Defamation lawsuits as a defence to shareholder activism

Activist investors engaged in proxy fights typically mount aggressive public relations campaigns in order to undermine shareholder confidence in a target company’s performance and leadership, whether through social media, online forums or by using the more traditional PR channels. In response, target companies have turned to a number of defensive measures, many of which have … Continue reading

Re Hemostemix Inc: Alberta Securities Commission upholds decision of TSXV in contested private placement

By Trevor Zeyl on February 27, 2017 Posted in Securities, Shareholder Activism

Following recent amendments to Canada’s takeover bid rules, private placements in the face of hostile bids have become newly controversial. Private placements in the context of proxy contests have received less attention. Yet this is somewhat surprising, because they are another facet of the same underlying question: whether regulators should allow a financing that may … Continue reading

Tactical defenses by targets: OSC and BCSC defer to target board decision to implement private placement in face of hostile bid

By Andrea Brewer and Kassy Corothers (Calgary) on November 14, 2016 Posted in Shareholder Activism

Further to our post on the Dolly Varden Silver Corp. (Dolly Varden) and Hecla Mining Co. (Hecla) decision, the Ontario and British Columbia Securities Commissions (the Commissions) recently released their reasons for their decision in July, 2016 (the Reasons) allowing Dolly Varden to proceed with a proposed private placement announced shortly after Hecla launched a … Continue reading