Mergers and Acquisitions

TPG in its agreement to form a partnership and acquire the Cirque du Soleil.

TPG Capital LP
Key Contact
Mark Brender

Partner, Tax, Montréal

Team
Alain Fournier

Partner, Tax, Montréal

Michelle Lally

Partner, Competition/Antitrust and Foreign Investment, Toronto

Kaeleigh Kuzma

Partner, Competition/Antitrust and Foreign Investment, Calgary

Etienne Massicotte

Partner, Financial Services, Montréal

Hugo-Pierre Gagnon

Partner, Corporate, Montréal

On July 8, 2015, TPG Capital LP (“TPG”), a global private investment firm, acquired a majority stake in Cirque du Soleil (“Cirque”), Canada’s iconic entertainment company, for an undisclosed amount.

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec along with Fosun Capital Group, one of China’s leading privately-owned investment groups, also acquired a minority stake in Cirque. In addition, Mitch Garber, Chair of the Cirque Board, Claridge, Stephen Bronfman’s family investment arm, and Cirque President and CEO Daniel Lamarre acquired ownership stakes.

Cirque founder Guy Laliberté will keep a minority stake in Cirque and continue to provide creative and strategic direction. The entertainment company will remain headquartered in Montreal, and Daniel Lamarre will continue as president and chief executive officer.

Since Cirque’s inception in 1984, its famous blue and yellow tents have attracted almost 160 million spectators in more than 330 cities in 48 countries.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP represented TPG with a team that included Robert Yalden, Clay Horner and Christopher Main (Corporate); Mark Brender and Alain Fournier (Tax); Michelle Lally and Kaeleigh Kuzma (Competition & Antitrust and Investment Canada Act), Etienne Massicotte (Financial Services) and Hugo-Pierre Gagnon (Corporate).

Value
-
Date Closed
July 8, 2015
Lead Office
Montreal
Key Contact
Mark Brender

Partner, Tax, Montréal

Team
Alain Fournier

Partner, Tax, Montréal

Michelle Lally

Partner, Competition/Antitrust and Foreign Investment, Toronto

Kaeleigh Kuzma

Partner, Competition/Antitrust and Foreign Investment, Calgary

Etienne Massicotte

Partner, Financial Services, Montréal

Hugo-Pierre Gagnon

Partner, Corporate, Montréal