TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. (“GreenFirst”, the "Company") (TSX: GFP) announced today that the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has approved the adoption of a shareholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”) pursuant to a shareholder rights plan agreement entered into with Computershare Investor Services Inc., as Rights Agent, dated November 17, 2022 (the “Effective Date”). The Rights Plan is substantially similar to shareholder rights plans adopted by other Canadian issuers and the Rights Plan is not being adopted in response to any specific proposal to acquire control of the Company, and the Board is not aware of any pending or threatened take-over bid for the Company. The adoption of the Rights Plan is intended to ensure, to the extent possible, that all shareholders of the Company are treated fairly in connection with any unsolicited take-over bid or other acquisition of control of or a significant interest in the Company and to protect against acquisitions of control of the Company through purchases of common shares that are exempt from applicable Canadian take-over bid rules, also referred to as "creeping" take-over bids.
The Rights Plan is subject to the acceptance of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”). While the Rights Plan is effective as of the Effective Date, it is subject to shareholder ratification within six months of its adoption, failing which it will terminate. The Board intends to recommend the ratification of the Rights Plan for approval by its shareholders at the Company’s next meeting of shareholders. If ratified by shareholders within six months, the Rights Plan will remain in effect until the close of the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders. In accordance with the terms of the Rights Plan, one right (a “Right”) will be issued and attached to each common share of the Company (a “Common Share”) outstanding as of the record time under the Rights Plan. A Right will also be attached to each Common Share issued after the Effective Date in accordance with the terms of the Rights Plan. The issuance of the Rights will not change the manner in which shareholders trade their Common Shares and the Rights will automatically attach to the Common Shares with no further action by shareholders being required. Subject to the terms of the Rights Plan, the Rights issued under the Rights Plan become exercisable only if a person (the “Acquiring Person”), together with certain parties related to such person, acquires or announces its intention to acquire beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Common Shares without complying with the “Permitted Bid” provisions of the Rights Plan. The Rights under the Rights Plan will not be exercisable solely by having beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Common Shares by a “Grandfathered Person” (as defined in the Rights Plan), as any such person would be “grandfathered” subject to the terms and conditions of the Rights Plan; however, subsequent acquisitions of Common Shares by a “Grandfathered Person” may cause such person to become an Acquiring Person pursuant to the terms of the Rights Plan. Following a transaction that results in a person becoming an Acquiring Person, the Rights entitle the holder thereof (other than the Acquiring Person and certain related parties) to purchase Common Shares at a significant discount to the market price at that time. Under the Rights Plan, a “Permitted Bid” is a take-over bid made in compliance with the Canadian take-over bid regime. Specifically, a Permitted Bid is a take-over bid that is made to all shareholders, that is open for 105 days (or such shorter period as is permitted under the bid regime) and that contains certain conditions, including that no shares will be taken up and paid for unless 50% of the shares that are held by independent shareholders are tendered to the take-over bid. Taking up Common Shares pursuant to a Permitted Bid would not trigger the Rights Plan. Customary permitted lock-up agreements are also provided for. The description of the Rights Plan in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Rights Plan, which is available under GreenFirst’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
About GreenFirst
GreenFirst Forest Products is a forest-first business, focused on sustainable forest management and lumber production. The Company owns 7 sawmills and 1 paper mill across Ontario and Quebec. GreenFirst is a significant lumber producer in Canada. GreenFirst’s mills are located in rich wood baskets proudly operating over 9.1 million hectares of FSC® certified public and private Canadian forestlands (FSC®-C167905). The Company believes that responsible forest practices, coupled with the long-term green advantage of lumber, provide GreenFirst with significant cyclical and secular advantages in building products. GreenFirst’s long-term vision is to be a leader in the global forestry industry.
Forward Looking Information
Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “potential”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and, while GreenFirst considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. In addition, forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including those set out in GreenFirst’s public disclosure record filed under its profile on www.sedar.com. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect our expectations as of the date hereof, and thus are subject to change thereafter. GreenFirst disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
