in paragraph 6.7(b)(i); |
| (dddd) | "Tax Gross-Up" means, with respect to any particular Indemnity Payment, such additional
amount as is necessary to place the Indemnified Person in the same after-tax position as it would have been in had such Indemnity
Payment been received tax free by the Indemnified Party. The Tax Gross-Up amount will be calculated by using the applicable combined
Canadian federal and provincial income tax rate and/or the foreign tax rate applicable to the Indemnified Person and, except as
provided in Section 6.7, without regard to any losses, credits, refunds or deductions that the Indemnified Person may have that
could affect the amount of Tax payable on any such Indemnity Payment; |
| (eeee) | "Tax Ruling and Opinion" means, collectively, the Canadian Tax Ruling and the
U.S. Tax Opinion; |
| (ffff) | "Third Party Claim" means any Claim asserted against an Indemnified Person that
is paid or payable to or claimed by any Person who is not a Party; |
| (gggg) | "Transaction Costs" means all fees, costs and expenses incurred directly in connection
with the Pre-Arrangement Transactions and the Arrangement, including financing fees, advisory and other professional expenses,
printing and mailing costs associated with the Meeting Materials and any payments made to FirstService Shareholders who properly
exercise their Dissent Rights, but specifically excludes fees, costs, expenses and payment obligations incurred in connection with
an obligation to indemnify in Article 6; |
| (hhhh) | "Transitional Services and Separation Agreement" means an agreement to be made
between FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco, FCRESI, Jay S. Hennick, Jayset Capital Corp., Jayset Management CIG Inc. and Jayset
Management FSV Inc. for the provision of transitional services and facilities by or to Colliers and its Affiliates, on the
one hand, and by or to New FSV and its Affiliates, on the other hand, and in respect of separation, transition and management services
matters resulting from the completion of the Arrangement (including providing for the Colliers MSA and the New FSV MSA), which
agreement will be on terms and conditions as agreed among the parties thereto; |
| (iiii) | "TSX" means the Toronto Stock Exchange; and |
| (jjjj) | "U.S. Tax Opinion" means an opinion of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to be dated
at or prior to the Effective Date, addressed to the Board and the board of directors of New FSV and otherwise in a form acceptable
to the Board, confirming, based on the provisions of the IRC, Treasury Regulations, published rulings of the Internal Revenue Service,
published administrative positions of the Internal Revenue Service, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America
with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended, and U.S. court decisions that are applicable
and, in each case, as in effect and available, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of certain aspects of the Arrangement and
the Pre-Arrangement Transactions. |
1.2
Construction. In this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires:
| (a) | the
division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections and subsections and the use of headings
are for convenience of reference only and do not affect the construction or interpretation
hereof; |
| (b) | the
words "hereunder", "hereof" and similar expressions
refer to this Agreement and not to any particular Article, Section, subsection or paragraph
and references to "Articles", "Sections", "subsections"
and "paragraphs" are to Articles, Sections, subsections and paragraphs
of this Agreement; |
| (c) | words
importing the singular include the plural and vice versa, and words importing any gender
include all genders and the neuter; |
| (d) | the
word "including", when following any general term or statement, is not
to be construed as limiting the general term or statement to the specific items or matters
set forth or to similar items or matters, but rather as referring to all other items
or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of the general
term or statement; |
| (e) | a reference to a statute or
code includes every regulation made pursuant thereto, all amendments to the statute or
code or to any such regulation in force from time to time, and any statute, code or regulation
which supplements or supersedes such statute, code or regulation; |
| (f) | if any date on which any action
is required to be taken under this Agreement is not a Business Day, such action will
be required to be taken on the next succeeding Business Day; and |
| (g) | a reference to the knowledge
of a Party means to the best of the knowledge of any of the officers of such Party after
due enquiry. |
1.3
Currency. Except where otherwise specified, all references to currency herein are to the lawful money of the United
States of America and "$" and "US$" refer to United States dollars.
1.4
Schedule. The following schedule is attached to this Agreement and forms a part hereof:
Schedule "A" |
– |
Plan of Arrangement |
Article 2
the
arrangement
2.1
Arrangement. Each of the Parties agrees that the Arrangement will be implemented in accordance with and subject to
the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and on the terms set forth in the Plan of Arrangement.
2.2
Effective Date and Effective Time. The Arrangement will become effective on the Effective Date and the steps to be
carried out pursuant to the Arrangement will become effective at the Effective Time and in the order set out in the Plan of Arrangement
without any further act or formality, except as contemplated in the Plan of Arrangement.
2.3
Interim Order. Following the execution of this Agreement, FirstService will, at a time to be determined exclusively
by FirstService, apply to the Court pursuant to Section 182 of the OBCA and prepare, file and pursue an application for the Interim
Order, which will provide, among other things:
| (a) | for the calling and holding of the Meeting for the purpose of, among other things, considering
the Arrangement Resolution; |
| (b) | for the class of Persons to whom notice is to be provided in respect of the Arrangement and the
Meeting and for the manner in which such notice is to be provided; |
| (c) | that the requisite approval for the Arrangement Resolution will be: |
| (i) | not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast by the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and voting separately as a class; |
| (ii) | not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast by the holders of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares
present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and voting separately as a class; and |
| (iii) | not less than a majority of the votes cast by the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares
present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and voting separately as a class, other than votes cast in respect of
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares that are beneficially owned by any Interested FirstService Subordinate Voting Shareholder
or over which control or direction is exercised by any Interested FirstService Subordinate Voting Shareholder; |
| (d) | that, in all other respects, the terms, restrictions and conditions of the constating documents
of FirstService, including quorum requirements and all other matters, shall apply in respect of the Meeting; |
| (e) | for the grant of Dissent Rights as provided in Article 4 of the Plan of Arrangement; |
| (f) | for the notice requirements with respect to the presentation of the application to the Court for
the Final Order; |
| (g) | for the confirmation of the record date for the Meeting; and |
| (h) | that the Meeting may be adjourned or postponed from time to time by the Board in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement without the need for additional approval of the Court. |
2.4
Meeting and Meeting Materials.
| (a) | Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the receipt of the Interim Order, FirstService will,
at a time to be determined exclusively by FirstService, convene and conduct the Meeting in accordance with the Interim Order and
Applicable Law for the purpose of considering the Arrangement Resolution and any other proper purpose as may be set out in the
Meeting Materials. |
| (b) | At a time to be determined exclusively by FirstService, but in any event no later than 21 days
prior to the date of the Meeting, FirstService will: (i) prepare the Meeting Materials (and any necessary amendments or supplements
to the Circular), together with any other documents required by Applicable Law in connection with the Meeting; and (ii) cause the
Meeting Materials and other documentation required under Applicable Law in connection with the Meeting to be mailed and filed as
required by the Interim Order and in accordance with Applicable Law. The Parties agree to cooperate with each other in all respects
in the preparation of the Circular and any amendments or supplements thereto. |
2.5
Final Order. If the Interim Order and the approval of the FirstService Shareholders as set out in the Interim Order
are obtained, FirstService will, at a time to be determined exclusively by FirstService and subject to the terms of this Agreement,
thereafter take all commercially reasonable steps necessary or desirable to submit the Arrangement to the Court and prepare, file
and pursue an application for the Final Order and, to the extent within its power and is commercially reasonable, otherwise carry
out the terms of the Interim Order.
2.6
Effecting the Arrangement and Ancillary Filings with the Director. Subject to the rights of termination contained
in Section 7.2, upon the FirstService Shareholders approving the Arrangement as set out in the Interim Order and Applicable Law,
FirstService obtaining the Final Order and the satisfaction (or waiver, if applicable) of the other conditions herein contained
in favour of each of the Parties, the Parties covenant and agree to, at a time to be determined exclusively by FirstService, file
with the Director any and all documents (including, with respect to the filing to be made pursuant to subsection 183(1) of the
OBCA, the Articles of Arrangement) and to exchange (to the extent not previously exchanged) such other documents as may be necessary
or desirable to give effect to the Arrangement and implement Section 3.1 of the Plan of Arrangement. The completion of the Arrangement
will take place at the offices Fogler, Rubinoff LLP, 77 King Street West, Suite 3000, P.O. Box 95, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5K 1G8 at 8:00 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario local time) on the Effective Date, or at such other time and place as may
be agreed to by the Parties.
2.7
Sole Discretion of FirstService. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, or the adoption of the Arrangement
Resolution by the FirstService Shareholders, the obligations of FirstService under this Article 2 and elsewhere in this Agreement
are subject to:
| (a) | FirstService's sole and absolute right to determine whether to proceed with the Arrangement and
to determine the timing of the completion of the Arrangement, or any prior condition thereto; |
| (b) | FirstService's sole and absolute right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.2; and |
| (c) | the Parties' right to amend this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement, as applicable, pursuant
to Section 7.1. |
The Board will have the
authority to revoke the Arrangement Resolution at any time prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Arrangement giving effect
to the Arrangement without notice to or the further approval of the FirstService Shareholders or the other Parties and without
liability to any of them.
Article 3
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
3.1
Mutual Representations and Warranties of the Parties. Each Party represents and warrants to each of the other Parties
as follows and acknowledges that the other Parties are relying on such representations and warranties in connection with entering
into this Agreement and consummating the Arrangement and the Pre-Arrangement Transactions:
| (a) | such Party (other than FSV Holdco) is a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of
Ontario and FSV Holdco is an unlimited liability company existing pursuant to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, and
each Party has the requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the requisite approvals
contemplated hereby or in the Circular, to perform its obligations hereunder; |
| (b) | each of this Agreement and the Standstill Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by such Party and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against such Party by each of the other parties
thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting
the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies and the enforceability of any limitations of liability
or other exculpatory provisions or indemnities that purport to limit or exculpate a Person from or indemnify such Person for, liabilities
imposed by Applicable Law on such Person; |
| (c) | the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the completion of the transactions contemplated
herein and in the Plan of Arrangement have been duly approved by the board of directors of such Party and, except as disclosed
in the Circular or to the other Parties or except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on such
Party, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Party and the consummation of the Arrangement and the Pre-Arrangement
Transactions will not (or would not with the giving of notice, the passage of time or the happening of any other event or circumstance): |
| (i) | result in the breach of, or violate any term or provision of, the articles or by-laws of such Party; |
| (ii) | conflict with, result in the breach of, constitute a default under, or accelerate or permit the
acceleration of the performance required by, any agreement, instrument, license, permit or authority to which such Party is a party
or by which such Party is bound, or to which any of the assets of such Party are subject, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance
upon any of the assets of such Party under any such agreement or instrument, or give to others any interest or right, including
rights of purchase, termination, cancellation or acceleration, under any such agreement, instrument, license, permit or authority,
which in any case would have a Material Adverse Effect on such Party; or |
| (iii) | violate any provisions of any Applicable Law or any judicial or administrative award, judgment,
order or decree applicable and known to such Party, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect on such Party; |
| (d) | no dissolution, winding up, bankruptcy, liquidation or similar proceeding has been commenced or
is pending or proposed in respect of such Party, except as contemplated by the Plan of Arrangement, the Pre-Arrangement Transactions,
the Tax Ruling and Opinion or the Canadian Tax Ruling Application; and |
| (e) | except as disclosed to the other Parties or as contemplated in this Agreement, the Circular, the
Interim Order or the Final Order, there is no requirement for such Party to make any filing with, give any notice to or obtain
any licence, permit, certificate, registration, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Authority as a condition
to the lawful consummation of the Arrangement and the Pre-Arrangement Transactions where failure to comply would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on such Party. |
3.2
Representations and Warranties of FirstService. FirstService represents and warrants to each of the other Parties
as follows and acknowledges that the other Parties are relying on such representations and warranties in connection with entering
into this Agreement and consummating the Arrangement and the Pre-Arrangement Transactions:
| (a) | the authorized capital of FirstService consists of an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable
in series, of which are authorized 2,500 Series 1 preference shares and an unlimited number of 7% cumulative preference shares,
series 1, an unlimited number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and an unlimited number of FirstService Multiple Voting
Shares, of which, as at the date hereof, 34,644,911 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares, and no other shares, are issued and outstanding; |
| (b) | FirstService is the owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of FSV Holdco (being 100
common shares in the capital of FSV Holdco), with good and marketable title thereto; and |
| (c) | following the effectiveness of the FCRESI Arrangements (pursuant to which it is expected that up
to 2,010,000 FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares may be issued), FirstService will be the owner of all of the issued and
outstanding shares of FCRESI, with good and marketable title thereto. |
3.3
Representations and Warranties of FSV Holdco. FSV Holdco represents and warrants to each of the other Parties as
follows and acknowledges that the other Parties are relying on such representations and warranties in connection with entering
into this Agreement and consummating the Arrangement and the Pre-Arrangement Transactions:
| (a) | the authorized capital of FSV Holdco consists of an unlimited number of common shares; and |
| (b) | no Person holds any securities convertible into common shares of FSV Holdco or has any agreement,
warrant, option or any other right capable of becoming an agreement, warrant or option for the purchase or other acquisition of
any unissued shares of FSV Holdco other than as contemplated by this Agreement, the Plan of Arrangement, the Pre-Arrangement Transactions,
the Tax Ruling and Opinion or the Canadian Tax Ruling Application. |
3.4
Representations and Warranties of New FSV. New FSV represents and warrants to each of the other Parties as follows
and acknowledges that the other Parties are relying on such representations and warranties in connection with entering into this
Agreement and consummating the Arrangement and the Pre-Arrangement Transactions:
| (a) | the authorized capital of New FSV consists of an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable
in series, an unlimited number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and an unlimited number of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares,
of which, as at the date hereof, no such shares are issued and outstanding; and |
| (b) | New FSV has no assets, no liabilities and it has carried on no business other than relating to,
and contemplated by, this Agreement, the Plan of Arrangement, the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Tax Ruling and Opinion or the
Canadian Tax Ruling Application. |
3.5
Representations and Warranties of FCRESI. FCRESI represents and warrants to each of the other Parties as follows
and acknowledges that the other Parties are relying on such representations and warranties in connection with entering into this
Agreement and consummating the Arrangement and the Pre-Arrangement Transactions:
| (a) | the authorized capital of FCRESI consists of an unlimited number of Class A Common Shares and an
unlimited number of Class B Common Shares; and |
| (b) | following completion of the FCRESI Arrangements, no Person will hold any securities convertible
into Class A Common Shares and/or Class B Common Shares of FCRESI or have any agreement, warrant, option or any other right
capable of becoming an agreement, warrant or option for the purchase or other acquisition of any unissued shares of FCRESI other
than as contemplated by this Agreement, the Plan of Arrangement, the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Tax Ruling and Opinion or
the Canadian Tax Ruling Application. |
3.6
Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.
| (a) | Subject to subsection 3.6(b), all representations, warranties and covenants made by the Parties
contained in this Agreement will remain operative and in full force and effect and, notwithstanding any investigation made by or
on behalf of any Party or any other Person, or any knowledge of the beneficiaries of such representations, warranties and covenants
or the knowledge of any other Person, until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.2 or
the Effective Date, whereupon such representations, warranties and covenants will expire and be of no further force or effect. |
| (b) | The covenants made by each Party contained in Sections 4.4 and 5.4 of this Agreement will survive
the Effective Date and the completion of the Arrangement and shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of each other
Party, subject to, in respect of Section 4.4, Article 6. |
Article 4
COVENANTS
4.1
Mutual Covenants of the Parties. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Party will:
(a)
use all commercially reasonable efforts and do all things reasonably required of it to cause the Arrangement to become
effective on such date as FirstService may determine;
(b)
do and perform all such acts and things, and execute and deliver all such agreements (including the Transitional Services
and Separation Agreement, the Colliers MSA and the New FSV MSA),
assurances, notices and other documents and instruments, as may reasonably be required to facilitate the carrying out of the intent
and purpose of this Agreement;
| (c) | prior to the Effective Date, cooperate with and assist each other Party in dealing with transitional
and other matters relating to or arising from the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement,
the Arrangement or this Agreement; and |
| (d) | prior to the Effective Date, cooperate in obtaining the Tax Ruling and Opinion and making such
amendments to this Agreement as may be necessary to obtain the Tax Ruling and Opinion, implement the Plan of Arrangement or as
may be desired by FirstService to enable it to carry out transactions deemed advantageous by it for the separation of its
businesses as herein contemplated. |
4.2
Covenants of FirstService. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, FirstService covenants and agrees to (and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, to):
| (a) | not, on or before the Effective Date, perform any act or enter into any transaction that could
interfere or could be inconsistent with the completion of any Pre-Arrangement Transaction or the Arrangement or the issuance of
the Tax Ruling and Opinion or the effective application of the Tax Ruling and Opinion to the Arrangement; |
| (b) | on or before the Effective Date, perform the obligations required to be performed by FirstService
under the Plan of Arrangement and do all such other acts and things, and execute and deliver all such agreements, assurances, notices
and other documents and instruments, as may be necessary or desirable and are within its power and control in order to carry out
and give effect to the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Arrangement and any transactions necessary for the issuance and/or effectiveness
of the Tax Ruling and Opinion, including using all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain: |
| (i) | the approval of FirstService Shareholders required for the implementation of the Arrangement; |
| (ii) | the approval of FirstService Shareholders required for the adoption of the New FSV Stock Option
Plan; |
| (iii) | such other consents, orders, rulings or approvals and assurances as are necessary or desirable
for the implementation of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions and the Arrangement, including those referred to in Section 5.1; and |
| (iv) | satisfaction of the other conditions precedent referred to in Sections 5.1
and 5.2; |
| (c) | on or before the Effective Date, assist and cooperate in the preparation and filing with all applicable
securities commissions or similar securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States of all necessary applications
to seek exemptions, if required, from the prospectus, registration and other requirements of the applicable securities laws of
jurisdictions in Canada and the United States for the issue by FirstService of the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares,
the FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares, the FirstService SV Special Shares and the FirstService MV Special Shares, by Colliers
of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and the Colliers Multiple Voting Shares and by New FSV of the New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares, New FSV Multiple Voting Shares and New FSV Special Shares, and other exemptions that are necessary or desirable in connection
with the Pre-Arrangement Transactions and the Arrangement; and |
| (d) | prior to the Effective Date, obtain confirmation from the TSX and Nasdaq of the continued listing
of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares, and jointly with New FSV, make application to list the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares
issuable pursuant to the Arrangement, on the TSX and the Nasdaq. |
4.3
Covenants of FSV Holdco, New FSV and FCRESI. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each of FSV Holdco, New FSV
and FCRESI covenants and agrees to (and will cause each of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, to):
| (a) | not, on or before the Effective Date, perform any act or enter into any transaction that could
interfere or could be inconsistent with the completion of any Pre-Arrangement Transaction or the Arrangement or the issuance of
the Tax Ruling and Opinion or the effective application of the Tax Ruling and Opinion to the Arrangement; |
| (b) | on or before the Effective Date, perform the obligations required to be performed by it under the
Plan of Arrangement and do all such other acts and things, and execute and deliver all such agreements, assurances, notices and
other documents and instruments, as may be necessary or desirable and are within its power and control in order to carry out and
give effect to the Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Arrangement and any transactions necessary for the issuance and/or effectiveness
of the Tax Ruling and Opinion, including using all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain (on its own or in cooperation with
FirstService, as applicable): |
| (i) | the Interim Order and the Final Order; |
| (ii) | the approval or acceptance of the listing of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX and
Nasdaq; |
| (iii) | such other consents, orders, rulings or approvals and assurances as are necessary or desirable
for the implementation of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions and the Arrangement, including those referred to in Section 5.1; and |
| (iv) | satisfaction of the other conditions precedent referred to in Sections 5.1
and 5.2; |
| (c) | obtain the consent of FirstService prior to issuing any press releases or otherwise making public
statements with respect to this Agreement or the consummation of the Arrangement; |
| (d) | in the case of New FSV, not issue shares in its capital stock prior to the Effective Time and will
issue such initial shares only in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement; and |
| (e) | prior to the Effective Date, make such amendments to the Canadian Tax Ruling Application, this
Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement and apply for such amendments or supplements to or replacements of the Canadian Tax Ruling
as may be reasonably necessary to obtain or give effect to the Tax Ruling and Opinion or to undertake any transaction contemplated
therein or to implement the Plan of Arrangement, or as otherwise may be determined by FirstService, in its sole discretion, to
enable FirstService (or any Subsidiary of FirstService) to carry out any transactions deemed advantageous by FirstService for the
separation and reorganization of its businesses, and the assets and liabilities referable thereto, as herein contemplated. |
4.4
Tax-Related Covenants.
| (a) | Each Party covenants and agrees with and in favour of each other Party that: (i) it and any successor
thereto will not, on or before the Effective Date, perform any act or enter into any transaction or permit any transaction within
its control to occur that could reasonably be considered to interfere or be inconsistent with the Tax Ruling and Opinion; (ii)
neither it nor any successor thereto will perform any act or enter into any transaction or permit any transaction, in each such
case, within its control to occur that would cause FirstService or any Affiliate of FirstService that is a corporation to cease
to be a Specified Corporation on or prior to the Effective Date, except as contemplated herein or in the Tax Ruling and Opinion
or the Canadian Tax Ruling Application; and (iii) it and any successor thereto will fulfill, and will cause any Person Controlled,
after the Effective Date, by it, to fulfill, all representations or undertakings provided by it, or on its behalf and made with
its knowledge and consent, in the Canadian Tax Ruling Application or otherwise provided in writing to the CRA or tax counsel in
connection with the Tax Ruling and Opinion. |
| (b) | Each of FirstService and New FSV covenants and agrees with and in favour of each other that, for
a period of three years after the Effective Date, it will not (and that it will cause its Subsidiaries to not) take any action,
omit to take any action or enter into any transaction that could cause the Arrangement or any transaction contemplated by this
Agreement to be taxed in a manner inconsistent with that provided for in the Tax Ruling and Opinion without obtaining a tax ruling
or an opinion of a nationally recognized accounting firm or law firm that such action, omission or transaction will not have such
effect. |
| (c) | Each of FirstService and New FSV covenants and agrees with and in favour of each other to: (i)
file its Tax returns and make all other filings, notifications, designations and elections (including section 85 elections under
the Tax Act, and the corresponding provisions of any applicable provincial tax legislation), pursuant to the Tax Act and/or applicable
provincial or foreign tax legislation, that are contemplated in the Tax Ruling and Opinion, the Plan of Arrangement or this Agreement,
and (ii) to make adjustments to its stated capital accounts in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Arrangement following the
Effective Date. Where an agreed amount is to be included in any election referred to in paragraph 4.4(c)(i), such amount will be
within the range contemplated by the Tax Act and/or applicable provincial or foreign tax legislation, as the case may be, and will
be the amount, if any, contemplated by the Tax Ruling and Opinion, the Plan of Arrangement and this Agreement. |
| (d) | Each of FirstService and New FSV covenants and agrees with and in favour of each other to cooperate
in the preparation, execution and filing, in the form and within the time limits prescribed or otherwise contemplated in the Tax
Act, of all Tax returns, filings, notifications, designations and elections under the Tax Act as contemplated in the Canadian Tax
Ruling Application, Tax Ruling and Opinion, the Plan of Arrangement and this Agreement (and any similar Tax returns, elections,
notifications or designations that may be required under applicable provincial or foreign tax legislation). |
Article 5
CONDITIONS
AND EFFECTIVE DATE OBLIGATIONS
5.1
Conditions Precedent. In addition to, and without in any way limiting, FirstService's rights referred to under Section
2.7 and FirstService's rights specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, the obligation of FirstService to complete
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to file Articles of Arrangement to give effect to the Arrangement are subject
to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
| (a) | the Interim Order and the Final Order will have each been obtained on terms consistent with this
Agreement and shall not have been set aside or modified in a manner unacceptable to the FirstService, in its sole discretion, whether
on appeal or otherwise; |
| (b) | the Pre-Arrangement Transactions will have been completed; |
| (c) | the Arrangement Resolution shall have been approved by the requisite number of votes cast by the
FirstService Shareholders at the Meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Interim Order and any applicable regulatory requirements; |
| (d) | the Stock Option Plan Resolution shall have been approved by the requisite number of votes cast
by the FirstService Shareholders at the Meeting in accordance with any applicable regulatory requirements; |
| (e) | the Articles of Arrangement and all necessary related documents, in form and substance satisfactory
to FirstService, in its sole discretion, shall have been filed with the Director together with the Final Order in accordance with
subsection 183(1) of the OBCA; |
| (f) | all consents, orders, rulings, approvals, opinions and assurances, including regulatory, judicial,
third party and advisor opinions, approvals, orders and exemptions, required or necessary, in the sole discretion of FirstService,
for the completion of the transactions provided for in this Agreement, the Plan of Arrangement, the Pre-Arrangement Transactions
and the Tax Ruling and Opinion, and for New FSV to file a prospectus in Canada under, or rely on a prospectus exemption in Ontario
pursuant to, which New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares (or securities that are, directly or indirectly, convertible into, or exercisable
or exchangeable for, New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares) may be distributed without having to comply with Section 12.3 of National
Instrument 41-101 – General Prospectus Requirements or Section 3.2 of Ontario Securities Commission Rule 56-501 –
Restricted Shares, as applicable, shall have been obtained or received, and none of the consents, orders, exemptions, rulings,
approvals, opinions or assurances contemplated herein shall contain terms or conditions or require undertakings or security that
are considered unsatisfactory or unacceptable by FirstService, in its sole discretion; |
| (g) | no action shall have been instituted and be continuing on the Effective Date for an injunction
to restrain, a declaratory judgment in respect of, or damages on account of or relating to, the Arrangement and there shall not
be in force any order or decree restraining or enjoining the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the
Pre-Arrangement Transactions, the Tax Ruling and Opinion or the Canadian Tax Ruling Application and no cease trading or similar
order with respect to any securities of any of the Parties shall have been issued and remain outstanding; |
| (h) | no law, regulation or policy shall have been proposed, enacted, promulgated or applied that interferes
or is inconsistent with the completion of the Arrangement or the Tax Ruling and Opinion or their effective application to the Arrangement,
including any material change to the income tax laws of Canada or the United States, or any province, state or territory thereof; |
| (i) | the Canadian Tax Ruling having been received by FirstService and New FSV, in form and substance
satisfactory to FirstService, will not have been withdrawn or modified and will remain in full force and effect and all of the
transactions referred to in the Canadian Tax Ruling as occurring on or prior to the Effective Time will have occurred and all conditions
or terms of the Canadian Tax Ruling shall have been satisfied; |
| (j) | the U.S. Tax Opinion will have been received by FirstService and New FSV, in form and substance
satisfactory to FirstService, will not have been withdrawn or modified and all of the transactions referred to in the U.S. Tax
Opinion as occurring on or prior to the Effective Time will have occurred and all conditions or terms of the U.S. Tax Opinion shall
have been satisfied; |
| (k) | the Fairness Opinion will have been received by the Board and will not have been withdrawn or modified; |
| (l) | there shall not, as of the Effective Date, be FirstService Shareholders that hold, in the aggregate,
in excess of 0.1% of all outstanding FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares that have validly
exercised their Dissent Rights and not withdrawn such exercise; |
| (m) | the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares (including shares issuable on exercise of options issued
under the Colliers Stock Option Plan) shall continue to be listed on the TSX and the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares (including
shares issuable on exercise of options granted under the New FSV Stock Option Plan) to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement shall
have been conditionally approved for listing on the TSX, subject to compliance with the normal listing requirements of the TSX; |
| (n) | the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares (including shares issuable on exercise of options issued
under the Colliers Stock Option Plan) shall continue to be listed on Nasdaq and the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares (including
shares issuable on exercise of options granted under the New FSV Stock Option Plan) to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement shall
have been accepted for listing on Nasdaq, subject to official notice of issuance; |
| (o) | there shall have not developed, occurred or come into effect or existence any event, action or
occurrence of national or international consequences, any governmental law or regulation, state, condition or major financial occurrence,
including any act of terrorism, war or like event, or other occurrence of any nature, which, in the sole discretion of FirstService,
materially adversely affects, or may materially adversely affect, the financial markets in Canada or the United States or the business,
financial condition, operations or affairs of FirstService, Colliers or New FSV going forward; and |
| (p) | this Agreement shall not have been terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2. |
The conditions contained
in this Section 5.1 are for the sole benefit of FirstService and may be waived, in whole or in part, by FirstService at any time.
Such conditions will not give rise to or create any duty on the part of FirstService or the Board to waive or not to waive such
conditions and will not in any way limit FirstService's right to terminate this Agreement as set forth in Section 7.2 or alter
the consequences of any such termination from those specified in Article 7. Any determination made by FirstService prior to the
Arrangement concerning the satisfaction and waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in this Section 5.1 will be final
and conclusive, and neither FirstService nor any of its Affiliates or Representatives shall have any liability as a result of any
such determination.
5.2
Conditions to Obligation of Each Party. The obligation of each Party to complete the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement is further subject to the conditions (which may be waived by such Party without prejudice to its right to rely on
any other condition in its favour) that: (i) the covenants of each other Party to be performed on or before the Effective Date
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will have been duly performed in all material respects; (ii) except as set forth in this
Agreement, the Plan of Arrangement, the Tax Ruling and Opinion or the Canadian Tax Ruling Application, the representations and
warranties of each other Party will be true and correct in all material respects as at the Effective Date, with the same effect
as if such representations and warranties had been made at, and as of, such date; (iii) the Standstill Agreement shall have been
entered into by all of the parties thereto (including the Parties) on or prior to the date hereof; and (iv) each of the Transitional
Services and Separation Agreement and the New FSV MSA shall have been entered into by all of the parties thereto, and the FirstService
MSA shall have been amended and restated by the parties thereto (and will thereafter be referred to as the Colliers MSA), in each
case, on or prior to the transfer to FSV Holdco of the "FirstService Residential" residential real estate services
division and "FirstService Brands" property services division of FirstService, and the assets and liabilities
respectively referable to such divisions, pursuant to the Pre-Arrangement Transactions.
5.3
Merger of Conditions.
| (a) | Subject to subsection 5.3(b), the conditions set out in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 will be conclusively
deemed to have been satisfied, waived or released on the filing by FirstService of Articles of Arrangement under the OBCA to give
effect to the Plan of Arrangement. |
| (b) | The conditions set out in subsections 5.1(a), 5.1(c), 5.1(e), 5.1(h), as they relate to the Canadian
Tax Ruling and/or the U.S. Tax Opinion, subsection 5.1(i), as it relates to the Canadian Tax Ruling, subsection 5.1(j), as it relates
to the U.S. Tax Opinion, and 5.1(m) may not be waived by FirstService. |
5.4
Expenses. The Parties agree that all Transaction Costs will be the responsibility of, and will be paid for by, FirstService,
provided, however, that New FSV will be solely responsible for, and will pay, the fees, costs and expenses in connection with:
(a) arranging any credit facilities or other financing for New FSV or FSV Holdco as part of, or following, the Arrangement; and
(b) listing the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX and Nasdaq and settling and delivering the New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares on completion of the Arrangement (including the fees for obtaining a CUSIP for such shares), including the associated fees
and expenses of the transfer agent of New FSV and the lenders under the aforementioned credit facilities.
Article 6
INDEMNITIES
6.1
Indemnity by FirstService. FirstService will indemnify and hold harmless New FSV and its Representatives against
any Loss suffered or incurred, directly or indirectly, by such Indemnified Person as a result of or in connection with a breach
or non-compliance by FirstService of a covenant contained in Section 4.4.
6.2
Indemnity by New FSV. New FSV will indemnify and hold harmless FirstService and its Representatives against any Loss
suffered or incurred, directly or indirectly, by such Indemnified Person as a result of or in connection with a breach or non-compliance
by New FSV of a covenant contained in Section 4.4.
6.3
Procedure for Third Party Claims.
| (a) | Promptly after an Indemnified Person has received notice or has knowledge of any pending or threatened
Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Person shall give the Indemnifying Party written notice (a "Claim Notice")
describing in reasonable detail the nature and basis of the Third Party Claim and, if ascertainable, the amount in dispute under
the Third Party Claim and the estimated amount of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Person. |
| (b) | Subject to the limitations set forth in this subsection 6.3(b), in the event of a Third Party Claim,
the Indemnifying Party shall have the right (exercisable by written notice to the Indemnified Person within thirty (30) days after
the Indemnifying Party has received a Claim Notice in respect of the Third Party Claim) to elect to conduct and control, through
counsel of its choosing that is reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Person and at the Indemnifying Party's sole cost and expense,
the defense, compromise or settlement of the Third Party Claim if the Indemnifying Party: |
| (i) | has acknowledged and agreed in writing that, if the same is adversely determined, the Indemnifying
Party shall provide indemnification to the Indemnified Person in respect thereof; and |
| (ii) | if requested by the Indemnified Person, has provided evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Person of the Indemnifying Party's financial ability to pay any Losses resulting from the Third Party Claim; |
provided, however,
that the Indemnified Person may participate therein through separate counsel chosen by it and at its sole cost and expense. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if:
| (iii) | the Indemnifying Party shall not have given notice of its election to conduct and control the defense
of the Third Party Claim within such thirty (30) day period; |
| (iv) | the Indemnifying Party shall fail to conduct such defense diligently and in good faith; |
| (v) | the Indemnified Person shall reasonably determine that use of counsel selected by the Indemnifying
Party to represent the Indemnified Person would present such counsel with an actual or potential conflict of interest; or |
| (vi) | the Third Party Claim is for injunctive, equitable or other non-monetary relief against the Indemnified
Person; |
then, in each
such case, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to control the defense, compromise or settlement of the Third Party Claim
with counsel of its choice at the Indemnifying Party's sole cost and expense. In connection with any Third Party Claim, from and
after delivery of a Claim Notice, the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Person shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates
and Representatives to, cooperate fully in connection with the defense or prosecution of such Third Party Claim, including furnishing
such records, information and testimony and attending such conferences, discovery proceedings, hearings, trials and appeals as
may be reasonably requested by the Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Person in connection therewith. In addition, the Party
controlling the defense of any Third Party Claim shall keep the non-controlling Party advised of the status thereof and shall consider
in good faith any recommendations made by the non-controlling Party with respect thereto.
| (c) | Except as set forth below, no Third Party Claim may be settled or compromised: |
| (i) | by the Indemnified Person without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party (not to be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); or |
| (ii) | by the Indemnifying Party without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person (not to be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). |
Notwithstanding
the foregoing:
| (iii) | the Indemnified Person shall have the right to pay, settle or compromise any Third Party Claim,
provided that in such event the Indemnified Person shall waive all rights against the Indemnifying Party to indemnification under
this Article 6 with respect to such Third Party Claim unless the Indemnified Person shall have sought the consent of the Indemnifying
Party to such payment, settlement or compromise and such consent shall have been unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed;
and |
| (iv) | the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to consent to the entry of a judgment or enter into
a settlement with respect to any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person if the judgment
or settlement: |
| (A) | involves only the payment of money damages (all of which will be paid in full by the Indemnifying
Party concurrently with the effectiveness thereof); |
| (B) | will not encumber any of the assets of the Indemnified Person and will not contain any restriction
or condition that would apply to or adversely affect the Indemnified Person or the conduct of its business; and |
| (C) | includes, as a condition to any settlement or other resolution, a complete and irrevocable release
of the Indemnified Person from all liability in respect of such Third Party Claim and includes no admission of wrongdoing. |
6.4
Procedure for Direct Claims. In the event that an Indemnified Person advances a Direct Claim, the Indemnified Person
shall, as promptly as practicable, deliver to the Indemnifying Party a written notice that contains: (a) a description and the
amount (the "Claimed Amount") of any Losses incurred or suffered by the Indemnified Person; (b) a statement that
the Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification under this Article 6 and a reasonable explanation of the basis therefor;
and (c) a demand for payment by the Indemnifying Party. Within thirty (30) days after delivery of such written notice, the Indemnifying
Party shall deliver to the Indemnified Person a written response in which the Indemnifying Party shall: (i) agree that the Indemnified
Person is entitled to receive all of the Claimed Amount (in which case such response shall be accompanied by a payment by the Indemnifying
Party of the Claimed Amount); (ii) agree that the Indemnified Person is entitled to receive part, but not all, of the Claimed Amount
(the "Agreed Amount") (in which case such response shall be accompanied by payment by the Indemnifying Party of
the Agreed Amount); or (iii) contest that the Indemnified Person is entitled to receive any of the Claimed Amount. If the Indemnifying
Party contests the payment of all or any part of the Claimed Amount, the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Person shall use
good faith efforts to resolve such dispute as promptly as practicable. If such dispute is not resolved within 60 days or such longer
period as may reasonably be required in order to properly exchange all relevant information following the delivery by the Indemnifying
Party of such response, the Indemnified Person and the Indemnifying Party shall each have the right to submit such dispute to a
court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with Section 8.10.
6.5
Failure to Give Timely Notice. The failure to give timely notice under this Article 6 will not affect the rights
or obligations of any Party except to the extent (and only to the extent) that, as a result of such failure, the Party that was
entitled to receive such notice suffered damage or was otherwise adversely prejudiced.
6.6
Reductions and Subrogation. If at any time subsequent to the making of any Indemnity Payment, the amount of the indemnified
Loss is reduced (other than any reduction in the amount of the indemnified Loss that arises as a consequence of the realization
of any Tax Benefit (as such term is defined in subsection 6.7(b)) by the Indemnified Person or any of its Affiliates) pursuant
to any insurance coverage or pursuant to any claim, recovery, settlement or payment by or against any other Person (a "Recovery"),
such that, taking the Recovery into account, the amount of the Indemnity Payment in respect of the Loss exceeds the amount of the
Loss, the Indemnified Person must promptly repay to the Indemnifying Party the amount of the excess (the "Excess")
(less any costs, expenses (including Taxes) or premiums incurred in connection therewith) together with interest: (a) from the
date of payment of the Indemnity Payment in respect of which the repayment is being made to but excluding the earlier of the date
of repayment of the Excess and the date that is 60 days after the Excess arises, but only to the extent that the Recovery giving
rise to the Excess included interest, at the rate applied to the amount of the Recovery; and (b) from and including the date that
is 60 days after the Excess arises to but excluding the date of repayment of the Excess, at the Prime Rate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this Section 6.6, no payment must be made under this Section 6.6 to the extent the Indemnified Person is
entitled to an Indemnity Payment hereunder that remains unpaid. Upon making a full Indemnity Payment, the Indemnifying Party will,
to the extent of such Indemnity Payment, be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Person against any third party in respect
of the Loss to which the Indemnity Payment relates. Until the Indemnified Person recovers full payment of its Loss, any and all
claims of the Indemnifying Party against such third party on account of such Indemnity Payment will be postponed and subordinated
in right of payment to the Indemnified Person's rights against such third party.
6.7
Tax Effect/Tax Benefit.
| (a) | If any Indemnity Payment received or accrued by an Indemnified Person would constitute income for
tax purposes to such Indemnified Person, the Indemnifying Party will pay a Tax Gross-Up to the Indemnified Person at the same time
and on the same terms, as to interest and otherwise, as the Indemnity Payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section 6.7, if an Indemnity Payment would otherwise be included in the Indemnified Person's income, the Indemnified Person covenants
and agrees to make all such elections, filings, notifications or designations and take such actions as are available, acting reasonably,
to minimize or eliminate Taxes with respect to the Indemnity Payment. |
| (b) (i) | The amount of any Loss for which indemnification is provided will be adjusted to take into account
any Tax Benefit realized by the Indemnified Person or any of its Affiliates by reason of the Loss for which indemnification is
so provided or the circumstances giving rise to such Loss. For the purposes of Section 6.6 and this Section 6.7, "Tax Benefit"
means: (A) an amount equal to the value of any current tax benefit (i.e., actual reduction in the Indemnified Person's (or Affiliate's)
liability for Taxes or actual increase in the Indemnified Person's (or Affiliate's) Tax refund) recognized by the Indemnified Person
(or Affiliate) in the taxation period of the Indemnified Person (or Affiliate) in which the Loss is incurred; plus, without
duplication, (B) the discounted present value of any future such tax benefit reasonably anticipated to be actually recognized by
the Indemnified Person (or Affiliate) within 10 years after the end of the calendar year in which the Loss is incurred, taking
into account, where relevant, the existing and anticipated future tax attributes of the Indemnified Person and its Affiliates,
and utilizing a discount rate equal to 10 percent and effective tax rate equal to: (1) where a tax benefit is realized with respect
to Canadian federal and/or provincial Taxes, the maximum combined Canadian federal and applicable provincial income tax rate applicable
to a Canadian public corporation in effect at the end of the year in which the Loss is incurred; and (2) where a tax benefit is
realized with respect to foreign Taxes (including, where applicable, state or local Taxes), the maximum foreign tax rate applicable
to corporations in effect at the end of the year in which the Loss is incurred. |
| (ii) | For greater certainty, the provisions of Section 6.6 shall not apply to any adjustment pursuant
to the provisions of this Section 6.7. |
| (iii) | Each Party will, when requested in writing by another Party, act commercially reasonably in cooperating
with all other applicable Parties to determine the applicability, if any, of this subsection 6.7(b) to any Claim. If such determination
is not mutually agreed among the applicable Parties within 60 days of such written request, then the disagreement shall be submitted
to an accounting firm of recognized national standing in Canada, which is independent of the Parties (the "Independent
Accountant"). If the applicable Parties are unable to agree on the Independent Accountant within 10 days of the end of
such 60 day period, any Party may apply under the Arbitration Act (Ontario) to have a court appoint such accounting firm.
The Independent Accountant shall, as promptly as reasonable (but in any event within 45 days following its appointment), make a
determination of the applicability of this subsection 6.7(b) to such Claim on the basis contemplated herein, based on written submissions
submitted by the applicable Parties to the Independent Accountant. The decision of the Independent Accountant as to the applicability
of this subsection 6.7(b) to such Claim shall be final and binding upon the Parties and will not be subject to appeal absent manifest
error. The fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant with respect to the resolution of the dispute shall be paid by the applicable
Parties in such proportions as are determined by the Independent Accountant. The Independent Accountant will be deemed to be acting
as an expert and not an arbitrator. |
6.8
Payment and Interest. Except as specified herein, all Losses (other than Taxes) will bear interest at a rate per
annum, calculated and payable monthly, equal to the Prime Rate from and including the date the Indemnified Person disbursed funds
or suffered or incurred a Loss to, but excluding, the day of payment by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Person, with
interest on overdue interest at the same rate. All Losses that are Taxes will bear interest at a rate per annum, calculated and
payable monthly, equal to the Prime Rate from and including the date the Indemnified Person paid such Taxes to, but excluding,
the day of payment by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Person of the Indemnity Payment in respect of such Taxes, with
interest on overdue interest at the same rate.
6.9
Judgment Currency.
| (a) | If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Indemnifying Party in any court
in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (the "Judgment Currency") an amount
due in Canadian dollars under this Agreement, the conversion will be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day
immediately preceding: |
| (i) | the date of actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of the
Province of Ontario or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date;
or |
| (ii) | the date on which the judgment is given, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other
jurisdiction; |
(the "Judgment
Conversion Date").
| (b) | If, in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in paragraph 6.9(a)(ii),
there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the
amount due, the Indemnifying Party must pay such additional amount (if any, but in any event not a lesser amount) as may be necessary
to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment,
will produce the amount of Canadian dollars, which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in
the judgment or judicial order at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date. |
6.10
Superseding Indemnity. Notwithstanding anything else herein contained, concurrently with the execution and delivery
of the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, the indemnity provisions contained in the Transitional Services and Separation
Agreement shall supersede and replace this Article 6 and this Article 6 shall be of no further force or effect. Any Claim advanced
or right to advance a Claim under this Article 6 prior to the Effective Date may be continued or advanced under the Transitional
Services and Separation Agreement and the provisions of the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement shall apply mutatis
mutandis with respect to any such Claim or right.
Article 7
AMENDMENT
AND TERMINATION
7.1
Amendment. This Agreement may, at any time and from time to time before and after the holding of the Meeting, but
not later than the Effective Date, be amended by written agreement of the Parties without, subject to Applicable Law, further notice
to or authorization on the part of their respective shareholders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any such amendment
may:
| (a) | change the time for performance of any of the obligations or acts of the Parties; |
| (b) | waive any inaccuracies or modify any representation contained herein or in any document to be delivered
pursuant hereto; |
| (c) | except as otherwise provided herein, waive compliance with or modify any of the covenants contained
herein or waive or modify performance of any of the obligations of the Parties; or |
| (d) | make such alterations, modifications or amendments to this Agreement as the Parties may consider
necessary or desirable in connection with the Tax Ruling and Opinion, the Interim Order or the Final Order. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
FirstService reserves the right, in its sole discretion, without notice to or the approval of the other Parties or the FirstService
Shareholders, to amend: (i) the Plan of Arrangement so long as such amendment(s) is not, in the opinion of FirstService (acting
reasonably), materially adverse to the other Parties; and (ii) this Agreement to the extent FirstService may reasonably consider
such amendment necessary or desirable due to the Tax Ruling and Opinion, the Interim Order or the Final Order. None of the Parties
(or their respective Affiliates or Representatives) shall have any liability to the FirstService Shareholders or the other Parties,
as applicable, for any amendment made pursuant to the foregoing sentence of this Section 7.1.
7.2
Termination. This Agreement may, at any time before or after the holding of the Meeting but prior to the issue of
the Certificate of Arrangement, be unilaterally terminated by FirstService in its sole discretion at any time without the approval
of the FirstService Shareholders, New FSV, FSV Holdco or FCRESI and nothing expressed or implied herein or in the Plan of Arrangement
shall be construed as fettering the absolute discretion of FirstService to elect to unilaterally terminate this Agreement and discontinue
efforts to effect the Plan of Arrangement for whatever reason it may consider appropriate. This Agreement will terminate without
any further action by the Parties if the Effective Date has not occurred on or before March 30, 2016.
7.3
Effect of Termination. Upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof, no Party will have
any liability or further obligation to the other Parties hereto or any other Person.
7.4
Limitations of Covenants. None of the covenants of FirstService contained herein shall prevent the Board from: (a)
acting in accordance with its view of its fiduciary duties; (b) responding as required by Applicable Law to any unsolicited submission
or proposal regarding any acquisition or disposition of its assets or assets of any of its Subsidiaries, or any unsolicited proposal
to amalgamate, merge or effect an arrangement or any unsolicited acquisition proposal generally involving FirstService or any of
its Subsidiaries; or (c) making any disclosure to the FirstService Shareholders, which in the judgment of the Board is required
under Applicable Law.
Article 8
GENERAL
CONTRACT PROVISIONS
8.1
Notices. All notices and communications sought or, by the terms hereof, required to be given by one Party to another
shall be given in writing by personal delivery, by courier service (courier charges fully prepaid), or by telecopier (with transmission
confirmed), delivered, addressed or telecopied to such other Party as follows:
| (a) | in the case of FirstService, at: 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4
(Attention: Chief Financial Officer) (Telecopier No.: 416-960-5333); |
| (b) | in the case of New FSV, at: 1140 Bay Street, Suite 3000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4 (Attention:
Chief Financial Officer) (Telecopier No.: 416-960-5333); |
| (c) | in the case of FSV Holdco, at: 1140 Bay Street, Suite 3000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4 (Attention:
Chief Financial Officer) (Telecopier No.: 416-960-5333); and |
| (d) | in the case of FCRESI, at: 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4 (Attention:
Chief Financial Officer) (Telecopier No.: 416-960-5333); |
or at such other address and/or telecopier
number as may be given by a Party to the others by notice in writing from time to time and such notices or other communications
shall be deemed to have been received as follows: (i) if sent by personal delivery, upon delivery; (ii) if transmitted by telecopier
on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (local time in the place at which the notice is to be received) on a Business Day, upon the completion
of its transmission (and if not transmitted on a Business Day or transmitted after 5:00 p.m. (local time in the place at which
the notice is to be received) on a Business Day, then on the first Business Day following the completion of the transmission);
or (iii) if sent by courier, on the first Business Day after the date of dispatch. Any notice or other communication sought or,
by the terms hereof, required to be given to more than one Party shall be effective only if it is given to all of such Parties
in accordance with this Section 8.1 and the date on which such notice or other communication shall be deemed to have been
given to and received by all of such Parties shall be the date that it is deemed to have been given to and received by the last
of such Parties to receive it in accordance with this Section 8.1.
8.2
Time of Essence. Time is of the essence of this Agreement and of every part hereof and no extension or variation
of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of this provision.
8.3
Further Assurances. Each of the Parties will from time to time execute and deliver such further documents and instruments
and do all acts and things as any other Party may before the Effective Date reasonably require to effectively carry out or better
evidence or perfect the full intent and meaning of this Agreement.
8.4
Assignment. No Party may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the Arrangement without the prior
written consent of the other Parties (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), provided that no
such consent will be required for any Party to assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Arrangement to a
corporate successor to such Party or to a purchaser of all or substantially all of the assets of such Party.
8.5
Binding Effect. This Agreement will be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, and specific references to "successors" elsewhere in this Agreement will not
be construed to be in derogation of the foregoing.
8.6
Waiver. Any waiver or release of any of the provisions of this Agreement, to be effective, must be in writing executed
by the Party granting the same.
8.7
Limitation on Liability. No Representative of a Party shall have any personal liability whatsoever on behalf of such
Party (or any of its Subsidiaries) to any other Party under this Agreement, the Arrangement or any other transactions entered into,
or documents delivered, in connection with any of the foregoing. In no event will one Party be liable to any other Party for any
special, consequential, indirect, collateral, incidental or punitive damages or lost profits or failure to realize expected savings
or other commercial or economic loss of any kind, however caused and on any theory of liability, arising in any way out of this
Agreement, whether or not such Person has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
8.8
Invalidity of Provisions. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being
enforced by any rule or Applicable Law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless
remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected
in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or
incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent
of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled
to the fullest extent possible.
8.9
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the agreements and other documents herein or therein referred to,
constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements,
understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, between the Parties with respect thereto.
8.10
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario
and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein without regard to conflicts of law principles. Each of the Parties agrees that
any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement may be instituted in the courts of Ontario, waives any objection
which it may have now or later to the venue of that action or proceeding, irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction
of those courts in that action or proceeding and agrees to be bound by any judgment of those courts.
8.11
No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 8.4, 8.5 and 8.7, this Agreement
is not intended to confer on any Person other than the Parties any rights or remedies.
8.12
Waiver of Conflict. The Parties acknowledge that each of FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI, and their
respective Subsidiaries, are currently represented by legal counsel retained by FirstService in connection with the preparation
and finalization of this Agreement. Each of FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI, on behalf of itself and its respective
Subsidiaries, waives any conflict with respect to such common representation that may arise before, at or after the date of this
Agreement.
8.13
Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, by original or facsimile signature
or by or through such other electronic form in which a Party may place or evidence its signature hereon (including an electronic
scan of same), each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together shall be deemed to be
one and the same agreement.
[THE REMAINDER OF THIS
PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties
have executed this Agreement.
|
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FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION
Per: "John B. Friedrichsen"
Name: John B. Friedrichsen
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
NEW FSV CORPORATION
Per: "John B. Friedrichsen"
Name: John B. Friedrichsen
Title: Director
|
|
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FSV HOLDCO ULC
Per: "John B. Friedrichsen"
Name: John B. Friedrichsen
Title: President and Treasurer
|
|
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FIRSTSERVICE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES
INC.
Per: "John B. Friedrichsen"
Name: John B. Friedrichsen
Title: Chief Financial Officer
|
SCHEDULE "A"
Plan of Arrangement
PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
UNDER SECTION 182 OF THE
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT (ONTARIO)
Article 2
INTERPRETATION
2.1
Definitions. In this Plan of Arrangement, unless the context otherwise requires, capitalized terms used but
not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:
"Arrangement" means the
arrangement under Section 182 of the OBCA on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Plan of Arrangement, subject
to any amendments or variations to this Plan of Arrangement made in accordance with the Arrangement Agreement or this Plan of Arrangement,
or made at the direction of the Court;
"Arrangement Agreement"
means the arrangement agreement made as of the 11th day of March, 2015 among FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI
(including the schedules thereto), as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms;
"Arrangement Resolution"
means the special resolution approving this Plan of Arrangement to be considered at the Meeting, to be substantially in the form
and content attached as Appendix "A" to the Circular;
"Articles of Arrangement"
means the articles of arrangement of FirstService in respect of the Arrangement, to be filed with the Director after the Final
Order is made, which shall include this Plan of Arrangement;
"Business Day" means a
day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory or civic holiday in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when banks are generally open for
the transaction of business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
"Certificate of Arrangement"
means the certificate of arrangement to be issued by the Director, pursuant to subsection 183(2) of the OBCA, in order to give
effect to the Articles of Arrangement;
"Circular" means the management
information circular of FirstService relating to, among other things, the Arrangement, including all appendices and schedules thereto,
and any information incorporated by reference therein, to be sent to the FirstService Shareholders in connection with the Meeting,
as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time;
"Colliers"
means the corporation governed by the OBCA continuing following the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI pursuant to this Plan
of Arrangement;
"Colliers Multiple Voting Shares"
means the Multiple Voting Shares in the capital of Colliers (which were previously FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and
which became Multiple Voting Shares in the capital of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI under the
Plan of Arrangement);
"Colliers Replacement Stock Options"
means the FirstService Replacement Stock Options which become stock options of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService
and FCRESI under this Plan of Arrangement;
"Colliers Stock Option Plan"
means the FirstService Stock Option Plan which becomes the stock option plan of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService
and FCRESI under this Plan of Arrangement;
"Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares"
means the Subordinate Voting Shares in the capital of Colliers (which were previously FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares
and which became Subordinate Voting Shares in the capital of Colliers pursuant to the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI under
the Plan of Arrangement);
"Court" means the Ontario
Superior Court of Justice;
"Director" means the Director
appointed pursuant to Section 278 of the OBCA;
"Dissent Rights" has the
meaning attributed to such term in subsection 4.1(a);
"Dissenting Shareholders"
has the meaning attributed to such term in paragraph 4.1(a)(i);
"Distribution Property"
means the common shares in the capital of FSV Holdco owned by FirstService immediately before the Distribution Property Exchange;
"Distribution Property Exchange"
has the meaning attributed to such term in subsection 3.1(j);
"Distribution Record Date"
means the Business Day immediately prior to the Effective Date;
"Effective Date" means
the date shown on the Certificate of Arrangement;
"Effective Time" means
12:01 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario local time) on the Effective Date;
"Eligible Dividend" has
the meaning attributed to such term in subsection 89(1) of the Tax Act;
"Eligible Holder" means
a FirstService Shareholder, other than a Dissenting Shareholder:
| (a) | who is resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and not exempt from tax under Part I of the
Tax Act; |
| (b) | who is a non-resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and whose FirstService Shares constitute
"taxable Canadian property" (as such term is defined in the Tax Act) to the holder, provided that any gain realized by
the holder on a disposition at fair market value of such shares would not be exempt from tax under the Tax Act by virtue of an
applicable Tax Treaty; or |
| (c) | that is a partnership that owns FirstService Shares if one or more of the partners thereof would
be described in either paragraphs (a) or (b) of this definition, above, if such partner held such FirstService Shares directly; |
"Encumbrance" means any
mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, hypothec, security interest, encumbrance, adverse claim or right of any third party to acquire
or restrict the use of property;
"Exercise Price Proportion"
means the fraction A/B, where:
"A" is the Net
Fair Market Value of the Distribution Property immediately before the Distribution Property Exchange; and
"B" is the Net
Fair Market Value of all property owned by FirstService immediately before the Distribution Property Exchange;
with the foregoing being subject to adjustment,
as determined by the board of directors of FirstService, Colliers and/or New FSV, as applicable, in order to ensure that the exercise
price of each FirstService Stock Option immediately prior to the Effective Time is fairly and appropriately apportioned among the
associated Colliers Replacement Stock Option and New FSV Replacement Stock Option at the Effective Time;
"fair market value" means
the highest price available in an open and unrestricted market between informed prudent parties acting at arm's length and under
no compulsion to act and contracting for a taxable purchase and sale, expressed in terms of cash;
"FCRESI" means FirstService
Commercial Real Estate Services Inc., a corporation governed by the OBCA;
"FCRESI Arrangements"
means the arrangements entered into between FirstService and one or more shareholders and/or optionholders of FCRESI (other than
FirstService) and/or under the FCRESI Governance Agreement pursuant to which FirstService will acquire (outside and not as part
of this Plan of Arrangement) all of the issued and outstanding shares (and options to acquire shares) of FCRESI it does not own
for consideration consisting of FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and/or cash and, following the effectiveness of which,
FCRESI will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstService;
"FCRESI Governance Agreement"
means the amended and restated governance and support agreement made as of the 7th day of August, 2012 between FCRESI
and FirstService;
"Final Order" means the
final order of the Court approving the Arrangement, as such order may be amended or varied at any time prior to the Effective Time
or, if appealed, then, unless such appeal is withdrawn or denied, as affirmed or amended, with or without variation, on appeal;
"FirstService" means FirstService
Corporation, a corporation governed by the OBCA;
"FirstService Articles"
means the certificate and articles of amalgamation of FirstService effective on April 1, 1999, as amended by the certificate and
articles of amendment of FirstService effective on June 27, 2007;
"FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares" means the Multiple Voting Shares in the capital of FirstService (that will be re-designated under
this Plan of Arrangement as "Class A Multiple Voting Shares");
"FirstService
MV Special Shares" means the new series of preference shares in the capital of FirstService created pursuant to this Plan
of Arrangement, designated as "Preference Shares, Series MV", and having the rights, privileges, restrictions
and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to this Plan of Arrangement;
"FirstService
New Multiple Voting Shares" means the new class of shares in the capital of FirstService created pursuant to this Plan
of Arrangement, designated as "Multiple Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions
set out in Exhibit "I" to this Plan of Arrangement;
"FirstService
New Subordinate Voting Shares" means the new class of shares in the capital of FirstService created pursuant to this Plan
of Arrangement, designated as "Subordinate Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to this Plan of Arrangement;
"FirstService
Redemption Note" has the meaning attributed to such term in subsection 3.1(l);
"FirstService
Replacement Stock Option" means an option to acquire a FirstService New Subordinate Voting Share granted and issued by
FirstService to a holder of a FirstService Stock Option in accordance with subsection 3.1(d), with the exercise price of each such
FirstService Replacement Stock Option determined in accordance with this Plan of Arrangement and the other terms and conditions
of each such FirstService Replacement Stock Option determined in accordance with the FirstService Stock Option Plan and any agreements
thereunder including, where necessary, appropriate adjustments to any vesting conditions, as such plan and agreements may be amended
by the board of directors of FirstService or a committee thereof;
"FirstService
Share Exchange" has the meaning attributed to such term in subsection 3.1(e);
"FirstService
Shareholders" means, collectively, the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting
Shares;
"FirstService
Shares" means, collectively, the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares;
"FirstService
Stock Option" means an option to acquire a FirstService Subordinate Voting Share granted by FirstService to a director,
officer or employee of FirstService or its Subsidiaries pursuant to the FirstService Stock Option Plan, that is outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time;
"FirstService
Stock Option Plan" means the "FirstService Stock Option Plan" of FirstService, as amended and/or restated;
"FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares" means the Subordinate Voting Shares in the capital of FirstService (that will be re-designated under this Plan
of Arrangement as "Class A Subordinate Voting Shares");
"FirstService SV Special Shares"
means the new series of preference shares in the capital of FirstService created pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement, designated
as "Preference Shares, Series SV", and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit
"I" to this Plan of Arrangement;
"FSV Holdco" means FSV
Holdco ULC, an unlimited liability company governed by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia);
"Interim Order" means
the interim order of the Court in respect of the Arrangement as contemplated by Section 2.3 of the Arrangement Agreement, as it
may be varied or amended;
"Meeting" means the annual
and special meeting of FirstService Shareholders (including any adjournment or postponement thereof) to be called and held in accordance
with the Interim Order to consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve the Arrangement Resolution, the Stock Option Plan Resolution
and the other matters set out in the notice of meeting accompanying the Circular;
"Nasdaq" means The NASDAQ
Stock Market (including any applicable tier thereof);
"Net Fair Market Value"
means, in respect of any property, the net fair market value of that property determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with all administrative policies of the Canada Revenue Agency in effect at the time of the FirstService Share Exchange and, in
determining Net Fair Market Value, the following principles will apply:
| (a) | any tax-related accounts in any corporation (such as deferred income taxes, the balance of non-capital
losses and the balance of net capital losses) will not be considered to be property of that corporation; |
| (b) | the amount of any liability will be its principal amount; |
| (c) | no amount will be considered to be a liability unless it represents a true legal liability which
is capable of quantification; |
| (d) | the portion of the long-term debt due within one year will be treated as a current liability; and |
| (e) | liabilities of a corporation will include its respective partnership share of each liability of
any partnership of which such corporation is a partner; |
"New FSV" means New FSV
Corporation, a corporation governed by the OBCA;
"New FSV Multiple Voting Shares"
means the shares in the capital of New FSV designated as "Multiple Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "II" to this Plan of Arrangement;
"New FSV Redemption Note"
has the meaning attributed to such term in subsection 3.1(k);
"New FSV Replacement Stock Option"
means an option to acquire a New FSV Subordinate Voting Share granted and issued by New FSV to a holder of a FirstService Stock
Option in accordance with subsection 3.1(d), with the exercise price of each such New FSV Replacement Stock Option determined in
accordance with this Plan of Arrangement and the other terms and conditions of each such New FSV Replacement Stock Option determined
in accordance with the New FSV Stock Option Plan and any agreements thereunder and including, where necessary, appropriate adjustments
to any vesting conditions, as such plan or agreements may be amended by the board of directors of New FSV or a committee thereof;
"New FSV Share Exchange"
has the meaning attributed to such term in subsection 3.1(h);
"New FSV Special Shares"
means the new series of preference shares in the capital of New FSV created pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement, designated as
"Preference Shares, Series Special " and having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in
Exhibit "V" to this Plan of Arrangement;
"New FSV Stock Option Plan"
means the "FirstService Stock Option Plan" of New FSV adopted prior to the Effective Date;
"New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares"
means the shares in the capital of New FSV designated as "Subordinate Voting Shares" and having the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "II" to this Plan of Arrangement;
"OBCA" means the Business
Corporations Act (Ontario) and the regulations made thereunder, each as amended from time to time;
"Option Exchange" has
the meaning attributed to such term in subsection 3.1(d);
"Paid-Up Capital" has
the meaning attributed to that term in subsection 89(1) of the Tax Act;
"Person" means and includes
an individual, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, joint venture,
association, body corporate, unlimited liability company, trustee, executor, administrator, legal representative, government (including
any governmental authority) or any other entity, whether or not having legal status;
"Plan of Arrangement"
means this plan of arrangement, including its exhibits, as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance
with the terms hereof;
"Prime Rate" means the
floating rate of interest established from time to time by The Toronto-Dominion Bank (and reported to the Bank of Canada) as the
reference rate of interest The Toronto-Dominion Bank will use to determine rates of interest payable by its borrowers on Canadian
dollar commercial loans made by The Toronto-Dominion Bank to such borrowers in Canada and designated by The Toronto-Dominion Bank
as its "prime rate";
"Registered Shareholder"
means a FirstService Shareholder whose name is set out in the registers of FirstService for the FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares or FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, respectively, maintained by the registrars and transfer agents for such shares;
"Stock Option Plan Resolution"
means the ordinary resolution of FirstService Shareholders approving the New FSV Stock Option Plan to be considered at the Meeting;
"Tax Act" means the Income
Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations made thereunder, each as amended from time to time;
"Tax Proposals" means
all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act that have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada)
prior to the Effective Time;
"Tax Treaty" means any
bilateral tax convention to which Canada is a party that is in force as of the Effective Time; and
"TSX" means the Toronto
Stock Exchange.
2.2 Construction. In this Plan of Arrangement, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires:
| (a) | the
division of this Plan of Arrangement into Articles, Sections and subsections and the
use of headings are for convenience of reference only and do not affect the construction
or interpretation hereof; |
| (b) | the
words "hereunder", "hereof" and similar expressions
refer to this Plan of Arrangement and not to any particular Article, Section, subsection,
paragraph or subparagraph and references to "Articles", "Sections",
"subsections", "paragraphs" and "subparagraphs"
are to Articles, Sections, subsections, paragraphs and subparagraphs of this Plan of
Arrangement; |
| (c) | words
importing the singular include the plural and vice versa, and words importing any gender
include all genders and the neuter; |
| (d) | the
word "including", when following any general term or statement, is not
to be construed as limiting the general term or statement to the specific items or matters
set forth or to similar items or matters, but rather as referring to all other items
or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of the general
term or statement; |
| (e) | a
reference to a statute or code includes every regulation made pursuant thereto, all amendments
to the statute or code or to any such regulation in force from time to time, and any
statute, code or regulation which supplements or supersedes such statute, code or regulation;
and |
| (f) | if
any date on which any action is required to be taken under this Agreement is not a Business
Day, such action will be required to be taken on the next succeeding Business Day. |
2.3
Currency. Except where otherwise specified, all references to currency herein are to lawful money of the United
States of America and "$" and "US$" refer to United States dollars.
2.4
Time. Time shall be of the essence in every matter or action contemplated hereunder. All times expressed herein
are local time in Toronto, Ontario, Canada unless otherwise stipulated herein.
2.5
Exhibits. The following exhibits are attached to this Plan of Arrangement and form a part hereof:
Exhibit "I" |
– |
Amended and New Share Terms of FirstService |
Exhibit "II" |
– |
Share Terms of New FSV |
Exhibit "III" |
– |
Directors of New FSV and Colliers |
Exhibit "IV" |
– |
By-laws of New FSV |
Exhibit "V" |
– |
Terms of New FSV Special Shares |
Article 3
ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT
3.1
Arrangement Agreement. This Plan of Arrangement is made pursuant to, and is subject to the provisions of,
the Arrangement Agreement, except in respect of the sequence of the steps comprising the Arrangement, which shall occur as set
forth herein.
3.2
Binding Effect.
| (a) | This Plan of Arrangement, upon the filing of the Articles of Arrangement and the issuance of the
Certificate of Arrangement, will become effective at, and be binding at and after, the Effective Time on: (i) FirstService, New
FSV, FSV Holdco, FCRESI and Colliers; (ii) all FirstService Shareholders (including Dissenting Shareholders); (iii) all holders
of FirstService Stock Options; and (iv) the registrars and transfer agents of the securities of FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco,
FCRESI and Colliers, in each case without any further authorization, act or formality on the part of any Person, except as expressly
provided herein. |
| (b) | The Certificate of Arrangement shall be conclusive evidence that the Arrangement has become effective
and that each of the provisions of Section 3.1 has become effective in the sequence and at the times set out therein. |
Article 4
ARRANGEMENT
4.1
Arrangement. Commencing at the Effective Time, except as otherwise noted herein, the following shall occur
and shall be deemed to occur sequentially, in the following order, without any further act or formality required on the part of
any Person:
| (a) | no FirstService Stock Options may be exercised or surrendered after the Effective Time; |
| (b) | the FirstService Shares held by Dissenting Shareholders, who duly exercise their Dissent Rights
and who are ultimately entitled to be paid fair value for those FirstService Shares, as described in paragraph 4.1(a)(i), will
be deemed to have been transferred to FirstService, with good and marketable title thereto and free and clear of any Encumbrances,
and cancelled and will cease to be outstanding at the Effective Time, and such Dissenting Shareholders will cease to have any rights
as FirstService Shareholders other than the right to be paid the fair value for their FirstService Shares by FirstService; |
| (c) | the FirstService Articles will be amended as follows: |
| (i) | to change the designation of the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares from "Multiple Voting
Shares" to "Class A Multiple Voting Shares", with such class of shares having the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions set out in the FirstService Articles, as amended in accordance with Exhibit "I" to this Plan
of Arrangement; |
| (ii) | to change the designation of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares from "Subordinate
Voting Shares" to "Class A Subordinate Voting Shares", with such class of shares having the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions set out in the FirstService Articles, as amended in accordance with Exhibit "I" to this Plan
of Arrangement; and |
| (iii) | to create and authorize the issuance of (in addition to the shares that FirstService is authorized
to issue immediately before such amendment) the following new classes or series of shares: |
| (A) | an unlimited number of FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares; |
| (B) | an unlimited number of FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares; |
| (C) | an unlimited number of FirstService MV Special Shares; and |
| (D) | an unlimited number of FirstService SV Special Shares; |
and the rights, privileges, restrictions
and conditions attaching to each such new class or series of shares of FirstService will be as set out in Exhibit "I"
to this Plan of Arrangement;
| (d) | concurrently with the FirstService Share Exchange, each holder of a FirstService Stock Option will
dispose of the Exercise Price Proportion of such holder's FirstService Stock Options to New FSV and the remaining portion to FirstService
and, as the sole consideration therefor: |
| (i) | New FSV will grant and issue New FSV Replacement Stock Options to the holder under the New FSV
Stock Option Plan; and |
| (ii) | FirstService will grant and issue FirstService Replacement Stock Options to the holder under the
FirstService Stock Option Plan; |
(the foregoing, collectively,
the "Option Exchange") such that, for each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share that the holder would have been
entitled to acquire pursuant to a FirstService Stock Option (and the terms of the FirstService Stock Option Plan), the holder will
instead be entitled to acquire one FirstService New Subordinate Voting Share pursuant to the corresponding FirstService Replacement
Stock Option and one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share pursuant to the corresponding New FSV Replacement Stock Option. A holder
of FirstService Stock Options will receive no consideration for the exchange of such FirstService Stock Options pursuant to the
Option Exchange other than FirstService Replacement Stock Options and New FSV Replacement Stock Options, and the FirstService Stock
Options so exchanged will be cancelled and terminated concurrently with the Option Exchange. The exercise price of a holder's FirstService
Stock Options will be allocated to the FirstService Replacement Stock Options and the New FSV Replacement Stock Options acquired
by the holder pursuant to the Option Exchange such that an amount equal to the Exercise Price Proportion of such exercise price
(rounded up to the nearest whole cent) will be payable by the holder to New FSV under the New FSV Replacement Stock Options and
an amount equal to the remainder of such exercise price will be payable by the holder to FirstService under the FirstService Replacement
Stock Options. In furtherance of the Option Exchange, the FirstService Stock Option Plan shall be amended and restated to include
provisions that provide that each Person that is a director, officer and/or full-time employee of FirstService or any of its subsidiaries
who holds a FirstService Stock Option immediately prior to the Effective Time and who will, following the Effective Time, not be
a director, officer and/or full-time employee of Colliers or any of its subsidiaries shall, for so long as such Person remains
a director, officer and/or full-time employee, as applicable, of New FSV or any of its subsidiaries on or after the Effective Time,
be permitted to hold and exercise his or her Colliers Replacement Stock Options in accordance with their terms as though such Person
was a director, officer and/or full-time employee, as applicable, of Colliers or any of its subsidiaries;
| (e) | each issued and outstanding FirstService Multiple Voting Share and FirstService Subordinate Voting
Share held by a FirstService Shareholder (other than a Dissenting Shareholder) will be exchanged concurrently as follows (the "FirstService
Share Exchange"): |
| (i) | each FirstService Multiple Voting Share will be exchanged for one FirstService New Multiple Voting
Share and one FirstService MV Special Share; and |
| (ii) | each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share will be exchanged for one FirstService New Subordinate
Voting Share and one FirstService SV Special Share; |
and the FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares and FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares so exchanged will be cancelled. In connection with the FirstService Share
Exchange:
| (iii) | FirstService will not make a joint election under the provisions of subsections 85(1) or 85(2)
of the Tax Act or under any other provisions of the Tax Act (or corresponding provisions of any applicable provincial or foreign
tax legislation) with a FirstService Shareholder; |
| (iv) | the aggregate amount to be added by FirstService to the stated capital accounts of the FirstService
New Multiple Voting Shares and the FirstService MV Special Shares issued on the FirstService Share Exchange shall be an amount
equal to the aggregate Paid-Up Capital of the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares (excluding any FirstService Multiple Voting Shares
transferred to FirstService pursuant to subsection 3.1(b)) immediately before such exchange and such Paid-Up Capital shall be allocated
between the FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and the FirstService MV Special Shares based on the proportion that the fair
market value of the FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and the FirstService MV Special Shares, as the case may be, is of the
fair market value of all of the FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and the FirstService MV Special Shares issued on such exchange;
and |
| (v) | the aggregate amount to be added by FirstService to the stated capital accounts of the FirstService
New Subordinate Voting Shares and the FirstService SV Special Shares issued on the FirstService Share Exchange shall be an amount
equal to the aggregate Paid-Up Capital of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (excluding any FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares transferred to FirstService pursuant to subsection 3.1(b)) immediately before such exchange and such Paid-Up Capital shall
be allocated between the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and the FirstService SV Special Shares based on the proportion
that the fair market value of the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and the FirstService SV Special Shares, as the case
may be, is of the fair market value of all of the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and the FirstService SV Special Shares
issued on such exchange; |
| (f) | concurrently with the issuance of the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService
SV Special Shares pursuant to the FirstService Share Exchange, the FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares will, outside and
not as part of this Plan of Arrangement, continue to be listed and posted for trading on the TSX and Nasdaq (subject to standard
listing conditions imposed by the TSX and Nasdaq in similar circumstances) and, for greater certainty, such continued listing will
be effective before the Distribution Property Exchange; |
| (g) | the articles of incorporation of New FSV will be amended to create and authorize the issuance of
(in addition to the shares New FSV is authorized to issue immediately before such amendment) an unlimited number of New FSV Special
Shares, and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to this new series of shares of New FSV will be as set
out in Exhibit "V" to this Plan of Arrangement; |
| (h) | each issued and outstanding FirstService MV Special Share and FirstService SV Special Share will
be transferred concurrently to New FSV, with good and marketable title thereto and free and clear of any Encumbrances, in exchange
for the issuance of shares of New FSV as follows (as the sole consideration therefor) (the "New FSV Share Exchange"): |
| (i) | each FirstService MV Special Share will be transferred in exchange for one New FSV Multiple Voting
Share; and |
| (ii) | each FirstService SV Special Share will be transferred in exchange for one New FSV Subordinate
Voting Share. |
In connection with the New FSV
Share Exchange:
| (iii) | if requested by an Eligible Holder within 120 days after the Effective Date, New FSV will jointly
elect with such Eligible Holder to have the provisions of subsection 85(1) of the Tax Act (or, in the case of an Eligible Holder
that is a partnership, subsection 85(2) of the Tax Act) and the corresponding provisions of any applicable provincial tax legislation
apply to such transfer(s) with the agreed amount(s) in such election to be specified by the Eligible Holder (subject to the limitations
in the Tax Act and any applicable provincial tax legislation); and |
| (iv) | New FSV will add the following amounts to the stated capital of its shares: |
| (A) | with respect to the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares, an amount equal to the aggregate stated capital
of the FirstService MV Special Shares so transferred to New FSV, less the amount, if any, by which the aggregate stated capital
of the FirstService MV Special Shares that are subject to the elections under subsections 85(1) or 85(2), as the case may be, of
the Tax Act exceeds the aggregate agreed amounts specified in such elections; and |
| (B) | with respect to the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, an amount equal to the aggregate stated
capital of the FirstService SV Special Shares so transferred to New FSV, less the amount, if any, by which the aggregate stated
capital of the FirstService SV Special Shares that are subject to the elections under subsections 85(1) or 85(2), as the case may
be, of the Tax Act exceeds the aggregate agreed amounts specified in such elections; |
| (i) | concurrently with the issuance of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to the New FSV
Share Exchange, the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will, outside and not as part of this Plan of Arrangement, be listed or accepted
for trading on the TSX and Nasdaq (subject to standard post-closing listing conditions imposed by the TSX and subject to official
notice of issuance by Nasdaq, in each case, in similar circumstances) and, for greater certainty, such listing will be effective
before the redemption of the FirstService MV Special Shares and FirstService SV Special Shares pursuant to subsection 3.1(l) and
the redemption of the New FSV Special Shares pursuant to subsection 3.1(k); |
| (j) | FirstService will transfer to New FSV all of the Distribution Property (the "Distribution
Property Exchange"), with good and marketable title thereto and free from any Encumbrances, at a price equal to the fair
market value of the Distribution Property at the time of the transfer. As the consideration for the Distribution Property so transferred
by FirstService to New FSV, New FSV will issue to FirstService 1,000,000 New FSV Special Shares having an aggregate redemption
amount, as determined pursuant to the articles of incorporation of New FSV, as amended, equal to the fair market value of the Distribution
Property at the time of transfer. In connection with the Distribution Property Exchange: |
| (i) | New FSV and FirstService will jointly elect to have the provisions of subsection 85(1) of the Tax
Act, and the corresponding provisions of any applicable provincial tax legislation, apply to the transfer of the Distribution Property.
The agreed amount in respect of such election will be an amount equal to the lesser of: (A) the cost amount (for the purposes of
the Tax Act) of the Distribution Property to FirstService immediately before the Distribution Property Exchange; and (B) the fair
market value of the Distribution Property at the time of the Distribution Property Exchange; |
| (ii) | the amount added to the stated capital of the New FSV Special Shares issued by New FSV to FirstService
pursuant to the Distribution Property Exchange will be equal to the agreed amount described in paragraph 3.1(j)(i) for the Distribution
Property; and |
| (iii) | as a result of the transfer of the Distribution Property to New FSV, the Net Fair Market Value
of the property received by New FSV will be equal to or approximate that proportion of the Net Fair Market Value of all property
owned by FirstService immediately before the transfer that: |
| (A) | the aggregate fair market value of the FirstService MV Special Shares and FirstService SV Special
Shares owned by New FSV immediately before the transfer; is of |
| (B) | the aggregate fair market value of all the issued and outstanding shares of FirstService immediately
before the transfer; |
| (k) | New FSV will redeem for cancellation all of the outstanding New FSV Special Shares held by FirstService
for an amount equal to the aggregate redemption amount (as determined pursuant to the articles of incorporation of New FSV, as
amended) for such New FSV Special Shares and will issue to FirstService, as the sole consideration therefor, a demand promissory
note (the "New FSV Redemption Note") in a principal amount equal to such aggregate redemption amount, and bearing
interest at a rate equal to the Prime Rate from the date of demand for payment to the date of payment, in full and absolute payment,
satisfaction and discharge of such aggregate redemption amount, with the risk of the New FSV Redemption Note being dishonoured.
The amount of any deemed dividend resulting from the application of subsection 84(3) of the Tax Act to the redemption of all of
the outstanding New FSV Special Shares is hereby designated by New FSV, to the extent permitted under the Tax Act, as an Eligible
Dividend (which designation shall be deemed to have been made at the time of such deemed dividend); |
| (l) | FirstService will redeem for cancellation all of the outstanding FirstService MV Special Shares
and FirstService SV Special Shares held by New FSV for an amount equal to the aggregate redemption amount (as determined pursuant
to the FirstService Articles, as amended) for such FirstService MV Special Shares and FirstService SV Special Shares and will issue
to New FSV, as the sole consideration therefor, a demand promissory note (the "FirstService Redemption Note")
in a principal amount equal to such aggregate redemption amount, and bearing interest at a rate equal to the Prime Rate from the
date of demand for payment to the date of payment, in full and absolute payment, satisfaction and discharge of such aggregate redemption
amount, with the risk of the FirstService Redemption Note being dishonoured. The amount of any deemed dividend resulting from the
application of subsection 84(3) of the Tax Act to the redemption of all of the outstanding FirstService MV Special Shares and FirstService
SV Special Shares is hereby designated by FirstService, to the extent permitted under the Tax Act, as an Eligible Dividend (which
designation shall be deemed to have been made at the time of such deemed dividend); |
| (m) | FirstService will pay the principal amount of the FirstService Redemption Note by transferring
to New FSV the New FSV Redemption Note, and the New FSV Redemption Note will be accepted by New FSV in full and absolute payment,
satisfaction and discharge of FirstService's obligations under the FirstService Redemption Note. Simultaneously, New FSV will pay
the principal amount of the New FSV Redemption Note by transferring to FirstService the FirstService Redemption Note, and the FirstService
Redemption Note will be accepted by FirstService in full and absolute payment, satisfaction and discharge of New FSV's obligations
under the New FSV Redemption Note. Each of the FirstService Redemption Note and the New FSV Redemption Note will thereupon be cancelled; |
| (n) | the FirstService Articles, as amended, will be amended as follows: |
| (i) | to change its name from "FirstService Corporation" to "Colliers International
Group Inc."; and |
| (ii) | to remove all of the FirstService MV Special Shares, FirstService SV Special Shares, FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares, FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, Series 1 Preference Shares of FirstService and 7% Cumulative Preference
Shares, Series 1 of FirstService from the authorized capital of FirstService (and to remove all references to the FirstService
MV Special Shares, FirstService SV Special Shares, FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares,
Series 1 Preference Shares of FirstService and 7% Cumulative Preference Shares, Series 1 of FirstService), such that, following
such amendment, FirstService will be authorized to issue an unlimited number of FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares, an
unlimited number of FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in one or more
series; |
| (o) | the articles of New FSV will be amended as follows: |
| (i) | to change its name from "New FSV Corporation" to "FirstService Corporation";
and |
| (ii) | to remove all of the New FSV Special Shares from the authorized capital of New FSV (and to remove
all references to the New FSV Special Shares), such that, following such amendment, New FSV will be authorized to issue an unlimited
number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, an unlimited number of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares and an unlimited number of preference
shares, issuable in one or more series, and the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to each class of shares
of New FSV will be as set out in Exhibit "II" to this Plan of Arrangement; |
| (p) | the number of directors of New FSV shall be six (6) and the
directors of New FSV will be those Persons listed in Part A of Exhibit "III" to this Plan of Arrangement; |
| (q) | the directors of New FSV will have the authority to appoint one or more additional directors of
New FSV, who will hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders of New FSV,
but the total number of directors so appointed may not exceed one third of the number of Persons who become directors of New FSV
as contemplated by subsection 3.1(p); |
| (r) | the by-laws of New FSV will be the by-laws set out in Exhibit "IV" to this Plan of Arrangement,
and such by-laws are hereby deemed to have been confirmed by the shareholders of New FSV; |
| (s) | PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be the initial auditors of New FSV, to hold office until the close
of the first annual meeting of shareholders of New FSV, or until PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP resigns as contemplated by Section
150 of the OBCA or are removed from office as contemplated by subsection 149(4) of the OBCA, and the directors of New FSV will
be authorized to fix their remuneration; |
| (t) | New FSV will resolve to voluntarily dissolve FSV Holdco in accordance with Part 10 of the Business
Corporation Act (British Columbia) and subsection 88(1) of the Tax Act, and in connection therewith: |
| (i) | all of the rights, title and interest of FSV Holdco in and to all of its property, assets and business
of every kind and nature, real and personal, both tangible and intangible, and movable and immovable, wherever situate shall be
transferred and assigned to New FSV; and |
| (ii) | New FSV shall assume and become liable to pay, satisfy, discharge and observe, perform and fulfill
all of the liabilities and obligations of FSV Holdco; |
| (u) | the FCRESI Arrangements shall, outside and not as part of this Plan of Arrangement, become effective
and the FCRESI Governance Agreement shall be terminated and be of no further force and effect; |
| (v) | the amount standing to the credit of the stated capital account maintained by FCRESI in respect
of all of its issued and outstanding shares shall be reduced to the sum of One Dollar ($1.00), in aggregate; |
| (w) | FirstService and FCRESI shall be amalgamated and continued as one corporation as if, except as
otherwise set forth herein, the amalgamation was carried out pursuant to subsection 177(1) of the OBCA to form Colliers in accordance
with the following: |
| (i) | Name: the name of Colliers shall be "Colliers International Group Inc."; |
| (ii) | Registered Office: the registered office of Colliers shall be 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4; |
| (iii) | Number of Directors: the number of directors of Colliers shall consist of a minimum number
of three (3) directors and a maximum number of twenty (20) directors. Until changed by the shareholders of Colliers, or by the
directors of Colliers if authorized to do so, the number of directors of Colliers shall be six (6); |
| (iv) | Initial Directors: the initial directors of Colliers shall be those Persons listed in Part
B of Exhibit "III" to this Plan of Arrangement and such Persons shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the
shareholders of Colliers or until their successors are elected or appointed; |
| (v) | Restrictions on Business and Powers: there shall be no restrictions on the business Colliers
may carry on or on the powers it may exercise; |
| (vi) | Authorized Capital and Rights, Privileges, Restrictions and Conditions: Colliers shall be
authorized to issue: |
| (A) | an unlimited number of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares having the rights, privileges, restrictions
and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to this Plan of Arrangement in respect of the FirstService New Subordinate Voting
Shares; |
| (B) | an unlimited number of Colliers Multiple Voting Shares having the rights, privileges, restrictions
and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to this Plan of Arrangement in respect of the FirstService New Multiple Voting
Shares; and |
| (C) | an unlimited number of "Preference Shares", issuable in one or more series, having
the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in Exhibit "I" to this Plan of Arrangement; |
| (vii) | Restrictions on the Issue, Transfer or Ownership of Shares: there shall be no restrictions
on the issue, transfer or ownership of shares of Colliers; |
| (viii) | By-laws: the by-laws of Colliers shall be the by-laws of FirstService, mutatis mutandis; |
| (ix) | Effect of Amalgamation: the provisions of section 179 of the OBCA shall apply to the amalgamation
with the result that: |
| (A) | FirstService and FCRESI cease to exist as entities separate from Colliers; |
| (B) | Colliers possesses all the property, rights, privileges and franchises and is subject to all liabilities,
including civil, criminal and quasi-criminal, and all contracts, disabilities and debts of each of FirstService and FCRESI; |
| (C) | a conviction against, or ruling, order or judgment in favour of or against FirstService or FCRESI
may be enforced by or against Colliers; and |
| (D) | Colliers shall be deemed to be the party plaintiff or the party defendant, as the case may be,
in any civil action commenced by or against FirstService or FCRESI before the amalgamation has become effective; |
| (x) | Articles: the Articles of Arrangement shall be deemed to be the articles of amalgamation
and articles of incorporation of Colliers and the Certificate of Arrangement shall be deemed to be the certificate of amalgamation
and certificate of incorporation of Colliers; |
| (xi) | Auditors: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be the initial auditors of Colliers, to hold office
until the close of the first annual meeting of shareholders of Colliers, or until PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP resigns as contemplated
by Section 150 of the OBCA or are removed from office as contemplated by subsection 149(4) of the OBCA, and the directors of Colliers
will be authorized to fix their remuneration; |
| (xii) | Cancellation and Continuation of Shares: on the amalgamation: |
| (A) | each issued and outstanding Class A Common Share and Class B Common Share in the capital of FCRESI
held by FirstService shall be cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect thereof; |
| (B) | no securities will be issued and no assets will be distributed by Colliers in connection with the
amalgamation; and |
| (C) | the issued and outstanding FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService New Multiple
Voting Shares shall survive and become, and continue on as, Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares,
respectively, without amendment; and |
| (xiii) | Stated Capital: the stated capital of: |
| (A) | the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares will be an amount equal to the stated capital of the FirstService
New Subordinate Voting Shares; and |
| (B) | the Colliers Multiple Voting Shares will be an amount equal to the stated capital of the FirstService
New Multiple Voting Shares; and |
| (x) | concurrently with the continuation of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to subparagraph
3.1(w)(xii)(C): |
| (i) | the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares will, outside and not as part of this Plan of Arrangement,
continue be listed and posted for trading on the TSX and Nasdaq (subject to standard listing conditions imposed by the TSX and
Nasdaq in similar circumstances); and |
| (ii) | each outstanding FirstService Replacement Stock Option will become a Colliers Replacement Stock
Option entitling the holder thereof to acquire the same number of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares, and the FirstService Stock
Option Plan will become the Colliers Stock Option Plan, with all of the other terms and conditions of, and restrictions on, the
Colliers Replacement Stock Options, including exercise price, vesting conditions and exercise or surrender restrictions, being
the same as the FirstService Replacement Stock Options. |
4.2
Determinations of Stated Capital. All amounts of stated capital for purposes of the OBCA to be determined
under this Plan of Arrangement will be determined in accordance with the authorization of the board of directors of the applicable
corporation, subject to the limitations in this Plan of Arrangement.
Article 5
DISSENT RIGHTS
5.1
Rights of Dissent.
| (a) | Pursuant to the Interim Order, Registered Shareholders may exercise rights of dissent in accordance
with Section 185 of the OBCA, as same may be modified by this Article 4, the Interim Order and any other order of the Court ("Dissent
Rights"), with respect to FirstService Shares in connection with the Arrangement, provided that, notwithstanding Section
185 of the OBCA, the written notice setting forth the objection of such Registered Shareholder to the Arrangement contemplated
by Section 185 of the OBCA and the exercise of Dissent Rights must be received by FirstService not later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto,
Ontario local time) on the second Business Day preceding the date of the Meeting or any date to which the Meeting may be postponed
or adjourned and provided further that Registered Shareholders who duly exercise such Dissent Rights and who: |
| (i) | are ultimately entitled to be paid fair value for their FirstService Shares ("Dissenting
Shareholders"), which fair value shall be determined as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding
the date on which the Arrangement Resolution is adopted, shall be paid by FirstService the amount therefor determined to be the
fair value of such FirstService Shares; and |
| (ii) | are ultimately not entitled, for any reason, to be paid fair value for their FirstService Shares
shall be deemed to have participated in the Arrangement, commencing at the Effective Time, on the same basis as a non-dissenting
FirstService Shareholder and shall be entitled to receive only the consideration contemplated in Section 3.1 that such FirstService
Shareholder would have received pursuant to the Arrangement if such FirstService Shareholder had not exercised Dissent Rights. |
| (b) | In no circumstances shall FirstService, New FSV, Colliers or any other Person be required to recognize
a Person exercising Dissent Rights unless such Person is a Registered Shareholder of the FirstService Shares in respect of which
such rights are sought to be exercised. |
| (c) | For greater certainty, in no case shall FirstService, New FSV, Colliers or any other Person be
required to recognize Dissenting Shareholders as holders of FirstService Shares (or as the holder of any securities of FirstService,
New FSV, Colliers or any of their respective subsidiaries) after the time that is immediately prior to the Effective Time, and
the names of such Dissenting Shareholders shall be deleted from the registers of FirstService Shareholders as at such time. In
addition to any other restrictions under Section 185 of the OBCA and for greater certainty, none of the following shall be entitled
to exercise Dissent Rights: |
| (i) | holders of FirstService Stock Options (in relation to the FirstService Stock Options so held);
and |
| (ii) | FirstService Shareholders who vote, or who have instructed a proxyholder to vote, in favour of
the Arrangement Resolution; and |
| (d) | All payments made to a Dissenting Shareholder in accordance with this Article 4 will be subject
to, and paid net of, all applicable withholding taxes. |
Article 6
SHARES
6.1
Registers of Holders.
| (a) | Upon the exchange of the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares pursuant to paragraph 3.1(e)(i), the
name of each relevant FirstService Shareholder will be deemed to be removed from the register of holders of FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares and will be deemed to be added to the registers of holders of FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and FirstService
MV Special Shares as the holder of the number of FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares and FirstService MV Special Shares, respectively,
issued to such FirstService Shareholder. Upon the cancellation of the FirstService Multiple Voting Shares pursuant to paragraph
3.1(e)(i), appropriate entries will be made in the register of holders of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares. |
| (b) | Upon the exchange of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to paragraph 3.1(e)(ii),
the name of each relevant FirstService Shareholder will be deemed to be removed from the register of holders of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares and will be deemed to be added to the registers of holders of FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService
SV Special Shares as the holder of the number of FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService SV Special Shares,
respectively, issued to such FirstService Shareholder. Upon the cancellation of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant
to paragraph 3.1(e)(ii), appropriate entries will be made in the register of holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares. |
| (c) | Upon the transfer of the FirstService MV Special Shares pursuant to paragraph 3.1(h)(i): |
| (i) | the name of each relevant FirstService Shareholder will be deemed to be removed from the register
of holders of FirstService MV Special Shares and will be deemed to be added to the register of holders of New FSV Multiple Voting
Shares; and |
| (ii) | New FSV will be deemed to be recorded as the registered holder of the FirstService MV Special Shares
on the register of holders of FirstService MV Special Shares and will be deemed to be the legal and beneficial owner thereof. |
| (d) | Upon the transfer of the FirstService SV Special Shares pursuant to paragraph 3.1(h)(ii): |
| (i) | the name of each relevant FirstService Shareholder will be deemed to be removed from the register
of holders of FirstService SV Special Shares and will be deemed to be added to the register of holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares; and |
| (ii) | New FSV will be deemed to be recorded as the registered holder of the FirstService SV Special Shares
on the register of holders of FirstService SV Special Shares and will be deemed to be the legal and beneficial owner thereof. |
| (e) | Upon the transfer of the Distribution Property pursuant to subsection 3.1(j): |
| (i) | FirstService will be deemed to be removed from the register of holders of common shares in the
capital of FSV Holdco and will be deemed to be added to the register of holders of New FSV Special Shares; and |
| (ii) | New FSV will be deemed to be recorded as the registered holder of all common shares in the capital
of FSV Holdco on the register of holders of common shares in the capital of FSV Holdco and will be deemed to be the legal and beneficial
owner thereof. |
| (f) | Upon the redemption of the New FSV Special Shares pursuant to subsection 3.1(k), FirstService will
be deemed to be removed from the register of holders of New FSV Special Shares and appropriate entries will be made in the register
of holders of New FSV Special Shares. |
| (g) | Upon the redemption of the FirstService MV Special Shares and FirstService SV Special Shares pursuant
to subsection 3.1(l), New FSV will be deemed to be removed from the registers of holders of FirstService MV Special Shares and
FirstService SV Special Shares and appropriate entries will be made in the registers of holders of FirstService MV Special Shares
and FirstService SV Special Shares. |
| (h) | Upon the FCRESI Arrangements becoming, outside and not as part of this Plan of Arrangement, effective
pursuant to subsection 3.1(u), appropriate entries will be made in the register of holders of FirstService New Subordinate Voting
Shares in respect of any FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares issued in connection therewith. |
| (i) | Upon the amalgamation of FirstService and FCRESI pursuant to subsection 3.1(w): |
| (i) | the register of holders of FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares will be deemed to be the register
of holders of Colliers Multiple Voting Shares; and |
| (ii) | the register of holders of FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares will be deemed to be the
register of holders of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares. |
6.2
Deemed Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Shares. All FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares, FirstService New
Subordinate Voting Shares, FirstService MV Special Shares, FirstService SV Special Shares, New FSV Multiple Voting Shares, New
FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, New FSV Special Shares, Colliers Multiple Voting Shares and Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares issued
pursuant hereto will be deemed to be or have been validly issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares for all
purposes of the OBCA.
Article 7
DELIVERY OF CONSIDERATION
7.1
Entitlement to Share Certificates and Payments.
| (a) | Upon the Arrangement becoming effective, from and including the Effective Date to and including
the Distribution Record Date, share certificates previously representing FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService
Multiple Voting Shares that were exchanged in accordance with the provisions of this Plan of Arrangement will represent the Colliers
Subordinate Voting Shares, Colliers Multiple Voting Shares, New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares
to be issued to FirstService Shareholders under this Plan of Arrangement. |
| (b) | As soon as practicable after the Distribution Record Date, there will be delivered to each FirstService
Shareholder of record at the close of business on the Distribution Record Date certificates representing New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares to which such holder is entitled pursuant to the provisions of this Plan of Arrangement. |
| (c) | The certificates representing the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple
Voting Shares will be deemed, for all purposes from and after the Effective Time, to be certificates representing the Colliers
Subordinate Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares, and accordingly, no new certificates will be issued representing
such Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares. |
| (d) | Share certificates representing New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares
will be sent to FirstService Shareholders by first class mail at the most recent address for each FirstService Shareholder on the
lists of registered FirstService Shareholders maintained by the registrars and transfer agents for the FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, respectively. |
| (e) | No certificates will be issued for shares that are issued and subsequently cancelled in accordance
with the provisions of this Plan of Arrangement. |
| (f) | If any certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented an interest in outstanding
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and/or FirstService Multiple Voting Shares that were exchanged for Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares, Colliers Multiple Voting Shares, New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares, as applicable,
pursuant to the provisions of this Plan of Arrangement has been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that
fact by the Person claiming such certificate to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the registrars and transfer agents for the
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and/or FirstService Multiple Voting Shares, as applicable, will issue and deliver in exchange
for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate the consideration to which the holder is entitled pursuant to the Arrangement (and
any dividends or distributions with respect thereto) as determined in accordance with the Arrangement. The Person who is entitled
to receive such consideration shall, as a condition precedent to the receipt thereof, give a bond to each of FirstService/Colliers
and New FSV and their respective transfer agents, which bond is in form and substance satisfactory to each of FirstService/Colliers
and New FSV and their respective transfer agents, or shall otherwise indemnify FirstService/Colliers and New FSV and their respective
transfer agents against any claim that may be made against any of them with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost,
stolen or destroyed. |
| (g) | All dividends or other distributions, if any, made with respect to any New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares allotted and issued pursuant to this Arrangement but for which a certificate has not
been issued shall be paid or delivered to the applicable transfer agent thereof to be held by the applicable transfer agent thereof
in trust for the registered holder thereof. The applicable transfer agent shall pay and deliver to any such registered holder,
as soon as reasonably practicable after application therefor is made by the registered holder to the applicable transfer agent
in such form as the applicable transfer agent may reasonably require, such dividends and distributions to which such holder is
entitled, net of applicable withholding and other taxes. |
7.2
Withholding Rights. Each of FirstService, New FSV and Colliers (and their transfer agents on their behalf)
shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from amounts payable under this Plan of Arrangement such amounts as each of FirstService,
New FSV and Colliers (and their transfer agents on their behalf) is required to deduct and withhold with respect to such payment
under the Tax Act or any provision of any applicable federal, provincial, territorial, state, local or foreign tax law. To the
extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the recipient
of the payment in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made, provided that such withheld amounts are actually remitted
in accordance with applicable law to the appropriate taxing authority.
7.3
Restatement of Articles. Outside and not as part of this Plan of Arrangement, the articles of: (a) Colliers
may be restated to reflect the amendments made thereto pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement and such amended and restated articles
may be filed by Colliers with the Director pursuant to the OBCA; and (b) New FSV may be restated to reflect the amendments made
thereto pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement and such amended and restated articles may be filed by New FSV with the Director pursuant
to the OBCA.
7.4
No Encumbrances. Any exchange or transfer of securities pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement shall be free
and clear of any Encumbrances, except for claims of the transferring or exchanging securityholder to be paid the consideration
payable to such securityholder pursuant to the terms of this Plan of Arrangement.
7.5
Paramountcy. From and after the Effective Time: (a) this Plan of Arrangement shall apply to any and all FirstService
Shares and FirstService Stock Options issued prior to the Effective Time; (b) the rights and obligations of the Registered Shareholders
and holders of FirstService Stock Options and FirstService, New FSV, Colliers and any transfer agent or other depositary therefor
in relation thereto, shall be solely as provided for in this Plan of Arrangement; and (c) all actions, causes of action, claims
or proceedings (actual or contingent and whether or not previously asserted) based on or in any way relating to any FirstService
Shares or FirstService Stock Options shall be deemed to have been settled, compromised, released and determined without liability
except as set forth herein.
Article 8
AMENDMENTS
8.1
Amendments to Plan of Arrangement.
| (a) | This Plan of Arrangement may at any time and from time to time whether before or after the Interim
Order or the Final Order, but not later than the Effective Date, be amended, modified or supplemented unilaterally by FirstService,
provided that each such amendment, modification or supplement is contained in a written document which is filed with the Court
and, if made following the Meeting, is approved by the Court and communicated to any Persons in the manner required by the Court. |
| (b) | Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may be proposed by FirstService
at any time prior to or at the Meeting with or without any other prior notice or communication to any other Persons (other than
as may be required under the Interim Order) and, if so proposed and accepted by the FirstService Shareholders voting at the Meeting,
will become part of this Plan of Arrangement for all purposes. |
| (c) | Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement which is approved or directed
by the Court following the Meeting will be effective only if it is consented to by FirstService and, if required by the Court,
is communicated and/or consented to by the FirstService Shareholders in the manner directed by the Court. |
| (d) | This Plan of Arrangement may be withdrawn prior to the Effective Time in accordance with the terms
of the Arrangement Agreement. |
| (e) | Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may be made following the
Effective Date by Colliers and New FSV without the approval of the Court, the shareholders of Colliers or the shareholders of New
FSV, provided that it concerns a matter which, in the reasonable opinion of Colliers and New FSV, is of an administrative nature
required to better give effect to the implementation of this Plan of Arrangement and is not adverse to the financial or economic
interests of any holder or former holder of FirstService Shares, Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares, Colliers Multiple Voting Shares,
New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares or New FSV Multiple Voting Shares. |
Article 9
FURTHER ASSURANCES
9.1
Further Assurances. Notwithstanding that the transactions and events set out herein shall occur and be deemed
to occur in the order set out in this Plan of Arrangement without any further act or formality, each of the parties to the Arrangement
Agreement shall make, do and execute, or cause to be made, done and executed, all such further acts, deeds, agreements, transfers,
assurances, instruments or documents as may reasonably be required by any of them to further document or evidence any of the transactions
or events set out herein.
EXHIBIT "I"
TO PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
AMENDED AND NEW SHARE TERMS OF FIRSTSERVICE
Share terms attaching to the FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares (as amended), FirstService New Subordinate Voting Shares, FirstService Multiple Voting Shares (as amended),
Preference Shares (existing), FirstService New Multiple Voting Shares, FirstService SV Special Shares and FirstService MV Special
Shares at the time of the Amendments Contemplated in Subsection 3.1(c) of the Plan of Arrangement
Capitalized terms used herein without definition
have the meanings given to them in the Plan of Arrangement or the applicable articles of the entity being referred to.
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares,
FirstService Multiple Voting Shares
and Preference Shares
| A. | The FirstService Articles are hereby amended by replacing Section 2.01 thereof in its entirety
with the following: |
2.01 The holders of the Class A Subordinate
Voting Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, to attend and speak at and to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of
the Corporation, other than a meeting of the holders of another class as such or the holders of a series of shares of another class
as such, and at such meeting shall have two (2) votes for each Class A Subordinate Voting Share held.
| B. | The FirstService Articles are hereby amended by replacing Section 3.01 thereof in its entirety
with the following: |
3.01 The holders of the Class A Multiple
Voting Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and speak at and vote at any meeting of the shareholders of
the Corporation, other than a meeting of the holders of shares of another class as such or of the holders of a series of shares
of another class as such, and at such meeting shall have forty (40) votes for each Class A Multiple Voting Share held.
| C. | Section 1.00 of the FirstService Articles, and the terms of the Preference Shares, are hereby confirmed
as follows: |
1.00 THE PREFERENCE SHARES
1.01 The Preference Shares may at any
time or from time to time be issued in one or more series, each series to consist of such number of shares as may, before the issue
thereof, be determined by the board of directors of the Corporation. The directors shall by resolution fix, from time to time,
before the issue of any series of Preference Shares, the designation, preferences, rights, restrictions, conditions, limitations,
priorities as to payment of dividends and/or distribution on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or prohibitions attaching
thereto including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the provision of a purchase fund, the right of the Corporation
to purchase such shares for cancellation, the rate of preferential dividends, the dates of payment thereof, the date or dates from
which any such preferential dividends shall accrue, redemption rights including purchase or redemption price, terms and conditions
of redemption, conversion rights and any sinking fund or other provisions, and authorize the issuance thereof.
1.02 The directors before the issue
of any Preference Shares of a series shall file with the Director appointed under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario)
or any successor statute of the Province of Ontario which is from time to time in force (the "Act"), Articles
of Amendment designating such series and specifying the number, designation, preferences, rights, restrictions, conditions, limitations,
priorities as to payment of dividends and/or distribution on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, and prohibitions attached
thereto, and shall obtain a certificate from the Director with respect thereto.
1.03 The Preference Shares of each series
shall be entitled to preference over the Subordinate Voting Shares, the Multiple Voting Shares and any other shares ranking junior
to the Preference Shares with respect to priority in payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the
Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, and may also be given such other preferences over
the Subordinate Voting Shares, the Multiple Voting Shares and any other shares ranking junior to the Preference Shares as may be
determined with respect to the respective series authorized to be issued.
1.04 The holders of the Preference Shares
shall not be entitled as such, except as required by law, to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of
the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting, but shall be entitled to receive notice of meetings of shareholders of the Corporation
called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale of its undertaking or a substantial part thereof.
FirstService New Subordinate Voting
Shares
and FirstService New Multiple
Voting Shares
| D. | The FirstService Articles are hereby amended by inserting the following as new Sections 9.00, 10.00,
11.00, 12.00 and 13.00: |
9.00
SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES
9.01
The holders of the Subordinate Voting Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, to attend and speak at and to vote
at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, other than a meeting of the holders of another class as such or the holders
of a series of shares of another class as such, and at such meeting shall have one (1) vote for each Subordinate Voting Share held.
9.02
Subject to any provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor statute of the Province of
Ontario which is from time to time in force (the "Act") and to applicable securities laws and the by-laws, regulations
or policies of any stock exchange upon which the Subordinate Voting Shares may then be listed, all or any part of the Subordinate
Voting Shares which are then outstanding shall be purchasable for cancellation by the Corporation at any time, in the open market,
by private contract or otherwise, at the lowest price at which, in the opinion of the directors, such shares are obtainable.
9.03
The Subordinate Voting Shares shall not be redeemable by the Corporation.
9.04
If the Act would in effect require in the absence of this Section 9.04 that an amendment to the Articles of the Corporation
to delete or vary any preference, right, condition, restriction, limitation or prohibition attaching to any of the Subordinate
Voting Shares, or to create special shares ranking in priority to or on a parity with the Subordinate Voting Shares, be confirmed
in writing by the holders of 100% or any lesser percentage of the then outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares, then in lieu of such
confirmation in writing, such confirmation may be given by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of
the Subordinate Voting Shares duly called for that purpose and, at such meeting, each holder of Subordinate Voting Shares shall
be entitled to one vote for each Subordinate Voting Share held.
9.05
The holders of the Subordinate Voting Shares shall not have any right to vote separately upon any proposal to amend the
Articles of the Corporation to:
| (1) | increase any maximum number of authorized shares of any class or series having rights or privileges
equal or superior to the Subordinate Voting Shares; or |
| (2) | create a new class of shares equal or superior to the Subordinate Voting Shares. |
9.06
| (1) | For the purposes of this Section 9.06: |
| (a) | "affiliate" has the meaning assigned by the Securities Act (Ontario) as
amended from time to time; |
| (b) | "associate" has the meaning assigned by the Securities Act (Ontario) as
amended from time to time; |
| (c) | "Conversion Period" means the period of time commencing on the eighth day after
the Offer Date and terminating on the Expiry Date; |
| (d) | "Converted Shares" means Multiple Voting Shares resulting from the conversion
of Subordinate Voting Shares into Multiple Voting Shares pursuant to subsection 9.06(2); |
| (e) | "Exclusionary Offer" means an offer to purchase Multiple Voting Shares that: |
| (i) | must, by reason of applicable securities legislation or the requirements of a stock exchange on
which the Multiple Voting Shares are listed, be made to all or substantially all holders of Multiple Voting Shares who are in a
province of Canada to which the requirement applies; |
| (ii) | is not made concurrently with an offer to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares that is identical
to the offer to purchase Multiple Voting Shares in terms of price per share and percentage of outstanding shares to be taken up
exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the offer by the Offeror and, in all other material respects, that has no condition
attached other than the right not to take up and pay for shares tendered if no shares are tendered pursuant to the offer for Multiple
Voting Shares, |
and, for the purposes of this definition,
if an offer to purchase Multiple Voting Shares is not an Exclusionary Offer as defined above but would be an Exclusionary Offer
if it were not for clause 9.06(1)(e)(ii), the varying of any term of such offer shall be deemed to constitute the making of a new
offer unless an identical variation concurrently is made to the corresponding offer to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares;
| (f) | "Expiry Date" means the last date upon which holders of Multiple Voting Shares
may accept an Exclusionary Offer; |
| (g) | "Offer Date" means the date on which an Exclusionary Offer is made; |
| (h) | "Offeror" means a person or company that makes an offer to purchase Multiple Voting
Shares (the "bidder"), and includes any associate or affiliate of the bidder or any person or company that is
disclosed in the offering document to be acting jointly or in concert with the bidder; and |
| (i) | "transfer agent" means the transfer agent for the time being of the Multiple Voting
Shares. |
| (2) | Subject to subsection 9.06(5), if an Exclusionary Offer is made, each outstanding Subordinate Voting
Share shall be convertible into one Multiple Voting Share at the option of the holder during the Conversion Period. The conversion
right may be exercised by notice in writing given to the transfer agent accompanied by the share certificate or certificates representing
the Subordinate Voting Shares which the holder desires to convert, and such notice shall be executed by such holder, or by his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and shall specify the number of Subordinate Voting Shares which the holder desires to have
converted. The holder shall pay any governmental or other tax imposed on or in respect of such conversion. Upon receipt by the
transfer agent of such notice and share certificate or certificates, the Corporation shall issue a share certificate representing
fully-paid Multiple Voting Shares as above prescribed and in accordance with subsection 9.06(4). If less than all of the Subordinate
Voting Shares represented by any share certificate are to be converted, the holder shall be entitled to receive a new share certificate
representing in the aggregate the number of Subordinate Voting Shares represented by the original share certificate which are not
to be converted. |
| (3) | An election by a holder of Subordinate Voting Shares to exercise the conversion right provided
for in subsection 9.06(2) shall be deemed to also constitute an irrevocable election by such holder to deposit the Converted Shares
pursuant to the Exclusionary Offer (subject to such holder's right to subsequently withdraw the shares from the offer) and to exercise
the right to convert into Subordinate Voting Shares all Converted Shares in respect of which such holder exercises his right of
withdrawal from the Exclusionary Offer or which are not otherwise ultimately taken up under the Exclusionary Offer. Any conversion
into Subordinate Voting Shares, pursuant to such deemed election, of Converted Shares in respect of which the holder exercises
his right of withdrawal from the Exclusionary Offer shall become effective at the time such right of withdrawal is exercised. If
the right of withdrawal is not exercised, any conversion into Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to such deemed election shall
become effective: |
| (a) | in respect of an Exclusionary Offer which is completed, immediately following the time by which
the Offeror is required by applicable securities legislation to take up and pay for all shares to be acquired by the Offeror under
the Exclusionary Offer; and |
| (b) | in respect of an Exclusionary Offer which is abandoned or withdrawn, at the time at which the Exclusionary
Offer is abandoned or withdrawn. |
| (4) | No share certificates representing Converted Shares shall be delivered to the holders of the shares
before such shares are deposited pursuant to the Exclusionary Offer; the transfer agent, on behalf of the holders of the Converted
Shares, shall deposit pursuant to the Exclusionary Offer a certificate or certificates representing the Converted Shares. Upon
completion of the Offer, the transfer agent shall deliver to the holders entitled thereto all consideration paid by the Offeror
pursuant to the offer. If Converted Shares are converted into Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to subsection 9.06(3), the transfer
agent shall deliver to the holders entitled thereto share certificates representing the Subordinate Voting Shares representing
the Subordinate Voting Shares resulting from the conversion. The Corporation shall make all arrangements with the transfer agent
necessary or desirable to give effect to this sub-paragraph. |
| (5) | Subject to subsection 9.06(6), the conversion right provided for in subsection 9.06(2) shall not
come into effect if: |
| (a) | prior to the time at which the Exclusionary Offer is made there is delivered to the transfer agent
and to the Secretary of the Corporation a certificate or certificates signed by or on behalf of one or more shareholders of the
Corporation owning in the aggregate, as at the time the Exclusionary Offer is made, more than 50% of the then outstanding Multiple
Voting Shares, exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the Exclusionary Offer by the Offeror, which certificate or certificates
shall confirm, in the case of each such shareholder, that such shareholder shall not: |
| (i) | accept any Exclusionary Offer without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation
written notice of such acceptance or intended acceptance at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date; |
| (ii) | make any Exclusionary Offer; |
| (iii) | act jointly or in concert with any person or company that makes any Exclusionary Offer; or |
| (iv) | transfer any Multiple Voting Shares, directly or indirectly, during the time at which any Exclusionary.
Offer is outstanding without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such transfer or
intended transfer at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date, which notice shall state, if known to the transferor, the names
of the transferees and the number of Multiple Voting Shares transferred or to be transferred to each transferee; or |
| (b) | within seven days after the Offer Date there is delivered to the transfer agent and to the Secretary
of the Corporation a certificate or certificates signed by or on behalf of one or more shareholders of the Corporation owning in
the aggregate more than 50% of the then outstanding Multiple Voting Shares, exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the
Exclusionary Offer by the Offeror, which certificate or certificates shall confirm, in the case of each such shareholder: |
| (i) | the number of Multiple Voting Shares owned by the shareholder; |
| (ii) | that such shareholder is not making the offer and is not an associate or affiliate of, or acting
jointly or in concert with, the person or company making the offer; |
| (iii) | that such shareholder shall not accept the offer, including any varied form of the offer, without
giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such acceptance or intended acceptance at least
seven days prior to the Expiry Date; and |
| (iv) | that such shareholder shall not transfer any Multiple Voting Shares, directly or indirectly, prior
to the Expiry Date without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such transfer or intended
transfer at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date, which notice shall state, if known to the transferor, the names of the transferees
and the number of. Multiple Voting Shares transferred or to be transferred to each transferee if this information is known to the
transferor. |
| (6) | If notice referred to in clause 9.06(5)(a)(i), 9.06(5)(a)(iv), 9.06(5)(b)(iii) or 9.06(5)(b)(iv)
is given and the conversion right provided for in subsection 9.06(2) has not come into effect, the transfer agent shall either
forthwith upon receipt of the notice or forthwith after the seventh day following the Offer Date, whichever is later, make a determination
as to whether there are subsisting certifications that comply with either paragraph 9.06(5)(a) or 9.06(5)(b) from shareholders
of the Corporation who own in the aggregate more than 50% of the then outstanding Multiple Voting Shares, exclusive of shares owned
immediately prior to the offer by the Offeror. For the subject of such notice shall be deemed to have taken place at the time of
the determination, and the shares that are the subject of such notice shall be deemed to have been transferred to a person or company
from whom the transfer agent has not received such a certification unless the transfer agent is otherwise advised either by such
notice or by the transferee in writing. If the transfer agent determines that there are not such subsisting certifications, subsection
9.06(5) shall cease to apply and the conversion right provided for in subsection 9.06(2) shall be in effect for the remainder of
the Conversion Period. |
| (7) | As soon as reasonably possible after the seventh day after the Offer Date, the Corporation shall
send to each holder of Subordinate Voting Shares a notice advising the holders as to whether they are entitled to convert their
Subordinate Voting Shares into Multiple Voting Shares and the reasons therefor. If such notice discloses that they are not so entitled
but is subsequently determined that they are so entitled by virtue of subsection 9.06(6) or otherwise, the Corporation shall forthwith
send another notice to them advising them of that fact and the reasons therefor. |
| (8) | If a notice referred to in subsection 9.06(7) discloses that the conversion right has come into
effect, the notice shall: |
| (a) | include a description of the procedure to be followed to effect the conversion and to have the
Converted Shares tendered under the offer; |
| (b) | include the information set out in subsection 9.06(3); and |
| (c) | be accompanied by a copy of the offer and all other material sent to holders of Multiple Voting
Shares in respect of the offer, and as soon as reasonably possible after any additional material, including a notice of variation,
is sent to the holders of Multiple Voting Shares in respect of the offer, the Corporation shall send a copy of such additional
material to each holder of Subordinate Voting Shares. |
| (9) | Prior to or forthwith after sending any notice referred to in subsection 9.06(7), the Corporation
shall cause a press release to be issued to a Canadian national news ticker service, describing the contents of the notice. |
10.00
MULTIPLE VOTING SHARES
10.01
The holders of the Multiple Voting Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and speak at and vote at
any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, other than a meeting of the holders of shares of another class as such or of
the holders of a series of shares of another class as such, and at such meeting shall have twenty (20) votes for each Multiple
Voting Share held.
10.02
Subject to any provisions of the Act and to applicable securities laws and the by-laws, regulations or policies of any stock
exchange upon which the Multiple Voting Shares may then be listed, all or any part of the Multiple Voting Shares which are then
outstanding shall be purchasable for cancellation by the Corporation at any time, in the open market, by private contract or otherwise,
at the lowest price at which, in the opinion of the directors, such shares are obtainable.
10.03
The Multiple Voting Shares shall not be redeemable by the Corporation.
10.04
If the Act would in effect require in the absence of this Section 10.04 that an amendment to the Articles of the Corporation
to delete or vary any preference, right, condition, restriction, limitation or prohibition attaching to any of the Multiple Voting
Shares, or to create special shares ranking in priority to or on a parity with the Multiple Voting Shares, be confirmed in writing
by the holders of 100% or any lesser percentage of the then outstanding Multiple Voting Shares, then in lieu of such confirmation
in writing, such confirmation may be given by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of the Multiple
Voting Shares duly called for that purpose and, at such meeting, each holder of Multiple Voting Shares shall be entitled to one
vote for each Multiple Voting Shares held.
10.05
The holders of the Multiple Voting Shares shall not have any right to vote separately upon any proposal to amend the Articles
of the Corporation to:
| (1) | increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class or series having rights or privileges
equal or superior to the Multiple Voting Shares; or |
| (2) | create a new class of shares equal or superior to the Multiple Voting Shares. |
10.06
Each Multiple Voting Share shall be convertible at any time, at the option of the holder thereof, into a Subordinate Voting
Share, on the basis of one Subordinate Voting Share for each Multiple Voting Share so converted. The holder of Multiple Voting
Shares desiring to convert such Multiple Voting Shares into Subordinate Voting Shares on the basis aforesaid shall deliver to the
transfer agent for the time being of the Subordinate Voting Shares the share certificate or share certificates representing the
Multiple Voting Shares which the holder desires to so convert accompanied by a written notice duly executed by such holder or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, which notice shall state that such holder elects to convert the Multiple Voting Shares represented
by such share certificate or share certificates into Subordinate Voting Shares in accordance with the provisions hereof and which
notice shall further state the name or names (with addresses) in which the share certificate or certificates for Subordinate Voting
Shares issuable on such conversion shall be issued and, if any of the Subordinate Voting Shares into which such Multiple Voting
Shares are to be converted are to be issued to a person or persons other than the holder of such Multiple Voting Shares, there
shall be paid to such transfer agent, for the account of the Corporation, any transfer taxes which may properly be payable. If
any such share certificate or share certificates representing any of the Subordinate Voting Shares issuable on conversion are directed
to be issued to any person other than the holder of such Multiple Voting Shares, the signature of such holder shall be guaranteed
by a Canadian chartered bank or such other financial institution as such transfer agent may require. Such holder shall, in addition,
comply with such other reasonable requirements as such transfer agent may prescribe. As promptly as practicable after the receipt
of such notice of election to convert, the payment of such transfer tax (if any), the delivery of such share certificate or share
certificates and compliance with all reasonable requirements of the transfer agent as aforesaid, the Corporation shall cause the
transfer agent for the Subordinate Voting Shares to issue and deliver in accordance with such notice of election to convert a share
certificate or share certificates representing the number of Subordinate Voting Shares into which such Multiple Voting Shares have
been converted in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.06. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately
prior to the close of business on the date on which all conditions precedent to the conversion of such Multiple Voting Shares have
been fulfilled and the person or persons in whose name or names any share certificate or share certificates for Subordinate Voting
Shares shall be issuable shall be deemed to have become on the said date the holder or holders of record of the Subordinate Voting
Shares represented thereby; provided, however, that if the transfer books of the Corporation for Subordinate Voting Shares shall
be closed on the said date, the Corporation shall not be required to issue Subordinate Voting Shares upon such conversion until
the date on which such transfer books shall be re-opened and such person or persons shall not be deemed to have become the holder
or holders of record of such Subordinate Voting Shares until the said date on which such transfer books shall be reopened. There
shall be no payment or adjustment on account of any unpaid dividends on the Multiple Voting Shares converted or on account of any
dividends on the Subordinate Voting Shares resulting from such conversion. In the event that part only of the Multiple Voting Shares
represented by any share certificate shall be converted, a share certificate for the remainder of the Multiple Voting Shares represented
by the said share certificate shall be delivered to the holder converting without charge.
| 11.00 | DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS OF THE SUBORDINATE AND MULTIPLE VOTING SHARES |
11.01
All dividends which are declared in any year in the discretion of the directors on all of the Subordinate Voting Shares
shall be declared and paid in an equal or, in the discretion of the directors, a greater amount per share than on all of the Multiple
Voting Shares at the time outstanding. All dividends which are declared in any year, in the discretion of the directors, on all
of the Multiple Voting Shares shall be declared and paid in an equal or, in the discretion of the directors, a lesser amount per
share than on all of the Subordinate Voting Shares outstanding. If any stock dividend is declared on Subordinate Voting Shares,
such dividend may be paid in Subordinate Voting Shares, such dividend may be paid in Subordinate Voting Shares or in Multiple Voting
Shares, or partly in one class and partly in the other, if stock dividends in equal or, in the discretion of the directors, lesser
amounts per share are declared at the same time on the Multiple Voting Shares and are payable in either Subordinate Voting Shares
or in Multiple Voting Shares, or partly in one class and partly in the other, regardless of which class the stock dividend was
paid on Subordinate Voting Shares. If any stock dividend is declared on Multiple Voting Shares, such dividend may be paid in Subordinate
Voting Shares or in Multiple Voting Shares, or partly in one class and partly in the other, if stock dividends in equal or, in
the discretion of the directors, greater amounts per share are paid at the same time on the Subordinate Voting. Shares and are
payable in either Subordinate Voting Shares or in Multiple Voting Shares, or partly in one class and partly in the other, regardless
of which class the stock dividend was paid on Multiple Voting Shares.
11.02
All distributions other than dividends (including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any distribution
of rights, warrants or options to purchase securities of the Corporation), and all such distributions which may at any time or
from time to time be authorized or made:
| (1) | in respect of the Subordinate Voting Shares, shall be authorized and made in equal or, in the discretion
of the directors, greater quantities or amounts per share than on all Multiple Voting Shares then outstanding without preference
or distinction; and |
| (2) | in respect of the Multiple Voting Shares, shall be authorized and made in equal or, in the discretion
of the directors, lesser quantities or amounts per share than on all Subordinate Voting Shares then outstanding without preference
or distinction. |
| 12.00 | SUBDIVISIONS, CONSOLIDATIONS, RECLASSIFICATIONS, WINDING-UP AND LIQUIDATION, ETC. |
12.01
No subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other change of the Subordinate Voting Shares or the Multiple Voting
Shares shall be made unless at the time an equivalent or comparable subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or change is made
with respect to all of the Multiple Voting Shares and Subordinate Voting Shares, respectively, which are then outstanding.
12.02
In any case where a fraction of a Subordinate Voting Shares or a Multiple Voting Shares would otherwise be issuable on a
subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or change of one or more Subordinate Voting Shares or Multiple Voting Shares, the
Corporation shall in lieu thereof adjust such fractional interest by the payment by cheque (to the nearest cent) of an amount related
or equivalent to the then current market value of such fractional interest computed on the basis of the last board lot sale price
(or the last bid price, if there has been no board lot sale) for the Subordinate Voting Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (or
on such stock exchange in Canada on which the Subordinate Voting Shares are listed or traded as may be selected for such purpose
by the directors of the Corporation) on the business day on which such stock exchange was open next preceding the date of such
subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or change or if the Subordinate Voting Shares are not then listed on any stock exchange,
then the current market price in any public market in which the Subordinate Voting Shares are traded and otherwise in the discretion
of the board of directors.
12.03
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or other distribution of the assets of the
Corporation amongst its shareholders for the purposes of winding-up its affairs, all of the property and assets of the Corporation
available for distribution to the shareholders of the Corporation shall, after providing for preferential payment of the amounts
required to be paid under and in respect of any Preference Shares or series thereof ranking in priority, shall be paid or distributed
in equal amounts per share on all Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares at the time outstanding without preference
or distinction and the holders thereof shall as such participate on a share-for-share basis equally therein.
| 13.00 | PROVISIONS RELATING TO SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES AND MULTIPLE VOTING SHARES |
13.01
Notwithstanding any of the provisions herein, the Articles of the Corporation hereby provide that, for the purposes of the
take-over bid and issuer bid provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the rules and regulations thereunder, in each
case, as amended from time to time: (a) the Subordinate Voting Shares and the Multiple Voting Shares shall be treated as, and are
hereby deemed to constitute, one class of voting securities; and (b) the published market for such one class of voting securities
shall be deemed to be the published market of the Subordinate Voting Shares. For greater certainty, the provisions of this Section
13.01 shall have no application in the event of a purchase of Multiple Voting Shares at a price per share not in excess of the
aggregate of: (i) the "market price" per share (at the time of such purchase) determined in accordance with the provisions
of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the rules and regulations thereunder (in each case, as amended or replaced from time
to time) together with any permitted premium, plus (ii) reasonable brokerage fees or other commissions calculated on a per share
basis. For the purposes of this Section 13.01, "market price" is as defined in Section 1.3 of Ontario Securities
Commission Rule 62-504 – Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids made under the Securities Act (Ontario) (as such section
is amended or replaced from time to time).
FirstService SV Special Shares
and FirstService MV Special Shares
| E. | The FirstService Articles are hereby amended by inserting the following immediately following the
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares: |
FirstService MV Special Shares
14.00
PREFERENCE SHARES, SERIES MV
The third series of the Preference Shares
of the Corporation shall consist of an unlimited number of Preference Shares, which shares shall be designated as "Preference
Shares, Series MV" (collectively, the "FirstService MV Special Shares") and which, in addition to the rights,
privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Preference Shares of the Corporation as a class, shall have attached thereto
the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:
14.01
Dividends
| (1) | The holders of FirstService MV Special Shares shall be entitled to receive, and the Corporation
shall pay thereon, if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Corporation out of moneys of the Corporation properly
applicable to the payment of dividends, non-cumulative dividends. |
| (2) | Except with the consent in writing of the holders of all of the FirstService MV Special Shares,
no dividend shall at any time be declared and paid on, or declared and set apart for payment on, the Class A Subordinate Voting
Shares, the Subordinate Voting Shares, Class A Multiple Voting Shares or the Multiple Voting Shares unless, after the payment of
such dividend, the realizable value of the assets of the Corporation would not be less than the FirstService MV Special Share Redemption
Price (as hereinafter defined). |
14.02
Redemption. The Corporation may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, redeem at any time the whole, or from
time to time any part, of the FirstService MV Special Shares then outstanding on payment (which may, at the discretion of the Corporation,
be made through the issuance of a promissory note or promissory notes) of a redemption price per FirstService MV Special Share
equal to the total of the following two amounts:
| (1) | that amount which is equal to the quotient obtained when: |
| (a) | the Butterfly Proportion Amount (as hereinafter defined) multiplied by a fraction: |
| (i) | the numerator of which is the fair market value of all of the issued and outstanding Class A Multiple
Voting Shares as determined immediately prior to effecting the FirstService Share Exchange (as hereinafter defined); and |
| (ii) | the denominator of which is the fair market value of all of the issued and outstanding Class A
Multiple Voting Shares and Class A Subordinate Voting Shares as determined immediately prior to effecting the FirstService Share
Exchange; |
is divided by:
| (b) | the number of FirstService MV Special Shares issued in connection with the FirstService Share Exchange; |
plus:
| (2) | that amount which is equal to all declared and unpaid dividends on such FirstService MV Special
Share; |
the whole constituting and being herein
referred to in these provisions as the "FirstService MV Special Share Redemption Price", and the aggregate amount
required to redeem all of the FirstService MV Special Shares then outstanding being the "FirstService MV Special Shares
Redemption Amount". For the purposes of this Section 14.00 and Section 15.00:
| (3) | "Butterfly Proportion Amount" means that amount which is equal to the result
obtained when the fair market value of all of the issued and outstanding Class A Multiple Voting Shares and Class A Subordinate
Voting Shares, determined immediately prior to effecting the FirstService Share Exchange, is multiplied by the fraction A/B where: |
A |
= |
is the Net Fair Market Value of the Distribution
Property to be transferred by the Corporation to New FSV as described in subsection 3.1(j) of the Plan of Arrangement, determined
immediately before the Distribution Property Exchange; and
|
B |
= |
is the Net Fair Market Value of all property owned by the Corporation immediately before the Distribution Property Exchange, determined immediately before the Distribution Property Exchange; |
| (4) | "Distribution Property" has the meaning attributed to such term in the Plan of
Arrangement; |
| (5) | "Distribution Property Exchange" has the meaning attributed to such term in the
Plan of Arrangement; |
| (6) | "FirstService Share Exchange" has the meaning attributed to such term in the Plan
of Arrangement; |
| (7) | "Net Fair Market Value" means, in respect of any property, the net fair market
value of that property determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with all administrative policies of the Canada Revenue
Agency in effect at the time of the FirstService Share Exchange and, in determining Net Fair Market Value, the following principles
will apply: |
| (a) | any tax-related accounts in any corporation (such as deferred income taxes, the balance of non-capital
losses and the balance of net capital losses) will not be considered to be property of that corporation; |
| (b) | the amount of any liability will be its principal amount; |
| (c) | no amount will be considered to be a liability unless it represents a true legal liability which
is capable of quantification; |
| (d) | the portion of the long-term debt due within one year will be treated as a current liability; and |
| (e) | liabilities of a corporation will include its respective partnership share of each liability of
any partnership of which such corporation is a partner; |
| (8) | "New FSV" has the meaning attributed to such term in the Plan of Arrangement;
and |
| (9) | "Plan of Arrangement" means the Plan of Arrangement to which this Exhibit "I"
is attached. |
14.03
Retraction. Any holder of FirstService MV Special Shares shall be entitled to require the Corporation to redeem,
subject to the requirements of applicable law, at any time all of the FirstService MV Special Shares registered in the name of
such holder on the books of the Corporation at the redemption price per share equal to the FirstService MV Special Share Redemption
Price by tendering to the Corporation at the registered office of the Corporation a certificate or certificates representing all
of the FirstService MV Special Shares held by such holder together with a notice in writing specifying: (1) that the holder desires
to have the FirstService MV Special Shares represented by such certificate or certificates redeemed by the Corporation; and (2)
the business day (the "Retraction MV Date") on which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem such FirstService
MV Special Shares. Following receipt of such share certificate or certificates and written notice, the Corporation will, on the
Retraction MV Date (or as soon as practicable thereafter), redeem such FirstService MV Special Shares by paying to the holder the
FirstService MV Special Share Redemption Price for each FirstService MV Special Share so redeemed.
14.04
Dissolution, Liquidation or Winding-up. In the event of the dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Corporation,
whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose
of winding-up its affairs, the holders of FirstService MV Special Shares shall be entitled to receive from the assets of the Corporation
an amount equal to the FirstService MV Special Shares Redemption Amount before any amount shall be paid or any assets of the Corporation
distributed upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation to the holders of the Class A Subordinate Voting
Shares, the Subordinate Voting Shares, the Class A Multiple Voting Shares or the Multiple Voting Shares. After payment to the holders
of FirstService MV Special Shares of the amount so payable to them, such holders shall not be entitled to share in any further
distribution of the assets of the Corporation.
14.05
Cancellation. Any FirstService MV Special Share that is redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to this Section 14.00
will for all purposes be considered to have been redeemed on, and will be cancelled concurrently with, the payment of the FirstService
MV Special Share Redemption Price by the Corporation to or for the benefit of the holder thereof.
14.06
Specified Amount for Part VI.1 of the Income Tax Act (Canada). For the purposes of subsection 191(4) of the
Income Tax Act (Canada), [$►][1]
is hereby specified in respect of each FirstService MV Special Share.
FirstService SV Special Shares
15.00
PREFERENCE SHARES, SERIES SV
The fourth series of the Preference Shares
of the Corporation shall consist of an unlimited number of Preference Shares, which shares shall be designated as "Preference
Shares, Series SV" (collectively, the "FirstService SV Special Shares") and which, in addition to the rights,
privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Preference Shares of the Corporation as a class, shall have attached thereto
the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:
15.01
Dividends
| (1) | The holders of FirstService SV Special Shares shall be entitled to receive, and the Corporation
shall pay thereon, if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Corporation out of moneys of the Corporation properly
applicable to the payment of dividends, non-cumulative dividends. |
| (2) | Except with the consent in writing of the holders of all of the FirstService SV Special Shares,
no dividend shall at any time be declared and paid on, or declared and set apart for payment on, the Class A Subordinate Voting
Shares, the Subordinate Voting Shares, Class A Multiple Voting Shares or the Multiple Voting Shares unless, after the payment of
such dividend, the realizable value of the assets of the Corporation would not be less than the FirstService SV Special Share Redemption
Price (as hereinafter defined). |
15.02
Redemption. The Corporation may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, redeem at any time the whole, or from
time to time any part, of the FirstService SV Special Shares then outstanding on payment (which may, at the discretion of the Corporation,
be made through the issuance of a promissory note or promissory notes) of a redemption price per FirstService SV Special Share
equal to the total of the following two amounts:
| (1) | that amount which is equal to the quotient obtained when: |
| (a) | the Butterfly Proportion Amount (as such term is defined in Section 14.02) multiplied by
a fraction: |
| (i) | the numerator of which is the fair market value of all of the issued and outstanding Class A Subordinate
Voting Shares as determined immediately prior to effecting the FirstService Share Exchange (as such term is defined in Section
14.02); and |
__________________
| [1] | Effective Date value to be inserted prior to filing Certificate of Arrangement. |
| (ii) | the denominator of which is the fair market value of all of the issued and outstanding Class A
Multiple Voting Shares and Class A Subordinate Voting Shares as determined immediately prior to effecting the FirstService Share
Exchange (as such term is defined in Section 14.02); |
is divided by:
| (b) | the number of FirstService SV Special Shares issued in connection with the FirstService Share Exchange
(as such term is defined in Section 14.02); |
plus:
| (2) | that amount which is equal to all declared and unpaid dividends on such FirstService SV Special
Share; |
the whole constituting and being herein
referred to in these provisions as the "FirstService SV Special Share Redemption Price", and the aggregate amount
required to redeem all of the FirstService SV Special Shares then outstanding being the "FirstService SV Special Shares
Redemption Amount".
15.03
Retraction. Any holder of FirstService SV Special Shares shall be entitled to require the Corporation to redeem,
subject to the requirements of applicable law, at any time all of the FirstService SV Special Shares registered in the name of
such holder on the books of the Corporation at the redemption price per share equal to the FirstService SV Special Share Redemption
Price by tendering to the Corporation at the registered office of the Corporation a certificate or certificates representing all
of the FirstService SV Special Shares held by such holder together with a notice in writing specifying: (1) that the holder desires
to have the FirstService SV Special Shares represented by such certificate or certificates redeemed by the Corporation; and (2)
the business day (the "Retraction SV Date") on which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem such FirstService
SV Special Shares. Following receipt of such share certificate or certificates and written notice, the Corporation will, on the
Retraction SV Date (or as soon as practicable thereafter), redeem such FirstService SV Special Shares by paying to the holder the
FirstService SV Special Share Redemption Price for each FirstService SV Special Share so redeemed.
15.04
Dissolution, Liquidation or Winding-up. In the event of the dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Corporation,
whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose
of winding-up its affairs, the holders of FirstService SV Special Shares shall be entitled to receive from the assets of the Corporation
an amount equal to the FirstService SV Special Shares Redemption Amount before any amount shall be paid or any assets of the Corporation
distributed upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation to the holders of the Class A Subordinate Voting
Shares, the Subordinate Voting Shares, the Class A Multiple Voting Shares or the Multiple Voting Shares. After payment to the holders
of FirstService SV Special Shares of the amount so payable to them, such holders shall not be entitled to share in any further
distribution of the assets of the Corporation.
15.05
Cancellation. Any FirstService SV Special Share that is redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to this Section 15.00
will for all purposes be considered to have been redeemed on, and will be cancelled concurrently with, the payment of the FirstService
SV Special Share Redemption Price by the Corporation to or for the benefit of the holder thereof.
15.06
Specified Amount for Part VI.1 of the Income Tax Act (Canada). For the purposes of subsection 191(4) of the
Income Tax Act (Canada), [$►][2]
is hereby specified in respect of each FirstService SV Special Share.
_____________________
| [2] | Effective Date value to be inserted prior to filing Certificate of
Arrangement. |
EXHIBIT "II"
TO PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
SHARE TERMS OF NEW FSV
1.00
THE PREFERENCE SHARES
1.01
The Preference Shares may at any time or from time to time be issued in one or more series, each series to consist of such
number of shares as may, before the issue thereof, be determined by the board of directors of the Corporation. The directors shall
by resolution fix, from time to time, before the issue of any series of Preference Shares, the designation, preferences, rights,
restrictions, conditions, limitations, priorities as to payment of dividends and/or distribution on liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up, or prohibitions attaching thereto including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the provision of a purchase
fund, the right of the Corporation to purchase such shares for cancellation, the rate of preferential dividends, the dates of payment
thereof, the date or dates from which any such preferential dividends shall accrue, redemption rights including purchase or redemption
price, terms and conditions of redemption, conversion rights and any sinking fund or other provisions, and authorize the issuance
thereof.
1.02
The directors before the issue of any Preference Shares of a series shall file with the Director appointed under the Business
Corporations Act (Ontario) or any successor statute of the Province of Ontario which is from time to time in force (the "Act"),
Articles of Amendment designating such series and specifying the number, designation, preferences, rights, restrictions, conditions,
limitations, priorities as to payment of dividends and/or distribution on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, and prohibitions
attached thereto, and shall obtain a certificate from the Director with respect thereto.
1.03
The Preference Shares of each series shall be entitled to preference over the Subordinate Voting Shares, the Multiple Voting
Shares and any other shares ranking junior to the Preference Shares with respect to priority in payment of dividends and in the
distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary,
or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, and
may also be given such other preferences over the Subordinate Voting Shares, the Multiple Voting Shares and any other shares ranking
junior to the Preference Shares as may be determined with respect to the respective series authorized to be issued.
1.04
The holders of the Preference Shares shall not be entitled as such, except as required by law, to receive notice of or to
attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting, but shall be entitled to receive notice
of meetings of shareholders of the Corporation called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the
sale of its undertaking or a substantial part thereof.
2.00
SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES
2.01
The holders of the Subordinate Voting Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, to attend and speak at and to vote
at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, other than a meeting of the holders of another class as such or the holders
of a series of shares of another class as such, and at such meeting shall have one (1) vote for each Subordinate Voting Share held.
2.02
Subject to any provisions of the Act and to applicable securities laws and the by-laws, regulations or policies of any stock
exchange upon which the Subordinate Voting Shares may then be listed, all or any part of the Subordinate Voting Shares which are
then outstanding shall be purchasable for cancellation by the Corporation at any time, in the open market, by private contract
or otherwise, at the lowest price at which, in the opinion of the directors, such shares are obtainable.
2.03
The Subordinate Voting Shares shall not be redeemable by the Corporation.
2.04
If the Act would in effect require in the absence of this Section 2.04 that an amendment to the Articles of the Corporation
to delete or vary any preference, right, condition, restriction, limitation or prohibition attaching to any of the Subordinate
Voting Shares, or to create special shares ranking in priority to or on a parity with the Subordinate Voting Shares, be confirmed
in writing by the holders of 100% or any lesser percentage of the then outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares, then in lieu of such
confirmation in writing, such confirmation may be given by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of
the Subordinate Voting Shares duly called for that purpose and, at such meeting, each holder of Subordinate Voting Shares shall
be entitled to one vote for each Subordinate Voting Share held.
2.05
The holders of the Subordinate Voting Shares shall not have any right to vote separately upon any proposal to amend the
Articles of the Corporation to:
| (1) | increase any maximum number of authorized shares of any class or series having rights or privileges
equal or superior to the Subordinate Voting Shares; or |
| (2) | create a new class of shares equal or superior to the Subordinate Voting Shares. |
2.06
| (1) | For the purposes of this Section 2.06: |
| (a) | "affiliate" has the meaning assigned by the Securities Act (Ontario) as
amended from time to time; |
| (b) | "associate" has the meaning assigned by the Securities Act (Ontario) as
amended from time to time; |
| (c) | "Conversion Period" means the period of time commencing on the eighth day after
the Offer Date and terminating on the Expiry Date; |
| (d) | "Converted Shares" means Multiple Voting Shares resulting from the conversion
of Subordinate Voting Shares into Multiple Voting Shares pursuant to subsection 2.06(2); |
| (e) | "Exclusionary Offer" means an offer to purchase Multiple Voting Shares that: |
| (i) | must, by reason of applicable securities legislation or the requirements of a stock exchange on
which the Multiple Voting Shares are listed, be made to all or substantially all holders of Multiple Voting Shares who are in a
province of Canada to which the requirement applies; |
| (ii) | is not made concurrently with an offer to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares that is identical
to the offer to purchase Multiple Voting Shares in terms of price per share and percentage of outstanding shares to be taken up
exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the offer by the Offeror and, in all other material respects, that has no condition
attached other than the right not to take up and pay for shares tendered if no shares are tendered pursuant to the offer for Multiple
Voting Shares, |
and, for the purposes of this definition,
if an offer to purchase Multiple Voting Shares is not an Exclusionary Offer as defined above but would be an Exclusionary Offer
if it were not for clause 2.06(1)(e)(ii), the varying of any term of such offer shall be deemed to constitute the making of a new
offer unless an identical variation concurrently is made to the corresponding offer to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares;
| (f) | "Expiry Date" means the last date upon which holders of Multiple Voting Shares
may accept an Exclusionary Offer; |
| (g) | "Offer Date" means the date on which an Exclusionary Offer is made; |
| (h) | "Offeror" means a person or company that makes an offer to purchase Multiple Voting
Shares (the "bidder"), and includes any associate or affiliate of the bidder or any person or company that is
disclosed in the offering document to be acting jointly or in concert with the bidder; and |
| (i) | "transfer agent" means the transfer agent for the time being of the Multiple Voting
Shares. |
| (2) | Subject to subsection 2.06(5), if an Exclusionary Offer is made, each outstanding Subordinate Voting
Share shall be convertible into one Multiple Voting Share at the option of the holder during the Conversion Period. The conversion
right may be exercised by notice in writing given to the transfer agent accompanied by the share certificate or certificates representing
the Subordinate Voting Shares which the holder desires to convert, and such notice shall be executed by such holder, or by his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and shall specify the number of Subordinate Voting Shares which the holder desires to have
converted. The holder shall pay any governmental or other tax imposed on or in respect of such conversion. Upon receipt by the
transfer agent of such notice and share certificate or certificates, the Corporation shall issue a share certificate representing
fully-paid Multiple Voting Shares as above prescribed and in accordance with subsection 2.06(4). If less than all of the Subordinate
Voting Shares represented by any share certificate are to be converted, the holder shall be entitled to receive a new share certificate
representing in the aggregate the number of Subordinate Voting Shares represented by the original share certificate which are not
to be converted. |
| (3) | An election by a holder of Subordinate Voting Shares to exercise the conversion right provided
for in subsection 2.06(2) shall be deemed to also constitute an irrevocable election by such holder to deposit the Converted Shares
pursuant to the Exclusionary Offer (subject to such holder's right to subsequently withdraw the shares from the offer) and to exercise
the right to convert into Subordinate Voting Shares all Converted Shares in respect of which such holder exercises his right of
withdrawal from the Exclusionary Offer or which are not otherwise ultimately taken up under the Exclusionary Offer. Any conversion
into Subordinate Voting Shares, pursuant to such deemed election, of Converted Shares in respect of which the holder exercises
his right of withdrawal from the Exclusionary Offer shall become effective at the time such right of withdrawal is exercised. If
the right of withdrawal is not exercised, any conversion into Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to such deemed election shall
become effective: |
| (a) | in respect of an Exclusionary Offer which is completed, immediately following the time by which
the Offeror is required by applicable securities legislation to take up and pay for all shares to be acquired by the Offeror under
the Exclusionary Offer; and |
| (b) | in respect of an Exclusionary Offer which is abandoned or withdrawn, at the time at which the Exclusionary
Offer is abandoned or withdrawn. |
| (4) | No share certificates representing Converted Shares shall be delivered to the holders of the shares
before such shares are deposited pursuant to the Exclusionary Offer; the transfer agent, on behalf of the holders of the Converted
Shares, shall deposit pursuant to the Exclusionary Offer a certificate or certificates representing the Converted Shares. Upon
completion of the Offer, the transfer agent shall deliver to the holders entitled thereto all consideration paid by the Offeror
pursuant to the offer. If Converted Shares are converted into Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to subsection 2.06(3), the transfer
agent shall deliver to the holders entitled thereto share certificates representing the Subordinate Voting Shares representing
the Subordinate Voting Shares resulting from the conversion. The Corporation shall make all arrangements with the transfer agent
necessary or desirable to give effect to this sub-paragraph. |
| (5) | Subject to subsection 2.06(6), the conversion right provided for in subsection 2.06(2) shall not
come into effect if: |
| (a) | prior to the time at which the Exclusionary Offer is made there is delivered to the transfer agent
and to the Secretary of the Corporation a certificate or certificates signed by or on behalf of one or more shareholders of the
Corporation owning in the aggregate, as at the time the Exclusionary Offer is made, more than 50% of the then outstanding Multiple
Voting Shares, exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the Exclusionary Offer by the Offeror, which certificate or certificates
shall confirm, in the case of each such shareholder, that such shareholder shall not: |
| (i) | accept any Exclusionary Offer without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation
written notice of such acceptance or intended acceptance at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date; |
| (ii) | make any Exclusionary Offer; |
| (iii) | act jointly or in concert with any person or company that makes any Exclusionary Offer; or |
| (iv) | transfer any Multiple Voting Shares, directly or indirectly, during the time at which any Exclusionary.
Offer is outstanding without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such transfer or
intended transfer at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date, which notice shall state, if known to the transferor, the names
of the transferees and the number of Multiple Voting Shares transferred or to be transferred to each transferee; or |
| (b) | within seven days after the Offer Date there is delivered to the transfer agent and to the Secretary
of the Corporation a certificate or certificates signed by or on behalf of one or more shareholders of the Corporation owning in
the aggregate more than 50% of the then outstanding Multiple Voting Shares, exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the
Exclusionary Offer by the Offeror, which certificate or certificates shall confirm, in the case of each such shareholder: |
| (i) | the number of Multiple Voting Shares owned by the shareholder; |
| (ii) | that such shareholder is not making the offer and is not an associate or affiliate of, or acting
jointly or in concert with, the person or company making the offer; |
| (iii) | that such shareholder shall not accept the offer, including any varied form of the offer, without
giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such acceptance or intended acceptance at least
seven days prior to the Expiry Date; and |
| (iv) | that such shareholder shall not transfer any Multiple Voting Shares, directly or indirectly, prior
to the Expiry Date without giving the transfer agent and the Secretary of the Corporation written notice of such transfer or intended
transfer at least seven days prior to the Expiry Date, which notice shall state, if known to the transferor, the names of the transferees
and the number of. Multiple Voting Shares transferred or to be transferred to each transferee if this information is known to the
transferor. |
| (6) | If notice referred to in clause 2.06(5)(a)(i), 2.06(5)(a)(iv), 2.06(5)(b)(iii) or 2.06(5)(b)(iv)
is given and the conversion right provided for in subsection 2.06(2) has not come into effect, the transfer agent shall either
forthwith upon receipt of the notice or forthwith after the seventh day following the Offer Date, whichever is later, make a determination
as to whether there are subsisting certifications that comply with either paragraph 2.06(5)(a) or 2.06(5)(b) from shareholders
of the Corporation who own in the aggregate more than 50% of the then outstanding Multiple Voting Shares, exclusive of shares owned
immediately prior to the offer by the Offeror. For the subject of such notice shall be deemed to have taken place at the time of
the determination, and the shares that are the subject of such notice shall be deemed to have been transferred to a person or company
from whom the transfer agent has not received such a certification unless the transfer agent is otherwise advised either by such
notice or by the transferee in writing. If the transfer agent determines that there are not such subsisting certifications, subsection
2.06(5) shall cease to apply and the conversion right provided for in subsection 2.06(2) shall be in effect for the remainder of
the Conversion Period. |
| (7) | As soon as reasonably possible after the seventh day after the Offer Date, the Corporation shall
send to each holder of Subordinate Voting Shares a notice advising the holders as to whether they are entitled to convert their
Subordinate Voting Shares into Multiple Voting Shares and the reasons therefor. If such notice discloses that they are not so entitled
but is subsequently determined that they are so entitled by virtue of subsection 2.06(6) or otherwise, the Corporation shall forthwith
send another notice to them advising them of that fact and the reasons therefor. |
| (8) | If a notice referred to in subsection 2.06(7) discloses that the conversion right has come into
effect, the notice shall: |
| (a) | include a description of the procedure to be followed to effect the conversion and to have the
Converted Shares tendered under the offer; |
| (b) | include the information set out in subsection 2.06(3); and |
| (c) | be accompanied by a copy of the offer and all other material sent to holders of Multiple Voting
Shares in respect of the offer, and as soon as reasonably possible after any additional material, including a notice of variation,
is sent to the holders of Multiple Voting Shares in respect of the offer, the Corporation shall send a copy of such additional
material to each holder of Subordinate Voting Shares. |
| (9) | Prior to or forthwith after sending any notice referred to in subsection 2.06(7), the Corporation
shall cause a press release to be issued to a Canadian national news ticker service, describing the contents of the notice. |
3.00
MULTIPLE VOTING SHARES
3.01
The holders of the Multiple Voting Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and speak at and vote at
any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, other than a meeting of the holders of shares of another class as such or of
the holders of a series of shares of another class as such, and at such meeting shall have twenty (20) votes for each Multiple
Voting Share held.
3.02
Subject to any provisions of the Act and to applicable securities laws and the by-laws, regulations or policies of any stock
exchange upon which the Multiple Voting Shares may then be listed, all or any part of the Multiple Voting Shares which are then
outstanding shall be purchasable for cancellation by the Corporation at any time, in the open market, by private contract or otherwise,
at the lowest price at which, in the opinion of the directors, such shares are obtainable.
3.03
The Multiple Voting Shares shall not be redeemable by the Corporation.
3.04
If the Act would in effect require in the absence of this Section 3.04 that an amendment to the Articles of the Corporation
to delete or vary any preference, right, condition, restriction, limitation or prohibition attaching to any of the Multiple Voting
Shares, or to create special shares ranking in priority to or on a parity with the Multiple Voting Shares, be confirmed in writing
by the holders of 100% or any lesser percentage of the then outstanding Multiple Voting Shares, then in lieu of such confirmation
in writing, such confirmation may be given by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of the Multiple
Voting Shares duly called for that purpose and, at such meeting, each holder of Multiple Voting Shares shall be entitled to one
vote for each Multiple Voting Shares held.
3.05
The holders of the Multiple Voting Shares shall not have any right to vote separately upon any proposal to amend the Articles
of the Corporation to:
| (1) | increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class or series having rights or privileges
equal or superior to the Multiple Voting Shares; or |
| (2) | create a new class of shares equal or superior to the Multiple Voting Shares. |
3.06
Each Multiple Voting Share shall be convertible at any time, at the option of the holder thereof, into a Subordinate Voting
Share, on the basis of one Subordinate Voting Share for each Multiple Voting Share so converted. The holder of Multiple Voting
Shares desiring to convert such Multiple Voting Shares into Subordinate Voting Shares on the basis aforesaid shall deliver to the
transfer agent for the time being of the Subordinate Voting Shares the share certificate or share certificates representing the
Multiple Voting Shares which the holder desires to so convert accompanied by a written notice duly executed by such holder or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, which notice shall state that such holder elects to convert the Multiple Voting Shares represented
by such share certificate or share certificates into Subordinate Voting Shares in accordance with the provisions hereof and which
notice shall further state the name or names (with addresses) in which the share certificate or certificates for Subordinate Voting
Shares issuable on such conversion shall be issued and, if any of the Subordinate Voting Shares into which such Multiple Voting
Shares are to be converted are to be issued to a person or persons other than the holder of such Multiple Voting Shares, there
shall be paid to such transfer agent, for the account of the Corporation, any transfer taxes which may properly be payable. If
any such share certificate or share certificates representing any of the Subordinate Voting Shares issuable on conversion are directed
to be issued to any person other than the holder of such Multiple Voting Shares, the signature of such holder shall be guaranteed
by a Canadian chartered bank or such other financial institution as such transfer agent may require. Such holder shall, in addition,
comply with such other reasonable requirements as such transfer agent may prescribe. As promptly as practicable after the receipt
of such notice of election to convert, the payment of such transfer tax (if any), the delivery of such share certificate or share
certificates and compliance with all reasonable requirements of the transfer agent as aforesaid, the Corporation shall cause the
transfer agent for the Subordinate Voting Shares to issue and deliver in accordance with such notice of election to convert a share
certificate or share certificates representing the number of Subordinate Voting Shares into which such Multiple Voting Shares have
been converted in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.06. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately
prior to the close of business on the date on which all conditions precedent to the conversion of such Multiple Voting Shares have
been fulfilled and the person or persons in whose name or names any share certificate or share certificates for Subordinate Voting
Shares shall be issuable shall be deemed to have become on the said date the holder or holders of record of the Subordinate Voting
Shares represented thereby; provided, however, that if the transfer books of the Corporation for Subordinate Voting Shares shall
be closed on the said date, the Corporation shall not be required to issue Subordinate Voting Shares upon such conversion until
the date on which such transfer books shall be re-opened and such person or persons shall not be deemed to have become the holder
or holders of record of such Subordinate Voting Shares until the said date on which such transfer books shall be reopened. There
shall be no payment or adjustment on account of any unpaid dividends on the Multiple Voting Shares converted or on account of any
dividends on the Subordinate Voting Shares resulting from such conversion. In the event that part only of the Multiple Voting Shares
represented by any share certificate shall be converted, a share certificate for the remainder of the Multiple Voting Shares represented
by the said share certificate shall be delivered to the holder converting without charge.
| 4.00 | DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS OF THE SUBORDINATE AND MULTIPLE VOTING SHARES |
4.01
All dividends which are declared in any year in the discretion of the directors on all of the Subordinate Voting Shares
shall be declared and paid in an equal or, in the discretion of the directors, a greater amount per share than on all of the Multiple
Voting Shares at the time outstanding. All dividends which are declared in any year, in the discretion of the directors, on all
of the Multiple Voting Shares shall be declared and paid in an equal or, in the discretion of the directors, a lesser amount per
share than on all of the Subordinate Voting Shares outstanding. If any stock dividend is declared on Subordinate Voting Shares,
such dividend may be paid in Subordinate Voting Shares, such dividend may be paid in Subordinate Voting Shares or in Multiple Voting
Shares, or partly in one class and partly in the other, if stock dividends in equal or, in the discretion of the directors, lesser
amounts per share are declared at the same time on the Multiple Voting Shares and are payable in either Subordinate Voting Shares
or in Multiple Voting Shares, or partly in one class and partly in the other, regardless of which class the stock dividend was
paid on Subordinate Voting Shares. If any stock dividend is declared on Multiple Voting Shares, such dividend may be paid in Subordinate
Voting Shares or in Multiple Voting Shares, or partly in one class and partly in the other, if stock dividends in equal or, in
the discretion of the directors, greater amounts per share are paid at the same time on the Subordinate Voting. Shares and are
payable in either Subordinate Voting Shares or in Multiple Voting Shares, or partly in one class and partly in the other, regardless
of which class the stock dividend was paid on Multiple Voting Shares.
4.02
All distributions other than dividends (including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any distribution
of rights, warrants or options to purchase securities of the Corporation), and all such distributions which may at any time or
from time to time be authorized or made:
| (1) | in respect of the Subordinate Voting Shares, shall be authorized and made in equal or, in the discretion
of the directors, greater quantities or amounts per share than on all Multiple Voting Shares then outstanding without preference
or distinction; and |
| (2) | in respect of the Multiple Voting Shares, shall be authorized and made in equal or, in the discretion
of the directors, lesser quantities or amounts per share than on all Subordinate Voting Shares then outstanding without preference
or distinction. |
| 5.00 | SUBDIVISIONS, CONSOLIDATIONS, RECLASSIFICATIONS, WINDING-UP AND LIQUIDATION, ETC. |
5.01
No subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other change of the Subordinate Voting Shares or the Multiple Voting
Shares shall be made unless at the time an equivalent or comparable subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or change is made
with respect to all of the Multiple Voting Shares and Subordinate Voting Shares, respectively, which are then outstanding.
5.02
In any case where a fraction of a Subordinate Voting Shares or a Multiple Voting Shares would otherwise be issuable on a
subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or change of one or more Subordinate Voting Shares or Multiple Voting Shares, the
Corporation shall in lieu thereof adjust such fractional interest by the payment by cheque (to the nearest cent) of an amount related
or equivalent to the then current market value of such fractional interest computed on the basis of the last board lot sale price
(or the last bid price, if there has been no board lot sale) for the Subordinate Voting Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (or
on such stock exchange in Canada on which the Subordinate Voting Shares are listed or traded as may be selected for such purpose
by the directors of the Corporation) on the business day on which such stock exchange was open next preceding the date of such
subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or change or if the Subordinate Voting Shares are not then listed on any stock exchange,
then the current market price in any public market in which the Subordinate Voting Shares are traded and otherwise in the discretion
of the board of directors.
5.03
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or other distribution of the assets of the
Corporation amongst its shareholders for the purposes of winding-up its affairs, all of the property and assets of the Corporation
available for distribution to the shareholders of the Corporation shall, after providing for preferential payment of the amounts
required to be paid under and in respect of any Preference Shares or series thereof ranking in priority, shall be paid or distributed
in equal amounts per share on all Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares at the time outstanding without preference
or distinction and the holders thereof shall as such participate on a share-for-share basis equally therein.
| 6.00 | PROVISIONS RELATING TO SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES AND MULTIPLE VOTING SHARES |
6.01
Notwithstanding any of the provisions herein, the Articles of the Corporation hereby provide that, for the purposes of the
take-over bid and issuer bid provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the rules and regulations thereunder, in each
case, as amended from time to time: (a) the Subordinate Voting Shares and the Multiple Voting Shares shall be treated as, and are
hereby deemed to constitute, one class of voting securities; and (b) the published market for such one class of voting securities
shall be deemed to be the published market of the Subordinate Voting Shares. For greater certainty, the provisions of this Section
6.01 shall have no application in the event of a purchase of Multiple Voting Shares at a price per share not in excess of the aggregate
of: (i) the "market price" per share (at the time of such purchase) determined in accordance with the provisions of the
Securities Act (Ontario) and the rules and regulations thereunder (in each case, as amended or replaced from time to time)
together with any permitted premium, plus (ii) reasonable brokerage fees or other commissions calculated on a per share basis.
For the purposes of this Section 6.01, "market price" is as defined in Section 1.3 of Ontario Securities Commission
Rule 62-504 – Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids made under the Securities Act (Ontario) (as such section is amended
or replaced from time to time).
EXHIBIT "III"
TO PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
PART A – DIRECTORS OF NEW FSV
First Name, Middle Name and Surname |
Address |
Resident Canadian
("Yes" or "No") |
Brendan Calder |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
Bernard I. Ghert |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
Jay S. Hennick |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
D. Scott Patterson |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
Frederick F. Reichheld |
Wellesley,
Massachusetts, USA |
No |
Michael Stein |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
PART B – DIRECTORS OF COLLIERS
First Name, Middle Name and Surname |
Address |
Resident Canadian
("Yes" or "No") |
David R. Beatty |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
Peter F. Cohen |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr. |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
Michael D. Harris |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
Jay S. Hennick |
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada |
Yes |
Frederick Sutherland |
Devon,
Pennsylvania, USA |
No |
EXHIBIT "IV"
TO PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
BY-LAWS OF NEW FSV
BY-LAW NO. 1
a by-law to regulate the business and affairs
of
NEW FSV
CORPORATION
(to be
renamed "FirstService Corporation")
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1
Definitions. In this By-Law No. 1, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following
meanings, respectively:
| (a) | "Act" means the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and the regulations
enacted pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), and any statute and regulations that may be substituted for
any of them, as amended from time to time; |
| (b) | "Articles" means the articles (as that term is defined in the Act) of the Corporation; |
| (c) | "auditor" means the auditor of the Corporation; |
| (d) | "Board" means the board of directors of the Corporation; |
| (e) | "By-law" means a by-law of the Corporation; |
| (f) | "Corporation" means New FSV Corporation (to be renamed "FirstService Corporation")
and any amalgamated corporation successor thereto resulting from the amalgamation of the Corporation or its successor with one
or more other corporations, which amalgamated corporation successor adopts this By-Law No. 1 or which is otherwise required to
have By-laws the same as the Corporation or its successor; |
| (g) | "Director" means a member of the Board; |
| (h) | "meeting of shareholders" means an annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation,
or a special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation, or both, and includes a meeting of any class or series of any class of
shareholders of the Corporation; |
| (i) | "non-business day" means Saturday, Sunday and any other day that is a holiday
as defined in the Interpretation Act (Ontario); |
| (j) | "Officer" means an officer of the Corporation as defined in the Act, and reference
to any specific Officer is to the individual holding that office of the Corporation; |
| (k) | "person" includes an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, unincorporated
association, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated organization, trust, body corporate, and a natural person in the capacity
of trustee, executor, administrator, or other legal representative; |
| (l) | "proxyholder" means an individual holding a valid proxy for a shareholder; |
| (m) | "shareholder" means a shareholder of the Corporation; |
| (n) | "telephonic or electronic means" means telephone calls or messages, facsimile
messages, electronic mail, transmission of data or information through automated touch-tone telephone systems, transmission of
data or information through computer networks, any other similar means or any other means prescribed by the Act; and |
| (o) | "voting person" means, in respect of a meeting of shareholders, an individual
who is either a shareholder entitled to vote at that meeting, a duly authorized representative of a shareholder entitled to vote
at that meeting or a proxyholder entitled to vote at that meeting. |
1.2
Terms Defined in the Act. Terms used herein that are defined in the Act, and not defined herein, shall have the meanings
given to those terms in the Act.
1.3
Number, Gender and Headings. In this By-Law No. 1, words in the singular include the plural and vice-versa and
words in one gender include all genders. The insertion of headings in this By-Law No. 1 and its division into articles, sections
and other subdivisions are for convenience of reference only, and shall not affect the interpretation of this By-Law No. 1.
1.4
By-Law Subordinate to Other Documents. This By-Law No. 1 is subordinate to, and should be read in conjunction with,
the Act, the Articles and any unanimous shareholder agreement of the Corporation.
1.5
Computation of Time. The computation of time and any period of days shall be determined in accordance with the Act.
ARTICLE 2
GENERAL BUSINESS
2.1
Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation shall be in the municipality or geographical township within
Ontario specified in the Articles or in a special resolution and at such location therein as the Board may from time to time determine.
2.2
Seal. The Corporation may have a seal which shall be adopted, and may be changed, by the Board.
2.3
Financial Year. Until changed by the Board, the financial year of the Corporation shall end on the 31st day
of December in each year.
2.4
Execution of Instruments. Deeds, transfers, assignments, contracts, obligations, certificates and other instruments
shall be signed on behalf of the Corporation by any one Director or Officer. In addition, the Board may from time to time direct
the manner in which and the person or persons by whom any particular instrument or class of instruments may or shall be signed.
The signature of any individual authorized to sign on behalf of the Corporation may, if specifically authorized by resolution of
the Board, be written, printed, stamped, engraved, lithographed or otherwise mechanically reproduced or may be an electronic signature.
Anything so signed shall be as valid as if it had been signed manually, even if that individual has ceased to hold office when
anything so signed is issued or delivered, until revoked by resolution of the Board. Any signing officer may certify a copy of
any instrument, resolution, By-law or other document of the Corporation to be a true copy thereof. Any deed, transfer, assignment,
contract, obligation, certificate and other instrument signed on behalf of the Corporation may, but need not, have the corporate
seal of the Corporation applied, if there is one.
2.5
Voting Rights in Other Bodies Corporate. Any Director or Officer may execute and deliver proxies and take any other
steps as in the Director's or Officer's opinion may be necessary or desirable to permit the exercise on behalf of the Corporation
of voting rights attaching to any securities held by the Corporation. In addition, the Board may from time to time direct the manner
in which and the persons by whom any particular voting rights or class of voting rights attaching to any securities held by the
Corporation may or shall be exercised.
2.6
Banking Arrangements. The banking business of the Corporation, or any part thereof, shall be transacted with such bank,
trust company or other firm, institution or body corporate as the Board may designate, appoint or authorize from time to time and
all such banking business, or any part thereof, shall be transacted on the Corporation's behalf by such one or more Officers or
other persons as the Board may designate, direct or authorize from time to time and to the extent thereby provided.
2.7
Borrowing. Without limit to the powers of the Board as provided in the Act, the Board may from time to time on behalf
of the Corporation:
| (a) | borrow money upon the credit of the Corporation; |
| (b) | issue, reissue, sell or pledge debt obligations of the Corporation; |
| (c) | to the extent permitted by the Act, give, directly or indirectly, financial assistance to any person
by means of a loan, a guarantee or otherwise to secure the performance of an obligation; and |
| (d) | mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in all or any property of
the Corporation, owned or subsequently acquired, to secure any obligation of the Corporation. |
2.8
Borrowing Delegation. Subject to the Act, the Board may from time to time delegate to a Director, a committee of Directors
or an Officer or such other person or persons so designated by the Board all or any of the powers conferred on the Board by Section
2.7 or by the Act to such extent and in such manner as the Board shall determine at the time of each such delegation.
2.9
Divisions. The Board may cause the business and operations of the Corporation or any part thereof to be divided into
one or more divisions upon such basis, including, without limitation, types of business or operations, geographical territories,
product lines or goods or services, as may be considered appropriate in each case. In connection with any such division the Board
or, subject to any direction by the Board, the chief executive officer may authorize from time to time, upon such basis as may
be considered appropriate in each case:
| (a) | the further division of the business and operations of any such division into sub-units and the
consolidation of the business and operations of any such division and sub-units; |
| (b) | the designation of any such division or sub-unit by, and the carrying on of the business and operations
of any such division or sub-unit under, a name other than the name of the Corporation, provided that the Corporation shall set
out its name in legible characters in all places required by law; and |
| (c) | the appointment of officers for any such division or sub-unit, the determination of their powers
and duties, and the removal of any of such officers so appointed, provided that any such officers shall not, as such, be Officers. |
ARTICLE 3
DIRECTORS
3.1
Duties of Directors. Subject to the Act, the Board shall manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs
of the Corporation.
3.2
Number of Directors. The number of Directors shall be not fewer than the minimum number and not more than the maximum
number established by the Articles, and the number of directors within such parameters shall be determined from time to time in
accordance with the provisions of the Act, provided, however, that for so long as the Corporation is an offering corporation, the
Board shall consist of not fewer than three individuals. The Board is empowered to determine by resolution the number of Directors
within the minimum and maximum number of directors established by the Articles until a special resolution stipulating otherwise
is approved.
3.3
Qualifications. No person shall be a Director if the person: (a) is not an individual; (b) is less than eighteen years
of age; (c) has the status of bankrupt; or (d) has been found under the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 or under the Mental
Health Act to be incapable of managing property or who has been found to be incapable by a court in Canada or elsewhere. Except
as permitted by the Act, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the Directors shall be resident Canadians, or if there are fewer
than four Directors, at least one Director shall be a resident Canadian. A Director need not be a shareholder. If the Corporation
is an offering corporation, at least one-third of the Directors shall not be Officers or employees of the Corporation or any of
its affiliates.
3.4
Quorum. Subject to the Act and Section 3.17, a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board shall
be two-fifths of the number of Directors so fixed or determined at that time (or, if that number is a fraction, the next larger
whole number), provided that if the Corporation has fewer than three Directors, all of the Directors must be present at a meeting
of the Board to constitute a quorum.
3.5
Election and Term. Directors shall be elected by the shareholders at an annual meeting of shareholders for a term expiring
at the close of the first annual meeting of shareholders following the election or, if elected for an expressly stated term, for
a term expiring not later than the close of the third annual meeting of shareholders following the election. If qualified, a Director
shall be eligible for re-election at such next ensuing annual meeting of shareholders. Subject to the Act, the number of Directors
to be elected at any such meeting shall be that number most recently determined in accordance with Section 3.2. The election need
not be by ballot unless a ballot is demanded by any shareholder or required by the chair. If an election of Directors is not held
at an annual meeting of shareholders at which such election is required, the incumbent Directors shall continue in office until
their successors are elected.
3.6
Resignation, Removal and Vacation of Office. Subject to the Act, a Director may resign by delivering or sending his
resignation in writing to the Corporation and such resignation shall be effective when it is received by the Corporation or at
such time as may be specified in the resignation, whichever is later. Subject to the Act, the shareholders of the Corporation entitled
to elect a Director may, by ordinary resolution at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, remove
such Director and may at the same meeting fill the vacancy created by such removal, failing which the vacancy may be filled by
the remaining directors if a quorum of the directors remains in office. Subject to the Act, a Director ceases to hold office on
death, on removal from office by the shareholders, on ceasing to be qualified for election as a director, on receipt of a written
resignation by the Corporation, or, if a time is specified in such resignation, at the time so specified, whichever is later.
3.7
Vacancies. Subject to the Act, a quorum of directors (whether or not the majority of such quorum are resident Canadians)
may fill a vacancy among the Directors, except a vacancy resulting from:
| (a) | an increase in the number of Directors otherwise than pursuant to a special resolution empowering
the Board to fix the number of Directors within a range set out in the Articles; |
| (b) | an increase in the maximum number of Directors set out in the Articles; or |
| (c) | a failure to elect the number of Directors required to be elected at any meeting of shareholders. |
3.8
Regular Board Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and places as may be fixed by the
Board from time to time. A copy of any resolution of the Board fixing the time and place of such regular meetings shall be sent
to each Director after being passed, but no other notice shall be required for any such regular meeting except where the Act requires
the purpose thereof or the business to be transacted thereat to be specified.
3.9
Special Board Meetings. A meeting of the Board, other than a regular meeting referred to in Section 3.8 hereof, may
be held at any time upon call by the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, the Chief Financial Officer
of the Corporation, the Secretary of the Corporation or a majority of the Directors then in office.
3.10
Meeting by Communications Facilities. If all the Directors present at or participating in the meeting consent, a meeting
of the Board or of a committee of the Board may be held by means of such telephone, electronic or other communications facilities
as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously, and a Director
participating in such a meeting by such means shall be deemed to be present at the meeting. Any such consent shall be effective
whether given before or after the meeting to which it relates and may be given with respect to all meetings of the Board and of
committees of the Board. Subject to the Act, if a majority of the directors participating in a meeting held under this section
are then in Canada, the meeting shall be deemed to have been held in Canada.
3.11
Place of meetings. A meeting of the Board may be held at any place within or outside Ontario, and no such meeting need
be held at a place within Canada.
3.12
Notice. Subject to Section 3.8, written notice or notice by telephonic or electronic means of the time and place of
each meeting of the Board shall be given to each Director at least 48 hours before the time when the meeting is to be held. An
individual need not be given notice of the meeting at which that individual is appointed by the other Directors to fill a vacancy
on the Board, if that individual is present at that meeting. A notice of meeting of the Board need not specify the purpose of or
the business to be transacted at the meeting except as may be required by the Act. The accidental failure to give notice of a meeting
of the Board to a Director or any error in such notice not affecting the substance thereof shall not invalidate any action at the
meeting. A Director may in any manner and at any time waive notice of a meeting of the Board and attendance of a Director at a
meeting of the Board is a waiver of notice of the meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of
objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
3.13
First Meeting of New Board. Provided a quorum of Directors is present, each newly elected Board may without notice hold
its first meeting immediately following the meeting of shareholders at which such Board is elected.
3.14
Chair and Secretary. The Chair of the Board or, if he or she is not present, the Vice-Chair of the Board or, if he or
she is not present, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or, in the absence of any of them, a Director designated by
the Board shall act as chair at each meeting of the Board. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at any meeting
of the Board and, if the Secretary of the Corporation is absent, the chair of the meeting shall appoint a person, who need not
be a Director, to act as secretary of the meeting.
3.15
Director Voting. Each Director present at a meeting of the Board shall have one (1) vote on each motion arising. Motions
arising at meetings of the Board shall be decided by a majority vote. In the event of an equality of votes on any question at a
meeting of the Board, the chair of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
3.16
Director Compensation. Each Director shall receive such reasonable compensation and/or reimbursement of expenses, if
any, as may be authorized by the Board from time to time in relation to his or her services as a Director. Any Director may be
employed by or provide services to the Corporation otherwise than as a Director. Such a Director may receive compensation for such
employment or other services in addition to any compensation paid to such Director for his or her services as a Director.
3.17
Conflict of Interest. A Director who is a party to, or who is a director or officer of or has a material interest in
any person who is a party to, a material contract or transaction or proposed material contract or transaction with the Corporation
shall disclose to the Corporation the nature and extent of that interest at the time and in the manner provided by the Act. Such
a Director shall not attend any part of a meeting of the Board during which the contract or transaction is discussed and shall
not vote on any resolution to approve the same except as permitted by the Act. If no quorum exists for the purpose of voting on
such a resolution only because a Director is not permitted to be present at the meeting, the remaining Directors shall be deemed
to constitute a quorum for the purposes of voting on the resolution.
ARTICLE 4
COMMITTEES
4.1
Audit Committee. The Board shall appoint from among their number an audit committee whose composition and function will
conform with applicable law. The audit committee shall have the functions provided in the Act.
4.2
Other Committees. The Board may designate and appoint committees of the Board in an addition to an audit committee,
including an executive compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, and, subject to the limitations
prescribed by the Act, may delegate to such committees any of the powers of the Board.
4.3
Procedure. Subject to the Act and unless otherwise determined by the Board, each committee of the Board shall have the
power to fix its quorum at not less than a majority of its members, to elect its chair and to regulate its procedure.
4.4
Transaction of Business. The powers of a committee of the Board may be exercised by a meeting at which a quorum is present
or by resolution in writing signed by all the members of such committee who would have been entitled to vote on that resolution
at a meeting of the committee. Meetings of such committee may be held at any place in or outside Ontario and, subject to the provisions
of Section 3.10 which shall be applicable mutatis mutandis, may be held by means of telephone, electronic or other communications
equipment.
ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS
5.1
Appointment of Officers. The Board may from time to time appoint a chair of the Board, a vice-chair of the Board, a
president, one or more vice-presidents, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, a chief operating officer, a secretary,
a treasurer and such other Officers as the Board may determine, including one or more assistants to any of the Officers so appointed
(and to which officer titles may be added words indicating seniority and/or function). The Board may specify the duties of such
Officers and, in accordance with this By-law and subject to the Act, delegate to such Officers powers to manage the business and
affairs of the Corporation. Except for a chair of the Board, an Officer need not be a Director and any person may hold more than
one office.
5.2
Agents and Attorneys. The Board shall have the power from time to time to appoint agents or attorneys for the Corporation
in or outside of Ontario with such powers of management or otherwise (including the power to sub-delegate) as the Board may determine.
5.3
Conflict of Interest. An Officer shall disclose an interest in any material contract or transaction or proposed material
contract or transaction with the Corporation in accordance with Section 3.17.
ARTICLE 6
PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS
AND OFFICERS
6.1
Limitation of Liability. No Director or Officer shall be liable for:
| (a) | the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other Director, Officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation or any other person; |
| (b) | any loss, damage or expense happening to the Corporation through the insufficiency or deficiency
of title to any property acquired by, for, or on behalf of the Corporation, or for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security
in or upon which any of the moneys of the Corporation shall be loaned out or invested; |
| (c) | any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious act of any person, firm
or corporation, including any person, firm or corporation with whom any moneys, securities or other assets belonging to the Corporation
shall be lodged or deposited; |
| (d) | any loss, conversion, misapplication or misappropriation of, or any damage resulting from any dealings
with, any moneys, securities or other assets belonging to the Corporation; and |
| (e) | any other loss, damage or misfortune whatever which may happen in the execution of the duties of
the Director's or Officer's respective office or in relation thereto; |
unless the same shall
happen by or through the Director's or Officer's failure to exercise the powers and to discharge the duties of the Director's or
Officer's office honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation and, in connection therewith,
to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances, provided
that nothing herein contained shall relieve a Director or Officer from the duty to act in accordance with the Act or relieve such
Director or Officer from liability for a breach of the Act.
6.2
Indemnity of Directors and Officers.
| (a) | The Corporation shall indemnify a Director or Officer of the Corporation, a former Director or
Officer of the Corporation or another individual who acts or acted at the Corporation's request as a director or officer, or an
individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to
settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by such person in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative action or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with the Corporation or
other entity. |
| (b) | The Corporation shall advance monies to such individual for the costs, charges and expenses of
a proceeding referred to in subsection 6.2(a) provided that such individual agrees in advance, in writing, to repay the monies
if the individual does not fulfill the conditions of subsection 6.2(c). |
| (c) | The Corporation may not indemnify an individual under subsection 6.2(a) unless the individual: |
| (i) | acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation or other
entity for which the individual acted as a director or officer or in a similar capacity at the Corporation's request, as the case
may be; and |
| (ii) | in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary
penalty, had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. |
| (d) | To the extent required by the Act or applicable law, the Corporation shall also seek the approval
of a court to indemnify an individual referred to in subsection 6.2(a), or advance monies under subsection 6.2(b) in respect of
an action by or on behalf of the Corporation or other entity to procure a judgment in its favour, to which such individual is made
a party because of the individual's association with the Corporation or other entity as described in subsection 6.2(a), against
all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with such action, if the individual fulfills
the conditions set out in subsection 6.2(c). |
6.3
Indemnification of Others. Subject to the Act, the Corporation may indemnify its employees and agents on the same basis
as that upon which the persons referred to in Section 6.2 are indemnified.
6.4
Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an individual referred to in subsection
6.2(a) against any liability incurred by the individual: (a) in the individual's capacity as a Director or Officer of the Corporation;
or (b) in the individual's capacity as a director or officer, or similar capacity, of another entity, if the individual acts or
acted in that capacity at the Corporation's request.
6.5
Indemnities Not Exclusive. Each of the provisions of this Article 6 shall be in addition to and not in substitution
for or derogation from any rights to which any person referred to herein may otherwise be entitled.
ARTICLE 7
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
7.1
Annual and Special Meetings. The Board shall call an annual meeting of shareholders not later than 18 months after the
Corporation comes into existence and subsequently not later than 15 months after holding the last preceding annual meeting. The
Board may at any time call a special meeting of shareholders.
7.2
Place of meetings. Subject to the Articles, a meeting of shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at such place
in or outside Ontario as the Board determines or, in the absence of such a determination, at the place where the registered office
of the Corporation is located.
7.3
Notice of meetings. Notice of the time and place of a meeting of shareholders shall be sent not less than 21 days nor
more than 50 days before the meeting to: (a) each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting; (b) each Director; and (c) the auditor.
The accidental failure to give notice of a meeting of shareholders to any person entitled thereto or any error in such notice not
affecting the substance thereof shall not invalidate any action taken at the meeting.
7.4
Meeting by Telephonic or Electronic Means. A meeting of the shareholders may be held by telephonic or electronic means
and a shareholder who, through those means, votes at the meeting or establishes a communications link to the meeting shall be deemed
for the purposes of the Act to be present at the meeting. The Board may establish procedures regarding the holding of meetings
of the shareholders pursuant to this Section 7.4.
7.5
Chair and Secretary. The Chair of the Board or, if he or she is not present, the Vice-Chair of the Board or, if he or
she is not present, a Director designated by the Board or, in the absence of any of them, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation
shall act as chair at each meeting of shareholders. If none of the foregoing persons are present within 15 minutes after the time
appointed for holding the meeting of shareholders, the shareholders present and entitled to vote shall choose a chair from amongst
themselves. The Secretary of the Corporation, or, in his or her absence, such other person as the chair of the meeting of shareholders
may appoint, shall act as secretary of a meeting of shareholders.
7.6
Scrutineers. At any meeting of shareholders, the chair of the meeting may appoint one or more persons, who may but need
not be shareholders, to serve as scrutineers with such duties as the chair may prescribe.
7.7
Persons Entitled to be Present. The only persons entitled to be present at a meeting of shareholders shall be those
entitled to vote thereat, the Directors and auditors of the Corporation and others who, although not entitled to vote, are entitled
or required under any provision of the Act or the Articles or By-laws to be present at the meeting. Any other person may be admitted
only on the invitation of the chair of the meeting or with the consent of the meeting.
7.8
Quorum. A quorum for any meeting of shareholders shall be two or more individuals holding, or representing by proxy,
not less than 5% (five percent) of the votes attached to all outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to be voted at the
meeting of shareholders, provided that if the Corporation has only one shareholder, the shareholder present in person or represented
by proxy shall be a quorum for a meeting of shareholders. In the event that such quorum is not present at the appointed place on
the date for which the meeting of shareholders is called within 30 minutes after the time fixed for the holding of such meeting
of shareholders, the meeting, if convened at the requisition of the shareholders, shall be dissolved, but in any other case shall
stand adjourned to such day being not less than 10 days later and to such place and at such time as may be determined by the chair
of the meeting of shareholders. If at such adjourned meeting of shareholders a quorum, as determined in accordance with the foregoing
provisions of this Section 7.8, is not present, the shareholders present either personally or represented by proxy shall constitute
a quorum and any business which could have been brought before or dealt with at the original meeting of shareholders in accordance
with the notice of meeting calling same may be brought before or dealt with at such adjourned meeting of shareholders. A quorum
need not be present throughout the meeting provided that a quorum is present at the opening of the meeting.
7.9
Shareholder Representatives. A body corporate or association that is a shareholder of the Corporation may be represented
at a meeting of shareholders by any individual authorized by a resolution of its directors or governing body and such individual
may exercise on behalf of the body corporate or association which such individual represents all the powers it could exercise if
it were an individual shareholder.
7.10
Time for Deposit of Proxies. The Board may by resolution fix a time not exceeding 48 hours, excluding non-business days,
preceding any meeting or adjourned meeting of shareholders before which time proxies to be used at that meeting must be deposited
with the Corporation or an agent thereof, and any period of time so fixed shall be specified in the notice calling the meeting.
A proxy may be used at the meeting only if, prior to the time so specified, it shall have been deposited with the Corporation or
an agent thereof specified in such notice or, if no such time is specified in such notice, it shall have been received by the secretary
of the Corporation or by the chair of the meeting or adjournment thereof prior to the time of voting.
7.11
Votes to Govern. At any meeting of shareholders, every question shall, unless otherwise required by the Articles, By-laws
or applicable law, be determined by a majority of votes cast on the question. In case of an equality of votes either upon a show
of hands or upon a ballot, the chair of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
7.12
Voting. Voting at any meeting of shareholders shall be by a show of hands except where, either before or after a show
of hands, a ballot is required by the chair of the meeting or is requested by any voting person or as otherwise required by law.
On a show of hands, each voting person shall have one vote. On a ballot, each voting person shall have that number of votes provided
for by the Act or the Articles for each share entitled to be voted by such voting person, and the result of the ballot so taken
shall be the decision of the shareholders upon the said question. Any ballot shall be taken in such manner as the chair of the
meeting directs, and a requirement or demand for a ballot may be withdrawn at any time prior to the taking of the ballot. If a
ballot is taken, a prior vote by show of hands has no effect. Whenever a vote by any means other than by ballot is taken, a declaration
by the chair of the meeting that the vote upon the question has been carried or carried by a particular majority or not carried
and an entry to that effect in the minutes of the meeting shall be prima facie evidence of the fact without proof of the
number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against any resolution or other proceeding in respect of the said question,
and the result of the vote so taken shall be the decision of the shareholders upon the said question.
7.13
Electronic Voting.
| (a) | Any person entitled to attend and vote at a meeting of shareholders may vote at the meeting in
person or by proxy and, subject to any determinations made from time to time by the Board, may appoint a proxy by any method permitted
by law, including over the Internet, by the input of data using telephone facilities or by reproduction using facsimile or electronic
facilities. |
| (b) | To the extent permitted by the By-laws or the Articles or by the Act or other laws governing the
Corporation, the Board may establish, in connection with any meeting of shareholders, procedures regarding voting at the meeting
by means of the Internet, telephonic, electronic or other communication facilities, and make available such communication facilities
consistent with those procedures. The Board may determine from time to time that the voting at any specific meeting of shareholders
shall be held entirely by such means. |
7.14
Only One Shareholder. Where the Corporation has only one shareholder or only one holder of any class or series of shares,
the shareholder present in person or duly represented by proxy constitutes a meeting.
ARTICLE 8
SECURITIES
8.1
Options or Rights. Subject to the Act and the Articles, the Board may from time to time issue or grant options to purchase
or rights to acquire unissued shares of the Corporation at such times and to such persons and for such consideration as the Board
shall determine, provided that no share shall be issued until it is fully paid.
8.2
Uncertificated Securities. The Board may provide by resolution that any or all classes or series of shares issued by
the Corporation shall be uncertificated securities, provided that such resolution shall not apply to securities represented by
a certificate until such certificate has been surrendered to the Corporation.
8.3
Securities Records. The Corporation shall prepare and maintain, at its registered office or at any other place in Ontario
designated by the Board, a securities register in which it records the certificated securities and uncertificated securities issued
by it, showing with respect to each class or series of such securities:
| (a) | the names, alphabetically arranged, of persons who: |
| (i) | are or have been within six years registered as shareholders of the Corporation, the address including
the street and number, if any, of every such person while a holder, and the number and class of shares registered in the name of
such holder, |
| (ii) | are or have been within six years registered as holders of debt obligations of the Corporation,
the address including the street and number, if any, of every such person while a holder, and the class or series and principal
amount of the debt obligations registered in the name of such holder, or |
| (iii) | are or have been within six years registered as holders of warrants of the Corporation, other than
warrants exercisable within one year from the date of issue, the address including the street and number, if any, of every such
person while a registered holder, and the class or series and number of warrants registered in the name of such holder; and |
| (b) | the date and particulars of the issue of each security of the Corporation. |
8.4
Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Board may from time to time appoint a registrar to maintain the securities register
and a transfer agent to maintain the register of transfers and may also appoint one or more branch registrars to maintain branch
securities registers and one or more branch transfer agents to maintain branch registers of transfers. One person may be appointed
both registrar and transfer agent and the Board may at any time terminate any such appointment.
8.5
Non-recognition of Trusts. Subject to the Act, the Corporation may treat the registered owner of a share as the person
exclusively entitled to vote, to receive notices, to receive any dividend or other payments in respect thereof and otherwise to
exercise all the rights and powers of an owner of a share.
8.6
Security Instruments. Every holder of one or more certificated securities of the Corporation shall be entitled, at the
holder's option, to a security certificate in respect of the securities held by that person or to a non-transferable written acknowledgement
of that person's right to obtain a security certificate, stating the number and class or series of shares held by that person as
shown on the securities register. Every holder of an uncertificated security of the Corporation shall be entitled to receive, within
a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such uncertificated security, a written notice containing the information required
to be stated on a share certificate in accordance with the Act. Security certificates and acknowledgements of a shareholder's right
to a security certificate, respectively, shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time approve. Unless otherwise determined
by the Board, security certificates need not be under corporate seal and shall be signed by at least one of the following persons:
(a) any Director or Officer of the Corporation; or (b) a registrar, transfer agent or branch transfer agent of the Corporation
or an individual on their behalf. Signatures may be printed or mechanically reproduced in facsimile upon security certificates
and every such facsimile shall for all purposes be deemed to be the signature of the person whose signature it reproduces and shall
be binding upon the Corporation. If a security certificate contains a printed or mechanically reproduced signature of a person,
the Corporation may issue the security certificate, notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be a Director or an Officer of
the Corporation, and the security certificate is as valid as if the person were a Director or an Officer at the date of its issue.
8.7
Replacement of Security Certificates. Subject to the Act, the Board or any Officer or agent designated by the Board
may in the discretion of the Board or that person direct the issue of a new security certificate in lieu of and upon cancellation
of a security certificate for a certificated security claimed to have been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken on payment
of such fee, prescribed by or in accordance with the Act, and on such terms as to indemnity, reimbursement of expenses and evidence
of loss and of title as the Board or that person may from time to time prescribe, whether generally or in any particular case.
8.8
Joint Shareholders. If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share, the Corporation shall not be
bound to issue more than one certificate in respect thereof, and delivery of such certificate to one of such persons shall be sufficient
delivery to all of them. Any one of such persons may give effectual receipts for the certificate issued in respect thereof or for
any dividend, bonus, return of capital or other money payable or warrant issuable in respect of such share.
8.9
Deceased Shareholder. In the event of the death of a holder or of one of the joint holders of any share, the Corporation
shall not be required to make any entry in the securities register in respect thereof or to make payment of any dividends thereon
except upon production of all such documents as may be required by applicable law and upon compliance with the reasonable requirements
of the Corporation and its transfer agent.
ARTICLE 9
DIVIDENDS AND RIGHTS
9.1
Dividends. Subject to the Act and the Articles, the Board may from time to time declare dividends payable to the shareholders
according to their respective rights and interests in the Corporation. Dividends may be paid in money or property or by issuing
fully paid shares or options or rights to acquire fully paid shares of the Corporation.
9.2
Dividend Cheques. A dividend payable in cash may be paid by cheque drawn on the Corporation's bankers or one of them
to the order of each registered holder of shares of the class or series in respect of which it has been declared and mailed by
prepaid ordinary mail or sent by courier to such registered holder at the address recorded in the Corporation's securities register,
unless in each case such holder otherwise directs. In the case of joint holders, the cheque shall, unless such joint holders otherwise
direct, be made payable to the order of all of such joint holders and, if more than one address is recorded in the Corporation's
security register in respect of such joint holding, the cheque shall be mailed to the first address so appearing. The mailing of
such cheque as aforesaid, unless the same is not paid on due presentation, shall satisfy and discharge the liability for the dividend
to the extent of the sum represented thereby plus the amount of any tax which the Corporation is required to and does withhold.
9.3
Non-receipt or Loss of Cheques. In the event of non-receipt or loss of any dividend cheque by the person to whom it
is sent, the Corporation shall issue to such person a replacement cheque for a like amount on such terms as to indemnity, reimbursement
of expenses and evidence of non-receipt and of title as the board may from time to time prescribe, whether generally or in any
particular case.
9.4
Unclaimed Dividends. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of two years from the date on which the same has been declared
to be payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Corporation.
ARTICLE 10
NOTICES
10.1
Method of Giving Notices. Any notice, communication or document (each, a "notice") to be given or sent pursuant
to the Act, the Articles, the By-laws or otherwise to a shareholder, Director, Officer, auditor or member of a committee of the
Board shall be sufficiently given or sent if given or sent by prepaid mail, prepaid transmitted, recorded, or electronic communication
capable of providing a written copy of such notice, or delivered personally to such person's latest address as shown on the securities
register of the Corporation or, in the case of a Director, if more current, the address as shown in the most recent notice filed
under the Corporations Information Act (Ontario). A notice shall be deemed to have been received on the date when it is
delivered personally, or on the fifth day after mailing, or on the date of dispatch of a transmitted or recorded electronic communication.
The secretary of the Corporation may change or cause to be changed the recorded address of any shareholder, Director, Officer,
auditor or member of a committee of the Board in accordance with any information believed by the secretary to be reliable. A notice
or document required or permitted to be sent under this Section 10.1 may be sent by electronic means in accordance with the Electronic
Commerce Act, 2000 (Ontario) or by any other method permitted pursuant to the Act.
10.2
Notice to Joint Shareholders. If two or more persons are registered as joint holders of any share of the Corporation,
any notice shall be addressed to all of such joint holders but notice to one of such persons shall be sufficient notice to all
of them.
10.3
Computation of Time. In computing the date when notice must be sent under any provision requiring a specified period
of days' notice of any meeting or other event, the period of days shall commence on the day following the sending of such notice
and shall terminate on the day preceding the date of the meeting or other event provided that the last day of the period shall
not be a non-business day.
10.4
Undelivered Notices. If any notice given or sent to a shareholder pursuant to Section 10.1 is returned on three consecutive
occasions because the person cannot be found, the Corporation shall not be required to give or send any further notice to such
shareholder until the Corporation is informed in writing of the new address for such person.
10.5
Omissions and Errors. The accidental omission to give or send any notice to any shareholder, Director, Officer, auditor
or member of a committee of the Board or the non-receipt of any notice by any such person or any error in any notice not affecting
the substance thereof shall not invalidate any action taken at any meeting held pursuant to such notice or otherwise based thereon.
10.6
Waiver of Notice. Any shareholder (or shareholder's duly appointed proxyholder), Director, Officer, auditor or member
of a committee of the Board may at any time waive the giving or sending of any notice, or waive or abridge the time for any notice,
required to be given to that person under any provision of the Act, the Articles, the By-laws or otherwise and such waiver or
abridgement shall cure any default in the giving or sending or in the time of such notice, as the case may be. Any such waiver
or abridgement shall be in writing or given by electronic signature and may be sent by electronic means in accordance with the
Electronic Commerce Act, 2000 (Ontario) except for the waiver of notice of a meeting of shareholders or of the Board, which
may be given in any manner. Attendance of a Director at a meeting of directors or of a shareholder or any other person entitled
to attend a meeting of shareholders is a waiver of notice of the meeting except where such Director, shareholder or other person,
as the case may be, attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that
the meeting is not lawfully called.
10.7
Invalidity. The invalidity or unenforceability, if any, of any provision of this By-law shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this By-law.
10.8
Persons Entitled by Death or Operation of Law. Every person who, by operation of law, transfer, death of a securityholder
or any other means whatsoever, becomes entitled to any security, is bound by every notice in respect of such security which has
been given to the securityholder from whom the person derives title to such security. Such notices may have been given before or
after the happening of the event upon which they became entitled to the security.
ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1
Former By-Laws May be Repealed. The Board may repeal one or more By-laws by passing a By-law that contains provisions
to that effect.
11.2
Effect of Repeal of By-Laws. The repeal of any By-law in whole or part shall not in any way affect the validity of any
act done or right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired or incurred thereunder prior to such repeal. All Directors, Officers
and other persons acting under any By-law repealed in whole or part shall continue to act as if elected or appointed under the
provisions of this By-Law No. 1.
11.3
Effective Date. This By-Law No. 1 comes into force when made by the Board in accordance with the Act.
* * *
THE FOREGOING BY-LAW
NO. 1 was approved by the Board in accordance with the Act on the 6th day of October, 2014.
"John B. Friedrichsen"
John B. Friedrichsen
Director and Secretary
EXHIBIT "V"
TO PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
TERMS OF NEW FSV SPECIAL SHARES
7.00
PREFERENCE SHARES, SERIES SPECIAL
The first series of the Preference Shares
of the Corporation shall consist of an unlimited number of Preference Shares, which shares shall be designated as "Preference
Shares, Series Special" (collectively, the "New FSV Special Shares") and which, in addition to the rights,
privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Preference Shares of the Corporation as a class, shall have attached thereto
the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:
7.01
Dividends.
| (1) | The holders of New FSV Special Shares shall be entitled to receive, and the Corporation shall pay
thereon, if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of Corporation out of moneys of the Corporation properly applicable
to the payment of dividends, non-cumulative dividends. |
| (2) | Except with the consent in writing of the holders of all of the New FSV Special Shares, no dividend
shall at any time be declared and paid on, or declared and set apart for payment on, the Subordinate Voting Shares or the Multiple
Voting Shares unless, after the payment of such dividend, the realizable value of the assets of the Corporation would not be less
than the New FSV Special Share Redemption Price (as hereinafter defined). |
7.02
Redemption. The Corporation may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, redeem at any time the whole, or from
time to time any part, of the New FSV Special Shares then outstanding on payment (which may, at the discretion of the Corporation,
be made through the issuance of a promissory note or promissory notes) of a redemption price per New FSV Special Share equal to
the aggregate of the following two amounts:
| (1) | that amount which is equal to the quotient obtained when: |
| (a) | the aggregate fair market value of the Distribution Property (as hereinafter defined) at the time
of its transfer to the Corporation as described in the Plan of Arrangement (as hereinafter defined); |
is divided by:
| (b) | the number of New FSV Special Shares issued in connection with the Distribution Property Exchange
(as hereinafter defined); |
plus:
| (2) | that amount which is equal to all declared and unpaid dividends on such New FSV Special Share; |
the whole constituting and being herein
referred to in these provisions as the "New FSV Special Share Redemption Price", and the aggregate amount required
to redeem all of the New FSV Special Shares then outstanding being the "New FSV Special Shares Redemption Amount".
For the purposes of this Section 7.00:
| (3) | "Distribution Property" has the meaning attributed to such term in the Plan of
Arrangement; |
| (4) | "Distribution Property Exchange" has the meaning attributed to such term in the
Plan of Arrangement; and |
| (5) | "Plan of Arrangement" means the Plan of Arrangement to which this Exhibit "V"
is attached. |
7.03
Retraction. Any holder of New FSV Special Shares shall be entitled to require the Corporation to redeem, subject
to the requirements of applicable law, at any time all of the New FSV Special Shares registered in the name of such holder on the
books of the Corporation at the redemption price per share equal to the New FSV Special Share Redemption Price by tendering to
the Corporation at the registered office of the Corporation a certificate or certificates representing all of the New FSV Special
Shares held by such holder together with a notice in writing specifying: (1) that the holder desires to have the New FSV Special
Shares represented by such certificate or certificates redeemed by the Corporation; and (2) the business day (the "Retraction
Date") on which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem such New FSV Special Shares. Following receipt of such
share certificate or certificates and written notice, the Corporation will, on the Retraction Date (or as soon as practicable thereafter),
redeem such New FSV Special Shares by paying to the holder the New FSV Special Share Redemption Price for each New FSV Special
Share so redeemed.
7.04
Dissolution, Liquidation or Winding-up. In the event of the dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Corporation,
whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose
of winding-up its affairs, the holders of New FSV Special Shares shall be entitled to receive from the assets of the Corporation
an amount equal to the New FSV Special Shares Redemption Amount before any amount shall be paid or any assets of the Corporation
distributed upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation to the holders of the Subordinate Voting Shares
or the Multiple Voting Shares. After payment to the holders of New FSV Special Shares of the amount so payable to them, such holders
shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of the assets of the Corporation.
7.05
Cancellation. Any New FSV Special Share that is redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to this Section 7.00 will for
all purposes be considered to have been redeemed on, and will be cancelled concurrently with, the payment of the New FSV Special
Share Redemption Price by the Corporation to or for the benefit of the holder thereof.
7.06
Specified Amount for Part VI.1 of the Income Tax Act (Canada). For the purposes of subsection 191(4) of the
Income Tax Act (Canada), [$►][3]
is hereby specified in respect of each New FSV Special Share.
_____________________
| [3] | Effective Date value to be inserted prior to filing Certificate of
Arrangement. |
APPENDIX "D"
FAIRNESS OPINION OF WILLIAM BLAIR
& COMPANY, L.L.C.
CONFIDENTIAL
March 11, 2015
The Board of Directors
FirstService Corporation
1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000
Toronto, ON M5S 2B4
To the Board of Directors:
William Blair & Company, LLC ("William
Blair", "we", "our", or "us") understands that FirstService Corporation ("FirstService"
or the "Company") is proposing to enter into a corporate reorganization by way of plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement")
under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) which will divide FirstService into two publicly listed service companies:
Colliers International Group Inc. ("Colliers"), the commercial real estate services division of FirstService, and "New"
FirstService Corporation ("New FSV"), a combination of the residential real estate services and property services divisions
of FirstService. We also understand that, under the Arrangement, each issued and outstanding FirstService subordinate voting share
will be exchanged for one Colliers subordinate voting share and one New FSV subordinate voting share. Additionally, each issued
and outstanding FirstService multiple voting share will be exchanged for one Colliers multiple voting share and one New FSV multiple
voting share. The division of FirstService is to be effected by way of a tax-deferred reorganization for purposes of the Income
Tax Act (Canada). The description above is summary in nature. The specific terms and conditions of the Arrangement will be
more fully described in FirstService's notice of annual and special meeting of shareholders and management information circular
(the "Management Information Circular"), that will be mailed to holders of FirstService subordinate voting shares and
multiple voting shares (and filed publicly with applicable regulators in Canada and the United States) in connection with the proposed
Arrangement. The Management Information Circular will have appended thereto an arrangement agreement and accompanying plan of arrangement
in respect of the Arrangement (collectively, the "Plan of Arrangement") and describe therein a transitional services
and separation agreement (the "Transitional Services and Separation Agreement") to be entered into in connection with
the Arrangement (the foregoing, together with the Management Information Circular, the "Transaction Agreements").
By letter agreement dated May 15, 2014
(the "Engagement Agreement"), the Company retained William Blair to act as financial advisor to the Board of Directors
of the Company (the "Board") in connection with the Arrangement. Pursuant to the Engagement Agreement, the Board has
requested that we prepare and deliver our written opinion (the "Opinion") as to the fairness, from a financial point
of view, of the consideration to be received by shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement.
In connection with our review of the proposed
Arrangement and the preparation of the Opinion set forth herein, we have examined, among other things, the following
| a) | annual reports of the Company, including the comparative audited financial statements, management's
discussion and analysis and annual information forms of the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012; |
| b) | certain pro forma historical financial information which allocated FirstService to New FSV and Colliers
had the Arrangement been previously effective (the "Pro Forma and Historical Financial Information"); |
| c) | quarterly interim reports of the Company, including the comparative unaudited financial statements
and management's discussion and analysis of the Company for the quarters ended September 30, 2014, June 30, 2014 and March 31,
2014; |
| d) | certain internal financial, operational, corporate and other information concerning the Company and
its businesses, assets, liabilities and prospects prepared or provided to us by the management of the Company, including pro forma
financial forecasts and operating information (the "Forecasts") for FirstService, Colliers, and New FSV as well as certain
other internal operating and financial projections; |
| e) | draft press release of the Company dated
March 5, 2015, relating to the Arrangement; |
| f) | drafts of the Transaction Agreements, including a draft Management Information Circular, dated March
4, 2015, a draft Plan of Arrangement, dated March 4, 2015, and a draft Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, dated March
4, 2015; |
| g) | representations by the management team of FirstService that the transaction structure would receive
favorable tax treatment from each of the Canada Revenue Agency and the Internal Revenue Service; |
| h) | the market price and trading activity of the FirstService subordinate voting shares; |
| i) | certain public information and analysis, prospectuses, annual information forms, annual reports, press
releases and quarterly reports relating to the business, operations, financial performance and trading history of other selected
companies for comparative purposes we deemed relevant; |
| j) | selected public market trading statistics and relevant business and financial information of the Company
and other publicly-traded entities we deemed relevant; |
| k) | selected public market information of precedent spin-out transactions we deemed relevant; |
| l) | carve-out combined financial statements of New FSV, in draft form, dated March 3, 2015, as prepared
and audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and supplied to us by the Company; |
| m) | Pro forma consolidated financial statements (unaudited) of Colliers International, dated March 5,
2015, as prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and supplied to us by the Company; |
| n) | selected relevant reports published by equity research analysts and industry sources regarding the
Company and other comparable publicly-traded entities we deemed relevant; |
| o) | representations contained in a certificate addressed to us, dated the date hereof, from a senior officer
of the Company as to certain factual matters and the completeness and accuracy of the information provided to us by the Company;
and |
| p) | such other information, analyses, investigations and discussions as we deemed relevant or appropriate
in the circumstances. |
In addition, we have participated in discussions
with the Board and senior management of the Company to discuss the foregoing, as well as the strategic rationale, transaction costs,
potential operational benefits, and other aspects of the Arrangement which we have deemed relevant to our inquiry and have considered
other matters and taken into account such accepted financial and investment banking procedures and considerations as we have deemed
relevant.
In rendering the Opinion, we have assumed
and relied upon, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all the information examined by or otherwise
reviewed or discussed with us for purposes of this opinion, including, without limitation, the Pro Forma and Historical Information
and the Forecasts and the tax free nature of the proposed transaction provided by senior management of FirstService. To the extent
that any of the information we have reviewed and relied upon is based upon any assumptions or is made subject to any limitations,
qualifications or exceptions, the Opinion is based on the same assumptions and is subject to the same limitations, qualifications
or exceptions.
We have not made or obtained an independent
valuation or appraisal of the assets, liabilities or solvency of FirstService, Colliers, or New FSV. We have been advised by the
senior management of FirstService that the Pro Forma and Historical Financial Information and the Forecasts examined by us have
been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the senior management of FirstService,
Colliers, and New FSV. In that regard, we have assumed, with your consent, that: (i) the Pro Forma and Historical Financial Information
is an accurate reflection of the financial position and results of operations of FirstService, Colliers, and New FSV with respect
to the periods thereof and that the Forecasts will be achieved in the amounts and at the times contemplated thereby; and (ii) all
material assets and liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of FirstService, Colliers, and New FSV are reflected in the Pro Forma
and Historical Financial Information or other information made available to us. We express no opinion with respect to the pro forma
or historical financial information or forecasts or the estimates and judgments on which they are based. We did not consider and
express no opinion as to the amount or nature of any compensation to any of FirstService, Colliers, or New FSV officers, directors
or employees (or any class of such persons) with respect to the fairness of any such compensation, including without limitation,
any compensation pursuant to the Long Term Arrangement contained in the FirstService Management Services Agreement described in
the Management Information Circular. We were not requested to consider, and our opinion does not address, the relative merits of
the Arrangement as compared to any other transaction or business strategy in which FirstService or the Board might engage. We do
not address treatments of the underlying decision by FirstService to engage in the Arrangement and the Opinion does not constitute
as a recommendation to the Board or any shareholder. Our opinion herein is based upon economic, market, financial and other conditions
existing on, and other information disclosed to us as of, the date of this letter. It should be understood that, although subsequent
developments may affect this opinion, we do not have any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm this opinion.
We have relied, as to all legal matters,
on advice of counsel to FirstService, and have assumed that the Arrangement will be consummated on the terms described in the Management
Information Circular and Plan of Arrangement, without any waiver or modification of any material terms or conditions by FirstService.
We have further assumed that the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement will be performed by the parties thereto in accordance
with its terms, without any breach, default or other violation, and that no early termination thereof shall occur.
Representatives
of FirstService have advised us, and we have assumed, that the Transaction Agreements,
when executed, will conform to the drafts reviewed by us in all material respects. We also have assumed, with your consent, that
obtaining the necessary regulatory or third party approvals and consents for the Arrangement will not have an adverse effect on
FirstService, Colliers, or New FSV. We do not express any opinion as to any tax or other consequences that might result from the
Arrangement, nor does our opinion address any legal, tax, regulatory or accounting matters, as to which we understand that FirstService
has obtained such advice as it deemed necessary from qualified professionals. We are providing the Opinion based on the assumption
that the Company will receive favourable tax rulings from the Canada Revenue Agency with respect to the Arrangement and related
matters. We express no view or opinion as to any terms or other aspects or implications of the Arrangement (other than to the extent
expressly specified herein), including, without limitation, the form or structure of the Arrangement or any agreements or other
arrangements entered into in connection with, or contemplated by, the Arrangement.
William Blair has been engaged in the investment
banking business since 1935. We continually undertake the valuation of investment securities in connection with public offerings,
private placements, business combinations, estate and gift tax valuations, and similar transactions. In the ordinary course of
our business, we may from time to time trade the securities of FirstService or its respective affiliates for our own account and
for the accounts of customers, and accordingly may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities. We have in the
past acted as the investment banker to the board of FirstService, for which we have received compensation, and we have acted as
the investment banker to the board of FirstService in connection with the Arrangement and, pursuant to the Engagement Letter, will
receive a fee from FirstService for our services, a portion of which is contingent upon consummation of the Arrangement. In addition,
the Company has agreed to reimburse us for our reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and to indemnify us and our affiliates against
certain liabilities arising out of our engagement.
We are expressing no opinion herein as
to the price at which shares of FirstService, Colliers, or New FSV will trade at any time or as to the effect of the Arrangement
on the trading price of these shares. Such trading price may be affected by a number of factors, including but not limited to:
(i) dispositions by shareholders before or after the effective date of the Arrangement; (ii) changes in prevailing interest rates
and other factors which generally influence the price of securities; (iii) adverse changes in the current capital markets; (iv)
the occurrence of adverse changes in the financial condition, business, assets, results of operations or prospects of FirstService,
Colliers, or New FSV, or in the markets they serve or to which they relate; (v) any necessary actions by or restrictions of federal,
state, provincial or other governmental agencies or regulatory authorities; and (vi) timely completion of the Arrangement on terms
and conditions that are acceptable to all parties at interest.
Our investment banking services and our
opinion were provided solely for the confidential use and benefit of the Board (in its capacity as such) in connection with the
Arrangement. Our engagement and opinion are not on behalf of, and are not intended to confer rights or remedies upon, any shareholders
of FirstService, Colliers, or New FSV or any other person and this opinion may not be reproduced, summarized, described or referred
or given to any other person without our prior written consent, nor may this opinion be used or relied upon by any third person
for any purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Opinion and appropriate references to our services may be included in the
Management Information Circular and/or other disclosure or court documents prepared by the Company for filing with the applicable
regulatory authorities, stock exchanges, or other stakeholder in the Company in connection with the Arrangement; provided
that (i) our Opinion is reproduced in its entirety, and (ii) any description of, or reference to, us or our advice therein is in
a form acceptable to us and our counsel, acting reasonably.
Our opinion is limited to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, to the shareholders of FirstService of the consideration to be received by such shareholders in
the Arrangement pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, and we do not address the merits of the underlying decision by FirstService
to engage in the Arrangement. This Opinion is not to be construed as a recommendation to the Board, any committee of the Board
or any shareholder to approve or not approve the Arrangement. It is understood that, except as otherwise described above, this
letter may not be disclosed or otherwise referred to without our prior written consent. This opinion has been reviewed and approved
by our Fairness Opinion Committee.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing,
it is our opinion as investment bankers that, as of the date hereof, the consideration to be received by the shareholders of FirstService
pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such shareholders.
Very
truly yours,
![](image_004.gif)
WILLIAM
BLAIR & COMPANY, L.L.C.
APPENDIX "E"
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR FINAL ORDER
Court File No. CV15-10908-00CL
ONTARIO
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
(COMMERCIAL LIST)
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION UNDER
SECTION 182 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT, R.S.O. 1990, Ch. B.16, AS AMENDED, AND RULES 14.05(2) AND 14.05(3) OF THE
RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
AND IN THE MATTER OF A PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT
INVOLVING FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION, ITS SHAREHOLDERS, NEW FSV CORPORATION, FSV HOLDCO ULC AND FIRSTSERVICE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
SERVICE INC.
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION
Applicant
(Stamped) [Court Seal]
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
TO: THE RESPONDENTS
A LEGAL PROCEEDING
HAS BEEN COMMENCED by the Applicant. The claim made by the Applicant appears on the following pages.
THIS APPLICATION
will come on for a hearing before a judge presiding over the Commercial List on April 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., at 330 University
Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.
IF YOU WISH TO OPPOSE
THIS APPLICATION, to receive notice of any step in the application or to be served with any documents in the application, you
or an Ontario lawyer acting for you must forthwith prepare a notice of appearance in Form 38A prescribed by the Rules of Civil
Procedure, serve it on the Applicant's lawyer or, where the Applicant does not have a lawyer, serve it on the Applicant, and file
it, with proof of service, in this court office, and you or your lawyer must appear at the hearing.
IF YOU WISH TO PRESENT
AFFIDAVIT OR OTHER DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE TO THE COURT OR TO EXAMINE OR CROSS-EXAMINE WITNESSES ON THE APPLICATION, you or your
lawyer must, in addition to serving your notice of appearance, serve a copy of the evidence on the Applicant's lawyer or, where
the Applicant does not have a lawyer, serve it on the Applicant, and file it, with proof of service, in the court office where
the application is to be heard as soon as possible, but at least 2 days before the hearing.
IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR
AT THE HEARING, JUDGMENT MAY BE GIVEN IN YOUR ABSENCE AND WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE TO YOU. IF YOU WISH TO OPPOSE THIS APPLICATION
BUT ARE UNABLE TO PAY LEGAL FEES, LEGAL AID MAY BE AVAILABLE TO YOU BY CONTACTING A LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE.
Date: March 11, 2015 Issued
by "A. Anissimova"
Local registrar
Address of court office: |
330 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1R7
|
TO: | | ALL HOLDERS OF SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES AND MULTIPLE VOTING SHARES OF FIRSTSERVICE
CORPORATION |
AND TO: | | ALL HOLDERS OF OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES OF FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION |
AND TO: | | THE DIRECTORS OF FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION |
AND TO: | | THE AUDITOR OF FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION |
APPLICATION
1.
The Applicant, FirstService Corporation ("FirstService"), makes application for:
(a)
an interim order (the "Interim Order") for advice and directions with respect to:
(i)
an annual and special meeting (the "Meeting") of the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple
Voting Shares (collectively, the "Voting Shareholders") of FirstService to consider, among other things, the Arrangement
(as defined below); and
(ii)
the approval of the Arrangement by the Voting Shareholders;
(b)
an order pursuant to s. 182(5) of the Business Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, Ch. B.16 (the "OBCA")
approving a plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") as contemplated by the arrangement agreement made as of the
11th day of March, 2015 among FirstService, New FSV Corporation ("New FSV"), FSV Holdco ULC ("FSV
Holdco") and FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. ("FCRESI"), substantially in the form
described in and attached to the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Management Information Circular (together,
the "Circular") to be dated on or about March 16, 2015 and delivered to the Voting Shareholders and others, as
specified in this Notice of Application; and
(c)
such other relief as counsel for the Applicant may request and this Honourable Court deems fit.
2.
The grounds for the Application are:
(a)
each of FirstService, New FSV and FCRESI is a corporation incorporated under, and governed by, the OBCA and FSV Holdco is
an unlimited liability company incorporated under, and governed by, the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia);
(b)
the Arrangement is an "arrangement" within the meaning of subsection 182(1) of the OBCA;
(c)
all pre-conditions to the approval of the Arrangement by the Court will have been satisfied prior to the hearing of the
Application;
(d)
the Arrangement is in the best interests of FirstService and is put forward in good faith;
(e)
all statutory requirements under the OBCA have been or will have been satisfied prior to the hearing of the Application;
(f)
the Arrangement is fair and reasonable to the parties affected;
(g)
if made, the final Order approving the Arrangement will constitute the basis for an exemption from the registration requirements
of Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the United States of America with respect to the shares
to be exchanged and/or distributed in the United States of America pursuant to the Arrangement;
(h)
in accordance with the Interim Order, as part of the Circular, this Notice of Application will be sent to all shareholders
of FirstService, as they appear on the books and records of the Applicant on the day fixed as the record date for the Meeting,
namely the close of business on March 20, 2015;
(i)
Section 182 of the OBCA;
(j)
National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer of the
Canadian Securities Administrators;
(k)
rules 1.04, 3.02, 14.05(2), 14.05(3), 37 and 38 of the Rules of Civil Procedure; and
(l)
such further and other grounds as counsel for the Applicant may advise and this Honourable Court may permit.
3.
The following documentary evidence will be used at the hearing of the Application:
(a)
such interim Order as may be granted by this Honourable Court;
(b)
the Affidavit of John B. Friedrichsen, to be sworn on behalf of FirstService, and the exhibits thereto;
(c)
the supplementary affidavit material reporting on the results of the Meeting, to be sworn on behalf of FirstService, and
the exhibits thereto; and
(d)
such further and other material as counsel for the Applicant may advise and this Honourable Court may permit.
March 11, 2015 FOGLER, RUBINOFF
LLP
Lawyers
77 King Street West
Suite 3000, P.O. Box 95
Toronto-Dominion Centre
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1G8
W. Ross MacDougall (LSUC
#: 49840A)
Tel: (416) 864-9700
Fax: (416) 941-8852
Lawyers for the Applicant,
FirstService
Corporation
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION UNDER SECTION
182 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT, R.S.O. 1990, Ch. B.16, AS AMENDED, AND RULES 14.05(2) AND 14.05(3) OF THE RULES
OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
AND IN THE
MATTER OF A PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT INVOLVING FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION, ITS SHAREHOLDERS, NEW
FSV CORPORATION, FSV HOLDCO ULC AND FIRSTSERVICE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SERVICE INC.
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION (Applicant)
|
Court File No.: CV15-10908-00CL |
|
ONTARIO
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
(COMMERCIAL LIST)
Proceeding commenced at Toronto
|
|
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
|
|
FOGLER,
RUBINOFF LLP
Lawyers
77 King Street
West
Suite 3000,
P.O. Box 95
Toronto-Dominion
Centre
Toronto, Ontario M5K
1G8
W. Ross
MacDougall (LSUC #: 49840A)
Tel: (416)
864-9700
Fax: (416) 941-8852
Lawyers for
the Applicant,
FirstService Corporation
|
APPENDIX "F"
INTERIM ORDER
Court File No. CV15-10908-00CL
ONTARIO
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
(COMMERCIAL LIST)
THE HONOURABLE
MADAM JUSTICE CONWAY
|
)
)
)
|
FRIDAY, THE 13TH
DAY
OF MARCH, 2015
|
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION UNDER
SECTION 182 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT, R.S.O. 1990, Ch. B.16, AS AMENDED, AND RULES 14.05(2) AND 14.05(3) OF THE
RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
AND IN THE MATTER OF A PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT
INVOLVING FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION, ITS SHAREHOLDERS, NEW FSV CORPORATION, FSV HOLDCO ULC AND FIRSTSERVICE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
SERVICE INC.
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION
Applicant
(Stamped) [Court Seal]
INTERIM ORDER
THIS MOTION
made by the Applicant, FirstService Corporation ("FirstService"), for an interim order for advice and directions
pursuant to subsection 182(5) of the Business Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, Ch. B.16, as amended (the "OBCA")
was heard this day at 330 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.
ON READING the
Notice of Motion, the Notice of Application issued on March 11, 2015 and the Affidavit of John B. Friedrichsen sworn March 11,
2015, (the "Friedrichsen Affidavit"), including the Plan of Arrangement, which forms part of Appendix "A"
to the draft Management Information Circular of FirstService (the "Information Circular"), which is attached as
Exhibit "A" to the Friedrichsen Affidavit, and on hearing the submissions of counsel for FirstService.
Definitions
1.
THIS COURT ORDERS that all definitions used in this Interim Order shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the
Information Circular or otherwise as specifically defined herein.
The Meeting
| 2. | THIS COURT ORDERS that FirstService is permitted to call, hold and conduct an annual and
special meeting (the "Meeting") of holders of Subordinate Voting Shares ("FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares") and Multiple Voting Shares ("FirstService Multiple Voting Shares") (collectively, the "Voting
Shares") in the capital of the FirstService (such holders, the "Voting Shareholders") to be held at The
Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B2 on April 21, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time)
in order for the Voting Shareholders to, among other things, consider and, if determined advisable, to pass a special resolution
authorizing, adopting and approving, with or without variation, the Arrangement and the Plan of Arrangement (collectively, the
"Arrangement Resolution"). |
3. THIS COURT ORDERS that the Meeting shall be called, held and conducted in accordance with the OBCA, the notice of
meeting of Voting Shareholders which accompanies the Information Circular (the "Notice of Meeting") and the articles
and by-laws of FirstService, subject to what may be provided hereafter and subject to further order of this Court.
4. THIS COURT ORDERS that the record date (the "Record Date") for determination of the Voting Shareholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting, shall be the close of business on March 20, 2015.
5. THIS COURT ORDERS that the only persons entitled to attend or speak at the Meeting shall be:
(a)
the Voting Shareholders or their respective proxyholders;
(b)
the officers, directors, auditors and advisors of FirstService;
(c)
the representatives and advisors of New FSV Corporation ("New FSV"),
FSV Holdco ULC ("FSV Holdco") and FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. ("FCRESI");
and
(d)
other persons who may receive the permission of the Chair of the Meeting.
6. THIS COURT ORDERS that FirstService may transact such other business at the Meeting as is contemplated in the Information
Circular, or as may otherwise be properly before the Meeting.
Chair and Quorum
7. THIS COURT ORDERS that the Chair of the Meeting shall be determined by FirstService and that the quorum at the Meeting
shall be any two holders of Voting Shares present in person or represented by proxy at the opening of the Meeting who are entitled
to vote at the Meeting.
Amendments to the
Arrangement and Plan of Arrangement
| 8. | THIS COURT ORDERS that FirstService is authorized to make, subject to the terms of the Arrangement
Agreement made as of the 11th day of March, 2015 among FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco and FCRESI (the "Arrangement
Agreement") and paragraph 9, below, such amendments, modifications or supplements to the Arrangement and the Plan of Arrangement
as it may determine without any additional notice to the Voting Shareholders, or others entitled to receive notice under paragraphs
12 and 13 hereof, and the Arrangement and Plan of Arrangement, as so amended, modified or supplemented shall be the Arrangement
and Plan of Arrangement to be submitted to the Voting Shareholders at the Meeting and shall be the subject of the Arrangement Resolution.
Amendments, modifications or supplements may be made following the Meeting, but shall be subject to review and, if appropriate,
further direction by this Honourable Court at the hearing for the final approval of the Arrangement. |
9. THIS COURT ORDERS that, if any amendments, modifications or supplements to the Arrangement or Plan of Arrangement
as referred to in paragraph 8, above, would, if disclosed, reasonably be expected to affect a Voting Shareholder's decision to
vote for or against the Arrangement Resolution, notice of such amendment, modification or supplement shall be distributed, subject
to further order of this Honourable Court, by press release, newspaper advertisement, prepaid ordinary mail, or by the method most
reasonably practicable in the circumstances, as FirstService may determine.
Amendments to the
Information Circular
10. THIS COURT ORDERS that FirstService is authorized to make such amendments, revisions and/or supplements to the draft
Information Circular as it may determine and the Information Circular, as so amended, revised and/or supplemented, shall be the
Information Circular to be distributed in accordance with paragraphs 12 and 13.
Adjournments and Postponements
11. THIS COURT ORDERS that FirstService, if it deems advisable and subject to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement,
is specifically authorized to adjourn or postpone the Meeting on one or more occasions, without the necessity of first convening
the Meeting or first obtaining any vote of the Voting Shareholders respecting the adjournment or postponement, and notice of any
such adjournment or postponement shall be given by such method as FirstService may determine is appropriate in the circumstances,
including by press release. This provision shall not limit the authority of the Chair of the Meeting in respect of adjournments
and postponements.
Notice of Meeting
| 12. | THIS COURT ORDERS that, in order to effect notice of the Meeting, FirstService shall send
the Information Circular (including the Notice of Application and this Interim Order), the Notice of Meeting, the form(s) of proxy
and any letter of transmittal, along with such amendments or additional documents as FirstService may determine are necessary or
desirable and are not inconsistent with the terms of this Interim Order (collectively, the "Meeting Materials"),
to the following: |
(a)
the registered Voting Shareholders at the close of business on the Record Date, at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the
date of the Meeting, excluding the date of sending and the date of the Meeting, by one or more of the following methods:
(i)
by pre-paid ordinary or first class mail at the addresses of the Voting Shareholders as they appear on the books and records
of FirstService, or its registrar and transfer agents, at the close of business on the Record Date and if no address is shown therein,
then the last address of the person known to the Corporate Secretary of FirstService;
(ii)
by delivery, in person or by recognized courier service or inter-office mail, to the address specified in paragraph 12(a)(i)
above; or
(iii)
by facsimile or electronic transmission, including email, to any Voting Shareholder, who is identified to the satisfaction
of FirstService, who requests such transmission in writing and, if required by FirstService, who is prepared to pay the charges
for such transmission;
(b)
the non-registered Voting Shareholders by providing sufficient copies of the Meeting Materials (other than FirstService's
form(s) of proxy and any letter of transmittal) either to the registrar and transfer agents for direct mailing or to intermediaries
and registered nominees in a timely manner, in accordance with National Instrument 54-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators;
and
(c)
the respective directors and auditors of FirstService by delivery in person, by recognized courier service, by pre-paid
ordinary or first class mail or, with the consent of the person, by facsimile or electronic transmission, including email, at least
twenty-one (21) days prior to the date of the Meeting, excluding the date of sending and the date of the Meeting;
and that compliance
with this paragraph shall constitute sufficient notice of the Meeting.
13. THIS COURT ORDERS that, in the event that FirstService elects to distribute the Meeting Materials, FirstService is
hereby directed to distribute the Information Circular (including the Notice of Application, and this Interim Order), and any other
communications or documents determined by FirstService to be necessary or desirable (collectively, the "Court Materials")
to the holders of FirstService Stock Options and other security holders of FirstService (as FirstService deems fit) by any method
permitted for notice to Voting Shareholders as set forth in paragraphs 12(a) or 12(b), above, concurrently with the distribution
described in paragraph 12 of this Interim Order. Distribution to such persons shall be to their addresses (or email address) as
they appear on the books and records of FirstService or its registrar and transfer agents at the close of business on the Record
Date.
14.
THIS COURT ORDERS that accidental failure or omission by FirstService to give notice of the meeting or to distribute
the Meeting Materials or Court Materials to any person entitled by this Interim Order to receive notice, or any failure or omission
to give such notice as a result of events beyond the reasonable control of FirstService, or the non-receipt of such notice shall,
subject to further order of this Honourable Court, not constitute a breach of this Interim Order nor shall it invalidate any resolution
passed or proceedings taken at the Meeting. If any such failure or omission is brought to the attention of FirstService, it shall
use its best efforts to rectify it by the method and in the time most reasonably practicable in the circumstances.
15.
THIS COURT ORDERS that FirstService is hereby authorized to make such amendments, revisions or supplements to the
Meeting Materials and Court Materials as FirstService may determine in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement ("Additional
Information"), and that notice of such Additional Information may, subject to paragraph 9, above, be distributed by press
release, newspaper advertisement, pre-paid ordinary mail, or by the method most reasonably practicable in the circumstances, as
FirstService may determine.
16.
THIS COURT ORDERS that distribution of the Meeting Materials and Court Materials pursuant to paragraphs 12 and 13
of this Interim Order shall constitute notice of the Meeting and good and sufficient service of the within Application upon the
persons described in paragraphs 12 and 13 and that those persons are bound by any orders made on the within Application. Further,
no other form of service of the Meeting Materials or the Court Materials or any portion thereof need be made, or notice given or
other material served in respect of these proceedings and/or the Meeting to such persons or to any other persons, except to the
extent required by paragraph 9, above.
Solicitation and Revocation
of Proxies
17.
THIS COURT ORDERS that FirstService is authorized to use the proxies and any letter of transmittal substantially
in the form of the drafts accompanying the Information Circular, with such amendments and additional information as FirstService
may determine are necessary or desirable, subject to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement. FirstService is authorized, at its
expense, to solicit proxies, directly or through its officers, directors or employees, and through such agents or representatives
as they may retain for that purpose, and by mail or such other forms of personal or electronic communication as it may determine.
FirstService may waive generally, in its discretion, the time limits set out in the Information Circular for the deposit or revocation
of proxies by Voting Shareholders, if FirstService deems it advisable to do so.
18.
THIS COURT ORDERS that Voting Shareholders shall be entitled to revoke their proxies as provided for in the Information
Circular, or in any other manner permitted by law.
Voting
19.
THIS COURT ORDERS that the only persons entitled to vote in person or by proxy on the Arrangement Resolution, or
such other business as may be properly brought before the Meeting to be voted upon by the Voting Shareholders, as applicable, shall
be those Voting Shareholders, as applicable, who hold any of the Voting Shares as of the close of business on the Record Date.
Illegible votes, spoiled votes, defective votes and abstentions shall be deemed to be votes not cast. Proxies that are properly
signed and dated but which do not contain voting instructions shall be voted in favour of the Arrangement Resolution.
20.
THIS COURT ORDERS that votes on the Arrangement Resolution shall be taken at the Meeting on the basis of:
| (a) | one (1) vote for each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share held by such holder; and |
| (b) | twenty (20) votes for each FirstService Multiple Voting Share held by such holder. |
21.
THIS COURT ORDERS that in order for the Plan of Arrangement to be implemented, subject to further Order of this Honourable
Court, the Arrangement Resolution must be passed, with or without variation, at the Meeting by:
(a)
not less than two-thirds (66⅔%) of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares, voting separately as a class, present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting;
(b)
not less than two-thirds (66⅔%) of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares,
voting separately as a class, present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting; and
(c)
not less than a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting by the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, voting
separately as a class (excluding the votes cast in respect of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares held by persons whose votes
must be excluded pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions
of the Ontario Securities Commission and the Autorité des marchés financiers (Québec) and Ontario Securities
Commission Rule 56-501 – Restricted Shares), present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting.
Such votes
shall be sufficient to authorize FirstService to do all such acts and things as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to
the Arrangement and the Plan of Arrangement on a basis consistent with what is provided for in the Information Circular without
the necessity of any further approval by the Voting Shareholders (subject only to final approval of the Arrangement by this Honourable
Court).
22.
THIS COURT ORDERS that in respect of matters properly brought before the Meeting pertaining to items of business
affecting FirstService to be voted upon by the Voting Shareholders (other than in respect of the Arrangement Resolution), as applicable:
| (a) | each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share entitles the holder of record thereof to one (1) vote
per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share; and |
| (b) | each FirstService Multiple Voting Share entitles the holder of record thereof to twenty (20) votes
per FirstService Multiple Voting Share. |
Dissent
Rights
23.
THIS COURT ORDERS that each Voting Shareholder shall be entitled to dissent ("Dissent Rights") in
connection with the Arrangement Resolution in accordance with Section 185 of the OBCA (except as the procedures of that section
are varied by this Interim Order, the Final Order and the Plan of Arrangement) provided that notwithstanding subsection 185(6)
of the OBCA, the written objection to the Arrangement Resolution referred to in subsection 185(6) of the OBCA must be received
by FirstService on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the second Business Day preceding the date of the Meeting (or, if the
Meeting is adjourned or postponed, 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the second Business Day preceding the date of the adjourned or postponed
Meeting), and has otherwise complied strictly with the dissent procedures described in the Information Circular and the OBCA.
24.
THIS COURT ORDERS that Voting Shareholders who duly exercise such Dissent Rights set out in paragraph 23 above and
who:
(a)
are ultimately entitled to be paid fair value for the number and class of Voting Shares in respect of which he, she or it
(a "Dissenting Shareholder") has exercised Dissent Rights ("Dissenting Shares"), will: (i) be
entitled to be paid the fair value of such Dissenting Shares, which fair value will be determined as of the close of business on
the Business Day immediately preceding the date on which the Arrangement Resolution is adopted; (ii) be deemed to have been transferred
by such Dissenting Shareholder to FirstService, with good and marketable title thereto and free and clear of any Encumbrances,
as at the Effective Time; and (iii) not be entitled to any other payment or consideration, including any payment that would be
payable under the Arrangement had they not exercised their Dissent Rights; or
(b)
are ultimately not entitled, for any reason, to be paid fair value for their Dissenting Shares, will be deemed to have participated
in the Arrangement, commencing at the Effective Time, on the same basis as a Voting Shareholder who has not exercised Dissent Rights;
but in no case
shall FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco, FCRESI or any other person be required to recognize such Voting Shareholders as holders
of Voting Shares at or after the Effective Time and the names of such Voting Shareholders shall be deleted from FirstService's
register of holders of Voting Shares at the Effective Time.
25.
THIS COURT ORDERS that, in addition to any other restrictions in Section 185 of the OBCA, no Voting Shareholders
who vote, or have or have been deemed to have instructed a proxyholder to vote, in favour of the Arrangement Resolution, shall
be entitled to exercise rights of dissent.
Hearing of Application
for Approval of the Arrangement
26.
THIS COURT ORDERS that, upon approval by the Voting Shareholders of the Plan of Arrangement in the manner set forth
in this Interim Order, FirstService may apply to this Honourable Court for final approval of the Arrangement.
27.
THIS COURT ORDERS that distribution of the Notice of Application and the Interim Order in the Information Circular,
when sent in accordance with paragraphs 12 and 13, shall constitute good and sufficient service of the Notice of Application and
this Interim Order and no other form of service need be effected and no other material need be served unless a Notice of Appearance
is served in accordance with paragraph 28.
28.
THIS COURT ORDERS that any Notice of Appearance served in response to the Notice of Application shall be served on
the solicitors for FirstService as soon as reasonably practicable, and, in any event, no less than 5 days before the hearing of
this Application at the following address:
Fogler, Rubinoff
LLP
77 King Street
West
Suite 3000,
P.O. Box 95
Toronto-Dominion
Centre
Toronto, Ontario,
Canada M5K 1G8
Attention: W.
Ross MacDougall
Tel: (416)
864-9700
Fax: (416)
941-8852
29.
THIS COURT ORDERS that, subject to further order of this Honourable Court, the only persons entitled to appear and
be heard at the hearing of the within Application shall be:
(a)
FirstService;
(b)
New FSV;
(c)
FSV Holdco;
(d)
FCRESI; and
(e)
any person who has filed a Notice of Appearance herein in accordance with the Notice of Application, this Interim Order
and the Rules of Civil Procedure.
30.
THIS COURT ORDERS that any materials to be filed by FirstService in support of the within Application for final approval
of the Arrangement may be filed up to one day prior to the hearing of the Application without further order of this Honourable
Court.
31.
THIS COURT ORDERS that in the event the within Application for final approval does not proceed on the date set forth
in the Notice of Application, and is adjourned, only those persons who served and filed a Notice of Appearance in accordance with
paragraph 28 shall be entitled to be given notice of the adjourned date.
32.
THIS COURT ORDERS that the time for the service and filing of the motion materials herein is hereby abridged.
Precedence
33.
THIS COURT ORDERS that, to the extent of any inconsistency or discrepancy between this Interim Order and the terms
of any instrument creating, governing or collateral to the Voting Shares or the FirstService Stock Options, or the articles or
by-laws of FirstService, this Interim Order shall govern.
Extra-Territorial
Assistance
34.
THIS COURT seeks and requests the aid and recognition of any court or any judicial, regulatory or administrative
body in any province of Canada and any judicial, regulatory or administrative tribunal or other court constituted pursuant to the
Parliament of Canada or the legislature of any province and any court or any judicial, regulatory or administrative body of the
United States of America or other country to act in aid of and to assist this Honourable Court in carrying out the terms of this
Interim Order.
Variance
35.
THIS COURT ORDERS that FirstService shall be entitled to seek leave to vary this Interim Order upon such terms and
upon the giving of such notice as this Honourable Court may direct.
Entered at Toronto on
March 13, 2015.
"Justice
Conway"
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION UNDER SECTION
182 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT, R.S.O. 1990, Ch. B.16, AS AMENDED, AND RULES 14.05(2) AND 14.05(3) OF THE RULES
OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
AND IN THE MATTER OF A PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT
INVOLVING FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION, ITS SHAREHOLDERS, NEW FSV CORPORATION, FSV HOLDCO ULC AND FIRSTSERVICE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
SERVICE INC.
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION (Applicant)
|
Court File No. CV15-10908-00CL |
|
ONTARIO
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
(COMMERCIAL LIST)
Proceeding commenced at Toronto
|
|
INTERIM ORDER
|
|
FOGLER,
RUBINOFF LLP
Lawyers
77 King Street
West
Suite 3000,
P.O. Box 95
Toronto-Dominion
Centre
Toronto, Ontario M5K
1G8
W. Ross
MacDougall (LSUC #: 49840A)
Tel: (416)
864-9700
Fax: (416) 941-8852
Lawyers for
the Applicant,
FirstService Corporation
|
APPENDIX "G"
FORM OF NEW FSV STOCK OPTION PLAN
FIRSTSERVICE STOCK OPTION PLAN
(Effective on the Effective Date)
New FSV Corporation (the "New FSV")
hereby establishes, effective on the Effective Date (as defined below), a stock option plan (the "Plan") for the
benefit of the respective directors, officers and full-time employees of the Company (as defined below) or its subsidiaries (other
than Jay S. Hennick). The Plan constituted hereby shall be known as the "FirstService Stock Option Plan".
As used herein, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
| (a) | "2015 Arrangement Options" means options hereunder issued as part of the 2015
Plan of Arrangement in partial exchange for Outstanding Old FirstService Options; |
| (b) | "2015 Plan of Arrangement" means the plan of arrangement involving Old FirstService,
New FSV, FSV Holdco ULC, FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. and the shareholders of Old FirstService under Section
182 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), a copy of which is attached as Schedule "A" to the arrangement
agreement made as of the 11th day of March, 2015 among Old FirstService, New FSV, FSV Holdco ULC and FirstService Commercial
Real Estate Services Inc., as it may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms; |
| (c) | "Associate" shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Securities
Act (Ontario); |
| (d) | "Blackout Period" means the time period, commonly referred to as the "blackout
period", determined by the Company in accordance with its trading policies pursuant to which directors, officers, employees
and others are prohibited from trading in the securities of the Company (including exercising options granted under the Plan) and,
for greater certainty, Blackout Period shall not include any period in which there is a prohibition on trading in securities of
the Company as a result of a cease trade or other order of any securities commission or regulatory authority; |
| (e) | "Board" means the board of directors of the Company as constituted from time to
time; |
| (f) | "business day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day which
is a statutory holiday in the Province of Ontario; |
| (g) | "Company" means New FSV (which will, pursuant to the 2015 Plan of Arrangement
on the Effective Date, be renamed "FirstService Corporation"), and includes any successor corporation thereof; |
| (h) | "Compensation Committee" means the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board
as constituted from time to time; |
| (i) | "Effective Date" and "Effective Time" shall have the meanings
ascribed to those terms in the 2015 Plan of Arrangement; |
| (j) | "Insider" shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Company Manual
of the Toronto Stock Exchange, as same is amended from time to time or interpreted or modified in any Toronto Stock Exchange
Staff Notice or other published policy document of the Toronto Stock Exchange, provided that, if at any time the Subordinate Voting
Shares are not then listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, "Insider" will mean: |
| (i) | an insider (as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) of the Company, other than a person
who falls within that definition solely by virtue of being a director or senior officer of a subsidiary of the Company; and |
| (ii) | an Associate of any person who is an insider by virtue of (i); |
| (k) | "Old FirstService" means the corporation existing under the Business Corporations
Act (Ontario) that, prior to the Effective Date, was named "FirstService Corporation" and, which will, pursuant
to the 2015 Plan of Arrangement on the Effective Date, change its name to "Colliers International Group Inc."
and thereafter amalgamate with FirstService Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. to form a corporation that will be named "Colliers
International Group Inc.", and includes any successor corporation thereof; |
| (l) | "Outstanding Old FirstService Options" means options to acquire Subordinate Voting
Shares in the capital of Old FirstService outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and which, as part of the 2015 Plan
of Arrangement, were exchanged for, among other things, 2015 Arrangement Options and cancelled; |
| (m) | "Securities Act (Ontario)" means the Securities Act (Ontario) or
its successor, as amended from time to time; |
| (n) | "Share Compensation Arrangements" means a stock option, stock option plan, employee
stock purchase plan or any other compensation or incentive mechanism involving the issuance or potential issuance of Subordinate
Voting Shares from treasury to one or more persons, including a share purchase from treasury which is financially assisted by the
Company by way of a loan, guarantee or otherwise; |
| (o) | "Subordinate Voting Shares" means the Subordinate Voting Shares in the capital
of the Company; and |
| (p) | "subsidiary" shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Securities
Act (Ontario). |
The purpose of the Plan is to provide the
Company and its subsidiaries with a share-related mechanism designed to develop and increase the interest in the growth and development
of the Company and its subsidiaries of those of the respective directors, officers and full-time employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries (other than Jay S. Hennick) as may from time to time be granted options under the Plan by providing to them the opportunity
to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company through the purchase of Subordinate Voting Shares.
The Plan is subject to and is conditional
upon: (a) the approval of the Plan by the Toronto Stock Exchange and any other stock exchange on which the Subordinate Voting Shares
of the Company may be posted and listed for trading; and (b) the approval of the Plan by the shareholders of Old FirstService (who
will be the shareholders of the Company at the Effective Time pursuant to the 2015 Plan of Arrangement) given by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders held on April 21, 2015. The terms of the Plan shall apply to
all options granted on and after the Effective Date, which date is the effective date of the Plan.
The Plan will be administered solely by
the Board and, except for the 2015 Arrangement Options, grants of options under the Plan shall be made as follows (the "Option
Granting Process"): all proposed option grants are to be submitted to the Compensation Committee for review and a recommendation
made to the Board; proposed option grants recommended by the Compensation Committee are then to be submitted to the Board for approval
and, if approved, will be granted on the date so approved by the Board. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board is authorized
in its sole discretion to make such determinations under, and such interpretations of, and to take such steps and actions in connection
with the proper administration of the Plan and to impose, amend or revoke such rules and regulations concerning the granting of
options pursuant to the Plan as it, in its sole discretion, may deem necessary or advisable. No member of the Board will be liable
for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any options granted thereunder and each
such member shall be entitled to indemnification by the Company with respect to any such action or determination in the manner
provided for by the Board. Any determination approved by a majority of the members of the Board will be deemed to be a determination
of that matter by the Board. Jay S. Hennick may not be granted options under the Plan. Members of the Board (other than Jay S.
Hennick) may be granted options under the Plan. All options previously issued by the Company under the Plan that are outstanding
as at the date of any amendment and restatement of the Plan shall be deemed to be issued under the Plan, as amended and restated,
and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.
| 5. | NUMBER OF SHARES DEDICATED TO THE PLAN |
Options shall not be granted under the
Plan with respect to any class of shares in the capital of the Company other than Subordinate Voting Shares. The aggregate number
of Subordinate Voting Shares subject to options under the Plan shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 2,263,500 Subordinate Voting
Shares or such greater number as may be approved from time to time in accordance with Section 10 hereof. All options granted under
the Plan will conform to all applicable provisions prescribed by the Plan and to such specific terms and conditions as may be determined
by the Board at the time of making each such grant. The granting of any option must, in order to become effective and binding on
the Company, be authorized or approved by the Board pursuant to the Option Granting Process. Subordinate Voting Shares in respect
of which an option is granted under the Plan, but not exercised prior to the termination of such option, whether through lapse
of time or otherwise, shall be available for options thereafter granted by the Board under the Plan. All Subordinate Voting Shares
issued pursuant to the due exercise of options granted under the Plan will be so issued as fully paid and non-assessable shares.
| 6. | ELIGIBILITY FOR OPTIONS |
The persons who will be eligible to be
granted options pursuant to the Plan (the "Eligible Participants") will be such directors, officers and full-time
employees of the Company or its subsidiaries (other than Jay S. Hennick) as the Board shall from time to time determine in its
sole discretion. In determining the options to be granted to Eligible Participants under the Plan, the Board will give due consideration
to the value of each such person's present potential contribution to the Company's (or any subsidiary of the Company's) success
and to the recommendation in that regard made by the Compensation Committee.
Subject to the provisions herein set forth
(including the Option Granting Process), the Board shall, in its sole discretion, select the Eligible Participants to whom options
under the Plan may be granted (including the holders of the 2015 Arrangement Options, herein sometimes referred to as the "Optionees"),
the number of Subordinate Voting Shares to be optioned to each of them and the terms and conditions within the limits prescribed
in Section 8 hereof attaching to each such option. The aggregate number of Subordinate Voting Shares reserved for issuance pursuant
to all options granted to any one Optionee shall not exceed 5% of the number of Subordinate Voting Shares outstanding on a non-diluted
basis at the time of such grant. In addition, the aggregate number of securities of the Company:
| (a) | issued to Insiders of the Company, within any one year period; and |
| (b) | issuable to Insiders of the Company, at any time; |
under the Plan, or when
combined with all of the Company's other Share Compensation Arrangements, shall not exceed 10% of the Company's total issued and
outstanding securities. The granting of an option under the Plan to an Eligible Participant shall neither entitle nor preclude
such Eligible Participant from being subsequently granted one or more additional options to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares
under the Plan.
| 8. | TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OPTIONS |
The terms and conditions of each option
granted under the Plan shall be set forth in an option agreement (an "Option Agreement") to be entered into between
the Company and each Optionee, such agreement to be in such form as may from time to time be approved by the Board from time to
time. To the extent that the terms of the Plan and any Option Agreement are inconsistent, the terms of the Plan shall govern. The
Option Agreement shall include the following terms and conditions as well as such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with
the Plan as may be deemed advisable by the Board:
| (a) | Number of Shares - The Board shall, in its sole discretion, fix the aggregate number
of Subordinate Voting Shares which are the subject of the option so granted. |
| (b) | Option Price – The option price per Subordinate Voting Share with respect to
any option granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Board at the time the option is granted, but such price shall not
be less than the Minimum Price (as defined below) on the day on which the grant of the option is authorized or approved by the
Board. For the purposes of this subparagraph 8(b), "Minimum Price" shall mean: |
| (i) | in the event that the Subordinate Voting Shares are then traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and/or
the NASDAQ Stock Market, the closing price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market
on the trading day prior to the day on which the option is authorized or approved by the Board; |
| (ii) | in the event that the Subordinate Voting Shares are not then traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
and the NASDAQ Stock Market, the closing price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on such public market on which the Subordinate
Voting Shares are then traded, as selected by the Board, in its sole discretion, on the trading day prior to the day on which the
option is authorized or approved by the Board; or |
| (iii) | in the event that the Subordinate Voting Shares are not then traded on any public market, the price
of the Subordinate Voting Shares as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, on the day on which the option is authorized
or approved by the Board. |
| (c) | Payment - The purchase price of the Subordinate Voting Shares purchased upon the
exercise of the option shall be paid for in full upon the exercise thereof. An Optionee who is not already a shareholder of the
Company shall have none of the rights of a shareholder of the Company until Subordinate Voting Shares issuable pursuant to the
exercise of an option granted to an Optionee are issued to such Optionee. |
| (d) | Vesting - Subject to subsections 8(i) and 8(l), the Board shall determine, at the
time of granting an option to an Optionee pursuant to the Plan, the maximum number of Subordinate Voting Shares that may be exercised
by such Optionee in each year or other period during the term of the option. |
| (e) | Term of Option - The term of the option shall not be for less than one year and not
more than 10 years from the date the option is granted, subject always to subsections 8(f), 8(g), 8(h) and 8(i); provided that,
notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary in the Plan, if the term of any option granted under the Plan ends
on a day occurring within a Blackout Period applicable to an Optionee or within ten business days after the expiry of a Blackout
Period applicable to an Optionee, the term of such option shall be automatically extended to (and such option shall continue to
be exercisable under the terms of the Plan up to) 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the tenth business day following the expiry of such
Blackout Period. This subsection 8(e) applies to all options outstanding under the Plan, regardless of the date of grant or issuance. |
| (f) | Death of Optionee - In the event of the death of an Optionee while in the employment,
or as an officer or director, of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the expiry date
of the option (the "Expiry Date"), the option may be exercised, as to all or any of the Subordinate Voting Shares
forming the subject matter of such option in respect of which such Optionee would have been entitled to exercise the option hereunder
at the time of the death of such Optionee if such Optionee had survived, by the legal representatives of such Optionee at any time
up to and including, but not after, 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the date which is the first anniversary of the date of death of
such Optionee or the Expiry Date, whichever is the earlier, after which the option shall in all respects cease and terminate and
be of no further force or effect whatsoever as to such of the Subordinate Voting Shares in respect of which such option had not
been previously exercised. |
| (g) | Resignation or Discharge of Optionee - In the event of: |
| (i) | the resignation of an Optionee as an employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company such
that the Optionee is no longer an Eligible Participant; |
| (ii) | the resignation or removal of an Optionee as an officer or director of the Company or a subsidiary
of the Company other than in the circumstances referred to in subsections 8(f) and 8(l), such that the Optionee is no longer an
Eligible Participant; or |
| (iii) | the discharge of an Optionee as an employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company by reason
of a wilful and substantial breach of such Optionee's employment duties; |
in each such
case prior to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the Expiry Date, all options granted to such Optionee under the Plan shall in all respects
forthwith cease and terminate and be of no further force or effect whatsoever as to such of the Subordinate Voting Shares in respect
of which such option had not previously been exercised, upon notice of such resignation being received by the Company or subsidiary
of the Company, or upon notice of such removal or discharge being given by the Company or subsidiary of the Company to such Optionee,
as the case may be. For the purposes of the Plan, the determination by the Company that such Optionee was discharged as an employee
of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company by reason of a wilful and substantial breach of such Optionee's employment duties
shall be binding upon such Optionee.
| (h) | Other Termination of Employment or Cessation of Directorship of Optionee - In the
event of the termination of employment of an Optionee by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company other than in the circumstances
referred to in subsections 8(f) and 8(g), or an Optionee ceasing to be a non-employee director of the Company in the circumstances
referred to in subsection 8(l), below, such that the Optionee is no longer an Eligible Participant, such Optionee may exercise
each option then held by such Optionee under the Plan to the extent that such Optionee was entitled to do so at the time of such
termination of employment or cessation of directorship (including as a consequence of subsection 8(l)), at any time up to and including,
but not after, 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the 30th day (or such later day as the Board in its sole discretion may determine)
following the date of termination of employment or cessation of directorship, or the Expiry Date, whichever is earlier, after which
the option shall in all respects cease and terminate and be of no further force or effect whatsoever as to such of the Subordinate
Voting Shares in respect of which such option had not been previously exercised. |
| (i) | Sale and Take-Over Bids - As used in this subsection 8(i): |
| (i) | "Arrangement" means any merger, arrangement (other than the 2015 Plan of Arrangement),
amalgamation or other similar form of transaction involving the Company, other than with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company,
under circumstances such that, following the completion of such transaction, there is a Change in Control of the Company; |
| (ii) | "Change in Control" means, in relation to the Company or any successor or resulting
company or other entity, circumstances under which Control of the Company or any successor or resulting company or other entity
is changed from one person or group of persons to another person or group of persons, other than to a Person not dealing at arm's
length with the person(s) exercising Control of the Company immediately prior to such circumstances occurring; |
| (iii) | "Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries
or otherwise, of the power to elect a majority of directors and/or to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies
of the Company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or in any other manner whatsoever; |
| (iv) | "offeror" has the meaning ascribed to that term in the Securities Act (Ontario); |
| (v) | "Take-over Bid" means a take-over bid, as defined in the Securities Act
(Ontario), which is a "formal bid" as defined in such Act, and which is made: |
| (A) | for all of the issued and outstanding shares of any one or more classes of shares in the capital
of the Company; or |
| (B) | for all of the issued and outstanding shares of any one or more classes of shares in the capital
of the Company other than: |
| (1) | those shares in the capital of the Company which are then owned by the offeror under such Take-over
Bid; and/or |
| (2) | those shares in the capital of the Company which the offeror under such Take-over Bid then otherwise
has, directly or indirectly, the right to acquire; and |
| (vi) | "Sale" means the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any person or entity (other than a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) under
circumstances such that, following the completion of such sale, the Company will cease to carry on an active business, either directly
or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries. |
If:
| (1) | the Company shall enter into an agreement providing for a Sale or an Arrangement; or |
| (2) | a Take-over Bid shall be made, |
the Board may, at any time thereafter,
authorize the Company to give a notice in writing to each Optionee advising such Optionee that, notwithstanding any other provision
of the Plan, all options granted to such Optionee under the Plan will expire on the date determined by the Board as specified in
such notice (provided that the date determined by the Board as specified in such notice shall not increase the term of any option
granted under the Plan), which date shall in no event be the earlier of:
| (A) | 60 days following the date of such notice; and |
| (B) | in the case of the Company having entered into an agreement providing for a Sale or an Arrangement,
one business day prior to the date on which the Sale or Arrangement provided for in such agreement is completed, or, in the case
of a Take-over Bid having been made, one business day prior to the date on which there shall have been taken up by the offeror
thereunder at least 90% of the total number of the issued and outstanding shares of each class of shares in the capital of the
Company in respect of which such Take-over Bid is being made and, for this purpose, all shares of each class of shares in the capital
of the Company in respect of which such Take-over Bid is made which are owned by the offeror at the expiry of such Take-over Bid
shall be deemed to have been taken up pursuant to such Take-over Bid. |
In the event that such a notice
is given by the Company (the "Company Notice"), each Optionee shall have the right, on such terms and conditions
as may be prescribed in such notice, to elect to exercise up to the time that such Optionee's option expires, after giving effect
to such notice, all options then held by such Optionee under the Plan in respect of up to all of the Subordinate Voting Shares
which could have been purchased by such Optionee on a full exercise of all such options. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(1) if such Optionee so elects
to exercise such Optionee's option;
| (2) | if such Optionee has not elected to exercise such Optionee's option and subscribe for Subordinate
Voting Shares in accordance with this subsection; or |
| (3) | if such Optionee has exercised such Optionee's option but, following such exercise, such Optionee
has not paid for the Subordinate Voting Shares which such Optionee has elected to subscribe for; |
the Company shall have the right
(which right may be exercised by the Company in its sole discretion) to pay to such Optionee on the payment date set out in the
Company Notice cash in an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying the amount, if any, by which the market price per
Subordinate Voting Share on the date of completion of the Sale, Arrangement or Take-over Bid, as the case may be, exceeds the option
price, by the number of Subordinate Voting Shares then remaining unsubscribed for under all options then held by such Optionee
under the Plan which could have been purchased by such Optionee on a full exercise of all such options (and, if such payment is
made, any exercise made by such Optionee of his or her options shall be deemed to have been not made and be null and void); and,
if a Sale, Arrangement or Take-over Bid is completed, the market price for the purposes of calculating the amount of such cash
payment to be made by the Company shall be the same as the value of the consideration paid per Subordinate Voting Share under the
Sale, Arrangement or Take-over Bid, as applicable.
In the event that the Board in
good faith determines that the Sale, Arrangement or Take-over Bid, as the case may be, will not be completed, the election of the
Optionee given hereunder shall be terminated and, in such event, any cash paid by the Optionee to the Company will be returned
to the Optionee and the option shall thereafter continue to be exercisable by the Optionee in accordance with its terms.
| (j) | Non-Assignability of Option - Each option granted under the Plan shall be non-assignable
by the Optionee. |
| (k) | Exercise of Option - Subject to the provisions of the Plan, an option granted under
the Plan shall be exercised from time to time by the Optionee, or in the event of death, by his legal representatives, by giving
notice in writing addressed to the Company at its registered and principal office in the City of Toronto, to the attention of the
Secretary of the Company, specifying the number of Subordinate Voting Shares forming the subject matter of such option in respect
of which such notice is being given, together with payment in full of the purchase price of the Subordinate Voting Shares being
purchased. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or in any option granted to an Optionee, the Company's obligation to
issue Subordinate Voting Shares to an Optionee pursuant to the exercise of an option shall be subject to: (i) completion of such
registration or other qualification of such Subordinate Voting Shares or obtaining approval of such regulatory authorities as the
Company shall determine to be necessary or advisable in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale thereof; (ii) the admission
of such Subordinate Voting Shares for quotation or listing and posting for trading, as the case may be, on the Toronto Stock Exchange
and any other market or exchange as shall then be required or desirable; and (iii) the receipt from the Optionee of such representations,
warranties, agreements and undertakings, including as to future dealings in such Subordinate Voting Shares, as the Company determines
to be necessary or advisable in order to ensure compliance with applicable securities laws and stock exchange and other regulatory
body rules and requirements. |
| (l) | Accelerated Vesting for Non-Employee Directors in Certain Circumstances - Notwithstanding
any vesting condition(s) determined by the Board pursuant to subsection 8(d), the vesting of the options held by an Optionee who
is a non-employee director of the Company shall be automatically accelerated, such that they become immediately fully vested and
exercisable, in the event that such Optionee does not stand for re-election, resigns as or fails to be re-elected as a director
of the Company, in each case, in circumstances where there is no wilful and substantial breach of such Optionee's fiduciary duties
or other legal obligations to the Company, as determined by the Board. |
| 9. | ADJUSTMENTS IN EVENT OF CHANGE IN STRUCTURE OF CAPITAL |
Appropriate adjustments in the number of
Subordinate Voting Shares and in the option price per Subordinate Voting Share, relating to options granted or to be granted, shall
be made by the Board in its sole discretion to give effect to adjustments in the number of Subordinate Voting Shares resulting,
subsequent to the date that the Plan became effective, from any subdivisions, consolidations or reclassifications of the Subordinate
Voting Shares, the payment of stock dividends by the Company or other relevant changes in the capital structure of the Company.
Any such adjustments shall be subject to the approval thereof, to the extent required, by such stock exchanges on which the Subordinate
Voting Shares are then listed for trading.
| 10. | AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE OF PLAN |
| (a) | Subject to regulatory approval, the approval of any stock exchange on which the Subordinate Voting
Shares are then listed for trading and the limitations set out in subsections 10(b) and 10(c) hereof, the Board may, by resolution,
amend, vary or discontinue the Plan, or any agreement or entitlement subject to the Plan, at any time without notice to or approval
of the shareholders of the Company, including, without limitation, for the purpose of: |
| (i) | changing the class of persons who will be eligible to be granted options pursuant to the Plan (other
than as provided for in subsection 10(b) hereof); |
| (ii) | ensuring continuing compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the requirements or policies
of any governmental or regulatory authority, securities commission or stock exchange having authority over the Company or the Plan; |
| (iii) | changes of a "housekeeping", clerical, technical or stylistic nature, including, without
limitation, eliminating any ambiguity, error or defect, supplying any omission or correcting or supplementing any provision contained
in the Plan or in any agreement subject to the Plan which may be incorrect or incompatible with any other provision of the Plan
or such agreement; |
| (iv) | changing the method of determining the option price for options granted pursuant to the Plan, provided
that the option price shall not in any case be lower than the "market price" of a Subordinate Voting Share, as that term
(or any successor term) is interpreted and applied by the Toronto Stock Exchange; |
| (v) | changing the following terms governing options under the Plan: (A) vesting terms (including the
acceleration of vesting); (B) exercise and payment method and frequency; (C) transferability or assignability, other than as provided
for in subsection 10(b) hereof; (D) to fairly or properly take into account a Sale, Arrangement or Take-over Bid; (E) adjustments
required in the circumstances of one of the events referred to in Section 9 hereof; and (F) the effect of termination (for whatever
reason) of the Optionee's employment or service; |
| (vi) | determining that any of the provisions of the Plan or any agreement subject to the Plan concerning
the effect of termination (for whatever reason) of the Optionee's employment, service or consulting agreement/arrangement or cessation
of the Optionee's directorship or office, shall not apply for any reason acceptable to the Board; |
| (vii) | changing the terms and conditions of any financial assistance which may be provided by the Company
to the Optionees to facilitate the purchase of Subordinate Voting Shares, or adding or removing any provisions providing for such
financial assistance; |
| (viii) | adding or amending a cashless exercise feature, payable in cash or securities, provided same includes
a full deduction of the number of underlying Subordinate Voting Shares from the Plan reserved under Section 5 hereof; |
| (ix) | providing for the granting of non-equity based kinds of awards under the Plan, including, without
limitation, stock-appreciation rights; |
| (x) | adding or amending provisions necessary for options under the Plan to qualify for favourable tax
treatment to Optionees and/or the Company under applicable tax laws; |
| (xi) | changing any terms relating to the administration of the Plan; and |
| (xii) | any other amendment, whether fundamental or otherwise, not requiring shareholder approval under
applicable law (including, without limitation, the rules and policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange and of any other stock exchange
or market having authority over the Company or the Plan). |
| (b) | Subject to regulatory approval, the approval of any stock exchange on which the Subordinate Voting
Shares are then listed for trading and the limitations set out in subsection 10(c) hereof, the Board may, by resolution, amend,
vary or discontinue the Plan, or any agreement or entitlement subject to the Plan, at any time for the following purposes, provided
that any such amendment, variance or discontinuance will not become effective unless and until approved by a majority of the votes
cast by shareholders of the Company, in person or by proxy, at a meeting of shareholders: |
| (i) | any increase in the maximum number of Subordinate Voting Shares issuable under the Plan as provided
for in Section 5 hereof or any change from a fixed maximum number of Subordinate Voting Shares issuable under the Plan to a fixed
maximum percentage; |
| (ii) | any reduction in the option price of an outstanding option except for the purpose of maintaining
option value in connection with an adjustment provided for under Section 9 hereof (for this purpose, the cancellation or termination
of an option of an Optionee prior to expiry of the option term for the purpose of reissuing an option to the same Optionee with
a lower exercise price shall be treated as an amendment to reduce the option price of an option); |
| (iii) | any extension of the option term (which, for greater certainty, shall not include the circumstances
provided for in subsection 8(e) hereof in respect of a Blackout Period) or any amendment to permit the grant of an option with
an expiry date of more than 10 years from the date the option is granted; |
| (iv) | permitting any option granted under the Plan (or any other kind of award which may hereafter form
part of the Plan) to be transferable or assignable other than for estate planning or normal estate settlement purposes; |
| (v) | providing for the granting of equity based kinds of awards under the Plan; and |
| (vi) | any other amendment requiring shareholder approval under applicable law (including, without limitation,
under the rules and policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange and of any other stock exchange or market having authority over the
Company or the Plan); |
provided further that, in the
case of any amendment or variance referred to above, Insiders who directly benefit from such amendment or variance will not have
the votes attaching to the Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities of the Company held, directly or indirectly, by them counted
in respect of the required approval of the shareholders of the Company.
| (c) | Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amendment, variance or discontinuance of the
Plan, or any agreement or entitlement subject to the Plan, may be made, without the prior written consent of the Optionee, if the
Board determines that the effect thereof is to impair, derogate from or otherwise materially and adversely affect any option previously
granted to such Optionee under the Plan. Subject to the provisions of this Section 10, the Plan shall remain in effect until all
grants of options under the Plan have been terminated pursuant to the provisions of the Plan or satisfied by the issuance of Subordinate
Voting Shares, the payment of cash or otherwise. |
Nothing contained in the Plan nor in any
option granted thereunder shall be deemed to give any Optionee any interest or title in or to any shares of the Company or any
rights as a shareholder of the Company or any other legal or equitable right against the Company whatsoever other than as set forth
in the Plan and pursuant to the exercise of any option.
The Plan does not give any Optionee or
any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries the right, or obligation, to or to continue to serve as a director, officer
or full-time employee, as the case may be, of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The awarding of options to any Eligible Participant
is a matter to be determined solely in the discretion of the Board. The Plan shall not in any way fetter, limit, obligate, restrict
or constrain the Board with regard to the allotment or issue of any shares or any other securities in the capital of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries other than as specifically provided for in the Plan.
No fractional Subordinate Voting Shares
shall be issued upon the exercise of options granted under the Plan and, accordingly, if an Optionee would otherwise become entitled
to a fractional Subordinate Voting Share upon the exercise of an option, such Optionee shall only have the right to purchase the
next lowest whole number of Subordinate Voting Shares and no payment or other adjustment shall be made with respect to the fractional
interest so disregarded.
The Company and every Optionee shall be
bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan.
| 13. | COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW |
If any provision of the Plan or any agreement
entered into pursuant to the Plan contravenes any law or any order, policy, by-law or regulation of any regulatory body or stock
exchange having authority over the Company or the Plan, then such provision shall be deemed to be amended to the extent required
to bring such provision into compliance therewith.
| 14. | 2015 PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT |
| (a) | For all purposes under the Plan, 2015 Arrangement Options granted in exchange for Outstanding Old
FirstService Options pursuant to the 2015 Plan of Arrangement shall be deemed to have been originally granted under the Plan but
shall also be deemed a continuation of the Outstanding Old FirstService Options for which they are exchanged as part of the 2015
Plan of Arrangement. Accordingly, the date on which a 2015 Arrangement Option is granted for purposes of the Plan shall be deemed
to be the date of the grant of the Outstanding Old FirstService Option for which such 2015 Arrangement Option was exchanged as
part of the 2015 Plan of Arrangement notwithstanding that the Plan was not effective at such time. |
| (b) | Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, each person that is a director, officer
and/or full-time employee of Old FirstService or its subsidiaries who holds an Outstanding Old FirstService Option immediately
prior to the Effective Time and who will not, on and after the Effective Time, be a director, officer and/or full-time employee
of the Company or its subsidiaries (each such person, an "Arrangement Participant") shall, for so long as such
Arrangement Participant remains a director, officer and/or full-time employee, as applicable, of Old FirstService or its subsidiaries,
be permitted to hold and exercise his or her 2015 Arrangement Options in accordance with their terms as though such Arrangement
Participant is a director, officer and/or full-time employee, as applicable, of the Company or its subsidiaries and be deemed,
as applicable, to be an "Eligible Participant" hereunder for such purposes. Upon any Arrangement Participant ceasing
to be a director, officer and/or full-time employee of Old FirstService or its subsidiaries, provided that at such time such Arrangement
Participant is not, or does not concurrently become, a director, officer and/or full-time employee of the Company or its subsidiaries,
such Arrangement Participant shall be treated for the purposes of the Plan as having ceased to be a director, officer and/or full-time
employee of the Company and its subsidiaries and such Arrangement Participant's 2015 Arrangement Options shall be dealt with in
accordance with subsections 8(f), 8(g) or 8(h) of the Plan, as applicable, or any other term of the Plan applicable thereto. |
APPENDIX "H"
INFORMATION CONCERNING COLLIERS POST-ARRANGEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE TO READER |
H2 |
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
H2 |
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS |
H3 |
BUSINESS OF COLLIERS |
H3 |
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF COLLIERS |
H3 |
History |
H3 |
Comprehensive Service Offerings |
H5 |
Geographic Locations |
H7 |
Operating Segments |
H8 |
Employees |
H8 |
Our Growth Strategy |
H8 |
Competition |
H11 |
Competitive Strengths |
H11 |
ESCROWED SECURITIES AND |
|
SECURITIES SUBJECT TO CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER |
H17 |
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS |
H17 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
H18 |
Colliers MSA |
H18 |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
H19 |
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION |
H20 |
Credit Facility |
H21 |
CORPORATE STRUCTURE |
H21 |
Intercorporate Relationships |
H22 |
NOTICE TO READER
Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure
in this Appendix "H" has been prepared assuming that the Arrangement has been effected. In particular, unless otherwise
indicated, the disclosure in respect of the business and assets of Colliers contained in this Appendix "H" is presented
on the assumption that the Arrangement has been completed and the assets and liabilities referable to the Residential Real Estate
Services and Property Services divisions of FirstService have been transferred to New FSV prior to the date in respect of which
such disclosure relates. References to the "Colliers Assets" in this Appendix "H" are to such assets
as held by FirstService prior to the Arrangement and to be held by Colliers upon the Arrangement becoming effective. Unless otherwise
defined herein, all capitalized terms used in this Appendix "H" have the meanings given to such terms in the Glossary
to this Circular. Unless the context otherwise permits, indicates or requires, all references in this Appendix "H" to
"Colliers", "we", "our", "us" and similar expressions are references
to Colliers and the business carried on by it following completion of the Arrangement. Please see also Appendix "O" to
this Circular for information regarding FirstService prior to the Arrangement having been effected (and FirstService becoming Colliers),
including with respect to corporate governance practices and executive compensation.
This Appendix "H" contains only
certain information regarding Colliers as it will exist following completion of the Arrangement. For additional information, readers
are encouraged to read this Circular in its entirety, including, without limitation, the information contained under the heading
"Information Concerning Colliers Post-Arrangement" and the documents referred to in, and the information contained under,
the heading "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement – Documents Incorporated by Reference" in this
Circular.
Unless otherwise specified, all dollar
amounts are expressed in United States dollars and all references to "US$" are to United States dollars and all references
to "$" or "C$" are to Canadian dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial statements and information
included in, or incorporated by reference into, this Appendix "H" is determined using U.S. GAAP.
Colliers' unaudited pro forma consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 assume the completion of the Arrangement, and are included in Appendix
"M" to this Circular. Colliers' unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with
FirstService's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and related management's discussion
and analysis, as specifically incorporated by reference in this Circular, as well as New FSV's audited carve-out combined financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and related management's discussion and analysis, included in Appendix "K"
to this Circular.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Appendix "H" contains certain
forward-looking statements or information (collectively referred to in this note as "forward-looking statements")
within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "projected",
"anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend" or similar words suggesting
future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this Appendix
"H" are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, operational information, future acquisition or disposition
opportunities, Colliers' corporate and governance structure, the operational divisions of Colliers and dividends. All such forward-looking
statements are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are forward-looking because they are
based on our current expectations, estimates and assumptions. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe
harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities
legislation. The forward-looking statements contained in this Appendix "H" are expressly qualified in their entirety
by the foregoing and the cautionary statements set forth in the body of this Circular under the heading "Forward-Looking Information".
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this Appendix "H", which
reflect the analysis of Management only as of the date of this Circular. Neither FirstService nor Colliers undertakes any obligation
to release publicly the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances
after the date of this Circular or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable securities
laws.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
In November 2004, FirstService established
a new commercial real estate services division by acquiring Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc., which operates under the Colliers International
brand name. Since that time, FirstService has strengthened the business in existing markets and acquired numerous businesses within
existing and new markets greatly expanding its geographic scope, services and talent, so that today it is one of the world's largest
commercial real estate services providers offering a full range of commercial real estate services in the United States, Canada,
Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and several other countries in Asia, Europe and Latin America.
As first announced on February 10, 2015,
the Board has approved the split of FirstService into two focused services companies – one a commercial real estate services
company and the other a residential property services company. The proposed Arrangement is expected to be implemented through a
court approved Plan of Arrangement and is subject to, among other things, Shareholder approval. The Arrangement will result in
two publicly traded entities, Colliers and New FSV, with the names of "Colliers International Group Inc." (being
the successor to the existing FirstService legal entity) and "FirstService Corporation" (being the New FSV legal
entity), respectively. See "The Arrangement – Background to the Arrangement" in this Circular.
As discussed in the Notice to Reader, the
disclosure of Colliers' business and assets is presented below on the assumption that the Arrangement has been completed and the
assets and liabilities referable to the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services divisions of FirstService have been
transferred to New FSV prior to the date in respect of which such disclosure relates.
BUSINESS OF COLLIERS
Colliers is one of the world's largest
and fastest growing commercial real estate services firms, offering a full range of services to occupiers, owners and investors
in office, industrial, retail, hotel, multi-family and other commercial real estate assets. Through an enterprising culture of
service excellence, Colliers integrates the resources of real estate professionals worldwide to accelerate the success of its clients,
employees and shareholders. As of December 31, 2014, we operated from 219 offices in 41 countries worldwide with over 10,000 employees
(excluding affiliate and franchised offices), providing services under the "Colliers International" brand name.
Including affiliates and franchisees, Colliers International operates from 502 offices in 67 countries servicing the United States,
Canada, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Asia and Latin America.
Our comprehensive service offerings includes
property agency leasing; property investment sales; capital markets; tenant representation; property appraisal and valuation; facility,
property and asset management; workplace solutions and project management. Colliers is dedicated to creating strategic partnerships
with clients and providing them with customized solutions to transform their real estate into a competitive advantage while capitalizing
on the macro trends of outsourcing in the commercial real estate sector.
Colliers is the indirect controlling shareholder
of Colliers International Property Consultants Inc. ("CIPC"), the entity that holds the "Colliers International"
brand and trademarks. In markets where Colliers does not operate company-owned operations, we operate through affiliates or franchisees
operating under the "Colliers International" brand and trademarks. To ensure brand unity and service quality,
all affiliates and franchisees are subject to brand and performance guidelines that are monitored and enforced by CIPC. We currently
have 26 affiliates or franchisees in different markets around the world who together generated in excess of US$700 million in revenue
in 2014.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF COLLIERS
History
We trace our roots back to 1898 when Macaulay
Nicolls was founded in Vancouver, Canada as a property management and insurance agency. Colliers International originated in 1976
in Australia through the merger of three commercial property services firms. In 1984, Colliers International joined forces with
Macaulay Nicolls to form Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc. Over the years, Colliers continued to grow globally as other market leading
commercial real estate service providers joined the Colliers group of companies. In 2004, Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc. was acquired
by FirstService, a company founded and controlled by Jay S. Hennick, together with the existing senior management led by CEO Douglas
P. Frye. At the time of the acquisition by FirstService, Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc. was generating approximately US$250 million
in annualized revenue.
With the financial and strategic support
of FirstService and a deep and experienced senior management team, Colliers accelerated its growth even more by adding company-owned
operations, expanding into complementary service areas and growing into other geographic regions. By 2010, FirstService had unified
all operations globally under the "Colliers International" brand name with one mission and standardized business
practices delivered consistently throughout all operations. Over the last 10 years, Colliers has been the fastest growing major,
global commercial real estate services business based on revenue growth. A summary of Colliers' material growth initiatives to
date is as follows:
Year |
|
Event |
1898 |
|
Macaulay Nicolls founded in Vancouver, Canada |
1976 |
|
Colliers International Property Consultants incorporated in Australia |
1984 |
|
Colliers launches global expansion into Canada as Colliers Macaulay Nicolls and in the USA |
1986 |
|
Colliers merges operations in Australia and Asia establishing operations in 20 markets in AsiaPac |
1990 |
|
Colliers expands into emerging markets including Central Europe and Latin America |
2001 |
|
Douglas P. Frye assumes the role of CEO of Colliers International and moves the head office of the organization to Seattle, Washington |
2004 |
|
FirstService Corporation, a publically traded company controlled by Founder and CEO Jay S. Hennick, assumes control of Colliers Macaulay Nicolls with a long-term strategy to consolidate operations and create one global organization, under one brand with consistent business practices applied globally |
2006 |
|
Between 2006 and 2010, Colliers MacauIay Nicolls begins to strengthen and grow its global platform by acquiring additional Colliers International branded operations. In total, more than 29 acquisitions are completed in 15 countries around the world |
2009 |
|
Dylan E. Taylor joins as CEO of Colliers USA |
2010 |
|
The US operations of Colliers
combine with Colliers MacauIay Nicolls and re-brand under as "Colliers International" in all markets
Original network structure is
disbanded and newly re-branded Colliers International, controlled by FirstService, becomes one of the largest and most recognized
brands in commercial real estate globally
Colliers International implements "Project
Fusion" as part of a plan to increase operational effectiveness and enhance operating margins with a goal of increasing margins
by 500 basis points to 10% by 2016
|
2012 |
|
Colliers acquires the Colliers International operations in the United Kingdom and Ireland and integrates them into its global platform |
2013 |
|
Colliers acquires the Colliers International German operations and integrates them into its global platform |
2014 |
|
Colliers International voted to
the top five in Global Outsourcing 100 for the first time in history
Colliers continues to strengthen
operations and add services with acquisitions in Australia, New Zealand, UK and the Netherlands
Colliers expands to France and
Belgium and strengthens operations in the Netherlands, Spain, Morocco, Switzerland with the acquisition of AOS Group
Colliers on track to achieve the goals
set out in "Project Fusion" by 2016
|
Comprehensive Service Offerings
We split our service offerings into the
following lines of business:
Sales and Lease Brokerage Division
Our largest business is transaction brokerage,
which provides services in sales, leasing, and mortgages for commercial clients. Commercial real estate brokers advise buyers and
sellers of real estate in connection with the acquisition or disposition of real estate; assist owners, occupiers and tenants with
lease opportunities; and assist borrowers and lenders with the placement of debt capital on commercial real estate assets. Brokers
typically perform their services on a commission basis calculated based on the value of a transaction. Our Sales and Lease Brokerage
Division has more than 3,100 brokers system wide. This division executes transactions across a diverse client base, including corporations,
financial institutions, governments and individuals. We generate approximately 47% of our revenues from office transactions, 22%
from industrial transactions and 11% from retail and multi-family, with the balance coming from hotels, land and other property
types.
We provide services for sales, leases,
and mortgages in the following areas:
- Landlord Representation: Agency teams work on behalf of property owners to search
for and sign tenants and other occupiers by positioning the property in the marketplace. Our teams look to secure the right tenants
for their client's properties and otherwise support the landlord's ownership goals for their real estate assets.
- Tenant Representation: Leases are often landmarks in the lifetime of a business
marking a significant investment of time and resources in a building's physical space which will have a long-term impact on the
business of our clients. Our brokerage teams work on behalf of tenants to locate the right rental properties and to secure the
right terms, helping to turn a lease, often the second-greatest expenditure for a business after payroll, from a cost center into
a competitive advantage.
- Capital Markets & Investment Services: Colliers' Capital Markets & Investment
Services teams are represented by professionals that work collaboratively to provide real estate expertise to our clients, acting
in an advisory capacity to help each client maximize investment returns, whether as a buyer, seller or borrower.
| · | The Capital Markets & Investment Services teams are organized around office, industrial, retail,
multifamily and hotel assets in order to drive thought leadership for each major asset class. Many team members also represent
subspecialties in areas such as Healthcare, Student Housing, Seniors Housing, Land, Transit Oriented Development and the like.
These investment teams are also organized in subsets to meet the needs of both our institutional and private capital clients, recognizing
that these client groupings have different needs. These investment teams understand the intricacies of single asset and portfolio
executions and, with the assistance of Colliers' investment advisors in 140 offices and 27 countries, are globally connected every
second of every day with the active market participants. |
| · | Integrally supporting these investment teams is a national group of Debt & Equity Financing
advisors that help both our institutional and private capital clients with all manner of senior and subordinated debt strategies
and placements with a global network of capital providers, including Banks, Life Companies, Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
Lenders, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Housing Administration, Sovereign Wealth Funds and Private Equity Funds. Many of our
Financing advisors have experience helping our clients with preferred and common equity strategies and placements, including partnership
capitalizations and recapitalizations. Our Financing professionals are in the market every day with these global capital providers,
which provides our clients with significant market intelligence and leverage when evaluating their financing needs. |
| · | The Capital Markets & Investment Services teams work closely with each Colliers' service line,
including property management, leasing, valuations and our entire Occupier Services group, in order to serve the broader business
needs of each client. |
In our Sales and Lease Brokerage Division,
professionals work with all asset classes, including office, industrial, retail, multi-family, hotel and mixed-use properties.
We focus primarily on the $5 to $50 million segment, which consistently comprises over 75% of the total number of property transactions
in the commercial real estate market. In 2014, our Sales and Lease Brokerage Division completed more than 47,000 sale and lease
transactions for a total transaction value of US$79 billion. Our Sales and Lease Brokerage Division represented approximately 65%
of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 and provided opportunities for cross selling other real estate services.
Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
Our Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
provides corporate and workplace solutions, appraisal and valuation services, facility, property and asset management services,
project management services and research for commercial real estate clients. The Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division partners
with large corporations in managing their overall real estate portfolios and transactions to reduce costs, improve execution across
multiple markets and increase operational efficiency, thereby benefitting from the global trends around the outsourcing of commercial
real estate advisory services. Professional staff combines proprietary technology with high level strategic planning, portfolio
management, lease administration and facilities and project management. The Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division has more
than 3,200 advisors globally.
Our Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
services include:
- Corporate Solutions: We provide a comprehensive set of portfolio management,
transaction management, project management, workplace solutions, strategic consulting, property and asset management as well as
other corporate real estate services to clients with large, geographically-diverse real estate portfolios. Our Corporate Solutions'
clients are typically companies or public sector institutions with highly distributed real estate portfolios. We typically enter
into long-term, contractual relationships with these clients with the goal of ensuring that their real estate strategies support
their overall business needs. This service line offers clients a fully integrated suite of services under the leadership and accountability
of an account leader or team who are responsible for overall performance around the world. Many of our contracts contain fees that
are tied to performance against client objectives (such as cost and footprint reduction, cycle-time improvement and customer satisfaction)
instead of fees based solely on transaction commissions. Our corporate solutions teams have a unified value proposition which is
to deliver customized, accountable and innovative real estate solutions that result in the best service experience and alignment
with our client's core business strategy. We have developed industry leading technology through Colliers360 (which provides clients
with customized, secure web portals to manage all real estate activity) which allows us to measure performance and help our clients
make efficient, well-informed decisions regarding their real estate portfolio. Colliers 360 also includes leading-edge business
intelligence that populates data from various independent and client related sources. We also provide leading edge lease administration,
transaction, project management and facilities management systems.
- Valuation & Advisory Services: Our advisors leverage best-in-class technology
to offer clients both speed and accuracy while maintaining a dedicated project leader and senior management oversight to ensure
quality and accountability. Services include valuation and appraisal review and management, portfolio or single asset valuation,
arbitration and consulting, highest and best use studies, tax appeals and litigation support.
- Property and Asset Management Services: Property and Asset Management provides
oversight and management of the daily operations of a single property or portfolio of properties and provides on-going strategic
advice on ways in which clients can maximize the value of their properties. Services include property level accounting, tenant
service/relations and bidding, awarding and administering subcontracts for management and maintenance, landscaping, security, parking,
capital and tenant improvements. We ensure that we implement the owner's specific property value enhancement objectives through
maximization of opportunities to help clients ensure excellent tenant relations while maximizing property level cash flows.
- Project Management: We provide project management services for a wide range of
projects regardless of size. We have more than 160 LEED© accredited professionals and green building associates and the highest
accreditation ratios in the industry. These services include bid document review, construction monitoring and delivery management,
contract administration and integrated cost control, facility and engineering functionality, milestone and performance monitoring,
quality assurance, risk management and strategic project consulting.
- Workplace Solutions: We provide a full suite of visioning, change management
and strategic consulting services to occupiers to allow them to maximize the effectiveness of their workplace. These consulting
services are designed to help clients turn their real estate into a competitive advantage to recruit and retain talent through
the analysis and design of optimal work environments.
- Property Marketing: We provide turnkey property marketing solutions for both
commercial and high end residential projects. We have made a significant investment in our property marketing strategies, increasing
volumes of leads and reducing time-on-market. The majority of the leads we generate for our clients now come from online sources.
By transforming the typical industry marketing mix, we can both reduce costs and decrease lease-up time. Our property marketing
platform is impactful with both domestic and sophisticated international buyers.
- Research Services: Our Research Services provide insights for owners and landlords
into emerging trends and market activity, projections for projected lease rates, guidance on the impacts of subleasing, valuation
estimations based on comparable transactions, competitive sets and mapping services. Research Services provide insights for occupiers
and tenants into future lease rates, expansion potential, potential to sublease and mapping services.
Our Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
focuses on the same client segments as our Sales and Lease Brokerage Division. Revenues are derived from fees which are typically
contractual, both fixed and performance based, and contract terms are often multi-year providing recurring or repeat revenues.
Our Outsourcing and Advisory Services Division
represented approximately 33% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 and provided opportunities for cross selling
other real estate services.
Geographic Locations
We deliver services from 219
offices in 41 countries companywide (not including our affiliates). Operationally we have organized our business and report
our results through three geographically organized segments: (1) the Americas; (2) Europe, Middle East and Africa, or EMEA; and
(3) Asia Pacific. For the year ended December 31, 2014:
| 1. | Americas represented 52% of our global revenues (33% generated in the United States, 16% in Canada
and 3% in Latin America); |
| 2. | EMEA represented 22% of our global revenues, comprising operations in 23 countries; and |
| 3. | Asia Pacific represented 26% of our revenues, comprising operations in 9
countries. |
Below is a map reflecting the geographic
location of our company-owned and affiliate offices:
![](image_002.jpg)
Operating Segments
Colliers reports financial performance
by three separate and distinct regions: Americas; Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific (Asia and Australasia).
Pro-forma 2014 financial performance by region is as follows:
Region |
Revenue
(in thousands of US$) |
EBITDA(1)
(in thousands of US$) |
EBITDA
Margin |
Americas |
823,105 |
73,735 |
9.0% |
EMEA |
352,363 |
42,231 |
12.0% |
Asia Pacific |
405,957 |
53,268 |
13.1% |
Corporate |
846 |
(22,486) |
N/A |
Total Operations |
1,582,271 |
146,748 |
9.3% |
Note:
| (1) | "Adjusted EBITDA" is a financial measure that is not calculated in accordance with U.S.
GAAP. For a reconciliation of this non-U.S. GAAP measure to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, please see
"Information Concerning Colliers Post-Arrangement – Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information" in this Circular. |
Employees
Colliers has approximately 10,380 employees
worldwide as follows:
Segment |
Producer |
Support & Admin |
Total Employees |
Americas |
2,737 |
2,126 |
4,863 |
EMEA |
1,422 |
616 |
2,038 |
Asia Pacific |
2,230 |
1,249 |
3,479 |
Total Operations |
6,389 |
3,991 |
10,380 |
Our Growth Strategy
We maintain a leadership position in the
industry by offering a full complement of services to our wide range of customers on a global basis. Our key point of differentiation
is the level of expertise and collaboration our professionals demonstrate, leading to higher levels of service for our clients.
We have an established track record of expanding our business internally and through acquisition and we are one of the fastest
growing commercial real estate providers. Our strategy will continue to focus on strengthening our market share in our core markets,
expanding into complementary services and increasing our geographic footprint while continuing to pursue strategic acquisitions.
A more specific explanation of our growth strategies is detailed below:
Increase local market share in our core
business
We intend to continue building our market
share in existing markets by expanding client relationships as follows:
- Increased multi-market referrals: Currently multi-market referrals represent
about 8% of our revenue and, due to our targeted focus, we anticipate that will increase to 20% within the next five years. We
will continue to attempt to increase the level of multi-market referrals throughout Colliers by taking advantage of our global
capabilities, targeting international clients with multi-market portfolios and augmenting our computer systems and global database
to capture incremental multi-market activity. For example, we recently launched a new referral tool in the U.S. that we are expanding
globally. As we continue to roll out this technology globally, we expect to expand the connectivity of our people and clients enabling
our "global platform" to deliver enhanced business to our advisors in all our markets.
- Successfully retain and recruit key talent: A central focus of our growth is
retaining and attracting key professionals to our organization while providing them with better tools to help them succeed. We
target professionals with in-depth knowledge of the market and specialization in specific property types or client or industry
groups and we challenge our people to elevate their level of expertise through Colliers University and other professional certifications.
We believe we offer a compelling opportunity in commercial real estate through our unique enterprising culture that sets us apart
from our competition. Here our differentiated culture is a key selling point to the industry's best professionals.
- Major market strategy: In recent years, we initiated a unique "major market
strategy" with the goal of increasing our market share in each of our service categories in 20 key markets around the world
that are deep enough to support considerable internal growth yet wide enough to originate significant outbound multi-market referrals
to the rest of the platform.
Improve operational efficiency
As a result of our successful and rapid
growth, we implemented a new initiative in 2010 to integrate information technology, human resources, marketing and other back
office functions across the entire platform with the objective of reducing redundant costs and improving operational effectiveness
for the benefit of clients. Called "Project Fusion", we established a goal of increasing our EBITDA margins by 500 basis
points to 10% by the end of 2016. For the period up to December 31, 2014, we were successful in increasing our EBITDA margins by
120 basis points to 9.3%. Our success with this initiative has led to further advances in the way we do business which will facilitate
further new business generation and service excellence for clients.
Pursue strategic acquisitions
Our acquisition strategy is designed to
augment internal growth, strengthen market share and/or add services. Over the past 10 years, Colliers has completed 47 acquisitions
in 32 countries around the world and has had a successful track record of identifying, executing and integrating acquisitions.
With a strong pipeline of acquisition opportunities and a huge market for additional real estate services globally, we intend to
continue to pursue strategic acquisitions in the same way as we have in the past.
Our acquisition strategy employs a disciplined
approach, including valuation and deal structure. Historically, acquisitions were financed through a mix of debt and cash generated
from operations, including asset divestitures. In the future, it is expected that we will finance acquisitions in the same manner,
with the addition of the ability to issue equity, if required.
Another key aspect of our acquisition strategy
is the "Colliers Partnership Philosophy". Consistent with our enterprising approach to doing business, the Colliers Partnership
Philosophy has been a key component of our success. We believe that in certain situations, particularly in specific geographic
regions, having local partners is essential to the long-term success of our business and in those cases we seek to partner with
key management for the long term and facilitate ways to continue to engage existing and new leaders to become minority owners in
the business.
Capitalize on continuing trend to corporate
outsourcing
Through our Outsourcing and Advisory Services
Division, we plan to leverage our global presence and breadth of services to build market share. We believe major corporations
are increasingly outsourcing their real estate activities and that we are one of a very few companies with the geographic reach
and breadth of service offerings to handle large and complex outsourcing opportunities. We believe corporate outsourcing will contribute
significantly to our revenue growth in future years. Colliers is recognized and ranked by the International Association of Outsourcing
Professionals' Global Outsourcing 100 for 10 consecutive years, more than any other real estate services firm. The table below
shows the progress the Colliers outsourcing platform has achieved in recent years and currently Colliers is the second highest
ranked real estate outsourcing platform in the world according to this ranking.
Year |
Colliers Ranking |
2014 |
5 |
2013 |
17 |
2012 |
21 |
Colliers University
Our clients are increasingly more sophisticated
and looking to us for specialized advice that is industry specific. We have developed specific industry teams to more accurately
address client's needs and have seen positive traction from our ability to more closely align with their business. We expect to
continue to expand this effort specifically in the areas of healthcare, technology, logistics and other high growth industries
through our in-house Colliers University. This training, known as the Colliers Way, is based upon both industry specialization
and service excellence. Together with our focus on Net Promoter Score, the Colliers Way and industry specialization, Colliers can
ensure a level of industry specialization that is unique in our industry.
Colliers University is a unique training
initiative designed to accelerate the ability of our professionals to deliver an exceptional client experience. Colliers University
provides training on three levels - general business, technical and interpersonal/behavioral skills, to ensure we are developing
the whole professional. Through a blended learning approach, we can reach different types of employees, capabilities, cultural
backgrounds and learning styles, creating a true global learning community. Our learning approach has been proven to provide a
clear differentiation in the productivity and revenue growth of our employees who actively participate in Colliers University.
Over the past 15 years, we have honed our
skills to effectively deliver course material in a virtual learning center, using a variety of mediums, including online webinars,
self-paced library courses, lunch & learns, expert panels and in-person educational camps. With over 600 courses in our libraries,
we have a wealth of content to draw from. Recruits see this as a major differentiator for Colliers amongst our competitors. And
in the last few years, we have been approached by a number of our clients to provide guidance and educational programs directly
for their organizations.
Colliers University provides a significant
competitive advantage in both attracting and retaining key talent as well as insuring maximum employee productivity and service
excellence with our clients.
Geographic expansion
We have expanded geographically both with
organic and acquisition growth and expect this to continue. Our reach provides us with a variety of advantages, including the ability
to serve clients across multiple regions as they continue expanding into new international markets. Macro-economic trends of outsourcing
are driving incremental demand for global real estate services; those trends favour providers who are able to offer an integrated
and consistently high service level across multiple markets.
Expand additional services
We continue to build our service capabilities
on a regional and global basis. Integrated platforms in Capital Markets, Corporate Solutions, and Asset and Property Management
are critical to providing clients with a seamless service offering over multiple markets while also delivering world-class customer
service. Given our high levels of client satisfaction scores, we believe as we expand into additional services, we'll create a
virtuous circle with our producers and clients. As we expand our service capabilities geographically, our clients will buy more
services from us, as they buy more services we will attract more producers and as we attract more producers we will continue to
deepen our service capabilities.
Leverage the "Colliers International"
brand
Colliers International operates in 67 countries
around the world and its brand impressions are significant as a result of the millions of signs in all markets offering properties
for sale or lease. The brand has an institutional reputation in commercial real estate and can be leveraged to add additional real
estate services and expand existing operations by re-branding local, highly professional operations as Colliers International and
taking advantage of the global reach, client relationships and institutional quality of one of the global leaders in commercial
real estate.
Increase cross-selling to existing clients
We are constantly reviewing our global
client account management strategy to ensure we are providing our clients with consistent, world-class customer service across
all of our products and services. We believe our globally integrated service line strategy will allow us to increase the average
number of services we provide to each client and maximize our revenue per client. In our managed accounts initiatives, we have
demonstrated a strong ability to increase wallet-share with large global clients. By expanding these managed account programs,
we believe we can substantially increase revenue and profitability.
Competition
The commercial real estate services industry
is a highly fragmented industry with few players having a true global brand and wide range of services. As one of the largest global
players measured by revenue, Colliers International operates in 67 countries around the world and we compete with international,
national and regional brokerage firms as well as in-house real estate departments. Our primary global competitors are CBRE Group,
Inc. and Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., internationally, and, locally, we compete with a wide variety of smaller players in different
geographic regions.
Competitive Strengths
We believe we possess several competitive
strengths that position us to capitalize on the positive consolidation, outsourcing, and globalization trends in the commercial
real estate services industry. Our strengths in the markets we serve include the following:
Global Brand and Reputation
Colliers International is a one of the
most recognized global brands, ranking third among the top 25 commercial real estate brands based on a 2015 survey conducted by
The Lipsey Company. Our reputation is based on our consistent delivery of high quality real-estate services, geographic presence,
initiative, creativity, collaboration and integrity of our management teams and more than 16,000 employees. We believe that our
highly recognizable brand and superior reputation in the industry is a key competitive advantage when serving the international
community of investors, owners and users of real estate. We will continue to enhance our brand and reputation for superior service
delivery through increased recruiting of real estate professionals, broker training and continued development of proprietary market
tools and research resources.
Global Service Platform with Market
Leading Scale
With 502 offices in 67 countries, we have
global reach to assist clients with all their real estate needs internationally. With top tier operations in all global markets,
Colliers International was ranked as the #1 real estate firm in Canada, Australia, Latin America, Poland, Asia, China and Singapore
in 2014. We believe that our clients prefer to work with service providers with the scale and resources to consistently meet their
diverse needs across multiple property types and geographies and that our geographic reach and scale are key competitive advantages
to winning and growing clients.
Full Service Capabilities
We provide a full range of commercial real
estate services to meet the needs of our clients, and we believe this comprehensive suite of services represents a broader range
globally than those of many of our competitors. When combined with our extensive global reach and localized knowledge, this full
range of real estate services enables us to provide world-class service to our multi-regional and multi-national clients as a "one-stop
advisor", as well as to maximize our revenue per client.
Unique Operating Model
Colliers is structured as an enterprise
model, unique in its industry. Our model offers the resources of a singular global platform and accountability through majority
ownership in select markets consistent with the Colliers Partnership Philosophy with governance balanced by flexibility and equity
at the local level. We believe that our unique operating model also allows us to attract the most talented real estate brokers
and owners in those markets and provide them with the incentives they need to behave as owners and entrepreneurs in a way our competitors
cannot replicate.
Attractive Business Model
Our business model features a diversified
client base, recurring revenue streams, a variable cost structure, low capital requirements and strong cash flow generation:
- Diversified Client Base: Our global operations, multiple service lines and extensive
client relationships provide us with a diversified revenue base. Our client base includes insurance companies, corporations, pension
funds, real estate investment trusts, banks, and individuals and partnerships.
- Recurring and Repeat Revenue Streams: Our years of strong local market presence
have allowed us to develop significant recurring and repeat client relationships, which, along with the turnover of leases and
properties for which we have previously acted as transaction manager, we estimate accounted for approximately 66% of our 2014 revenue.
This includes our contractual annual fee-for-services businesses, which generally involve asset and property management, project
management, and workplace and corporate solutions. Our contractual fee-for-service business represented 33% of our 2014 revenue.
- Variable Cost Structure: Compensation is our largest expense, and our sales and
leasing professionals are generally paid depending upon the market in which they operate either on a commission basis or by a salary
plus bonus, both of which correlate to revenue performance. This flexible cost structure mitigates the negative effect on our operating
margins during difficult market conditions. However, our cost structure also includes significant other operating expenses that
may not correlate to our revenue performance, including office lease and information technology maintenance expenses along with
insurance premiums.
- Low Capital Requirements: Our business model is structured to provide value-added
services with low capital intensity. During 2014, our net capital expenditures were 2% of our revenue.
- Strong Cash Flow Generation: Our strong brand name, full-service capabilities
and global presence enable us to generate significant revenues which, when combined with our flexible cost structure and low capital
requirements, have allowed us historically to generate significant cash flow in a variety of economic conditions.
Unique Culture & Core Values
Our most important asset is our people
and our key point of differentiation is our enterprising culture. Colliers International has recruited and retained a talented
and motivated workforce of nearly 16,000 employees worldwide. Our company is known for its enterprising
approach to business which leads to flexible and creative solutions for our clients. Third party client surveys consistently confirm
that the Colliers approach is differentiated from legacy platforms that are traditional and hierarchical with their company culture
and approach with clients. We believe that the strength of our workforce is attributable to our unique operating culture and a
consistent set of values. Colliers has been recognized as one of the "best places to work" by top business organizations
in many markets around the world.
Service, expertise, community and fun form
the core of who we are. These values guide how we live and work, helping us create memorable experiences for our clients and accelerate
the success of everyone we touch. When property services are guided by shared values, our teams perform at a higher level, creating
lasting personal connections among our colleagues, clients and the communities we serve:
- Service: We create positive, memorable experiences by exceeding expectations
both in business outcomes and in personal interactions. Integrity, ethics and empathy guide every interaction and define our service
approach with clients and colleagues.
- Expertise: We pride ourselves on building and sharing expertise in order to create
success for our clients and our people. Our passion for continuously expanding our knowledge base enables us to take a fresh and
imaginative approach to everything we do.
- Community: We are deeply committed to the communities within which we operate,
and to building sustainable business practices, environments and workplaces. We show compassion for those in need and we value
and respect each other's differences and individuality.
- Fun: We are serious about our work but don't take ourselves too seriously. We
value an optimistic, energetic and dynamic work environment that emphasizes social as well as business interaction. We are successful
because we enjoy what we do.
Given our focus on community, philanthropy
is a key part of our mission and values. We support both global and local charities that our professionals and clients are passionate
about. Our sponsorships range from volunteering our time and in-kind services to cash gifts. In keeping with our flexible enterprise
operating model, most of the charitable decisions happen at the local level.
Sustainability
We also recognize the role we play in sustainability.
We are a founding member of the World Green Building Council, have over 200 LEED certified professionals and we believe that as
one of the world's largest commercial real estate service companies, we have a responsibility to be leaders in thought and action
supporting sustainability for business and the built environment. We have an incredible opportunity to make a lasting impact on
environmental stewardship through our sustainability services. Building energy use represents a significant percentage of most
companies' carbon footprints. Energy savings and reduced waste in buildings is also cost-effective and financially rewarding.
Strong and Experienced Management Team
We are led by a long-serving corporate
management team with significant commercial real estate experience and a 20-year track record of solid organic growth supplemented
by a disciplined acquisition strategy. Our senior leadership team averages over 20 years of commercial real estate experience.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Colliers Global Executives |
|
|
|
|
Jay S. Hennick |
|
58 |
|
Executive
Chairman |
Douglas P. Frye |
|
53 |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Dylan E. Taylor |
|
44 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
John B. Friedrichsen |
|
53 |
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer |
Elias Mulamoottil |
|
45 |
|
Senior Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development |
Robert D. Hemming |
|
47 |
|
Senior VP, Global Finance & Chief Accounting Officer |
Christian Mayer |
|
42 |
|
Vice President, Finance and Corporate Secretary |
Alexander A. Baehr |
|
45 |
|
Chief Legal Officer |
Regional Executives |
|
|
|
|
Chris R. McLernon |
|
49 |
|
Chief Executive Officer, EMEA |
Craig Robinson |
|
40 |
|
President, USA |
David Bowden |
|
57 |
|
Chief Executive Officer, Canada |
Javier Lomelin |
|
53 |
|
Chief Executive Officer, LATAM |
John Kenny |
|
45 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer, Australia/New Zealand |
To motivate and incentivize our senior
team, we use equity compensation to align their interests with the interests of our shareholders. The proposed directors and executive
officers of Colliers, as a group, are expected to beneficially own, or control or direct, directly or indirectly, 4,369,386 Colliers
Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 Colliers Multiple Voting Shares, representing approximately 11.0% of the expected number
of outstanding Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and 100.0% of the expected number of outstanding Colliers Multiple Voting Shares,
respectively, upon completion of the Arrangement (assuming that no Dissent Rights are exercised in connection with the Arrangement
and the completion of the FCRESI Arrangements).
The following are brief profiles of certain
of the above senior leadership team of Colliers:
Jay S. Hennick: Prior to the Effective
Date, Mr. Hennick was the CEO and Founder of FirstService. In 1998, Mr. Hennick was awarded Canada's Entrepreneur of the Year,
in 2001 he was named Canada's CEO of the Year by Canadian Business Magazine and in 2011, received an honorary Doctorate of Laws
from York University and the University of Ottawa. Mr. Hennick currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sinai
Health System, in Toronto and is the immediate past Chair of The Mount Sinai Hospital Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Hennick
has endowed the Jay S. Hennick JD-MBA Program at the Faculty of Law and School of Management at the University of Ottawa Law School,
his alma mater, and The Hennick Centre for Business and Law, a joint program of the Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School
of Business at York University. Mr. Hennick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University in Toronto and a Doctorate of
Laws from the University of Ottawa.
Douglas P. Frye: Mr. Frye is Global
President and Chief Executive Officer of Colliers International, a position he has held since he joined Colliers in 2001. Under
his leadership, Colliers has grown in both size and prominence. Mr. Frye's vision and leadership have established him as a pioneer
in the commercial real estate industry. He was named a "future legend of real estate" by Real Estate Forum in 2011, and
received the prestigious "Innovator in Real Estate" award by the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate at the University
of Wisconsin Business School in 2012. In 2013, he was named one of the 30 "Most Influential People in Real Estate" by
the widely-respected business publication, Commercial Property Executive. Mr. Frye is active with the World Economic Forum (WEF)
and is the Co-Chairman for the WEF Infrastructure and Urban Development Industries. In 2012, Mr. Frye founded Everyone Gives, an
innovative and unique social giving campaign. Mr. Frye holds a Bachelor of Arts, Financing and Marketing, degree from the University
of South Florida, Tampa.
Dylan E. Taylor: Mr. Taylor is Chief
Operating Officer for Colliers International globally. Mr. Taylor joined Colliers in June 2009 as CEO of Colliers' Americas region
until March 2014, when he assumed the role of Global Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Colliers, Mr. Taylor was President
of Global Client Services for a competing real estate services firm for 4 years. Previous to this firm, Mr. Taylor spent more than
five years as Senior Vice President of Corporate Solutions for another leading commercial real estate services company and nearly
seven years at SAIA Burgess, a global supplier of electronics based in Switzerland. Mr. Taylor is a Delphi Fellow for Big Think,
and was selected by the World Economic Forum as a top Young Global Leader in 2011 and by the Aspen Institute as a 2014 Henry Crown
Fellow. Mr. Taylor has been an avid supporter and board member for both the March of Dimes and the Kempe Foundation for the Prevention
of Child Abuse and Neglect. Mr. Taylor has a MBA, Finance & Strategy, from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science
Engineering with Honors from the University of Arizona.
John B. Friedrichsen: Prior to the
Effective Date, Mr. Friedrichsen served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FirstService since September 2002.
Mr. Friedrichsen is responsible for the overall financial management of FirstService, including external and internal financial
reporting, budgeting, treasury and procurement of capital, managing relationships with shareholders and lenders. He is also closely
involved in all corporate communications and capital allocation decisions. Mr. Friedrichsen joined FirstService as Vice President,
Acquisitions in February 1998, a position that he held until May 2000 when he became Senior Vice President, Acquisitions. Prior
to joining FirstService, Mr. Friedrichsen was a Vice President with Ernst & Young Corporate Finance Inc. in Toronto, where
he was responsible for advising companies on a range of corporate finance matters, including the raising of capital and acquisitions.
Mr. Friedrichsen is a Chartered Professional Accountant and began his career with a predecessor of the chartered professional accounting
firm KPMG, based in Toronto. Mr. Friedrichsen holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor.
Elias Mulamoottil: Prior to the
Effective Date, Mr. Mulamoottil served as Senior Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development for FirstService since March
2011. He is responsible for executing FirstService's acquisition strategy as well as the formulation and implementation of its
corporate strategy. Mr. Mulamoottil joined FirstService in June 2007 as Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development. Prior
to joining FirstService, Mr. Mulamoottil was a partner at a Toronto based financial advisory and asset management firm, where he
was responsible for the sourcing and executing of merger, acquisition, divestiture and financing transactions. Previously, Mr.
Mulamoottil worked with one of Europe's leading private equity firms, Terra Firma Capital Partners, in London, England executing
and managing private equity investments. Mr. Mulamoottil is a Chartered Professional Accountant and began his career at Deloitte
& Touche. Mr. Mulamoottil holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Waterloo.
Christian Mayer: Prior to the Effective
Date, Mr. Mayer served as Vice President of Finance for FirstService where he was responsible for FirstService's external and internal
financial accounting, reporting and analysis functions. In addition, Mr. Mayer advises on a wide range of corporate finance and
development transactions and oversees transactions with the company's minority equity partners. Mr. Mayer joined FirstService in
1999. Mr. Mayer is a Chartered Professional Accountant and began his career with the accounting firms Grant Thornton and PricewaterhouseCoopers,
both in Toronto. Mr. Mayer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Chris R. McLernon: Mr. McLernon
is the Chief Executive Officer of Colliers International for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Mr. McLernon's real estate career
began in 1987 when he joined Colliers International as an office leasing advisor in Toronto, Ontario. As one of the most active
top producers in Canada, he received awards for completing the most transactions in a single year in 1991, 1992 and 1993. In 1994,
Mr. McLernon was given the responsibility of building Colliers International's Latin America business and in 1998, he was appointed
Chief Executive Officer for the Latin America region. In 1999, Mr. McLernon was tasked with setting-up the Latin America regional
corporate solutions team until 2002, when he assumed his current role. Mr. McLernon has a Bachelor Degree in Economics from Queen's
University.
Craig Robinson: Mr. Robinson is
President of Colliers International for the United States of America since joining in 2014. Prior to joining Colliers International,
Mr. Robinson was President of Corporate Services at a regional commercial real estate services company for four years and, prior
to that, served as Managing Director of Strategy and Consulting for another significant global player in commercial real estate.
Mr. Robinson's career also includes structuring and managing real estate investments for AIG Global Real Estate, co-leading the
launch of Trammell Crow Company's Government and Public Sector practice group and, before entering the commercial real estate field,
working for Arthur Andersen Business Consulting in Europe and Goldman Sachs in New York. Mr. Robinson serves on a number of boards
focused on global commercial real estate, economic development and disadvantaged youth. His current board affiliations include
CoreNet Global's board of directors, the Harvard Real Estate Academic Initiative Alumni Advisory Board and the Coro New York Leadership
Center Board. Mr. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a MBA from Harvard Business
School.
David Bowden: Mr. Bowden is the
Chief Executive Officer of Colliers International for Canada, a position he has held since 2008. With over 30 years of commercial
real estate experience, and an executive with Colliers International for over 17 years, Mr. Bowden has held a number of senior
positions within Colliers International, including head of the Canadian Corporate Solutions division and the Professional Development
group. Mr. Bowden is also a key lecturer at many real estate conferences. He regularly speaks on change management, best practices
implementation, business development, systems and team deployment. Mr. Bowden holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Urban Land Economics)
from the University of British Columbia.
Javier Lomelin: Mr. Lomelin has
more than 25 years of real estate experience and was named Chief Executive Officer of Colliers International for Latin America
in 2009. Mr. Lomelin began his real estate career in 1986 at Lomelin Corporation Real Estate, one of the largest and most prestigious
firms in Mexico, and in 1991, he participated in the creation of Colliers International Mexico, which was formed out of the partnership
between Lomelin Corporation Real Estate and Colliers International Property Consultants. In 1993, Colliers International Mexico
began operations under Mr. Lomelin's direction. Mr. Lomelin has received several awards and acknowledgements, including being recognized
by Journal T21 as one of 2014's "100 Most Influential Executives" in transportation and logistics in Mexico and
being recognized by the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals with the 2012 "Luis Barrios" medal for
real estate excellence. Mr. Lomelin has a Law Degree from the Universidad Panamericana, an Administration and Finance in Real Estate
Degree from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and a Business Management D-1 Program from the Instituto
Panamericano de Alta Dirección de Empresas.
John Kenny: Mr. Kenny is the Chief
Executive Officer of Colliers International for Australia and New Zealand and is also a member of both the Global and the Asia
Pacific executive teams at Colliers International. Having joined Colliers International in 1991, Mr. Kenny has held various roles
in commercial and industrial transactions, valuations and corporate real estate over the course of his property career before assuming
his current role in 2006. As the internet took shape and began to change the way we live and work, Mr. Kenny led the e-business
initiatives for Colliers International in Asia Pacific, cementing the business at the forefront of the industry. He also led Australia's
commercial property industry to form, develop and later sell PropertyLook, a revolutionary property portal, to REA Group. Mr. Kenny
holds an Associate Diploma in Business (Valuation) and an Advanced Certificate in Property Agency Affiliations from The Sydney
Institute of TAFE and is a Registered Real Estate Valuer (Without Limitation) with the NSW Department of Fair Trading. Mr. Kenny
is also a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and a Fellow of the Australian Property Institute.
Robert D. Hemming: Prior to the
Effective Date, Mr. Hemming served as Chief Financial Officer-Global for Colliers International where he was responsible for Collier
International's financial accounting, reporting, analysis and compliance functions. Prior to joining Colliers International in
August 2006, Mr. Hemming was the Corporate Controller–Western Canada for Bell Canada. Mr. Hemming is a Chartered Professional
Accountant and a Certified General Accountant and outside of real estate, has spent his career working in the mining, forestry
and telecom industries.
Alexander A. Baehr: Mr. Baehr is
Chief Legal Officer for Colliers International. Mr. Baehr joined Colliers International in January 2011 as Global General Counsel
until June 2014, when he assumed his current role. Mr. Baehr is responsible for the company's overall legal, risk and compliance
functions. Before joining Colliers International, Mr. Baehr was Senior Counsel to the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco).
Previous to Saudi Aramco, for 13 years Mr. Baehr was in private practice in Seattle, Washington, most recently as a partner with
Dorsey & Whitney LLP and Holland & Knight LLP. Mr. Baehr holds a Juris Doctorate from The American University, Washington
College of Law where he was Articles Editor to the American University International Law Review and a Bachelor of Arts from the
University of Washington.
Financial Strength
We believe that financial strength and
stability is important criteria for clients when selecting a commercial real estate provider. Our long-term track record for strong
financial performance and our ability to present strong financial and leverage metrics differentiates us when competing for business.
Our global platform operating in 67 countries also provides us greater geographic diversity compared to national, regional or local
competitors which are more susceptible to volatility inherent in real estate markets.
ESCROWED SECURITIES AND
SECURITIES SUBJECT TO CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTION
ON TRANSFER
To the knowledge of Colliers, as of the
date of this Circular, no securities of any class of securities of Colliers are held in escrow or subject to contractual restrictions
on transfer or are anticipated to be held in escrow or subject to contractual restrictions on transfer following the completion
of the Arrangement other than as described below.
Outside of the Arrangement, the FCRESI
Arrangements will be entered into in order to allow the minority shareholders and optionholders in FCRESI, which holds the Colliers
International business, to become holders of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares on completion of the Arrangement, and thereby cause
FCRESI to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstService. Up to 2,010,000 Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares are expected to
be issued as part of the FCRESI Arrangements. See "The Arrangement – Pre-Arrangement Transactions".
As part of the FCRESI Arrangements, each
of the minority shareholders and optionholders in FCRESI who will receive Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares thereunder will contractually
agree to the following: (a) not to sell or otherwise dispose of a specified amount of such shares prior to, in the case of one-half
of such shares, the first anniversary of the Effective Date, and, as to the balance of such shares, the second anniversary of the
Effective Date, except in the limited circumstances of death, termination not "for cause" or a sale of Colliers (the
shares subject to the foregoing, "Retention Shares"); and (b) to place a specified amount of such shares into
escrow with Colliers, with all of such shares to be released from escrow on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (subject
to earlier release in the limited circumstances of death or a sale of Colliers), provided that if an employee is terminated "for
cause", breaches the foregoing disposition restriction or, for senior management only, quits and solicits Colliers employees
or customers, then the shares of such employee in escrow will be forfeited and cancelled (the shares subject to the foregoing,
"Escrowed Shares"). Under the FCRESI Arrangements, a total of approximately 103,000 Colliers Subordinate Voting
Shares issued to senior management will not have any disposition restrictions or escrow obligations thereunder.
The following table sets out the breakdown
of the anticipated number of Retention Shares and Escrowed Shares:
Designation of Class |
Anticipated
Number of Securities Held in Escrow or that are subject to a Contractual Restriction on Transfer |
Anticipated
Percentage of Class |
Retention Shares(1) |
891,000 |
2.4% |
Escrowed Shares(1)(2) |
1,016,000 |
2.8% |
Total: |
1,907,000 |
5.2% |
Notes:
| (1) | The Retention Shares and the Escrowed Shares are all Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares. |
| (2) | The holder of the Escrowed Shares retains the right exercise all voting rights attached to, and
to receive and retain all cash dividends paid on, the Escrowed Shares. |
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Following completion of the Arrangement
and the FCRESI Arrangements, based on the number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares
outstanding as of March 16, 2015 (assuming that no Dissent Rights are exercised in connection with the Arrangement), the following
table sets forth the only persons who, to the knowledge of Colliers, will beneficially own, or control or direct, directly or indirectly,
10% or more of the issued and outstanding Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares or Colliers Multiple Voting Shares as at the Effective
Date, the approximate number of outstanding Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares to be beneficially
owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by such persons as at the Effective Date and the percentage of outstanding
Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares and votes represented by the number of Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares to be so owned or controlled or directed:
Name |
Number of Colliers Shares to be Owned or Controlled or Directed |
Percentage of |
Percentage of |
Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares |
Colliers Multiple Voting Shares |
Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares |
Colliers Multiple Voting Shares |
Total Number of Colliers Shares |
Total Number of
Votes |
Jay S. Hennick (1)
Toronto, Ontario
|
2,273,526 |
1,325,694 |
6.2% |
100.0% |
9.5% |
45.7% |
Note:
| (1) | All 2,273,526 Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 Colliers Multiple Voting Shares
will be held by Henset Capital Inc., a corporation controlled by Mr. Hennick. |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Except as otherwise stated herein, the
executive compensation of Colliers is anticipated to be a continuation of the compensation to which such executives are entitled
in their current positions as officers of FirstService or its Colliers International subsidiaries, as applicable. See "Executive
Compensation" in Appendix "O" to this Circular. As at the date of this Circular, other than the Colliers MSA and
as disclosed under "Executive Compensation" in Appendix "O" to this Circular, there are no employment or similar
contracts expected to be in place between Colliers and any of the proposed executive officers of Colliers.
Colliers MSA
In furtherance of the implementation of
the Arrangement and the transactions related thereto, the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement will provide that FirstService,
Jayset and Jay S. Hennick will agree to amend and restate the FirstService MSA such that, among other things:
| (a) | FirstService will continue to receive, on the terms and conditions set forth in the FirstService
MSA as so amended and restated (which will then be referred to as the Colliers MSA), those various management and other services
that are currently being provided by Jayset to FirstService in respect of the "Commercial Real Estate Services"
division of FirstService; and |
| (b) | as a continuation of the existing rights and obligations under the FirstService MSA, FirstService,
Jayset and Jay S. Hennick will enter into the New FSV MSA, pursuant to which FirstService will continue to receive, on the terms
and conditions set forth in the New FSV MSA, those various management and other services that are currently being provided by Jayset
to FirstService in respect of the "Residential Real Estate Services" and "Property Services"
divisions of FirstService pursuant to the FirstService MSA. |
The Colliers MSA will remain as a contract
of FirstService and, pursuant to the Arrangement, FirstService will amalgamate with FCRESI to form Colliers. As a result of the
foregoing, the Colliers MSA will end up being a contract of Colliers and Colliers will receive the services and other benefits
contained in, and will be subject to the obligations under, the Colliers MSA. See "The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain
FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService MSA" and "The Arrangement – Transitional Services
and Separation Agreement" in this Circular and "Executive Compensation – New FSV MSA" in Appendix "I"
of this Circular.
Mr. Hennick is the sole officer, director
and shareholder of Jayset, the registered office of which is located at 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2B4.
Under the terms of the Colliers MSA, Mr. Hennick will perform the services of the Executive Chairman of Colliers on behalf of Jayset.
Jayset, in turn, may transfer such amounts to Mr. Hennick at such times as Mr. Hennick will determine. The base fee anticipated
to be payable to Jayset pursuant to the Colliers MSA during the 2015 fiscal year is US$854,000. The Colliers MSA will have an initial
term of one year, with successive one-year renewals at the option of Jayset. Jayset may voluntarily terminate the Colliers MSA
upon six-months prior written notice to Colliers. Colliers may elect to discontinue the use of Jayset's services upon payment to
Jayset of the following amounts: (a) 300% of the aggregate of: (i) the average base management fee and any other fees for the three
years prior to the termination; and (ii) the average incentive fee for the three years prior to the termination; and (b) US$105,480.
In the event of a change of control of
Colliers, a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of Colliers to the shareholders of Colliers or if the Colliers MSA
is not renewed at the end of the initial one-year term or any renewal term, then the Colliers MSA will be deemed to be terminated
and the payments described in (a) and (b) in the preceding paragraph will be payable to Jayset.
The Colliers MSA will also contain a sale
of control arrangement (the "Colliers Long Term Arrangement"). Under the Colliers Long Term Arrangement, Colliers
will agree that it will make a payment to Jayset on (each of the following circumstances, an "Event"): (a) an
arm's length sale of control of Colliers; or (b) a special dividend or other distribution to the shareholders of Colliers or in
the event of a transaction the effect of which results in a transfer of assets of Colliers to the shareholders of Colliers (either
of which, a "Partial Event"). The Colliers Long Term Arrangement will provide for Jayset to receive the following
two payments. The first payment will be an amount equal to 5% of the product of: (i) the aggregate number of Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis at the time of the Event; and (ii) the per
share consideration received or deemed to be received by the holders of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares on or as a result of
the applicable Event minus a base price of C$3.324 (which base price is subject to being finalized as at the Effective Date). The
second and additional payment will be an amount equal to 5% of the product of: (i) the aggregate number of Colliers Subordinate
Voting Shares and Colliers Multiple Voting Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis at the time of the Event; and (ii) the per
share consideration received or deemed to be received by the holders of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares on or as a result of
the applicable Event minus a base price of C$6.472 (which base price is subject to being finalized as at the Effective Date).
See "The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService MSA".
Upon the occurrence of a Partial Event,
each of base prices noted above will be adjusted by subtracting from each base price, respectively, an amount equal to the per
share consideration received or to be received by the holders of the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares on or as a result of such
Partial Event; in no event will either base price be permitted to fall below zero. The base prices are also appropriately adjusted
to reflect stock splits and consolidations.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Except as otherwise stated herein, the
corporate governance practices of Colliers are anticipated to be a continuation of the corporate governance practices of FirstService
or its Colliers International subsidiaries, as applicable. See "Statement Of Corporate Governance Practices" in Appendix
"O" to this Circular. However, such practices remain subject to revision prior or subsequent to the Effective Date. See
"Notice to Reader" in this Appendix "H".
Risk management will be a priority from
the board level down. The reduction, and, where possible, the elimination of risk are core values for Colliers. We require that
the business conduct itself in accordance with best practices, ethical standards, compliance with all applicable laws, together
with the policies and directives of the Colliers board. In addition, it requires that adequate procedures should be in place to
mitigate the risk to ensure that Colliers' goals and objectives are met.
To assist in achieving these aims, the
Colliers board will ensure that Colliers implements its risk management priorities. The key areas of focus are:
Principal Business Risk
The Colliers board will focuses on business
risks and decide whether the appropriate mechanisms are in place to identify, prevent and minimize such risks (i.e., the process).
In this context, business risks include all risks (i.e., external/strategic risks and also internal operations, financial and compliance
risk), which, due to their nature, can deter the business from achieving its strategic goals. Colliers management will make recommendations
to the Colliers board on its findings and propose courses of action to be taken to address risks identified.
Legal and Ethical Practices
The Colliers board will satisfy itself
that the accounting, reporting and operational policies comply with legal requirements and the Company's ethical practices. All
personnel are required to obtain legal review and sign-off for all new contracts, letters of engagement and supplier agreements.
Points of negotiation are also submitted to legal for review, consideration and reply.
Training
Colliers expects to invest heavily in learning
and development for all staff. The main platform will be Colliers University, which provides face-to-face and online training.
In addition, professional staff are professionally accredited by industry bodies and are required to perform a minimum number of
hours of professional education (relevant to their discipline) and maintain their accreditation.
Contract Review
The business has a standard suite of contracts
across all business areas. These contracts are used in the first instance for all services. In certain instances, institutional
and corporate clients mandate that their own standard agreements are used. In those instances, the client agreement is the subject
of a legal and risk review (and negotiation and amendment where necessary) together with a commercial review.
All of the standard contracts are the subject
of an annual legal and risk review to ensure currency in relation to emerging legal issues and risks. Also, a non-standard contract
review process, and the retention of a contracts manager, has been implemented in North America and Australia, and similar processes
continue to be implemented throughout the business.
Internal Controls
In order to minimize its potential risk
exposures and maintain excellent client relations, Colliers has implemented a comprehensive quality control program. Some of the
highlights of this program include:
Colliers is committed to using
state of the art technology to enhance the timely and effective delivery of its services. Accounting, reporting and work order
systems are upgraded as required and tailored to meet the tracking and reporting requirements of individual clients.
- Claims reduction measures
Property management contracts
are regularly reviewed and updated in conjunction with legal counsel to reduce exposures and the potential for claims.
Contracts may only be signed
by designated individuals.
Critical evaluation of potential
new properties and clients is conducted to reduce risk potential prior to acceptance of new work.
All claims are carefully reviewed
and vigorously defended. Only those claims with a legitimate foundation are entertained for settlement prior to trial.
The Colliers board will take
seriously the threat of governmental and commercial corruption and bribery in the global marketplace. As such, Colliers is a member
and signatory to the World Economic Forum's Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) and leads efforts therein with regard
to anti-bribery initiatives in the real estate and infrastructure industries.
Furthermore, Colliers has implemented
an on-line and in-person training program for all of its staff with regard to compliance with the Canadian Corruption of Foreign
Public Officials Act, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act.
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the consolidated
capitalization of Colliers, effective as at December 31, 2014, as adjusted to give effect to the Arrangement. You should read this
table in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements, including the related notes thereto, attached
as Appendix "M" to this Circular and FirstService's 2014 audited consolidated financial statements, including the related
notes thereto, incorporated by reference into this Circular:
| |
As
at December 31, 2014 (as adjusted)(4) |
| |
(US$ thousands) |
Long term debt (includes current portion) | |
| | |
Credit facility(1) | |
$ | 484,292 | |
Other long term debt(2) | |
| 9,056 | |
Total long term debt | |
| 493,348 | |
| |
| | |
Redeemable non-controlling interests | |
| 150,066 | |
| |
| | |
Shareholders' equity (3) | |
| 65,466 | |
| |
| | |
Total Capitalization | |
$ | 708,880 | |
Notes:
| (1) | Colliers has obtained a commitment from a Schedule 1 bank for a US$500
million five-year revolving credit facility. The term of this facility commence on the Effective Date. See "–
Credit Facility" below. |
| (2) | Other Long Term Debt relates to capital leases and vendor take-back promissory notes provided in
connection with certain acquisitions. |
| (3) | See "Information Concerning Colliers Post-Arrangement – Share Capital" in this
Circular. |
| (4) | All figures are unaudited. |
Other than in the normal course of business,
there has been no material change in the equity and debt capital of Colliers, on a consolidated basis, since the date of the unaudited
pro forma consolidated financial statements for Colliers contained in Appendix "M" to this Circular.
Credit Facility
In order
to provide ongoing liquidity, including working capital requirements, Colliers has obtained a commitment from a Schedule 1 bank
to make available to Colliers a US$500 million five-year revolving credit facility and an uncommitted accordion provision allowing
for an additional US$150 million of borrowing capacity under certain circumstances. The term
of this facility commences on the Effective Date. The commitment from such bank to make advances available under such credit facility
on the Arrangement becoming effective is subject to customary conditions for a credit facility of this type. Certain subsidiaries
of Colliers are expected to guarantee the obligations of Colliers, as borrower, under the facility, and the facility is expected
to be secured in a substantially similar manner as FirstService's existing revolving credit facility. Colliers will be able to
repay amounts owing under the facility at any time without premium or penalty. The financial
covenants anticipated to be contained in the facility are a total debt/consolidated EBITDA ratio of not more than 3.5:1, an interest
coverage ratio of greater than 2:1 and a minimum of 75% of the consolidated net worth of Colliers as at the Effective Date plus
50% of consolidated cumulative positive annual net income plus 100% of consolidated cumulative proceeds from equity offerings.
On the Effective Date, Colliers expects to be in compliance with the foregoing anticipated covenants. The interest rates payable
by Colliers under the facility are expected to vary based upon the type of borrowing and the then current total debt/consolidated
EBITDA ratio. Otherwise, the terms and conditions of the Colliers facility are anticipated to be similar to that of FirstService's
existing revolving credit facility.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
FirstService was formed under the OBCA.
Outside of the Arrangement, the FCRESI Arrangements will be entered into in order to allow the minority shareholders and optionholders
in FCRESI, which holds the Colliers International business, to become holders of Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares on completion
of the Arrangement, and thereby cause FCRESI to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstService.
Pursuant to the Arrangement, FirstService
will change its name to "Colliers International Group Inc.", the FCRESI Arrangements will become effective and
FirstService will amalgamate with FCRESI to form Colliers. Colliers' registered and head office will be located at 1140 Bay Street,
Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4.
Intercorporate Relationships
It is presently anticipated that, as of
the Effective Date, Colliers will have the following principal subsidiaries which will have total assets that exceed 10% of the
Colliers Assets or revenues which exceed 10% of the total consolidated revenues attributable to the Colliers Assets as at and for
the year ended December 31, 2014.
Name of Subsidiary |
Percentage of Voting Securities Owned(1) |
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation, Continuance
Formation or Organization |
Colliers
Macaulay Nicolls Inc. |
100.0% |
Ontario |
FirstService
RE Holdings (USA), Inc. |
100.0% |
Delaware |
Colliers
International Holdings (Australia) Ltd. |
100.0% |
New
South Wales, Australia |
Colliers
International USA, LLC |
100.0% |
Delaware |
Colliers
Macaulay Nicolls (Cyprus) Limited |
100.0% |
Cyprus |
Note:
| (1) | Assumes completion of the Arrangement and includes indirect ownership. |
The above table does not include all of
the anticipated subsidiaries of Colliers. The assets and revenues of all of the unnamed subsidiaries of Colliers that are presently
anticipated to exist as of the Effective Date did not exceed 20% of the Colliers Assets or total consolidated revenues attributable
to the Colliers Assets as at and for the year ended December 31, 2014.
APPENDIX "I"
INFORMATION CONCERNING NEW FSV POST-ARRANGEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE TO READER |
I3 |
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
I3 |
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS |
I5 |
The Arrangement |
I5 |
New FSV |
I5 |
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF NEW FSV |
I6 |
Our History |
I6 |
Our Services |
I7 |
Our Competitive Strengths |
I10 |
Our Market Opportunity |
I14 |
Our Growth Strategy |
I15 |
Competition |
I18 |
Employees |
I18 |
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE |
I18 |
New FSV Shares |
I18 |
New FSV Preference Shares |
I19 |
Certain Rights of Holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares |
I19 |
New FSV Stock Option Plan |
I21 |
Listing and Trading of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares |
I21 |
DIVIDENDS |
I21 |
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION |
I22 |
Credit Facility |
I22 |
New FSV Senior Notes |
I23 |
OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SECURITIES |
I23 |
PRIOR SALES |
I24 |
ESCROWED SECURITIES AND |
|
SECURITIES SUBJECT TO CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER |
I24 |
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS |
I24 |
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
I24 |
Directors and Executive Officers |
I24 |
Biographies |
I26 |
Other Reporting Issuer Experience |
I28 |
Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions |
I29 |
Conflicts of Interest |
I30 |
New FSV Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance |
I30 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
I31 |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis |
I31 |
Principal Elements of Compensation |
I31 |
New FSV MSA |
I32 |
Compensation Risk |
I34 |
Trading Policy |
I34 |
Executive Equity Ownership Policy |
I34 |
Incentive Compensation Reimbursement Policy |
I35 |
Summary Compensation Table |
I35 |
|
Termination or Change of Control Benefits |
I35 |
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION |
I36 |
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
I36 |
New FSV Audit Committee |
I36 |
Composition of the New FSV Audit Committee |
I37 |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures |
I38 |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
I38 |
Statement of Corporate Governance Practices |
I38 |
New FSV Board Composition |
I38 |
New FSV Executive Composition |
I40 |
New FSV Board Equity Ownership Policy |
I40 |
New FSV Board and Committee Process |
I40 |
Proportionate Representation |
I41 |
New FSV Board Committees |
I41 |
Assessments of the New FSV Board |
I43 |
Key Governance Documents |
I43 |
GOVERNMENT REGULATION |
I43 |
RISK FACTORS |
I44 |
Risk Relating to the Arrangement |
I44 |
Risks Relating to New FSV's Business |
I44 |
CORPORATE STRUCTURE |
I48 |
Intercorporate Relationships |
I48 |
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
I49 |
PROMOTER |
I49 |
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS |
I49 |
INTERESTS OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS |
I49 |
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS |
I50 |
AUDITORS, TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS |
I50 |
MATERIAL CONTRACTS |
I50 |
EXHIBIT 1 – AUDIT COMMITTEE MANDATE |
I51 |
NOTICE TO READER
As at the date hereof, New FSV Corporation
has not carried on any active business. Pursuant to the Arrangement, New FSV will become an independent, public corporation. Unless
otherwise indicated, the disclosure in this Appendix "I" has been prepared assuming that the Arrangement has become effective
and that New FSV has become an independent, public corporation. In particular, the disclosure in respect of the business and assets
of New FSV contained in this Appendix "I" is presented on the assumption that the Arrangement has become effective and
the New FSV Assets have been transferred to New FSV prior to the date in respect of which such disclosure relates. References to
the "New FSV Assets" in this Appendix "I" are to such assets as held by FirstService prior to the Arrangement
and to be held by New FSV upon the Arrangement becoming effective. Financial information included in this Appendix "I"
has, unless otherwise indicated, been derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of FirstService for each of
the relevant periods and is presented in this Appendix "I" on a carve-out basis from such historical consolidated financial
statements of FirstService for the relevant period. Where indicated, information presented on a pro forma basis has been derived
from the historical New FSV carve-out combined financial statements for the relevant period set out in Appendix "K" to
this Circular. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used in this Appendix "I" have the meanings given
to such terms in the Glossary to this Circular. Unless the context otherwise permits, indicates or requires, all references in
this Appendix "I" to "New FSV", "we", "our", "us"
and similar expressions are references to New FSV and the business carried on by it following completion of the Arrangement.
In order to facilitate the incorporation
and organization of New FSV, one officer of FirstService has been appointed to the New FSV Board on an interim basis. Unless otherwise
indicated, references herein to the programs, policies, procedures, practices, guidelines, mandates, plans and position descriptions
(collectively, the "Programs and Policies") of New FSV refer, in each case, to the Programs and Policies of New
FSV which are expected to be formally ratified and adopted by the New FSV Board subsequent to the Arrangement. Each of the Programs
and Policies are expected to be in substantially the same form as those presently in place at FirstService and, unless otherwise
indicated, the disclosure in respect thereof contained in this Appendix "I" is presented on the assumption that the Programs
and Policies have been formally ratified by the New FSV Board in such form and have been instituted at New FSV. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, prior to the formal ratification and adoption of each of the Programs and Policies, it is expected that the New
FSV Board will review and adjust such Programs and Policies to the extent necessary to ensure that the specific requirements of
New FSV and its operations are met. Accordingly, the disclosure contained in this Appendix "I" in respect of such Programs
and Policies remains subject to revision prior or subsequent to the Effective Date.
Unless otherwise specified, all dollar
amounts are expressed in United States dollars and all references to "US$" are to United States dollars and all references
to "$" or "C$" are to Canadian dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial statements and information
included in, or incorporated by reference into, this Appendix "I" is determined using U.S. GAAP.
New FSV's unaudited pro forma consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 assume the completion of the Arrangement, and are included in Appendix
"L" to this Circular. New FSV's unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with
FirstService's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and related management's discussion
and analysis, as specifically incorporated by reference in this Circular, as well as New FSV's audited carve-out combined financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and related management's discussion and analysis, included in Appendix "K"
to this Circular.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Appendix "I" contains certain
forward-looking statements or information (collectively referred to in this note as "forward-looking statements")
within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "projected",
"anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend" or similar words suggesting
future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this Appendix
"I" are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements relating to the proposed Arrangement and
expected future attributes of New FSV following completion of the Arrangement, the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement, operational
information, future acquisition or disposition opportunities, post-Arrangement financial metrics, New FSV's corporate and governance
structure, division of the New FSV Assets, possible internal and external growth opportunities for the New FSV Assets and the possible
form of financing for the same, capital requirements, expectations of future cash flows, the estimated number of New FSV employees,
the expectation that New FSV Assets being located in North America limits New FSV's exposure to risks and uncertainties, the capital
structure of New FSV, the amount of dividends, including the frequency thereof, that New FSV may declare in the future, the ability
of New FSV to purchase New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to a normal course issuer bid program, the expectation that New
FSV will be able to seek and obtain ratings from certain rating agencies and the expected ratings upon the Arrangement becoming
effective, the ratings attributable to the New FSV notes upon completion of the Arrangement, the amounts, types, terms and conditions
of financing that may be made available to New FSV, the expectation that the New FSV Stock Option Plan will be approved by Shareholders,
the expectation that trading in the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will commence on an "if, as and when issued"
basis on both the TSX and Nasdaq on certain dates and that New FSV will become a "reporting issuer" under applicable
Canadian securities laws, the persons who will serve as directors and executive officers of New FSV and the expected number of
New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares that they will beneficially own, directly and indirectly, or exercise control or direction over
as a group, the expected timing of the first annual meeting of holders of New FSV Shares, the expected impact of the Arrangement
on employees, operations, suppliers, business partners and stakeholders, statements respecting future pre-transaction and post-transaction
financial metrics, estimated capitalization and adequacy thereof for New FSV, the financing plans and initiatives that may be undertaken
by New FSV, the projected tax consequences of certain transactions and the receipt of rulings and/or opinions related to the Arrangement,
the proposed committees of the New FSV Board, including their mandates, the corporate governance practices to be observed by New
FSV and the key governance documents that will support the corporate framework of New FSV. All such forward-looking statements
are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are forward-looking because they are based on our
current expectations, estimates and assumptions. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor"
provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation.
Reference is made to "Forward-Looking Information" in the body of this Circular for additional information regarding
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Appendix "I" are expressly qualified in
their entirety by the foregoing and the cautionary statements set forth in the body of this Circular under the heading "Forward-Looking
Information". Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this Appendix "I",
which reflect the analysis of Management only as of the date of this Circular. Neither FirstService nor New FSV undertakes any
obligation to release publicly the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events
or circumstances after the date of this Circular or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable
securities laws.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
The Arrangement
As described in further detail in this
Circular, the proposed Arrangement is expected to create a new publicly traded company named "FirstService Corporation".
New FSV will acquire the businesses comprising the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services divisions of FirstService,
and the assets and liabilities referable thereto, in connection with the Arrangement. See "The Arrangement" in this Circular
and "Narrative Description of New FSV" in this Appendix "I".
If the proposed Arrangement is approved
by the Shareholders and the Court and the other conditions precedent to completion of the Arrangement are satisfied or waived,
FirstService will be divided into two separate publicly traded companies and each holder (other than a Dissenting Shareholder)
of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares or FirstService Multiple Voting Shares will hold one Colliers Subordinate Voting Share
or Colliers Multiple Voting Share, as applicable (which will continue to be represented by existing FirstService Share certificates,
until replaced against transfer) and receive one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share or New FSV Multiple Voting Share, as applicable,
in exchange for each FirstService Subordinate Voting Share or FirstService Multiple Voting Share held, respectively. See "The
Arrangement – Plan of Arrangement – Arrangement Steps" in this Circular.
The respective obligations of the parties
to the Arrangement Agreement to complete the Arrangement are conditional upon, among other things, the Tax Ruling and Opinion having
been received by FirstService and New FSV. The Canadian Tax Ruling is expected to confirm that, based on the current provisions
of the Tax Act, the transactions as disclosed in this Circular will be treated for the purposes of the Tax Act as a tax-deferred
"butterfly" reorganization, thereby not imposing any material current Canadian federal income tax on any of FirstService,
New FSV or their affiliates or Shareholders who hold their FirstService Shares as capital property, in general and subject to the
comments under "Pre-Arrangement Transactions". FirstService and New FSV have applied to the CRA for, and expect to receive,
the Canadian Tax Ruling, although no assurances can be given in that regard. In addition, FirstService and New FSV expect to receive
the U.S. Tax Opinion prior to the Effective Date which will confirm that, among other things, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
the transactions as disclosed in this Circular will be either disregarded or treated as exchanges or distributions of stock for
U.S. federal income tax purposes and that, subject to the discussion under "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations",
no material current U.S. federal income tax will be imposed on any Shareholder that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation.
See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Tax Ruling and Opinion", "Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax
Considerations" and "Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in this Circular.
The Arrangement Agreement provides for
the implementation of the Plan of Arrangement pursuant to Section 182 of the OBCA. The Arrangement will become effective on the
date of filing of the Articles of Arrangement with the Director.
See "The Arrangement – Plan
of Arrangement – Arrangement Steps" in this Circular for a summary of the steps of the Plan of Arrangement and the transactions
which will occur and will be deemed to occur in connection with the Arrangement.
New FSV
Background
The Residential Real Estate Services and
Property Services divisions of New FSV's predecessor company, FirstService, have been a part of FirstService for over 25 years,
in some cases, dating back to the origins of FirstService itself.
As first announced on February 10, 2015,
the Board has approved the split of FirstService into two focused services companies – one a commercial real estate services
company and the other a residential property services company. The proposed Arrangement is expected to be implemented through a
court approved Plan of Arrangement and is subject to, among other things, Shareholder approval. The Arrangement will result in
two publicly traded entities, Colliers and New FSV, with the names of "Colliers International Group Inc." (being
the successor to the existing FirstService legal entity) and "FirstService Corporation" (being the New FSV legal
entity), respectively. See "The Arrangement – Background to the Arrangement" in this Circular. The Board and Management
believe the proposed Arrangement will enhance long-term value for Shareholders by creating two focused entities, each with an ability
to pursue and achieve greater success by employing operational strategies best suited to its unique assets and business plans.
"The Arrangement – Reasons for the Arrangement" in this Circular.
In order to provide ongoing liquidity,
including working capital requirements, New FSV has obtained a commitment from a Schedule 1 bank to make available to New FSV a
US$150 million five-year revolving credit facility. The term of this facility commences on the Effective Date. The commitment from
such bank to make advances available under such credit facility on the Arrangement becoming effective is subject to customary conditions
for credit facilities of this type. See "Pro Forma Consolidated Capitalization – Credit Facilities" in this Appendix
"I".
Business of New FSV
New FSV is a leading provider of branded
property services comprised of two business segments: (i) FirstService Residential; and (ii) FirstService Brands.
FirstService Residential is the largest
residential property manager in North America, with a portfolio that includes approximately 7,000 communities comprising over 1.6
million residential units. In addition to our core property management services, we provide our clients with other complementary
services primarily in the following areas: (i) on-site staffing, including building engineering and maintenance, full-service amenity
management, security, concierge and front desk personnel, and landscaping; (ii) unique banking and insurance products; and (iii)
energy conservation and management solutions. Our mission is to deliver exceptional service and solutions that enhance the value
of every property and the lifestyle of every resident in the communities we manage.
FirstService Brands is one of North America's
leading providers of residential and commercial property services, operating seven well-recognized and market-leading brands through
more than 1,900 franchises and 11 company-owned locations in all 50 U.S. states and ten Canadian provinces. FirstService
Brands' services include: insurance restoration; custom home storage solutions; commercial and residential painting and window
cleaning; residential property inspections; residential and commercial flooring; and residential home warranty contracts. Each
of FirstService Brands' businesses is ranked #1 or #2 in service volume in the markets in which they operate.
FirstService Residential and FirstService
Brands both rely on the same operational foundations for success – a core competency in managing and growing market-leading,
value-added outsourced property services businesses; significant economies of scale that are leveraged wherever possible to create
more value for clients; a relentless focus on a culture of client service excellence; and a strong brand recognition. These pillars
provide our businesses with competitive advantages that are difficult to replicate. Our two businesses also have similar highly
attractive financial profiles, including a high proportion of recurring revenue streams, low capital expenditure and working capital
requirements, high free cash flow generation and significant financial strength for future growth.
New FSV is headquartered in Toronto, Canada
with operations that include 15,000 employees across the U.S. and Canada. In 2014, New FSV generated US$1.1 billion in total revenues,
with 81% derived from our FirstService Residential business segment and the remaining 19% produced by our FirstService Brands business
segment. Of our total 2014 revenues, 92% arose from our U.S. operations, while the remaining 8% were derived from our Canadian
operations.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF NEW FSV
Our History
New FSV was originally launched as FirstService
in 1989 by Jay S. Hennick, the Founder and Chairman of New FSV, with a Toronto-based commercial swimming pool and recreational
facility management business which he founded as a teenager in 1972. Over the past 25 years, New FSV has grown its operations "one
step at a time" both through internal growth and acquisitions. The following chart summarizes key milestones in the evolution
of New FSV:
Year |
|
Event |
|
|
|
1989 |
|
Jay
S. Hennick established FirstService with a Toronto-based swimming pool management company
FirstService
acquired College Pro Painters franchise system and established FirstService Brands |
1994 |
|
D. Scott Patterson joined FirstService as Vice President, Corporate Development and soon thereafter became Chief Financial Officer |
1996 |
|
FirstService established FirstService Residential platform by acquiring two Florida-based property management firms, with follow-on acquisitions in the New York City and Northeast U.S. regions shortly thereafter |
1997 |
|
FirstService Brands acquired Paul Davis Restoration |
1997 |
|
FirstService Financial was established as part of the FirstService Residential platform service offering |
1998 |
|
FirstService Brands acquired California Closets |
2005 |
|
FirstService Brands exceeded 1,000 franchises |
2007 |
|
FirstService Brands exceeded $1 billion in system-wide sales |
2008 |
|
FirstService adopted Net Promoter System (NPS) across all of its businesses |
2009 |
|
FS Energy was launched to add to FirstService Residential's comprehensive services |
2010 |
|
FirstService
Residential expanded into Canada
Charles
E. Chase was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of FirstService Brands |
2013 |
|
Charles
M. Fallon is named Chief Executive Officer of FirstService Residential
FirstService Residential
national brand was established from the re-branding of 18 regional brands |
Our Services
We offer property services to our clients
primarily through two business segments: (i) FirstService Residential; and (ii) FirstService Brands:
FirstService Residential
FirstService Residential is North America's
largest manager of private residential communities, offering a full range of services across multiple geographies to a wide variety
of clients, including condominiums (low, medium and high-rise), co-operatives, homeowner associations, master-planned communities,
active adult and lifestyle communities, and a variety of other residential developments governed by common interest or multi-unit
residential community associations. Our 14,000 employees in over 100 offices across 21 U.S. states and three
Canadian provinces manage approximately 7,000 communities, representing more than 3 million residents in 1.6 million residential
units. Our operational and client coverage footprint is extensive, with a presence in major markets that constitute over 70% of
the North American population.
Typically, owners of residential units
within these communities are required to pay monthly or quarterly fees to cover all expenses to operate and maintain the common
areas of the communities. Resident owners elect volunteer homeowners to serve on a board of directors to oversee the operations
of the community association. Historically, decision-making for the day-to-day operations of the communities was delegated to these
volunteer board members, although, increasingly, these boards outsource this responsibility to professional property management
companies like FirstService Residential.
There are two types of professional property
management companies within the industry – traditional or full-service:
- Traditional property management: Traditional property managers focus principally
on administrative and governance property management functions on behalf of community association clients, including advising homeowner
boards on matters relating to the operation of their communities, collection of monthly maintenance fees, sourcing and payments
to suppliers, financial statement preparation and outsourcing of support services.
- Full service property management: Full service property managers provide all
of the traditional functions, plus a range of ancillary services including, among other things, on-site staffing (in areas such
as building engineering and maintenance, full-service amenity management, security and concierge/front desk personnel), banking
and insurance products, energy conservation and management solutions, and resale processing services.
Only a small number of industry participants
have the expertise and capital to provide full-service property management services comparable to FirstService Residential. We
have the scale, highly recognized brand, geographic footprint, resources, operating expertise and innovation to deliver a full-service
offering. We combine our advantages of size and national presence with a local touch and dedication focusing on service excellence,
which solidifies our client relationships and market-leading reputation. The annual aggregate budget of the community associations
managed by FirstService Residential exceeds US$7 billion.
We generally provide residential property
management and recurring ancillary services under contract, with a fixed monthly fee. These contracts typically range in duration
from one to three years, yet are generally cancellable by either party with 30 to 90 days' notice. Historically, approximately
90% of our revenue is recurring due to the nature of our contracts, which have a 95%+ retention rate and therefore have a long-term
tenure.
In addition to our dedicated property management
capabilities, FirstService Residential strives to add value and provide differentiated services to its clients by leveraging its
combined size and financial resources through the following ancillary services:
- FirstService Financial: FirstService Financial provides best-in-class financial
services for our community associations. As an industry pioneer, we leverage our scale, expertise and innovative strategies to
create value and procure cost savings for management clients by: (i) customizing cash management solutions for higher investment
yields in client deposit accounts (known as "lock-box" services) and reduced bank charges for client accounts; (ii) using
proprietary data and in-house insurance expertise to source and secure a variety of comprehensive insurance products required to
mitigate insurance risks at client properties; and (iii) originating loans through dedicated in-house mortgage specialists for
clients wishing to complete capital improvements at their properties. We have approximately $2.5 billion in average daily client
deposits under management, help to underwrite insurance for over 3,000 communities per year with more than $125 million in total
annual premiums, and have completed over $3 billion in client loan transactions.
- FS Energy: Launched in 2009, FS Energy is our energy management and advisory
services provider, offering customized, cost-effective, "green" solutions that reduce energy costs, boost energy efficiency
and shrink environmental impact including carbon footprints across our clients' properties. The core of FS Energy's success is
our proprietary, industry-leading FSdata benchmarking database, which comprises years of comprehensive historical data for
hundreds of residential properties representing a variety of diverse building types. FS Energy also offers financing capabilities
with partner financial institutions, providing loans to our clients for energy retrofit projects on a stream-lined basis. Currently,
FS Energy's services have been rolled out primarily to approximately 600 high-rise buildings in New York City, the greater Chicago
area and South Florida, with plans to expand into other key metropolitan markets. In 2014, in New York City, FS Energy saved clients
in excess of US$5 million representing 10% of their overall energy bills through participation in its proprietary energy programs.
We also provide other amenities to both
existing FirstService Residential customers and third party clients. These services are offered through the following well-recognized,
branded operating platforms:
- American Amenities: Launched earlier this year as a new platform, American Amenities
is the largest North American amenity company providing a comprehensive suite of lifestyle-focused staffing and management services
through two market-leading brands:
| (i) | American Pool Enterprises: Founded in 1984 and merged with the commercial swimming
pool and recreation facility management operation founded by our Founder and Chairman, American Pool Enterprises is the largest
commercial swimming pool management, maintenance and construction business and recreational facility management operation in North
America. With 23 branches operating in 14 U.S. States and Washington D.C. as well as two locations in Canada, American Pool Enterprises
services over 3,000 commercial swimming pool and recreation facilities and over 7,000 residential pools employing 250 full-time
and more than 5,000 part-time employees; and |
| (ii) | American Leisure: Founded in 1967 and acquired by FirstService Residential earlier this
year, American Leisure is a recognized leader in urban residential lifestyle management providing services to clients who offer
a range of amenities in the areas of fitness, recreation, spa, concierge and event planning. American Leisure manages more than
70 lifestyle amenity facilities with a significant presence in New York City, as well as Florida and California. Clients include
hotels, homeowner association properties, active adult communities, corporate fitness centers, country clubs, recreation centers,
and government-owned sites (municipal, military, school/university). |
- Planned Companies: Founded in 1989, Planned Companies consists of three property
service divisions: (i) Planned Building Services; (ii) Planned Security Services; and (iii) Planned Lifestyle Services. Through
these service lines, Planned Companies provides industry-leading facility maintenance, concierge/front desk and security services
to a diverse client base, including over 400 residential, corporate, commercial and retail properties in seven
states in the northeast U.S.
FirstService Residential also offers landscaping
services in Florida and Arizona under the brand-names Lukes Sawgrass, Luke Brothers and Desert Classic.
FirstService Brands
FirstService Brands is a leading North
American operator and provider of property services, with extensive franchise and contractor networks comprising over 1,900 franchises
and 11 company-owned locations in all 50 U.S. states and ten Canadian provinces. In 2014, FirstService Brands serviced more than
500,000 customers and generated aggregate system-wide revenues of more than US$1.4 billion from franchised and corporate-owned
operations, resulting in over US$90 million in recurring franchise system royalties and other revenues. Services are delivered
through the following seven well-known brands, each of which is ranked as the #1 or #2 player in its respective market:
- Paul Davis Restoration: Paul Davis Restoration is a franchisor of residential
and commercial restoration services serving the insurance industry in the U.S. and Canada through 370 franchises. Paul Davis provides
full-service water, fire and mold cleanup, construction rebuild and restoration services for property damaged by natural or man-made
disasters.
- California Closets: California Closets is North America's largest provider of
custom-designed and installed closet and home storage solutions. California Closets has 86 franchises in the U.S. and Canada, including
ten corporate-owned locations. There are currently over 100 branded California Closets retail showrooms in operation which are
used by franchisees to demonstrate and sell product. California Closets franchises and corporate locations install more than 50,000
systems annually across North America.
- CertaPro Painters: CertaPro Painters is the largest provider of residential and
commercial painting services in North America. CertaPro Painters has 350 franchises operating in major markets across the U.S.
and Canada, with a focus on high-end painting and decorating work. CertaPro completes more than 80,000 projects in a typical year.
- Service America: Service America is Florida's largest provider of
residential home warranty contracts and provides repair and maintenance services for home appliances including heating, ventilation
and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing services and duct/dryer vent cleaning. Service America also provides mechanical HVAC and
plumbing services to commercial buildings. Service America services more than 50,000 customers
annually.
- College Pro Painters: College Pro Painters is an exterior residential painting
and window-cleaning operator with 600 franchises across 28 U.S. states and seven Canadian
provinces, driven largely by students who are actively recruited and trained to run the businesses. College Pro's operations are
seasonal, with earnings generated in the June and September quarters followed by losses in the December and March quarters. As
the largest student-driven painting and window-cleaning business in North America, College Pro Painters services approximately
40,000 customers annually.
- Pillar to Post: Pillar to Post is North America's largest home inspection
service provider, with a network of nearly 700 home inspectors in more than 400 franchises
in 44 U.S. states and eight provinces in Canada. Through its proprietary inspection model,
Pillar to Post can assess up to 1,600 categories or items inside and outside the home as part of its evaluation process.
Pillar to Post inspects more than US$25 billion in residential real estate each year.
- Floor Coverings International: Floor Coverings International is a leading North
American in-home design and installation floor coverings brand operating through 100 franchises.
Overall, FirstService Brands' operations
include a total of 1,200 employees (excluding franchisees) in offices across all 50 U.S. states and ten
Canadian provinces.
Franchising is a unique business model
where a franchisor licenses the franchise rights to use certain trademarks, logos, operational manuals, business formats and computer
programs to provide some product or service to an end customer. Usually the license is granted for a specific period of time, within
a defined geographic territory in which the franchisee is allowed to operate. The franchisor will provide operational information,
training of employees and information on marketing the product or service. Franchise agreements typically have terms of five or
ten years, with the exception of College Pro Painters where the agreements are typically for one year terms. All franchise agreements
contain renewal provisions. With all of our franchise systems, we earn revenues from an upfront franchise fee (except College Pro
Painters), as well as royalties from our franchisees based on a percentage of franchisee gross revenues, creating a recurring stream
of highly profitable revenue. Royalties are usually reported and paid to us monthly in arrears. FirstService Brands also uses its
scale advantages to source and provide various materials for franchisees to use and sell, increasing the value proposition for
the franchisees while providing additional revenue opportunities.
Our Competitive Strengths
We differentiate ourselves from our competitors
through a relentless focus on service excellence and we capitalize on the following embedded competitive advantages in the markets
we serve:
Significant Scale as the Market Leader
FirstService Residential is the market
leader in residential property management in North America. We leverage our scale, purchasing power, and sales channels by enhancing
and broadening our service offerings to the benefit of the communities we serve. These differentiate us from competitors, help
us drive client referrals and support strong internal growth. We are able to aggregate our clients' deposits with our partner banks,
generate higher interest yields on operating and reserve funds, and reduce or eliminate bank charges. We offer proprietary insurance
products that enable greater coverage with lower premiums. Our FS Energy value-added services leverage our proprietary databases
and provide energy management, sustainability and procurement solutions in selected high-rise markets. By passing along these cost
reductions to our customers, we reduce their required operating budgets and monthly maintenance fees, which can in turn enhance
the value of client properties.
At FirstService Brands, we are unique in
our ability to fully leverage the franchise business model. We are one of the most recognized and highly-regarded franchisors for
residential and light-commercial services in North America, with significant scale as the #1 or #2 player in each of our market
segments. We serve a wide geographic area with operations in all 50 U.S. states and ten Canadian provinces, and create a broad
range of franchising opportunities with a unique value proposition for our partners and franchisees. FirstService Brands continually
improves its best-in-class operating platform and infrastructure to support continued growth of its leading franchise systems and
to integrate new brands. The franchise systems operate their day-to-day functions including business development, recruiting of
new franchisees, lead generation, franchisee training, sales and marketing support, and reporting and operating support. FirstService
Brands' management team focuses on improving the leadership talent at each franchise system and enhancing the operating leverage
and agility of the franchises. FirstService Brands' key support functions include: (i) strategic business plan development and
tactical analysis; (ii) information technology and intellectual property training and support programs; (iii) people placement
between and through each franchise system; (iv) brand management and marketing support; (v) national account sales; (v) financial
analytics and controls; and (vi) back-office support through an in-house 100 person call center (known as Tele-Link Services),
which handles in-bound customer calls and service scheduling.
Our scale advantages also provide additional
benefits to our clients in the form of a deeper industry knowledge and expertise, and greater access to capital for reinvestment
in the business.
Deep Industry Knowledge and Expertise
By virtue of our significant size and geographic
breadth at FirstService Residential, we have accumulated a wealth of property and market data which enhances our knowledge and
expertise in servicing our clients. We have the industry's largest and most comprehensive property management system and other
proprietary applications, which allow FirstService Residential to leverage its expertise across multiple markets. Our local market
touch-points also provide us with intimate knowledge on our clients' needs and priorities. We have deep, embedded knowledge and
relationships with the developer community, which helps to drive new business wins. In the high-rise condominium segment, we manage
approximately 2,500 buildings, significantly more than our nearest competitor. Similarly, we are by far the largest manager of
lifestyle community associations, with 250 properties in our management portfolio, many of which specialize in active adult concepts
and/or include programming and amenity service requirements. In both the high-rise and adult lifestyle segments, we deliver a specialized
service offering that is unique in the marketplace. At FirstService Financial, our broad knowledge base allows us to create meaningful
value for our community association management clients through advisory services, individually tailored structures, and placement
of insurance programs that set the industry standard. Our scale advantage and depth of experience as the largest player in the
market, together with best practices and a proprietary service offering, help us to deliver a differentiating service and experience
to our clients.
At FirstService Brands, with our deep experience
and expertise in franchising, we have developed a proven franchising model that connects local entrepreneurs with leading service
concepts and sophisticated support services. Our franchise owners are entrepreneurs who are attracted to our proven high quality
branded franchise networks because of their compelling service models, rewarding economics and flexibility of ownership. We excel
at understanding the dynamics, intricacies and requirements around multi-location property service businesses and inspiring both
our franchisees and franchisor teams to succeed. We know how to coach and mentor our partners and franchisees on the issues of
brand consistency, while honoring the effort and commitment of a local operator, focusing on partnership rather than acquisition.
FirstService Brands has professionalized each of its businesses and translated its expertise and experience into the development
and implementation of best practices, including: (i) our Net Promoter System that evaluates customer satisfaction and provides
immediate feedback to franchisees in all our systems; (ii) the development of industry-leading technologies that can be rolled
out across different systems; and (iii) the use of a centralized call center to increase the effectiveness and productivity of
the franchises. These best practices lead to better performing franchises as illustrated through their significant growth, low
franchisee churn and successful track record of franchise renewal; all measures of a strong franchise system. Furthermore, our
relevant experience and innovation in the franchising of our property services brands help to drive our leadership in our property
service categories and to foster real and meaningful partnerships with our franchisees.
Access to Capital and Financial Strength
Our scale provides us with better access
to capital which enables us to continue to reinvest in our businesses. We have the resources to invest in our people and infrastructure
to ensure best practices. We have invested significantly in employee training, increased support staff, technology, call center
capabilities, and overall operating processes to ensure better client service, communications and efficiencies. We have also allocated
capital to enhance our branding, marketing and sales processes across all of our businesses within FirstService Residential and
FirstService Brands.
We believe that financial strength and
stability are important criteria for clients when selecting a residential property services provider. Our long-term track record
for strong financial performance and our ability to present strong financial and leverage metrics differentiates us when competing
for business. Our North American-focused platform also mitigates any geopolitical risk.
Following the completion of the Arrangement,
our FirstService Residential and FirstService Brands businesses will continue to benefit from our significant scale and our access
to capital both from our listing as a large publicly traded company and a conservative capital structure with modest leverage and
additional debt capacity. We are able to dedicate the necessary financial resources in fulfilling our commitment to service excellence
to our clients.
Unique Operating Model Aligns Customer
Service and Shareholder Value Creation Focus
For many years, we have adopted "The
FirstService Way" operating philosophy which has guided our growth and helped us attract strong management teams with
visions for the future success of their businesses. We have a long-established track record of operating all of our businesses
with an approach that aligns all of management and employees in driving towards the common objectives of delivering best-in-class
service to our clients and profitably growing our businesses. The following are seven key principles of "The FirstService
Way", which underpin our culture of measuring, monitoring and rewarding all of our key stakeholders for their success:
| 1. | Partnership Philosophy: We believe equity ownership by management teams is essential. Our
partners enjoy a decentralized organizational structure with autonomy over front-line operating decisions, while equity ownership
allows direct participation in the financial outcomes of their decisions. With significant equity or equity-like interests in the
businesses they operate, management's interests are aligned with its shareholders in building long-term value. These interests
are in the form of non-transferable direct minority equity ownership, stock options or equity-like notional value appreciation
plans. |
| 2. | Performance-Based Compensation: Successful management teams running our businesses are well-compensated
for driving growth. We believe in aligning key operating managers with shareholders through generous performance-based compensation
programs as an incentive for management to deliver internal growth and consistent, high-quality service in a cost-effective manner. |
| 3. | People Development Process: We have a keen focus on operational excellence. Retaining and
promoting key operating managers is one of our most important practices. Training of front-line employees who deal with our clients
on a day-to-day basis is critical for ensuring they meet our high standards of customer service. Our management and employees ensure
best practices and professionalize our businesses. |
| 4. | Customer Service and Satisfaction: We have a long-standing
dedicated focus on client service excellence within all of our businesses and have adopted the Net Promoter System ("NPS"),
developed by Bain and Company, to enable us to measure our progress in the area of customer satisfaction. The founder of NPS, Frederick
F. Reichheld, will be one of our directors. NPS provides a richer, more complete evaluation
of customer loyalty than typical client surveys. We have adopted NPS as an integral part of our operating philosophy, providing
a valuable feedback tool which guides us as we continuously focus on enhancing our customer experience. Across all of our businesses,
customer satisfaction results exhibit a positive correlation with each of customer retention, repeat business and referral opportunities.
Our service excellence commitment also reinforces our industry-defining brands that clients trust and value. |
| 5. | Focus on Growth: Since inception, we have achieved a strong track record of managing our
businesses with a dedicated focus on sustainable growth, balanced with both internal, organic strategic initiatives and augmented
with a disciplined, value-added acquisition strategy. We establish high benchmarks in terms of internal growth targets and acquisition
rate of return hurdles in pursuing our growth objectives. Our performance-based compensation arrangements are structured to reward
our management teams and employees for successful growth. |
| 6. | Rigorous Review Processes: We have a rigorous process of oversight and operational review
to maximize cash flows, increase margins, manage operational risk and monitor performance indicators. Sharing of best practices
is proactively incorporated into our management and review process to ensure that each business benefits from the experience of
others. We utilize a consistent strategic planning process to determine any major issues facing our operating units. Short-term
and long-term goals are reviewed and agreed upon, barriers are discussed and solutions are developed. Progress in achieving goals
is monitored to ensure that we successfully execute our strategy and adapt to changes in our markets. |
| 7. | Leverage Scale to Drive Client Value and Reinforce Our Competitive Advantages: We have methodically
and incrementally built, one step at a time, an enduring and market-leading group of businesses. Our significant size advantage
and penetration in key markets across North America facilitate our ability to provide better, value-added services to our clients.
We believe that our clients prefer to work with service providers who have the scale, resources and financial strength to consistently
meet their diverse needs across multiple property types and geographies, and that our market-leading positions will continue to
serve as barriers to entry to potential competitors. |
Strong Brand and Reputation
We have a strong portfolio of brands and
franchise relationships. FirstService Residential completed a consolidated re-branding of 18 legacy regional brands in June 2013,
thereby creating a one-brand strategy with a unified North American market presence and allowing for a simplified and consistent
brand experience and sales strategy, as well as streamlining certain operations. The FirstService Residential brand name
is one built around a commitment to service excellence and professionalism and is well-recognized among community associations
by virtue of our significant market leadership position. Our brand is well-entrenched with our leaders and associates, and has
enhanced our recruitment of additional highly talented associates and employees. The FirstService Residential name has strong
momentum among our clients, as we build a powerful national brand that defines our industry.
Our FirstService Brands franchise systems
have market-leading brands, which are ranked #1 or #2 in volume or distribution for each market served. Each of these brands has
a long-standing reputation for delivering a high quality and standardized service across their franchise networks.
Management Team with Significant Property
Service Experience
We are led by a corporate management team
with significant residential real estate experience and a 20-year track record of solid organic growth supplemented by a disciplined
acquisition strategy.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
New FSV Executives |
|
|
|
|
Jay S. Hennick |
|
58 |
|
Founder and Chairman |
D. Scott Patterson |
|
54 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
Jeremy Rakusin |
|
46 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Douglas G. Cooke |
|
55 |
|
Treasurer and Corporate Secretary |
Alex Nguyen |
|
32 |
|
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development |
FirstService Residential Executives |
|
|
|
|
Gene Gomberg |
|
67 |
|
Chairman |
Charles M. Fallon |
|
52 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
Michael Natale |
|
55 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
FirstService Brands Executives |
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Chase |
|
55 |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Kevin Roy |
|
44 |
|
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
The following are brief profiles of certain
of the above senior leadership team of New FSV:
Gene Gomberg: An industry visionary
and pioneer with nearly 40 years of hands-on property management experience, Mr. Gomberg is the founding partner of the former
Continental Group, the largest property management company in Florida, which was rebranded FirstService Residential in 2013. During
his career, he has developed a wide range of ground breaking concepts and products that have come to define the property management
industry - and are commonly accepted as standard operating procedure today. In his role as FirstService Residential Chairman, Mr.
Gomberg is responsible for leading the organization's acquisition process and collaborating on initiatives related to strategy,
client relationships and business development. An involved and committed manager, he continuously seeks innovative ways to take
both FirstService Residential and the property management industry to the next level, ensuring they deliver the highest standards
for professionalism and customer service. As part of his commitment, Mr. Gomberg combines his passions for mentorship and sales
by coaching and supporting his teams' ongoing efforts to develop business and achieve corporate growth.
Charles M. Fallon: Mr. Fallon is
the CEO of FirstService Residential. He is a seasoned veteran of the customer service industry known for his leadership on client
service excellence and a strong track record of driving growth for globally recognized Fortune 500 companies. Having joined as
CEO in 2013, Mr. Fallon is responsible for identifying acquisitions, recruiting key employees, conceptualizing business initiatives
and directing the company's overall expansion. Drawing on his extensive background in business strategy, operations, sales, marketing
and network development, Mr. Fallon maintains the pillars of superior customer service, innovation and technology to continuously
build on FirstService Residential's legacy of going the extra mile every day to make a difference for each resident and client
served. Prior to FirstService Residential, he served as President of Terminix International from 2011 to 2013 and President, North
America at Burger King Holdings from 2006 to 2011. Prior to that, Mr. Fallon led sales, marketing and revenue management at AvisBudget
Group and began his career as an investment banker in New York and London. He has an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BBA
from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas.
Michael Natale: Mr. Natale heads
FirstService Residential's financial team, driving the company's profitability and supporting all activities related to financial
performance, reporting, budgeting and risk management. He works closely with the leadership teams of both the corporate and regional
offices to set FirstService Residential's strategic direction, and oversees the organization's business planning, reporting, budgeting
processes, risk management and compliance. Since assuming the responsibilities of CFO in 2009, Mr. Natale drove the creation of
an improved national medical benefits program for company associates and oversaw the transformation of HR/payroll and finance systems
to improve both management operations and information quality. In addition, he worked closely with parent company, FirstService,
on the successful acquisition and onboarding of new FirstService Residential operating companies. Previously, he served as Vice
President Performance and Risk Management at FirstService, where he was responsible for the organization's risk management policies
and programs. A Chartered Accountant, Mr. Natale began his career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and has held several leadership positions
in the real estate industry since 1995.
Charles E. Chase: Mr. Chase resides
in Valley Forge, PA and he is the President and CEO of FirstService Brands. Prior to his role as CEO, Mr. Chase served as the President
of the Consumer Franchises of The Franchise Company and prior to that he was CEO of CertaPro Group. Throughout his 30 years with
FirstService Brands he has held numerous roles, starting as a Franchise owner in 1982 at College Pro Painters. Believing that there
was an opportunity to create a successful and significant full time painting company, in 1992 he became the founding President/CEO
of CertaPro Painters. Mr. Chase has a B.A. Honors in Economics from Queen's University, Ontario, Canada.
Kevin Roy: Mr. Roy is the Chief
Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for FirstService Brands. His focus is on business planning, financial and operating
performance, and organizational alignment. Mr. Roy has been with FirstService since 2000, serving as Director, Corporate Development
until he joined FirstService Brands in 2007. He previously worked in public accounting with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and is a Chartered
Professional Accountant.
See also "Directors and Executive
Officers" in this Appendix "I".
Our Market Opportunity
The market opportunity for FirstService
Residential is sizeable based on a variety of measures. Based on 2013 industry data compiled by the Community Associations Institute
("CAI") (a U.S. and international organization dedicated to fostering community associations), our addressable
market in the U.S. has the following favourable size and growth characteristics:
- Over 65 million residents living in more than 26 million
housing units across almost 330,000 community associations;
- An aggregate budget for all U.S. community associations of approximately US$65 billion;
- An increasing trend towards outsourcing, with 60-70% of community associations being
managed by professional firms and the remaining 30-40% self-managed by homeowner boards. Professional and licensed management is
becoming more of a necessity to reduce the risks of poor property management services; and
- Increased penetration of community associations as a percentage of total housing. Community
associations currently represent 24% of U.S. homes. The market is currently growing at a rate of approximately 2% per year as a
result of the 4,000 to 8,000 new community associations formed each year. Growth is significantly higher in and around major U.S.
metropolitan areas, with more than 50% of new homes currently being built in community association formations.
Similar community association trends and
growth rates are being experienced in Canada. The popularity of community associations, significantly increasing from just 10,000
associations in 1970, has been driven by several factors:
- Community associations are privately governed instead of being regulated by municipal
governments;
- To continue to promote new housing growth yet manage municipal fiscal challenges, municipalities
have encouraged increased community association development which has the advantage of privatization of all non-essential (road
maintenance, snow removal, trash pickup, etc.) service responsibilities to developers and homeowners;
- Community associations, in many instances, offer a more affordable format of home ownership;
and
- Additional efficiencies, more diverse services and amenities, and a sense of community
bonding are other advantages of community association development.
FirstService Residential is the leading
full-service third party residential property manager in North America, with an estimated market share of 5% (based on the number
of units we manage in the U.S. relative to the CAI's data for the number of households governed by community associations in the
U.S.). The residential property management industry is extremely fragmented, with 8,000 management companies across North America,
most of which are local and regional firms. The highly fragmented nature of industry leaves ample opportunity for significant share
gains through winning business from our competitors and further industry consolidation.
FirstService Brands operates in market
segments with compelling industry dynamics. We compete in a US$500 billion overall market for residential and light commercial
property services. These industries are highly fragmented and ripe for further consolidation, which favour businesses like FirstService
Brands with leading brand names and national scale. Our services comprise a well-balanced mix of discretionary and non-discretionary
services. We are also poised to further benefit from long term growth trends, including an increasing demand for outsourced maintenance
property and facility services, a growing shift towards franchising, and robust end markets with improving consumer confidence.
Our Growth Strategy
We maintain a leadership position in the
residential property management and services industry, offering a full complement of services to a wide range of customers. We
have an established track record of expanding our business through both organic and acquisition growth. Our growth plan involves
five primary drivers: (i) capitalizing on our scale advantages to win new business; (ii) continuing to emphasize retention of our
existing customer base, and leveraging referrals from past and existing customers; (iii) continuing to expand our ancillary services;
(iv) realizing operational efficiencies; and (v) selectively pursuing strategic acquisitions.
A more specific explanation of our growth
strategies is detailed below:
(i) Leverage Scale Advantages to Drive
New Business
All of our businesses benefit from scale
advantages as the leading players in the fragmented markets they serve, which allows us to compete for new business more effectively
and efficiently than our competitors. At FirstService Residential, our previously noted competitive advantages, including our size
and geographic breadth, industry knowledge and experience, best operating practices and delivery of proprietary, full-service client
solutions, are difficult to replicate. Our access to capital is also a differentiator for future growth. We have invested in an
active marketing and lead generation initiative to add communities under management and grow market share. We have also allocated
significant capital towards our sales processes including dedicated marketing and business development staff, customer relationship
management (CRM) tools and enhanced brand positioning.
At FirstService
Brands, we can leverage our best-in-class franchising expertise, including franchisee recruiting and training capabilities. FirstService
Brands operates large, scalable franchise platforms which are focused on working with larger franchisees, who can deliver favourable
sales per unit metrics and realize better same-store sales performance and capacity in the
areas of sales, design and field service. Our organic growth strategy encompasses both an increase in the productivity of existing
franchisees and an increase in the number of franchisees. We can leverage our current base of high-performing franchisees to open
new locations within each brand. Our ability to add new franchisees can accelerate growth within our network operations by: (i)
increasing the number of franchises in a market to better penetrate or optimize an existing territory; and (ii) increase coverage
to strategically build out into new markets or geographies.
(ii) Further Increase Customer Retention
and Target Customer Referral Opportunities
The residential property management business
tends to be highly recurring and relationship-driven. Contracts are typically renewed on an annual basis which generates a high
proportion of repeat business and recurring fee revenues. The industry is structured in such a way as to create opportunities for
a "sticky", captive customer base. A strategic priority at FirstService Residential is to maintain and increase our existing
customer retention rates across each of our regional markets. We continue to target and realize annual retention rates of at least
95% in this business. Our focus on service excellence benefits not only retention rates, but also drives referral business. Clients
who are "promoters" of our business not only stay with us, but also create increased referral opportunities for new business.
While our FirstService Brands businesses
are more transactional in nature, our cash flow streams are relatively recurring as well, given our franchise royalty structure
and the diversified revenue base generated annually from our mix of businesses and customers. A key focus for our franchise operations
is a dedicated sales and marketing effort and the delivery of first-class service to their customers to drive repeat business at
some point in the future. At FirstService Brands, loyal customers within each of our businesses not only use our services repeatedly
but also generate significant referral lead opportunities.
We also define our retention objectives
more broadly with a relentless focus on customer service and delivering "service excellence" in everything that we do.
To foster the service mentality, we rely heavily on NPS as a management tool to measure customer satisfaction and the strength
of customer relationships. The benefits and results of NPS are seen across both our FirstService Residential and FirstService Brands
businesses, with higher NPS scores being reflective of improved professionalism and a higher level customer experience. Our employees
have also adopted NPS across our entire organization, which further embeds the management tool into our culture. In the fragmented
markets in which we compete, the service levels that we are able to deliver and the reputation that we have developed are highly
valuable for improving retention rates and thereby driving internal growth.
Our best source of new customer opportunities
comes from satisfied customers. We have adopted internal tracking systems for referral opportunities for new business and our corresponding
conversion success rates and are seeing positive trends in both areas. We believe that we will continue to win new business through
existing customer referrals by capitalizing upon our competitive differentiators and proactively selling our value proposition
of service excellence.
(iii) Continue to Expand Our Ancillary
Service Offerings
At FirstService Residential, we currently
offer our clients a portfolio of services as a full service property manager with an ability to leverage our scale and purchasing
power with a single point of accountability to the benefit of the community associations we serve. By cross-selling ancillary value-added
services with our core property management capabilities, we should be able to expand the range of complementary outsourced value-added
services and products that we can offer as part of a full, cost-efficient solution to clients with complex and diversified needs.
We also have an established track record
of incubating successful new services lines within both our FirstService Residential and FirstService Brands businesses. FirstService
Residential has internally built its FirstService Financial and FS Energy ancillary services from inception. At FirstService Brands,
a number of new concepts have been launched which either remain within an existing franchise network as a brand extension or continue
as a stand-alone, separate franchise system. These include CertaPro Painters, Paul Davis Emergency Services, Brandpoint,
Telelink Services and College Pro Window Cleaning. We will continue to drive incremental market share gains by adding
new services which are complementary and aligned with our current offering through continued innovation in developing services
and products in-house, augmented by potential acquisitions as described further below.
(iv) Improve Operational Efficiency
As a result of continued growth and ongoing
tuck-in acquisitions of smaller businesses, FirstService Residential decided in 2013 to implement a specific initiative to centralize
and enhance the efficiencies of certain back-office functions to reduce redundant costs and drive operating margin expansion. Targeted
areas of improvement in our business processes and customer experience include: (i) consolidation of selected back office activities
across the entire platform into regional shared centers; (ii) consolidation of information technology, data and telephony systems
and our customer care operations into two call centers; (iii) increased automation of client accounting system components; (iv)
consolidation to one corporate accounting system; (v) consolidation and outsourcing of certain human resource functions and other
vendor relationships; and (vi) automation and cost optimization of our home resales and mailings business through an outsourced
third-party on-line service which benefits our clients. This effort is an ongoing, multi-year initiative which, while negatively
impacting our operating margins in 2014 and creating headwinds in 2015, will result in longer-term efficiencies. Our success with
these initiatives has led to further advances in the way we operate which will reinforce our service excellence with clients, generate
new business and enhance our profitability.
(v) Selectively Pursue Strategic Acquisitions
Strategic acquisitions have historically
been a successful component of growth at both FirstService Residential and FirstService Brands helping to augment internally generated
organic growth. Our disciplined approach to acquisitions has ensured we invest in high-potential, well-managed businesses, at a
fair price. We will target property service companies operating in fragmented industries that: (i) enhance the market position
of an existing service line; (ii) provide an entry into a new geographic region/market; or (iii) introduce a new service line.
Each acquisition must meet strict criteria that include the following:
- Strong, experienced management teams in place that are interested in growing their businesses
and in being rewarded through performance-based compensation;
- History of consistent profitability, supported by significant contractual revenues;
- Non-capital intensive operations with a variable cost structure;
- Leading positions in the markets served;
- One or more senior managers who wish to retain a meaningful minority interest in the
acquired company in order to participate directly in its future growth and development as a partner of New FSV; and
- Disciplined valuation of the business to provide a return on invested capital that exceeds
our cost of capital.
Following the completion of the Arrangement,
New FSV will have a sharper strategic and capital allocation focus to pursue acquisitions which can provide a material operational
and financial contribution. FirstService Residential will continue to pursue further tuck-in property management acquisition opportunities
to fill in coverage gaps in key regional markets. We will also look to add further scale to our existing amenity management, building
engineering and maintenance, and concierge services within FirstService Residential. At FirstService Brands, we have previously
acquired controlling stakes in existing franchises within our franchise networks and converting them to corporate-owned operations.
We anticipate continuing to selectively pursue these conversion opportunities where they make sense strategically and can be accretive
to our financial performance. Across New FSV overall, we will consider any acquisition targets that fit our core competencies and
experience in property services and which complement our existing businesses, including other services within FirstService Residential
and new franchise system service lines to add to FirstService Brands' existing operations.
We maintain an active pipeline of acquisition
opportunities and will selectively pursue these and other acquisitions as the appropriate timing, structure, valuation, and business
rationale dictate. We may finance any such acquisitions with debt, equity, cash generated from operations, proceeds from asset
divestitures or a combination of these sources. We typically structure acquisitions to include contingent consideration payable
based on the achievement of specified earnings levels during certain defined periods following the dates of acquisition.
Competition
We compete in the residential and light
commercial real estate services industry and are one of the largest providers to each in North America.
FirstService Residential is the North American
leader in residential property management with an estimated 5% market share. We operate in a highly fragmented market, with an
estimated 8,000 local and regional management companies across North America. Only a relatively small number of our competition
are able to deliver the expertise and investment capital to compete broadly on a professional platform. Our primary competitors
are smaller independent regional players, with only one other company having a North American presence. Our competitive position
varies across geographies, property types, and services provided.
The property services industry in which
FirstService Brands participates is highly fragmented and consists predominantly of small "mom & pop" businesses.
Each of our service lines within FirstService Brands has professionalized its business category, and has the #1 or #2 market position
within each market served. FirstService Brands competes primarily with local, regional and family-owned and operated enterprises
or franchise businesses. There are several diversified property services franchise competitors including ServiceMaster, The Dwyer
Group and Clockwork Services, which offer a variety of franchise service models for residential and light-commercial customers.
Other facility and property services franchisors such as Jani-King, Jan-Pro, Roto-Rooter, Rooter-Man, and Servpro are single-concept
franchise models, many of which are focused on janitorial cleaning services, and do not compete directly with FirstService Brands.
Employees
As of December 31, 2014, New FSV had a
total of 15,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
The following is a summary of the rights,
privileges, restrictions and conditions which will be attached to the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, New FSV Multiple Voting
Shares and New FSV preference shares (the "New FSV Preference Shares") on the Effective Date after giving effect
to the Arrangement. At that time, New FSV will be authorized to issue an unlimited number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares,
an unlimited number of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares and an unlimited number of New FSV Preference Shares. As of the date hereof,
no New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, New FSV Multiple Voting Shares or New FSV Preference Shares have been issued. Upon completion
of the Arrangement, based on the number of FirstService Shares outstanding as at March 16, 2015 (and assuming that no Dissent Rights
are exercised in connection with the Arrangement), approximately 34,644,911 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 New
FSV Multiple Voting Shares will be outstanding and no New FSV Preference Shares will be outstanding.
Pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, all
New FSV Special Shares which are issued pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement will be redeemed for cancellation by New FSV. Subsequent
to such redemption and pursuant to the Arrangement, the articles of New FSV will be amended to remove the New FSV Special Shares
as a class of shares eligible for issuance by New FSV. See "The Arrangement – Plan of Arrangement – Arrangement
Steps" in this Circular.
New FSV Shares
The New FSV Shares will rank junior to
the New FSV Preference Shares or series thereof ranking in priority with respect to the payment of dividends, return of capital
and distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or any distribution of the assets of New FSV for the purpose
of winding-up its affairs. The holders of outstanding New FSV Shares will be entitled to receive dividends and other distributions
on a share-for-share basis (or, in the discretion of the directors, in a greater amount per New FSV Subordinate Voting Share than
per New FSV Multiple Voting Share) out of the assets legally available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the New FSV
Board may determine, but without preference or distinction between the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares and the New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares. The New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will carry one vote per share and the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will
carry 20 votes per share. The holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and the holders of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will
be entitled to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders and to attend and vote thereat as a single class on all matters to
be voted on by the shareholders, except at meetings where the holders of shares of one class or of a particular series of shares
are entitled to vote separately.
The rights, privileges, conditions and
restrictions attaching to the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares may be respectively modified
if the amendment is authorized by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting
Shares and the holders of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares duly held for that purpose. However, if the holders of New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares, as a class, or the holders of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares, as a class, are to be affected in a manner different
from the other classes of shares, such amendment must, in addition, be authorized by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a
meeting of the holders of the class of shares which is affected differently.
Each outstanding New FSV Multiple Voting
Share will be convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share. The New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares will not be convertible into any other class of shares. No subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other
change of the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares or the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will be able to be made without, concurrently,
having the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares or New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, as the case may be, subdivided, consolidated, reclassified
or other change made under the same conditions. The New FSV Shares will not be redeemable nor retractable but will be able to be
purchased for cancelation by New FSV in the open market, by private contract or otherwise. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or
any distribution of the assets of New FSV for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of New FSV Shares will be entitled
to participate equally, on a share-for-share basis, in the remaining property and assets of New FSV available for distribution
to such holders.
As any future distribution of New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares by means of a prospectus will require securityholder approval under NI 41-101 at the relevant time because New FSV
will not be a reporting issuer at the time of the Arrangement and will therefore not meet the applicable requirements of NI 41-101,
notwithstanding the receipt of "minority approval" for the Arrangement. A specific discretionary exemption is being sought
by FirstService and New FSV from the applicable securities regulators for relief from such future securityholder approval requirement
under NI 41-101 (and, to the extent applicable in the future, OSC Rule 56-501). If obtained, a copy of such exemption order issued
by the Ontario Securities Commission will be available at www.osc.gov.on.ca. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters –
Canadian Securities Law Matters – Application of OSC Rule 56-501 and NI 41-101".
New FSV Preference Shares
The New FSV Preference Shares will be issuable,
from time to time, in one or more series, as determined by the New FSV Board. The New FSV Board will determine, before the issue
of any series of New FSV Preference Shares, the designation, preferences, rights, restrictions, conditions, limitations, priorities
as to payment of dividends and/or distribution on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or prohibitions attaching to such series.
The New FSV Preference Shares, if issued, will rank prior to the New FSV Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and in
the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of New FSV or any other distribution of assets
of New FSV among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, and may also be given such other preferences over
the New FSV Shares as may be determined with respect to the respective series authorized and issued. Except as required by law,
the New FSV Preference Shares will not carry voting rights.
Certain Rights of Holders of New FSV
Subordinate Voting Shares
The following is a summary of the rights
attaching to the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares in the event that a take-over bid is made for New FSV Multiple Voting Shares.
Reference should be made to the articles of New FSV for the full text of these provisions. See Exhibit "II" to the Plan
of Arrangement.
If a take-over bid (as defined in the Securities
Act (Ontario)) is made to the holders of the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares, each New FSV Subordinate Voting Share shall become
convertible into a New FSV Multiple Voting Share at the option of the holder thereof at any time during the period commencing on
the eighth day after the date on which the offer is made and ending on the last date upon which holders of New FSV Multiple Voting
Shares will be entitled to accept the offer. However, this conversion right shall not come into effect if:
| (a) | an identical offer is made concurrently to purchase New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares (if any are
then issued and outstanding), which offer has no condition attached to it other than the right to not take-up and pay for shares
tendered if no shares are purchased pursuant to the take-over bid for New FSV Multiple Voting Shares; |
| (b) | holders of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding New FSV Multiple Voting Shares deliver a
certificate or certificates to New FSV's transfer agent certifying that such holders will not deposit such New FSV Multiple Voting
Shares under the take-over bid therefor; or |
| (c) | the take-over bid for New FSV Multiple Voting Shares is not completed by the offeror. |
The articles of New FSV provide that a
holder of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares is entitled at any time and from time to time to convert all or any part of the New FSV
Multiple Voting Shares held by such holder into New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on a share-for-share basis, upon irrevocable
notice.
In connection with the completion of the
Arrangement, Jay S. Hennick and Henset Capital Inc. (collectively, the "New FSV Multiple Voting Shareholders")
will enter into an agreement (the "New FSV Trust Agreement") with Equity Financial Trust Company (the "New
FSV Trustee") and New FSV in order to provide the holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares with certain additional
rights in the event that a take-over bid, having certain characteristics, is made for the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares. Under
applicable securities law, an offer to purchase New FSV Multiple Voting Shares would not necessarily require that an offer be made
to purchase New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. The terms of the New FSV Trust Agreement will be the same as the existing agreement
among the same parties in relation to the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and, following completion of the Arrangement,
the Colliers Subordinate Voting Shares. See "Information Concerning Colliers Post-Arrangement – Share Capital –
Colliers Shares" and "Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement – Certain Rights of Holders of FirstService
Subordinate Voting Shares".
The New FSV Trust Agreement will prevent
the sale, directly or indirectly, of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares owned by the New FSV Multiple Voting Shareholders pursuant
to a take-over bid at a price per share in excess of 115% of the then current market price of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares
as determined under such legislation. This prohibition does not apply if: (a) such sale is made pursuant to an offer to purchase
New FSV Multiple Voting Shares made to all holders of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares and an offer identical in all material respects
is made concurrently to purchase New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, which identical offer has no condition attached other than
the right not to take-up and pay for shares tendered if no shares are purchased pursuant to the offer for New FSV Multiple Voting
Shares; or (b) there is a concurrent unconditional offer to purchase all of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares at a price per
share at least as high as the highest price per share paid pursuant to the take-over bid for the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares.
The New FSV Trust Agreement will provide,
among other things, that prior to any direct or indirect transfer of any or all of the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares owned by
the New FSV Multiple Voting Shareholders to any party other than a member of the Hennick Family (as defined below), the transferred
New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will be automatically converted to New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. The New FSV Trust Agreement
will not prevent certain indirect sales resulting from the transfer of shares of a corporation which, directly or indirectly, controls
or is controlled by the New FSV Multiple Voting Shareholders or New FSV where the transferor and transferee are members of the
Hennick Family and the transferee is the spouse or child of the transferor and where the sale is otherwise made in accordance with
applicable law. The phrase "Hennick Family" is defined to mean: (i) Jay S. Hennick; (ii) the spouse, children
or estate of Jay S. Hennick; (iii) a trust, the sole beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing; and (iv) any and all corporations
or entities which are directly or indirectly controlled by any of the foregoing.
The New FSV Trust Agreement will contain
provisions for the authorization of action by the New FSV Trustee to enforce the rights thereunder on behalf of the holders of
the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. No holder of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will have the right, other than through the
New FSV Trustee, to institute any action or proceeding or to exercise any other remedy to enforce any rights arising under the
New FSV Trust Agreement unless the New FSV Trustee fails to act on a request authorized by holders of not less than 10% of the
outstanding New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares after provision of reasonable funds and indemnity to the New FSV Trustee.
Holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares
may have additional rights under applicable securities legislation in the event of a take-over bid.
New FSV Stock Option Plan
The New FSV Board has approved for adoption
the New FSV Stock Option Plan. If ratified and approved at the Meeting, the New FSV Stock Option Plan will permit the New FSV Board
to grant to directors, officers and full-time employees of New FSV and its subsidiaries (other than Jay S. Hennick) stock options
to purchase New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares (in addition to the New FSV Replacement Stock Options granted pursuant to the Arrangement).
New FSV Stock Option exercise prices will be based on the closing market price for New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on the trading
day immediately preceding the date the options are granted, except for the New FSV Replacement Stock Options, the exercise price
of which will be determined in accordance with the formula described under the heading "The Arrangement – Treatment
of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService Stock Options" in this Circular. New FSV Stock Options
granted under the New FSV Stock Option Plan will generally be fully exercisable after four years and expire five years after the
grant date. See "Other Arrangement Matters to be Acted Upon – New FSV Stock Option Plan" in this Circular.
Listing and Trading of New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares
There is no current trading market for
the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares. New FSV has applied to have the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares listed on the TSX and
Nasdaq under the same symbol, "FSV". Listing on the TSX and Nasdaq is subject to New FSV fulfilling all of the respective
original listing requirements of the TSX and Nasdaq. The trading price of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will be determined
by the market. See "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Stock Exchange Listings" in this Circular.
For a summary of the trading markets that
are expected to develop in the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, see "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Trading
of Shares on the TSX and Nasdaq" in this Circular.
The New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will
not be listed and will not trade on any public market or quotation system.
DIVIDENDS
The declaration of dividends will be at
the sole discretion of the New FSV Board. Following the Effective Date, for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, it is anticipated
that the New FSV Board will adopt a dividend policy pursuant to which New FSV will make quarterly cash dividends to holders of
New FSV Shares of record at the close of business on the last business day of each calendar quarter. The quarterly dividend is
anticipated to be set at US$0.10 per New FSV Share (a rate of US$0.40 per annum). Each quarterly dividend is expected to be paid
within 30 days after the dividend record date.
The payment of dividends in the future
will depend on the results of New FSV's operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, business
opportunities, provisions of applicable law and other relevant factors. Under the terms of New FSV's credit facility described
below, it is expected that New FSV will not be permitted to pay dividends, whether in cash or in specie, in the circumstances
of an event of default thereunder occurring and continuing or an event of default occurring as a consequence thereof. See "Pro
Forma Consolidated Capitalization – Credit Facility" below.
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the consolidated
capitalization of New FSV, effective as at December 31, 2014, as adjusted to give effect to the Arrangement. You should read this
table in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements, including the related notes thereto, attached
as Appendix "L" to this Circular and the New FSV's audited carve-out combined financial information and financial statements,
including the related notes thereto, attached as Appendix "K" to this Circular:
| |
As at December 31, 2014 (as adjusted)(5) |
| |
(US$ thousands) |
Long term debt (includes current portion) | |
| | |
Credit facility(1) | |
$ | 86,626 | |
Senior notes(2) | |
| 150,000 | |
Other long term debt(2) | |
| 2,731 | |
Total long term debt | |
| 239,357 | |
| |
| | |
Redeemable non-controlling interests | |
| 80,926 | |
| |
| | |
Shareholders' equity(4) | |
| 157,749 | |
| |
| | |
Total Capitalization | |
$ | 478,032 | |
Notes:
| (1) | New FSV has obtained a commitment from a Schedule 1 bank for a US$150
million five-year revolving credit facility. The term of this facility commence on the Effective Date. See "–
Credit Facility" below. |
| (2) | See "– New FSV Senior Notes" below. |
| (3) | Other Long Term Debt relates to capital leases and vendor take-back promissory notes provided in
connection with certain acquisitions. |
| (4) | See "Description of Capital Structure" in this Appendix "I". |
| (5) | All figures are unaudited. |
Other than in the normal course of business,
there has been no material change in the equity and debt capital of New FSV, on a consolidated basis, since the date of the unaudited
pro forma consolidated financial statements for New FSV contained in Appendix "L" to this Circular.
Credit Facility
In order
to provide ongoing liquidity, including working capital requirements, New FSV has obtained a commitment from a Schedule 1 bank
to make available to New FSV a US$150 million five-year revolving credit facility and an uncommitted accordion provision allowing
for an additional US$50 million of borrowing capacity under certain circumstances (the "New FSV Credit Facility").
The term of the New FSV Credit Facility commences on the Effective Date. The commitment from such bank to make advances available
under the New FSV Credit Facility on the Arrangement becoming effective is subject to customary conditions for a credit facility
of this type. Certain subsidiaries of New FSV are expected to guarantee the obligations of New FSV, as borrower, under the New
FSV Credit Facility, and the New FSV Credit Facility is expected to be secured in a substantially similar manner as FirstService's
existing revolving credit facility. New FSV will be able to repay amounts owing under the New FSV Credit Facility at any time without
premium or penalty. The financial covenants anticipated to be contained in the New FSV Credit
Facility are a total debt/consolidated EBITDA ratio of not more than 3.5:1, an interest coverage ratio of greater than 2.0:1 and
a minimum of 75% of the consolidated net worth of New FSV as at the Effective Date plus 50% of consolidated cumulative positive
annual net income plus 100% of consolidated cumulative proceeds from equity offerings. On the Effective Date, New FSV expects to
be in compliance with the foregoing anticipated covenants. The interest rates payable by New FSV under the New FSV Credit Facility
are expected to vary based upon the type of borrowing and the then current total debt/consolidated EBITDA ratio. Otherwise, the
terms and conditions of the New FSV Credit Facility are anticipated to be similar to that of FirstService's existing revolving
credit facility (a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com).
New FSV Senior Notes
In connection with the Pre-Arrangement
Transactions and the Arrangement, New FSV will assume FirstService's senior secured notes in the principal amount of US$150 million
pursuant to a new note and guarantee agreement (the "New FSV Note Agreement"), which notes will mature on January
16, 2025 (with equal annual principal repayments beginning on January 16, 2021), initially bearing interest at the rate of 4.84%
per annum (with the interest rate subject to being lowered to 3.84% in the event that certain financial covenant targets are met
by New FSV). The assumption of these notes by New FSV, and the entering into of the New FSV Note Agreement, in each case, in connection
with the Arrangement becoming effective is subject to customary conditions for the issuance of senior secured notes of this type.
The terms and conditions of these new secured notes and the New FSV Note Agreement are anticipated to be substantially similar
to that of the existing 3.84% secured notes issued, and the agreement governing same entered into, by FirstService on January 16,
2013 (a copy of which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com).
OPTIONS TO PURCHASE SECURITIES
The New FSV Board has approved for adoption
the New FSV Stock Option Plan. At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed appropriate, authorize, approve
and ratify the adoption of the New FSV Stock Option Plan which will authorize the New FSV Board to grant to directors, officers
and full-time employees of New FSV and its subsidiaries (other than Jay S. Hennick) stock options to purchase New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares (in addition to the New FSV Replacement Stock Options granted pursuant to the Arrangement). Ratification and approval
of the New FSV Stock Option Plan by Shareholders is required by the TSX and is a condition precedent to completion of the Arrangement
to allow the New FSV Replacement Stock Options to be granted under a stock option plan. This condition precedent may be waived
by FirstService. No stock options to acquire New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares have been granted to date. See "Other Arrangement
Matters to be Acted Upon – New FSV Stock Option Plan" in this Circular for a summary of the New FSV Stock Option Plan.
Pursuant to the Arrangement, each holder
of FirstService Stock Options will dispose of his or her rights to such FirstService Stock Options to FirstService and New FSV
in consideration for the grant by FirstService to such holder of FirstService Replacement Stock Options and the grant by New FSV
to such holder of New FSV Replacement Stock Options and the old FirstService Stock Options will be cancelled and terminated. Each
New FSV Replacement Stock Option will, once vested, be exercisable to acquire a New FSV Subordinate Voting Share. Except with respect
to the exercise price, the New FSV Replacement Stock Options otherwise have similar terms and conditions, including as to vesting,
as the FirstService Stock Options held by such option holders immediately prior to the Arrangement becoming effective. See "Other
Arrangement Matters to be Acted Upon – New FSV Stock Option Plan" in this Circular. To preserve the economic benefits
of the FirstService Stock Options, immediately before the Arrangement becomes effective, to the holder thereof, the exercise price
of the FirstService Stock Options exchanged will be apportioned between the FirstService Replacement Stock Options and the New
FSV Replacement Stock Options. See "The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans
– FirstService Stock Options".
Based on the number of FirstService Stock
Options outstanding as at March 16, 2015, the following table sets forth information with respect to the New FSV Replacement Stock
Options issuable pursuant to the Arrangement in exchange for FirstService Stock Options:
Group |
|
Number
of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares under Option(4) |
|
Expiry Dates |
Non-Employee Directors(1)
[8
persons] |
|
65,000 |
|
February 17, 2017 –
February 13, 2020 |
Executive Officers(2)
[10
persons] |
|
1,343,200 |
|
February 21, 2016 –
February 13, 2020 |
Employees(3)
[10
persons] |
|
248,050 |
|
February 21, 2016 –
February 13, 2020 |
Notes:
| (1) | Includes all proposed directors of New FSV and Colliers, as a group, who will receive New FSV Replacement
Stock Options in exchange for FirstService Stock Options pursuant to the Arrangement. |
| (2) | Includes all proposed executive officers of New FSV and Colliers, as a group, who will receive
New FSV Replacement Stock Options in exchange for FirstService Stock Options pursuant to the Arrangement. |
| (3) | Includes all other employees of New FSV and employees and former employees of Colliers who will
receive New FSV Replacement Stock Options in exchange for FirstService Stock Options pursuant to the Arrangement. |
| (4) | The exercise price of the New FSV Replacement Stock Options will be determined using the formula
described under "The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService
Stock Options" in this Circular. |
PRIOR SALES
No New FSV Shares have been issued, or
will be issued, prior to the Arrangement.
ESCROWED SECURITIES AND
SECURITIES SUBJECT TO CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTION
ON TRANSFER
To the knowledge of New FSV, as of the
date of this Circular, no securities of any class of securities of New FSV are held in escrow or subject to contractual restrictions
on transfer or are anticipated to be held in escrow or subject to contractual restrictions on transfer following the completion
of the Arrangement.
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Following completion of the Arrangement,
based on the number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and FirstService Multiple Voting Shares outstanding as of March 16,
2015 (assuming that no Dissent Rights are exercised in connection with the Arrangement), the following table sets forth the only
persons who, to the knowledge of New FSV, will beneficially own, or control or direct, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the
issued and outstanding New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares or New FSV Multiple Voting Shares as at the Effective Date, the approximate
number of outstanding New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares to be beneficially owned, or controlled
or directed, directly or indirectly, by such persons as at the Effective Date and the percentage of outstanding New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares and votes represented by the number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and New
FSV Multiple Voting Shares to be so owned or controlled or directed:
Name |
Number of New FSV Shares to be Owned or Controlled or Directed |
Percentage of |
Percentage of |
New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares |
New FSV Multiple Voting Shares |
New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares |
New FSV Multiple Voting Shares |
Total Number of New FSV Shares |
Total Number of
Votes |
Jay S. Hennick (1)
Toronto, Ontario
|
2,273,526 |
1,325,694 |
6.6% |
100.0% |
10.0% |
47.1% |
Note:
| (1) | All 2,273,526 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 New FSV Multiple Voting Shares will
be held by Henset Capital Inc., a corporation controlled by Mr. Hennick. |
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Directors and Executive Officers
The names, municipality of residence and
positions with New FSV of the persons who will serve as directors and executive officers of New FSV after giving effect to the
Arrangement are set out below, together with their pro forma holdings of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Replacement
Stock Options. Each of the six proposed members of the New FSV Board will be formally appointed to the New FSV Board pursuant to
the Arrangement. In order to facilitate the incorporation and organization of New FSV, including the adoption of the New FSV Stock
Option Plan, one officer of FirstService, John B. Friedrichsen, has been appointed to the New FSV Board on an interim basis.
Name and Municipality of Residence |
|
Position to be Held with New FSV |
|
Principal Occupation |
|
Pro Forma Holdings of
New FSV Shares/ New FSV Replacement
Stock Options(1) |
Brendan Calder(2)(5)(6)
Ontario, Canada
|
|
Director |
|
Corporate Director; Adjunct Professor and an Entrepreneur in Residence, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto; Chair, Rotman's Desautels Centre for Integrative Thinking |
|
19,033 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares/ 10,000 New FSV Replacement
Stock Options |
Bernard I. Ghert, c.m.
(2)(4)(5)
Ontario, Canada
|
|
Lead Director |
|
Corporate Director; Chairman, Independent Review Committee of the Middlefield Group of Funds; President, B.I. Ghert Family Foundation; President, Coppi Holdings Ltd. |
|
24,679 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares/ 10,000 New FSV Replacement
Stock Options |
Jay S. Hennick(3)
Ontario, Canada
|
|
Director, Founder & Chairman |
|
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, FirstService/Executive Chairman, Colliers |
|
2,273,526 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares/ 1,325,694 New FSV
Multiple Voting Shares |
D. Scott Patterson
Ontario, Canada
|
|
Director & Chief Executive Officer |
|
President and Chief Operating Officer, FirstService |
|
705,262 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares/ 300,000 New FSV Replacement
Stock Options |
Frederick F. Reichheld(2)
(4)(6)
Massachusetts, USA
|
|
Director |
|
Partner and Bain Fellow, Bain & Company, Inc. |
|
2,000 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares/ 5,000 New FSV Replacement
Stock Options |
Michael Stein(2)(4)(5)(6)
Ontario, Canada
|
|
Director |
|
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MPI Group |
|
10,000 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares/ 5,000 New FSV Replacement
Stock Options |
Jeremy Rakusin
Ontario, Canada
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, FirstService |
|
600 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares/ 150,000 New FSV Replacement
Stock Options |
Douglas G. Cooke
Ontario, Canada
|
|
Treasurer and Corporate Secretary |
|
Vice President, Corporate Controller and Corporate Secretary, FirstService |
|
166,811 New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares/ 123,000 New FSV Replacement
Stock Options |
Alex Nguyen
Ontario, Canada
|
|
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development |
|
Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, FirstService |
|
51,800 New FSV Replacement Stock Options |
Notes:
| (1) | Based on information as at March 16, 2015 furnished to New FSV and assumes that the Arrangement
has become effective. For further ownership details, see "Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters – Canadian Securities
Law Matters – Application of MI 61-101" of this Circular. |
| (2) | Independent member of the Board. |
| (3) | Proposed Chair of the New FSV Board. |
| (4) | Proposed member of the Audit Committee of New FSV. |
| (5) | Proposed member of the Executive Compensation Committee of New FSV. |
| (6) | Proposed member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of New FSV. |
By approving the Arrangement Resolution,
Shareholders will be deemed to have approved the proposed directors and auditors of New FSV, which are formally appointed pursuant
to the Arrangement. The directors of New FSV will thereafter be elected by the New FSV shareholders at each annual meeting of shareholders,
and will hold office until the next annual meeting of New FSV, or until his successor is duly elected or appointed, unless: (i)
his office is earlier vacated in accordance with the articles and by-laws of New FSV; or (ii) he becomes disqualified to act as
a director.
The proposed directors and executive officers
of New FSV, as a group, are expected to beneficially own, or control or direct, directly or indirectly, 3,806,321 New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares and 1,325,694 New FSV Multiple Voting Shares, representing approximately 11.0% of the expected number of outstanding
New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and 100.0% of the expected number of outstanding New FSV Multiple Voting Shares, respectively,
upon completion of the Arrangement (assuming that no Dissent Rights are exercised in connection with the Arrangement).
It is expected that New FSV will adopt
a majority voting policy similar to that adopted by FirstService, which policy is expected to apply for non-contested meetings
whereby New FSV shareholders will vote separately for each New FSV director nominee and each director to be elected at a meeting
of New FSV shareholders will be required to be elected by a majority (50% + 1 vote) of the votes cast with respect to his or her
election. Any New FSV director nominee will be required to immediately tender his or her resignation to the New FSV Board if he
or she is not elected by at least a majority (50% + 1 vote) of the votes cast with respect to his or her election even though duly
elected as a matter of corporate law. Such New FSV director nominee's resignation to the New FSV Board will be required to be effective
when accepted by the New FSV Board. The New FSV Board will determine whether or not to accept a New FSV director nominee's resignation
tendered pursuant to the policy within 90 days after the date of the relevant New FSV shareholders' meeting. The New FSV Board
will be required to accept the resignation absent exceptional circumstances. New FSV will promptly issue a press release announcing
the resignation of the New FSV director or explaining the reasons justifying its decision not to accept such resignation.
Biographies
The following are brief profiles of the
proposed directors and executive officers of New FSV, including a description of each individual's principal occupation within
the past five years.
Brendan Calder
Mr. Calder has been an Adjunct Professor
and an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto since 2001 (currently conducting the
MBA course, GettingItDone), is Chair of Rotman's Desautels Centre for Integrative Thinking, was the founding Chair of the Rotman
International Centre for Pension Management and is a Senior Fellow at Massey College. Mr. Calder was with CIBC Mortgages, Inc.
and served as that company's Chair, President and CEO from 1995 to 2000. Mr. Calder is also past Chair of the Peter F. Drucker
Canadian Foundation and The Toronto International Film Festival Group and was a director of the public entities listed below. He
is a director of EllisDon Corporation and Equity Financial Holdings Inc. Mr. Calder holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from
the University of Waterloo and attended the Advance Management Program at Harvard University. Mr. Calder is an Institute of Corporate
Directors certified director (ICD.D).
Bernard I. Ghert, c.m.
Mr. Ghert was previously President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited from 1981 to 1987 and President of Stelworth Investments Inc.
from 1987 to 1992. Mr. Ghert has been a director of many organizations in the private and public sectors, including Cadillac Fairview,
Stelworth, CT Financial and Canada Trust, Wellington Insurance and the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mr. Ghert has served
as Director of the Managers of several Middlefield Funds, President of the Canadian Institute of Public Real Estate Companies and
was a former member of the Advisory Board of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. Mr. Ghert currently is
Chairman of the Independent Review Committee of Middlefield Fund Management Limited, President of the B.I. Ghert Family Foundation,
President of Coppi Holdings Ltd., a Director on Sinai Health System's Board and Past Chair of the Mount Sinai Hospital Board of
Directors.
Jay S. Hennick
Mr. Hennick is the founder and Chief Executive
Officer of FirstService. In 1998, Mr. Hennick was awarded Canada's Entrepreneur of the Year, in 2001 he was named Canada's CEO
of the Year by Canadian Business Magazine and in 2011, received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from York University and the University
of Ottawa. Mr. Hennick currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sinai Health System, in Toronto and is the
immediate past Chair of The Mount Sinai Hospital Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Hennick has endowed the Jay S. Hennick JD-MBA
Program at the Faculty of Law and School of Management at the University of Ottawa Law School, his alma mater, and The Hennick
Centre for Business and Law, a joint program of the Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business at York University.
Mr. Hennick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University in Toronto and a Doctorate of Laws from the University of Ottawa.
D. Scott Patterson
Mr. Patterson is the President and Chief
Operating Officer of FirstService. He joined FirstService in 1994 as Vice President Corporate Development, and was the Chief Financial
Officer from February 1995 until September 2003. Prior to joining FirstService, Mr. Patterson was an investment banker at Bankers
Trust. Mr. Patterson qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1985 and began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Patterson
holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario.
Frederick F. Reichheld
Since 1977, Mr. Reichheld has been employed
at Bain & Company, Inc., a global business consulting firm, and was elected to the partnership at Bain in 1982. Mr. Reichheld
is the creator of the Net Promoter® system of management and founded Bain's Loyalty practice, which helps clients achieve superior
results through improvements in customer, employee, partner and investor loyalty and has also served in a variety of other roles,
including as a member of Bain & Company's Worldwide Management, Nominating, and Compensation Committees. In January 1999, he
was elected by the firm to become the first Bain Fellow. Mr. Reichheld is a frequent speaker to major business forums and groups
of CEOs and senior executives worldwide and has authored several books, including The Loyalty Effect: The Hidden Force Behind Growth,
Profits, and Lasting Value (Harvard Business School Press, 1996), The Loyalty Rules!: How Today's Leaders Build Lasting Relationships
(Harvard Business School Press 2003), The Ultimate Question (Harvard Business School Press, 2006) and The Ultimate Question 2.0
(Harvard Business School Press 2011). Mr. Reichheld received his BA from Harvard College and his MBA from Harvard Business School.
Michael Stein
Mr. Stein is the founder, Chairman and
CEO of the MPI Group, a property development and investment group with a track record in incubating, investing in, and managing
successful companies. Between 1978 and 1987, Mr. Stein held progressively senior positions with the Mortgage Insurance Company
of Canada, ultimately holding the position of Executive Vice-President responsible for operations. Mr. Stein is a founder of CAP
REIT, Canada's first TSX listed apartment REIT, where he continues to serve as chairman. He is a director of City Financial Investment
Company Limited, a United Kingdom FCA regulated asset management company. He currently serves as a director of McEwen Mining Inc.
(NYSE/TSX) and previously served as a director of Goldcorp Inc. Mr. Stein is a graduate engineer and has an MBA in finance and
international business from Columbia University.
Jeremy Rakusin
Jeremy Rakusin joined FirstService in September
2012 as Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development. In this role, Mr. Rakusin has been responsible for sourcing and executing
FirstService's global acquisition strategy, as well as assisting in other corporate strategic and growth initiatives. Prior to
joining FirstService, Mr. Rakusin was Mergers & Acquisitions Head at Raymond James Ltd. for three years, with responsibility
for leading the firm's domestic and cross-border M&A practice. Mr. Rakusin's investment banking and corporate finance experience
also includes more than 10 years at Merrill Lynch (now Bank of America) and TD Securities. Other career experience includes positions
as a portfolio manager at a Toronto-based discretionary investment firm and as a securities and corporate lawyer at Toronto-based
Goodmans LLP. Mr. Rakusin earned his joint MBA (Gold Medal) and Law degrees from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts
(Gold Medal) from the University of Western Ontario. He also received his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2008.
Douglas G. Cooke
Mr. Cooke joined FirstService in 1995 as
Controller, later assuming the position of Corporate Controller and Treasurer. In 2005, Mr. Cooke was appointed Vice President.
He is currently responsible for FirstService's external and internal corporate reporting and cash management functions. Prior to
joining FirstService, Mr. Cooke was Senior Internal Auditor for Unilever Canada, a subsidiary of Unilever PLC, one of the world's
largest consumer product companies. Previously, Mr. Cooke has held senior financial reporting positions within the retail and financial
sectors. Mr. Cooke is both a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst, beginning his career with KPMG.
Mr. Cooke holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto.
Alex Nguyen
Mr. Nguyen joined FirstService in 2008.
In his current role as Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development, Mr. Nguyen is responsible for driving acquisition
growth across all of FirstService's global business platforms. He is also involved with the planning and implementation of FirstService's
corporate strategy as well as its capital markets initiatives. Prior to joining FirstService, Mr. Nguyen worked at the Ontario
Teachers' Pension Plan, one the largest institutional investors in the world with $140 billion in assets, where he was responsible
for the sourcing and execution of private equity investments across a wide range of industries. Formerly, he worked at RBC Capital
Markets and CIT Group. Mr. Nguyen is a CFA Charterholder and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Schulich
School of Business at York University where he graduated With Distinction.
Other Reporting Issuer Experience
The following table sets out the proposed
directors of New FSV that are or were directors of other reporting issuers (or the equivalent) in Canada or a foreign jurisdiction,
other than FirstService, during the last five years:
Proposed
New FSV Directors
|
Name of Reporting Issuer |
Brendan Calder |
Coventree Inc. (Chair: 2007 – 2011) |
2005 – 2011 |
Bernard I. Ghert |
Chairman of the Independent Review Committee
of Middlefield Fund Management Limited, as General Partner of the following:
Resource Funds: MRF 2008
Resource Limited Partnership (2008 to 2010), MRF 2009 Resource Limited Partnership (2009 to 2011), Discovery 2008 Flow-Through
Limited Partnership (2008 to 2010) and Discovery 2009 Flow-Through Limited Partnership (2009 to present)
Chairman of the Independent Review Committee
of Middlefield Limited, as Manager of the following (as of December 1, 2009, except where noted):
TSX-Listed Funds: ACTIVEnergy
Income Fund (as of September 25, 2009), COMPASS Income Fund, INDEXPLUS Income Fund, MINT Income Fund, Middlefield Tactical Energy
Corporation (formerly, OilSands Canada Corporation), Uranium Focused Energy Fund, YIELDPLUS Income Fund, Pathfinder Convertible
Debenture Fund (as of December 21, 2009), Convertible Debenture Trust (as of December 21, 2009), GMIncome & Growth Fund (as
of October 20, 2010) and INDEXPLUS Dividend Fund (as of February 18, 2011)
Resource Funds: MRF 2010
Resource Limited Partnership (as of December 11, 2009), Discovery 2010 Flow-Through Limited Partnership (as of March 3, 2010) and
MRF 2011 Resource Limited Partnership (as of December 10, 2010)
Middlefield Mutual Funds Limited (a mutual
fund corporation comprising a number of outstanding classes of mutual funds)
|
2007 – Present
|
Frederick F. Reichheld |
Rackspace Hosting, Inc. |
2008 – Present |
D. Scott Patterson |
Laramide Resources Ltd. |
1995 – Present |
Michael Stein |
Canadian Apartment Properties
REIT (Chair)
McEwan Mining Inc.
Minera Andes Inc. |
1997 – Present
2012 – Present
2009 – 2012 |
Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies,
Penalties or Sanctions
To the knowledge of New FSV, except as
set forth below, no current or proposed director or executive officer of New FSV is, as at the date of this Circular, or was within
ten (10) years before the date of this Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company,
that:
| (a) | was subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access
to any exemption under securities legislation, that, in each case, was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days
(collective, an "Order"), that was issued while the director or executive officer was acting in the capacity as
director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or |
| (b) | was subject to an Order that was issued after the director or executive officer ceased to be a
director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was
acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer. |
To the knowledge of New FSV, no current
or proposed director or executive officer of New FSV, or a current or proposed shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities
of New FSV to affect materially the control of New FSV:
| (i) | is, as at the date of this Circular, or has been within the ten (10) years before the date of this
Circular, a director or executive officer of any company that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year
of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or
insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver
manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or |
| (ii) | has, within the ten (10) years before the date of this Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal
under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or
compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the director, executive
officer or shareholder. |
To the knowledge of New FSV, except as
set forth below, no current or proposed director or executive officer of New FSV, or a current or proposed shareholder holding
a sufficient number of securities of New FSV to affect materially the control of New FSV, has been subject to:
| (A) | any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities
regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or |
| (B) | any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered
important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision. |
Brendan Calder was a director of Coventree
Inc. ("Coventree") from 2005 to 2011. In 2009, staff of the OSC commenced proceedings against Coventree with respect
to alleged breaches of Ontario securities laws relating to Coventree's continuous disclosure obligations. In September 2011, the
OSC released its decision and concluded that Coventree breached sections 75(1) and 75(2) of the Securities Act (Ontario).
In a decision released on November 9, 2011, the OSC ordered Coventree to pay an administrative penalty of $1 million and $250,000
of OSC costs. The OSC also ordered that trading in any securities by Coventree cease and that any Ontario securities law exemptions
not apply to Coventree until its winding up is completed, provided that these orders will not prevent the winding up of Coventree
or trades in securities reasonably related to that winding up. Mr. Calder was a director of Coventree in 2007 during the period
of time to which the OSC proceedings relate, however no proceedings were brought against Mr. Calder in his individual capacity
with respect to these matters. Mr. Calder is no longer a director of Coventree.
Conflicts of Interest
Certain of the proposed directors and executive
officers of New FSV are officers and directors of, or are associated with, other public and private companies. Such associations
may give rise to conflicts of interest with New FSV from time to time. The OBCA requires, among other things, that the directors
and executive officers of New FSV act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of New FSV, to disclose any personal
interest which they may have in any material contract or transaction which is proposed to be entered into with New FSV and, in
the case of directors, to abstain from voting as a director for the approval of any such contract or transaction. To the extent
that conflicts of interest arise, such conflicts will be resolved in accordance with the provisions of the OBCA. See also "Corporate
Governance" in this Appendix "I".
New FSV Directors' and Officers' Liability
Insurance
New FSV intends to carry a directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy which will be designed to protect New FSV and its directors and officers against any legal
action which may arise as a result of wrongful acts on the part of directors and/or officers of New FSV. Such policy will be written
with a maximum limit and be subject to a corporate deductible on all claims.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
To date, New FSV has not carried on any
active business. No compensation has been paid by New FSV to its proposed executive officers or proposed directors and none will
be paid by New FSV until after the Arrangement is completed. This compensation discussion and analysis describes and explains the
executive compensation principles, policies and programs that New FSV expects to implement following completion of the Arrangement,
including the compensation of its proposed "named executive officers", being: (i) its proposed Chief Executive Officer,
D. Scott Patterson; (ii) its proposed Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy Rakusin; and (iii) the three proposed executive officers
of New FSV or its subsidiaries that are expected to be most highly compensated other than the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer (collectively, with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the "New FSV NEOs"),
being Jay S. Hennick, the proposed Founder and Chairman of New FSV, Charles M. Fallon, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstService
Residential and Charles E. Chase, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstService Brands. Except as otherwise stated herein, such executive
compensation is anticipated to be a continuation of the compensation to which such individuals are entitled in their current positions
as officers of FirstService, FirstService Residential or FirstService Brands, as applicable. As at the date of this Circular, other
than the New FSV MSA, there are no employment or similar contracts expected to be in place between New FSV and any of the proposed
executive officers of New FSV and there are no provisions with New FSV for compensation for the proposed executive officers of
New FSV in the event of termination of employment or a change in responsibilities following a change of control of New FSV. See
"Executive Compensation – New FSV MSA" below.
Principal Elements of Compensation
The compensation to be paid to the New
FSV NEOs in any year is expected to consist of three principal elements:
(a) base salary;
(b) an annual bonus incentive; and
| (c) | a long-term incentive in the form of New FSV Stock Options granted under the New FSV Stock Option
Plan (other than for Mr. Hennick, who is not entitled to participate in the New FSV Stock Option Plan). |
New FSV believes that making a significant
portion of the New FSV NEOs' compensation both variable and long-term supports New FSV's proposed executive compensation philosophy,
as these forms of compensation primarily depend on performance. At the same time, New FSV is expected to emphasize stock option
based compensation to allow those most accountable for New FSV's long-term success to acquire and hold shares of New FSV.
New FSV's process for determining executive
compensation will involve New FSV Board discussions with input from senior management. There is no specific formula expected for
determining the amount of each element, nor is there expected to be a formal approach applied for determining how one element of
compensation fits into the overall compensation objectives in respect of New FSV's activities. Objectives and performance measures
may vary from year to year as determined to be appropriate by the New FSV Board and/or New FSV's Chief Executive Officer, with
input from the New FSV Compensation Committee.
The New FSV NEOs will be eligible to participate
in the benefit plans that are available to substantially all of the other employees of New FSV. These benefit programs are anticipated
to include supplementary medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability and long-term care plans. New
FSV is not expected to provide any additional perquisites or other benefits to the New FSV NEOs. Furthermore, New FSV will not
provide any post-retirement benefits to any of the New FSV NEOs or employees of New FSV.
The key features of the anticipated three
principal elements of compensation are described below.
Base Salary
Base salary will be intended to recognize
the value of an individual to New FSV based on his or her role, skill, performance, contributions, leadership and potential. It
will be critical in attracting and retaining executive talent in the markets in which New FSV will compete for talent. Base salaries
for the New FSV NEOs will be reviewed annually (for the Chief Executive Officer, by the Executive Compensation Committee of New
FSV (the "New FSV Compensation Committee") and the New FSV Board, and for the other executive officers of New
FSV, by New FSV's Chief Executive Officer). For the Chairman, the base fee will be determined in accordance with the New FSV MSA
and will be subject to increase annually in an amount in the discretion of the New FSV Board or the New FSV Compensation Committee,
with any such annual increase to be, absent the consent of Jayset, not less than 5% of the base fee that applied as at the last
day of the immediately preceding fiscal year. Under the New FSV MSA, New FSV will also pay to Jayset a further annual fee equal
to 2% of the aggregate of the base fee and the annual bonus payment. See "Executive Compensation – New FSV MSA"
below.
Annual Bonus Incentive
New FSV is expected to have an annual performance
bonus plan pursuant to which an annual cash performance bonus is awarded to New FSV management and employees based entirely on
percentage growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share over the prior fiscal year. Annual performance bonuses will be paid as
a percentage of base salary, which percentage will increase the larger the percentage growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share
is for the fiscal year in question.
In determining the percentage growth, the
impact on diluted earnings per share of any disposition of material investments or assets and any cost-containment charges will
be excluded. This is expected to establish a direct link between executive compensation and New FSV's regular operating performance.
For New FSV's Chairman, the formula to be used for determining the amount of the annual performance bonus will be established in
the New FSV MSA (see "Executive Compensation – New FSV MSA" below) and, for fiscal 2015, the Chairman will be entitled
to earn 7.5% of the aggregate base fee in fiscal 2015 as an annual bonus for that fiscal year for each 1% growth in adjusted diluted
earnings per share in that fiscal year over the prior fiscal year (with amounts pro-rated to the exact percentage). The other New
FSV NEOs will earn an annual performance bonus calculated on a basis similar to that of the Chairman, determined using percentages
of salary below that used in determining the Chairman's annual bonus incentive.
The New FSV Compensation Committee will
also have the ability recommend, and the New FSV Board may also approve, a non-annual discretionary bonus based on an individual
or New FSV achieving certain designated objectives (other than adjusted diluted earnings per share) and for superior or exceptional
performance in relation to such objectives.
Stock Option Awards
New FSV will provide long-term incentive
to the New FSV NEOs in the form of New FSV Stock Options as part of its overall executive compensation strategy. For a description
of the material terms of the New FSV Stock Option Plan, see "Options To Purchase Securities" in this Appendix "I"
and "Other Arrangement Matters to be Acted Upon – New FSV Stock Option Plan" in this Circular. New FSV believes
that stock option grants will serve New FSV's executive compensation philosophy in several ways. It will help attract, retain and
motivate talent. It will align the interests of the New FSV NEOs with those of shareholders by linking a significant portion of
the officer's total pay opportunity to share price. It will also provide long-term accountability for New FSV NEOs.
In determining the long-term incentive
component of the New FSV NEOs' compensation, the New FSV Compensation Committee will consider, among other factors, the recommendations
of New FSV's Chief Executive Officer, New FSV's performance and relative shareholder return, the level of dilution to shareholders,
the value of similar incentive awards to executive officers at comparable companies and awards given to the New FSV NEOs in prior
years.
New FSV MSA
In furtherance of the implementation of
the Arrangement and the transactions related thereto, the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement will provide that FirstService,
Jayset and Jay S. Hennick will agree to amend and restate the FirstService MSA such that, among other things:
| (a) | FirstService will continue to receive, on the terms and conditions set forth in the FirstService
MSA as so amended and restated (which will then be referred to as the Colliers MSA), those various management and other services
that are currently being provided by Jayset to FirstService in respect of the "Commercial Real Estate Services"
division of FirstService; and |
| (b) | as a continuation of the existing rights and obligations under the FirstService MSA, FirstService,
Jayset and Jay S. Hennick will enter into the New FSV MSA, pursuant to which FirstService will continue to receive, on the terms
and conditions set forth in the New FSV MSA, those various management and other services that are currently being provided by Jayset
to FirstService in respect of the "Residential Real Estate Services" and "Property Services"
divisions of FirstService pursuant to the FirstService MSA. |
As part of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions,
FirstService will, among other things, transfer the New FSV MSA to FSV Holdco and, pursuant to the Arrangement, FSV Holdco will
wind-up into New FSV. See "The Arrangement – Pre-Arrangement Transactions". As a result of the foregoing, the New
FSV MSA will end up being a contract of New FSV and New FSV will receive the services and other benefits contained in, and will
be subject to the obligations under, the New FSV MSA. See "The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees
and Benefit Plans – FirstService MSA" and "The Arrangement – Transitional Services and Separation Agreement"
in this Circular and "Executive Compensation – Colliers MSA" in Appendix "H" of this Circular.
Mr. Hennick is the sole officer, director
and shareholder of Jayset, the registered office of which is located at 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2B4.
Under the terms of the New FSV MSA, Mr. Hennick will perform the services of Founder and Chairman of New FSV on behalf of Jayset.
The amounts anticipated to be payable to Jayset pursuant to the New FSV MSA during the 2015 fiscal year is included in the information
provided for Mr. Hennick in the Summary Compensation Table below under "– Summary Compensation Table". Jayset,
in turn, may transfer such amounts to Mr. Hennick at such times as Mr. Hennick will determine. The New FSV MSA will have an initial
term of one year, with successive one-year renewals at the option of Jayset. Jayset may voluntarily terminate the New FSV MSA upon
six-months prior written notice to New FSV. New FSV may elect to discontinue the use of Jayset's services upon payment to Jayset
of the following amounts: (a) 300% of the aggregate of: (i) the average base management fee and any other fees for the three years
prior to the termination; and (ii) the average incentive fee for the three years prior to the termination; and (b) US$74,520.
In the event of a change of control of
New FSV, a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of New FSV to the shareholders of New FSV or if the New FSV MSA is
not renewed at the end of the initial one-year term or any renewal term, then the New FSV MSA will be deemed to be terminated and
the payments described in (a) and (b) in the preceding paragraph will be payable to Jayset.
The New FSV MSA will also contain a sale
of control arrangement (the "New FSV Long Term Arrangement"). Under the New FSV Long Term Arrangement, New FSV
will agree that it will make a payment to Jayset on (each of the following circumstances, an "Event"): (a) an
arm's length sale of control of New FSV; or (b) a special dividend or other distribution to the shareholders of New FSV or in the
event of a transaction the effect of which results in a transfer of assets of New FSV to the shareholders of New FSV (either of
which, a "Partial Event"). The New FSV Long Term Arrangement will provide for Jayset to receive the following
two payments. The first payment will be an amount equal to 5% of the product of: (i) the aggregate number of New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis at the time of the Event; and (ii) the per
share consideration received or deemed to be received by the holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on or as a result of
the applicable Event minus a base price of C$2.351 (which base price is subject to being finalized as at the Effective Date). The
second and additional payment will be an amount equal to 5% of the product of: (i) the aggregate number of New FSV Subordinate
Voting Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis at the time of the Event; and (ii) the per
share consideration received or deemed to be received by the holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on or as a result of
the applicable Event minus a base price of C$4.578 (which base price is subject to being finalized as at the Effective Date). See
"The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans – FirstService MSA".
Upon the occurrence of a Partial Event,
each of base prices noted above will be adjusted by subtracting from each base price, respectively, an amount equal to the per
share consideration received or to be received by the holders of the New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares on or as a result of such
Partial Event; in no event will either base price be permitted to fall below zero. The base prices are also appropriately adjusted
to reflect stock splits and consolidations.
Compensation Risk
The New FSV Board and the New FSV Compensation
Committee will consider the implications of the risks associated with New FSV's compensation policies and practices in the course
of reviewing, recommending and approving the compensation packages for the executive officers of New FSV. In this regard, the New
FSV Compensation Committee is expected to consider various pertinent and relevant elements where compensation and risk may be related
in relation to the then current compensation policies and practices for executive officers of New FSV (such as pay philosophy,
the mix of fixed versus variable compensation, the mix of short versus long term compensation, share ownership requirements and
trading policies, reimbursement policies and the level of severance in any contractual arrangements). As described herein, the
components of New FSV's executive compensation are expected to be fairly straightforward and include a base salary, a short-term
incentive (annual bonus) and long-term incentive (stock options and, in the case of the Chairman, the New FSV Long Term Arrangement).
Where any risks are identified, the New FSV Board and the New FSV Compensation Committee will be responsible for determining that
processes and controls are in place to mitigate such risks and, overall, that such risks are not significant and not reasonably
likely to have a material adverse effect on New FSV. The risks and uncertainties that are likely to have a material adverse effect
on New FSV are disclosed in this Appendix "I" under "Risk Factors". No such risks relate to New FSV's anticipated
compensation policies and practices.
Trading Policy
Following completion of the Arrangement,
the New FSV Board intends to adopt a policy relating to the trading in securities of New FSV by directors, senior executives, employees
and other insiders of New FSV and its subsidiaries (the "New FSV Trading Policy"). Among other things,
the following are expected to be prohibited by the New FSV Trading Policy: (i) short sales of New FSV's securities; (ii) transactions
in puts, calls or other derivative securities, on an exchange or in any other organized market; (iii) hedging or monetization transactions
that allow an individual to continue to own the covered securities, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership; and (iv)
the resale of securities of New FSV purchased in the open market prior to the expiration of three months from the purchase date.
Consequently, the foregoing prohibitions in the expected New FSV Trading Policy will not permit a New FSV NEO or director to purchase
financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of New FSV's equity securities granted as
compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by a New FSV NEO or director.
Executive Equity Ownership Policy
Following completion of the Arrangement,
the New FSV Board intends to adopt an executive equity ownership policy (the "New FSV EEO Policy") requiring
that the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of New FSV (collectively, the "Designated
Executives") to achieve and maintain, for the duration of their employment at New FSV, minimum ownership of shares of
New FSV having a value as follows: for the Chairman, three times base salary/management fee and for all other Designated Executives,
two times base salary. All Designated Executives will be permitted five years from the institution of the New FSV EEO Policy to
achieve the required minimum ownership of shares. Any newly appointed, retained or promoted Designated Executives will be permitted
five years from their appointment/retention/promotion date to achieve the required minimum ownership of shares. For the purposes
of the New FSV EEO Policy, the base salary or management fee used will be fixed to such base salary or management fee in effect
at the time the Designated Executive first becomes subject to the New FSV EEO Policy. Upon a Designated Executive achieving the
minimum ownership of shares required under the New FSV EEO Policy, the Designated Executive will no longer be required to acquire
further shares of New FSV, including as a result of any decrease in the market price of New FSV's shares. The minimum ownership
of shares will not be required to continue following the cessation of a Designated Executive's employment with New FSV. Upon a
Designated Executive achieving the minimum ownership of shares required under the New FSV EEO Policy, such Designated Executive
will not be permitted to purchase financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset the economic exposure of such Designated
Executive's ownership in shares of New FSV such that the effective economic exposure is less than the required minimum ownership
threshold under the New FSV EEO Policy. The New FSV Board will be permitted to grant exceptions to the New FSV EEO Policy where
circumstances warrant, including, but not limited to, tax and estate planning considerations.
Incentive Compensation Reimbursement
Policy
In order to further align management's
interests with the interests of New FSV shareholders and in support of good governance practices, following completion of the Arrangement,
the New FSV Board also intends to adopt an incentive compensation reimbursement policy (the "New FSV ICR Policy").
Under the New FSV ICR Policy, New FSV will require reimbursement, in all appropriate cases, of any incentive compensation awarded
to management of New FSV if, within one year of receiving such award: (a) the amount of the incentive compensation was calculated
based upon the achievement of certain financial results of New FSV that were subsequently the subject of a financial restatement;
(b) the financial statements are required to be restated as a result of, or partially as a result of, intentional errors, intentional
omissions or fraud; and (c) the amount of the incentive compensation that would have been awarded had the financial results been
properly reported would have been lower than the amount actually awarded. To do this, New FSV will be permitted to pursue various
ways to recover by: (i) seeking repayment; (ii) reducing the amount that would otherwise be payable under another incentive compensation
award; (iii) withholding future equity grants, incentive awards or salary increases; or (iv) take any combination of these actions.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides a summary
of the significant elements of compensation anticipated to be paid to each of the New FSV NEOs following completion of the Arrangement:
Name
and Principal Position of New FSV NEO |
Twelve
Months Ended Dec. 31 |
Salary
(US$) |
Option-Based
Awards
(US$) (1) |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation |
All
Other Compensation
(US$) |
Total
Compensation
(US$) (8) |
Annual
Incentive Plans (US$) (2) |
Long-Term
Incentive Plans (US$) |
Jay
S. Hennick(3)
Founder and Chairman |
2015 |
603,300 |
– |
678,700 |
Nil |
Nil |
1,282,000 |
D.
Scott Patterson(4)
Chief Executive Officer |
2015 |
516,500 |
– |
503,600 |
Nil |
Nil |
1,020,100 |
Jeremy
Rakusin(5)
Chief Financial Officer |
2015 |
224,200 |
– |
134,500 |
Nil |
Nil |
358,700 |
Charles
M. Fallon(6)
CEO, FirstService Residential |
2015 |
515,000 |
– |
540,000 |
Nil |
Nil |
1,055,000 |
Charles
E. Chase(7)
CEO, FirstService Brands |
2015 |
364,200 |
– |
467,000 |
Nil |
Nil |
831,200 |
Notes:
| (1) | The number of New FSV Stock Options,
if any, to be granted to the New FSV NEOs will be determined following completion of
the Arrangement. |
| (2) | Assuming completion of the Arrangement
and that New FSV's adjusted diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2015 will be 15% greater
than the same period in the prior year. |
| (3) | The compensation indicated for Mr.
Hennick will be payable to Jayset pursuant to the New FSV MSA (see "Executive Compensation
– New FSV MSA" above). Assuming completion of the Arrangement and based on
an annual base fee of $603,300. |
| (4) | Assuming completion of the Arrangement
and based on an annual salary of $516,500. |
| (5) | Assuming completion of the Arrangement
and based on an annual salary of $224,200. |
| (6) | Assuming completion of the Arrangement
and based on an annual salary of $515,000. |
| (7) | Assuming completion of the Arrangement
and based on an annual salary of $364,200. |
| (8) | Not including option-based awards;
see note 1 above. Other than Messrs. Fallon and Chase, all New FSV NEOs base salary and
annual bonus incentive amounts will be paid in Canadian dollars (an exchange rate of
US$1.00 = C$0.8127 has been used in the table above). |
Termination or Change of Control Benefits
As noted under "Executive Compensation
– New FSV MSA" above, New FSV will be able to elect to discontinue the use of Jayset's services pursuant to the New
FSV MSA upon payment to Jayset of the amounts described in such section. Furthermore, the New FSV MSA will provide that in the
event of a change of control of New FSV, a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of New FSV to the shareholders of
New FSV or if the New FSV MSA is not renewed at the end of the initial one-year term or any renewal term, then the New FSV MSA
will be deemed to be terminated and the foregoing payments so described will be payable to Jayset. Under the New FSV Long Term
Arrangement, New FSV will agree that it will make a payment to Jayset on the occurrence of an Event. See "Executive Compensation
– New FSV MSA" above.
Pursuant to the terms of the New FSV Stock
Option Plan, where there is a take-over bid to acquire the outstanding shares or New FSV enters into an agreement providing for
the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of New FSV such that, following completion of such sale, New FSV will cease
to carry on, directly or indirectly, an active business, the New FSV Board may advise optionees (including any New FSV NEOs who
are optionees at the time) that all options will expire (subject to certain limitations) on the date determined by the New FSV
Board and each optionee will have the right to exercise their New FSV Stock Options in whole or in part, regardless of vesting.
In addition, the New FSV Option Plan provides that New FSV shall have the right, in certain circumstances and in lieu of delivering
New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares, to pay to an optionee the "in the money" amount of the New FSV Stock Options
held by such optionee, at its election, in the event of a formal take-over bid for all of the shares of New FSV, a sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of New FSV (under circumstances such that, following the completion of such sale, New FSV will
cease to carry on an active business) or any merger, arrangement, amalgamation or other similar form of transaction involving New
FSV under circumstances such that, following the completion of such transaction, there is a change in control of New FSV. See "Other
Arrangement Matters to be Acted Upon – New FSV Stock Option Plan" in this Circular.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
New FSV has not established an annual retainer
fee or attendance fee for its directors. However, New FSV may establish directors fees in the future and will reimburse directors
for all reasonable expenses incurred in order to attend meetings. New FSV directors will be permitted to participate in the New
FSV Stock Option Plan.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The following disclosure is based on the
present expectations of New FSV with respect to the formal establishment of an audit committee (the "New FSV Audit Committee")
of the New FSV Board (without changes to the proposed composition) and the ratification and adoption of its mandate (without any
material modifications) will occur following completion of the Arrangement. However, such disclosure remains subject to revision
prior or subsequent to the Effective Date. See "Notice to Reader" in this Appendix "I". The proposed mandate
of the New FSV Audit Committee is set out in Exhibit 1 to this Appendix "I".
New FSV Audit Committee
The New FSV Audit Committee will be appointed
by, and assist, the New FSV Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in the following principal areas: (i) accounting
policies and practices; (ii) the financial reporting process; (iii) financial statements provided by New FSV to the public; (iv)
risk management, including systems of internal accounting and financial controls; (v) appointing, overseeing and evaluating the
work and independence of the external auditors; and (vi) compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The New
FSV Audit Committee will have the resources and the authority to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to engage,
at the expense of New FSV, outside consultants, independent legal counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry
out its duties, without seeking approval of the New FSV Board or management. The New FSV Audit Committee will also have the authority
to conduct any investigation necessary and appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities, and have direct access and authority
to communicate directly with the external auditors, legal counsel and officers and employees of New FSV. The New FSV Audit Committee
will meet at least four times annually, or more frequently as circumstances dictate.
The New FSV Audit Committee will review
the annual and interim financial statements intended for circulation among shareholders and will report upon these to the New FSV
Board prior to their approval by the full New FSV Board. The New FSV Audit Committee will also be responsible for the integrity
of New FSV's internal accounting and control systems. The New FSV Audit Committee will communicate directly with New FSV's external
auditors in order to discuss audit and related matters whenever appropriate. In addition, the New FSV Board will defer to the New
FSV Audit Committee on other matters and questions relating to the financial position of New FSV and its affiliates. All reports
that will be made to New FSV's ethics hotline will be reviewed by the Chair of the New FSV Audit Committee and then by the entire
New FSV Audit Committee at its next meeting.
The New FSV Audit Committee mandate will
provide, and the general practice at New FSV will be, that the New FSV Audit Committee will review and approve all material transactions
and contracts entered into by New FSV with any insider or related party of New FSV, other than director, officer or employee compensation
which will be approved by the New FSV Compensation Committee. Otherwise, from time to time ad hoc committees of the New
FSV Board may be appointed. In practice, and as is customary or appropriate, the New FSV Board may establish "special"
or "independent" ad hoc committees of the New FSV Board as needed from time to time to review, pass upon or deal
with material matters (including considering transactions and agreements in respect of which a director or executive officer has
or may have a material interest), and the committee members of any such ad hoc committee will be selected and appointed
based on their independence from management as well as their independence from the matter at hand which has required the establishment
of such ad hoc committee.
The New FSV Board and the New FSV Audit
Committee are expected to establish procedures (which procedures will be subject to monitoring by the New FSV Audit Committee)
for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints or concerns received by New FSV regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls or auditing matters, including the anonymous submission by employees of concerns respecting accounting or auditing matters.
Composition of the New FSV Audit Committee
On the Effective Date, the New FSV Audit
Committee is expected to consist of the following three members, all of whom are "independent" and "financially
literate" as required by National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees ("NI 52-110"): Bernard
I. Ghert (Chair), Frederick F. Reichheld and Michael Stein. The relevant education and experience of each of the proposed members
of the New FSV Audit Committee is outlined below.
Bernard I. Ghert (Chair) –
Mr. Ghert has a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA). Mr. Ghert was previously President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited from 1981 to 1987 and President of Stelworth Investments Inc. from 1987 to 1992. Mr.
Ghert has been a director of many organizations in the private and public sectors, including Cadillac Fairview, Stelworth, CT Financial
and Canada Trust, Wellington Insurance and the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mr. Ghert has served as Director of the Managers
of several Middlefield Funds, President of the Canadian Institute of Public Real Estate Companies and was a former member of the
Advisory Board of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. Mr. Ghert currently is Chairman of the Independent
Review Committee of Middlefield Fund Management Limited, President of the B.I. Ghert Family Foundation, President of Coppi Holdings
Ltd., a Director on Sinai Health System's Board and Past Chair of the Mount Sinai Hospital Board of Directors.
Frederick F. Reichheld – Mr.
Reichheld has a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College and a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard Business
School. Since 1977, Mr. Reichheld has been employed at Bain & Company, Inc., a global business consulting firm, and was elected
to the partnership at Bain in 1982. Mr. Reichheld is the creator of the Net Promoter® system of management and founded Bain's
Loyalty practice, which helps clients achieve superior results through improvements in customer, employee, partner and investor
loyalty and has also served in a variety of other roles, including as a member of Bain & Company's Worldwide Management, Nominating,
and Compensation Committees. In January 1999, he was elected by the firm to become the first Bain Fellow. Mr. Reichheld is a frequent
speaker to major business forums and groups of CEOs and senior executives worldwide and has authored several books, including The
Loyalty Effect: The Hidden Force Behind Growth, Profits, and Lasting Value (Harvard Business School Press, 1996), The Loyalty Rules!:
How Today's Leaders Build Lasting Relationships (Harvard Business School Press 2003), The Ultimate Question (Harvard Business School
Press, 2006) and The Ultimate Question 2.0 (Harvard Business School Press 2011).
Michael
Stein – Mr. Stein is a graduate engineer and has a Masters degree in Business Administration
(MBA) in finance and international business from Columbia University. Mr. Stein is the founder, Chairman and CEO of the MPI Group,
a property development and investment group with a track record in incubating, investing in, and managing successful companies.
Between 1978 and 1987, Mr. Stein held progressively senior positions with the Mortgage Insurance Company of Canada, ultimately
holding the position of Executive Vice-President responsible for operations. Mr. Stein is a founder of CAPREIT, Canada's first
TSX listed apartment REIT, where he continues to serve as chairman. He is a director of City Financial Investment Company Limited,
a United Kingdom FCA regulated asset management company. He currently serves as a director of McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE/TSX), chairman
of Cliffside Capital Ltd. (TSX-V) and previously served as a director of Goldcorp Inc.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The New FSV Audit Committee mandate provides
that the New FSV Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit engagements and the provision by the external auditors of all non-audit
services, including fees and terms for all audit and non-audit engagements. The New FSV Audit Committee may delegate the responsibility
to pre-approve non-audit services to one of its members and any such delegated pre-approvals must be presented to the New FSV Audit
Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The New FSV Audit Committee will delegate to the Chair of the New FSV Audit Committee,
who is independent, the authority to act on behalf of the New FSV Audit Committee with respect to the pre-approval of all audit
and permitted non-audit services provided by the external auditors from time to time. Any approvals by the Chair will be reported
to the full New FSV Audit Committee at its next meeting. The New FSV Audit Committee mandate further provides that the New FSV
Audit Committee consider, assess and report to the New FSV Board with regard to the independence and performance of the external
auditors. The New FSV Audit Committee is expected to adopt a pre-approval policy pursuant to which New FSV may not engage New FSV's
external auditor to carry out certain non-audit services that are deemed inconsistent with the independence of auditors under U.S.
and Canadian applicable laws. The New FSV Audit Committee will is also be responsible for reviewing hiring policies for current
and former partners or employees of the external auditors.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Unless otherwise indicated, the following
disclosure is based on the present expectations of New FSV in respect of its corporate governance practices and that the formal
establishment of committees of the New FSV Board described below (without changes to the proposed composition) and the ratification
and adoption of their respective mandates (without any material modifications) will occur following completion of the Arrangement.
However, such disclosure remains subject to revision prior or subsequent to the Effective Date. See "Notice to Reader"
in this Appendix "I".
Statement of Corporate Governance
Practices
The New FSV Board will consider good corporate
governance practices to be an important factor in the overall success of New FSV. Under National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure
of Corporate Governance Practices and National Policy 58-201 – Corporate Governance Guidelines Practices (collectively, the
"Corporate Governance Rules"), New FSV is required to disclose information relating to its corporate governance
practices as set out below. New FSV is committed to adopting and adhering to corporate governance practices that either meet or
exceed applicable corporate governance standards. New FSV believes that its corporate governance practices should be compared to
the highest standards currently in force and applicable to it as well as to best market practices.
In addition, New FSV believes that director,
officer and employee honesty and integrity are important factors in ensuring good corporate governance, which in turn improves
corporate performance and benefits all shareholders. To that end, the New FSV Board is expected to adopt a Code of Ethics and Conduct,
which code will apply to all directors, officers and employees of New FSV and its subsidiaries, and a Financial Management Code
of Ethics and Conduct, which code will apply to officers, senior management and senior financial and accounting personnel of New
FSV and its subsidiaries. The Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Financial Management Code of Ethics and Conduct will be substantially
similar to those of FirstService, which can each be viewed on FirstService's website (www.firstservice.com). Any deviations from
the Code of Ethics and Conduct will be required to be reported to an employee's supervisor and, if appropriate, New FSV's Chief
Financial Officer and the New FSV Board. Any deviations from the Financial Management Code of Ethics and Conduct will be required
to be reported to the Chief Executive Officer and/or the Chair of the New FSV Audit Committee. Furthermore, New FSV will maintain
an ethics hotline and an ethics hotline policy in which any director, officer and employee of New FSV or its subsidiaries will
have a responsibility to report any activity or suspected activity of which he or she may have knowledge relating to the integrity
of New FSV's financial reporting or which otherwise might be considered sensitive in preserving New FSV's reputation. All reports
made to the ethics hotline will be reviewed by the New FSV Audit Committee.
New FSV Board Composition
On the Effective Date, the New FSV Board
will be comprised of six members, a majority of which will be comprised of independent directors. At such time, four of the six
members of the New FSV Board (or 66.7%), being Brendan Calder, Bernard I. Ghert, Frederick F. Reichheld and Michael Stein, will
be considered by the New FSV Board to be independent directors within the meaning of the Corporate Governance Rules as each will
have "no direct or indirect material relationship" with New FSV. The other two New FSV Board members, Jay S. Hennick
and D. Scott Patterson, will not be independent directors within the meaning of the Corporate Governance Rules as each will be
a member of management of New FSV. In deciding whether a particular director is or is not an independent director, the New FSV
Board is expected to examine the factual circumstances of each director and consider them in the context of many factors.
In order to ensure that the New FSV Board
successfully carries out its duties and responsibilities, the New FSV Board will appoint an independent lead director of the New
FSV Board. The lead director's duties will include representing the independent New FSV directors in discussions with senior management
on corporate governance issues and other matters, assisting in ensuring that the New FSV Board functions independently of its significant
shareholder and performing such other duties and responsibilities as are delegated by the New FSV Board from time to time. Bernard
I. Ghert is expected to be appointed as the independent lead director of the New FSV Board.
Following the Effective Date, the New FSV
Board is expected to adopt a majority voting policy for the election of directors. For a description of such proposed policy, see
"Directors and Executive Officers" in this Appendix "I".
In addition, following the Effective Date,
the New FSV Board is expected to adopt a policy relating to a director's tenure and priorities. Under this proposed policy, upon
a New FSV director reaching the age of 75, and on each anniversary thereafter for so long as such individual continues to serve
as a director, such director must tender his or her written resignation from the New FSV Board to New FSV's Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee (the "New FSV Governance Committee"). The New FSV Governance Committee will, within
30 days, consider the resignation offer and will recommend to the New FSV Board whether or not to accept it. The New FSV Board
will thereafter act on the New FSV Governance Committee's recommendation within 30 days. If a resignation is accepted, it will
be effective either: (i) prior to the commencement of the next annual meeting of New FSV's shareholders at which directors are
to be elected; or (ii) upon acceptance of such offer of resignation by the New FSV Board, as determined by the New FSV Board. The
foregoing is expected to apply to all directors of New FSV on the Effective Date as well as to all future directors of New FSV,
other than Bernard I. Ghert, who is expected to be exempted by the New FSV Board having regard to his age and his past service
as a director and Chair of the Audit Committee of FirstService. In addition, it is expected that this policy will provide that
upon initially becoming a director of New FSV, and at each annual New FSV Board meeting occurring immediately prior to the annual
meeting of New FSV's shareholders at which directors are to be elected, each director will represent to the New FSV Board that
membership on the New FSV Board and the carrying out of such director's New FSV Board and committee duties is one of such director's
"top three" priorities and that such director's personal or professional circumstances do not adversely affect such director's
ability to effectively serve as a director of New FSV.
It is expected that Mr. Hennick, who is
not an independent director, will be appointed Chair of the New FSV Board and Mr. Ghert, an independent director, will be appointed
as the independent lead director of the New FSV Board, thereby ensuring a separation of the roles of Chair and Chief Executive
Officer (who will be D. Scott Patterson) as well as appropriate independence. As Chair of the Board, Mr. Hennick will provide leadership
to directors in discharging their mandate, including by leading, managing and organizing the New FSV Board consistent with the
approach to corporate governance adopted by the New FSV Board from time to time, promoting cohesiveness among the directors and
being satisfied that the responsibilities of the New FSV Board and its committees are well understood by the directors. The Chair
of the New FSV Board will be responsible for taking all reasonable measures to ensure that the New FSV Board fully executes its
responsibilities. The New FSV Board will not have a written mandate, but rather will develop a formal position description for
the Chair of the New FSV Board similar to that of the Chair of the Board of FirstService (the full text of which is attached as
Exhibit A to FirstService's Management Information Circular dated May 16, 2006 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com). The
position description for the Chair of the New FSV Board will provide, among other things, that the Chair will: (i) ensure that
all business required to come before the New FSV Board is brought before the New FSV Board such that the New FSV Board is able
to carry out all of its duties to manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of New FSV; (ii) ensure the New
FSV Board has the opportunity, at each regularly scheduled meeting, to meet separately without non-independent directors and management
personnel present; and (iii) in conjunction with the relevant committee of the New FSV Board (and its Chair), review and assess
the directors' meeting attendance records and the effectiveness and performance of the New FSV Board, its committees (and their
Chairs) and individual directors.
On the Effective Date, none of the directors
of New FSV will be women. It is not expected that New FSV will adopt a written policy relating to the identification and nomination
of women directors and or adopted a target regarding women on its board. While New FSV, through the New FSV Governance Committee,
will consider the level of representation of women on its board in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election
to the board, the primary emphasis has been placed on potential director nominee candidates who generally possess the necessary
competencies, independence, expertise, skills, background and personal qualities, irrespective of gender, to represent the best
interests of shareholders as a potential director of New FSV. The New FSV Governance Committee is expected to consider the level
of representation of women on the New FSV Board in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election to the New
FSV Board, in the context of other factors as outlined above, and may adjust the emphasis on these factors from time-to-time, though
core values such as integrity, sound judgment, knowledge, skill, experience and diversity are expected to be fundamental to the
selection and screening process to be followed.
New FSV Executive Composition
While New FSV is expected to consider the
level of representation of women in executive officer positions when making executive officer appointments, it is not expected
to adopt a target regarding women in executive officer positions, but rather to generally seek appropriate executive officer candidates
who possess the necessary competencies, expertise skills, and fit with employees, clients, and other stakeholders, for the position
to be filled, irrespective of gender. It is anticipated that approximately 16 (9%) of the executive officers of New FSV, including
all of its major subsidiaries, will be women.
New FSV Board Equity Ownership Policy
Following the Effective Date, the New FSV
Board is expected to approve a policy requiring that each director own at least US$100,000 worth of shares of New FSV (subject
to adjustment for share reorganizations). It is expected that such shares will be required to be held at all times during the period
that they are directors. Newly elected or appointed directors will be permitted two years within which to attain the minimum ownership
amount.
New FSV Board and Committee Process
In addition to the New FSV Board being
comprised of a majority of independent directors following the Effective Date, New FSV is expected to adopt a variety of structures
to allow for the independence of the New FSV Board from New FSV management. Those structures are anticipated to include the practice
of having the independent members of the New FSV Board or its committees meet as a group (with no members of New FSV management
present) regularly at every New FSV Board meeting and committee meeting, and members of the New FSV Board and its committees having
the opportunity to initiate discussions with senior New FSV management without the CEO present so that they may freely discuss
any concerns they may have, and the ongoing monitoring of the relationship between the New FSV Board and its committees and New
FSV management by the New FSV Governance Committee, which will be composed entirely of independent directors. It is expected that
the New FSV Board and its committees will function independently of New FSV management.
New FSV's Chief Executive Officer will
report formally to the New FSV Board, and, where appropriate, to its committees, as well as less formally through discussions with
members of the New FSV Board and its committees, to advise the New FSV Board and its committees on a timely basis of courses of
action that are being considered by New FSV management and are being followed. The New FSV Board will exercise its responsibility
for oversight through the approval of all significant decisions and initiatives affecting New FSV. Following completion of the
Arrangement, the New FSV Board is expected to develop a formal position description for its Chief Executive Officer, which position
description is expected to provide that the Chief Executive Officer will have primary responsibility for the management of the
business and affairs of New FSV. As such, the Chief Executive Officer will be expected to establish the strategic and operational
orientation of New FSV and, in so doing, provide leadership and vision for the effective overall management, profitability, increase
in shareholder value and growth of New FSV and for conformity with policies that may be agreed upon by the New FSV Board. New FSV's
Chief Executive Officer will be directly accountable to the New FSV Board for all activities of New FSV. The New FSV Board is not
expected to approve formal corporate objectives which the Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for achieving; however, the
New FSV Board and the Chief Executive Officer will be expected to engage in regular dialogue regarding the performance of the senior
New FSV management team, including the Chief Executive Officer, in achieving New FSV's strategic objectives as determined by New
FSV management and the New FSV Board.
New FSV management, working with the New
FSV Board and the New FSV Governance Committee, are expected to provide an orientation program for new directors and a continuing
education program for all directors to familiarize and update them with respect to New FSV and its businesses. It is anticipated
that, prior to agreeing to join the New FSV Board, new directors will be given a clear indication of the workload and time commitment
required. The Chair of the New FSV Board will ensure that the orientation program is carried out as directed by the New FSV Governance
Committee. New directors to New FSV are expected to generally be executives with extensive business experience. Orientation for
these individuals will be provided through a review of past New FSV Board materials and other private and public documents concerning
New FSV and visits to certain of New FSV's businesses and offices. On a continuing basis, management of New FSV and its divisions
will provide periodic presentations for the New FSV Board to ensure that directors are fully informed of New FSV operations, major
business trends and industry practices, and directors will be free to contact the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial
Officer and other members of New FSV management at any time to discuss any aspect of New FSV's businesses.
The New FSV Board, either directly or through
New FSV Board committees, will be responsible for overseeing the business and affairs of New FSV and for approving the overall
direction of New FSV, in a manner which is in the best interests of New FSV and its shareholders. At least four regular meetings
and, if required, strategy meetings of the New FSV Board are expected to be scheduled each year at which the directors will review
in detail the financial statements, operating reports, forecasts, future prospects, budgets and reports from the committees of
the New FSV Board and from New FSV management. The frequency of meetings as well as the nature of agenda items will change depending
upon the state of New FSV's affairs and in light of opportunities or issues that New FSV may face. A meeting agenda is anticipated
to be circulated in advance to all directors, meetings will be scheduled well in advance and a core agenda of items, together with
a book of materials, will be circulated prior to each meeting.
During fiscal 2014, none of the proposed
directors of New FSV will have served together as directors on the boards of other public companies or as trustees for other public
entities other than FirstService. Please see "Directors and Executive Officers – Other Reporting Issuer Experience"
in this Appendix "I" for the name of each reporting issuer's board (other than FirstService's) on which the proposed
directors of New FSV are currently, or were during the past five years, members.
Proportionate Representation
Following the Effective Date, New FSV will
be controlled by Jay S. Hennick. See "Principal Shareholders" in this Appendix "I". Four of the six proposed
directors of New FSV, or 66.7% of the total number of proposed directors, will be independent directors and will be, therefore,
free from any relationships with the significant shareholder. New FSV believes that the membership on the New FSV Board of these
four proposed directors will fairly reflect the investment in New FSV by shareholders other than New FSV's significant shareholder.
New FSV Board Committees
The New FSV Board expects to establish
three standing committees: the New FSV Audit Committee, the New FSV Compensation Committee and the New FSV Governance Committee.
The anticipated roles of these committees are outlined below. Each committee will have a written mandate establishing the responsibilities
of the committee, and each committee will review and assess its mandate at least annually and have the authority to retain special
legal, accounting or other advisors. From time to time ad hoc committees of the New FSV Board may be appointed. As the New
FSV Board will have plenary power, any responsibility which is not delegated to New FSV management or a New FSV Board committee
will remain with the New FSV Board. The New FSV Board will not develop a formal position description for the Chair of any standing
committee. However, the committee mandate for each standing committee will be sufficiently detailed and contain appropriate information
to delineate the role and responsibilities of the applicable committee, and thereby the Chair of the applicable committee. The
New FSV Board will delineate the role and responsibilities of the Chair of the New FSV Audit Committee, the New FSV Compensation
Committee and the New FSV Governance Committee by tasking the Chair of the applicable committee with taking all reasonable measures
to ensure that the applicable committee executes and fulfills its responsibilities under the applicable committee mandate and assumes
each of the responsibilities specifically given to a Chair of a committee under the applicable committee mandate.
New FSV Audit Committee
On the Effective Date, the New FSV Audit
Committee is expected to consist of three members, Bernard I. Ghert (Chair), Frederick F. Reichheld and Michael Stein, all of whom
are "independent" and "financially literate" as required by NI 52-110. For further information on the New FSV
Audit Committee, see "Audit Committee" in this Appendix "I" and Exhibit 1 to this Appendix "I".
New FSV Compensation Committee
New FSV expects to establish the New FSV
Compensation Committee, which will be comprised of three members, Brendan Calder (Chair), Bernard I. Ghert and Michael Stein, all
of whom will be independent directors within the meaning of the Corporate Governance Rules. The New FSV Compensation Committee
will, among other things, review and approve the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and provides input to the Chief Executive
Officer in terms of the compensation for the other executive officers of New FSV. The New FSV Compensation Committee is also expected
to review the compensation of the directors of New FSV and any compensation programs applicable to senior management of New FSV,
such as the New FSV Stock Option Plan. In the case of grants of options after the Effective Date under the New FSV Stock Option
Plan, all proposed option grants will be submitted to New FSV Compensation Committee for review and a recommendation is made to
the full New FSV Board. The New FSV Compensation Committee will have a written mandate establishing the responsibilities of the
New FSV Compensation Committee.
New FSV Governance Committee
New FSV expects to establish the New FSV
Governance Committee, which will be comprised of three members, Michael Stein (Chair), Brendan Calder and Frederick F. Reichheld,
all of whom will be independent directors within the meaning of the Corporate Governance Rules. The New FSV Governance Committee
will have a written mandate establishing the responsibilities of the New FSV Governance Committee. The New FSV Governance Committee
will, among other things, be responsible for identifying and recommending to the New FSV Board appropriate director nominee candidates.
In addition, the New FSV Governance Committee will be responsible for advising the New FSV Board with respect to the New FSV Board's
composition, procedures and committees and developing, recommending and monitoring New FSV's corporate governance and other policies,
assisting the New FSV Board and the committees in their annual review of their performance and their mandates, reviewing and making
recommendations to the New FSV Board with respect to the compensation of directors, succession plans and undertaking such other
initiatives that may be necessary or desirable to enable the New FSV Board to provide effective corporate governance. The New FSV
Governance Committee is expected to conduct annual surveys of the New FSV Board's effectiveness and, every few years, a peer review
of the individual members of the New FSV Board.
The New FSV Governance Committee will be
mandated to assess at least annually the optimum New FSV Board size and beneficial skill sets and make recommendations to the New
FSV Board on any changes. The number of proposed directors of New FSV on the Effective Date is six. New FSV considers that the
ideal number of directors for New FSV is approximately six to nine. Following completion of the Arrangement, the New FSV Governance
Committee and the New FSV Board will consider the matter of New FSV Board size and the skill sets of the New FSV directors, but
they are expected to be of the view that the proposed directors of New FSV on the Effective Date will have the necessary breadth
and diversity of experience and will be of an adequate size to provide for effective decision-making and staffing of New FSV Board
committees.
The New FSV Governance Committee will is
responsible for determining the appropriate criteria for selecting and assessing potential directors and selects candidates for
nomination to the New FSV Board accordingly. At such time as it is determined that a new director is desirable, the New FSV Governance
Committee is expected to engage in various activities to ensure an effective process for selecting candidates for nomination, including
developing criteria for the selection of a new director, developing and maintaining a director skills matrix (identifying the desired
competencies, independence, expertise, skills, background and personal qualities that are being sought in potential candidates),
identifying and recommending individuals qualified and suitable to become directors, the Chair of the New FSV Board, the Chief
Executive Officer and/or other directors will be expected meet with potential new candidates prior to nomination to discuss the
time commitments and performance expectations of the position and formal approval would be sought and obtained from the New FSV
Board in respect of candidates for nomination.
Assessments of the New FSV Board
New FSV will establish appropriate practices
for the regular evaluation of the effectiveness of the New FSV Board, its committees and its members.
Following the end of each fiscal, it is
expected that an evaluation of the New FSV Board, as a whole, will be conducted by the Chair of the New FSV Governance Committee
in which each New FSV Board member will be contacted by the Chair of the New FSV Governance Committee to complete a customized
written questionnaire. Responses will be reviewed by the Chair of the New FSV Governance Committee with the New FSV Governance
Committee, the Chair of the New FSV Board and the Chief Executive Officer and then reported to the full New FSV Board. The Chair
of the New FSV Governance Committee will discuss the results with each of the directors, as appropriate, and engaged in a full
and frank discussion on any and all issues which any New FSV Board member wishes to raise, including how the directors, both individually
and collectively, could operate more effectively. At the conclusion of the evaluation, as necessary, matters requiring follow-up
will be identified, actions plans will be developed and there will be ongoing monitoring by the Chair of the New FSV Governance
Committee to ensure satisfactory results.
In addition, the Chair of the New FSV Governance
Committee is expected to meet with the individual members of the New FSV Board on an ongoing basis to discuss the individual's
contribution to the New FSV Board. A formal peer review of the individual members of the New FSV Board is expected to occur every
few years. Whether a peer review is completed formally or informally, each director will be encouraged to view any feedback as
constructive advice to enhance both their individual contribution and overall New FSV Board effectiveness.
Key Governance Documents
Following completion of the Arrangement,
it is expected that many policies and practices will support the corporate framework at New FSV. The following documents will constitute
key components of New FSV's corporate governance system and are expected to be made available by New FSV subsequent to completion
of the Arrangement:
Code of Ethics and Conduct
Financial Management Code of Ethics
and Conduct
Majority Voting Policy for the
Election of Directors
Policy on Director's Tenure and
Priorities
New FSV Board Equity Ownership
Policy |
Chair of the Board Position Description
Chief Executive Officer Position
Description
New FSV Audit Committee Mandate
New FSV Compensation Committee
Mandate
New FSV Governance Committee Mandate |
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
FirstService Residential operates in segments
subject to regulation by the U.S., individual states, and Canadian provinces in which we operate. In many regions, laws require
that property managers must be licensed, which involves certain examinations and continuing education. In addition, residential
real estate sales and leasing operations are subject to regulation as a real estate brokerage by the various states and provinces
in which we operate.
FirstService Brands franchise businesses
are subject to U.S. Federal Trade Commission regulations and state and Canadian provincial laws that regulate the offering and
sale of franchises. In all jurisdictions, we endeavor to have our franchises meet or exceed regulatory standards, including in
the 40 states, in all Canadian provinces and in several other countries around the world in which we are authorized to sell franchises.
RISK FACTORS
If any event arising from the risk factors
set forth below or described under the heading "Risk Factors" in this Circular occurs, New FSV's business, prospects,
financial condition, results of operation or cash flows and, in some cases, its reputation could be materially adversely affected.
See "Risk Factors" in this Circular and the risk factors set out below and in the Management's Discussion and Analysis
in Appendix "K" to this Circular.
Risks Relating to the Arrangement
Following the Arrangement, New FSV may
need to obtain financing on a stand-alone basis
Following the Arrangement, New FSV may
need to raise financing on a stand-alone basis without reference to Colliers.
Following the Arrangement, New FSV may
not be able to secure adequate debt or equity financing on desirable terms or at all. Financing on a stand-alone basis may affect
the interest rate charged on financings, as well as the amounts of indebtedness, types of financing structures and debt markets
that may be available to New FSV following the Arrangement. New FSV may not be able to raise the capital it requires on desirable
terms following the Arrangement.
Following the Arrangement, New FSV may
be unable to make the changes necessary to operate as an independent entity and may incur greater costs
Following the Arrangement, the separation
of New FSV from the other businesses of FirstService may materially adversely affect New FSV. New FSV may not be able to implement
successfully the changes necessary to operate independently. New FSV may incur additional costs relating to operating independently
that could materially affect its cash flow and results of operations. New FSV may require Colliers to provide New FSV with certain
services and facilities on a transitional basis. New FSV may, as a result, be dependent on such services and facilities until it
is able to provide or obtain its own.
The historical financial information
of the New FSV Assets may not be representative of the results of New FSV as an independent entity, and, therefore, may not be
reliable as an indicator of its historical or future results
The New FSV Assets are currently integrated
within the business units of FirstService; consequently the financial information relating to New FSV included in this Circular
has been derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of FirstService and reflect certain assumptions
and allocations. The financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the New FSV Assets could differ from those that
would have resulted had New FSV operated autonomously or as an entity independent of FirstService.
There does not exist a separate operating
history of New FSV as a stand-alone entity
Upon the Arrangement becoming effective,
New FSV is expected to become an independent public company. The operating history of FirstService in respect of the New FSV Assets
cannot be regarded as the operating history of New FSV. The ability of New FSV to raise capital, satisfy its obligations and provide
a return to its shareholders will be dependent upon its future performance. It will not be able to rely on the capital resources
and cash flows of Colliers.
Risks relating to New FSV's Business
Economic conditions, especially as they
relate to credit conditions and consumer spending
During periods of economic slowdown or
contraction, the business of New FSV is impacted directly. Consumer spending directly impacts New FSV's Property Services operations
businesses because as consumers spend less on property services, New FSV's revenues decline. In addition, these factors could also
negatively impact the timing or the ultimate collection of accounts receivable, which would negatively impact operating revenues,
profitability and cash flow.
Residential real estate property values,
resale rates and general conditions of financial liquidity for real estate transactions
New FSV provides various services at residential
properties in its Property Services and Residential Real Estate Services operations. Property values are directly correlated with
demand for New FSV's services, including painting, closet installation, general maintenance, collections and resale processing.
Extreme weather conditions impact demand
for New FSV's services and New FSV's ability to perform those services
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes,
can have a direct impact on New FSV's Property Services and Residential Real Estate Services operations. These events damage property,
which require various services that New FSV's companies offer, such as restoration and large-scale landscaping. They may also harm
New FSV's employees, facilities and franchisees, resulting in an inability to serve clients and generate revenues.
Economic deterioration impacts New FSV's
ability to recover goodwill and other intangible assets
Expectations of future earnings drive the
recoverability of goodwill and other intangible assets, which are tested, at least, on an annual basis. A future deterioration
of operating performance may necessitate non-cash impairment charges.
Ability to generate cash from New FSV's
businesses to fund future acquisitions and meet New FSV's debt obligations
New FSV relies on its businesses to generate
the necessary cash to service its financial obligations. Assuming that the Arrangement was effective on December 31, 2014 (and
as reflected in the unaudited pro forma financial statements in relation to New FSV set out in Appendix "L" to this Circular),
New FSV had $239.4 million of debt outstanding ($172.6 million net of cash) that will be required to be refinanced or repaid over
the next 10 years and had $63.4 million of available undrawn credit. In the event of a decline in performance in some of New FSV's
businesses, surplus cash may not be available to be remitted which may result in the inability to meet a debt repayment.
An important component of New FSV's growth
strategy is strategic and selective acquisitions, which New FSV tends to complete with cash. Although New FSV will have a revolving
credit facility available to it as noted in this Appendix "I", New FSV will also rely on surplus cash on hand to fund
acquisitions. If cash on hand is not available and the credit facility is fully utilized, then future acquisitions may not be possible.
The effects of changes in foreign exchange
rates in relation to the U.S. dollar on New FSV's Canadian dollar denominated revenues and expenses
New FSV will generate approximately 8%
of its revenues outside of the United States. Consequently, New FSV's consolidated results are impacted directly by fluctuations
in the relative strength of the U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar. In the future, New FSV expects to acquire additional international
operations. As a consequence, the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations may increase.
Competition in the markets served by
New FSV
New FSV operates in highly competitive
markets. Changes in the source and intensity of competition in the markets served by New FSV impacts the demand for its services
and may result in additional pricing pressures. The relatively low capital cost of entry to certain of New FSV's businesses has
led to strong competitive markets, including regional and local owner-operated companies. Regional and local competitors operating
in a limited geographic area may have lower labour, benefits and overhead costs. The principal methods of competition in New FSV's
businesses include name recognition, quality and speed of service, pricing, customer satisfaction and reputation. No assurance
can be given that New FSV will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors and that the competitive pressures
that New FSV faces will not result in reduced market share or negatively impact New FSV's financial performance.
Labour shortages or increases in wage
and benefit costs
As a services company, New FSV's primary
asset is the human capital that comprises its workforce. In particular, New FSV relies on property managers, franchisees and other
skilled staff to generate revenues. A shortage, or increase in wage and benefit costs, of this human capital could reduce New FSV's
revenues and profitability.
The effects of changes in interest rates
on New FSV's cost of borrowing
Assuming that the Arrangement was effective
on December 31, 2014 (and as reflected in the unaudited pro forma financial statements in relation to New FSV set out in Appendix
"L" to this Circular), New FSV had $86.6 million of debt at variable interest rates. As a result, changes in base rates
such as LIBOR affect New FSV's interest expense as these base rates fluctuate. On New FSV's fixed rate debt, New FSV may from time-to-time
enter into fixed-for-floating interest rate swaps, where advantageous, to convert the fixed interest payments to floating. These
swaps are intended to manage interest rate sensitivity and reduce overall interest costs.
Continued compliance with the financial
covenants under New FSV's debt agreements, or New FSV's ability to negotiate a waiver of certain covenants with its lenders
A prolonged decline in New FSV's earnings
performance could result in non-compliance with one or more financial covenants in its debt agreements for its credit facility
and senior notes. While New FSV is expected to maintain good relationships with its lenders, a poor economic climate may test New
FSV's relationships, especially if a covenant in a debt agreement is breached. If New FSV fails to meet its payment or other obligations
under its debt agreements, the lenders will be entitled to demand immediate repayment of all amounts owing and thereafter, if unpaid,
exercise their secured creditor rights.
Unexpected increases in operating costs,
such as insurance, workers' compensation, health care and fuel prices
As a services company, the costs of providing
services to New FSV's customers can fluctuate. Certain operating costs, such as fuel prices, are based on market rates which New
FSV cannot control and, absent an offsetting price increase in New FSV's services, have a direct impact on New FSV's operating
margins.
Changes in the frequency or severity
of insurance incidents relative to New FSV's historical experience
Adverse changes in claims experience could
increase New FSV's insurance costs and/or increase the risk of being unable to renew insurance coverage at its operations. In each
of New FSV's operating segments, New FSV effectively self-insures certain risks, with a layer of third-party insurance for catastrophic
claims. An increase in the frequency or severity of claims in these areas could materially affect New FSV's financial position
and results of operations. There can be no assurance that New FSV will be able to obtain insurance coverage on favourable economic
terms in the future.
New FSV's ability to make acquisitions
at reasonable prices and successfully integrate acquired operations
As an acquisitive organization, New FSV
will actively pursue acquisitions to expand its footprint and services offerings as well as supplement existing businesses. Not
only does New FSV's acquisition strategy depend on the continued availability of suitable targets, it also depends on the ability
to negotiate favourable acquisition terms and conditions. Another risk with acquisitions is the ability to integrate the acquired
business into an existing service line.
Declaration of dividends on New FSV
Shares
Future dividends, if any, on the New FSV
Shares will depend on New FSV's results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, general business conditions and
other factors that the New FSV Board may deem relevant. Additionally, it is expected that under New FSV's credit facility, New
FSV will not be permitted to pay dividends, whether in cash or in specie, in the circumstances of an event of default thereunder
occurring and continuing or an event of default occurring as a consequence thereof.
Risks arising from any regulatory review
and litigation
While New FSV is not currently aware of
any formal regulatory reviews or investigations, the commencement of any such reviews or investigations may result in the diversion
of significant management attention and resources and, if securities or other regulators determine that a violation of securities
or other laws may have occurred, or has occurred, New FSV or its officers and directors may receive notices regarding potential
enforcement action or prosecution and could be subject to civil or criminal penalties or other remedies. For example, New FSV or
its officers and directors could be required to pay substantial damages, fines or other penalties, the regulators could seek an
injunction against New FSV or seek to ban an officer or director of New FSV from acting as such, any of which actions would have
a material adverse effect on New FSV.
New FSV may be adversely affected by
certain terms of the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement
Pursuant to the Transitional Services and
Separation Agreement, each of New FSV and Colliers have agreed to cooperate fully with the other and its counsel in the investigation,
prosecution, defense and resolution of the Joint Litigation. The possible impacts and effects of such agreement are uncertain.
The obligation of New FSV to cooperate fully with Colliers and its counsel in respect of the Joint Litigation and that, subject
to certain exceptions contained within the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement, Colliers shall have exclusive authority
and control over the investigation, prosecution, defense and appeal of all Joint Litigation, may have an adverse effect on New
FSV. The outcome of any of the Joint Litigation cannot be predicted and may materially impact New FSV's financial condition or
results of operations. In addition, the existence of such agreement and the obligations of New FSV thereunder may have an effect
on the manner in which New FSV determines to conduct its business or operations until such time that all of the Joint Litigation
is resolved.
Intellectual property and other proprietary
rights that are material to New FSV's business
New FSV's ability to compete effectively
depends in part on its rights to service marks, trademarks, trade names and other intellectual property rights it will own or license.
New FSV has not sought to register every one of its marks in every country in which they are used. Furthermore, because of the
differences in foreign trademark, patent and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws, New FSV may not receive the
same protection in other countries as it would in Canada or the United States. If New FSV is unable to protect its proprietary
information and brand names, New FSV could suffer a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of
operations. Litigation may be necessary to enforce New FSV's intellectual property rights and protect its proprietary information,
or to defend against claims by third parties that New FSV's products or services infringe their intellectual property rights. Any
litigation or claims brought by or against New FSV could result in substantial costs and diversion of New FSV's resources. A successful
claim of trademark, patent or other intellectual property infringement against New FSV, or any other successful challenge to the
use of New FSV's intellectual property, could subject New FSV to damages or prevent New FSV from providing certain services under
its recognized brand names, which could have a material adverse effect on New FSV's business, financial condition or results of
operations.
Disruptions or security failures in
New FSV's information technology systems
New FSV's information technology systems
facilitate its ability to monitor, operate and control its operations. While New FSV has disaster recovery plans in place, any
disruption in these plans or the failure of New FSV's information technology systems to operate as expected could, depending on
the magnitude of the problem, adversely affect New FSV's operating results by limiting, among other things, New FSV's capacity
to monitor, operate and control its operations effectively. In addition, because New FSV's systems contain information about individuals
and businesses, New FSV's failure to maintain the security of the data it holds, whether the result of its own error or the malfeasance
or errors of others, could harm New FSV's reputation or give rise to legal liabilities relating to violations of privacy laws or
otherwise, which may lead to lower revenues, increased costs and other material adverse effects on New FSV's results of operations.
New FSV Multiple Voting Shares and a
change of control
The existence of the New FSV Multiple Voting
Shares results in various impediments on the ability or desire of a third party to acquire control of New FSV. This may discourage,
delay or prevent a change of control of New FSV or an acquisition of New FSV at a price that shareholders may find attractive.
The existence of the New FSV Multiple Voting Shares also may discourage proxy contests and make it difficult or impossible for
holders of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares to elect directors and take other corporate actions.
Blank cheque preference shares
New FSV has the right to issue so-called
"blank cheque" preference shares which may affect the voting and liquidation rights of holders of New FSV Shares. The
New FSV Board will be authorized, without any further shareholder approval, to issue one or more additional series of preference
shares in an unlimited number and to set the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached thereto.
Political conditions, including any
outbreak or escalation of terrorism or hostilities and the impact thereof on New FSV's business
Political events and situations can have
an effect on New FSV because of New FSV's North American operations. Events could occur that may hamper New FSV's ability to manage
operations, extract cash and implement New FSV policies in certain regions.
Changes in government policies at the
federal, state/provincial or local level that may adversely impact New FSV's businesses
As a North American company, changes in
laws and regulation at the different jurisdictional levels can have a direct effect on New FSV's operations. It is difficult to
predict the future impact of any changes in the legislative and regulatory requirements affecting New FSV's businesses. The laws
and regulations applicable to New FSV's businesses will likely change in the future and affect its operations and financial performance.
In addition, if New FSV was to fail to comply with any applicable law or regulation, New FSV could be subject to substantial fines
or damages, be involved in litigation, suffer losses to its reputation and suffer the loss of licenses or penalties that may affect
how New FSV's business is operated, which, in turn, would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and
results of operations.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
New FSV was incorporated on October 6,
2014 under the OBCA as New FSV Corporation for the purposes of effecting the Arrangement. Pursuant to the Arrangement, FSV Holdco
will wind-up into New FSV Corporation and New FSV Corporation will change its name to "FirstService Corporation".
See "The Arrangement – Plan of Arrangement" of this Circular. New FSV's registered and head office will be located
at 1140 Bay Street, Suite 4000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2B4.
FSV Holdco was formed under the Business
Corporations Act (British Columbia) in order to facilitate the Arrangement. FSV Holdco will, prior to winding-up and dissolving
into New FSV Corporation pursuant to the Arrangement, acquire the New FSV Assets as part of the Pre-Arrangement Transactions.
As of the date hereof, New FSV Corporation
has not carried on any active business and has not issued any shares.
Intercorporate Relationships
It is presently anticipated that, as of
the Effective Date, New FSV will have the following principal subsidiaries which will have total assets that exceed 10% of the
New FSV Assets or revenues which exceed 10% of the total consolidated revenues attributable to the New FSV Assets as at and for
the year ended December 31, 2014.
Name of Subsidiary |
Percentage
of Voting Securities Owned(1) |
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation, Continuance
Formation or Organization |
American
Pool Enterprises, Inc. |
96.4% |
Delaware |
FirstService
International Holdings s.a.r.l. |
100.0% |
Luxembourg |
FirstService
Residential, Inc. |
97.6% |
Delaware |
FirstService
Residential Florida, Inc. |
97.6% |
Florida |
FirstService
Residential Management Canada Inc. |
100.0% |
Ontario |
FirstService
(USA), Inc. |
100.0% |
Delaware |
FS
Brands, Inc. |
95.7% |
Delaware |
Note:
| (1) | Assumes completion of the Arrangement and includes indirect ownership. |
The voting securities of the above noted
subsidiaries not controlled by New FSV are those owned by operating management of each respective subsidiary. The above table does
not include all of the anticipated subsidiaries of New FSV. The assets and revenues of all of the unnamed subsidiaries of New FSV
that are presently anticipated to exist as of the Effective Date did not exceed 20% of the New FSV Assets or total consolidated
revenues attributable to the New FSV Assets as at and for the year ended December 31, 2014.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
There exists no indebtedness of the directors
or executive officers of New FSV, or any of their associates, to New FSV, nor is any indebtedness of any of such persons to another
entity the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by
New FSV.
PROMOTER
Under applicable Canadian securities laws,
FirstService may be considered a promoter of New FSV in that it took the initiative in founding New FSV for the purpose of implementing
the Arrangement. See "The Arrangement" in this Circular and "General Development of the Business – The Arrangement"
in this Appendix "I" for a description of the Arrangement and the nature, amount and costs of the New FSV Assets.
As of the date hereof, and subsequent to
the completion of the Arrangement, FirstService does not and will not beneficially own, control or direct, directly or indirectly,
any New FSV Shares.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS
There are no legal proceedings to which
FirstService or New FSV is a party to, or in respect of which, any of the New FSV Assets are the subject of, which is or will be
material to New FSV, and New FSV is not aware of any such legal proceedings that are contemplated.
Since incorporation, there have not been
any penalties or sanctions imposed against New FSV by a court relating to provincial and territorial securities legislation or
by a securities regulatory authority, nor have there been any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body
against New FSV, and New FSV has not entered into any settlement agreements before a court relating to provincial and territorial
securities legislation or with a securities regulatory authority.
INTERESTS OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Except as described elsewhere in this Circular,
none of the proposed directors or executive officers of New FSV, or any person or company that is expected to beneficially own,
or control or direct more than 10% of any class or series of shares of New FSV, or any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing
persons, has or has had any material interest in any past transaction within the three years before the date of this Circular,
or any proposed transaction, that has materially affected or would materially affect New FSV or any of its expected subsidiaries.
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants
and Licensed Public Accountants, are New FSV's auditors and such firm has prepared opinions with respect to the financial statements
for New FSV Corporation for the period ended December 31, 2014 and the New FSV carve-out combined financial statements for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has advised that they are independent with respect
to New FSV within the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and the
rules of the SEC.
AUDITORS, TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS
The auditors of New FSV are PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, Chartered Accountants and Licensed Public Accountants, PwC Tower, 18 York Street, Suite 2600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J
0B2.
The transfer agent and registrar of the
New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares is TMX Equity Transfer Services at its principal offices in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The transfer agent and registrar of the
New FSV Multiple Voting Shares is New FSV at is registered office in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Following the completion of the Arrangement,
the following will be the material contracts of New FSV, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business:
| (a) | the Arrangement Agreement. See "The Arrangement – Arrangement Agreement" in this
Circular for particulars of the Arrangement Agreement; |
| (b) | the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement. See "The Arrangement – Transitional
Services and Separation Agreement" in this Circular for particulars of the Transitional Services and Separation Agreement; |
| (c) | the New FSV Credit Facility. See "Pro Forma Consolidated Capitalization – Credit Facility"
in this Appendix "I"; and |
| (d) | the New FSV Note Agreement. See "Pro Forma Consolidated Capitalization – Senior Notes"
in this Appendix "I". |
Copies of the above material contracts
will be available following the completion of the Arrangement on New FSV's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
EXHIBIT 1
AUDIT COMMITTEE MANDATE
Purpose
The Audit Committee (the "Committee") is appointed by and shall assist the Board of Directors (the "Board")
of FirstService Corporation (the "Company") in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in the following principal
areas: (i) accounting policies and practices, (ii) the financial reporting process, (iii) financial statements provided by the
Company to the public, (iv) risk management including systems of accounting and financial controls, (v) appointing, overseeing
and evaluating the work and independence of the external auditors, and (vi) compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
In addition to the responsibilities specifically enumerated in this Mandate, the Board may refer to the Committee such matters
and questions relating to the financial position and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries as the Board may from time
to time see fit.
Membership
The Committee shall consist of at least three directors appointed annually by the Board and selected based upon the following,
in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations:
Independence. Each member shall
be independent in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and in such regard shall have no direct or indirect
material relationship with the Company which could, in the view of the Board, reasonably interfere with the exercise of a member's
independent judgment.
Financially Literate. Each member
shall be financially literate or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment
to the Committee. For these purposes, an individual is financially literate if he or she has the ability to read and understand
a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable
to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements.
Commitment. In addition to being
a member of the Committee, if a member is also on the audit committee or board of directors of other public companies or organizations,
the Board shall determine that such simultaneous service does not impair the ability of such member to serve effectively on the
Committee.
Chair and Secretary
The Chair of the Committee shall be selected
by the Board. If the Chair is not present, the members of the Committee may designate a Chair for the meeting by majority vote
of the members present. The Secretary of the Company shall be the Secretary of the Committee, provided that if the Secretary is
not present, the Chair of the meeting may appoint a secretary for the meeting with the consent of the other Committee members who
are present.
Meetings
The times and locations of meetings of the Committee and the calling of and procedures at such meetings, shall be determined from
time to time by the Chair of the Committee, in consultation with management when necessary, provided that there shall be a minimum
of four meetings per year. The Committee shall have sufficient notice in order to prepare for each meeting. Notice of each meeting
shall also be given to the external auditors of the Company, and meetings shall be convened whenever requested by the external
auditors or any member of the Committee in accordance with applicable law.
Meeting Agendas
Agendas for meetings of the Committee shall
be developed by the Chair of the Committee in consultation with management and the corporate secretary, and shall be circulated
to the Committee members prior to any meetings.
Resources and Authority
The Committee shall have the resources
and the authority to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to engage, at the expense of the Company, outside
consultants, independent legal counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties, without seeking approval
of the Board or management.
The Committee shall have the authority
to conduct any investigation necessary and appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities, and has direct access and authority
to communicate directly with the external auditors, legal counsel and officers and employees of the Company.
The members of the Committee have the right,
for the purpose of performing their duties, to inspect the books and records of the Company and to discuss such accounts and records
and any matters relating to the financial position, risk management and internal controls of the Company with the officers and
external auditors of the Company.
Responsibilities
The Company's management is responsible for preparing the Company's financial statements while the external auditors are responsible
for auditing those financial statements. The Committee is responsible for overseeing the conduct of those activities by the Company's
management and external auditors, and overseeing the activities of any internal audit initiatives. The Company's external auditors
are accountable to the Committee as representatives of the Company's shareholders.
It is recognized that members of the Committee are not full-time employees of the Company and do not represent themselves to be
accountants or auditors by profession or experts in the fields of accounting or auditing or the preparation of financial statements.
It is not the duty or responsibility of the Committee or its members to conduct "field work" or other types of auditing
or accounting reviews or procedures. Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely on (i) the integrity of those persons
and organizations within and outside the Company from whom it receives information, and (ii) the accuracy of the financial and
other information provided to the Committee by such persons or organizations absent actual knowledge to the contrary.
The specific responsibilities of the Committee
are as follows:
In consultation with the external auditors
and management, review the integrity of the Company's financial reporting process, both internal and external, and any major issues
as to the adequacy of the internal controls and any special audit procedures adopted in light of any material control deficiencies;
Review all material transactions and contracts entered into by the Company with any insider or related party of the Company, other
than director, officer or employee compensation which is approved by the Company's Compensation Committee; Review with management
and the external auditors the Company's annual audited consolidated financial statements and discuss with the external auditors
all matters required to be discussed by generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS) in Canada and the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). This would include reviewing the annual audit committee report prepared by the external auditors
describing: (i) all critical accounting policies used by the Company, (ii) any material alternative accounting treatments within
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that have been discussed with management of the Company, including the ramifications
of the use of such alternative treatments and disclosures, and (iii) any other material written communications between the external
auditors and management; Following completion of the annual audit, review with management and the external auditors any significant
issues, concerns or difficulties encountered and resolve any disagreements between management and the external auditors; Review
the interim quarterly and annual financial statements and annual and interim press releases prior to the release of earnings information,
including any earnings guidance provided to analysts; Review and be satisfied that adequate procedures are in place for the review
of the public disclosure of financial information by the Company extracted or derived from the Company's financial statements,
other than as referred to in the foregoing item, and periodically assess the adequacy of those procedures; and Meet separately
with management and with the external auditors, including at the time of the annual audit plan review with management and the external
auditors.
External Auditors
The Committee shall require the external
auditor to report directly to it and is responsible for the selection, nomination, compensation, retention, termination and oversight
of the work of the external auditors engaged for the purpose of issuing an auditor's report or performing other audit, review or
attest services for the Company, and in such regard recommend to the Board the external auditors to be nominated for approval by
the shareholders; Pre-approve all audit engagements and the provision by the external auditors of all non-audit services, including
fees and terms for all audit and non-audit engagements, and in such regard the Committee may establish the types of non-audit services
the external auditors shall be prohibited from providing and shall establish the types of audit, audit related and non-audit services
for which the Committee will retain the external auditors. The Committee may delegate the responsibility to pre-approve non-audit
services to one of its members and any such delegated pre-approvals shall be presented to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting
; Review and approve the Company's policies for the hiring of partners and employees and former partners and employees of the external
auditing firm; Consider, assess and report to the Board with regard to the independence and performance of the external auditors;
and Request and review annually a report by the external auditors regarding the auditing firm's internal quality-control procedures,
any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review of the auditing firm, or by any inquiry or investigation
by governmental or professional authorities, within the past five years.
Internal Controls and Risk Management
Oversee management's design, implementation
and evaluation of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting, including compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002. Receive and review reports from management and the external auditors with regard to the reliability and effective
operation of the Company's accounting systems and internal controls; Discuss with management the Company's approach to risk assessment
and management, controls over fraud and assessment of the need for internal auditing; Establish policies and procedures for the
confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of any concerns regarding questionable accounting or other acts
and for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing
matters.
Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Receive and review timely analysis by management
of significant issues relating to public disclosure and reporting, including, prior to finalization, the Management's Discussion
and Analysis and Annual Information Form; Prepare the report of the Committee required to be included with the Company's periodic
filings; and Assist the Board in the oversight of compliance with legal and regulatory matters.
Additional Responsibilities
Report regularly to the Board, including
on matters such as the quality and integrity of the Company's financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements,
the results of any internal audit initiatives, including evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting for purposes
of compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the performance and independence of the external auditors; and Reassess
annually the adequacy of the Committee's Mandate and prepare and review with the Board an annual performance evaluation of the
Committee.
APPENDIX "J"
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NEW FSV CORPORATION
NEW FSV CORPORATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Period ended
December 31, 2014
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT
MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
The accompanying financial statements of
New FSV Corporation (the "Company"), a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation ("FirstService"), are the
responsibility of FirstService's Management ("Management") and have been approved by the Board of Directors of FirstService.
The financial statements have been prepared
by Management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America using the best estimates
and judgments of Management, where appropriate.
The Board of Directors of FirstService
has an Audit Committee consisting of three independent directors. The Audit Committee meets regularly to review with Management
and the independent auditors any significant accounting, internal control, auditing and financial reporting matters.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, has been appointed to audit the financial statements of the Company which are included herein.
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is
a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Due to its inherent limitations, internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of its effectiveness
to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree
of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has assessed the effectiveness
of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2014, based on the criteria set forth in Internal
Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as at December 31, 2014, the Company's internal control over financial
reporting was effective.
The effectiveness of the Company's internal
control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2014, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company's independent
registered public accounting firm as stated in their report which appears herein.
|
|
/s/ Jay S. Hennick
Chief Executive Officer
FirstService Corporation
|
/s/ John B. Friedrichsen
Chief Financial Officer
FirstService Corporation |
March 16, 2015
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Directors of FirstService Corporation
We have audited the balance sheet of New
FSV Corporation (the "Company") as at December 31, 2014 and the statements of earnings and retained earnings for
the period from the date of incorporation, October 6, 2014, to December 31, 2014. We also have audited the Company's internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management is responsible for these financial
statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial
Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the company's internal control over financial
reporting based on our integrated audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with
the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our
audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting,
assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal
control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the
circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial
reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation
of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations
of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections
of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes
in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the financial statements
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31, 2014 and the
results of its operations for the period from the date of incorporation, October 6, 2014 to December 31, 2014 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all
material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in
Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed
Public Accountants
Toronto, Ontario
March 16, 2015
NEW FSV CORPORATION | |
| | |
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS | |
| | |
(in thousands of US dollars) | |
| | |
| |
| Period from incorporation on October 6, 2014 to December 31, 2014 | |
| |
| | |
Revenues | |
$ | - | |
| |
| | |
Expenses | |
| - | |
| |
| | |
Net earnings before income tax | |
| - | |
Income tax expense | |
| - | |
| |
| | |
Net earnings | |
$ | - | |
STATEMENT OF RETAINED EARNINGS | |
| | |
(in thousands of US dollars) | |
| | |
| |
| Period from incorporation on October 6, 2014 to December 31, 2014 | |
| |
| | |
Retained earnings, Beginning of period | |
$ | - | |
| |
| | |
| |
| | |
Retained earnings, End of period | |
$ | - | |
BALANCE SHEET |
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
$ |
- |
Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity |
|
|
|
$ |
- |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NEW FSV CORPORATION
NOTES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands of US dollars)
1. Background and basis of presentation
New FSV Corporation (the "Company")
was incorporated on October 6, 2014 under the Ontario Business Corporations Act by FirstService Corporation ("FirstService").
Other than its incorporation, the Company was inactive for the period from its date of incorporation to December 31, 2014.
On March 11, 2015, the Board
of Directors of FirstService unanimously approved a proposal to reorganize FirstService into two publicly traded entities –
the first being Colliers International, the commercial real estate services division ("Colliers"), and the second being
a combination of the residential real estate services and property services divisions ("New FSV"). The proposed reorganization
is expected to be implemented through a court approved Plan of Arrangement and is subject to regulatory, court and shareholder
approvals.
Pursuant to the terms of the
Arrangement, the Company will amalgamate with New FSV on the effective date of the Arrangement to become a publicly-traded company.
The amalgamated company's name will be FirstService Corporation.
Under the Arrangement, FirstService
shareholders will receive one Colliers Multiple Voting Share or Subordinate Voting Share and one New FSV Multiple or Subordinate
Voting Share in exchange for each pre-Arrangement FirstService Multiple Voting Share or Subordinate Voting Share held, respectively.
These financial statements have
been prepared by management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
2. Share capital
The Company is authorized to
issue an unlimited number of Preference Shares issuable in one or more series, an unlimited number of Subordinate Voting Shares,
and an unlimited number of Multiple Voting Shares. The Subordinate Voting Shares are entitled to one vote per share and the Multiple
Voting Shares are entitled to twenty votes per share. There were no shares of any class issued or outstanding as of December 31,
2014.
APPENDIX "K"
NEW FSV CARVE-OUT COMBINED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 |
K2 |
New FSV Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2014 |
K29 |
NEW FSV
CARVE-OUT COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Year ended
December 31, 2014
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT
MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR CARVE-OUT
COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying carve-out combined financial
statements and management discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of New FSV, a carve-out of FirstService Corporation
("FirstService"), are the responsibility of FirstService's Management ("Management") and have been approved
by the Board of Directors of FirstService.
The carve-out combined financial statements
have been prepared by Management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America using
the best estimates and judgments of Management, where appropriate. The most significant of these accounting principles are set
out in Note 2 to the carve-out combined financial statements.
The MD&A has been prepared in accordance
with National Instrument 51-102 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, taking into consideration other relevant guidance, including
Regulation S-K of the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Board of Directors of FirstService
has an Audit Committee consisting of four independent directors. The Audit Committee meets regularly to review with Management
and the independent auditors any significant accounting, internal control, auditing and financial reporting matters.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, has been appointed to audit the carve-out combined financial statements of New FSV which are
included herein.
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for New FSV. Internal control over financial reporting is a
process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Due to its inherent limitations, internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of its effectiveness
to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree
of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has excluded eight entities
acquired by New FSV during the last fiscal period from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as at December
31, 2014. The total assets and total revenues of the eight majority-owned entities represent 0.7% and 1.3%, respectively,
of the related carve-out combined financial statement amounts as at and for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Management has assessed the effectiveness
of New FSV's internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2014, based on the criteria set forth in Internal
Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as at December 31, 2014, New FSV's internal control over financial reporting
was effective.
The effectiveness of New FSV's internal
control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2014, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, New FSV's independent
registered public accounting firm as stated in their report which appears herein.
|
|
/s/ Jay S. Hennick
Chief Executive Officer
FirstService Corporation
|
/s/ John B. Friedrichsen
Chief Financial Officer
FirstService Corporation |
March 16, 2015
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Directors of FirstService Corporation
We have audited the accompanying carve-out
combined balance sheets of New FSV (the "Company") as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related carve-out combined
statements of earnings, carve-out combined statements of comprehensive earnings, carve-out combined statements of net investment
and carve-out combined statements of cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. We also
have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in
Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(COSO). Management is responsible for these carve-out combined financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control
over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in
the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on
these carve-out combined financial statements and on the company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with
the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the carve-out combined financial statements are free of material misstatement
and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the carve-out
combined financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the carve-out
combined financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating
the overall carve-out combined financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial
reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation
of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations
of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections
of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes
in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As described in Management's Report on
Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded eight entities from its assessment of internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 because these entities were acquired by the company in purchase business combinations
during 2014. We have also excluded these entities acquired from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. Total assets
and total revenues of these majority owned entities represent 0.7% and 1.3%, respectively, of the related carve-out combined financial
statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014.
In our opinion, the carve-out combined
financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of New FSV as of December
31 2014 and 2013 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion,
New FSV maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based
on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed
Public Accountants
Toronto, Ontario
March, 16, 2015
NEW FSV |
CARVE-OUT COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS |
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years ended December 31 |
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
$ |
1,132,002 |
|
$ |
1,038,087 |
|
$ |
939,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amortization shown below) |
|
|
|
|
800,046 |
|
|
731,204 |
|
|
658,568 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
258,678 |
|
|
229,829 |
|
|
203,758 |
Depreciation |
|
|
|
|
17,730 |
|
|
15,710 |
|
|
13,691 |
Amortization of intangible assets |
|
|
|
|
8,744 |
|
|
12,422 |
|
|
10,160 |
Accelerated amortization of intangible assets (note 6) |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
11,184 |
|
|
- |
Acquisition related items |
|
|
|
|
1,183 |
|
|
655 |
|
|
166 |
Operating earnings |
|
|
|
|
45,621 |
|
|
37,083 |
|
|
53,478 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
6,932 |
|
|
12,826 |
|
|
10,236 |
Other expense (income), net |
|
|
|
|
255 |
|
|
20 |
|
|
(245) |
Earnings before income tax |
|
|
|
|
38,434 |
|
|
24,237 |
|
|
43,487 |
Income tax expense (note 12) |
|
|
|
|
12,242 |
|
|
5,785 |
|
|
12,722 |
Net earnings |
|
|
|
|
26,192 |
|
|
18,452 |
|
|
30,765 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests (note 9) |
|
|
|
|
3,105 |
|
|
1,253 |
|
|
4,746 |
Redemption increment attributable to non-controlling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(note 9) |
|
|
|
|
10,117 |
|
|
14,004 |
|
|
3,616 |
Net earnings attributable to New FSV |
|
|
|
$ |
12,970 |
|
$ |
3,195 |
|
$ |
22,403 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these carve-out combined financial statements. |
NEW FSV |
CARVE-OUT COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS |
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years ended December 31 |
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
|
|
$ |
26,192 |
|
$ |
18,452 |
|
$ |
30,765 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation gain |
|
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
2,174 |
|
|
(3,141) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive earnings |
|
|
|
|
26,216 |
|
|
20,626 |
|
|
27,624 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Comprehensive earnings attributable to non-controlling |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
interests |
|
|
|
|
13,222 |
|
|
15,257 |
|
|
8,362 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive earnings attributable to New FSV |
|
|
|
$ |
12,994 |
|
$ |
5,369 |
|
$ |
19,262 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these carve-out combined financial statements. |
NEW FSV |
|
|
|
|
|
CARVE-OUT COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS |
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31 |
2014 |
|
2013 |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
66,790 |
|
$ |
86,366 |
Restricted cash |
|
3,657 |
|
|
2,881 |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $9,581 (December 31, 2013 - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$9,011) |
|
115,143 |
|
|
117,819 |
Income tax recoverable |
|
16,262 |
|
|
11,750 |
Inventories (note 4) |
|
9,489 |
|
|
9,503 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
20,715 |
|
|
16,373 |
Deferred income tax (note 12) |
|
18,667 |
|
|
11,594 |
|
|
|
250,723 |
|
|
256,286 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other receivables |
|
4,581 |
|
|
5,314 |
Other assets |
|
155 |
|
|
789 |
Fixed assets (note 5) |
|
55,203 |
|
|
50,092 |
Deferred income tax (note 12) |
|
4,572 |
|
|
9,745 |
Intangible assets (note 6) |
|
82,877 |
|
|
76,577 |
Goodwill (note 7) |
|
217,433 |
|
|
211,494 |
|
|
364,821 |
|
|
354,011 |
|
$ |
615,544 |
|
$ |
610,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and net investment |
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
24,687 |
|
$ |
24,775 |
Accrued liabilities (note 4) |
|
55,563 |
|
|
56,086 |
Income tax payable |
|
5,650 |
|
|
7,307 |
Unearned revenues |
|
16,079 |
|
|
15,338 |
Long-term debt - current (note 8) |
|
17,725 |
|
|
26,716 |
Contingent acquisition consideration - current (notes 3 and 14) |
|
4,586 |
|
|
122 |
Deferred income tax (note 12) |
|
1,804 |
|
|
1,437 |
|
|
|
126,094 |
|
|
131,781 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt - non-current (note 8) |
|
221,632 |
|
|
198,709 |
Contingent acquisition consideration (notes 3 and 14) |
|
1,509 |
|
|
1,314 |
Other liabilities |
|
12,398 |
|
|
13,197 |
Deferred income tax (note 12) |
|
14,236 |
|
|
15,229 |
|
|
|
249,775 |
|
|
228,449 |
Redeemable non-controlling interests (note 9) |
|
80,926 |
|
|
81,407 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment |
|
|
|
|
|
FirstService's net investment (note 10) |
|
157,498 |
|
|
167,433 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
1,251 |
|
|
1,227 |
Total net investment |
|
158,749 |
|
|
168,660 |
|
|
$ |
615,544 |
|
$ |
610,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (notes 10 and 15) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these carve-out combined financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approved by the Board of Directors of FirstService Corporation |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Bernard I. Ghert |
/s/ Jay S. Hennick |
|
|
|
Director |
Director |
|
|
|
|
NEW FSV |
CARVE-OUT COMBINED STATEMENTS OF NET INVESTMENT |
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FirstService's net |
|
comprehensive |
|
Total net |
|
|
|
|
investment |
|
|
earnings (loss) |
|
|
investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2011 |
$ |
200,971 |
|
$ |
2,194 |
|
$ |
203,165 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net distributions to FirstService |
|
(49,033) |
|
|
- |
|
|
(49,033) |
Stock option expense |
|
1,440 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,440 |
Net earnings attributable to New FSV |
|
22,403 |
|
|
- |
|
|
22,403 |
Other comprehensive loss |
|
- |
|
|
(3,141) |
|
|
(3,141) |
Balance, December 31, 2012 |
|
175,781 |
|
|
(947) |
|
|
174,834 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net distributions to FirstService |
|
(13,403) |
|
|
- |
|
|
(13,403) |
Stock option expense |
|
1,860 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,860 |
Net earnings attributable to New FSV |
|
3,195 |
|
|
- |
|
|
3,195 |
Other comprehensive earnings |
|
- |
|
|
2,174 |
|
|
2,174 |
Balance, December 31, 2013 |
|
167,433 |
|
|
1,227 |
|
|
168,660 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net distributions to FirstService |
|
(24,624) |
|
|
- |
|
|
(24,624) |
Stock option expense |
|
1,719 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,719 |
Net earnings attributable to New FSV |
|
12,970 |
|
|
- |
|
|
12,970 |
Other comprehensive earnings |
|
- |
|
|
24 |
|
|
24 |
Balance, December 31, 2014 |
$ |
157,498 |
|
$ |
1,251 |
|
$ |
158,749 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these carve-out combined financial statements. |
NEW FSV |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CARVE-OUT COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years ended December 31 |
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by (used in) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
|
|
$ |
26,192 |
|
$ |
18,452 |
|
$ |
30,765 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items not affecting cash: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
26,474 |
|
|
39,316 |
|
|
23,851 |
|
Deferred income tax |
|
|
|
|
(2,479) |
|
|
(7,838) |
|
|
(3,469) |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
2,056 |
|
|
2,256 |
|
|
1,437 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in non-cash working capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
|
|
3,231 |
|
|
(12,134) |
|
|
(17,144) |
|
Inventories |
|
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
(1,124) |
|
|
(828) |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
|
|
(3,327) |
|
|
(5,243) |
|
|
(2,162) |
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
|
|
(252) |
|
|
3,969 |
|
|
4,530 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
|
|
(1,743) |
|
|
2,425 |
|
|
6,094 |
|
Income tax payable |
|
|
|
|
(6,169) |
|
|
(5,373) |
|
|
8,256 |
|
Unearned revenues |
|
|
|
|
741 |
|
|
(809) |
|
|
705 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
|
|
660 |
|
|
528 |
|
|
1,373 |
|
Contingent consideration |
|
|
|
|
(279) |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
|
|
45,177 |
|
|
34,425 |
|
|
53,408 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired (note 3) |
|
|
|
|
(16,686) |
|
|
(6,423) |
|
|
(5,164) |
Purchases of fixed assets |
|
|
|
|
(22,439) |
|
|
(16,744) |
|
|
(15,076) |
Changes in restricted cash |
|
|
|
|
(776) |
|
|
(1,464) |
|
|
888 |
Other investing activities |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
72 |
|
|
(818) |
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
|
|
(39,901) |
|
|
(24,559) |
|
|
(20,170) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase of long-term debt, net |
|
|
|
|
13,492 |
|
|
9,055 |
|
|
40,667 |
Net distributions to FirstService |
|
|
|
|
(21,272) |
|
|
(8,495) |
|
|
(53,187) |
Distributions to redeemable non-controlling interests |
|
|
|
|
(4,008) |
|
|
(3,037) |
|
|
(2,949) |
Purchases of redeemable non-controlling interests |
|
|
|
|
(11,206) |
|
|
(4,978) |
|
|
(4,807) |
Sale of interests in subsidiaries to non-controlling interests |
|
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
365 |
|
|
25 |
Contingent acquisition consideration paid |
|
|
|
|
(1,774) |
|
|
(350) |
|
|
(4,661) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
|
|
(24,626) |
|
|
(7,440) |
|
|
(24,912) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
|
|
|
|
(226) |
|
|
(530) |
|
|
171 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
(19,576) |
|
|
1,896 |
|
|
8,497 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
|
|
|
|
86,366 |
|
|
84,470 |
|
|
75,973 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
|
|
|
$ |
66,790 |
|
$ |
86,366 |
|
$ |
84,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these carve-out combined financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
NEW FSV
NOTES TO CARVE-OUT COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands of US dollars)
1. | | Background and basis of presentation |
On March 11, 2015, the Board
of Directors of FirstService Corporation ("FirstService") unanimously approved a proposal to split FirstService into
two independent companies, being: (i) a Commercial Real Estate Services company operating principally as Colliers International;
and (ii) a Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services company operating principally as FirstService Residential and
several franchising companies operating under brands including California Closets, Paul Davis Restoration and CertaPro Painters.
The proposed corporate reorganization
(the "Arrangement") would be implemented through a court approved plan of arrangement and is subject to regulatory, court
and shareholder approvals. The reorganization would result in two publicly traded entities with the Residential Real Estate Services
and Property Services company to be named FirstService Corporation, and FirstService renamed as Colliers International Group Inc.
FirstService's shareholders would receive one New FSV Multiple Voting Share or Subordinate Voting Share for each FirstService Multiple
Voting Share or Subordinate Voting Share held, respectively.
The carve-out business is comprised
of the legal entities within the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services operations ("New FSV"). The New
FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements, prepared in connection with the Arrangement, present the historical carve-out combined
financial position, results of operations, changes in net investment and cash flows of New FSV. The New FSV Carve-out Combined
Financial Statements have been derived from the accounting records of FirstService on a carve-out basis and should be read in conjunction
with FirstService's annual audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements have been prepared on a carve-out basis and the results do not necessarily
reflect the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows of New FSV as a separate entity or future results in respect
of FirstService Corporation as it is expected to exist on completion of the Arrangement.
FirstService's investment in
New FSV, presented as Total Net Investment in the New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements, includes the accumulated net
earnings, accumulated other comprehensive earnings, and accumulated net contributions or distributions to FirstService. New FSV's
results are comprised of the historical operations, assets, liabilities and cash flows of the Residential Real Estate Services
and Property Services operations, which include a portion of the corporate function of FirstService. Assets and liabilities are
reflected at FirstService's historical carrying amounts.
The operating results of New
FSV have been specifically identified based on FirstService's existing operating segments. Certain other expenses presented in
the Carve-out Combined Statements of Earnings represent allocations and estimates of the cost of services historically performed
by FirstService. These allocations and estimates were based on methodologies that Management believes to be reasonable and include
administrative costs, net interest, foreign exchange gains and losses and income tax expense. The majority of the assets and liabilities
of New FSV have been identified based on the historical divisional structure, with the most significant exceptions being income
taxes and long-term debt (see note 8).
Salaries, benefits and incentive
compensation have been reflected in these carve-out combined financial statements based on employee services that are specifically
identifiable with New FSV, as well as Management's best estimate to allocate shared employee costs. These costs are reflected in
the Corporate segment (see note 17). Net interest expense has been allocated using the long-term debt balance allocated to New
FSV.
Income taxes have been recorded
as if New FSV and its subsidiaries had been separate tax paying legal entities, each filing a separate tax return in its local
jurisdiction, consistent with the carve-out allocations described above.
Goodwill has been allocated to
New FSV based on FirstService's historical goodwill allocation by operating segment.
Two discontinued operations,
Field Asset Services (sold September 30, 2013) and the REO Rental operation (sold April 18, 2014), were previously reported in
FirstService's Consolidated Financial Statements in the Property Services and Residential Real Estate Services segments, respectively.
These operations have not been included in the New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements, as FirstService will retain obligations
for indemnification liabilities.
Management believes the assumptions
underlying the New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements are reasonable. However, the New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial
Statements may not reflect New FSV's results of operations, financial position, and cash flows in the future or what New FSV's
operations, financial position and cash flows would have been if New FSV had been operating as a stand-alone company. FirstService's
direct investment in New FSV is shown as Net Investment in place of Shareholders' Equity because a direct ownership by shareholders
in New FSV does not exist at December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
2. | | Summary of significant accounting policies |
The preparation of carve-out
combined financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP")
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures
of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. The most significant estimates are related to the determination of fair values of assets acquired
and liabilities assumed in business combinations, recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets, estimated fair value of contingent
consideration related to acquisitions, quantification of uncertain tax positions, the collectability of accounts receivable, and
allocations related to debt. Actual results could be materially different from these estimates.
Significant accounting policies
are summarized as follows:
Basis of combination
The New FSV Carve-out Combined
Financial Statements include the New FSV carve-out operations, including its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
accounts and transactions within the New FSV operations are eliminated upon combination or consolidation.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of short-term
interest bearing securities, which are readily convertible into cash and have original maturities at the date of purchase of three
months or less.
Restricted cash
Restricted cash consists of cash
over which the New FSV has legal ownership but is restricted as to its availability or intended use, including funds held on behalf
of clients and franchisees.
Inventories
Inventories are carried at the
lower of cost and market. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. Work-in-progress inventory relates to landscaping,
swimming pool rehabilitation and painting projects in process and is accounted for using the percentage of completion method.
Fixed assets
Fixed assets are carried at cost
less accumulated depreciation. The costs of additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed
as incurred. Fixed assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset
group may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value
of an asset group. Fixed assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Buildings | |
20 to 40 years straight-line |
Vehicles | |
3 to 5 years straight-line |
Furniture and equipment | |
3 to 10 years straight-line |
Computer equipment and software | |
3 to 5 years straight-line |
Leasehold improvements | |
term of the lease to a maximum of 10 years |
Fair value
New FSV uses the fair value measurements
framework for financial assets and liabilities and for non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at
fair value on a non-recurring basis. The framework defines fair value, gives guidance for measurement and disclosure, and establishes
a three-level hierarchy for observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value. An asset or liability's classification
within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three
levels are as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted)
in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 - Observable market based
inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs
for which there is little or no market data, which requires New FSV to develop its own assumptions
Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill represents the excess
of purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination and is not subject to
amortization.
Intangible assets are recorded
at fair value on the date they are acquired and are amortized over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Customer lists and relationships | |
straight-line over 4 to 20 years |
Franchise rights | |
by pattern of use, currently estimated at 2.5% to 15% per year |
Trademarks and trade names | |
straight-line over 5 to 35 years |
Management contracts and other | |
straight-line over life of contract ranging from 2 to 15 years |
New FSV reviews the carrying
value of intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset
group may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from their use and eventual disposition. If
the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss
is recognized. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over the fair
value calculated using discounted expected future cash flows.
Goodwill is tested for impairment
annually, on August 1, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset might be impaired, in which
case the carrying amount of the asset is written down to fair value.
Impairment of goodwill is tested
at the reporting unit level. New FSV has three reporting units determined with reference to business segment, customer type, service
delivery model and geography. Impairment is tested by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely
than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Where it is determined to be more likely than
not that its fair value is greater than its carrying amount, then no further testing is required. Where the qualitative analysis
is not sufficient to support that the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, a two-step goodwill impairment test is performed.
In the first step, the reporting unit's carrying amount, including goodwill, is compared to the estimated fair value of the reporting
unit. The fair values of the reporting units are estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. The fair value measurement is
classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then
a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Certain assumptions are used to determine the fair
value of the reporting units, the most sensitive of which are estimated future cash flows and the discount rate applied to future
cash flows. Changes in these assumptions could result in a materially different fair value.
Redeemable non-controlling
interests
Redeemable non-controlling interests
("RNCI") are recorded at the greater of: (i) the redemption amount or; (ii) the amount initially recorded as RNCI at
the date of inception of the minority equity position. This amount is recorded in the "mezzanine" section of the carve-out
combined balance sheet, outside of FirstService's Net investment. Changes in the RNCI amount are recognized immediately as they
occur.
Revenue recognition and unearned
revenues
(a) Franchisor
operations
New FSV operates several franchise
systems within its Property Services segment. Initial franchise fees are recognized when all material services or conditions related
to the sale of the franchise have been performed or satisfied. Royalty revenues are recognized based on a contracted percentage
of franchisee revenues, as reported by the franchisees. Revenues from administrative and other support services, as applicable,
are recognized as the services are provided.
(b) Service operations other
than franchisor operations
Revenues are recognized at the
time the service is rendered. Certain services are recognized on the percentage of completion method, in the ratio of actual costs
to total estimated contract costs. In cases where anticipated costs to complete a project exceed the revenue to be recognized,
a provision for the additional estimated losses is recorded in the period when the loss becomes apparent. Amounts received from
customers in advance of services being provided are recorded as unearned revenues when received.
Stock-based compensation
FirstService's stock option plan
is an equity-classified award for which compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the
award. The related stock option compensation expense is allocated using the graded attribution method.
For presentation of these carve-out
combined financial statements, a portion of the stock-based compensation arising from FirstService's stock option plan has been
allocated to New FSV.
Notional value appreciation
plans
Under these plans, subsidiary
employees are compensated if the notional value of the subsidiary increases. Awards under these plans generally have a term of
ten years and a vesting period of five years. The increase in notional value is calculated with reference to growth in earnings
relative to a fixed threshold amount plus or minus changes in indebtedness relative to a fixed opening amount. If an award is subject
to a vesting condition, then graded attribution is applied to the intrinsic value. The related compensation expense is recorded
in selling, general and administrative expenses and the liability is recorded in accrued liabilities.
Foreign currency translation
Assets, liabilities and operations
of Canadian subsidiaries are recorded based on the functional currency of each entity. For Canadian operations, the functional
currency is the Canadian dollar, in which case the assets, liabilities and operations are translated at current exchange rates
to the reporting currency, the US dollar. The resulting unrealized gains or losses are reported as a component of accumulated other
comprehensive earnings. Realized and unrealized foreign currency gains or losses related to any Canadian dollar denominated monetary
assets and liabilities are included in net earnings.
Income tax
Income tax has been provided
using the asset and liability method whereby deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future
income tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the combined financial statements or income tax returns. Deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years
in which temporary differences are expected to reverse, be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities
of a change in income tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period in which the change occurs. A valuation allowance is recorded
unless it is more likely than not that realization of a deferred income tax asset will occur based on available evidence.
New FSV recognizes uncertainty
in tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by recording a liability for unrecognized tax benefits on its carve-out
combined balance sheet. Uncertainties are quantified by applying a prescribed recognition threshold and measurement attribute.
New FSV classifies interest and
penalties associated with income tax positions in income tax expense.
Business combinations
All business combinations are
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
The fair value of the contingent
consideration is classified as a financial liability and is recorded on the carve-out combined balance sheet at the acquisition
date and is remeasured at fair value at the end of each period until the end of the contingency period, with fair value adjustments
recognized in earnings. However, if the contingent consideration includes an element of compensation to the vendors (i.e. it is
tied to continuing employment or it is not linked to the business valuation), then the portion of contingent consideration related
to such element is treated as compensation expense over the expected employment period.
2014 acquisitions:
New FSV acquired
controlling interests in eight businesses, five in the RRE segment and three in the Property Services segment. In the RRE segment,
New FSV acquired regional firms operating in Minnesota, Texas, California, and Arizona. In the Property Services segment, New FSV
acquired a national franchisor providing restorations services in Canada, as well as two California Closets franchises in Florida
and Chicago which will be operated as Company-owned locations.
Details of these acquisitions are as follows:
| |
Aggregate |
| |
Acquisitions |
Current assets | |
$ | 644 | |
Long-term assets | |
| 1,452 | |
Current liabilities | |
| (1,100 | ) |
Long-term liabilities | |
| (216 | ) |
Redeemable non-controlling interest | |
| (1,676 | ) |
| |
$ | (896 | ) |
Note consideration | |
$ | (440 | ) |
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired of $797 | |
| (16,686 | ) |
Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration | |
| (4,499 | ) |
Total purchase consideration | |
$ | (21,625 | ) |
Acquired intangible assets | |
$ | 14,377 | |
Goodwill | |
$ | 8,144 | |
2013 acquisitions:
New FSV completed three acquisitions
in the RRE segment, acquiring firms operating in Missouri, Florida and Alberta to expand its geographic presence in these markets.
Details of these acquisitions
are as follows:
| |
Aggregate |
| |
Acquisitions |
| |
|
Current assets | |
$ | 271 | |
Long-term assets | |
| 142 | |
Current liabilities | |
| (704 | ) |
Long-term liabilities | |
| - | |
| |
$ | (291 | ) |
| |
| | |
Note consideration | |
$ | (560 | ) |
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired of $485 | |
| (6,423 | ) |
Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration | |
| (1,446 | ) |
Total purchase consideration | |
$ | (8,429 | ) |
| |
| | |
Acquired intangible assets | |
$ | 5,427 | |
Goodwill | |
$ | 3,293 | |
2012 acquisitions:
New FSV completed three acquisitions,
two in the RRE segment and one in the Property Services segment. In the RRE segment, the acquired firms operate in California and
Arizona and expand service offerings in existing markets. In Property Services, the acquired firm operates in Florida and expands
the geographic presence in an existing market.
Details of these acquisitions
are as follows:
| |
Aggregate |
| |
Acquisitions |
| |
|
Current assets | |
$ | 97 | |
Long-term assets | |
| 183 | |
Current liabilities | |
| (162 | ) |
Long-term liabilities | |
| - | |
| |
$ | 118 | |
| |
| | |
Note consideration | |
$ | (247 | ) |
Cash consideration, net of cash acquired of $31 | |
| (5,164 | ) |
Acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration | |
| (1,944 | ) |
Total purchase consideration | |
$ | (7,355 | ) |
| |
| | |
Acquired intangible assets | |
$ | 5,002 | |
Goodwill | |
$ | 2,235 | |
Acquisition related transaction
costs for the year ended December 31, 2014 totaled $1,183 (2013 - $655; 2012 - $166) and were recorded as expense under the caption
"acquisition related items".
The fair values of redeemable
non-controlling interests were determined using an income approach with reference to a discounted free cash flow model using the
same assumptions implied in determining the purchase consideration.
The purchase price allocations
of acquisitions resulted in the recognition of goodwill. The primary factors contributing to goodwill are assembled workforces,
synergies with existing operations and future growth prospects. For acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2014,
goodwill in the amount of $7,620 is deductible for income tax purposes (2013 - $508; 2012 - $2,302).
New FSV typically structures
its business acquisitions to include contingent consideration. Vendors, at the time of acquisition, are entitled to receive a contingent
consideration payment if the acquired businesses achieve specified earnings levels during the one- to two-year periods following
the dates of acquisition. The ultimate amount of payment is determined based on a formula, the key inputs to which are (i) a contractually
agreed maximum payment; (ii) a contractually specified earnings level and (iii) the actual earnings for the contingency period.
If the acquired business does not achieve the specified earnings level, the maximum payment is reduced for any shortfall, potentially
to nil.
The fair value of the contingent
consideration liability recorded on the carve-out combined balance sheet as at December 31, 2014 was $6,095 (see note 14). The
estimated range of outcomes (undiscounted) for these contingent consideration arrangements is determined based on the formula price
and the likelihood of achieving specified earnings levels over the contingency period, and ranges from $6,036 to a maximum of $6,707.
These contingencies will expire during the period extending to May 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $2,054 was paid
with reference to such contingent consideration (2013 - $350; 2012 - $4,661).
The acquisitions referred to
above were accounted for by the purchase method of accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the accompanying carve-out
combined statements of earnings do not include any revenues or expenses related to these acquisitions prior to their respective
closing dates. The consideration for the acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2014 was financed from borrowings on FirstService's
revolving credit facility and cash on hand.
The amounts of revenues and earnings
contributed from the date of acquisition and included in the combined results of New FSV for the year ended December 31, 2014,
and the supplemental pro forma revenues and earnings of the combined entity had the acquisition date been January 1, 2012, are
as follows:
| |
Revenues | |
Net earnings |
| |
| |
|
Actual from acquired entities for 2014 | |
$ | 14,543 | | |
$ | 1,657 | |
Supplemental pro forma for 2014 (unaudited) | |
| 1,148,320 | | |
| 27,140 | |
Supplemental pro forma for 2013 (unaudited) | |
| 1,080,462 | | |
| 21,006 | |
Supplemental pro forma for 2012 (unaudited) | |
| 990,358 | | |
| 33,978 | |
Supplemental pro forma results
were adjusted for non-recurring items.
4. | | Components of working capital accounts |
| |
December 31, | |
December 31, |
| |
2014 | |
2013 |
| |
| |
|
Inventories | |
| | | |
| | |
Work-in-progress | |
$ | 1,065 | | |
$ | 2,447 | |
Finished goods | |
| 4,189 | | |
| 2,973 | |
Supplies and other | |
| 4,236 | | |
| 4,083 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| |
$ | 9,489 | | |
$ | 9,503 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Accrued liabilities | |
| | | |
| | |
Accrued payroll and benefits | |
$ | 34,662 | | |
$ | 39,934 | |
Value appreciation plans | |
| 5,082 | | |
| 3,334 | |
Customer advances | |
| 376 | | |
| 93 | |
Other | |
| 15,443 | | |
| 12,725 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| |
$ | 55,563 | | |
$ | 56,086 | |
December 31, 2014 | |
| |
Accumulated | |
|
| |
Cost | |
depreciation | |
Net |
| |
| |
| |
|
Land | |
$ | 2,524 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 2,524 | |
Buildings | |
| 10,126 | | |
| 3,724 | | |
| 6,402 | |
Vehicles | |
| 32,253 | | |
| 23,564 | | |
| 8,689 | |
Furniture and equipment | |
| 39,373 | | |
| 27,322 | | |
| 12,051 | |
Computer equipment and software | |
| 62,451 | | |
| 44,605 | | |
| 17,846 | |
Leasehold improvements | |
| 17,029 | | |
| 9,339 | | |
| 7,690 | |
| |
$ | 163,757 | | |
$ | 108,554 | | |
$ | 55,203 | |
December 31, 2013 | |
| |
Accumulated | |
|
| |
Cost | |
depreciation | |
Net |
| |
| |
| |
|
Land | |
$ | 2,527 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 2,527 | |
Buildings | |
| 10,137 | | |
| 3,377 | | |
| 6,760 | |
Vehicles | |
| 29,380 | | |
| 22,297 | | |
| 7,083 | |
Furniture and equipment | |
| 34,279 | | |
| 25,409 | | |
| 8,870 | |
Computer equipment and software | |
| 56,559 | | |
| 39,631 | | |
| 16,928 | |
Leasehold improvements | |
| 16,618 | | |
| 8,694 | | |
| 7,924 | |
| |
$ | 149,500 | | |
$ | 99,408 | | |
$ | 50,092 | |
Included in fixed assets are
vehicles, office and computer equipment under capital lease at a cost of $3,941 (2013 - $4,844) and a net book value of $2,651
(2013 - $2,512).
December 31, 2014 | |
Gross | |
| |
|
| |
carrying | |
Accumulated | |
|
| |
amount | |
amortization | |
Net |
| |
| |
| |
|
Customer lists and relationships | |
$ | 77,934 | | |
$ | 30,684 | | |
$ | 47,250 | |
Franchise rights | |
| 36,785 | | |
| 13,706 | | |
| 23,078 | |
Trademarks and trade names | |
| 22,847 | | |
| 10,588 | | |
| 12,259 | |
Management contracts and other | |
| 12,613 | | |
| 12,324 | | |
| 290 | |
| |
$ | 150,179 | | |
$ | 67,302 | | |
$ | 82,877 | |
| |
Gross | |
| |
|
December 31, 2013 | |
carrying | |
Accumulated | |
|
| |
amount | |
amortization | |
Net |
| |
| |
| |
|
Customer lists and relationships | |
$ | 73,315 | | |
$ | 28,374 | | |
$ | 44,941 | |
Franchise rights | |
| 30,285 | | |
| 13,028 | | |
| 17,257 | |
Trademarks and trade names | |
| 29,621 | | |
| 16,831 | | |
| 12,790 | |
Management contracts and other | |
| 14,305 | | |
| 12,716 | | |
| 1,589 | |
| |
$ | 147,526 | | |
$ | 70,949 | | |
$ | 76,577 | |
During
the year ended December 31, 2014, New FSV acquired the following intangible assets:
| |
| |
Estimated |
| |
| |
weighted |
| |
| |
average |
| |
| |
amortization |
| |
Amount | |
period (years) |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Customer lists and relationships | |
$ | 7,070 | | |
| 19.5 | |
Franchise rights | |
| 7,800 | | |
| 17.6 | |
Trademarks and trade names | |
| 879 | | |
| 6.2 | |
Other | |
| 626 | | |
| 5.6 | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
| |
$ | 16,375 | | |
| 17.3 | |
The following is the estimated
annual amortization expense for recorded intangible assets for each of the next five years ending December 31:
2015 | |
$ | 9,857 | |
2016 | |
| 8,375 | |
2017 | |
| 8,060 | |
2018 | |
| 8,069 | |
2019 | |
| 7,938 | |
During the year ended December
31, 2013, the New FSV recorded $11,184 of accelerated amortization of trademarks and trade names in the RRE segment as a result
of re-branding.
| |
Residential | |
| |
|
| |
Real Estate | |
Property | |
|
| |
Services | |
Services | |
Consolidated |
| |
| |
| |
|
Balance, December 31, 2012 | |
$ | 161,280 | | |
$ | 48,891 | | |
$ | 210,171 | |
Goodwill acquired during the year | |
| 3,295 | | |
| - | | |
| 3,295 | |
Other items | |
| (219 | ) | |
| - | | |
| (219 | ) |
Foreign exchange | |
| (1,453 | ) | |
| (300 | ) | |
| (1,753 | ) |
Balance, December 31, 2013 | |
| 162,903 | | |
| 48,591 | | |
| 211,494 | |
Goodwill acquired during the year | |
| 4,288 | | |
| 3,856 | | |
| 8,144 | |
Other items | |
| (406 | ) | |
| - | | |
| (406 | ) |
Foreign exchange | |
| (1,395 | ) | |
| (404 | ) | |
| (1,799 | ) |
Balance, December 31, 2014 | |
$ | 165,390 | | |
$ | 52,043 | | |
$ | 217,433 | |
New FSV's current and long-term
debt represents an allocation of its proportionate share of FirstService's consolidated current and long-term debt as at December
31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. FirstService retains the legal obligations associated with all outstanding long-term debt. As
a result, the long-term debt allocations presented in the New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements represent intercompany
balances between FirstService and New FSV with the same terms and conditions as FirstService's long-term debt as follows:
Revolving credit
facility
FirstService has an amended and
restated credit agreement with a syndicate of banks to provide a $500,000 committed revolving credit facility. The revolving credit
facility has a five-year term ending March 1, 2017 and bears interest at 1.25% to 3.0% over floating reference rates, depending
on certain leverage ratios. The weighted average interest rate for 2014 was 1.6% (2013 - 2.0%). The revolving credit facility had
$155,583 of available un-drawn credit as at December 31, 2014 ($166,349 was un-drawn at December 31, 2013). As of December 31,
2014, letters of credit in the amount of $7,856 were outstanding ($7,770 as at December 31, 2013). The revolving credit facility
requires a commitment fee of 0.25% to 0.6% of the unused portion, depending on certain leverage ratios.
Senior secured notes
On January 16, 2013, FirstService
completed a private placement for $150,000 of senior secured notes with a fixed interest rate of 3.84% (the "3.84% Notes").
The 3.84% Notes were placed directly with two US based institutional investors. The 3.84% Notes have a 12-year term extending to
January 16, 2025 with five equal annual principal repayments beginning on January 16, 2021.
FirstService had outstanding
$12,500 of 6.40% fixed rate senior secured notes (the "6.40% Notes") as at December 31, 2014 (2013 - $25,000). The 6.40%
Notes have a final maturity of September 30, 2015 with four equal annual principal repayments, which began on September 30, 2012.
FirstService also had outstanding $20,000 of 5.44% fixed rate senior secured notes (the "5.44% Notes") as at December
31, 2014 (2013 - $40,000). The 5.44% Notes have a final maturity of April 1, 2015 with five equal annual principal repayments of
$20,000, which began on April 1, 2011.
FirstService has indemnified
the holders of the 3.84% Notes, the 6.40% Notes and the 5.44% Notes (collectively, the "Notes") from all withholding
tax that is or may become applicable to any payments made by FirstService on the Notes. FirstService believes this exposure is
not material as at December 31, 2014.
The revolving credit facility
and the Notes rank equally in terms of seniority. FirstService has granted these lenders collateral including the following: an
interest in all of the assets of FirstService including FirstService's shares of its subsidiaries; an assignment of material contracts;
and an assignment of FirstService's "call" rights with respect to shares of the subsidiaries held by non-controlling
interests.
The covenants of the revolving
credit facility and the Notes agreements require the FirstService to maintain certain ratios including leverage, interest coverage
and net worth. FirstService is prohibited from undertaking certain mergers, acquisitions and dispositions without prior approval.
Allocation of debt to carve-out
FirstService monitors its capital
structure and short-term financing requirements using non-GAAP financial metrics including net debt to adjusted earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("adjusted EBITDA"), pro forma for earnings of recent acquisitions. This
metric is used to monitor FirstService's overall debt position and to measure its financial strength. Net debt is defined as the
current and non-current portions of long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents.
For the purpose of preparing
the New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements, it was determined that New FSV should maintain a net debt to adjusted EBITDA
(pro forma for earnings of recent acquisitions) leverage ratio of 2.0 to 2.5, which is higher than the ratio targeted by FirstService
of 1.5 to 2.5. New FSV has a more stable revenue base and lower seasonality than FirstService, which allows for slightly greater
leverage. As at December 31, 2014, New FSV has been allocated current and long-term debt of $239,357 (2013 - $225,425) representing
approximately 48.7% (2013 – 59.7%) of FirstService's consolidated long-term debt.
Net interest expense has been
calculated primarily using the debt balance allocated to New FSV. The weighted average interest rate was based on historical rates
on the allocated debt and was 3.1% (2013 - 4.8%; 2012 - 4.9%).
If the Arrangement is approved,
the allocated debt will be replaced with inter-company debt payable to FirstService. New FSV's long-term debt balance at the time
of the Arrangement is subject to amendment in accordance with any adjustments arising from the transition agreement to achieve
New FSV's new capital structure post-split.
9. | | Redeemable non-controlling interests |
The minority equity positions
in the subsidiaries of New FSV are referred to as redeemable non-controlling interests ("RNCI"). The RNCI are considered
to be redeemable securities. Accordingly, the RNCI is recorded at the greater of: (i) the redemption amount or; (ii) the amount
initially recorded as RNCI at the date of inception of the minority equity position. This amount is recorded in the "mezzanine"
section of the combined balance sheet, outside of FirstService's Net investment. Changes in the RNCI amount are recognized immediately
as they occur. The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending RNCI amounts:
| |
2014 | |
2013 |
| |
| |
|
Balance, January 1 | |
$ | 81,407 | | |
$ | 74,158 | |
RNCI share of earnings | |
| 3,105 | | |
| 1,253 | |
RNCI redemption increment | |
| 10,117 | | |
| 14,004 | |
Distributions paid to RNCI | |
| (4,008 | ) | |
| (3,037 | ) |
Purchases of interests from RNCI, net | |
| (11,064 | ) | |
| (4,613 | ) |
RNCI recognized on business acquisitions | |
| 1,676 | | |
| - | |
Other | |
| (307 | ) | |
| (358 | ) |
Balance, December 31 | |
$ | 80,926 | | |
$ | 81,407 | |
New FSV has shareholders' agreements
in place at each of its non-wholly owned subsidiaries. These agreements allow New FSV to "call" the non-controlling interest
at a price determined with the use of a formula price, which is usually equal to a fixed multiple of average adjusted EBITDA. The
agreements also have redemption features, which allow the owners of the RNCI to "put" their equity at the same price
subject to certain limitations. The formula price is referred to as the redemption amount and may be paid in cash or in FirstService's
Subordinate Voting Shares. The redemption amount as at December 31, 2014 was $80,071 (2013 - $80,232). The redemption amount is
lower than that recorded on the combined balance sheet as the formula price of certain RNCI is lower than the amount initially
recorded at the inception of the minority equity position.
FirstService's net investment
in the operations of New FSV is presented as Total Net Investment in the New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements. Total
Net Investment is comprised of FirstService's Net Investment and accumulated other comprehensive earnings ("AOCE"). FirstService's
Net Investment represents the accumulated net earnings of the operations and the accumulated net distributions or contributions
to or from FirstService. AOCE includes accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments.
Net financing transactions with
FirstService as presented on the carve-out combined statements of cash flows represent the net distributions related to funding
between New FSV and FirstService.
Pursuant to a management services
agreement entered into in February 2004 (the "FirstService MSA"), among other things, FirstService agreed that it will
make payments to a company, Jayset Capital Corp. ("Jayset"), owned by its Founder, Chief Executive Officer and significant
shareholder ("CEO") that are contingent upon the arm's length sale of control of FirstService or upon a distribution
of FirstService's assets to shareholders. The payment amounts will be determined with reference to the price per Subordinate Voting
Share received by shareholders upon an arm's length sale or upon a distribution of assets. The agreement provides for Jayset to
receive each of the following two payments. The first payment is an amount equal to 5% of the product of: (i) the total number
of Subordinate and Multiple Voting Shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis at the time of the sale; and (ii) the per share
consideration received by holders of Subordinate and Multiple Voting Shares minus a base price of C$5.675. The second payment is
an amount equal to 5% of the product of: (i) the total number of Subordinate and Multiple Voting Shares outstanding on a fully
diluted basis at the time of the sale; and (ii) the per share consideration received by holders of Subordinate Voting Shares minus
a base price of C$11.05. Under the existing FirstService MSA, and assuming an arm's length sale of control or upon distribution
of FirstService's assets to shareholders occurred on December 31, 2014, the amount required to be paid to Jayset, based on a market
price of C$59.28, would be $163,585.
The parties to the FirstService
MSA will agree that the implementation of the Arrangement will not in and of itself require FirstService to make any of the foregoing
payments. In furtherance of the implementation of the Arrangement and the transactions related thereto, the parties to the FirstService
MSA will agree to amend and restate the FirstService MSA in the following manner: (a) FirstService will continue receive, on the
terms and conditions set forth in the FirstService MSA as so amended and restated (which will then be referred to as the "Colliers
MSA"), those various management and other services that are currently being provided under the FirstService MSA to FirstService
in respect of the "Commercial Real Estate Services" division of FirstService; (b) as a continuation of the existing rights
and obligations under the FirstService MSA, the Company, Jayset and the CEO will enter into new management services agreement (the
"New FSV MSA"), pursuant to which FirstService will continue receive, on the terms and conditions set forth in such agreement,
those various management and other services that are currently being provided under the FirstService MSA in respect of the "Residential
Real Estate Services" and "Property Services" divisions of FirstService; and (c) the above-noted base prices in
the FirstService MSA will be divided between the base prices under the similar arrangements in the Colliers MSA and the New FSV
MSA, based on the ratio of the net fair market value of the "Residential Real Estate Services" and "Property Services"
divisions of FirstService, on the one hand, and all property owned by FirstService, on the other hand, at the time of the Arrangement.
11. | | Stock-based compensation |
FirstService has a stock-based
compensation plan for certain officers and key full-time employees, other than its CEO. For the purposes of preparing these carve-out
combined financial statements, New FSV has been allocated a proportionate share of the stock-based compensation based on the revenue
of New FSV relative to FirstService, which was determined to approximate the proportionate service of the employees.
FirstService options are granted
at the market price for the underlying shares on the date of grant. Each FirstService option vests over a four-year term, expires
five years from the date granted and allows for the purchase of one FirstService Subordinate Voting Share. All FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares issued are new shares. Grants under FirstService's stock option plan are equity-classified awards.
New FSV incurred stock-based
compensation expense related to these awards of $1,719 during the year ended December 31, 2014 (2013 - $1,860; 2012 - $1,440).
As at December 31, 2014, the
range of FirstService option exercise prices was $19.15 to $49.54 per share. Also as at December 31, 2014, the aggregate intrinsic
value and weighted average remaining contractual life for in-the-money FirstService options vested and expected to vest were $12,393
and 2.5 years, respectively.
As at December 31, 2014, there
was $1,566 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards, which is expected to be recognized over the next 4 years.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the fair value of FirstService options vested was $1,564 (2013 - $1,752; 2012 - $1,560).
The fair value of each FirstService
option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The various inputs used to determine
fair value are specific to FirstService and are not necessarily representative of what the inputs would be for New FSV if it had
been a stand-alone entity.
Income tax differs from the amounts
that would be obtained by applying the statutory rate to the respective year's earnings before tax. Differences result from the
following items:
| |
2014 | |
2013 | |
2012 |
Income tax expense using combined statutory rate of | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
26.5% (2013 - 26.5%, 2012 - 26.5%) | |
$ | 10,185 | | |
$ | 6,423 | | |
$ | 11,524 | |
Permanent differences | |
| 583 | | |
| 446 | | |
| 453 | |
Tax effect of flow through entities | |
| (184 | ) | |
| (555 | ) | |
| (2,394 | ) |
Losses not previously recognized | |
| - | | |
| (358 | ) | |
| - | |
Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates | |
| (176 | ) | |
| (471 | ) | |
| 1,318 | |
Adjustments to tax liabilities for prior periods | |
| 432 | | |
| (573 | ) | |
| (1,140 | ) |
Effects of changes in enacted tax rates | |
| (63 | ) | |
| 265 | | |
| - | |
Changes in liability for unrecognized tax benefits | |
| (229 | ) | |
| 222 | | |
| (77 | ) |
Foreign, state and provincial tax rate differential | |
| 1,741 | | |
| (406 | ) | |
| 2,969 | |
Tax on preferred shares | |
| - | | |
| 518 | | |
| 69 | |
Other taxes | |
| (47 | ) | |
| 274 | | |
| - | |
Provision for income taxes as reported | |
$ | 12,242 | | |
$ | 5,785 | | |
$ | 12,722 | |
Earnings before income tax by jurisdiction comprise the following:
| |
2014 | |
2013 | |
2012 |
Canada | |
$ | 14,967 | | |
$ | 5,407 | | |
$ | 4,173 | |
United States | |
| 23,467 | | |
| 18,830 | | |
| 39,314 | |
Total | |
$ | 38,434 | | |
$ | 24,237 | | |
$ | 43,487 | |
Income
tax expense (recovery) comprises the following:
| |
2014 | |
2013 | |
2012 |
Current | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Canada | |
$ | 6,360 | | |
$ | 3,864 | | |
$ | 1,855 | |
United States | |
| 4,901 | | |
| 11,000 | | |
| 15,591 | |
| |
| 11,261 | | |
| 14,864 | | |
| 17,446 | |
Deferred | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Canada | |
| (372 | ) | |
| (3,530 | ) | |
| (63 | ) |
United States | |
| 1,353 | | |
| (5,549 | ) | |
| (4,661 | ) |
| |
| 981 | | |
| (9,079 | ) | |
| (4,724 | ) |
Total | |
$ | 12,242 | | |
$ | 5,785 | | |
$ | 12,722 | |
The
significant components of deferred income tax are as follows:
| |
2014 | |
2013 |
Deferred income tax assets | |
| | | |
| | |
Loss carry-forwards | |
$ | 2,674 | | |
$ | 4,489 | |
Expenses not currently deductible | |
| 11,839 | | |
| 8,405 | |
Stock-based compensation | |
| 4,044 | | |
| 3,493 | |
Basis differences of partnerships and other entities | |
| 1,251 | | |
| 1,878 | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | |
| 2,026 | | |
| 1,831 | |
Inventory and other reserves | |
| 1,405 | | |
| 1,244 | |
| |
| 23,239 | | |
| 21,340 | |
Deferred income tax liabilities
| |
| | | |
| | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| 14,236 | | |
| 15,240 | |
Prepaid and other expenses deducted for tax purposes | |
| 1,804 | | |
| 1,427 | |
| |
| 16,040 | | |
| 16,667 | |
Net deferred income tax asset | |
$ | 7,199 | | |
$ | 4,673 | |
New FSV has gross operating loss
carry-forwards as follows:
| |
Loss carry-forward | |
Gross losses not recognized | |
Net |
| |
2014 | |
2013 | |
2014 | |
2013 | |
2014 | |
2013 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Canada | |
$ | 6,963 | | |
$ | 13,654 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 6,963 | | |
$ | 13,654 | |
United States | |
| 8,874 | | |
| 9,082 | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 8,874 | | |
| 9,082 | |
New
FSV has gross capital loss carry-forwards as follows:
| |
| Loss carry-forward | | |
| Gross losses not recognized | | |
| Net | |
| |
| 2014 | | |
| 2013 | | |
| 2014 | | |
| 2013 | | |
| 2014 | | |
| 2013 | |
Canada | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | |
United States | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
The amounts above are available
to reduce future federal and provincial income taxes in their respective jurisdictions. Net operating loss carry-forward balances
attributable to the United States and Canada expire over the next 14 to 20 years. Capital losses attributable to Canada and the
United States are carried forward indefinitely.
A reconciliation of the beginning
and ending amounts of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
| |
|
Balance, December 31, 2012 | |
$ | 502 | |
Increases based on tax positions related to 2013 | |
| 297 | |
Reduction for lapses in applicable statutes of limitations | |
| (103 | ) |
| |
| | |
Balance, December 31, 2013 | |
| 696 | |
Reduction for lapses in applicable statutes of limitations | |
| (202 | ) |
| |
| | |
Balance, December 31, 2014 | |
$ | 494 | |
Of the $494 (2013 - $696) in
gross unrecognized tax benefits, $494 (2013 - $696) would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. For the year ended December
31, 2014, a recover of $27 in interest and penalties related to provisions for income tax was recorded in income tax expense (2013
- expense of $19; 2012 - recovery of $38). As at December 31, 2014, $84 (2013 - $111) had been accrued for potential income tax
related interest and penalties.
Within the next 12 months, New
FSV believes it is reasonably possible that $168 of unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions may be reduced
due to lapses in statutes of limitations.
The tax jurisdictions of New
FSV are the United States and Canada. The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdictions. Generally,
income tax returns filed with the Canada Revenue Agency and related provinces are open for three to four years and income tax returns
filed with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and related states are open for three to five years.
The Canada Revenue Agency commenced
an examination of the Canadian income tax returns for the years 2010 and 2011 that was completed by the end of 2014.
New FSV does not currently expect
any other material impact on earnings to result from the resolution of matters related to open taxation years, other than noted
above. Actual settlements may differ from the amounts accrued. New FSV has, as part of its analysis, made its current estimates
based on facts and circumstances known to date and cannot predict changes in facts and circumstances that may affect its current
estimates.
13. | | Other supplemental information |
| |
2014 | |
2013 | |
2012 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Franchisor operations | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Revenues | |
$ | 90,684 | | |
$ | 80,450 | | |
$ | 75,025 | |
Operating earnings | |
| 22,071 | | |
| 19,435 | | |
| 16,801 | |
Initial franchise fee revenues | |
| 5,042 | | |
| 5,817 | | |
| 5,950 | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| 3,252 | | |
| 6,641 | | |
| 3,477 | |
Total assets | |
| 94,843 | | |
| 118,847 | | |
| 117,888 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash payments made during the period | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Income taxes | |
$ | 21,432 | | |
$ | 16,522 | | |
$ | 10,336 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Non-cash financing activities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Increases in capital lease obligations | |
$ | 1,133 | | |
$ | 1,150 | | |
$ | 1,054 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Other expenses | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Rent expense | |
$ | 19,408 | | |
$ | 18,976 | | |
$ | 19,230 | |
Concentration of credit risk
New FSV is subject to credit
risk with respect to its cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and other receivables. Concentrations of credit risk with
respect to cash and cash equivalents are limited by the use of multiple large and reputable banks. Concentrations of credit risk
with respect to the receivables are limited due to the large number of entities comprising the customer base and their dispersion
across different service lines in two countries.
Interest rate risk
New FSV maintains an interest
rate risk management strategy that uses interest rate hedging contracts from time to time. Specific goals are to: (i) manage interest
rate sensitivity by modifying the characteristics of its debt; and (ii) lower the long-term cost of its borrowed funds. Fluctuations
in interest rates affect the fair value of the hedging contracts as their value depends on the prevailing market interest rate.
Hedging contracts are monitored on a monthly basis.
Fair values of financial instruments
The following table provides
the financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as at December 31, 2014:
| |
Carrying value as at | |
Fair value measurements |
| |
| December 31, 2014 | | |
| Level 1 | | |
| Level 2 | | |
| Level 3 | |
Contingent consideration liability | |
$ | 6,095 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 6,095 | |
The inputs to the measurement
of the fair value of contingent consideration related to acquisitions are Level 3 inputs. The fair value measurements were made
using a discounted cash flows approach; significant model inputs were expected future operating cash flows (determined with reference
to each specific acquired business) and discount rates (which range from 9.0% to 12.5%). Changes in the fair value of the contingent
consideration liability are comprised of the following:
Balance, December 31, 2013 | |
$ | 1,436 | |
Amounts recognized on acquisitions | |
| 4,499 | |
Fair value adjustments | |
| 349 | |
Resolved and settled in cash | |
| (80 | ) |
Other | |
| (109 | ) |
Balance, December 31, 2014 | |
$ | 6,095 | |
| |
| | |
Less: current portion | |
$ | 4,586 | |
Non-current portion | |
$ | 1,509 | |
The carrying amounts for cash
and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair values due to the short
maturity of these instruments, unless otherwise indicated. The inputs to the measurement of the fair value of long-term debt are
Level 3 inputs. The fair value measurements were made using a net present value approach; significant model inputs were expected
future operating cash outflows and discount rates (which range from 0.1% to 3.0%). The following are estimates of the fair values
for other financial instruments:
| |
2014 | |
2013 |
| |
Carrying | |
Fair | |
Carrying | |
Fair |
| |
amount | |
value | |
amount | |
value |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Other receivables | |
$ | 4,581 | | |
$ | 4,581 | | |
$ | 5,314 | | |
$ | 5,314 | |
Other receivables include notes
receivable from non-controlling shareholders and other non-current receivables.
15. | | Commitments and contingencies |
(a) Lease commitments
Minimum operating lease payments are as follows:
Year ended December 31 | |
| | |
2015 | |
$ | 18,741 | |
2016 | |
| 16,555 | |
2017 | |
| 13,771 | |
2018 | |
| 10,962 | |
2019 | |
| 9,429 | |
Thereafter | |
| 22,308 | |
(b) Contingencies
In the normal course of operations,
FirstService is subject to routine claims and litigation incidental to its business. Litigation currently pending or threatened
includes disputes with former employees and commercial liability claims related to services provided. New FSV believes resolution
of such proceedings, combined with amounts set aside, will not have a material impact on its financial condition or the results
of operations.
16. | | Related party transactions |
The Plan of Arrangement states that
New FSV and FirstService enter into a transition agreement that will take effect if the transaction is approved. This agreement
will outline the settlement of carve-out balances that become third party balances at the date of the transaction. Outstanding
balances between New FSV and FirstService (other than long-term debt – see note 8) have been reflected in the Net Investment
account in the New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements.
During the year ended December 31,
2014, New FSV paid its Commercial Real Estate Services affiliates fees for advisory services totalling $441 (2013 - $782; 2012
- $633).
Operating segments
New FSV has two reportable operating
segments. The segments are grouped by management with reference to the nature of services provided and the types of clients who
use those services. Each segment's performance is assessed based on operating earnings or operating earnings before depreciation
and amortization. RRE provides property management and related property services to residential communities in North America. Property
Services provides franchised and company owned property services to customers in North America. Corporate includes the costs of
operating the corporate head office which are not allocated to New FSV's reportable segments.
The reportable segment information
excludes intersegment transactions.
| |
Residential | |
| |
| |
|
2014 | |
Real Estate | |
Property | |
| |
|
| |
| Services | | |
| Services | | |
| Corporate | | |
| Consolidated | |
Revenues | |
$ | 919,545 | | |
$ | 212,457 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 1,132,002 | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| 19,644 | | |
| 6,734 | | |
| 96 | | |
| 26,474 | |
Operating earnings (loss) | |
| 25,712 | | |
| 30,559 | | |
| (10,650 | ) | |
| 45,621 | |
Other expense, net | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (255 | ) |
Interest expense, net | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (6,932 | ) |
Income taxes | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (12,242 | ) |
Net earnings | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 26,192 | |
Total assets | |
$ | 405,150 | | |
$ | 253,225 | | |
$ | (42,831 | ) | |
$ | 615,544 | |
Total additions to long-lived | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
assets | |
| 23,208 | | |
| 16,423 | | |
| - | | |
| 39,631 | |
| |
Residential | |
| |
| |
|
2013 | |
Real Estate | |
Property | |
| |
|
| |
Services | |
Services | |
Corporate | |
Consolidated |
Revenues | |
$ | 844,952 | | |
$ | 193,135 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 1,038,087 | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| 30,655 | | |
| 8,557 | | |
| 104 | | |
| 39,316 | |
Operating earnings (loss) | |
| 23,110 | | |
| 23,201 | | |
| (9,228 | ) | |
| 37,083 | |
Other income, net | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (20 | ) |
Interest expense, net | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (12,826 | ) |
Income taxes | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (5,785 | ) |
Net earnings | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 18,452 | |
Total assets | |
$ | 430,994 | | |
$ | 226,649 | | |
$ | (47,346 | ) | |
$ | 610,297 | |
Total additions to long-lived | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
assets | |
| 22,386 | | |
| 291 | | |
| - | | |
| 22,677 | |
| |
Residential | |
| |
| |
|
2012 | |
Real Estate | |
Property | |
| |
|
| |
Services | |
Services | |
Corporate | |
Consolidated |
Revenues | |
$ | 768,994 | | |
$ | 170,827 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 939,821 | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| 18,530 | | |
| 5,155 | | |
| 166 | | |
| 23,851 | |
Operating earnings (loss) | |
| 39,416 | | |
| 21,798 | | |
| (7,736 | ) | |
| 53,478 | |
Other expense, net | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 245 | |
Interest expense, net | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (10,236 | ) |
Income taxes | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (12,722 | ) |
Net earnings | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 30,765 | |
Total assets | |
$ | 422,808 | | |
$ | 179,778 | | |
$ | (11,148 | ) | |
$ | 591,438 | |
Total additions to long-lived | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
assets | |
| 18,165 | | |
| 9,291 | | |
| - | | |
| 27,456 | |
Geographic information
Revenues in each geographic region
are reported by customer locations.
| |
2014 | |
2013 | |
2012 |
| |
| |
| |
|
United States | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Revenues | |
$ | 1,040,356 | | |
$ | 950,046 | | |
$ | 862,869 | |
Total long-lived assets | |
| 310,825 | | |
| 298,221 | | |
| 313,267 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Canada | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Revenues | |
$ | 91,646 | | |
$ | 88,041 | | |
$ | 76,952 | |
Total long-lived assets | |
| 44,688 | | |
| 39,942 | | |
| 41,784 | |
18. | | Impact of recently issued accounting standards |
In April 2014, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued
Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This ASU changes the threshold for reporting discontinued operations
and adds new disclosures. This ASU is effective for New FSV on January 1, 2015. New FSV expects that the adoption of this ASU will
result in fewer disposals of businesses to be reported as discontinued operations.
In May 2014, FASB issued ASU
No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common
revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and is effective for New FSV
on January 1, 2017. New FSV is currently assessing the impact of this ASU on its financial position and results of operations.
NEW FSV
Management's discussion and analysis for the
year ended December 31, 2014
(in US dollars)
March 16, 2015
The following management's discussion
and analysis ("MD&A") has been prepared in respect of the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services
businesses of FirstService to be owned and operated by New FSV and its subsidiaries upon completion of the Arrangement. This MD&A
should be read together with the audited carve-out combined financial statements and the accompanying notes (the "Carve-out
Combined Financial Statements") of New FSV for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Carve-out Combined Financial Statements
have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All financial information herein is presented in United States dollars.
New FSV has prepared this MD&A with
reference to National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations of the Canadian Securities Administrators (the
"CSA"). Under the U.S./Canada Multijurisdictional Disclosure System, New FSV is permitted to prepare this MD&A in
accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada, which requirements are different from those of the United States. This MD&A
provides information for the year ended December 31, 2014 and up to and including March 16, 2015.
This MD&A includes references to
"adjusted EBITDA", which is a financial measure not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a reconciliation of
this non-U.S. GAAP measure to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, see "Reconciliation of non-U.S. GAAP
financial measures" herein.
Readers will find the definition of
certain terms used in this MD&A under "Glossary of Terms" in the management information circular of FirstService
to which this MD&A is appended. Unless the context otherwise permits, indicates or requires, all references in this MD&A
to "we", "our", "us" and similar expressions are references to New FSV and the Residential Real Estate
Services and Property Services businesses of FirstService as they have been proposed to be carved out under the Arrangement into
New FSV.
Proposed arrangement
On March 11, 2015, the Board of Directors
of FirstService unanimously approved a proposal to split FirstService into two independent companies, being (i) a Commercial Real
Estate Services company operating principally as Colliers International and (ii) a Residential Real Estate Services and Property
Services company operating principally as FirstService Residential and under several franchise brands including California Closets,
Paul Davis Restoration and CertaPro Painters.
The proposed Arrangement will be implemented
through a court approved Plan of Arrangement and is subject to regulatory, court and shareholder approvals. The reorganization
would result in two publicly traded entities with the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services company named "FirstService
Corporation", and FirstService renamed as "Colliers International Group Inc." Under the Arrangement,
a FirstService shareholder will receive one New FSV Subordinate Voting Share or New FSV Multiple Voting Share for each FirstService
Subordinate Voting Share or FirstService Multiple Voting Share held, respectively.
Basis of presentation
The Carve-out Combined Financial Statements,
which are discussed below and have been prepared in connection with the Arrangement, present the historical carve-out combined
financial position, results of operations, changes in net investment and cash flows of the Residential Real Estate Services and
Property Services businesses of FirstService as they have been proposed to be carved out under the Arrangement into New FSV and
as if operated as a stand-alone entity for the periods presented. The New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements have been
derived from the accounting records of FirstService on a carve-out basis. The Carve-out Combined Financial Statements have been
prepared on a combined basis and the results do not necessarily reflect what New FSV's results of operations, financial position,
or cash flows would have been had New FSV been a separate entity or future results in respect of New FSV as it is expected to exist
on completion of the Arrangement. The basis of presentation is more fully described in Note 1 to the Carve-out Combined Financial
Statements.
Unless otherwise expressly provided, the
historical financial information presented herein does not give effect to the Arrangement and associated transactions. Detailed
information as to these proposed transactions and certain effects of these proposed transactions are included in the Circular under
"The Arrangement".
Combined review
As at December 31, 2014, we employed approximately
15,000 people in more than 120 locations throughout Canada and the United States. We are North
America's largest manager of residential communities and one of North America's largest providers of property services.
New FSV has two reportable operating segments:
Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services. The segments are grouped with reference to the nature of services provided
and the types of clients that use those services.
The Residential Real Estate Services ("RRE")
segment operates under the brand name "FirstService Residential" and is a full-service property manager and in many markets
provides a full range of ancillary services, including facility maintenance, janitorial, front-desk, swimming pool management,
energy advisory, commercial association management, concierge services, resale processing, sales, leasing, landscaping and pest
control. In most markets we also provide financial services (cash management and other transaction-related services, collections,
specialized property insurance brokerage and energy retrofit financing) utilizing the scale of our operations to economically benefit
clients. Ancillary services are provided under the following brands: American Pool Enterprises, American Leisure, Planned Companies,
FirstService Financial, FS Energy and Superior Pool.
In our Property Services segment, we provide
a variety of residential and commercial services in North America through franchise networks and company-owned locations. The principal
brands in this division include Paul Davis Restoration, CertaPro Painters, California Closets, College Pro Painters, Pillar to
Post Home Inspectors, Floorcoverings International and Service America.
Our combined revenues for 2014 were $1.13
billion, an increase of 9% over the prior year, attributable to a combination of internal growth and acquisitions. Both of our
operating segments generated strong internal revenue growth.
We acquired controlling interests in eight
businesses during 2014. The aggregate initial cash purchase price for these acquisitions was $16.7 million and was comprised of
residential real estate services companies operating in the U.S. and the Paul Davis Restoration franchisor operating in Canada.
We also acquired net non-controlling interests valued at $11.2 million, primarily in the Residential Real Estate Services segment.
The purchase prices of these acquisitions were funded with cash on hand and borrowings.
In June 2013, our Residential Real Estate
Services operations, which had operated as 18 separate brands in markets across North America, re-branded under the "FirstService
Residential" name. The adoption of common branding was designed to signify our market leadership, our commitment to service
excellence and to leverage our industry-leading strengths to the benefit of current and future clients.
Results of operations – 2014
versus 2013
Revenues were $1.13 billion for the year
ended December 31, 2014, up 9% from 2013. The increase was due to internal growth of 7% and the positive impact of acquisitions
of 2%.
2014 operating earnings increased 23% from
the prior year to $45.6 million, while adjusted EBITDA decreased 5% to $75.0 million. Adjusted EBITDA and operating earnings for
2014 were impacted by approximately $9.0 million of incremental US employee medical costs in the RRE segment. Operating earnings
for 2013 were impacted by $11.2 million of accelerated amortization of intangible assets, and $6.0 million of re-branding related
costs, both related to our adoption of the "FirstService Residential" brand in the RRE segment.
Depreciation expense was $17.7 million
in 2014, up 13% versus the prior year due to higher capital expenditures on leasehold improvements and information technology systems.
Amortization expense was $8.7 million in 2014, down significantly as a result of accelerated amortization of intangible assets
in 2013 which did not recur in 2014.
Net interest expense in 2014 decreased
46% from the prior year, to $6.9 million, primarily attributable to lower interest rates on long-term debt allocated by FirstService
to New FSV. Our weighted average interest rate decreased to 3.1% from 4.8% in the prior year, primarily as a result of the conversion
of FirstService's 6.5% convertible subordinated debentures in late 2013.
Our combined income tax rate for the year
ended December 31, 2014 was 32% versus 24% in 2013. The prior year's rate was impacted by several items, including losses not previously
recognized and adjustments to tax liabilities of prior periods, which reduced the tax rate for 2013.
Net earnings for 2014 were $26.2 million,
compared to $18.5 million in the prior year. The variance was primarily attributable to increased operating earnings on account
of higher revenues in 2014 as well as the impact of accelerated amortization recorded in 2013.
In Residential Real Estate Services, 2014
revenues were $919.5 million, an increase of 9% compared to the prior year. Internal growth was 7% and was attributable to property
management contract wins, while acquisitions contributed 2%. During the year, we acquired property management businesses operating
in California, Texas, Minnesota and New York. This segment reported adjusted EBITDA of $45.6 million or 5.0% of revenues, relative
to $53.2 million or 6.3% of revenues in the prior year. The 2014 results were impacted by (i) elevated employee medical benefits
costs in the US amounting to approximately $9.0 million; we have redesigned our health plans and adjusted cost sharing with clients
and employees effective January 1, 2015 with the expectation that costs will return to a historical burden rate for 2015 and future
years and (ii) costs and a write off of accounts receivable totalling $1.9 million related to our homeowner fee collection operations
as a result of recent changes in legislation. In mid-2013, the residential property management businesses within this segment re-branded
as "FirstService Residential". Our 2013 results were impacted by investments in re-branding and related information technology
enhancements totalling $6.0 million, as well as a $2.0 million charge taken in the third quarter to down-size our homeowner fee
collection operations in line with current reduced volumes of delinquencies and changes in the regulatory environment in several
states.
Our Property Services operations reported
2014 revenues of $212.5 million, an increase of 10% versus the prior year, comprised of internal growth of 8%, which was attributable
to royalties from increased system-wide sales at our franchise brands, and acquisitions contributed 2% to growth. Acquisitions
included a franchise system operating in Canada and California Closets stores operating in Florida and Illinois. Adjusted EBITDA
was $37.8 million, up 13% relative to the prior year, with the margin increasing to 17.8% from 17.4% on account of operating leverage.
Corporate costs allocated by FirstService
for 2014 were $8.4 million relative to $7.3 million in the prior year. The 2014 results were impacted by increased insurance costs.
Results of operations – 2013
versus 2012
Our revenues were $1.04 billion for the
year ended December 31, 2013, up 11% relative to 2012. The increase was comprised of internal revenue growth of 10% and the positive
impact of acquisitions of 1%.
Operating earnings were $37.1 million in
2013, down from $53.5 million in 2012, while adjusted EBITDA was flat at $78.9 million. Current year combined earnings were negatively
impacted by $11.2 million of accelerated amortization of intangible assets and $6.0 million of re-branding related costs, both
related to our adoption of the "FirstService Residential" brand in our Residential Real Estate Services operations.
Depreciation expense was $15.7 million
relative to $13.7 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily attributable to increased investments in information technology
systems in our Residential Real Estate Services operations.
Amortization expense was $23.6 million
in 2013, and included accelerated amortization on (i) $11.2 million of legacy trademarks and trade names in our Residential Real
Estate Services operations and (ii) $2.8 million of franchise rights in our Property Services segment.
Net interest expense increased to $12.8
million from $10.2 million in the prior year, primarily due to increased borrowing by FirstService to finance acquisitions. Interest
expense on debt allocated by FirstService was calculated at FirstService's weighted average interest rate. Our weighted average
interest rate decreased to 4.8% from 4.9% in the prior year.
Our combined income tax rate for the year
ended December 31, 2013 was 24% versus 29% in 2012. The 2013 tax rate was favorably impacted by losses not previously recognized
and adjustments to tax liabilities for prior periods.
Net earnings were $18.5 million, compared
to $30.8 million in the prior year. The change was primarily attributable to accelerated intangible asset amortization and Residential
Real Estate Services re-branding costs noted above.
In Residential Real Estate Services, revenues
were $845.0 million, an increase of 10% compared to the prior year. Internal growth was 9% and was attributable to property management
contract wins, while recent acquisitions contributed 1%. During the year, we acquired three property management businesses operating
in Missouri, Florida and Alberta. In mid-2013, the residential property management businesses within this segment re-branded as
"FirstService Residential". This segment reported adjusted EBITDA of $52.7 million or 6.2% of revenues, relative to $56.3
million or 7.3% of revenues in the prior year. The decline in margin was largely attributable to investments in re-branding and
related information technology enhancements totalling $6.0 million, as well as a $2.0 million charge taken in the third quarter
to down-size our homeowner fee collection operations in line with current reduced volumes of delinquencies and changes in the regulatory
environment in several states.
Our Property Services operations reported
revenues of $193.1 million, an increase of 13% versus the prior year, comprised entirely of internal growth, which was attributable
to royalties from increased system-wide sales at our franchise brands. Adjusted EBITDA was $33.5 million, up 13% relative to the
prior year, with the margin increasing to 17.4% from 16.8% on account of operating leverage.
Corporate costs allocated by FirstService
in connection with the carve-out process were $7.3 million relative to $6.1 million in the prior year. The 2013 cost increase was
attributable to performance-based incentive compensation accruals which were based on increased adjusted EPS of FirstService, relative
to the prior year.
Carve-out corporate costs
For the purposes of the Carve-out Combined
Financial Statements, a portion of the corporate costs including salaries, stock-based compensation, costs associated with FirstService
being a public company, and other administrative expenses were allocated to New FSV. These costs are shown under the "Corporate"
heading in operating segment reporting (see note 17 to the Carve-out Combined Financial Statements) and totalled $10.7 million
for 2014 (2013 - $9.2 million; 2012 - $7.7 million). The allocation was based on costs specifically identifiable with New FSV,
and for shared resources such as employees the allocation was based on Management's best estimate. The allocated corporate costs
are not necessarily indicative of corporate costs to be incurred by New FSV after completion of the Arrangement.
Selected annual information - last five years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands of US$) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31 |
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
2011 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
1,132,002 |
|
$ |
1,038,087 |
|
$ |
939,821 |
|
$ |
857,201 |
|
$ |
755,204 |
Operating earnings |
|
45,621 |
|
|
37,083 |
|
|
53,478 |
|
|
38,674 |
|
|
44,862 |
Net earnings |
|
26,192 |
|
|
18,452 |
|
|
30,765 |
|
|
24,157 |
|
|
27,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial position |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
$ |
615,544 |
|
$ |
610,297 |
|
$ |
591,438 |
|
$ |
566,972 |
|
$ |
434,488 |
Long-term debt |
|
239,357 |
|
|
225,425 |
|
|
216,370 |
|
|
174,150 |
|
|
115,428 |
Redeemable non-controlling interests |
|
80,926 |
|
|
81,407 |
|
|
74,158 |
|
|
76,216 |
|
|
102,381 |
Total net investment |
|
158,749 |
|
|
168,660 |
|
|
174,834 |
|
|
203,165 |
|
|
129,935 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
74,997 |
|
$ |
78,913 |
|
$ |
78,932 |
|
$ |
70,565 |
|
$ |
64,323 |
Quarterly results - years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands of US$) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q1 |
|
|
Q2 |
|
|
Q3 |
|
|
Q4 |
|
|
Year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
245,594 |
|
$ |
292,205 |
|
$ |
312,029 |
|
$ |
282,174 |
|
$ |
1,132,002 |
Operating earnings |
|
|
1,627 |
|
|
19,118 |
|
|
20,004 |
|
|
4,872 |
|
|
45,621 |
Net earnings |
|
|
967 |
|
|
19,420 |
|
|
13,602 |
|
|
(7,797) |
|
|
26,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
229,250 |
|
$ |
267,603 |
|
$ |
282,761 |
|
$ |
258,473 |
|
$ |
1,038,087 |
Operating earnings |
|
|
3,004 |
|
|
524 |
|
|
24,901 |
|
|
8,654 |
|
|
37,083 |
Net earnings |
|
|
683 |
|
|
(204) |
|
|
12,395 |
|
|
5,578 |
|
|
18,452 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA - 2014 |
|
$ |
7,934 |
|
$ |
25,362 |
|
$ |
28,310 |
|
$ |
13,391 |
|
$ |
74,997 |
Adjusted EBITDA - 2013 |
|
$ |
9,141 |
|
$ |
21,867 |
|
$ |
31,913 |
|
$ |
15,992 |
|
$ |
78,913 |
Operating outlook
We are committed to a long-term growth
strategy that results in average internal revenue growth in the 5-10% range, combined with acquisitions to build each of our service
platforms, resulting in targeted average annual growth in revenues, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS in excess of 10%. Economic
conditions will negatively or positively impact these percentage growth rates in any given year. Our income tax rate is expected
to be in the 30 to 35% range.
In our Residential Real Estate Services
segment, revenues are expected to grow at a low double digit percentage rate in 2015 from continuing new business wins, strong
client retention and the full year impact of acquisitions completed during 2014. Operating margins for 2015 are expected to be
higher than 2014, as (i) we have redesigned our US employee medical benefit plan and adjusted cost sharing with clients and employees
effective January 1, 2015 with the expectation that costs will return to a historical burden rate for 2015 and future years and
(ii) costs related to the homeowner fee collection operations experienced in 2014 are not expected to recur.
Our Property Services segment is expected
to generate low double digit percentage growth in 2015 from increases in franchisee productivity, the addition of new franchisees,
increases in sales at company-owned California Closets stores and the full year impact of acquisitions completed during 2014. Operating
margins are expected to remain similar to 2014 levels.
Seasonality and quarterly fluctuations
Certain segments of the operations of New
FSV are subject to seasonal variations. The seasonality of the service lines results in variations in quarterly revenues and operating
margins. Variations can also be caused by acquisitions or dispositions, which alter the combined service mix.
The Residential Real Estate Services segment
generates peak revenues and earnings in the third quarter, as seasonal ancillary swimming pool management revenues are earned.
These operations reach a seasonal low point in the first quarter.
The Property Services segment includes
outdoor painting franchise operations, which generate the majority of their revenues during the second and third quarters. These
operations reach a seasonal low point in the first quarter.
Liquidity and capital resources
Historically, the liquidity requirements
of the business which will form New FSV have been met through debt financing from FirstService and through cash generated from
operations. At December 31, 2014, current and non-current debt allocated to us from FirstService totalled $239.4 million.
Under the Arrangement Agreement, New FSV
has agreed to repay, immediately after the effectiveness of the Arrangement, all of the allocated debt that it owes to FirstService
at that time. It is expected that New FSV will enter into a new revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders and will
draw on this facility in order to repay a portion the allocated debt. It is expected that this new revolving credit facility will
have a committed amount of $150 million, a 5 year term and bear interest at 1.25% to 2.50% over floating reference rates, depending
on leverage ratios, and, in addition to funding the allocated debt, will be available to fund working capital requirements and
other general corporate purposes.
In January 2013, FirstService completed
a private placement of $150 million in 3.84% Senior Notes with a twelve year term, due January 16, 2025 with a group of US institutional
investors. The 3.84% Senior Notes are repayable in 5 equal annual instalments beginning on January 16, 2021. The full principal
amount of these 3.84% Senior Notes will be assumed by New FSV under the Arrangement, and the interest rate will be 3.84% to 4.84%,
depending on leverage ratios.
We generated cash flow from operating activities
of $45.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, relative to $34.4 million in the prior year. Operating cash flow increased
in 2014 primarily as result of improved collection of accounts receivable. We expect that cash flows from operations in 2015, together
with cash on hand and availability under the new revolving credit facility, will be more than sufficient to fund New FSV's requirements
for investments in working capital, fixed assets, business acquisitions and dividend payments.
During 2014, we invested cash in acquisitions
as follows: an aggregate of $16.7 million (net of cash acquired) in eight new business acquisitions, $2.0 million in contingent
consideration payments related to previously completed acquisitions, and $11.2 million in acquisitions of redeemable non-controlling
interests ("RNCI").
In relation to acquisitions completed during
the past three years, we have outstanding contingent consideration, assuming all contingencies are satisfied and payment is due
in full, totalling $6.7 million as at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $2.2 million). The contingent consideration liability
is recognized at fair value upon acquisition and is updated to fair value each quarter, unless it contains an element of compensation,
in which case such element is treated as compensation expense over the contingency period. The contingent consideration is based
on achieving specified earnings levels, and is paid or payable after the end of the contingency period, which extends to May 2016.
We estimate that, based on current operating results, approximately 90% of the contingent consideration outstanding as of December
31, 2014 will ultimately be paid.
Capital expenditures for the year were
$22.4 million (2013 - $16.7 million), which consisted primarily of office leasehold improvements in the RRE segment and investments
in productivity-enhancing information technology systems in both operating segments.
Net indebtedness allocated by FirstService
for purposes of the Carve-out Combined Financial Statements as at December 31, 2014 was $172.6 million, versus $139.1 million at
December 31, 2013. Net indebtedness is calculated as the current and non-current portions of long-term debt less cash and cash
equivalents. FirstService was in compliance with the covenants of its financing agreements as at December 31, 2014. New FSV expects
to remain in compliance with such covenants going forward (being the new revolving credit facility described above and Senior Notes
being assumed under the Arrangement).
The following table summarizes our contractual
obligations as at December 31, 2014:
Contractual obligations |
Payments due by period |
(in thousands of US$) |
|
|
|
|
Less than |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1 year |
|
|
1-3 years |
|
|
4-5 years |
|
|
5 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
$ |
237,695 |
|
$ |
16,971 |
|
$ |
70,724 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
150,000 |
Capital lease obligations |
|
1,662 |
|
|
754 |
|
|
753 |
|
|
155 |
|
|
- |
Contingent acquisition consideration |
|
6,095 |
|
|
4,586 |
|
|
1,509 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Operating leases |
|
91,766 |
|
|
18,741 |
|
|
30,326 |
|
|
20,391 |
|
|
22,308 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contractual obligations |
$ |
337,218 |
|
$ |
41,052 |
|
$ |
103,312 |
|
$ |
20,546 |
|
$ |
172,308 |
At December 31, 2014, we had commercial
commitments totaling $7.9 million comprised of letters of credit outstanding due to expire within one year.
To manage our insurance costs, we take
on risk in the form of high deductibles on many of our coverages. We believe this step reduces overall insurance costs in the long
term, but may cause fluctuations in the short term depending on the frequency and severity of insurance incidents.
In most operations where managers or employees
are also non-controlling owners, New FSV is party to shareholders' agreements. These agreements allow us to "call" the
minority position at a value determined with the use of a formula price, which is in most cases equal to a multiple of trailing
two-year average earnings, less debt. Non-controlling owners may also "put" their interest to New FSV at the same price,
with certain limitations including (i) the inability to "put" more than 50% of their holdings in any twelve-month period
and (ii) the inability to "put" any holdings for at least one year after the date of our initial acquisition of the business
or the date the non-controlling shareholder acquired their interest, as the case may be. The total value of the RNCI (the "redemption
amount"), as calculated in accordance with shareholders' agreements, was as follows.
| |
December 31 | |
December 31 |
(in thousands of US$) | |
2014 | |
2013 |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Residential Real Estate Services | |
| 59,466 | | |
| 64,312 | |
Property Services | |
| 20,605 | | |
| 15,920 | |
| |
$ | 80,071 | | |
$ | 80,232 | |
The amount recorded on our balance sheet
under the caption "redeemable non-controlling interests" is the greater of (i) the redemption amount (as above) or (ii)
the amount initially recorded as RNCI at the date of inception of the minority equity position. As at December 31, 2014, the RNCI
recorded on the balance sheet was $80.9 million. The purchase prices of the RNCI may be paid in cash or in Subordinate Voting Shares.
Discussion of critical accounting estimates
and judgments
Critical accounting estimates are those
that management deems to be most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, and that require
management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, due to the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that
are inherently uncertain. We have identified four critical accounting estimates: determination of fair values of assets acquired
and liabilities assumed in business combinations, impairment testing of the carrying value of goodwill, quantification of uncertain
income tax positions, and the collectability of accounts receivable.
The determination of fair values of assets
acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations requires the use of estimates and judgment by management, particularly
in determining fair values of intangible assets acquired. For example, if different assumptions were used regarding the profitability
and expected attrition rates of acquired customer relationships, different amounts of intangible assets and related amortization
could be reported.
Goodwill impairment testing involves assessing
whether events have occurred that would indicate potential impairment and making estimates concerning the fair values of reporting
units and then comparing the fair value to the carrying amount of each unit. The determination of what constitutes a reporting
unit requires significant management judgment. We have five reporting units determined with reference to service type, customer
type, service delivery model and geography. Goodwill is attributed to the reporting units at the time of acquisition. Estimates
of fair value can be impacted by sudden changes in the business environment, prolonged economic downturns or declines in the market
value of our shares and therefore require significant management judgment in their determination. When events have occurred that
which would suggest a potential decrease in fair value, the determination of fair value is done with reference to a discounted
cash flow model which requires management to make certain estimates. The most sensitive estimates are estimated future cash flows
and the discount rate applied to future cash flows. Changes in these assumptions could result in a materially different fair value.
In the ordinary course of business, there
is inherent uncertainty in quantifying our income tax positions. We assess our income tax positions and record tax benefits for
all years subject to examination by tax authorities based upon an evaluation of the facts and circumstances at the reporting date.
For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we have recorded the largest amount
of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a tax authority that has full
knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will
be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the financial statements.
Accounts receivable allowances are determined
using a combination of historical experience, current information, and management judgment. Actual collections may differ from
our estimates. A 10% increase in the accounts receivable allowance would increase bad debt expense by $1.0 million.
Reconciliation of non-U.S. GAAP financial
measures
In this MD&A, we make reference to
"adjusted EBITDA" which is a financial measure not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net earnings,
adjusted to exclude: (i) income tax; (ii) other expense (income); (iii) interest expense; (iv) depreciation and amortization; (v)
acquisition-related items and (vi) stock-based compensation expense. New FSV uses adjusted EBITDA to evaluate its own operating
performance and its ability to service debt, as well as an integral part of its planning and reporting systems. Additionally, this
measure is used in conjunction with discounted cash flow models to determine the overall enterprise valuation of New FSV and to
evaluate acquisition targets. Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a supplemental measure because New FSV believes such measure is useful
to investors as a reasonable indicator of operating performance because of the low capital intensity of its service operations.
New FSV believes this measure is a financial metric used by many investors to compare companies, especially in the services industry.
This measure is not a recognized measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and should not be considered as a substitute
for operating earnings, net earnings or cash flow from operating activities, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This method
of calculating adjusted EBITDA may differ from other issuers and accordingly, this measure may not be comparable to measures used
by other issuers. A reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted EBITDA appears below.
| |
Year ended |
(in thousands of US$) | |
December 31 |
| |
2014 | |
2013 | |
2012 |
Net earnings | |
$ | 26,192 | | |
$ | 18,452 | | |
$ | 30,765 | |
Income tax | |
| 12,242 | | |
| 5,785 | | |
| 12,722 | |
Other expense (income) | |
| 255 | | |
| 20 | | |
| (245 | ) |
Interest expense, net | |
| 6,932 | | |
| 12,826 | | |
| 10,236 | |
Operating earnings | |
| 45,621 | | |
| 37,083 | | |
| 53,478 | |
Depreciation and amortization | |
| 26,474 | | |
| 39,316 | | |
| 23,851 | |
Acquisition-related items | |
| 1,183 | | |
| 655 | | |
| 166 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | |
| 1,719 | | |
| 1,859 | | |
| 1,437 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | |
$ | 74,997 | | |
$ | 78,913 | | |
$ | 78,932 | |
We believe that the presentation of adjusted
EBITDA, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, provides important supplemental information to management and investors regarding
financial and business trends relating to the financial condition and results of operations of New FSV. We use this non-U.S. GAAP
financial measure when evaluating operating performance because we believe that the inclusion or exclusion of the items described
above, for which the amounts are non-cash or non-recurring in nature, provides a supplemental measure of our operating results
that facilitates comparability of our operating performance from period to period, against our business model objectives, and against
other companies in our industry. We have chosen to provide this information to investors so they can analyze our operating results
in the same way that management does and use this information in their assessment of our core business and the valuation of New
FSV. Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and should be considered supplemental to, and not as
a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures
have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the costs or benefits associated with the operations of our business as determined
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As a result, investors should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis
of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.
Impact of recently issued accounting
standards
In April 2014, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued
Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This ASU changes the threshold for reporting discontinued
operations and adds new disclosures. This ASU is effective for the New FSV on January 1, 2015. We expect that the adoption of this
ASU will result in fewer disposals of businesses to be reported as discontinued operations.
In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue
standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and is effective for New FSV on January
1, 2017. We are currently assessing the impact of this ASU on our financial position and results of operations.
Impact of IFRS
On January 1, 2011, many Canadian companies
were required to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Under the rules of the CSA, New FSV is permitted
to prepare its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and, as a result, did not adopt IFRS on January 1, 2011.
Risks and risk management
In the normal course of business, we will
be exposed to operating and financial risks that may potentially impact our operating results. We employ risk management strategies
with a view to mitigating certain of these risks. These risk management strategies, and the associated risks, are summarized below.
For a further discussion of these and certain other risks affecting our business, see "Risk Factors" in Appendix "I"
to the Circular.
Economic conditions, especially as they
relate to credit conditions and consumer spending
During periods of economic slowdown or
contraction, our business is impacted directly. Consumer spending directly impacts our Property Services operations businesses
because as consumers spend less on property services, our revenues decline. These factors could also negatively impact the timing
or the ultimate collection of accounts receivable, which would negatively impact our operating revenues, profitability and cash
flow.
Our Property Services business is primarily
conducted using a franchising operating model, which has low fixed operating costs. In the event of an economic contraction, steps
can be quickly taken to reduce variable costs to adjust to lower revenues.
Residential real estate property values,
resale rates and general conditions of financial liquidity for real estate transactions
We provide various services at residential
properties. Property values and consumer confidence are strongly correlated with demand for our services, including painting, closet
installation, general maintenance, collections and resale processing.
Our business is diversified across several
market segments and geographic territories across North America, serving to temper the effects of residential real estate cycles
on our combined results. Continued diversification strategies such as expanding our customer base, broadening product offerings
and expanding our geographic reach are expected to moderate residential real estate cycle impacts.
Extreme weather conditions impact demand
for our services or our ability to perform those services
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes,
can have a direct impact on our operations. These events damage property, which require various services that our companies offer
such as restoration and large-scale landscaping. They may also harm our employees, systems, facilities and franchisees, resulting
in an inability to serve clients and generate revenues.
We have disaster recovery plans in place
at our operations to protect employees and computer systems. Our geographic diversification reduces the expected impact of any
given extreme weather event on the business overall.
Unexpected increases in operating costs,
such as insurance, workers' compensation, and health care
As a services company, the costs of providing
services to our customers can fluctuate. Certain operating costs, such as insurance, workers' compensation and health care are
based on market rates which we cannot control and, absent an offsetting price increase in our services, have a direct impact on
our operating margins.
We endeavor to closely monitor increases
in these operating costs, such that changes are considered when contemplating pricing on client contracts. We also endeavor to
obtain the most cost-effective pricing and plan design for these items, which may include self-insurance.
Changes in the frequency or severity
of insurance incidents relative to our historical experience
Adverse changes in claims experience could
increase our insurance costs and/or increase the risk of being unable to renew insurance coverage at our operations. In each of
our operating segments, we effectively self-insure certain risks, with a layer of third-party insurance for catastrophic claims.
An increase in the frequency or severity of claims in these areas could materially affect our financial position and results of
operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain insurance coverage on favourable economic terms in the future.
We have risk management protocols in place
that are designed, among other things, to ensure safe workplace practices for our employees and to ensure our client contracts
provide equitable limits on our exposure to claims. We engage insurance consultants to assist us in obtaining appropriate insurance
coverage at cost-effective rates.
Financial instruments
We use financial instruments as part of
our strategy to manage the risk associated with interest rates and currency exchange rates. We do not use financial instruments
for trading or speculative purposes.
Transactions with related parties
The Plan of Arrangement states that New
FSV and FirstService enter into a transition agreement that will take effect if the transaction is approved. This agreement will
outline the settlement of carve-out balances that become third party balances at the date of the transaction. Outstanding balances
between New FSV and FirstService (other than long-term debt) have been reflected in the Net Investment account in the New FSV Carve-out
Combined Financial Statements.
During the year ended December 31, 2014,
New FSV paid its Commercial Real Estate Services affiliates fees for leasing advisory services totalling $0.4 million (2013 - $0.8
million; 2012 - $0.6 million).
Off-balance sheet arrangements
New FSV does not have any off-balance sheet
arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on its results of operations or financial
condition.
Legal and other contingencies
Due to the size, complexity and nature
of our operations, various legal matters are pending. Exposure to these claims is mitigated through levels of insurance coverage
considered appropriate by management and by active management of these matters. In the opinion of management, none of these matters
will have a material effect on combined financial position or results of operations of New FSV.
Outstanding share data
Immediately following the completion of
the Arrangement, the authorized capital of New FSV will consist of an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in series,
an unlimited number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and an unlimited number of New FSV Multiple Voting Shares. Furthermore,
New FSV will have the same number of outstanding New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares and New FSV Multiple Voting Shares as FirstService,
which at the date hereof, is 34,644,911 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,325,694 FirstService Multiple Voting Shares.
In addition, the same number of New FSV Subordinate Voting Shares will be issuable upon exercise of options granted under the New
FSV Stock Option Plan (being, at the date hereof, is 1,656,250 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares).
Responsibility of management and the board
of directors
Management is responsible for the information
disclosed in this MD&A and the accompanying Carve-out Combined Financial Statements, and has in place appropriate information
systems, procedures and controls to ensure that information used internally by management and disclosed externally is materially
complete and reliable. In addition, FirstService's Audit Committee, on behalf of the Board of Directors of FirstService, provides
an oversight role with respect to all public financial disclosures made by FirstService, and has reviewed and approved this MD&A
and the accompanying Carve-out Combined Financial Statements. The Audit Committee of FirstService is also responsible for determining
that management fulfills its responsibilities in the financial control of operations, including disclosure controls and procedures
and internal control over financial reporting.
Note to readers
Until the Arrangement is effected, New
FSV will have no assets or liabilities, will conduct no operations and will not issue any shares in its capital stock. Pursuant
to the Arrangement, FSV Holdco will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of New FSV, FSV Holdco will be wound-up into New FSV and New
FSV will change its name to "FirstService Corporation", which will be a public corporation independent from FirstService.
Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure
in this MD&A has been prepared assuming that the Arrangement has been effected and that New FSV was a stand-alone entity for
all historical periods described. Where reference is made to historical financial information of New FSV in this MD&A, it is
the historical financial information of the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services businesses of FirstService as
they have been proposed to be carved out under the Arrangement into New FSV and as if operated as a stand-alone entity for the
periods presented. The historical financial information included in this MD&A does not necessarily reflect what New FSV's results
of operations, financial position or cash flows would have been had New FSV been a stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
See "Risk Factors" in Appendix "I" to the Circular.
Forward-looking information
This MD&A contains information that
constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Information included in this
MD&A that is not a statement of historical fact is forward-looking information. When used in this MD&A, words such as "plans",
"intends", "outlook", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "believes",
"likely", "should", "could", "will", "may" and similar expressions are intended
to identify statements containing forward-looking information. In developing the forward-looking information in this MD&A,
we have made certain assumptions with respect to general economic and industry growth rates, currency exchange and interest rates,
competitive intensity and shareholder and regulatory approvals. As noted under "Note to readers", we have also assumed,
unless the context otherwise requires, that the Arrangement has been effected and that New FSV has become an independent, public
corporation for all historical periods described.
Forward-looking information involves known
and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause or contribute to actual results of New FSV that are materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including,
but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: the unreliability of historical financial information of FirstService as
an indicator of historical or future results of New FSV; potential tax liabilities if the requirements of the tax-deferred spinoff
rules are not met; obtaining financing on a stand-alone basis; there being no market for our shares and the potential for any market
that may develop being volatile; sales of a substantial number of our shares; economic conditions, especially as they relate to
credit conditions and consumer spending; residential real estate property values, resale rates and general conditions of financial
liquidity for real estate transactions; extreme weather conditions impacting demand for our services or our ability to perform
those services; competition in the markets served by New FSV; labour shortages or increases in wage and benefit costs; the effects
of changes in interest rates on our cost of borrowing; unexpected increases in operating costs, such as insurance, workers' compensation,
health care and fuel prices; changes in the frequency or severity of insurance incidents relative to our historical experience;
the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates in relation to the US dollar on Canadian dollar denominated revenues and expenses;
our ability to make acquisitions at reasonable prices and successfully integrate acquired operations; political conditions, including
any outbreak or escalation of terrorism or hostilities and the impact thereof on our business; and changes in government policies
at the federal, state/provincial or local level that may adversely impact our businesses.
The foregoing factors should not be
considered as exhaustive. The reader is cautioned that these factors and risks are difficult to predict and that the assumptions
used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonably accurate at the time of preparation, may prove to be
incorrect. For a further discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information,
see the risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Circular and under "Risk Factors" in Appendix "I"
to the Circular as well as "Forward-Looking Information" in the Circular. Readers are cautioned that the actual results
achieved will vary from the information provided herein and that such variations may be material. Consequently, there are no representations
by either FirstService or New FSV that actual results achieved will be the same in whole or in part as those set out in the forward-looking
information. Furthermore, the statements containing forward-looking information that are included in this MD&A are made as
of the date specified above, and neither FirstService nor New FSV undertakes any obligation, except as required by applicable securities
legislation, to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. The forward-looking
information contained herein is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
APPENDIX "L"
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
NEW FSV
NEW FSV
PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
Year ended December 31, 2014
NEW FSV |
PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS |
(Unaudited) |
(in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
New |
|
|
|
|
|
Add(deduct) |
|
|
|
|
New |
|
|
|
|
|
FSV |
|
|
|
|
|
pro forma |
|
|
|
|
FSV |
|
|
|
|
|
carve-out |
|
|
|
|
|
adjustments |
|
Note 2 |
|
|
pro forma |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
1,132,002 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
$ |
1,132,002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
800,046 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
800,046 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
258,678 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
258,678 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
|
17,730 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
17,730 |
Amortization of intangible assets |
|
|
8,744 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
8,744 |
Acquisition-related items |
|
|
1,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
1,183 |
Operating earnings |
|
|
45,621 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
45,621 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
6,932 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
6,932 |
Other income, net |
|
|
255 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
255 |
Earnings before income tax |
|
|
38,434 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
38,434 |
Income tax |
|
|
12,242 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
12,242 |
Net earnings |
|
|
26,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
26,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling interest share of earnings |
|
|
3,105 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
3,105 |
Non-controlling interest redemption increment |
|
|
10,117 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
10,117 |
Net earnings attributable to New FSV |
|
$ |
12,970 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
$ |
12,970 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings per common share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
35,917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,917 |
|
Dilutive effect of stock options |
|
392 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
392 |
|
Diluted |
|
36,309 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,309 |
NEW FSV |
PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET |
(Unaudited) |
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
New |
|
|
|
|
|
Add(deduct) |
|
|
|
New |
|
|
|
FSV |
|
|
|
|
|
pro forma |
|
|
|
FSV |
|
|
|
carve-out |
|
|
|
|
adjustments |
|
Note 2 |
|
pro forma |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
66,790 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
D |
$ |
66,790 |
Restricted cash |
|
3,657 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,657 |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance |
|
115,143 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
115,143 |
Income tax recoverable |
|
16,262 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
16,262 |
Inventories |
|
9,489 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
9,489 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
20,715 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
20,715 |
Deferred income tax |
|
18,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
18,667 |
|
|
|
250,723 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
250,723 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other receivables |
|
4,581 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,581 |
Other assets |
|
155 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
155 |
Fixed assets |
|
55,203 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
55,203 |
Deferred income tax |
|
4,572 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,572 |
Intangible assets |
|
82,877 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
82,877 |
Goodwill |
|
217,433 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
217,433 |
|
|
|
364,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
364,821 |
|
|
$ |
615,544 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
615,544 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
24,687 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
B |
$ |
25,687 |
Accrued liabilities |
|
55,563 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
55,563 |
Income taxes payable |
|
5,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
5,650 |
Unearned revenues |
|
16,079 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
16,079 |
Long-term debt - current |
|
17,725 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
D |
|
17,725 |
Contingent acquisition consideration - current |
|
4,586 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,586 |
Deferred income tax |
|
1,804 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,804 |
|
|
|
126,094 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
127,094 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt - non-current |
|
221,632 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
D |
|
221,632 |
Contingent acquisition consideration |
|
1,509 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,509 |
Other liabilities |
|
12,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
12,398 |
Deferred income tax |
|
14,236 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
14,236 |
|
|
|
249,775 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
249,775 |
Redeemable non-controlling interests |
|
80,926 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
80,926 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributed surplus |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
157,498 |
|
C |
|
157,498 |
Retained earnings (deficit) |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
(1,000) |
|
B |
|
(1,000) |
FirstService's net investment |
|
157,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
(157,498) |
|
C |
|
- |
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings |
|
1,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,251 |
Total shareholders' equity |
|
158,749 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1,000) |
|
|
|
157,749 |
|
|
$ |
615,544 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
615,544 |
NEW FSV |
PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
(Unaudited) |
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New |
|
|
|
|
|
Add(deduct) |
|
|
|
New |
|
|
|
FSV |
|
|
|
|
|
pro forma |
|
|
|
FSV |
|
|
|
carve-out |
|
|
|
|
adjustments |
|
Note 2 |
|
pro forma |
Cash provided by (used in) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
$ |
26,192 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
26,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items not affecting cash: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
26,474 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
26,474 |
|
Deferred income tax |
|
(2,479) |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(2,479) |
|
Other |
|
2,056 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,056 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in non-cash working capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
3,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,231 |
|
Inventories |
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
72 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
(3,327) |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(3,327) |
|
Payables and accruals |
|
(8,164) |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(8,164) |
|
Unearned revenues |
|
741 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
741 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
660 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
660 |
|
Contingent acquisition consideration |
|
(279) |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(279) |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
45,177 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
45,177 |
NEW FSV
NOTES TO PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of US dollars)
1. | | Background and basis of presentation |
On March 11, 2015, the Board of Directors
of FirstService Corporation ("FirstService") unanimously approved a proposal to split FirstService into two independent
public companies, being (i) a Commercial Real Estate Services company operating principally as Colliers International and (ii)
a Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services company operating principally as FirstService Residential and several
franchise brand companies including California Closets, Paul Davis Restoration and CertaPro Painters.
The proposed corporate reorganization (the
"Arrangement") would be implemented through a court approved plan of arrangement and is subject to shareholder approval.
The reorganization would result in two publicly traded entities with the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services
company named FirstService Corporation ("New FSV"), and FirstService renamed as Colliers International Group Inc. FirstService
shareholders would receive one New FSV Multiple Voting Share or Subordinate Voting Share for each FirstService Multiple Voting
Share or Subordinate Voting Share held, respectively.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 have been prepared from the audited New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements
for the year ended December 31, 2014, which are included elsewhere in this Circular. The carve-out combined financial statements
were derived from the historical accounting records of FirstService on a carve-out basis and therefore include allocations of certain
expenses. These allocated costs may not be representative of the costs that may be incurred in the future as an independent, publicly-traded
company.
These unaudited pro forma combined financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the FirstService audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December
31, 2014 and the related Management's Discussion and Analysis as well as the New FSV audited Carve-out Combined Financial Statements
for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the related Management's Discussion and Analysis.
These unaudited pro forma combined financial
statements are for illustrative and information purposes only and may not be indicative of the results that actually would have
occurred if the Arrangement had been in effect on the dates indicated or of the results that may be obtained in the future. In
addition to the pro forma adjustments to the historical carve-out combined financial statements, various other factors may have
an effect on the financial condition and results of operations after the completion of the Arrangement.
The unaudited pro forma combined balance
sheet gives effect to the Arrangement as if it had taken place on December 31, 2014. The unaudited pro forma combined statement
of earnings gives effect to the Arrangement as if it had taken place on January 1, 2014. Note 2 outlines the pro forma assumptions
and adjustments that have been made. Pro forma adjustments to the carve-out combined statement of earnings give effect to events
that are directly attributable to the Arrangement, expected to have a continuing impact on New FSV, and are factually supportable.
Pro forma adjustments to the carve-out combined balance sheet are based on the best information available as of the date of this
Circular.
For the fiscal year ended December 31,
2014, FirstService allocated corporate general and administrative expenses of $10,680 to New FSV. Corporate general and administrative
expenses include costs related to finance, legal, treasury, insurance, corporate development and costs associated with being a
public company. Effective with the Arrangement, New FSV will assume responsibility for all of these functions and related costs.
New FSV expects that its corporate general
and administrative expenses will increase approximately $900 in 2015 compared to 2014 on account of additional costs required to
function as an independent public company. No pro forma adjustments have been made to the statement of earnings to reflect the
incremental expenses described in this paragraph.
2. | | Pro forma assumptions and adjustments |
| A. | Pro forma net basic and diluted earnings per common share is calculated using the same weighted
average number of pre-arrangement FirstService basic and diluted common shares (Multiple Voting Shares and Subordinate Voting Shares)
outstanding as at December 31, 2014 because the New FSV shares will be issued on a one-for-one basis. |
| B. | Adjustment to increase accounts payable to accrue for the New FSV share of the estimated transaction
costs to complete the Arrangement. This results from the Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet giving effect to the Arrangement as of
December 31, 2014. |
| C. | The amount of the FirstService net investment in New FSV, which was recorded by New FSV as FirstService's
net investment in its Carve-out Combined Financial Statements, is reclassified to contributed surplus. FirstService's net investment
in New FSV is subject to amendment in accordance with any adjustments arising from the transition agreement to achieve New FSV's
new capital structure post-split. |
| D. | The New FSV long-term debt balance is subject to amendment at the time of the Arrangement in accordance
with any adjustments arising from the transition agreement to achieve New FSV's new capital structure post-split. |
APPENDIX "M"
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
COLLIERS
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION
(to be renamed COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL
GROUP INC.)
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
Year ended December 31, 2014
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION (to be renamed COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC.) |
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS |
(Unaudited) |
(in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
FirstService |
|
|
Deduct New |
|
|
Add(deduct) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pre- |
|
|
FSV |
|
|
pro forma |
|
|
|
|
Colliers |
|
|
|
|
|
arrangement |
|
|
carve-out |
|
|
adjustments |
|
Note 2 |
|
|
pro forma |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
2,714,273 |
|
$ |
1,132,002 |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
$ |
1,582,271 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
1,747,175 |
|
|
800,046 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
947,129 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
758,436 |
|
|
258,678 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
499,758 |
Depreciation |
|
|
38,117 |
|
|
17,730 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
20,387 |
Amortization of intangible assets |
|
|
24,293 |
|
|
8,744 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
15,549 |
Acquisition-related items |
|
|
11,825 |
|
|
1,183 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
10,642 |
Operating earnings |
|
|
134,427 |
|
|
45,621 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
88,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
14,237 |
|
|
6,932 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
7,305 |
Other income, net |
|
|
(1,008) |
|
|
255 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
(1,263) |
Earnings before income tax |
|
|
121,198 |
|
|
38,434 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
82,764 |
Income tax |
|
|
31,799 |
|
|
12,242 |
|
|
5,700 |
|
A |
|
|
25,257 |
Net earnings from continuing operations |
|
|
89,399 |
|
|
26,192 |
|
|
(5,700) |
|
|
|
|
57,507 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings from discontinued operations, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
net of income tax |
|
1,537 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
1,537 |
Net earnings |
|
|
90,936 |
|
|
26,192 |
|
|
(5,700) |
|
|
|
|
59,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling interest share of earnings |
|
|
28,200 |
|
|
3,105 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
25,095 |
Non-controlling interest redemption increment |
|
|
19,420 |
|
|
10,117 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
9,303 |
Net earnings attributable to Company |
|
$ |
43,316 |
|
$ |
12,970 |
|
$ |
(5,700) |
|
|
|
$ |
24,646 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings per common share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
1.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
Discontinued operations |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
Discontinued operations |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
$ |
1.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
35,917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,917 |
|
Dilutive effects of stock options |
|
392 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
392 |
|
Diluted |
|
36,309 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,309 |
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION (to be renamed COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC.) |
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET |
(Unaudited) (in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
FirstService |
|
|
Deduct New |
|
|
Add(deduct) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pre- |
|
|
FSV |
|
|
pro forma |
|
|
|
Colliers |
|
|
|
arrangement |
|
|
carve-out |
|
adjustments |
|
Note 2 |
|
pro forma |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
156,793 |
|
$ |
66,790 |
|
$ |
239,357 |
|
E |
$ |
329,360 |
Restricted cash |
|
3,657 |
|
|
3,657 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance |
|
409,317 |
|
|
115,143 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
294,174 |
Income tax recoverable |
|
29,303 |
|
|
16,262 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
13,041 |
Inventories |
|
18,950 |
|
|
9,489 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
9,461 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
44,176 |
|
|
20,715 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
23,461 |
Deferred income tax |
|
45,623 |
|
|
18,667 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
26,956 |
|
|
|
707,819 |
|
|
250,723 |
|
|
239,357 |
|
|
|
696,453 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other receivables |
|
6,845 |
|
|
4,581 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,264 |
Other assets |
|
19,487 |
|
|
155 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
19,332 |
Fixed assets |
|
120,394 |
|
|
55,203 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
65,191 |
Deferred income tax |
|
83,639 |
|
|
4,572 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
79,067 |
Intangible assets |
|
197,689 |
|
|
82,877 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
114,812 |
Goodwill |
|
503,554 |
|
|
217,433 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
286,121 |
|
|
|
931,608 |
|
|
364,821 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
566,787 |
|
|
$ |
1,639,427 |
|
$ |
615,544 |
|
$ |
239,357 |
|
|
$ |
1,263,240 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
$ |
107,349 |
|
$ |
24,687 |
|
$ |
9,000 |
|
B |
$ |
91,662 |
Accrued liabilities |
|
434,819 |
|
|
55,563 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
379,256 |
Income taxes payable |
|
15,249 |
|
|
5,650 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
9,599 |
Unearned revenues |
|
23,571 |
|
|
16,079 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
7,492 |
Long-term debt - current |
|
36,396 |
|
|
17,725 |
|
|
17,725 |
|
E |
|
36,396 |
Contingent acquisition consideration - current |
|
10,971 |
|
|
4,586 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
6,385 |
Deferred income tax |
|
1,804 |
|
|
1,804 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
630,159 |
|
|
126,094 |
|
|
26,725 |
|
|
|
530,790 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt - non-current |
|
456,952 |
|
|
221,632 |
|
|
221,632 |
|
E |
|
456,952 |
Contingent acquisition consideration |
|
16,165 |
|
|
1,509 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
14,656 |
Other liabilities |
|
35,739 |
|
|
12,398 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
23,341 |
Deferred income tax |
|
36,205 |
|
|
14,236 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
21,969 |
|
|
|
545,061 |
|
|
249,775 |
|
|
221,632 |
|
|
|
516,918 |
Redeemable non-controlling interests |
|
230,992 |
|
|
80,926 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
150,066 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares |
|
310,401 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
310,401 |
Contributed surplus |
|
46,931 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
46,931 |
Deficit |
|
(118,242) |
|
|
- |
|
|
(9,000) |
|
B |
|
(284,740) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(157,498) |
|
D |
|
|
FirstService's net investment |
|
- |
|
|
157,498 |
|
|
157,498 |
|
D |
|
- |
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings |
|
(13,887) |
|
|
1,251 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(15,138) |
Total Company shareholders' equity |
|
225,203 |
|
|
158,749 |
|
|
(9,000) |
|
|
|
57,454 |
Non-controlling interests |
|
8,012 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
8,012 |
Total shareholders' equity |
|
233,215 |
|
|
158,749 |
|
|
(9,000) |
|
|
|
65,466 |
|
|
$ |
1,639,427 |
|
$ |
615,544 |
|
$ |
239,357 |
|
|
$ |
1,263,240 |
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION (to be renamed COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC.) |
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
(Unaudited) |
(in thousands of US dollars) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FirstService |
|
|
Deduct New |
|
|
Add(deduct) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pre- |
|
|
FSV |
|
|
pro forma |
|
|
|
Colliers |
|
arrangement |
|
carve-out |
|
|
adjustments |
|
Note 2 |
|
pro forma |
Cash provided by (used in) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
$ |
90,936 |
|
$ |
26,192 |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
64,744 |
NCI share of earnings from discontinued operations |
|
321 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
321 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items not affecting cash: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
62,516 |
|
|
26,474 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
36,042 |
|
Deferred income tax |
|
(991) |
|
|
(2,479) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,488 |
|
Other |
|
(1,999) |
|
|
2,056 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(4,055) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in non-cash working capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
(22,052) |
|
|
3,231 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(25,283) |
|
Inventories |
|
(3,415) |
|
|
72 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(3,487) |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
(4,704) |
|
|
(3,327) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,377) |
|
Payables and accruals |
|
55,792 |
|
|
(8,164) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
63,956 |
|
Unearned revenues |
|
3,625 |
|
|
741 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,884 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
(897) |
|
|
660 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,557) |
|
Contingent acquisition consideration |
|
(20,064) |
|
|
(279) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(19,785) |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
159,068 |
|
$ |
45,177 |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
113,891 |
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION (to be renamed
COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC.)
NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of US dollars)
1. | | Background and basis of presentation |
On March 11, 2015, the Board of Directors
of FirstService Corporation ("FirstService") unanimously approved a proposal to split FirstService into two independent
companies, being (i) a Commercial Real Estate Services company operating principally as Colliers International and (ii) a Residential
Real Estate Services and Property Services company operating principally as FirstService Residential and several franchise brand
companies including California Closets, Paul Davis Restoration and CertaPro Painters.
The proposed corporate reorganization (the
"Arrangement") would be implemented through a court approved plan of arrangement and is subject to shareholder approval.
The reorganization would result in two publicly traded entities with the Residential Real Estate Services and Property Services
company named FirstService Corporation ("New FSV"), and FirstService renamed as Colliers International Group Inc. ("Colliers").
FirstService shareholders would receive one New FSV Multiple Voting Share or Subordinate Voting Share for each FirstService Multiple
Voting Share or Subordinate Voting Share held, respectively.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement
of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2014 has been prepared from the FirstService audited Consolidated Financial Statements
for the year ended December 31, 2014, as well as the audited New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements for the year ended
December 31, 2014 which are both included elsewhere in this Circular. The New FSV carve-out combined financial statements were
derived from the accounting records of FirstService on a carve-out basis and therefore include allocated costs, which may not be
representative of the costs that may be incurred in the future as an independent, publicly-traded company.
These unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated
Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the FirstService audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year
ended December 31, 2014 and related Management's Discussion and Analysis, as well as the audited New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial
Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and related Management's Discussion and Analysis, included elsewhere in this Circular.
These unaudited pro forma consolidated
financial statements are for illustrative and information purposes only and may not be indicative of the results that actually
would have occurred if the Arrangement had been in effect on the dates indicated or of the results that may be obtained in the
future. In addition to the pro forma adjustments to the historical carve-out combined financial statements, various other factors
may have an effect on the financial condition and results of operations after the completion of the Arrangement.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance
sheet gives effect to the Arrangement as if it had taken place on December 31, 2014. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement
of earnings gives effect to the Arrangement as if it had taken place on January 1, 2014, the beginning of the most recent fiscal
year for which audited New FSV Carve-out Combined Financial Statements are available. Note 2 outlines the pro forma assumptions
and adjustments that have been made.
For the fiscal year ended December 31,
2014 New FSV was allocated corporate general and administrative expenses of $10,680. Corporate general and administrative expenses
include costs related to finance, legal, treasury, insurance, corporate development and costs associated with being a public company.
Effective with the Arrangement, New FSV will assume responsibility for all of these functions and related costs.
Colliers expects that its corporate general
and administrative expenses will increase approximately $1,300 in 2015 compared to 2014 on account of incremental costs required
to function as an independent public company. No pro forma adjustments have been made to the statement of earnings to reflect the
incremental expenses described in this paragraph.
2. | | Pro forma assumptions and adjustments |
| A. | Pro forma adjustment to income tax expense to reflect new legal and corporate structure after completion
of the Arrangement. |
| B. | Adjustments to increase accounts payable to accrue for the Colliers share of the estimated transaction
costs to complete the Arrangement. This results from the Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet giving effect to the Arrangement
as of December 31, 2014. |
| C. | Pro forma net basic and diluted earnings per common share is calculated using the same weighted
average number of pre-arrangement FirstService basic and diluted common shares (Multiple Voting Shares and Subordinate Voting Shares)
outstanding as at December 31, 2014. |
| D. | The amount of the FirstService net investment in New FSV, which was recorded by New FSV as FirstService's
net investment in its Carve-out Combined Financial Statements, is reclassified to retained earnings. FirstService's net investment
in New FSV is subject to amendment in accordance with any adjustments arising from the transition agreement to achieve New FSV's
new capital structure post-split. |
| E. | Colliers will retain the legal obligation associated with its long-term debt. The long-term debt
attributed to New FSV for carve-out purposes will be paid to FirstService from the issuance of long-term debt by New FSV. The amount
received from New FSV is subject to amendment at the time of the Arrangement in accordance with any adjustments arising from the
transition agreement to achieve New FSV's new capital structure post-split. |
APPENDIX "N"
SECTION 185 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS
ACT (ONTARIO) –
DISSENT RIGHTS
Rights of dissenting shareholders
185. (1) Subject to subsection (3) and
to sections 186 and 248, if a corporation resolves to,
| (a) | amend its articles under section 168 to add, remove or change restrictions on the issue, transfer
or ownership of shares of a class or series of the shares of the corporation; |
| (b) | amend its articles under section 168 to add, remove or change any restriction upon the business
or businesses that the corporation may carry on or upon the powers that the corporation may exercise; |
| (c) | amalgamate with another corporation under sections 175 and 176; |
| (d) | be continued under the laws of another jurisdiction under section 181; or |
| (e) | sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all its property under subsection 184(3), |
a holder of shares of any class or series
entitled to vote on the resolution may dissent.
Idem
(2) If a corporation resolves to amend
its articles in a manner referred to in subsection 170(1), a holder of shares of any class or series entitled to vote on the amendment
under section 168 or 170 may dissent, except in respect of an amendment referred to in,
| (a) | clause 170(1) (a), (b) or (e) where the articles provide that the holders of shares of such class
or series are not entitled to dissent; or |
| (b) | subsection 170(5) or (6). |
One class of shares
(2.1) The right to dissent described in
subsection (2) applies even if there is only one class of shares.
Exception
(3) A shareholder of a corporation incorporated
before the 29th day of July, 1983 is not entitled to dissent under this section in respect of an amendment of the articles
of the corporation to the extent that the amendment,
| (a) | amends the express terms of any provision of the articles of the corporation to conform to the
terms of the provision as deemed to be amended by section 277; or |
| (b) | deletes from the articles of the corporation all of the objects of the corporation set out in its
articles, provided that the deletion is made by the 29th day of July, 1986. |
Shareholder's right to be paid fair
value
(4) In addition to any other right the
shareholder may have, but subject to subsection (30), a shareholder who complies with this section is entitled, when the action
approved by the resolution from which the shareholder dissents becomes effective, to be paid by the corporation the fair value
of the shares held by the shareholder in respect of which the shareholder dissents, determined as of the close of business on the
day before the resolution was adopted.
No partial dissent
(5) A dissenting shareholder may only claim
under this section with respect to all the shares of a class held by the dissenting shareholder on behalf of any one beneficial
owner and registered in the name of the dissenting shareholder.
Objection
(6) A dissenting shareholder shall send
to the corporation, at or before any meeting of shareholders at which a resolution referred to in subsection (1) or (2) is to be
voted on, a written objection to the resolution, unless the corporation did not give notice to the shareholder of the purpose of
the meeting or of the shareholder's right to dissent.
Idem
(7) The execution or exercise of a proxy
does not constitute a written objection for purposes of subsection (6).
Notice of adoption of resolution
(8) The corporation shall, within ten days
after the shareholders adopt the resolution, send to each shareholder who has filed the objection referred to in subsection (6)
notice that the resolution has been adopted, but such notice is not required to be sent to any shareholder who voted for the resolution
or who has withdrawn the objection.
Idem
(9) A notice sent under subsection (8)
shall set out the rights of the dissenting shareholder and the procedures to be followed to exercise those rights.
Demand for payment of fair value
(10) A dissenting shareholder entitled
to receive notice under subsection (8) shall, within twenty days after receiving such notice, or, if the shareholder does not receive
such notice, within twenty days after learning that the resolution has been adopted, send to the corporation a written notice containing,
| (a) | the shareholder's name and address; |
| (b) | the number and class of shares in respect of which the shareholder dissents; and |
| (c) | a demand for payment of the fair value of such shares. |
Certificates to be sent in
(11) Not later than the thirtieth day after
the sending of a notice under subsection (10), a dissenting shareholder shall send the certificates representing the shares in
respect of which the shareholder dissents to the corporation or its transfer agent.
Idem
(12) A dissenting shareholder who fails
to comply with subsections (6), (10) and (11) has no right to make a claim under this section.
Endorsement on certificate
(13) A corporation or its transfer agent
shall endorse on any share certificate received under subsection (11) a notice that the holder is a dissenting shareholder under
this section and shall return forthwith the share certificates to the dissenting shareholder.
Rights of dissenting shareholder
(14) On sending a notice under subsection
(10), a dissenting shareholder ceases to have any rights as a shareholder other than the right to be paid the fair value of the
shares as determined under this section except where,
| (a) | the dissenting shareholder withdraws notice before the corporation makes an offer under subsection
(15); |
| (b) | the corporation fails to make an offer in accordance with subsection (15) and the dissenting shareholder
withdraws notice; or |
| (c) | the directors revoke a resolution to amend the articles under subsection 168(3), terminate an amalgamation
agreement under subsection 176(5) or an application for continuance under subsection 181(5), or abandon a sale, lease or exchange
under subsection 184(8), |
in which case the dissenting shareholder's
rights are reinstated as of the date the dissenting shareholder sent the notice referred to in subsection (10), and the dissenting
shareholder is entitled, upon presentation and surrender to the corporation or its transfer agent of any certificate representing
the shares that has been endorsed in accordance with subsection (13), to be issued a new certificate representing the same number
of shares as the certificate so presented, without payment of any fee.
Offer to pay
(15) A corporation shall, not later than
seven days after the later of the day on which the action approved by the resolution is effective or the day the corporation received
the notice referred to in subsection (10), send to each dissenting shareholder who has sent such notice,
| (a) | a written offer to pay for the dissenting shareholder's shares in an amount considered by the directors
of the corporation to be the fair value thereof, accompanied by a statement showing how the fair value was determined; or |
| (b) | if subsection (30) applies, a notification that it is unable lawfully to pay dissenting shareholders
for their shares. |
Idem
(16) Every offer made under subsection
(15) for shares of the same class or series shall be on the same terms.
Idem
(17) Subject to subsection (30), a corporation
shall pay for the shares of a dissenting shareholder within ten days after an offer made under subsection (15) has been accepted,
but any such offer lapses if the corporation does not receive an acceptance thereof within thirty days after the offer has been
made.
Application to court to fix fair value
(18) Where a corporation fails to make
an offer under subsection (15) or if a dissenting shareholder fails to accept an offer, the corporation may, within fifty days
after the action approved by the resolution is effective or within such further period as the court may allow, apply to the court
to fix a fair value for the shares of any dissenting shareholder.
Idem
(19) If a corporation fails to apply to
the court under subsection (18), a dissenting shareholder may apply to the court for the same purpose within a further period of
twenty days or within such further period as the court may allow.
Idem
(20) A dissenting shareholder is not required
to give security for costs in an application made under subsection (18) or (19).
Costs
(21) If a corporation fails to comply with
subsection (15), then the costs of a shareholder application under subsection (19) are to be borne by the corporation unless the
court otherwise orders.
Notice to shareholders
(22) Before making application to the court
under subsection (18) or not later than seven days after receiving notice of an application to the court under subsection (19),
as the case may be, a corporation shall give notice to each dissenting shareholder who, at the date upon which the notice is given,
| (a) | has sent to the corporation the notice referred to in subsection (10); and |
| (b) | has not accepted an offer made by the corporation under subsection (15), if such an offer was made, |
of the date, place and consequences of
the application and of the dissenting shareholder's right to appear and be heard in person or by counsel, and a similar notice
shall be given to each dissenting shareholder who, after the date of such first mentioned notice and before termination of the
proceedings commenced by the application, satisfies the conditions set out in clauses (a) and (b) within three days after the dissenting
shareholder satisfies such conditions.
Parties joined
(23) All dissenting shareholders who satisfy
the conditions set out in clauses (22)(a) and (b) shall be deemed to be joined as parties to an application under subsection (18)
or (19) on the later of the date upon which the application is brought and the date upon which they satisfy the conditions, and
shall be bound by the decision rendered by the court in the proceedings commenced by the application.
Idem
(24) Upon an application to the court under
subsection (18) or (19), the court may determine whether any other person is a dissenting shareholder who should be joined as a
party, and the court shall fix a fair value for the shares of all dissenting shareholders.
Appraisers
(25) The court may in its discretion appoint
one or more appraisers to assist the court to fix a fair value for the shares of the dissenting shareholders.
Final order
(26) The final order of the court in the
proceedings commenced by an application under subsection (18) or (19) shall be rendered against the corporation and in favour of
each dissenting shareholder who, whether before or after the date of the order, complies with the conditions set out in clauses
(22)(a) and (b).
Interest
(27) The court may in its discretion allow
a reasonable rate of interest on the amount payable to each dissenting shareholder from the date the action approved by the resolution
is effective until the date of payment.
Where corporation unable to pay
(28) Where subsection (30) applies, the
corporation shall, within ten days after the pronouncement of an order under subsection (26), notify each dissenting shareholder
that it is unable lawfully to pay dissenting shareholders for their shares.
Idem
(29) Where subsection (30) applies, a dissenting
shareholder, by written notice sent to the corporation within thirty days after receiving a notice under subsection (28), may,
| (a) | withdraw a notice of dissent, in which case the corporation is deemed to consent to the withdrawal
and the shareholder's full rights are reinstated; or |
| (b) | retain a status as a claimant against the corporation, to be paid as soon as the corporation is
lawfully able to do so or, in a liquidation, to be ranked subordinate to the rights of creditors of the corporation but in priority
to its shareholders. |
Idem
(30) A corporation shall not make a payment
to a dissenting shareholder under this section if there are reasonable grounds for believing that,
| (a) | the corporation is or, after the payment, would be unable to pay its liabilities as they become
due; or |
| (b) | the realizable value of the corporation's assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its
liabilities. |
Court order
(31) Upon application by a corporation
that proposes to take any of the actions referred to in subsection (1) or (2), the court may, if satisfied that the proposed action
is not in all the circumstances one that should give rise to the rights arising under subsection (4), by order declare that those
rights will not arise upon the taking of the proposed action, and the order may be subject to compliance upon such terms and conditions
as the court thinks fit and, if the corporation is an offering corporation, notice of any such application and a copy of any order
made by the court upon such application shall be served upon the Commission.
Commission may appear
(32) The Commission may appoint counsel
to assist the court upon the hearing of an application under subsection (31), if the corporation is an offering corporation.
APPENDIX "O"
INFORMATION RELATING TO ANNUAL MEETING
MATTERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE TO READER |
O2 |
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES |
O2 |
Board Composition |
O2 |
Executive Composition |
O3 |
Board Equity Ownership Policy |
O4 |
Board and Committee Process |
O4 |
Proportionate Representation |
O5 |
Board Committees |
O5 |
Board Evaluation and Peer Review |
O7 |
Attendance |
O8 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
O8 |
Compensation of Named Executive Officers |
O8 |
NEO Outstanding Option-Based Awards |
O9 |
Incentive Award Plans of FirstService |
O10 |
Incentive Award Plans of Colliers International |
O14 |
Equity Compensation Plan Information |
O15 |
FirstService MSA |
O16 |
Executive Equity Ownership Policy |
O17 |
Incentive Compensation Reimbursement Policy |
O17 |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis |
O17 |
Termination and Change of Control Benefits |
O22 |
Compensation of Directors |
O23 |
Performance Graph |
O26 |
NOTICE TO READER
Unless the context otherwise requires,
capitalized terms used in this Appendix "O" that are not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the
section entitled "Glossary of Terms" in the Circular.
This Appendix "O" contains certain
information regarding FirstService as exists prior to the completion of the Arrangement. For additional information, readers are
encouraged to read this Circular in its entirety, including, without limitation, the information contained under the heading "Information
Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement" and the documents referred to in, and the information contained under, the heading
"Information Concerning FirstService Pre-Arrangement – Documents Incorporated by Reference" in this Circular.
Unless otherwise specified, all dollar
amounts are expressed in United States dollars and all references to "US$" are to United States dollars and all references
to "$" or "C$" are to Canadian dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial statements and information
included in, or incorporated by reference into, this Appendix "O" is determined using U.S. GAAP.
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The Board considers good corporate governance
practices to be an important factor in the overall success of FirstService. Under National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure
of Corporate Governance Practices and National Policy 58-201 – Corporate Governance Guidelines Practices (collectively,
the "Corporate Governance Rules"), FirstService is required to disclose information relating to its corporate
governance practices as set out below. FirstService is committed to adopting and adhering to corporate governance practices that
either meet or exceed applicable corporate governance standards. FirstService believes that its corporate governance practices
should be compared to the highest standards currently in force and applicable to it as well as to best market practices.
In addition, FirstService believes that
director, officer and employee honesty and integrity are important factors in ensuring good corporate governance, which in turn
improves corporate performance and benefits all shareholders. To that end, the Board has adopted a Code of Ethics and Conduct,
which code applies to all directors, officers and employees of FirstService and its subsidiaries, and a Financial Management Code
of Ethics and Conduct, which code applies to officers, senior management and senior financial and accounting personnel of FirstService
and its subsidiaries. The Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Financial Management Code of Ethics and Conduct can each be viewed
on FirstService's website (www.firstservice.com). Any deviations from the Code of Ethics and Conduct are required to be reported
to an employee's supervisor and, if appropriate, FirstService's Chief Financial Officer and the Board. Any deviations from the
Financial Management Code of Ethics and Conduct are required to be reported to the Director, Compliance and Risk Management, FirstService's
Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") and/or the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board. Furthermore, FirstService
maintains an ethics hotline, FirstLine, and an ethics hotline policy in which any director, officer and employee of FirstService
or its subsidiaries has a responsibility to report any activity or suspected activity of which he or she may have knowledge relating
to the integrity of FirstService's financial reporting or which otherwise might be considered sensitive in preserving FirstService's
reputation. All reports made to the ethics hotline are reviewed by the Audit Committee.
Board Composition
The Board is currently comprised of nine
members, eight of which were elected at FirstService's annual and special meeting of shareholders held in 2014 and one of which,
John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr., was appointed as a director in February 2015. A majority of the Board is comprised of independent directors.
Eight of the current nine members of the Board (or 88.9%), being David R. Beatty, Brendan Calder, Peter F. Cohen, John (Jack) P.
Curtin, Jr., Bernard I. Ghert , Michael D. Harris, Frederick F. Reichheld and Michael Stein, are considered by the Board to be
independent directors within the meaning of the Corporate Governance Rules as each has "no direct or indirect material relationship"
with FirstService. Jay S. Hennick, the other Board member, is not an independent director within the meaning of the Corporate Governance
Rules as he is a member of management of FirstService. In deciding whether a particular director is or is not an independent director,
the Board examined the factual circumstances of each director and considered them in the context of many factors. All nine nominees
for election to the Board at the Meeting are current members of the Board. The Board has adopted a majority voting policy for the
election of directors. See "Annual Meeting Matters – Election of Directors".
In 2013, the Board adopted a policy relating
to a director's tenure and priorities. Under this policy, upon a FirstService director reaching the age of 75, and on each anniversary
thereafter for so long as such individual continues to serve as a director, such director must tender his or her written resignation
from the Board to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the "Governance Committee"). The Governance
Committee will, within 30 days, consider the resignation offer and will recommend to the Board whether or not to accept it. The
Board will thereafter act on the Governance Committee's recommendation within 30 days. If a resignation is accepted, it will be
effective either: (i) prior to the commencement of the next annual meeting of FirstService's shareholders at which directors are
to be elected; or (ii) upon acceptance of such offer of resignation by the Board, as determined by the Board. The foregoing applies
to all current and future directors of FirstService, other than Bernard I. Ghert, who was exempted by the Board after having regard
to his age and his past service as a director and Chair of the Audit Committee of FirstService. In addition, this policy provides
that upon initially becoming a director of FirstService, and at each annual Board meeting occurring immediately prior to the annual
meeting of FirstService's shareholders at which directors are to be elected, each director will represent to the Board that membership
on the Board and the carrying out of such director's Board and committee duties is one of such director's "top three"
priorities and that such director's personal or professional circumstances do not adversely affect such director's ability to effectively
serve as a director of FirstService.
The Board recognizes the importance of
independent leadership on the Board, as evidenced by its designation of Peter F. Cohen, an independent director, as Lead Director
in February 2003. In May 2005, Mr. Cohen was appointed Chair of the Board, thereby separating the roles of Chair and CEO. Mr. Hennick,
FirstService's previous Chair, continues as the CEO of FirstService. As Chair of the Board, Mr. Cohen provides leadership to directors
in discharging their mandate, including by leading, managing and organizing the Board consistent with the approach to corporate
governance adopted by the Board from time to time, promoting cohesiveness among the directors and being satisfied that the responsibilities
of the Board and its committees are well understood by the directors. The Chair of the Board is responsible for taking all reasonable
measures to ensure that the Board fully executes its responsibilities. The Board does not have a written mandate, but rather has
developed a formal position description for the Chair of the Board, the full text of which is attached as Exhibit A to FirstService's
Management Information Circular dated May 16, 2006 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The position description for the
Chair of the Board provides, among other things, that the Chair will: (i) ensure that all business required to come before the
Board is brought before the Board such that the Board is able to carry out all of its duties to manage or supervise the management
of the business and affairs of FirstService; (ii) ensure the Board has the opportunity, at each regularly scheduled meeting, to
meet separately without non-independent directors and management personnel present; and (iii) in conjunction with the relevant
committee of the Board (and its Chair), review and assess the directors' meeting attendance records and the effectiveness and performance
of the Board, its committees (and their Chairs) and individual directors.
As at the date hereof, none of the directors
of FirstService are women. FirstService has not adopted a written policy relating to the identification and nomination of women
directors and has not adopted a target regarding women on its board. While FirstService, through the Governance Committee, considers
the level of representation of women on its board in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election to the board,
the primary emphasis has been placed on potential director nominee candidates who generally possess the necessary competencies,
independence, expertise, skills, background and personal qualities, irrespective of gender, to represent the best interests of
shareholders as a potential director of FirstService. The Governance Committee will continue to consider the level of representation
of women on the Board in identifying and nominating candidates for election or re-election to the Board, in the context of other
factors as outlined above, and may adjust the emphasis on these factors from time-to-time, though core values such as integrity,
sound judgment, knowledge, skill, experience and diversity will remain fundamental to the selection and screening process to be
followed.
Executive Composition
While FirstService considers the level
of representation of women in executive officer positions when making executive officer appointments, it has not adopted a target
regarding women in executive officer positions, but rather generally seeks appropriate executive officer candidates who possess
the necessary competencies, expertise skills, and fit with employees, clients, and other stakeholders, for the position to be filled,
irrespective of gender. Approximately 18 (10%) of the executive officers of FirstService, including all of its major subsidiaries,
are women.
Board Equity Ownership Policy
In April 2003, the Board approved a policy
requiring that each director own at least US$100,000 worth of shares of FirstService (subject to adjustment for share reorganizations).
Such shares must be held at all times during the period that they are directors. Newly elected or appointed directors are permitted
two years within which to attain the minimum ownership amount. All existing directors of FirstService currently comply with this
policy. In addition, all current directors of FirstService own securities of FirstService having a value of at least three times
the amount of the cash retainer paid to non-employee directors. See the biographies, and the footnotes thereto, of each director
nominee set out under "Annual Meeting Matters – Election of Directors".
Board and Committee Process
In addition to having a Board comprised
of a majority of independent directors, FirstService has adopted a variety of structures to allow for the independence of the Board
from Management. Those structures include the appointment in May 2005 of Peter F. Cohen, an independent director, as Chair of the
Board with a mandate to assist the Board in fulfilling its duties effectively, efficiently and independent of Management, the practice
of having the independent members of the Board or its committees meet as a group (with no members of Management, including the
CEO, present) regularly at every Board meeting and committee meeting (4 such Board meetings and 10 such committee meetings took
place in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014), and members of the Board and its committees having the opportunity to initiate
discussions with senior Management without the CEO present so that they may freely discuss any concerns they may have, and the
ongoing monitoring of the relationship between the Board and its committees and Management by the Governance Committee, which is
composed entirely of independent directors. The Board believes that it and its committees have functioned, and continue to function,
independently of Management.
FirstService's CEO reports formally to
the Board, and, where appropriate, to its committees, as well as less formally through discussions with members of the Board and
its committees, to advise the Board and its committees on a timely basis of courses of action that are being considered by Management
and are being followed. The Board exercises its responsibility for oversight through the approval of all significant decisions
and initiatives affecting FirstService. The Board is satisfied that FirstService's CEO has reported to, and sought the consent
of, the Board where necessary and appropriate. The Board has developed a formal position description for the CEO, the full text
of which is attached as Exhibit B to FirstService's Management Information Circular dated May 16, 2006 which is available on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. The position description for the CEO provides that the CEO has the primary responsibility for the management
of the business and affairs of FirstService. As such, the CEO establishes the strategic and operational orientation of FirstService
and, in so doing, provides leadership and vision for the effective overall management, profitability, increase in shareholder value
and growth of FirstService and for conformity with policies agreed upon by the Board. The CEO is directly accountable to the Board
for all activities of FirstService. The Board has not approved formal corporate objectives which the CEO is responsible for achieving;
however, the Board and the CEO engage in regular dialogue regarding the performance of the senior management team, including the
CEO, in achieving FirstService's strategic objectives as determined by Management and the Board.
Management, working with the Board and
the Governance Committee, provides an orientation program for new directors and a continuing education program for all directors
to familiarize and update them with respect to FirstService and its businesses. Prior to agreeing to join the Board, new directors
are given a clear indication of the workload and time commitment required. The Chair of the Board ensures the orientation program
is carried out as directed by the Governance Committee. New directors to FirstService have generally been executives with extensive
business experience. Orientation for these individuals is provided through a review of past Board materials and other private and
public documents concerning FirstService and visits to certain of FirstService's businesses and offices. On a continuing basis,
management of FirstService and its divisions provide periodic presentations for the Board to ensure that directors are fully informed
of FirstService operations, major business trends and industry practices, and directors are free to contact the CEO, the President,
the Chief Financial Officer and other members of Management at any time to discuss any aspect of FirstService's businesses.
The Board, either directly or through Board
committees, is responsible for overseeing the business and affairs of FirstService and for approving the overall direction of FirstService,
in a manner which is in the best interests of FirstService and its shareholders. At least four regular meetings and, if required,
strategy meetings of the Board are scheduled each year at which the directors review in detail the financial statements, operating
reports, forecasts, future prospects, budgets and reports from the committees of the Board and from Management. The frequency of
meetings as well as the nature of agenda items changes depending upon the state of FirstService's affairs and in light of opportunities
or issues that FirstService may face. There were four Board meetings held during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The meeting
agenda is circulated in advance to all directors, meetings are scheduled well in advance and a core agenda of items, together with
a book of materials, is circulated prior to each meeting.
Certain directors and executive officers
of FirstService are engaged in and will continue to engage in activities outside FirstService, and as a result, certain directors
and executive officers of FirstService may become subject to conflicts of interest. The OBCA provides that in the event that a
director or executive officer has an interest in a contract or proposed contract or agreement, the director or executive officer
shall disclose his or her interest in such contract or agreement and shall refrain from voting on any matter in respect of such
contract or agreement unless otherwise provided under the OBCA. To the extent that conflicts of interest arise, such conflicts
will be resolved in accordance with the provisions of the OBCA.
During fiscal 2014, none of the proposed
nominees for election to the Board at the Meeting have served together as directors on the boards of other companies or as trustees
for other entities. Please see the biographies under "Annual Meeting Matters – Election of Directors" for the name
of each publicly traded issuer's board (other than FirstService's) on which the nominees for election to the Board at the Meeting
are currently, or were during the past five years, members.
Proportionate Representation
FirstService is controlled by Jay S. Hennick
who, directly or indirectly, owns, controls or directs 6.6% of the total outstanding number of FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares and 100.0% of the total outstanding number of FirstService Multiple Voting Shares (10.1% of total outstanding number of
FirstService Shares; 47.2% of total votes of all FirstService Shares). 89.9% of the outstanding FirstService Shares and 52.8% of
the votes of all FirstService Shares are held by shareholders other than FirstService's significant shareholder. Eight of the current
nine directors, or 88.9% of the total number of current directors, are independent directors and are, therefore, free from any
relationships with the significant shareholder. The Board believes that the membership on the Board of these eight directors fairly
reflects the investment in FirstService by shareholders other than FirstService's significant shareholder.
Board Committees
The Board has three standing committees:
the Audit Committee, the Executive Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee") and the Governance Committee.
The roles of these committees are outlined below. Each committee reviews and assesses its mandate at least annually and has the
authority to retain special legal, accounting or other advisors. From time to time ad hoc committees of the Board may be appointed.
As the Board has plenary power, any responsibility which is not delegated to Management or a Board committee remains with the Board.
The Board has not developed a formal position description for the Chair of any standing committee. However, the Board has developed
a committee mandate for each standing committee which is sufficiently detailed and contains appropriate information to delineate
the role and responsibilities of the applicable committee, and thereby the Chair of the applicable committee. The committee mandates
are published on FirstService's website (www.firstservice.com). The Board delineates the role and responsibilities of the Chair
of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance Committee by tasking the Chair of the applicable committee
with taking all reasonable measures to ensure that the applicable committee executes and fulfills its responsibilities under the
applicable committee mandate and assumes each of the responsibilities specifically given to a Chair of a committee under the applicable
committee mandate.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is comprised of four
members who are each independent and financially literate as required by Multilateral Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees.
The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Cohen, Curtin, Stein and Ghert, Chair. In February 2014, Michael Stein was appointed
as a member of the Audit Committee and David Beatty ceased to be a member of the committee, and in February 2015, John (Jack) P.
Curtin, Jr. was appointed as a member of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is appointed by, and assists, the Board in fulfilling
its oversight responsibilities in the following principal areas: (i) accounting policies and practices, (ii) the financial reporting
process, (iii) financial statements provided by FirstService to the public, (iv) risk management, including systems of internal
accounting and financial controls, (v) appointing, overseeing and evaluating the work and independence of the external auditors,
and (vi) compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee has the resources and the authority
to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to engage, at the expense of FirstService, outside consultants, independent
legal counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties, without seeking approval of the Board or Management.
The Audit Committee also has the authority to conduct any investigation necessary and appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities,
and has direct access and authority to communicate directly with the external auditors, legal counsel and officers and employees
of FirstService. The Audit Committee meets at least four times annually, or more frequently as circumstances dictate. There were
five meetings of the Audit Committee held during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
The Audit Committee reviews the annual
and interim financial statements intended for circulation among shareholders and reports upon these to the Board prior to their
approval by the full Board. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the integrity of FirstService's internal accounting and
control systems. The Audit Committee communicates directly with FirstService's external auditors in order to discuss audit and
related matters whenever appropriate. In addition, the Board may defer to the Audit Committee on other matters and questions relating
to the financial position of FirstService and its affiliates. All reports made to FirstService's ethics hotline are reviewed by
the Chair of the Audit Committee and then by the entire Audit Committee at its next meeting. The Board has adopted an Audit Committee
mandate, a copy of which is annexed to the 2014 Annual Information Form and is also published on FirstService's website (www.firstservice.com).
The education and related experience of each of the members of the Audit Committee that is relevant to the performance by such
members of their responsibilities on such committee is described in the 2014 Annual Information Form under the heading "Audit
Committee". A copy of the 2014 Annual Information Form is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Audit Committee mandate provides that
the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit engagements and the provision by the external auditors of all non-audit services,
including fees and terms for all audit and non-audit engagements. The Audit Committee may delegate the responsibility to pre-approve
non-audit services to one of its members and any such delegated pre-approvals must be presented to the Audit Committee at its next
scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee, who is independent, the authority to
act on behalf of the Audit Committee with respect to the pre-approval of all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by
the external auditors from time to time. Any approvals by the Chair are reported to the full Audit Committee at its next meeting.
The Audit Committee mandate further provides that the Audit Committee consider, assess and report to the Board with regard to the
independence and performance of the external auditors. The Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy pursuant to which
FirstService may not engage FirstService's external auditor to carry out certain non-audit services that are deemed inconsistent
with the independence of auditors under applicable U.S. and Canadian laws. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing
hiring policies for current and former partners or employees of the external auditors.
The Audit Committee mandate also provides,
and the general practice at FirstService is, that the Audit Committee will review and approve all material transactions and contracts
entered into by FirstService with any insider or related party of FirstService, other than director, officer or employee compensation
which is approved by the Compensation Committee. Material transactions and agreements related to compensation matters are generally
reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. Otherwise, from time to time ad hoc committees of the Board may be
appointed. In practice, and as is customary or appropriate, the Board has established "special" or "independent"
ad hoc committees of the Board as needed from time to time to review, pass upon or deal with material matters (including
considering transactions and agreements in respect of which a director or executive officer has or may have a material interest),
and the committee members of any such ad hoc committee are selected and appointed based on their independence from management
as well as their independence from the matter at hand which has required the establishment of such ad hoc committee.
The Board and the Audit Committee have
established procedures (which procedures are subject to monitoring by the Audit Committee) for the receipt, retention and treatment
of complaints or concerns received by FirstService regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, including
the anonymous submission by employees of concerns respecting accounting or auditing matters. Please refer to the Financial Management
Code of Ethics and Conduct published on FirstService's website (www.firstservice.com). Additional information regarding the Audit
Committee has been included in the 2014 Annual Information Form.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is comprised
of three members, all of whom are independent directors within the meaning of the Corporate Governance Rules. The Compensation
Committee, among other things, reviews and approves the compensation of the CEO and provides input to the CEO in terms of the compensation
for the other executive officers of FirstService. The Compensation Committee also reviews the compensation of the directors of
FirstService and any compensation programs applicable to senior management of FirstService, such as the stock option plan. In the
case of grants of options under FirstService's stock option plan, all proposed option grants are submitted to Compensation Committee
for review and a recommendation is made to the full Board. The Board has adopted a Compensation Committee mandate, a copy of which
is published on FirstService's website (www.firstservice.com). The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Beatty, Harris
and Calder, Chair. In fiscal 2014, the Compensation Committee engaged H. Wilkinson Consulting Group Inc. as its independent compensation
consultant to review the market competitiveness of the compensation provided to the Board. See "Executive Compensation –
Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Independent Compensation Consultants" below in this Appendix "O".
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee is comprised of
Messrs. Beatty (Chair), Calder and Cohen, each of whom is an independent director within the meaning of the Corporate Governance
Rules. The Board has adopted a Governance Committee mandate, a copy of which is published on FirstService's website (www.firstservice.com).
The Governance Committee, among other things, is responsible for identifying and recommending to the Board appropriate director
nominee candidates. In addition, the Governance Committee is responsible for advising the Board with respect to the Board's composition,
procedures and committees and developing, recommending and monitoring FirstService's corporate governance and other policies, assisting
the Board and the committees in their annual review of their performance and their charters, reviewing and making recommendations
to the Board with respect to the compensation of directors, succession plans and undertaking such other initiatives that may be
necessary or desirable to enable the Board to provide effective corporate governance. The Governance Committee conducts annual
surveys of the Board's effectiveness and, every few years, a peer review of the individual members of the Board.
The Governance Committee is mandated to
assess at least annually the optimum Board size and beneficial skill sets and makes recommendations to the Board on any changes.
The number of directors proposed for election to the Board at the Meeting is nine. The Board considers that the ideal number of
directors for FirstService is approximately seven to nine. The Governance Committee and the Board have considered the matter of
Board size and the skill sets of the current and nominee directors and are of the view that the proposed Board membership has the
necessary breadth and diversity of experience and is of an adequate size to provide for effective decision-making and staffing
of Board committees.
The Governance Committee is responsible
for determining the appropriate criteria for selecting and assessing potential directors and selects candidates for nomination
to the Board accordingly. At such time as it is determined that a new director is desirable, the Governance Committee will engage
in various activities to ensure an effective process for selecting candidates for nomination, including developing criteria for
the selection of a new director, developing and maintaining a director skills matrix (identifying the desired competencies, independence,
expertise, skills, background and personal qualities that are being sought in potential candidates), identifying and recommending
individuals qualified and suitable to become directors, the Chair of the Board, the CEO and/or other directors will meet with potential
new candidates prior to nomination to discuss the time commitments and performance expectations of the position and formal approval
will be sought and obtained from the Board in respect of candidates for nomination.
Board Evaluation and Peer Review
At the beginning of fiscal 2014, an evaluation
of the Board, as a whole, was conducted by the Chair of the Governance Committee in respect of the previous fiscal year in which
each Board member was contacted by the Chair of the Governance Committee to complete a customized written questionnaire. Responses
were reviewed by the Chair of the Governance Committee with the Governance Committee, the Chair of the Board and the CEO and then
reported to the full Board. The Chair of the Governance Committee discussed the results with each of the directors, as appropriate,
and engaged in a full and frank discussion on any and all issues which any Board member wished to raise, including how the directors,
both individually and collectively, could operate more effectively. At the conclusion of the evaluation, as necessary, matters
requiring follow-up are identified, actions plans are developed and there is ongoing monitoring by the Chair of the Governance
Committee to ensure satisfactory results. An evaluation is expected to occur annually, either by telephone or by having Board members
complete a detailed customized questionnaire.
In addition, the Chair of the Governance
Committee meets with the individual members of the Board on an ongoing basis to discuss the individual's contribution to the Board.
A formal peer review of the individual members of the Board is expected to occur every few years. Whether a peer review is completed
formally or informally, each director is encouraged to view any feedback as constructive advice to enhance both their individual
contribution and overall Board effectiveness.
Attendance
The following table sets forth the record
of attendance of the members of the Board (either in person or by phone) at meetings of the Board and its committees and the number
of meetings of the Board and such committees held during the period of January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
Director(3) |
Board
4 Meetings |
Board Committees |
Overall Attendance |
Audit
5 Meetings |
Compensation
4 Meetings |
Governance
1 Meeting |
Overall Committee Attendance |
|
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
No. |
% |
David R. Beatty(1) |
4 of 4 |
100 |
1 of 1 |
100 |
4 of 4 |
100 |
1 of 1
(Chair) |
100 |
6 of 6 |
100 |
10 of 10 |
100 |
Brendan Calder |
4 of 4 |
100 |
– |
– |
4 of 4
(Chair) |
100 |
1 of 1 |
100 |
5 of 5 |
100 |
9 of 9 |
100 |
Peter F. Cohen |
4 of 4
(Chair) |
100 |
5 of 5 |
100 |
– |
– |
1 of 1 |
100 |
6 of 6 |
100 |
10 of 10 |
100 |
Bernard I. Ghert |
4 of 4 |
100 |
5 of 5
(Chair) |
100 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
5 of 5 |
100 |
9 of 9 |
100 |
Michael D. Harris |
4 of 4 |
100 |
– |
– |
4 of 4 |
100 |
– |
– |
4 of 4 |
100 |
8 of 8 |
100 |
Jay S. Hennick |
4 of 4 |
100 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
4 of 4 |
100 |
Frederick F. Reichheld(2) |
3 of 3 |
100 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
3 of 3 |
100 |
Michael Stein(1) |
4 of 4 |
100 |
4 of 4 |
100 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
4 of 4 |
100 |
8 of 8 |
100 |
Notes:
| (1) | Mr. Beatty ceased to be a member of the Audit Committee on February 11, 2014 and, on that day,
Mr. Stein became a member of the Audit Committee. The attendance noted reflects meetings held and attended only while a member
of the Audit Committee. |
| (2) | Mr. Reichheld became a director of FirstService on April 8, 2014. The attendance noted reflects
meetings held and attended only while a member of the Board. |
| (3) | John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr. became a director of FirstService and a member of the Audit Committee
on February 10, 2015. |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation of Named Executive Officers
The following table provides a summary
of total compensation earned during each of the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2012, December 31, 2013 and December 31,
2014, respectively, by FirstService's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, each of the three other most highly
compensated executive officers of FirstService, including any of its subsidiaries, who were serving as such as at December 31,
2014 and whose total compensation was, individually, more than C$150,000 (the "Other Executive Officers") and
each other individual who would have been an Other Executive Officer but for the fact that such individual was neither serving
as an executive officer, nor acting in a similar capacity, as at December 31, 2014 (hereinafter, collectively, referred to as the
"Named Executive Officers") for services rendered in all capacities during such period.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE |
Name and Principal Position of Named Executive Officer |
Twelve Months Ended Dec. 31 |
Salary
(US$) |
Option-Based Awards
(US$) (1) |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation |
All Other Compensation
(US$) |
Total Compensation
(US$) (4) |
Annual Incentive Plans (US$) (3) |
Long-Term Incentive Plans (US$) |
Jay S. Hennick (2)
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FirstService |
2014
2013
2012 |
1,584,000
1,643,800
1,648,700 |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
3,445,100
3,698,500
Nil |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
5,029,100
5,342,300
1,648,700 |
D. Scott Patterson
President and Chief Operating Officer of FirstService |
2014
2013
2012 |
561,400
582,600
584,500 |
697,536
673,779
569,029 |
1,058,300
1,136,100
Nil |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
2,317,236
2,392,479
1,153,529 |
John B. Friedrichsen
Senior Vice-President and CFO of FirstService |
2014
2013
2012 |
384,800
378,700
379,700 |
697,536
673,779
569,029 |
725,400
738,400
Nil |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
1,807,736
1,790,879
948,729 |
Douglas P. Frye
President and CEO of Colliers International (5) |
2014
2013
2012 |
500,000
500,000
500,000 |
2,929
20,284
40,973 |
2,344,470
1,316,864
2,030,609 |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
2,847,399
1,837,148
2,571,582 |
Dylan E. Taylor
Chief Operating Officer of Colliers International (5) |
2014
2013
2012 |
375,000
375,000
375,000 |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
2,008,981
1,391,593
1,418,566 |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
Nil
Nil
Nil |
2,383,981
1,766,593
1,793,566 |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | The amounts reflect accounting expense recognized in the applicable period for all outstanding
equity-based compensation in the form of stock options. The amounts reported for each Named Executive Officer were recognized in
accordance with U.S. GAAP, which generally requires recognition of the fair value of equity-based compensation over the applicable
vesting period for the award. Assumptions used in the calculation of these compensation costs are discussed in Note 15 to FirstService's
audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. However, the table above does not reflect
equity compensation expense net of a forfeiture assumption. For a description of the material terms of the FirstService Stock Option
Plan and the Colliers International stock option plan and each option grant, see "Incentive Award Plans of FirstService –
FirstService Stock Option Plan", "Incentive Award Plans of Colliers International – Colliers International Stock
Option Plan" and "NEO Outstanding Option-Based Awards" below in this Appendix "O". |
| (2) | The compensation indicated for Mr. Hennick was payable to Jayset pursuant to the FirstService MSA
(see "FirstService MSA" below). |
| (3) | The only annual incentive plan of FirstService is FirstService's annual performance bonus plan.
See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Annual Bonus Incentive" below in this Appendix "O". The only
annual incentive plans of Colliers International applicable to Messrs. Frye and Taylor are Colliers International's annual bonus
plan, global profit sharing plan and, for Mr. Taylor only, regional (Americas) profit sharing plan. See "Compensation Discussion
and Analysis – Annual Bonus Incentive" below in this Appendix "O". Annual incentive awards are accrued following
the fiscal year end and finalized and paid once reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee, the Board, the CEO or the
President/COO, as applicable. |
| (4) | Other than for Douglas P. Frye and Dylan E. Taylor, all Named Executive Officer base salary and
annual bonus incentive amounts were paid in Canadian dollars (an average 2014 exchange rate of US$1.00 = C$0.9055 has been used
in the table above). |
| (5) | Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc., a subsidiary of FirstService, operates as "Colliers International",
the Commercial Real Estate services division of FirstService. The designation of Douglas P. Frye and Dylan E. Taylor as Named Executive
Officers is for Canadian securities law purposes only, and is not intended to encompass the definition of, or imply that either
of them is an, "executive officer" under Canadian securities law or pursuant to Rule 3b-7 under the U.S. Exchange Act. |
In fiscal 2014, the total cost of the compensation
of all of the Named Executive Officers represented 6.5% of FirstService's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization.
NEO Outstanding Option-Based Awards
The table below reflects all option-based
awards for each Named Executive Officer outstanding as at December 31, 2014 (including option-based awards granted to a Named Executive
Officer before fiscal 2014). FirstService does not have any other equity incentive plan other than the FirstService Stock Option
Plan.
NEO OPTION–BASED AWARDS OUTSTANDING AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2014(3) |
Name of
Named Executive Officer |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised
FirstService Stock Options (1) |
FirstService Stock Option
Exercise Price
(US$/Security) |
FirstService Stock Option
Expiration Date (2) |
Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money
FirstService Stock Options
(US$) (4) |
D. Scott Patterson |
60,000
60,000
60,000
60,000
90,000 |
$49.54
$31.03
$31.86
$30.84
$19.15 |
May 15, 2019
February 15, 2018
February 17, 2017
February 21, 2016
March 1, 2015 |
$79,200
$1,189,800
$1,140,000
$1,201,200
$2,853,900 |
John B. Friedrichsen |
60,000
60,000
60,000
60,000 |
$49.54
$31.03
$31.86
$30.84 |
May 15, 2019
February 15, 2018
February 17, 2017
February 21, 2016 |
$79,200
$1,189,800
$1,140,000
$1,201,200 |
Douglas P. Frye (5) |
35,000 |
$19.15 |
March 1, 2015 |
$1,109,850 |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | Each FirstService Stock Option entitles the holder to purchase one FirstService Subordinate Voting
Share. Effective February 13, 2015, an aggregate of 356,000 FirstService Stock Options were granted under the FirstService Stock
Option Plan to directors, officers and employees in respect of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, including to certain of
the Named Executive Officers. See "Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – FirstService Stock Option Plan" below
in this Appendix "O". |
| (2) | The FirstService Stock Options vest 10% on the grant date, 15% on the first anniversary, 20% on
the second anniversary, 25% on the third anniversary and 30% on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. The expiration date is
the fifth anniversary of the grant date. |
| (3) | Under the terms of the FirstService Stock Option Plan, the Founder and CEO of FirstService, Jay
S. Hennick, is not eligible to participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan or to receive grants of options thereunder. See
"Executive Compensation – FirstService MSA" below in this Appendix "O". Dylan E. Taylor does not hold
any FirstService Stock Options and does not participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan. |
| (4) | Calculated using the closing price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share on Nasdaq on December
31, 2014 of US$50.86 less the exercise price of the applicable FirstService Stock Options. |
| (5) | The options listed for Douglas P. Frye are FirstService Stock Options. |
During the fiscal year ended December 31,
2014, none of the Named Executive Officers exercised any options of FirstService or any of its subsidiaries other than John B.
Friedrichsen, who exercised FirstService Stock Options for a total of 155,000 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares at an average
exercise price per share of US$16.04.
Incentive Award Plans of FirstService
The following table provides information
concerning the incentive award plans of FirstService with respect to each Named Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2014. The only incentive award plans of FirstService during fiscal 2014 were the FirstService Stock Option Plan, an
annual performance bonus plan and, with respect to the Founder and CEO, the Long Term Arrangement. See "– Annual Performance
Bonus Plan", "– FirstService Stock Option Plan" and "FirstService MSA" below in this Appendix "O".
For the incentive award plans of Colliers International during fiscal 2014, see "Incentive Award Plans of Colliers International"
below in this Appendix "O".
INCENTIVE AWARD PLANS – VALUE VESTED OR EARNED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014(3) |
Name of
Named Executive Officer |
Option-Based Awards –
Value Vested During Fiscal 2014
(US$) (1) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
–
Value Earned During Fiscal 2014
(US$) |
D. Scott Patterson |
$1,192,620 |
Nil |
John B. Friedrichsen |
$1,192,620 |
Nil |
Douglas P. Frye (2) |
$278,355 |
Nil |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | Calculated using the closing price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share on Nasdaq on the applicable
vesting date less the exercise price of the applicable FirstService Stock Options. |
| (2) | The options listed for Douglas P. Frye are FirstService Stock Options and the amounts listed under
"Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation – Value Earned During Fiscal 2014" reflect only plans of FirstService. |
| (3) | Under the terms of the FirstService Stock Option Plan, the Founder and CEO of FirstService, Jay
S. Hennick, is not eligible to participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan or to receive grants of options thereunder. See
"Executive Compensation – FirstService MSA" below in this Appendix "O". Dylan E. Taylor does not hold
any FirstService Stock Options and does not participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan. |
Annual Performance Bonus Plan
FirstService has an annual performance
bonus plan pursuant to which an annual cash performance bonus is awarded to Management and employees based entirely on percentage
growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share over the prior fiscal year. The Compensation Committee may also recommend, and the
Board may also approve, a non-annual discretionary bonus based on an individual or FirstService achieving certain designated objectives
(other than adjusted diluted earnings per share) and for superior or exceptional performance in relation to such objectives. No
such discretionary bonus was recommended or approved during the year. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Annual
Bonus Incentive" below in this Appendix "O".
FirstService Stock Option Plan
FirstService provides a long-term incentive
by granting stock options to directors, officers and full-time employees of FirstService or its subsidiaries (other than Mr. Hennick)
through the FirstService Stock Option Plan. At the meeting of Shareholders held in June 2004, the Shareholders adopted the FirstService
Stock Option Plan and have subsequently approved amendments thereto. At the Meeting, FirstService is proposing an amendment to
the FirstService Stock Option Plan. See "Annual Meeting Matters – Amendment to the FirstService Stock Option Plan".
Subject to the terms of the FirstService
Stock Option Plan, the Board has the authority to select those individuals to whom FirstService Stock Options will be granted and
to fix the terms of such FirstService Stock Options which may not be for less than one year nor more than ten years from the date
of grant (subject to an automatic 10 business day extension to the expiry date of an FirstService Stock Option which otherwise
would expire within a blackout period). The FirstService Stock Option Plan provides flexible vesting, completely at the discretion
of the Board. Jay S. Hennick is not eligible to participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan or to receive grants of options
thereunder. The FirstService Stock Option Plan is administered solely by the Board and grants of FirstService Stock Options are
made as follows (the "Option Granting Process"): all proposed option grants are submitted to the Compensation
Committee for review and a recommendation is made to the Board; proposed option grants recommended by the Compensation Committee
are then submitted to the Board for approval and, if approved, are granted on the date so approved by the Board. The Compensation
Committee, in considering any grant of FirstService Stock Options, and the Board in approving any grant of FirstService Stock Options,
take in account whether the amount of FirstService Stock Options proposed to be granted to each optionee is competitive, both in
terms of past practice at FirstService as well as with respect to options granted to officers, employees and directors of public
company peers of FirstService, as well as the contribution of the optionee in the success of the business. Grants of FirstService
Stock Options are approved subject to compliance with the FirstService Stock Option Plan and all applicable laws and regulatory
and stock exchange requirements.
The option price per FirstService Subordinate
Voting Share with respect to any FirstService Stock Option granted is determined by the Board at the time the FirstService Stock
Option is granted, but such price shall not be less than the Minimum Price on the day on which the issuance of the FirstService
Stock Option is authorized or approved by the Board. For the purposes of the FirstService Stock Option Plan, "Minimum Price"
means: (i) in the event that the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are then traded on the TSX and/or Nasdaq, the closing price
of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX or Nasdaq on the trading day prior to the day on which the issuance of
the FirstService Stock Option is authorized or approved by the Board; (ii) in the event that the FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares are not then traded on the TSX and Nasdaq, the closing price of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on such public
market on which the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are then traded, as selected by the Board, in its sole discretion, on
the trading day prior to the day on which the issuance of the FirstService Stock Option is authorized or approved by the Board;
or (iii) in the event that the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are not then traded on any public market, the price of the
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares as determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, on the day on which the issuance of
the FirstService Stock Option is authorized or approved by the Board.
The maximum number of FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares subject to grants of options under the FirstService Stock Option Plan is limited to 4,600,000, of which FirstService
Stock Options exercisable for 1,656,250 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (or 4.6% of the aggregate outstanding FirstService
Shares) have been granted and are outstanding as at the date hereof (leaving options exercisable for 607,250 FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares (or 1.7% of the aggregate outstanding FirstService Shares) available for granting). To date under the FirstService
Stock Option Plan, options which were exercisable for 2,336,500 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (or 6.5% of the aggregate
outstanding FirstService Shares) have been exercised or expired and options which were exercisable for 298,250 FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares (or 0.8% of the aggregate outstanding FirstService Shares) were cancelled and have been returned to the pool of options
available to be granted. In the event of the death of an optionee while in the employment, or as an officer, of FirstService or
a subsidiary prior to the end of the term of the FirstService Stock Option, the optionee's legal representative may exercise the
FirstService Stock Option for a period of one year following the death of the optionee or the expiry of the term of the FirstService
Stock Option, whichever is earlier. In the event that an optionee resigns, is removed as an officer or is discharged for "cause"
as an employee of FirstService or a subsidiary, the FirstService Stock Option will in all respects cease and terminate. In the
event an optionee's employment is otherwise terminated by FirstService or a subsidiary, such optionee may exercise the FirstService
Stock Option for a period of 30 days following the effective date of termination or the expiry of the term of the FirstService
Stock Option, whichever is earlier.
The FirstService Stock Option Plan provides
that the aggregate number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all FirstService Stock Options
granted to any one optionee shall not exceed 5% of the number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares outstanding on a non-diluted
basis at the time of such grant. In addition, the FirstService Stock Option Plan provides that the aggregate number of securities
of FirstService: (a) issued to insiders of FirstService, within any one year period; and (b) issuable to insiders of FirstService,
at any time under the FirstService Stock Option Plan, or when combined with all of FirstService's other share compensation arrangements,
shall not exceed 10% of FirstService's total issued and outstanding securities. As of the date hereof, FirstService has outstanding
FirstService Stock Options to purchase an aggregate of 1,656,250 FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (being 4.6% of the aggregate
outstanding FirstService Shares). These options are held by various directors, officers and employees of FirstService and its subsidiaries
and are non-assignable.
Where there is a take-over bid to acquire
the outstanding shares or FirstService enters into an agreement providing for the sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of FirstService such that, following completion of such sale, FirstService will cease to carry on, directly or indirectly, an active
business, the Board may advise optionees that all FirstService Stock Options will expire (subject to certain limitations) on the
date determined by the Board and each optionee shall have the right to exercise their FirstService Stock Options in whole or in
part, regardless of vesting.
The FirstService Stock Option Plan provides
that appropriate adjustments in the number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares and in the exercise price per FirstService
Subordinate Voting Share, relating to FirstService Stock Options granted or to be granted, shall be made by the Board to give effect
to adjustments in the number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares resulting from any subdivisions, consolidations or reclassifications
of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, the payment of stock dividends by FirstService or other relevant changes in the
capital structure of FirstService. Any such adjustments shall be subject to the approval thereof by such stock exchanges on which
the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are then listed for trading (including, if required by any such stock exchanges, approval
of the Shareholders).
The FirstService Stock Option Plan provides
that, subject to regulatory approval, the approval of any stock exchange on which the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares are
then listed for trading and the limitations set out in the next two following paragraphs, the Board may, by resolution, amend,
vary or discontinue the FirstService Stock Option Plan, or any agreement or entitlement subject to the FirstService Stock Option
Plan, at any time without notice to or approval of the Shareholders, including, without limitation, for the purpose of: (i) changing
the class of persons who will be eligible to be granted options pursuant to the FirstService Stock Option Plan; (ii) ensuring continuing
compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the requirements or policies of any governmental or regulatory authority, securities
commission or stock exchange having authority over FirstService or the FirstService Stock Option Plan; (iii) changes of a "housekeeping",
clerical, technical or stylistic nature; (iv) changing the method of determining the option price for options granted pursuant
to the FirstService Stock Option Plan, provided that the option price shall not in any case be lower than the "market price"
of a FirstService Subordinate Voting Share, as that term (or any successor term) is interpreted and applied by the TSX; (v) changing
the following terms governing options under the FirstService Stock Option Plan: (A) vesting terms (including the acceleration of
vesting); (B) exercise and payment method and frequency; (C) transferability or assignability; (D) to fairly or properly take into
account a sale, arrangement or take-over bid; (E) adjustments required in the circumstances of a change in the structure of the
capital of FirstService; and (F) the effect of termination (for whatever reason) of the optionee's employment or service; (vi)
determining that any of the provisions of the FirstService Stock Option Plan or any agreement subject to the FirstService Stock
Option Plan concerning the effect of termination (for whatever reason) of the optionee's employment, service or consulting agreement/arrangement
or cessation of the optionee's directorship or office, shall not apply for any reason acceptable to the Board; (vii) changing the
terms and conditions of any financial assistance which may be provided by FirstService to the optionees to facilitate the purchase
of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, or adding or removing any provisions providing for such financial assistance; (viii)
adding or amending a cashless exercise feature, payable in cash or securities, provided same includes a full deduction of the number
of underlying FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares from the FirstService Stock Option Plan reserved under the FirstService Stock
Option Plan; (ix) providing for the granting of non-equity based kinds of awards under the FirstService Stock Option Plan; (x)
adding or amending provisions necessary for options under the FirstService Stock Option Plan to qualify for favourable tax treatment
to optionees and/or FirstService under applicable tax laws; (xi) changing any terms relating to the administration of the FirstService
Stock Option Plan; and (xii) any other amendment, whether fundamental or otherwise, not requiring shareholder approval under applicable
law (including, without limitation, the rules and policies of the TSX and of any other stock exchange or market having authority
over FirstService or the FirstService Stock Option Plan).
The FirstService Stock Option Plan further
provides that, subject to regulatory approval, the approval of any stock exchange on which the FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares are then listed for trading and the limitations set out later in this section, the Board may, by resolution, amend, vary
or discontinue the FirstService Stock Option Plan, or any agreement or entitlement subject to the FirstService Stock Option Plan,
at any time for the following purposes, provided that any such amendment, variance or discontinuance will not become effective
unless and until approved by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders of FirstService, in person or by proxy, at a meeting
of shareholders: (a) any increase in the maximum number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares issuable under the FirstService
Stock Option Plan or any change from a fixed maximum number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares issuable under the Plan to
a fixed maximum percentage; (b) any reduction in the option price of an outstanding option except for the purpose of maintaining
option value in connection with a change in the structure of the capital of FirstService (for this purpose, the cancellation or
termination of an option of an optionee prior to expiry of the option term for the purpose of reissuing an option to the same optionee
with a lower exercise price shall be treated as an amendment to reduce the option price of an option); (c) any extension of the
option term or any amendment to permit the grant of an option with an expiry date of more than 10 years from the date the option
is granted; (d) permitting any option granted under the FirstService Stock Option Plan (or any other kind of award which may hereafter
form part of the FirstService Stock Option Plan) to be transferable or assignable other than for estate planning or normal estate
settlement purposes; (e) providing for the granting of equity based kinds of awards under the FirstService Stock Option Plan; and
(f) any other amendment requiring shareholder approval under applicable law (including, without limitation, under the rules and
policies of the TSX and of any other stock exchange or market having authority over FirstService or the FirstService Stock Option
Plan). In the case of any amendment or variance referred to above, insiders of FirstService who directly benefit from such amendment
or variance will not have the votes attaching to the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities of FirstService
held, directly or indirectly, by them counted in respect of the required approval of the shareholders of FirstService.
Notwithstanding the two immediately preceding
paragraphs, the FirstService Stock Option Plan provides that no amendment, variance or discontinuance of the FirstService Stock
Option Plan, or any agreement or entitlement subject to the FirstService Stock Option Plan, may be made, without the prior written
consent of the optionee, if the Board determines that the effect thereof is to impair, derogate from or otherwise materially and
adversely affect any option previously granted to such optionee under the FirstService Stock Option Plan.
In addition, the FirstService Stock Option
Plan provides that FirstService shall have the right, in certain circumstances and in lieu of delivering FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares, to pay to an optionee the "in the money" amount of the stock options held by such optionee, at its election,
in the event of a formal take-over bid for all of the shares of FirstService, a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of FirstService (under circumstances such that, following the completion of such sale, FirstService will cease to carry on an active
business) or any merger, arrangement, amalgamation or other similar form of transaction involving FirstService under circumstances
such that, following the completion of such transaction, there is a change in control of FirstService.
The objective of granting options is to
encourage the executives to acquire an increased ownership interest in FirstService over a period of time, which acts as a financial
incentive for the executives to consider the long-term interests of FirstService and its shareholders. The following table sets
out the increased ownership interest in FirstService of the Named Executive Officers (other than Jay S. Hennick and Dylan E. Taylor,
who do not participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan) over the prior eight fiscal years:
Name of
Named Executive Officer |
Number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares Owned on January 1, 2007 |
Number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares Owned on December 31, 2014 |
D. Scott Patterson |
330,500 |
615,262 |
John B. Friedrichsen |
95,685 |
250,000 |
Douglas P. Frye |
2,200 |
100,040 |
On February 13, 2015, an aggregate of 356,000
FirstService Stock Options (or 1.0% of the outstanding FirstService Shares on such date) were granted under the FirstService Stock
Option Plan to management, employees and directors of FirstService (including 60,000 FirstService Stock Options to D. Scott Patterson
and 60,000 FirstService Stock Options to John B. Friedrichsen), each having an exercise price of US$57.83, an expiration date of
February 13, 2020 and vesting as follows: 10% on the grant date, 15% on the first anniversary of the grant date, 20% on the second
anniversary of the grant date, 25% on the third anniversary of the grant date and 30% on the fourth anniversary of the grant date.
Incentive Award Plans of Colliers International
The only incentive award plans of Colliers
International during fiscal 2014 applicable to Douglas P. Frye and Dylan E. Taylor were its stock option plan, an annual bonus
plan, a global profit sharing plan and, in respect of Mr. Taylor only, a regional (Americas) profit sharing plan. See "–
Annual Bonus Plan", "– Profit Sharing Plans" and "– Colliers International Stock Option Plan"
below in this Appendix "O".
Annual Bonus Plan
Colliers International has an annual bonus
plan in which Messrs. Frye and Taylor participated during fiscal 2014 pursuant to which an annual cash bonus was awarded to them.
An amount up to 50% of base salary is awarded based on meeting non-financial annual goals and competencies/behaviors as agreed
to with the President/COO of FirstService and an amount up to 50% of base salary is awarded based on meeting annual financial goals
as agreed to with the President/COO of FirstService (such as EBITDA, productivity and capital expenditure criteria), subject to
Colliers International's EBITDA performance being greater than 1% of its revenue.
Profit Sharing Plans
The Colliers International Global Profit
Sharing Plan (the "GPS Plan") is a five year plan, running from fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2014, in which Messrs. Frye
and Taylor participated during fiscal 2014. Under the GPS Plan, a profit sharing pool is established based on the EBITDA growth
of Colliers International as a whole over a baseline (which baseline is adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions by Colliers
International). Amounts are contributed to the profit sharing pool for every dollar of Colliers International EBITDA above the
baseline (with the amount so contributed increasing as certain thresholds of Colliers International EBITDA are exceeded) and shared,
as to 50%, by Mr. Frye and, as to 17.9%, by Mr. Taylor.
Colliers International also has a regional
(Americas) profit sharing plan (the "Regional Plan") in which Mr. Taylor participates based on the performance
of the Colliers International Americas region. Under the Regional Plan, a profit sharing pool is established based on two components:
EBITDA growth of the Colliers International Americas region over a baseline and growth in EBITDA margin of the Colliers International
Americas region above an agreed threshold (which baseline and threshold are adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions by Colliers
International). Amounts are contributed to the profit sharing pool for every dollar of Colliers International Americas region EBITDA
above the baseline and the margin threshold (with the amount so contributed increasing as certain thresholds of Colliers International
Americas region EBITDA and margins are exceeded) and shared, as to 50%, by Mr. Taylor.
Payments under the GPS Plan and Regional
Plan are made in installments, one-half of which is paid in February of the following fiscal year and the balance of which is paid
on the first anniversary of the initial installment payment. In the event that a participant in the GPS Plan or and Regional Plan
ceases to be employed by Colliers International, any entitlements thereunder are forfeited. If the participant is terminated without
cause, the participant is eligible to receive immediate payment of any unpaid entitlements and to participate in the GPS Plan and/or
and Regional Plan to the date of termination on a pro rata basis. If Mr. Frye or Taylor cease to be employed by Colliers International
after January 1, 2015, he will continue to receive any earned entitlements under the GPS Plan and/or and Regional Plan unless he
joins a competitor of Colliers International, in which case all earned entitlements then unpaid are forfeited.
Colliers International Stock Option
Plan
Colliers International may provide a long-term
incentive by granting stock options (the "Colliers Options"), entitling the holders thereof to purchase shares
in the Colliers International subsidiary of FirstService, to officers and employees of Colliers International or its subsidiaries
through the Colliers International Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "Colliers Option Plan"). Subject to the
terms of the Colliers Option Plan, the board of directors of Colliers International (the "Colliers Board") has
the authority to select those individuals to whom Colliers Options will be granted and to fix the terms of such options which may
not be for more than ten years from the date of grant. The maximum number of shares subject to grants of options under the Colliers
Option Plan is limited to 1,081,000 in the aggregate or such greater number as may be determined by the Colliers Board and approved,
if required, by the shareholders of Colliers International and any applicable stock exchange or regulatory authority, of which
options exercisable for 272,134 shares have been granted and are outstanding as at the date hereof.
No options were granted under the Colliers
Option Plan to Messrs. Frye and Taylor in respect of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. As at the date hereof, Messrs. Frye
and Taylor do not hold any Colliers Options and no longer participate in the Colliers Option Plan. However, as a result of the
exercise of Colliers Options previously held, Messrs. Frye and Taylor own 319,050 and 220,000 Colliers International shares, respectively.
The following table shows the Colliers International shares owned by Messrs. Frye and Taylor and the value of such shares over
the prior three fiscal years:
Shareholder |
Colliers International Shares Owned |
Value as at December 31 (US$) (1) |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
Douglas P. Frye |
319,050 |
$9,092,925.00 |
$4,948,465.50 |
$1,681,393.50 |
Dylan E. Taylor |
220,000 |
$6,270,000.00 |
$3,412,200.00 |
$1,159,400.00 |
___________
Note:
| (1) | The values are determined using the formula price (based on a multiple of trailing adjusted EBITDA)
at which FirstService has the right to purchase minority interests in Colliers International. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth aggregated
information as at December 31, 2014 with respect to compensation plans of FirstService under which equity securities of FirstService
are authorized for issuance.
Plan Category (1)
|
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (US$) |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in the second column) |
FirstService Stock Option Plan |
1,463,900 |
$34.35 |
963,250
(2) |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | The only equity compensation plan of FirstService is the FirstService Stock Option Plan, which
FirstService Stock Option Plan has been approved by the Shareholders. See "Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – FirstService
Stock Option Plan" above in this Appendix "O". |
| (2) | Effective February 13, 2015, an aggregate of 356,000 options were granted under the FirstService
Stock Option Plan in respect of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. See "Incentive Award Plans of FirstService –
FirstService Stock Option Plan" above in this Appendix "O". If approved by Shareholders at the Meeting, the FirstService
Option Plan will be amended to increase the maximum number of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares reserved for issuance pursuant
to the exercise of FirstService Stock Options granted thereunder. See "Annual Meeting Matters – Amendment to the FirstService
Stock Option Plan". |
FirstService MSA
On February 1, 2004, FirstService, upon
the review, report and recommendation of the Compensation Committee, entered into the FirstService MSA with Jayset and Jay S. Hennick.
Mr. Hennick is the sole officer, director and shareholder of Jayset, the registered office of which is located at 1140 Bay Street,
Suite 4000, FirstService Building, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2B4. Under the terms of the FirstService MSA, Mr. Hennick performs the
services of Chief Executive Officer of FirstService on behalf of Jayset. The amounts paid or payable to Jayset pursuant to the
FirstService MSA during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 are included in the information provided for Mr. Hennick in the
Summary Compensation Table above in this Appendix "O" under "Executive Compensation – Compensation of Named
Executive Officers". Jayset, in turn, transfers such amounts to Mr. Hennick at such times as Mr. Hennick determines. The FirstService
MSA has an initial term of five years, with successive one-year renewals at the option of Jayset. Jayset may voluntarily terminate
the FirstService MSA upon six-months prior written notice to FirstService. FirstService may elect to discontinue the use of Jayset's
services upon payment to Jayset of the following amounts:
| (a) | 300% of the aggregate of: (i) the average base management fee and any other fees for the three
years prior to the termination; and (ii) the average incentive fee for the three years prior to the termination; and |
In the event of a change of control of
FirstService, a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of FirstService to the shareholders of FirstService or if the
FirstService MSA is not renewed at the end of the initial five-year term or any renewal term, then the FirstService MSA will be
deemed to be terminated and the payments described in (a) and (b) above will be payable to Jayset. For an estimated amount of such
payment as at December 31, 2014, see "Executive Compensation – Termination and Change of Control Benefit" below
in this Appendix "O".
The FirstService MSA also contains the
Long Term Arrangement for Mr. Hennick, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstService. A complete description of the Long Term Arrangement
is contained under "The Arrangement – Treatment of Certain FirstService Employees and Benefit Plans".
The FirstService MSA also contains a sale
of control arrangement (the "Long Term Arrangement"). At the time of the implementation of the Long Term Arrangement,
and in exchange for providing the Long Term Arrangement to Mr. Hennick, Mr. Hennick agreed to surrender for cancellation certain
stock options granted to him under the then stock option plan of FirstService and he agreed he would not be eligible to participate
in the FirstService Stock Option Plan or receive grants of options thereunder. Under the Long Term Arrangement, FirstService has
agreed that it will make a payment to Jayset on (each of the following circumstances, an "Event"): (a) an arm's
length sale of control of FirstService; or (b) a special dividend or other distribution to the shareholders of FirstService or
in the event of a transaction the effect of which results in a transfer of assets of FirstService to the shareholders of FirstService
(either of which, a "Partial Event"). The Long Term Arrangement provides for Jayset to receive the following two
payments. The first payment will be an amount equal to 5% of the product of: (i) the aggregate number of FirstService Shares outstanding
on a fully diluted basis at the time of the Event; and (ii) the per share consideration received or deemed to be received by the
holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on or as a result of the applicable Event minus a base price of C$5.675. The
second and additional payment will be an amount equal to 5% of the product of: (i) the aggregate number of FirstService Shares
outstanding on a fully diluted basis at the time of the Event; and (ii) the per share consideration received or deemed to be received
by the holders of FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on or as a result of the applicable Event minus a base price of C$11.05.
The foregoing base prices have been adjusted to reflect the 2-for-1 stock split of the outstanding shares of FirstService on December
15, 2004 and the stock dividend of preferred shares on August 1, 2007, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the FirstService
MSA.
Upon the occurrence of a Partial Event,
each of base prices noted above will be adjusted by subtracting from each base price, respectively, an amount equal to the per
share consideration received or to be received by the holders of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares of FirstService on
or as a result of such Partial Event; in no event will either base price be permitted to fall below zero. The base prices are also
appropriately adjusted to reflect stock splits and consolidations. The right to receive the two payments may be transferred, in
whole or in part, to person(s) who are not at arm's length to Jayset.
Assuming that an arm's length sale of control
of FirstService took place on December 31, 2014 at a price per share of C$59.28 (being the closing price per FirstService Subordinate
Voting Share on the TSX on December 31, 2014), FirstService would have been required to make a payment to Jayset in the aggregate
amount of US$163,585,081 pursuant to the Long Term Arrangement (and taking into account the change of control payment to Jayset
referred to under "Termination and Change of Control Benefits" below in this Appendix "O", the total amount
payable in such circumstance would have been US$174,944,681).
Executive Equity Ownership Policy
FirstService has an executive equity ownership
policy (the "EEO Policy") requiring that the CEO, the President & COO and the CFO of FirstService (collectively,
the "Designated Executives") to achieve and maintain, for the duration of their employment at FirstService, minimum
ownership of shares of FirstService having a value as follows: for the CEO, three times base salary/management fee and for all
other Designated Executives, two times base salary. All Designated Executives are permitted five years from the institution of
the EEO Policy to achieve the required minimum ownership of shares. Any newly appointed, retained or promoted Designated Executives
will be permitted five years from their appointment/retention/promotion date to achieve the required minimum ownership of shares.
For the purposes of the EEO Policy, the base salary or management fee used will be fixed to such base salary or management fee
in effect at the time the Designated Executive first becomes subject to the EEO Policy. Upon a Designated Executive achieving the
minimum ownership of shares required under the EEO Policy, the Designated Executive will no longer be required to acquire further
shares of FirstService, including as a result of any decrease in the market price of FirstService's shares. The minimum ownership
of shares is not required to continue following the cessation of a Designated Executive's employment with FirstService. Upon a
Designated Executive achieving the minimum ownership of shares required under the EEO Policy, such Designated Executive will not
be permitted to purchase financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset the economic exposure of such Designated Executive's
ownership in shares of FirstService such that the effective economic exposure is less than the required minimum ownership threshold
under the EEO Policy. The Board may grant exceptions to the EEO Policy where circumstances warrant, including, but not limited
to, tax and estate planning considerations.
Incentive Compensation Reimbursement
Policy
In order to further align Management's
interests with the interests of Shareholders and in support of good governance practices, FirstService has an incentive compensation
reimbursement policy (the "ICR Policy"). Under the ICR Policy, FirstService will require reimbursement, in all
appropriate cases, of any incentive compensation awarded to Management if, within one year of receiving such award: (a) the amount
of the incentive compensation was calculated based upon the achievement of certain financial results of FirstService that were
subsequently the subject of a financial restatement; (b) the financial statements are required to be restated as a result of, or
partially as a result of, intentional errors, intentional omissions or fraud; and (c) the amount of the incentive compensation
that would have been awarded had the financial results been properly reported would have been lower than the amount actually awarded.
To do this, FirstService may pursue various ways to recover by: (i) seeking repayment; (ii) reducing the amount that would otherwise
be payable under another incentive compensation award; (iii) withholding future equity grants, incentive awards or salary increases;
or (iv) take any combination of these actions.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Introduction
The Compensation Discussion and Analysis
section of this Appendix "O" sets out the objectives of FirstService's executive compensation arrangements, FirstService's
executive compensation philosophy and the application of this philosophy to FirstService's executive compensation arrangements.
It also provides an analysis of the compensation design, and the decisions the Compensation Committee made in fiscal 2014 with
respect to the Named Executive Officers. When determining the compensation arrangements for the Named Executive Officers, the Compensation
Committee (in respect of Named Executive Officers who are employed by FirstService) and the CEO and President/COO of FirstService
(in respect of Named Executive Officers who are employed by Colliers International) considers the objectives of: (i) retaining
an executive critical to the success of FirstService and its subsidiaries and the enhancement of shareholder value; (ii) providing
fair and competitive compensation; (iii) balancing the interests of management and shareholders of FirstService; (iv) rewarding
performance, both on an individual basis and with respect to the business in general; and (v) ensuring the recognition of the fact
that FirstService carries on business with a small number of executive officers relative to other public companies of similar size.
The Board and the Compensation Committee
have considered the implications of the risks associated with FirstService's compensation policies and practices. In this regard,
the Compensation Committee specifically considered various pertinent and relevant elements where compensation and risk may be related
in relation to the current compensation policies and practices for senior executives of FirstService (such as pay philosophy, the
mix of fixed versus variable compensation, the mix of short versus long term compensation, share ownership requirements and trading
policies, reimbursement policies and the level of severance in any contractual arrangements). As further described hereunder, the
components of compensation are fairly straightforward and include base salary, short-term incentive (annual bonus and, in the case
of Colliers International, the GPS Plan and the Regional Plan) and long-term incentive (stock options and, in the case of the CEO,
the Long Term Arrangement). Where any risks were identified, the Board and the Compensation Committee have determined that processes
and controls are in place to mitigate such risks and, overall, such risks were not significant and not reasonably likely to have
a material adverse effect on FirstService. The risks and uncertainties that are likely to have a material adverse effect on FirstService
are disclosed under "Risk Factors" and in the 2014 Annual Information Form. No such risks relate to FirstService's compensation
policies and practices.
The Board has adopted a policy relating
to the trading in securities of FirstService by directors, senior executives, employees and other insiders of FirstService and
its subsidiaries (the "Trading Policy"). Among other things, the following are prohibited by the Trading Policy:
(i) short sales of FirstService's securities; (ii) transactions in puts, calls or other derivative securities, on an exchange or
in any other organized market; (iii) hedging or monetization transactions that allow an individual to continue to own the covered
securities, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership; and (iv) the resale of securities of FirstService purchased in
the open market prior to the expiration of three months from the purchase date. Consequently, the foregoing prohibitions in the
Trading Policy do not permit a Named Executive Officer or director to purchase financial instruments that are designed to hedge
or offset a decrease in market value of FirstService's equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly,
by a Named Executive Officer or director.
Role of the Compensation Committee
Messrs. Beatty, Harris and Calder, Chair,
served as members of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. None of these individuals was an
officer, employee or former officer or employee of FirstService or any of its subsidiaries during fiscal 2014. The mandate of the
Compensation Committee requires that the Compensation Committee be comprised of three or more members of the Board each of whom
is, in the business judgment of the Board, independent. See "Statement of Corporate Governance Practices – Board Committees
– Compensation Committee" above in this Appendix "O" for additional information on the Compensation Committee.
Under the Compensation Committee's mandate, the Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things: (a) in consultation
with senior management, establishing FirstService's general compensation philosophy, and overseeing the development and implementation
of compensation programs; (b) reviewing and approving the compensation of the CEO; (c) reviewing compensation programs applicable
to the senior management of FirstService; and (d) making recommendations to the Board with respect to FirstService's incentive
compensation plans and equity-based plans, the activities of the individuals and committees responsible for administering these
plans, and discharging any responsibilities imposed on the Compensation Committee by any of these plans.
During fiscal 2014, the Compensation Committee
addressed a number of items, including considering and/or approving and/or making recommendations in respect of all option grants
to officers, employees and directors of FirstService or subsidiaries of FirstService; determining, for the purposes of the FirstService
annual performance bonus plan, fiscal 2014 adjusted diluted earnings per share; a review of non-employee director compensation
(with the assistance of a compensation consultant) to evaluate market competitiveness (see "– Independent Compensation
Consultant" below); and the continuation of the existing annual retainer compensation arrangements for non-employee directors
of FirstService for fiscal 2014 (see "– Compensation of Directors" below).
Independent Compensation Consultant
Under its mandate, the Compensation Committee
has the sole authority to select, retain and terminate a compensation consultant and to approve the consultant's fees and other
retention terms. The Compensation Committee is also entitled to the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its duties
and responsibilities, including the authority to retain counsel and other experts or consultants. At the end of fiscal 2008, the
Compensation Committee engaged H. Wilkinson Consulting Group Inc. (the "EC Consultant") as its independent compensation
consultant. The EC Consultant was retained by the Compensation Committee to review and report on the market competitiveness of
the cash compensation provided to the following top seven executives of FirstService: Founder & CEO, President & Chief
Operating Officer, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Vice President Corporate Controller & Secretary, Senior
Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development, Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development, Vice President Performance
& Risk Management. At the beginning of fiscal 2014, the Compensation Committee again engaged the EC Consultant, this time in
connection with assisting the Compensation Committee in its review of director compensation. See "Compensation of Directors"
below. Neither the EC Consultant nor any other compensation consultant provided any other services to the Compensation Committee
or FirstService other than the foregoing. During fiscal 2013 and 2014, the total fees paid to the EC Consultant were Nil and US$11,800,
respectively.
Benchmarking
The Compensation Committee may consider
many factors when designing and establishing executive compensation arrangements for the CEO and reviewing and making recommendations
for such arrangements for the other executive officers of FirstService. Every several years, a benchmarking analysis is conducted
by the Compensation Committee to ensure that the executive compensation arrangements for the CEO and the other Named Executive
Officers remains appropriate and competitive. When a benchmarking analysis is conducted, FirstService typically does not position
executive pay to reflect a single percentile within the peer group for each executive. Rather, in determining the compensation
level for each executive, the Compensation Committee (for the CEO) or the CEO (for the other executive officers of FirstService)
may look at factors such as the relative complexity of the executive's role within the organization, the executive's performance
and potential for future advancement, the compensation paid by FirstService's peer group and other companies identified by relevant
market survey data, and pay equity considerations.
The starting point for the benchmarking
analysis is the analysis of comparable market data. At the end of fiscal 2008, the Compensation Committee, with the assistance
of the EC Consultant, selected the companies that would constitute FirstService's US and Canadian peer group for executive compensation
benchmarking purposes (see FirstService's Management Information Circular dated March 12, 2009 available at www.sedar.com for the
details of the peer group). In addition, Canadian general industry companies with revenues of $1 billion to $5 billion were also
considered as benchmarks. At the beginning of fiscal 2014, FirstService's US and Canadian peer group were updated solely in connection
with a non-employee director compensation review. The Compensation Committee (with respect to the CEO) and the CEO (with respect
to the other executive officers) then reviewed market data for the peer group and such Canadian general industry companies to determine
where base salaries and total cash compensation for the Named Executive Officers should be appropriately positioned. While these
benchmarks represent useful guidelines, discretion may be used in setting individual executive pay so that it appropriately reflects
the value and contributions of each executive, as well as the executive's leadership, commitment to FirstService's values and potential
for advancement.
As FirstService has operations that are
primarily in the United States, the same approach was used as in previous years, and compensation was compared to similar sized
United States service companies as well as similar sized Canadian companies. Canadian general industry companies with revenues
of $1 billion to $5 billion were also considered and certain peer group members were added at the request of the Compensation Committee.
A range of factors was analyzed by the
EC Consultant for each member of the peer group, including: (i) various financial size and performance metrics; (ii) number of
employees; (iii) business lines and the extent that they overlap FirstService's business lines; and (iv) other indicia of common
managerial skill sets. It is anticipated that the peer group will change if FirstService's size or lines of business change, or
if the peer companies show changes in their businesses or operations.
Recommendations of Management
In general, the Compensation Committee
(with the assistance and advice of a consultant, if applicable) reviews and discusses matters involving the CEO's compensation.
After this review, the Compensation Committee prepares a recommendation for the Board to review and discuss. The independent members
of the Board have the sole authority to approve compensation decisions made with respect to the CEO.
With respect to FirstService's other senior
management and employees, it is the CEO (with the assistance of the independent compensation consultant for senior management)
who develops the pay strategies and recommendations, which the Compensation Committee then reviews and discusses. However, the
authority to approve those strategies and recommendations resides with different parties according to the employee's level. For
senior management, decisions must be approved by the CEO, subject to the Compensation Committee's overall review and acceptance.
For employees below the level of senior management, the CEO and his designees have the authority to approve pay actions. However,
the Compensation Committee is responsible for approving actions related to other aspects of these employee's compensation, such
as any grant of options and, if appropriate, the amount of any discretionary bonus pool.
Elements of Compensation
The compensation paid to the Named Executive
Officers in any year consists of three primary components:
| (b) | an annual bonus incentive (and, in the case of Colliers International, the GPS Plan and the Regional
Plan); and |
| (c) | a long-term incentive in the form of stock options granted under the FirstService Stock Option
Plan (other than Mr. Hennick, who is not entitled to participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan,). |
FirstService believes that making a significant
portion of the Named Executive Officers' compensation both variable and long-term supports FirstService's executive compensation
philosophy, as these forms of compensation primarily depend on performance. At the same time, FirstService emphasizes stock option
based compensation to allow those most accountable for FirstService's long-term success to acquire and hold shares of FirstService
or a subsidiary, as applicable. The key features of the three primary components of compensation are described below.
Base Salary
Base salary recognizes the value of an
individual to FirstService or a subsidiary based on his or her role, skill, performance, contributions, leadership and potential.
It is critical in attracting and retaining executive talent in the markets in which FirstService or a subsidiary competes for talent.
Base salaries for the Named Executive Officers are reviewed annually (for the CEO, by the Compensation Committee, for the other
executive officers of FirstService, by the CEO and for Messrs. Frye and Taylor, by the President/COO of FirstService). In the case
of Messrs. Frye and Taylor, their base salaries are determined accordance with their respective employment agreements with Colliers
International. For the CEO, the base fee is determined in accordance with the Management Services Agreement and is subject to increase
annually in an amount in the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee, with any such annual increase to be, absent
the consent of Jayset, not less than 5% of the then current base fee. See "FirstService MSA" above. FirstService also
pays to Jayset a further annual fee equal to 2% of the aggregate of the base fee and the annual bonus payment pursuant to the FirstService
MSA.
Notwithstanding the FirstService MSA which
requires a minimum annual increase in base compensation of 5%, the CEO elected to not take the full increase, but rather took a
3% increase (in the same currency) in base salary for fiscal 2014. For fiscal 2014, the CEO approved a 3% and 9% increase to the
base compensation of Messrs. Patterson and Friedrichsen, respectively.
Annual Bonus Incentive
FirstService has an annual performance
bonus plan pursuant to which an annual cash performance bonus is awarded to FirstService management and employees based entirely
on percentage growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share over the prior fiscal year. Annual performance bonuses are paid as
a percentage of base salary, which percentage increases the larger the percentage growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share
is for the fiscal year in question.
At the beginning of fiscal 2014, the Compensation
Committee and the Board determined that, for the purposes of the annual performance bonus plan, fiscal 2013 adjusted diluted earnings
per share was US$2.10. In February 2015, the Compensation Committee and the Board also determined that, for the purposes of the
annual performance bonus plan, fiscal 2014 adjusted diluted earnings per share was US$2.71.
In determining the percentage growth, the
impact on diluted earnings per share of any disposition of material investments or assets and any cost-containment charges are
excluded. This establishes a direct link between executive compensation and FirstService's regular operating performance. For the
CEO, the formula to be used for determining the amount of the annual performance bonus is established in the FirstService MSA (see
" FirstService MSA" above) and, for fiscal 2014, the CEO was entitled to earn 7.5% of the aggregate base fee in fiscal
2014 as an annual bonus for that fiscal year for each 1% growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share in that fiscal year over
the prior fiscal year (with amounts pro-rated to the exact percentage). The other Named Executive Officers of FirstService earn
an annual performance bonus calculated on a basis similar to that of the CEO, determined using percentages of salary below that
used in determining the CEO's annual bonus incentive. Adjusted diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2014 (US$2.71) was 29% greater
than the same period in the prior year (US$2.10), and consequently, an annual performance bonus was paid to the CEO (US$3,445,100)
and the other Named Executive Officers of FirstService (an aggregate of US$1,783,700) in respect of fiscal 2014. See "Executive
Compensation – Compensation of Named Executive Officers" above in this Appendix "O".
The Compensation Committee may also recommend,
and the Board may also approve, a non-annual discretionary bonus based on an individual or FirstService achieving certain designated
objectives (other than adjusted diluted earnings per share) and for superior or exceptional performance in relation to such objectives.
In fiscal 2014, no one-time special discretionary bonuses were awarded.
Colliers International has an annual bonus
plan in which Messrs. Frye and Taylor participated during fiscal 2014 pursuant to which an annual cash bonus was awarded to them.
An amount up to 50% of base salary is awarded based on meeting non-financial annual goals and competencies/behaviours as agreed
to with the President/COO of FirstService and an amount up to 50% of base salary is awarded based on meeting annual financial goals
as agreed to with the President/COO of FirstService (such as EBITDA, productivity and capital expenditure criteria), subject to
Colliers International's EBITDA performance being greater than 1% of its revenue. In addition, under the GPS Plan, a profit sharing
pool is established based on the EBITDA growth of Colliers International as a whole over a baseline (which baseline is adjusted
for acquisitions and dispositions by Colliers International). Amounts are contributed to the profit sharing pool for every dollar
of Colliers International EBITDA above the baseline (with the amount so contributed increasing as certain thresholds of Colliers
International EBITDA are exceeded) and shared, as to 50%, by Mr. Frye and, as to 17.9%, by Mr. Taylor. Furthermore, under the Regional
Plan, in which Mr. Taylor participates, a profit sharing pool is established based on two components: EBITDA growth of the Colliers
International Americas region over a baseline and growth in EBITDA margin of the Colliers International Americas region above an
agreed threshold (which baseline and threshold are adjusted for acquisitions and dispositions by Colliers International). Amounts
are contributed to the profit sharing pool for every dollar of Colliers International Americas region EBITDA above the baseline
and the margin threshold (with the amount so contributed increasing as certain thresholds of Colliers International Americas region
EBITDA and margins are exceeded) and shared, as to 50%, by Mr. Taylor. In fiscal 2014, both Mr. Frye and Mr. Taylor achieved their
non-financial annual goals and competencies/behaviours and annual financial goals, such that they received an annual bonus equal
to 100% of their base salaries. In addition, both Mr. Frye and Mr. Taylor received incentive compensation payments under the GPS
Plan in fiscal 2014 and Mr. Taylor received incentive compensation payments under the Regional Plan in fiscal 2014.
Stock Option Awards
FirstService provides long-term incentive
to the Named Executive Officers in the form of stock options as part of its overall executive compensation strategy. For a description
of the material terms of the FirstService Stock Option Plan, the Colliers Option Plan and option grants to Named Executive Officers,
see "Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – FirstService Stock Option Plan", "Incentive Award Plans of Colliers
International – Colliers International Stock Option Plan" and "NEO Outstanding Option-Based Awards" above
in this Appendix "O". The Compensation Committee believes that stock option grants serve FirstService's executive compensation
philosophy in several ways. It helps attract, retain and motivate talent. It aligns the interests of the Named Executive Officers
with those of shareholders by linking a significant portion of the officer's total pay opportunity to share price. It also provides
long-term accountability for Named Executive Officers.
Typically, stock options are granted to
a Named Executive Officer of FirstService under the Option Plan shortly following the end of each fiscal year. Effective February
13, 2015, an aggregate of 120,000 options were issued to certain Named Executive Officers (other than the CEO) in respect of the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. See "Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – FirstService Stock Option Plan"
and "NEO Outstanding Option-Based Awards" above. Stock options are not typically granted to Messrs. Frye and Taylor under
the FirstService Stock Option Plan or the Colliers Option Plan. Historically, Mr. Frye was granted options under the FirstService
Stock Option Plan and Messrs. Frye and Mr. Taylor were granted options under the Colliers Option Plan to provide a long-term incentive
plan and reward certain milestones relating to the significance of Colliers International to the overall financial results of FirstService.
In fiscal 2014, no options were issued to Messrs. Frye and Taylor under either the FirstService Stock Option Plan or the Colliers
Option Plan. In determining the long-term incentive component of the Named Executive Officers' compensation, the Compensation Committee
(or, in the case of Messrs. Frye and Taylor, the President/COO of FirstService) will consider, among other factors, the recommendations
of the CEO, FirstService's performance and relative shareholder return, the level of dilution to shareholders, the value of similar
incentive awards to executive officers at comparable companies and awards given to the Named Executive Officers in past years.
Executive Benefit Plans and Other Elements
of Compensation
All of the Named Executive Officers are
eligible to participate in the benefit plans that are available to substantially all of the other employees of FirstService or
a subsidiary, as applicable. These benefit programs include supplementary medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance,
long-term disability and long-term care plans. FirstService (and Colliers International in the case of Messrs. Frye and Taylor)
does not provide any additional perquisites or other benefits to the Named Executive Officers.
Furthermore, FirstService (and Colliers
International in the case of Messrs. Frye and Taylor) does not provide any post-retirement benefits to any of the Named Executive
Officers or employees of FirstService.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive
Compensation
The Compensation Committee has reviewed
with senior management this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and, based on such review, has recommended to the Board that this
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Circular.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee:
David R. Beatty, Michael D. Harris and Brendan Calder (Chair)
Termination and Change of Control Benefits
As noted under "FirstService MSA"
above, FirstService may elect to discontinue the use of Jayset's services pursuant to the FirstService MSA upon payment to Jayset
of the following amounts: (a) 300% of the aggregate of: (i) the average base management fee and any other fees for the three years
prior to the termination; and (ii) the average incentive fee for the three years prior to the termination; and (b) US$180,000.
Furthermore, the FirstService MSA provides that in the event of a change of control of FirstService, a transfer of all or substantially
all of the assets of FirstService to the shareholders of FirstService or if the FirstService MSA is not renewed at the end of the
initial five-year term or any renewal term, then the FirstService MSA will be deemed to be terminated and the foregoing payments
described in (a) and (b) will be payable to Jayset. Assuming that a change of control of FirstService or a discontinuance of Jayset's
services took place on December 31, 2014, FirstService would have been required to make a payment to Jayset in the aggregate amount
of US$11,359,600 pursuant to the FirstService MSA (not taking into account the Long Term Arrangement).
Under the Long Term Arrangement, FirstService
has agreed that it will make a payment to Jayset on the occurrence of an Event. See "FirstService MSA" above. Assuming
that an arm's length sale of control of FirstService took place on December 31, 2014 at a price per share of C$59.28 (being the
closing price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share on the TSX on December 31, 2014), FirstService would have been required
to make a payment to Jayset in the aggregate amount of US$163,585,081 pursuant to the Long Term Arrangement (and taking into account
the change of control payment to Jayset referred to above, the total amount payable in such circumstance would have been US$174,944,681).
Pursuant to the terms of the FirstService
Stock Option Plan, where there is a take-over bid to acquire the outstanding shares or FirstService enters into an agreement providing
for the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of FirstService such that, following completion of such sale, FirstService
will cease to carry on, directly or indirectly, an active business, the Board may advise optionees (including any Named Executive
Officers who are optionees at the time) that all options will expire (subject to certain limitations) on the date determined by
the Board and each optionee shall have the right to exercise their options in whole or in part, regardless of vesting. In addition,
the FirstService Stock Option Plan provides that FirstService shall have the right, in certain circumstances and in lieu of delivering
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares, to pay to an optionee the "in the money" amount of the stock options held by
such optionee, at its election, in the event of a formal take-over bid for all of the shares of FirstService, a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of FirstService (under circumstances such that, following the completion of such sale, FirstService
will cease to carry on an active business) or any merger, arrangement, amalgamation or other similar form of transaction involving
FirstService under circumstances such that, following the completion of such transaction, there is a change in control of FirstService.
See "Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – FirstService Stock Option Plan" above in this Appendix "O".
In the event that Colliers International
terminates the employment of Douglas P. Frye without cause, Mr. Frye resigns his employment for good reason or Colliers International
elects not to renew the employment of Mr. Frye under the terms of Mr. Frye's employment agreement, Colliers International must
pay Mr. Frye an amount equal to twelve months base salary plus an amount equal to the average bonus compensation paid or payable
to Mr. Frye over the three completed years prior to the termination. Assuming that Mr. Frye ceased employment with Colliers International
in one of the foregoing stipulated ways on December 31, 2014, Colliers International would have been required to make a payment
to Mr. Frye in the aggregate amount of US$2,230,648 pursuant to his employment agreement with Colliers International.
In the event that Colliers International
terminates the employment of Dylan E. Taylor without cause under the terms of Mr. Taylor's employment agreement, Colliers International
must pay Mr. Taylor an amount equal to twelve months base salary plus an amount equal to the average bonus compensation paid or
payable to Mr. Taylor over the two completed years prior to the termination. Assuming that Mr. Taylor ceased employment with Colliers
International in the foregoing stipulated way on December 31, 2014, Colliers International would have been required to make a payment
to Mr. Taylor in the aggregate amount of US$1,887,787 pursuant to his employment agreement with Colliers International.
Compensation of Directors
During the fiscal year ended December 31,
2014, each director of FirstService who was not a full time employee of FirstService or any of its subsidiaries received an annual
retainer of C$75,000. In addition, each director who is not a full time employee of FirstService or any of its subsidiaries receives
meeting fees equal to C$1,750 for each meeting of the Board or committee thereof attended by such director in person and C$1,000
for each meeting attended by telephone. The Chair of the Board receives an annual retainer of C$52,500, the Chair of the Audit
Committee receives an annual retainer of C$10,000 and the Chair of any other committees receive an annual retainer of C$5,000.
In June 2007, the shareholders of FirstService
approved changes to the FirstService Stock Option Plan to provide that directors of FirstService would be eligible to be awarded
FirstService Stock Options. This change was made in conjunction with an overall review by the Compensation Committee of the compensation
arrangements for non-employee directors, having regard to general practices in the market and the desire to align more closely
the interests of the directors with those of FirstService's shareholders as well as to maintain consistency with FirstService's
partnership philosophy.
In February 2012, upon the recommendation
of the Compensation Committee, the Board approved new annual retainer compensation arrangements for non-employee directors of FirstService
effective January 1, 2012, with each such director being entitled to elect, at or before the first Board meeting held in each fiscal
year, to receive, as an annual retainer: (i) C$75,000 payable in cash; or (ii) C$40,000 payable in cash and a grant of 5,000 FirstService
Stock Options. In May 2014, following a review of the compensation arrangements for non-employee directors, the Board determined
to continue the foregoing annual retainer compensation arrangements for non-employee directors of FirstService during and following
fiscal 2014 until otherwise determined by the Board. In fiscal 2014, all directors received their annual retainer in cash.
Individual Director Compensation for
Fiscal 2014
The following table provides a summary
of all amounts of compensation provided to the directors of FirstService during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Jay S.
Hennick, as member of Management, does not receive any compensation in acting as director of FirstService.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE FOR FISCAL 2014 (4) |
Name |
Fee Earned
(US$) |
Option-Based Awards
(US$) (1) |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
(US$) |
All Other Compensation
(US$) |
Total
(US$) |
David R. Beatty |
$80,600 |
$22,969 |
Nil |
Nil |
$103,569 |
Brendan Calder |
$80,600 |
$22,969 |
Nil |
Nil |
$103,569 |
Peter F. Cohen |
$124,500 |
$22,969 |
Nil |
Nil |
$147,469 |
Bernard I. Ghert (2) |
$90,800 |
$22,969 |
Nil |
Nil |
$113,769 |
Michael D. Harris |
$76,100 |
$22,969 |
Nil |
Nil |
$99,069 |
Frederick F. Reichheld (3) |
$55,700 |
$8,700 |
Nil |
Nil |
$64,400 |
Michael Stein |
$77,000 |
$19,084 |
Nil |
Nil |
$96,084 |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | The amounts reflect accounting expense recognized in the applicable period for all outstanding
equity-based compensation in the form of stock options. The amounts reported for each director were recognized in accordance with
U.S. GAAP, which generally requires recognition of the fair value of equity-based compensation over the applicable vesting period
for the award. Assumptions used in the calculation of these compensation costs are discussed in Note 15 to FirstService's audited
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. However, the table above does not reflect equity
compensation expense net of a forfeiture assumption. For a description of the material terms of the FirstService Stock Option Plan
and each FirstService Stock Option grant, see "Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – FirstService Stock Option Plan"
above and "Director Outstanding Option-Based Awards" below. |
| (2) | As Chair of the Audit Committee, Mr. Ghert participated in meetings with Management and others
related to compliance with the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act and was paid regular committee attendance fees in respect thereof. |
| (3) | Mr. Reichheld became a director of FirstService on April 8, 2014. The compensation earned reflects
only the time that Mr. Reichheld was a member of the Board. |
| (4) | John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr. became a director of FirstService and a member of the Audit Committee
on February 10, 2015. |
The following table summarizes the fees
paid to individual directors during fiscal 2014. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, FirstService paid to such directors,
in their capacity as such, aggregate fees equal to US$585,200 (C$646,300).
Name (3) |
Board & Board Chair Annual
Retainer
(US$) |
Committee & Committee
Chair Annual Retainer
(US$) |
Total Board Attendance Fees
(US$) |
Total Committee Attendance Fees
(US$) |
Total Fees Payable
(US$) |
Total Fees Paid in Cash (US$) |
David R. Beatty |
$67,900 |
$4,500 |
$5,600 |
$2,600 |
$80,600 |
$80,600 |
Brendan Calder |
$67,900 |
$4,500 |
$6,400 |
$1,800 |
$80,600 |
$80,600 |
Peter F. Cohen |
$115,400 |
Nil |
$4,800 |
$4,300 |
$124,500 |
$124,500 |
Bernard I. Ghert (1) |
$67.900 |
$9,000 |
$4,800 |
$9,000 |
$90,700 |
$90,700 |
Michael D. Harris |
$67,900 |
Nil |
$6,400 |
$1,800 |
$76,100 |
$76,100 |
Frederick F. Reichheld (2) |
$50,900 |
Nil |
$4,800 |
Nil |
$55,700 |
$55,700 |
Michael Stein |
$67,900 |
Nil |
$5,600 |
$3,500 |
$77,000 |
$77,000 |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | As Chair of the Audit Committee, Mr. Ghert participated in meetings with Management and others
related to compliance with the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act and was paid regular committee attendance fees in respect thereof. |
| (2) | Mr. Reichheld became a director of FirstService on April 8, 2014. The compensation earned reflects
only the time that Mr. Reichheld was a member of the Board. |
| (3) | John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr. became a director of FirstService and a member of the Audit Committee
on February 10, 2015. |
Director Outstanding Option-Based Awards
The table below reflects all option-based
awards for each director of FirstService outstanding as at December 31, 2014 (including option-based awards granted to a director
before fiscal 2014). FirstService does not have any other equity incentive plan other than the FirstService Stock Option Plan.
DIRECTOR OPTION–BASED AWARDS OUTSTANDING AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2014(3) |
Name of Director
|
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised
FirstService Stock Options (1) |
FirstService Stock Option
Exercise Price
(US$/Security) |
FirstService Stock Option
Expiration Date (2) |
Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money
FirstService Stock Options
(US$) (4) |
David R. Beatty |
5,000
5,000 |
$31.86
$31.03 |
February 17, 2017
February 15, 2018 |
$95,000
$99,150 |
Brendan Calder |
5,000
5,000 |
$31.86
$31.03 |
February 17, 2017
February 15, 2018 |
$95,000
$99,150 |
Peter F. Cohen |
5,000
5,000 |
$31.86
$31.03 |
February 17, 2017
February 15, 2018 |
$95,000
$99,150 |
Bernard I. Ghert |
5,000
5,000 |
$31.86
$31.03 |
February 17, 2017
February 15, 2018 |
$95,000
$99,150 |
Michael D. Harris |
5,000
5,000 |
$31.86
$31.03 |
February 17, 2017
February 15, 2018 |
$95,000
$99,150 |
Frederick F. Reichheld |
5,000 |
$51.56 |
November 17, 2019 |
Nil |
Michael Stein |
5,000 |
$40.66 |
December 12, 2018 |
$51,000 |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | Each FirstService Stock Option entitles the holder to purchase one FirstService Subordinate Voting
Share. |
| (2) | The FirstService Stock Options vest 10% on the grant date, 15% on the first anniversary, 20% on
the second anniversary, 25% on the third anniversary and 30% on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the vesting of the noted options held by each non-employee director is accelerated, such that they become immediately fully vested
and exercisable, in the event that such director does not stand for re-election, resigns as a director or fails to be re-elected
as a director, in each case, in circumstances where there is no willful and substantial breach of such director's fiduciary duties
or other legal obligations to FirstService. The expiration date is the fifth anniversary of the grant date. |
| (3) | Under the terms of the FirstService Stock Option Plan, the Founder and CEO of FirstService, Jay
S. Hennick, is not eligible to participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan or to receive grants of options thereunder. See
"Executive Compensation – FirstService MSA" above. John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr. became a director of FirstService
and a member of the Audit Committee on February 10, 2015. Effective February 13, 2015, 5,000 FirstService Stock Options were granted
under the FirstService Stock Option Plan to Mr. Curtin as a result of him becoming a director of FirstService. |
| (4) | Calculated using the closing price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share on Nasdaq on December
31, 2014 of US$50.86 less the exercise price of the applicable FirstService Stock Options. |
The following table provides information
concerning the incentive award plans of FirstService with respect to each director of FirstService during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2014. The only incentive award plans of FirstService during fiscal 2014 were the FirstService Stock Option Plan, an
annual performance bonus plan for Management and employees and, with respect to the Founder and CEO, pursuant to the Long Term
Arrangement. See "Incentive Award Plans of FirstService – Annual Performance Bonus Plan", "Incentive Award
Plans of FirstService – FirstService Stock Option Plan" and "FirstService MSA" above in this Appendix "O".
INCENTIVE AWARD PLANS – VALUE VESTED OR EARNED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014(2) |
Name of Director |
Option-Based Awards –
Value Vested During Fiscal 2014
(US$) (1) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
–
Value Earned During Fiscal 2014
(US$) |
David R. Beatty |
$21,640 |
Nil |
Brendan Calder |
$21,640 |
Nil |
Peter F. Cohen |
$21,640 |
Nil |
Bernard I. Ghert |
$21,640 |
Nil |
Michael D. Harris |
$21,640 |
Nil |
Frederick F. Reichheld |
Nil |
Nil |
Michael Stein |
$8,730 |
Nil |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | Calculated using the closing price per FirstService Subordinate Voting Share on Nasdaq on December
31, 2014 of US$50.86 less the exercise price of the applicable FirstService Stock Options. |
| (2) | Under the terms of the FirstService Stock Option Plan, the Founder and CEO of FirstService, Jay
S. Hennick, is not eligible to participate in the FirstService Stock Option Plan or to receive grants of FirstService Stock Options
thereunder. See "Executive Compensation – FirstService MSA". John (Jack) P. Curtin, Jr. became a director of FirstService
and a member of the Audit Committee on February 10, 2015. Effective February 13, 2015, 5,000 FirstService Stock Options were granted
under the FirstService Stock Option Plan to Mr. Curtin as a result of him becoming a director of FirstService. |
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the total
cumulative shareholder return for C$100 invested in FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares (with any cash dividends reinvested
into FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares)(1) on the TSX (symbol: FSV) with the S&P/TSX Composite Total Return
Index(2) for the period commencing December 31, 2009 and ending December 31, 2014. The FirstService Subordinate Voting
Shares are also traded on Nasdaq (symbol: FSRV).
December 31 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares |
100.0 |
148.0 |
132.8 |
138.3 |
226.7 |
296.1 |
S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index |
100.0 |
117.6 |
107.4 |
115.1 |
130.0 |
143.8 |
___________
Notes:
| (1) | The cumulative return of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares is based on the closing prices
of the FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 or, if there was
no trading on such date, the closing price on the last trading day prior to such date. Cash dividends on the FirstService Subordinate
Voting Shares have been treated as being reinvested into additional FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares on the payment date
of each dividend. |
| (2) | The S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index is a total return index, the calculation of which
includes dividends and distributions reinvested. |
As noted in the graph above, during the
five year period noted, the total cumulative shareholder return for C$100 invested in FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares outperformed
the S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index. During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2012, the trend of the total cumulative
shareholder return for FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares was comparatively flat, and, during such time, Management and employees
did not earn cash bonuses pursuant to FirstService's annual performance bonus plan. However, in fiscal 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014,
the total cumulative shareholder return for C$100 invested in FirstService Subordinate Voting Shares outpaced or kept pace with
the S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index. In fiscal 2010, this was reflected in a 44% increase in adjusted diluted earnings
per share for fiscal 2010 (US$1.61) over the prior year (US$1.12, having regard to a cost containment charges) and, consequently,
an annual performance bonus was earned by each Named Executive Officer of FirstService in fiscal 2010. In fiscal 2011, this was
reflected in a 12.4% increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2011 (US$1.81) over the prior year (US$1.61), and
consequently, an annual performance bonus was earned by each Named Executive Officer of FirstService in fiscal 2011. In fiscal
2013, this was reflected in a 30% increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2013 (US$2.10) over the prior year
(US$1.62), and consequently, an annual performance bonus was earned by each Named Executive Officer of FirstService in fiscal 2013.
In fiscal 2014, this was reflected in a 29% increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2014 (US$2.71) over the
prior year (US$2.10), and consequently, an annual performance bonus was earned by each Named Executive Officer of FirstService
in fiscal 2014. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Base Salary" and "– Annual Bonus Incentive"
above in this Appendix "O".
Questions
and Further Assistance
If you have any questions about the information
contained in this document or require assistance in completing your proxy form, please contact our proxy solicitation agent:
![](kingsdale.jpg)
The Exchange Tower
130 King Street West, Suite 2950, P.O.
Box 361
Toronto, Ontario
M5X 1E2
www.kingsdaleshareholder.com
North American Toll Free Phone:
1-866-581-0506
Email: contactus@kingsdaleshareholder.com
Facsimile: 416-867-2271
Toll Free Facsimile: 1-866-545-5580
Outside North America, Banks and Brokers
Call Collect: 416-867-2272
Exhibit 99.2
FIRSTSERVICE CORPORATION
(“Corporation”)
FORM OF PROXY (“PROXY”)
Annual and Special Meeting
Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time)
The Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto-Dominion Centre,
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B2
(“Meeting”)
|
|
RECORD DATE: |
March 20, 2015 |
|
CONTROL NUMBER: |
|
|
SEQUENCE #: |
|
|
FILING DEADLINE FOR PROXY: |
Friday, April 17, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time) |
|
|
|
|
VOTING METHODS |
|
INTERNET |
Go to www.voteproxyonline.com and enter the 12 digit control number above |
|
FACSIMILE |
(416) 595-9593 |
|
MAIL or HAND DELIVERY |
TMX EQUITY TRANSFER SERVICES*
200 University Avenue, Suite 300,
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4H1 |
|
|
|
|
The
undersigned hereby appoints Peter F. Cohen, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or failing him, Douglas
G. Cooke, the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation (“Management
Nominees”), or instead of any of them, the following Appointee
![](image_007.gif)
as proxyholder on behalf of the undersigned
with the power of substitution to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned in respect of all matters that may
properly come before the Meeting and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, to the same extent and with the same power
as if the undersigned were personally present at the said Meeting or such adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof in accordance
with voting instructions, if any, provided below.
|
|
![](pcard.jpg)
![](image_010.jpg)
Proxy Voting - Guidelines and Conditions
![Yellow_Bar.wmf](image_010.gif)
| 1. | THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY MANAGEMENT OF THE CORPORATION.
|
| 2. | THIS PROXY SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MEETING MATERIALS PRIOR TO VOTING. |
| 3. | If you appoint the Management Nominees to vote your securities, they will vote in accordance
with your instructions or, if no instructions are given, in accordance with the Management Voting Recommendations highlighted for
each Resolution overleaf. If you appoint someone else to vote your securities, they will also vote in accordance with your instructions
or, if no instructions are given, as they in their discretion choose. |
| 4. | This proxy confers discretionary authority on the person named to vote in his or her discretion with respect
to amendments or variations to the matters identified in the Notice of the Meeting accompanying the proxy or such other matters
which may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
| 5. | Each security holder has the right to appoint a person other than the Management Nominees specified
herein to represent them at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Such right may be exercised by inserting
in the space labeled “Please print appointee name”, the name of the person to be appointed, who need not be
a security holder of the Corporation. |
| 6. | To be valid, this proxy must be signed. Please date the proxy. If the proxy is not dated, it is
deemed to bear the date of its being mailed to the security holders of the Corporation. |
| 7. | To be valid, this proxy must be filed using one of the Voting Methods and must
be received by TMX Equity Transfer Services* before the Filing Deadline for Proxies, noted overleaf or in the
case of any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting not less than 48 hours (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted) before
the time of the adjourned or postponed meeting. Late proxies may be accepted or rejected by the Chairman of the Meeting in his
discretion, and the Chairman is under no obligation to accept or reject any particular late proxy. |
| 8. | If the security holder is a corporation, the proxy must be executed by an officer or attorney thereof
duly authorized, and the security holder may be required to provide documentation evidencing the signatory’s power to sign
the proxy. |
Investor inSite
![Yellow_Bar.wmf](image_010.gif)
TMX Equity Transfer Services* offers at
no cost to security holders, the convenience of secure 24-hour access to all data relating to their account including summary of
holdings, transaction history, and links to valuable security holder forms and Frequently Asked Questions.
To register, please visit
www.tmxequitytransferservices.com/investorinsite
Click on, “Register Online Now”
and complete the registration form. Call us toll free at 1-866-393-4891 with any questions.
*TMX Equity Transfer Services Inc. is operating
the transfer agency and corporate trust business in the name of Equity Financial Trust Company for a transitional period.
TMXEquityTransferServices.com
VANCOUVER CALGARY TORONTO MONTRÉAL |
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