Osler advises on six of Lexpert’s top 10 deals of 2016

Feb 2017

Osler is proud to have advised on six of Lexpert’s top 10 deals of 2016, including the three top-ranked transactions on the list — Fortis Inc. in its US$11.3 billion acquisition of ITC Holdings Corp., Canadian Oil Sands Limited in its $6.6 billion acquisition by Suncor Energy Inc., and Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc. in its $1.4 billion acquisition by Vail Resorts, Inc.

Noralee Bradley, a partner in Osler’s Corporate Practice Group, was part of the team that acted for Canadian Oil Sands Limited.

“The transaction was both interesting and challenging from the COS perspective given the share consideration resulted in moving values for both COS and Suncor shares while the bid was in the market,” Noralee tells Lexpert. “COS had a single asset [operated independently by Syncrude/Imperial] in which both parties were joint-venture participants and large shareholders were commenting publicly on the deal.”

Osler advised on the following six transactions in Lexpert’s top 10 deals of 2016:

  1. Fortis Inc.’s acquisition of ITC Holdings Corp.
    Osler advised Goldman Sachs Canada, Inc. (financial advisor to Fortis Inc.)
  2. Suncor Energy Inc.’s acquisition of Canadian Oil Sands Limited
    Osler advised Canadian Oil Sands Limited
  3. Vail Resorts, Inc.’s acquisition of Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc.
    Osler advised Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc.
  4. BCE Inc.’s acquisition of Q9 Networks Inc.
    Osler advised Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (Q9 Networks Inc.’s shareholder)
  5. Corus Entertainment Inc.’s acquisition of Shaw Media Inc.
    Osler advised Corus Entertainment Inc.
  6. Sprott Asset Management LP’s takeover of Central Goldtrust
    Osler advised Purpose Investments Inc. (the white knight on the transaction)

Read more about Lexpert’s top 10 deals of 2016.

*Lexpert’s methodology: The magazine’s list of the top 10 deals of the year is unlike the league tables, which are ranked mainly by size of the transactions. The Lexpert list identifies deals that have significant Canadian legal content, represent a trend, illustrate some aspect of the year’s economic climate or foretell things to come. There is no minimum size or preferred structure. These deals “lean more toward ‘lawyers’ deals’ in the sense that they comprise compelling legal issues.”