THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS IS
NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS ARE NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE NOTES AND ARE NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER
TO BUY THESE NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT
PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED MARCH 22, 2004
Filed pursuant to the General
Instruction II.K of Form F-9;
File No. 333-101140
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 30, 2003)
[GRAPHIC]
TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED
US$
% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2034
INTEREST PAYABLE AND
ISSUE PRICE:
The notes will mature on , 2034. Interest will accrue from , 2004.
We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at the redemption price
described under "Description of the Notes - Optional Redemption" in this
prospectus supplement.
WE ARE PERMITTED, UNDER A MULTIJURISDICTIONAL DISCLOSURE SYSTEM ADOPTED BY THE
UNITED STATES, TO PREPARE THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CANADIAN DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS. YOU SHOULD BE
AWARE THAT SUCH REQUIREMENTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN HAVE BEEN PREPARED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH CANADIAN GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND ARE
SUBJECT TO CANADIAN AUDITING AND AUDITOR INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS, AND AS A RESULT
MAY NOT BE COMPARABLE TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UNITED STATES COMPANIES.
OWNING THE NOTES MAY HAVE TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR YOU BOTH IN THE UNITED STATES AND
CANADA. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS MAY NOT
DESCRIBE THESE TAX CONSEQUENCES FULLY. YOU SHOULD READ THE TAX DISCUSSION UNDER
"CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS" IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
YOUR ABILITY TO ENFORCE CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL
SECURITIES LAWS MAY BE AFFECTED ADVERSELY BECAUSE WE ARE INCORPORATED OR
ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF CANADA, SOME OR ALL OF OUR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
MAY BE RESIDENTS OF CANADA, SOME OR ALL OF THE EXPERTS NAMED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS MAY BE RESIDENTS OF CANADA AND A
SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR ASSETS AND ALL OR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE ASSETS
OF THOSE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EXPERTS MAY BE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE
UNITED STATES.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
REGULATOR HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES, OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRICE TO UNDERWRITING
PUBLIC COMMISSION PROCEEDS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Note % % %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total US$ US$ US$
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently there is no
public market for the notes.
We expect to deliver the notes to investors through the book-entry delivery
system of The Depository Trust Company on or about March , 2004.
UNDER APPLICABLE CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, WE MAY BE CONSIDERED TO BE A
CONNECTED ISSUER OF J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. ("JPMORGAN"), CITIGROUP GLOBAL
MARKETS INC., DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC., HSBC SECURITIES (USA) INC., BANC
ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC., SG COWEN SECURITIES CORPORATION AND MITSUBISHI
SECURITIES (USA), INC., EACH OF WHICH IS A SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE OF A BANK
WHICH IS A LENDER TO THE CORPORATION. SEE "UNDERWRITING".
SOLE BOOKRUNNER
JPMORGAN
----------------
CITIGROUP
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES
HSBC
BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
SG COWEN
LAZARD
March , 2004
IMPORTANT NOTICE
ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement,
which describes the specific terms of the notes we are offering. The second
part, the base shelf prospectus, gives more general information, some of which
may not apply to the notes we are offering. The accompanying base shelf
prospectus, dated May 30, 2003, is referred to as the "prospectus" in this
prospectus supplement. References in this prospectus supplement to "we", "us",
"our", or the "Corporation" refer to TransCanada PipeLines Limited.
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE
NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION. WE ARE NOT
MAKING AN OFFER OF THE NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER IS NOT
PERMITTED. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
IF THE DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES VARIES BETWEEN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND
THE PROSPECTUS, YOU SHOULD RELY ON THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
PAGE
--------
Exchange rate data.......................................... S-1
Special note regarding forward-looking statements........... S-2
Documents incorporated by reference......................... S-2
The Corporation............................................. S-4
Recent developments......................................... S-5
Selected consolidated financial data........................ S-6
Use of proceeds............................................. S-8
Earnings coverage........................................... S-8
Description of the notes.................................... S-9
Certain income tax considerations........................... S-14
Credit ratings.............................................. S-17
Underwriting................................................ S-18
Legal matters............................................... S-20
Auditors' Consent........................................... S-20
PROSPECTUS
PAGE
--------
Documents Incorporated by Reference......................... 2
Certain Available Information............................... 4
Forward-Looking Statements.................................. 4
The Corporation............................................. 5
Use of Proceeds............................................. 5
Earnings Coverage........................................... 5
Description of Debt Securities.............................. 5
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities............................ 16
Certain Income Tax Considerations........................... 16
Plan of Distribution........................................ 16
Risk Factors................................................ 17
Legal Matters............................................... 18
Experts..................................................... 18
Documents Filed as Part of the Registration Statement....... 18
i
EXCHANGE RATE DATA
We publish our consolidated financial statements in Canadian dollars. In this
prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise
requires, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars and references to
"Cdn.$" or "$" are to Canadian dollars and references to "US$" are to
United States dollars.
The following table sets forth certain exchange rates based on the noon buying
rate in Toronto, Ontario as reported by the Bank of Canada. Such rates are set
forth as United States dollars per Cdn.$1.00 and are the inverse of rates quoted
by the Bank of Canada for Canadian dollars per US$1.00. On March 19, 2004, the
inverse of the noon buying rate was US$0.7513 per Cdn.$1.00.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
2002 2003
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Low......................................................... 0.6199 0.7738
High........................................................ 0.6618 0.6350
Average(1).................................................. 0.6371 0.7206
Period end.................................................. 0.6331 0.7738
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The average of the daily exchange rates on the last day of each month during
the applicable period.
S-1
SPECIAL NOTE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like
"believes", "intends", "expects", "may", "will", "should", or "anticipates", or
the negative equivalents of those words or comparable terminology, and by
discussions of strategies that involve risks and uncertainties.
The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance,
development and results of our business are set forth in our Renewal Annual
Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2003, under the heading "Risk
Factors", which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
Given these risks and uncertainties of our business, as well as those
incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus under the heading "Risk
Factors", actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied
by forward-looking statements. In addition, we base forward-looking statements
on assumptions about future events, which may not prove to be accurate. In light
of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, prospective investors should be
aware that the forward-looking statements described in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement may not occur.
We cannot assure prospective investors that our future results, levels of
activity and achievements will occur as we expect, and we do not, nor does any
other person, assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the
forward-looking statements. We have no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
We file with the securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the
provinces and territories of Canada, material change, annual and quarterly
reports and other information. We are subject to the informational requirements
of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")
and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, we also file certain reports with and
furnish other information to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"). Under the multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the
United States and Canada, these reports and other information may be prepared in
accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada, which differ from those
in the United States. These documents are available through the internet on the
SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR) which can
be accessed at www.sec.gov.
This prospectus supplement is deemed to be incorporated by reference into the
accompanying prospectus only for the purpose of the offering of the notes
offered hereunder. The following documents, filed by us with the various
securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces and
territories of Canada and with the SEC, are specifically incorporated by
S-2
reference in and form an integral part of this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus:
(a) Consolidated comparative audited financial statements as at and for the
year ended December 31, 2003, the notes thereto, and the auditors' report
thereon;
(b) Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations as at and for the year ended December 31, 2003;
(c) Renewal Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2003
dated February 24, 2004 (the "Annual Information Form");
(d) Annual Filing of Reporting Issuer for the year ended December 31, 2003
dated February 24, 2004 (excluding the sections entitled "Composition of
the Human Resources Committee", "Report on Executive Compensation" and
"Performance Graph", which shall be deemed not to be incorporated by
reference in the prospectus or this prospectus supplement); and
(e) Material change report dated March 5, 2004 relating to the acquisition
of Gas Transmission Northwest Corporation.
Any documents of the type referred to above filed by us with the securities
regulatory authorities in Canada after the date of this prospectus supplement
and prior to the termination of any offering hereunder shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. These documents are
available through the internet on the System for Electronic Document Analysis
and Retrieval (SEDAR) which can be accessed at www.sedar.com.
We will provide without charge to each person to whom this prospectus supplement
is delivered, including any beneficial owner, upon written or oral request of
such person, a copy of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated herein
by reference (other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). Requests should be
directed to TransCanada PipeLines Limited, 450 - 1st Street S.W., Calgary,
Alberta, Canada, T2P 5H1, Attention: Corporate Secretary,
telephone number (403) 920-2000.
ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS OR IN ANY
DOCUMENT INCORPORATED OR DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN OR
THEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO BE MODIFIED OR SUPERSEDED FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO THE EXTENT THAT A STATEMENT CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER SUBSEQUENTLY FILED DOCUMENT WHICH ALSO IS
OR IS DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN MODIFIES OR SUPERSEDES THAT
STATEMENT. ANY STATEMENT SO MODIFIED OR SUPERSEDED WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A PART OF
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, EXCEPT AS SO MODIFIED OR
SUPERSEDED.
S-3
THE CORPORATION
On May 15, 2003, we completed a reorganization (pursuant to a statutory plan of
arrangement) whereby we became a wholly-owned subsidiary of a new holding
company, TransCanada Corporation. Pursuant to this arrangement, each of our
issued and outstanding common shares was exchanged for one common share of
TransCanada Corporation.
We operate primarily in two business segments: Gas Transmission and Power. The
Gas Transmission segment of our business includes the operation of the Alberta
System, the Canadian Mainline, the Foothills System and the BC System. The Gas
Transmission segment also includes our other investments in natural gas
pipelines located in Canada and the United States. The Power segment of our
business includes the construction, ownership, operation and management of power
plants and the marketing of electricity and provides electricity account
services to energy and industrial customers. The Power segment operates in
Canada and the United States. Our significant subsidiaries as of December 31,
2003 are listed under the heading "The Company - Subsidiaries" to the Annual
Information Form. Our registered office and executive offices are located at
450 - 1st Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 5H1.
S-4
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On February 24, 2004 National Energy & Gas Transmission, Inc. ("NEGT") and
TransCanada Corporation ("TCC") announced an agreement for us to acquire,
through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Gas Transmission Northwest
Corporation ("GTN") for US$1.703 billion, including US$500 million of assumed
debt and subject to typical closing adjustments.
GTN is a natural gas pipeline company that owns and operates two pipeline
systems. The main system consists of more than 1,350 miles (2,174 kilometres) of
pipeline extending from a point near Kingsgate, British Columbia, on the British
Columbia-Idaho border, to a point near Malin, Oregon on the Oregon-California
border. The natural gas transported on this pipeline originates primarily from
supplies in Canada for customers located in the Pacific Northwest, Nevada and
California. The other pipeline is an 80-mile (128-kilometre) system that extends
from a point near Ehrenberg, Arizona to a point near Ogilby, California on the
California-Baja California, Mexico border. The natural gas transported on this
system comes primarily from supplies in the southwestern United States for
markets in Northern Baja California, Mexico. The sale of the latter pipeline is
subject to a right of first refusal by another company.
Because NEGT voluntarily filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the
U.S. Bankruptcy Code in July 2003, the sale of GTN to us will be subject to
bankruptcy court approval, and will include a court-sanctioned auction process
in accordance with customary bidding procedures approved by the bankruptcy
court. Under this auction, NEGT will seek offers that are higher or otherwise
better than the one negotiated with TCC. As part of the agreement, TCC was
granted certain protections, subject to court approval, most notably a break fee
and expense reimbursement if another bid is accepted. TCC also retains the right
to amend its offer should NEGT receive an offer which is superior to NEGT's
existing agreement with TCC. The agreement contemplates that final bankruptcy
court approval of the sale will be obtained within 75 days after signing of the
agreement. The agreement is also subject to bankruptcy court approval of the
NEGT Plan of Reorganization. Approval of NEGT's Plan could occur at a date later
than the receipt of court approval of the sale. The sale is also subject to
anti-trust review and the satisfaction of numerous closing conditions.
S-5
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data and other
data as at the dates or for the periods indicated. Our consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles ("Canadian GAAP"). The financial data should be read in
conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and
Management's Discussion and Analysis included in the documents described under
"Documents Incorporated by Reference" in this prospectus supplement. Historical
results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for
any future period.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
2003 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(AUDITED)
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS DATA
Revenues.................................................... 5,357 5,214
Operating expenses
Cost of sales............................................. 692 627
Other costs and expenses.................................. 1,682 1,546
Depreciation.............................................. 914 848
----- -----
3,288 3,021
----- -----
Operating income............................................ 2,069 2,193
Other expenses/(income)
Equity income............................................. (165) (33)
Financial charges(1)...................................... 838 904
----- -----
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and
non-controlling interests................................. 1,396 1,322
Income taxes................................................ 535 517
Non-controlling interests................................... 2 -
----- -----
Net income from continuing operations....................... 859 805
Net income from discontinued operations..................... 50 -
----- -----
Net income.................................................. 909 805
Preferred securities charges................................ 36 36
Preferred share dividends................................... 22 22
----- -----
Net income applicable to common shares...................... 851 747
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes financial charges of joint ventures and interest and other income.
S-6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
2003 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(AUDITED)
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
CASH FLOW DATA
Funds generated from continuing operations.................. 1,810 1,827
Capital expenditures and acquisitions
Continuing operations..................................... 961 814
Discontinued operations................................... - 13
Dividends and preferred securities charges.................. 588 546
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
2003 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(AUDITED)
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Cash and short-term investments............................. 337 212
Plant, property and equipment
Gas Transmission.......................................... 16,098 16,098
Power..................................................... 1,303 1,334
Corporate................................................. 50 64
Total assets
Continuing operations..................................... 20,530 19,827
Discontinued operations................................... 11 139
Notes payable............................................... 367 297
Current portion of long-term debt........................... 550 517
Current portion of non-recourse debt of joint ventures...... 19 75
Long-term debt.............................................. 9,465 8,815
Non-recourse debt of joint ventures......................... 761 1,222
Preferred securities (debt portion)......................... 22 238
Preferred securities (equity portion)....................... 672 674
Preferred shares............................................ 389 389
Common shareholders' equity................................. 6,044 5,747
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S-7
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds of the offering of the notes, after deducting
the estimated expenses of the offering, will be approximately US$ million. We
intend to use all of the net proceeds of this offering to repay outstanding
indebtedness. Pending this use, the net proceeds may be invested in short-term
marketable securities.
EARNINGS COVERAGE
The following financial ratios have been calculated on a consolidated basis for
the 12 month period ended December 31, 2003 and are based on audited financial
information. The following ratios give effect to the issue of the notes pursuant
to this prospectus supplement as if the notes had been issued as of
December 31, 2003. The financial ratios have been calculated based on financial
information prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on net income including discontinued operations:
Earnings coverage on long-term debt(1).................... times
Based on net income from continuing operations:
Earnings coverage on long-term debt(1).................... times
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) The above ratios have been calculated without including the annual carrying
charges relating to the equity component of the Corporation's outstanding
preferred securities. If the equity component of the preferred securities
were classified as debt as they would be under U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles, the entire carrying charges of the preferred
securities would be included in interest obligations. If these annual
carrying charges had been included in the calculations, the earnings
coverage on long-term debt based on net income including discontinued
operations would have been times for the 12 month period ended
December 31, 2003; and the earnings coverage on long-term debt based on net
income from continuing operations would have been times for the
12 month period ended December 31, 2003.
Our interest requirements on long-term debt, after giving effect to the issue of
the notes to be distributed under this prospectus supplement, amounted to $
million for the 12 months ended December 31, 2003. Our net income including
discontinued operations before interest and income tax for the 12 months ended
December 31, 2003 was $2,359 million, which is times our pro forma
interest requirement for this period; and our net income from continuing
operations before interest and income tax for the 12 months ended December 31,
2003 was $2,280 million, which is times our pro forma interest requirement
for this period.
S-8
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The notes will be issued under an amended and restated debt indenture, dated as
of November 30, 2000, as supplemented or amended from time to time (the
"Indenture"), between the Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. The
following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture and the notes does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
actual provisions of the Indenture.
The following description of the terms of the notes offered hereby supplements,
and to the extent inconsistent therewith supersedes, the description of the
general terms and provisions of debt securities set forth under the heading
"Description of Debt Securities" in the accompanying prospectus, and should be
read in conjunction with that description.
GENERAL
The trustee under the Indenture shall be referred to herein as the "Trustee",
which term shall include, unless the context otherwise requires, its successors
and assigns. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings given to them in the Indenture. The term "debt securities", as used in
this prospectus supplement, refers to all debt securities issued and issuable
from time to time under the Indenture and includes the notes.
The notes will be issued under the Indenture in a single series in an aggregate
principal amount of US$ . The notes will mature on , 2034.
The notes will bear interest at a rate of % per year. Interest will be
payable semi-annually on and of each year, commencing , 2004,
to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close of business
on the preceding or , respectively. The principal and interest on
the notes will be paid in lawful money of the United States in the manner and on
terms set out in the Indenture.
We may from time to time without notice to, or the consent of, the holders of
the notes, create and issue additional notes under the Indenture, equal in rank
to the notes in all respects so that the new notes may be consolidated and
form a single series with the notes and have the same terms as to status,
redemption and otherwise as the notes issued under this prospectus supplement.
The notes will be direct unsecured obligations of the Corporation, issued under
the Indenture and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Corporation other than preferred claims imposed by statute.
In addition, our business operations are conducted in part through our
subsidiaries and through joint ventures. As a result, the notes will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our
subsidiaries and joint ventures. As at December 31, 2003, the long-term debt
(excluding guarantees and intercompany obligations between the Corporation and
its subsidiaries) of the Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiaries totaled
approximately $2.336 billion. At December 31, 2003, as determined under Canadian
GAAP, the Corporation's total consolidated long-term debt, long-term debt due
within one year and amount of outstanding preferred securities and junior
subordinated debentures was, in aggregate principal amount, approximately
$10.037 billion (excluding the Corporation's proportionate share of non-recourse
debt of joint ventures). There are no terms of the Indenture that limit the
ability of the Corporation or its subsidiaries or joint ventures to incur
additional indebtedness, including in the case of the
S-9
Corporation and its subsidiaries and joint ventures, indebtedness that ranks,
either effectively or by contract, senior to the notes. See "Description of Debt
Securities - Unsubordinated Debt" and "Description of Debt Securities - Certain
Covenants of the Corporation" in the accompanying prospectus.
The notes will be denominated in United States dollars and payments of principal
(and premium, if any) and interest on the notes will be made in United States
dollars.
The notes will not be entitled to any benefits of a sinking fund.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option at any time or
from time to time at a redemption price equal to the greater of:
- 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, and
- as determined by the Quotation Agent (as defined below), the sum of the
present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and
interest on the notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of the
payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption), discounted to
the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate (as
defined below) plus basis points,
plus, in either case, accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.
Notice of any redemption will be delivered by first-class mail at least
30 days, but not more than 60 days, before the redemption date to each holder of
the notes to be redeemed.
Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the
redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions of the
notes called for redemption.
"ADJUSTED TREASURY RATE" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate
per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated
(on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for
the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal
amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for the redemption date.
"COMPARABLE TREASURY ISSUE" means the United States Treasury security or
securities selected by the Quotation Agent as having an actual or interpolated
maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed that would
be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial
practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable
maturity to the remaining term of the notes.
"COMPARABLE TREASURY PRICE" means, with respect to any redemption date, (i) the
average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date,
after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations, or (ii) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
"QUOTATION AGENT" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers, which is
appointed by the Trustee after consultation with us.
S-10
"REFERENCE TREASURY DEALER" means JPMorgan plus four others or their affiliates
which are primary U.S. Government securities dealers and their respective
successors, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing or their affiliates
shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City
(a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), we shall substitute another Primary Treasury
Dealer.
"REFERENCE TREASURY DEALER QUOTATIONS" means, with respect to each Reference
Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the
Quotation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Quotation Agent by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m.
(New York time) on the third business day preceding such redemption date.
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
Payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the notes will
be made by the Corporation through the Trustee to the Depositary (as defined
below). See "Description of the Notes - Book-Entry System".
"BUSINESS DAY" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a
legal holiday nor a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by
law, regulation or executive order to close in The City of New York.
Interest payments for the notes will include accrued interest from and including
the date of issue or from and including the last date in respect of which
interest has been paid, as the case may be, to, but excluding, the interest
payment date or the date of maturity, as the case may be. If any interest
payment date or the maturity date of the notes falls on a day that is not a
Business Day, the related payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest
will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest on such
payment will accrue for the period from and after such interest payment date or
the maturity date, as the case may be.
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
The notes will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities
(the "Global Securities") registered in the name of Cede & Co. (the nominee of
The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary")), or such other name as may be
requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary. The authorized
denominations of each note will be US$1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The
provisions set forth under "Description of Debt Securities - Global Securities"
in the accompanying prospectus will be applicable to the notes. Accordingly,
notes may be transferred or exchanged only through the Depositary and its
participants. Except as described under "Description of Debt Securities - Global
Securities" in the accompanying prospectus, owners of beneficial interests in
the Global Securities will not be entitled to receive notes in definitive form.
Each person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Security must rely on the
procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is not a participant, on the
procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest in
order to exercise any rights of a holder under the Indenture. The laws of some
jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of such securities in certificated form. Such limits and such laws may
impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security
representing the notes.
S-11
The following is based on information furnished by the Depositary:
The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York
Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The
Depositary holds securities that its participants ("Participants") deposit with
the Depositary. The Depositary also facilitates the settlement among
Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in
deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
securities certificates. These direct Participants ("Direct Participants")
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. The Depositary is owned by a
number of its Direct Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the
American Stock Exchange LLC, and the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Access to the Depositary's system is also available to others such
as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly
or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules applicable to the Depositary
and its Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Purchases of the notes under the Depositary's system must be made by or through
Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for such notes on the
Depositary's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each
note represented by a Global Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be
recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners
will not receive written confirmation from the Depositary of their purchase.
Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations
providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their
holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participants through which such Beneficial
Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in a Global
Security representing notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the books
of Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners of a
Global Security representing the notes will not receive notes in definitive form
representing their ownership interests therein, except in the event that use of
the book-entry system for such notes is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, the Global Securities representing the notes
which are deposited with the Depositary are registered in the name of the
Depositary's nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an
authorized representative of the Depositary. The deposit of Global Securities
with the Depositary and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such
other nominee effect no change in beneficial ownership. The Depositary has no
knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Global Securities representing
the notes; the Depositary's records reflect only the identity of the Direct
Participants to whose accounts such notes are credited, which may or may not be
the Beneficial Owners. The Participants will remain responsible for keeping
account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Depositary to Direct
Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct
Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time.
S-12
Neither the Depositary nor Cede & Co. (nor such other nominee of the Depositary)
will consent or vote with respect to the Global Securities representing the
notes. Under its usual procedures, the Depositary mails an "omnibus proxy" to
the Corporation as soon as possible after the applicable record date. The
omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct
Participants to whose accounts the notes are credited on the applicable record
date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on the Global Securities
representing the notes will be made to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may
be requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary). The
Depositary's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts, upon the
Depositary's receipt of funds and corresponding detailed information from the
Corporation or the applicable Trustee, on the applicable payment date in
accordance with their respective holdings shown on the Depositary's records.
Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for
the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name", and
will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of the Depositary, the
applicable Trustee or the Corporation, subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal,
premium, if any, and interest to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be
requested by an authorized representative of the Depositary) is the
responsibility of the Corporation or the applicable Trustee, disbursement of
such payments to Direct Participants shall be the responsibility of the
Depositary, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners shall be
the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
The Depositary may discontinue providing its services as securities depository
with respect to the notes at any time by giving reasonable notice to the
Corporation or the Trustee. Under such circumstances, in the event that a
successor securities depository is not obtained, notes in definitive form are
required to be printed and delivered to each holder.
The Corporation may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through the Depositary (or a successor securities depository). In that
event, notes in definitive form will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning the Depositary and the Depositary's
book-entry system has been obtained from sources that the Corporation believes
to be reliable, but is subject to any changes to the arrangements between the
Corporation and the Depositary and any changes to such procedures that may be
instituted unilaterally by the Depositary.
S-13
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
CERTAIN UNITED STATES INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes by
U.S. Holders (as defined below). The summary is for general information only and
is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the
Treasury regulations promulgated or proposed thereunder, and judicial and
administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect on the date hereof and
all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect). The tax
treatment of a holder of the notes may vary depending upon the particular
situation of the holder. Certain holders (including, but not limited to,
insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, persons
subject to the alternative minimum tax, U.S. persons whose functional currency
is not the U.S. dollar, holders that are not U.S. Holders, traders in securities
that elect mark-to-market accounting treatment, broker-dealers in securities or
holders who will hold the notes as a hedge against currency risks or as part of
a straddle, synthetic security, conversion transaction, or other integrated
investment comprised of the notes and one or more other investments) may be
subject to special rules not discussed below. The following summary is
applicable only to purchasers of the notes on original issue at the issue price
and does not address other purchasers. In addition, the summary is limited to
investors who will hold the notes as "capital assets" within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the Code. The discussion below also does not address the effect
of any state, local or non-U.S. law on a holder of the notes.
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means an individual who is a citizen or
resident of the United States, a corporation or other entity treated as a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes organized in or under the laws
of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, an estate
that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation without regard to the source of
its income, or a trust if, in general, a court within the United States is able
to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or
more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust, or the trust has elected to be treated as a U.S. person. If a partnership
(including for this purpose any other entity, organized within or without the
United States, treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes)
holds notes, the tax treatment of a partner as beneficial owner of notes
generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the
partnership. The summary does not constitute, and should not be considered as,
legal or tax advice to holders of notes. Each holder of the notes should consult
a tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to such holder of holding
the notes, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign
tax laws.
PAYMENTS OF INTEREST
Interest on a note will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income
at the time it is accrued or is received in accordance with the U.S. Holder's
method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Interest on the notes
will constitute income from sources without the United States and generally will
be treated as "passive" or "financial services" income for purposes of computing
the foreign tax credit allowable under the U.S. federal income tax laws.
S-14
SALE AND RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES
A U.S. Holder will recognize a gain or loss on the sale or retirement of a note
equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or retirement
(except to the extent of accrued and unpaid interest, which will be taxable as
such) and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the note (generally, the price the
U.S. Holder paid for the note). As a general rule, such gain or loss recognized
on the sale or retirement of a note will be capital gain or loss and will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the note was held for more than one year. Such
income or loss will constitute income or loss from sources within the
United States for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable under
the U.S. federal income tax laws.
For noncorporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, the excess of net
long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses generally is taxed at
a lower rate (currently at a maximum rate of 15%) than ordinary income. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitation.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
A U.S. Holder of a note may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a
rate of 28%) with respect to payments of principal and interest made on the
note, or the proceeds of a sale or exchange of the note before maturity, unless
such U.S. Holder (a) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt
categories and, when required, certifies to this fact or (b) provides a
U.S. taxpayer identification number, certifies that such U.S. Holder is not
subject to backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable
requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. Holder of a note that does
not provide us with a correct U.S. taxpayer identification number or an adequate
basis for exemption may be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue
Service. The backup withholding tax is not an additional tax and will be
credited against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the
required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
CERTAIN CANADIAN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is, as of the date hereof, a general summary of the principal
Canadian federal income tax considerations under the INCOME TAX ACT (Canada)
(the "Tax Act") applicable to a purchaser of notes pursuant to the prospectus
and this prospectus supplement who, at all relevant times, for purposes of the
Tax Act and any applicable tax treaty, is not resident or deemed to be resident
in Canada, deals with the Corporation at arm's length and does not use or hold
and is not deemed to use or hold a note in carrying on business in Canada (a
"Non-Resident Holder"). This summary is based on the current provisions of the
Tax Act and the regulations thereunder, proposed amendments to the Tax Act and
the regulations thereunder publicly announced prior to the date of this
prospectus supplement (the "Proposed Amendments") and on counsel's understanding
of the current administrative practices of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
in effect as of the date hereof. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible
Canadian federal income tax considerations applicable to a Non-Resident Holder
and does not anticipate any changes in law or administrative practice, nor does
it take into account provincial, territorial or foreign tax considerations,
which may differ significantly from those discussed herein. Special rules, which
are not discussed below, may apply to a non-resident that is an insurer which
carries on business in Canada and elsewhere.
S-15
This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should
it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular holder, and no
representations with respect to the income tax consequences to any particular
holder are made. Accordingly, prospective purchasers of notes should consult
their own tax advisors for advice with respect to the tax consequences to them
of acquiring, holding and disposing of notes.
Under the Tax Act the payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, to a
Non-Resident Holder of a note will be exempt from Canadian non-resident
withholding tax. No other taxes on income or capital gains will be payable under
the Tax Act in respect of the acquisition, holding, redemption or disposition of
a note by a Non-Resident Holder, or the receipt of interest, principal or
premium thereon by a Non-Resident Holder solely as a consequence of such
acquisition, holding, redemption or disposition of a note.
EACH OF THESE SUMMARIES UNDER THIS SECTION "CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS"
IS OF A GENERAL NATURE ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND SHOULD NOT BE
CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR HOLDER AND NO
REPRESENTATION IS MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OR
CANADIAN TAX CONSEQUENCES TO ANY PARTICULAR HOLDER. ACCORDINGLY, PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE
U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OR CANADIAN TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO THEM,
HAVING REGARD TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
S-16
CREDIT RATINGS
The notes have been rated A- by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") A2 by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and A by the Dominion Bond Rating Service
Limited ("DBRS") (S&P, Moody's and DBRS are each a "Rating Agency"). The rating
outlook from each of Moody's and DBRS is stable and the rating outlook from S&P
is negative. Credit ratings are intended to provide investors with an
independent measure of credit quality of an issue of securities. The Rating
Agencies' ratings for debt instruments range from a high of AAA to a low of D
for both S&P and DBRS and, in the case of Moody's long-term issuer rating, from
a high of Aaa to a low of C.
According to the S&P rating system, an obligation rated A is somewhat more
susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's
capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong. The
ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus
(-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
According to the Moody's rating system, debt securities rated A possess many
favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade
obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered
adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to
impairment sometime in the future. Numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 are applied to
each rating classification from Aa through Caa, with 1 indicating that the
obligation ranks in the higher end of the category, 2 indicating a mid-range
ranking and 3 indicating a ranking in the lower end of the category.
According to the DBRS rating system, debt securities rated A are of satisfactory
credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but
the degree of strength is less than with AA rated entities. While a respectable
rating, entities in the A category are considered to be more susceptible to
adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher
rated companies. "High" or "low" grades are used to indicate the relative
standing within a rating category.
The credit ratings accorded to the notes by the Rating Agencies are not
recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the notes inasmuch as such ratings do
not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. There
is no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for any given period of
time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn entirely by a Rating
Agency in the future if, in its judgment, circumstances so warrant. The lowering
of any rating of the notes may negatively affect the quoted market price, if
any, of the notes.
S-17
UNDERWRITING
JPMorgan is acting as representative of the underwriters named below.
Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated
the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has agreed
to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the principal
amount of notes set forth opposite the underwriter's name.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
UNDERWRITER OF NOTES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.................................. US$
Citigroup Global Markets Inc................................
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc................................
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc...................................
Banc One Capital Markets, Inc...............................
SG Cowen Securities Corporation.............................
Lazard Freres & Co. LLC.....................................
--------------------
Total..................................................... US$
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to
purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to approval of legal
matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to
purchase all the notes if they purchase any of the notes.
The underwriters propose to offer some of the notes directly to the public at
the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus
supplement and some of the notes to dealers at the public offering price less a
concession not to exceed % of the principal amount of the notes. The
underwriters may allow, and dealers may reallow a concession not to exceed %
of the principal amount of the notes on sales to other dealers. After the
initial offering of the notes to the public, the representative may change the
public offering price and concessions.
The following table shows the underwriting commission that we are to pay to the
underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the
principal amount of the notes).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAID BY THE
CORPORATION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per note.................................................... %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
In connection with the offering, JPMorgan, on behalf of the underwriters, may
purchase and sell notes in the open market. These transactions may include
over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions.
Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of notes in excess of the principal
amount of notes to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which
creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions involve
purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been
completed in order
S-18
to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain
bids or purchases of notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a
decline in the market price of the notes while the offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the
underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when
JPMorgan, in covering syndicate short positions or making stabilizing purchases,
repurchases notes originally sold by that syndicate member.
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline
in the market price of the notes. They may also cause the price of the notes to
be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the
absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions
in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of
these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The
notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or on any automated dealer
quotation system. We have been advised that the underwriters may make a market
in the notes but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any
market-making activities at any time without notice. No assurance can be given
as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes or that an active public
market for the notes will develop. If an active public trading market for the
notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be
adversely affected.
We estimate that our total expenses for this offering will be US$ .
The underwriters have performed investment banking and advisory services for us
from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses. The
underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform
services for us in the ordinary course of their business.
JPMorgan and the other underwriters will make the securities available for
distribution on the Internet through a proprietary Web site and/or a third-party
system operated by Market Axess Inc., an Internet-based communications
technology provider. Market Axess Inc. is providing the system as a conduit for
communications between JPMorgan, the other underwriters and their customers and
is not a party to any transactions. Market Axess Inc., a registered
broker-dealer, will receive compensation from JPMorgan and the other
underwriters based on transactions such parties conduct through the system.
JPMorgan and the other underwriters will make the securities available to their
customers through the Internet distributions, whether made through a proprietary
or third-party system, on the same terms as distributions made through other
channels.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to
contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any
of those liabilities.
Lazard Freres & Co. LLC ("Lazard") has entered into an agreement with Mitsubishi
Securities (USA), Inc. ("Mitsubishi") pursuant to which Mitsubishi provides
certain advisory and/or other services to Lazard, including in respect of this
offering. In return for the provision of such services by Mitsubishi to Lazard,
Lazard will pay to Mitsubishi a mutually agreed upon fee.
S-19
Under applicable Canadian securities legislation, we may be considered to be a
connected issuer of JPMorgan, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank
Securities Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Banc One Capital Markets, Inc.,
SG Cowen Securities Corporation and Mitsubishi, each of which is a subsidiary or
affiliate of a bank which is a lender to the Corporation under an undrawn
$1.5 billion credit facility. We are also a guarantor under an undrawn
US$50 million demand operating line of credit provided by one of these lenders
to one of our subsidiaries. The Corporation is not in default under such credit
facilities. None of the lenders were involved in the decision to offer the notes
or the determination of the terms of distribution of the notes.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain matters will be passed upon for the Corporation by McCarthy
Tetrault LLP, Calgary, Alberta and by Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP, Chicago,
Illinois. The statements under "Certain Income Tax Considerations - Certain
Canadian Income Tax Considerations" are set forth herein in reliance upon the
opinion of McCarthy Tetrault LLP. The statements under "Certain Income Tax
Considerations - Certain United States Income Tax Considerations" are set forth
herein in reliance upon the opinion of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP. As to
matters of Canadian law, Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP will rely upon the opinion
of McCarthy Tetrault LLP. In addition, certain legal matters in connection with
the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Shearman &
Sterling LLP, Toronto, Ontario and New York, New York.
Robert A. Helman, a partner with Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP, is a director of
TC PipeLines GP, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which is the
general partner of TC PipeLines, LP, a publicly traded Delaware limited
partnership. The partners and associates of McCarthy Tetrault LLP and Mayer,
Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP as a group beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less
than 1% of any class of securities of the Corporation or of TransCanada
Corporation, the parent company and holding company of the Corporation.
AUDITORS' CONSENT
We have read the prospectus supplement dated March , 2004 to the base shelf
prospectus dated May 30, 2003 relating to the sale and issue of debt securities
of the Corporation. We have complied with Canadian generally accepted standards
for an auditor's involvement with offering documents.
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the above mentioned prospectus
supplement of our report to the shareholder of the Corporation on the
consolidated balance sheets of the Corporation as at December 31, 2003 and 2002
and the consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for
each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2003. Our report
is dated February 23, 2004.
Chartered Accountants
Calgary, Canada
March , 2004
S-20
[LOGO]
U.S. $1,000,000,000
DEBT SECURITIES
TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED
TransCanada PipeLines Limited ("TransCanada" or the "Corporation") may from
time to time offer and issue unsecured debt securities (the "debt securities")
up to an aggregate initial offering price of U.S. $1,000,000,000, or the
equivalent in other currencies, based on the applicable exchange rate at the
time of offering, as shall be designated by the Corporation at the time of
offering.
The specific terms of any offering of debt securities will be set forth in a
shelf prospectus supplement (a "Prospectus Supplement") including, where
applicable the specific designation of the debt securities, any limit on the
aggregate principal amount of the debt securities, the currency, the maturity,
the offering price, whether payment on the debt securities will be senior or
subordinated to the Corporation's other liabilities and obligations, whether the
debt securities will bear interest, the interest rate or method of determining
the interest rate, any terms of redemption, any conversion or exchange rights
and any other specific terms. A Prospectus Supplement may include other specific
terms pertaining to the debt securities that are not prohibited by the
parameters set forth in this prospectus.
All shelf information permitted under applicable laws to be omitted from
this prospectus will be contained in one or more Prospectus Supplements that
will be delivered to purchasers together with this prospectus. Each Prospectus
Supplement will be incorporated by reference into this prospectus for the
purposes of securities legislation as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement
and only for the purposes of the distribution of the debt securities to which
the Prospectus Supplement pertains.
TransCanada may sell the debt securities to or through underwriters or
dealers purchasing as principals and may also sell the debt securities to one or
more purchasers directly or through agents. See "Plan of Distribution". The
Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of debt securities will
identify each underwriter, dealer or agent, as the case may be, engaged by
TransCanada in connection with the offering and sale of the debt securities, and
will set forth the terms of the offering of such debt securities, including the
method of distribution of such debt securities, the proceeds to TransCanada and
any fees, discounts or any other compensation payable to underwriters, dealers
or agents and any other material terms of the plan of distribution.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each
series or issue of debt securities will be a new issue of debt securities with
no established trading market. The debt securities may be sold from time to time
in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices or at non-fixed prices.
If offered on a non-fixed price basis the debt securities may be offered at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at prices to be negotiated with purchasers, in which
case the compensation payable to any underwriter, dealer or agent in connection
with any such sale will be the amount, if any, by which the aggregate price paid
for the debt securities by the purchasers exceeds the gross proceeds paid by the
underwriter, dealer or agent to the Corporation and the price at which the debt
securities will be offered and sold may vary as between purchasers during the
distribution period.
There is currently no market through which the debt securities may be sold
and purchasers may not be able to resell such securities issued under this
prospectus.
THIS OFFERING IS MADE BY A CANADIAN ISSUER THAT IS PERMITTED, UNDER A
MULTIJURISDICTIONAL DISCLOSURE SYSTEM ADOPTED BY THE UNITED STATES, TO PREPARE
THIS PROSPECTUS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS HOME
COUNTRY. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT SUCH REQUIREMENTS ARE
DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCORPORATED
HEREIN HAVE BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CANADIAN GENERALLY ACCEPTED
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CANADIAN AUDITING AND AUDITOR
INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS, AND THUS MAY NOT BE COMPARABLE TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OF UNITED STATES COMPANIES.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE ACQUISITION OF THE DEBT
SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN MAY HAVE TAX CONSEQUENCES BOTH IN THE UNITED STATES
AND IN CANADA. SUCH CONSEQUENCES FOR INVESTORS WHO ARE RESIDENT IN, OR CITIZENS
OF, THE UNITED STATES MAY NOT BE DESCRIBED FULLY HEREIN OR IN ANY APPLICABLE
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
THE ENFORCEMENT BY INVESTORS OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER THE FEDERAL
SECURITIES LAWS MAY BE AFFECTED ADVERSELY BY THE FACT THAT THE CORPORATION IS
INCORPORATED OR ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF CANADA, THAT SOME OR ALL OF ITS
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ARE RESIDENTS OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY, THAT SOME OR ALL OF
THE EXPERTS NAMED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ARE RESIDENTS OF CANADA AND THAT
ALL OR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE ASSETS OF THE CORPORATION AND SAID PERSONS
ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is May 30, 2003.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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Documents Incorporated by Reference......................... 2
Certain Available Information............................... 4
Forward-Looking Statements.................................. 4
The Corporation............................................. 5
Use of Proceeds............................................. 5
Earnings Coverage........................................... 5
Description of Debt Securities.............................. 5
Enforceability of Civil Liabilities......................... 16
Certain Income Tax Considerations........................... 16
Plan of Distribution........................................ 16
Risk Factors................................................ 17
Legal Matters............................................... 18
Experts..................................................... 18
Documents Filed as Part of the Registration Statement....... 18
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents of the Corporation, filed with the Alberta
Securities Commission, are specifically incorporated by reference in, and form
an integral part of, this prospectus, provided that such documents are not
incorporated by reference to the extent that their contents are modified or
superseded by a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other
subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by reference in this
prospectus:
(a) Consolidated comparative audited financial statements of the Corporation
as at and for the year ended December 31, 2002, the notes thereto, and
the auditors' report thereon;
(b) Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations of the Corporation as at and for the year ended
December 31, 2002;
(c) Annual Information Form of the Corporation for the year ended
December 31, 2002 dated February 25, 2003 (the "Annual Information
Form");
(d) Management Proxy Circular dated February 25, 2003 relating to
TransCanada's annual and special meeting of shareholders held on
April 25, 2003 (excluding the sections entitled "Composition of the Human
Resources Committee", "Report on Executive Compensation", "Performance
Graph" and "Corporate Governance", which shall be deemed not to be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus);
(e) Consolidated comparative interim unaudited financial statements of the
Corporation for the three month period ended March 31, 2003;
(f) U.S. GAAP reconciliation of the consolidated comparative interim
unaudited financial statements of TransCanada contained in the
Corporation's First Quarter 2003 Report to Shareholders and filed on
Form 6-K for the quarter ended March 31, 2003;
(g) Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations of the Corporation for the three month period ended
March 31, 2003; and
(h) Material change report of the Corporation dated May 23, 2003 relating to
the plan of arrangement between the Corporation and TransCanada
Corporation, establishing TransCanada Corporation as the parent company
to the Corporation.
2
Any documents of the type referred to above and any exhibits to interim and
annual consolidated financial statements containing updated earnings coverage
information subsequently filed by the Corporation with the Alberta Securities
Commission after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of any
offering hereunder shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
prospectus. These documents are available through the internet on the System for
Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) which can be accessed at
www.sedar.com. In addition, any similar documents filed on Form 6-K and
Form 40-F by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
after the date of this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this
prospectus forms a part, if and to the extent expressly provided in such report.
The Corporation's reports on Form 6-K and, beginning with its Form 40-F for the
year ended December 31, 2002, its annual reports on Form 40-F, are available on
the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN A DOCUMENT INCORPORATED OR
DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MODIFIED OR
SUPERSEDED FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PROSPECTUS TO THE EXTENT THAT A STATEMENT
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY OTHER SUBSEQUENTLY FILED DOCUMENT WHICH ALSO
IS OR IS DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN MODIFIES OR SUPERSEDES
SUCH STATEMENT. 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 THAT IT MODIFIES OR SUPERSEDES. ANY STATEMENT SO
MODIFIED OR SUPERSEDED SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE A PART OF THIS PROSPECTUS, EXCEPT AS
SO MODIFIED OR SUPERSEDED.
Updated earnings coverage ratios will be filed quarterly with applicable
securities regulatory authorities either as Prospectus Supplements or as
exhibits to the Corporation's unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements and audited annual consolidated financial statements and will be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus for the purpose of the
offering of debt securities.
Upon a new annual information form, related annual audited consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying management discussion and analysis
being filed by the Corporation with, and, where required, accepted by, the
Alberta Securities Commission during the currency of this prospectus, the
previous annual information form, the previous annual audited consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying management discussion and analysis and
all interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management's
discussion and analysis, management proxy circulars and material change reports
filed prior to the commencement of the Corporation's financial year in which the
new annual information form is filed shall be deemed no longer to be
incorporated into this prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of
debt securities under this prospectus.
Upon interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying
management's discussion and analysis being filed by the Corporation with the
applicable securities regulatory authorities during the currency of this
prospectus, all interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying
management's discussion and analysis filed prior to the new interim consolidated
financial statements shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this
prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of debt securities under this
prospectus.
A Prospectus Supplement containing the specific terms of an offering of debt
securities will be delivered to purchasers of such debt securities together with
this prospectus and will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
prospectus as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement solely for the purposes
of the offering of the debt securities covered by that Prospectus Supplement.
The Corporation will provide without charge to each person to whom this
prospectus is delivered, including any beneficial owner, upon written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any or all of the foregoing documents
incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents, unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents).
Requests should be directed to TransCanada PipeLines Limited,
450 - 1st Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 5H1, Attention: Corporate
Secretary, telephone number (403) 920-2000.
3
In this prospectus and in any Prospectus Supplement, unless otherwise
specified or the context otherwise requires, all dollar amounts are expressed in
Canadian dollars. "U.S. dollars" or "U.S.$" means lawful currency of the
United States.
CERTAIN AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Corporation has filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), a Registration Statement on Form F-9 relating to
the debt securities, of which this prospectus forms a part. This prospectus does
not contain all of the information set forth in such Registration Statement, to
which reference is made for further information.
The Corporation is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith files
reports and other information with the SEC. Under a multijurisdictional
disclosure system adopted by the United States, such reports and other
information may be prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of
Canada, which requirements are different from those of the United States. Such
reports and other information concerning the Corporation can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Judiciary
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of the
material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20549, at prescribed rates. The public
may obtain information on the operation of the public reference facilities by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet world wide
web site that contains reports and other information about issuers, including
the Corporation, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that web
site is http://www.sec.gov. You may also inspect reports and other information
about the Corporation at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus (and any Prospectus Supplement) and the documents
incorporated by reference in this prospectus (and in any Prospectus Supplement)
include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may
be identified by the use of words like "believes", "intends", "expects", "may",
"will", "should", or "anticipates", or the negative equivalents of those words
or comparable terminology, and by discussions of strategies that involve risks
and uncertainties.
Given the risks and uncertainties of the Corporation's business, including
those discussed and incorporated by reference in this prospectus under "Risk
Factors", actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied
by forward-looking statements. In addition, the Corporation bases forward-
looking statements on assumptions about future events, which may not prove to be
accurate. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, prospective
investors should be aware that the forward-looking statements described in this
prospectus (and in any Prospectus Supplement) and the documents incorporated by
reference in this prospectus (and in any Prospectus Supplement) may not occur.
The Corporation cannot assure prospective investors that its future results,
levels of activity and achievements will occur as the Corporation expects, and
neither the Corporation nor any other person assumes responsibility for the
accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. The Corporation has
no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
4
THE CORPORATION
On May 15, 2003, the Corporation completed a reorganization (pursuant to a
statutory plan of arrangement) whereby it became a wholly owned subsidiary of a
new holding company, TransCanada Corporation. Pursuant to this arrangement, each
issued and outstanding common share of the Corporation was exchanged for one
common share of TransCanada Corporation.
The Corporation operates primarily in two business segments: Transmission
and Power. The Transmission segment of TransCanada's business includes the
operation of the Alberta System, the Canadian Mainline and the BC System. The
Transmission segment also includes TransCanada's other investments in natural
gas pipelines located in Canada and the United States. The Power segment of
TransCanada's business includes the construction, ownership, operation and
management of power plants and the marketing of electricity and provides
electricity account services to energy and industrial customers. The Power
segment operates in Canada and the northern tier of the United States. The
significant subsidiaries of TransCanada as of December 31, 2002 are listed in
Schedule A to the Annual Information Form. TransCanada's registered office and
executive office are located at 450 - 1st Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
T2P 5H1.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds from
the sale of debt securities will be used for general corporate purposes,
including the repayment of indebtedness and the financing of the Corporation's
long-term investment plan. The amount of net proceeds to be used for any such
purpose will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement. The Corporation may, from
time to time, issue securities other than pursuant to this prospectus.
EARNINGS COVERAGE
The following financial ratios have been calculated on a consolidated basis
for the respective 12 month periods ended December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003
and are based on audited financial information, in the case of the 12 month
period ended December 31, 2002, and unaudited financial information, in the case
of the 12 month period ended March 31, 2003. The following ratios do not give
effect to the issue of any debt securities pursuant to this prospectus and any
Prospectus Supplement. The financial ratios have been calculated based on
financial information prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles.
The following ratios have been prepared based on net income:
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
2003 2002
---------- -------------
Earnings coverage on long-term debt(1)...................... 2.55 times 2.45 times
------------
NOTE:
(1) The above ratios have been calculated without including the annual carrying
charges relating to the equity component of TransCanada's outstanding
preferred securities. If the equity component of the preferred securities
were classified as debt, the entire carrying charges of the preferred
securities would be included in interest obligations. If these annual
carrying charges had been included in the calculations, the earnings
coverage on long-term debt would have been 2.40 times for the 12 month
period ended March 31, 2003 and 2.31 times for the 12 month period ended
December 31, 2002.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The debt securities will rank PARI PASSU, except as to sinking funds, with
all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of the Corporation ("Unsubordinated
Debt Securities") or debt securities that will be subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) of the
Corporation ("Subordinated Debt Securities"). The debt securities will be
issued, in the case of Unsubordinated Debt Securities, under an amended and
restated debt indenture, as supplemented or amended from time to time (the "Debt
Indenture"), between the Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, and,
in the
5
case of Subordinated Debt Securities under an amended and restated subordinated
debt indenture, as supplemented or amended from time to time (the "Subordinated
Debt Indenture"), between the Corporation and The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust
Company of New York, as Trustee. The Debt Indenture and the Subordinated Debt
Indenture are sometimes hereinafter referred to individually as an "Indenture"
and collectively as the "Indentures". The Bank of New York and The Bank of Nova
Scotia Trust Company of New York are hereinafter referred to individually as a
"Trustee" and collectively as the "Trustees". The following summaries of certain
provisions of the Indentures and the debt securities do not purport to be
complete and such summaries are subject to the detailed provisions of the
applicable Indenture to which reference is hereby made for a full description of
such provisions, including the definitions of certain terms used herein, and for
other information regarding the debt securities. Numerical references in
parentheses below are to sections in the applicable Indenture. Wherever
particular sections or defined terms of the applicable Indenture are referred
to, such sections or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference as part
of the statement made, and the statement is qualified in its entirety by such
reference. The Indentures are substantially identical, except for the provisions
relating to subordination and certain covenants. See "Subordinated Debt" and
"Certain Covenants of the Corporation". The debt securities offered by this
prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement are referred to herein as the
"Offered Debt Securities". As used under this caption, the term "Corporation"
means TransCanada PipeLines Limited, and does not include the subsidiaries of
TransCanada PipeLines Limited through which particular business operations
are conducted.
GENERAL
Neither of the Indentures limits the amount of the debt securities,
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness that may be issued by the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. The debt securities will be unsecured
and either unsubordinated or subordinated obligations of the Corporation. The
Corporation has outstanding First Mortgage Pipe Line Bonds ("First Mortgage Pipe
Line Bonds") issued under a Deed of Trust and Mortgage dated as of January 1,
1957, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the "Mortgage"), which are
secured by the Corporation's present and future Canadian mainline assets and gas
transportation contracts. The holders of First Mortgage Pipe Line Bonds have a
secured claim on such assets which is prior to the unsecured claim that holders
of the debt securities may have on such assets. As of the date hereof, the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of First Mortgage Pipe Line Bonds was
approximately 25 million Pounds Sterling.
The Indentures provide that debt securities may be created and issued from
time to time in one or more series. Reference must be made to the Prospectus
Supplement for specific terms of and information relating to the Offered Debt
Securities (to the extent such terms are applicable to such debt securities)
including the following:
(i) classification as Unsubordinated Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt
Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount,
purchase price and denominations, if other than U.S. $1,000;
(ii) any date of maturity;
(iii) interest rate or rates (or the method by which such rate or rates will
be determined), if any;
(iv) the dates on which any such interest will be payable;
(v) the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, where the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on the Offered Debt Securities will
be payable;
(vi) any redemption, repayment or sinking funds provisions;
(vii) any applicable United States federal income tax consequences, including
whether and under what circumstances the Corporation will pay
additional amounts on Offered Debt Securities held by a person who is
not a United States person in respect of any tax, assessment or
governmental
6
charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Corporation will
have the option to redeem such Offered Debt Securities rather than pay
such additional amounts;
(viii) the portion of the principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities, if
other than the principal amount thereof, payable upon acceleration of
the maturity thereof;
(ix) if other than United States dollars, the Currency (as defined below) in
which payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Offered
Debt Securities shall be payable or in which the Offered Debt
Securities shall be denominated and the particular provisions
applicable thereto;
(x) whether the principal of and interest, if any, on the Offered Debt
Securities are to be payable in a Currency other than that in which such
Offered Debt Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, and
other information, including the method of calculating the applicable
exchange rate, related thereto; and
(xi) any other specific terms of the Offered Debt Securities, including any
additional events of default or covenants provided for with respect to
such debt securities, and any terms which may be required by or
advisable under applicable laws or regulations. "Currency" means any
currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or units,
issued by the government of one or more countries or by any recognized
confederation or association of such governments.
Debt securities will bear interest at a fixed rate ("Fixed Rate Security")
or a floating rate ("Floating Rate Security"). Debt securities bearing no
interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the
prevailing market rate will be sold at a discount below their stated principal
amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to
any such discounted debt securities or to certain debt securities issued at par
that are treated as having been issued at a discount for United States federal
income tax purposes will be described in the relevant Prospectus Supplement.
The Indentures provide that all accounting terms not specifically defined
therein are to be construed in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied.
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The debt securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more
fully registered global debt securities ("Registered Global Security") that will
be deposited with The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") or with a
nominee for the Depositary identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
such series. In such case, one or more Registered Global Securities will be
issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding registered debt securities of the
series to be represented by such Registered Global Security or Securities.
Unless and until it is exchanged for debt securities in definitive registered
form, a Registered Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by
the Depositary for such Registered Global Security to a nominee of such
Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another
nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a
successor of such Depositary or a nominee of such successor.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion
of a series of debt securities to be represented by a Registered Global Security
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. The
Corporation anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all
depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a Registered Global Security, the Depositary for such
Registered Global Security will credit, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented
by such Registered Global Security to the accounts of persons that have accounts
with such Depositary ("participants"). The accounts to be credited shall be
designated by any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the
distribution of such debt securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in a
Registered Global Security will be limited to participants or persons that may
hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such
Registered Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership
will be effected only through, records maintained by the
7
Depositary for such Registered Global Security (with respect to interests of
participants) or by participants or persons that hold through participants (with
respect to interests of persons other than participants).
So long as the Depositary for a Registered Global Security, or its nominee,
is the registered owner of such Registered Global Security, such Depositary or
such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of
the debt securities represented by such Registered Global Security for all
purposes under the applicable Indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of
beneficial interests in a Registered Global Security will not be entitled to
have the debt securities represented by such Registered Global Security
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of such debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered
the owners or holders thereof under the applicable Indenture.
Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities
represented by a Registered Global Security registered in the name of the
Depositary or its nominee will be made to such Depositary or its nominee, as the
case may be, as the registered owner of such Registered Global Security. None of
the Corporation, the Trustee or any paying agent for such debt securities will
have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to
or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Registered
Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records
relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
The Corporation expects that the Depositary for any debt securities
represented by a Registered Global Security, upon receipt of any payment of
principal, premium or interest, will immediately credit participants' accounts
with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests
in the principal amount of such Registered Global Security as shown on the
records of such Depositary. The Corporation also expects that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Registered Global
Security held through such participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities
held for the accounts of customers registered in "street names" and will be the
responsibility of such participants. Under the terms of the Indentures, the
Corporation and the Trustees will treat the persons in whose names the debt
securities are registered as the owners of such debt securities for the purpose
of receiving payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt
securities and for all other purposes whatsoever. Therefore, neither the
Corporation, the Trustees nor any paying agents has any direct responsibility or
liability for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the debt
securities to owners of beneficial interests in a Registered Global Security.
If the Depositary for any debt securities represented by a Registered Global
Security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as the Depositary and a
successor Depositary is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days, the
Corporation will issue such debt securities in definitive form in exchange for
such Registered Global Security. In addition, the Corporation may at any time
and in its sole discretion determine not to have any of the debt securities of a
series represented by one or more Registered Global Securities and, in such
event, will issue debt securities of such series in definitive form in exchange
for the Registered Global Security or Registered Global Securities representing
such debt securities. In either instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a
Registered Global Security will be entitled to have debt securities equal in
principal amount to such beneficial interest registered in its name and will be
entitled to physical delivery of such debt securities in definitive form.
UNSUBORDINATED DEBT
The Unsubordinated Debt Securities that will constitute part of the
unsubordinated debt of the Corporation will be issued under the Debt Indenture
and will rank PARI PASSU with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of the
Corporation.
SUBORDINATED DEBT
The Subordinated Debt Securities that will constitute part of the
subordinated debt of the Corporation will be issued under the Subordinated Debt
Indenture and will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent
and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Debt Indenture, to all Senior
8
Indebtedness of the Corporation. The Subordinated Debt Indenture defines "Senior
Indebtedness" as obligations (other than non-recourse obligations, the
Subordinated Debt Securities or any other obligations specifically designated as
being subordinate in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness) of, or guaranteed
or assumed by, the Corporation for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, and amendments, renewals,
extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligation,
including, but not limited to, obligations of the Corporation under the Mortgage
and the Canadian Trust Indenture (as defined below). (Subordinated Debt
Indenture, Section 1.1)
In the event (a) of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings in
respect of the Corporation or a substantial part of its property or (b) that
(i) a default shall have occurred with respect to the payment of principal of
(and premium, if any) or any interest on or other monetary amounts due and
payable on any Senior Indebtedness or (ii) there shall have occurred an event of
default (other than a default in the payment of principal (or premium, if any)
or interest, or other monetary amounts due and payable) with respect to any
Senior Indebtedness, as defined therein or in the instrument under which the
same is outstanding, permitting the holder or holders thereof to accelerate the
maturity thereof (with notice or lapse of time, or both) and such event of
default shall have continued beyond the period of grace, if any, in respect
thereof, and such default or event of default shall not have been cured or
waived or shall not have ceased to exist, or (c) that the principal of and
accrued interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities shall have been declared
due and payable upon an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5.1 of the
Subordinated Debt Indenture and such declaration shall not have been rescinded
and annulled as provided therein, then the holders of all Senior Indebtedness
shall first be entitled to receive payment of the full amount unpaid thereon, or
provisions shall be made for such payment in money or money's worth, before the
holders of any of the Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive a
payment on account of the principal of (and premium, if any) or any interest on
the indebtedness evidenced by such Subordinated Debt Securities. (Subordinated
Debt Indenture, Section 13.1). If this prospectus is being delivered in
connection with a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement or the information incorporated herein by reference will
set forth the approximate amount of Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a
recent date.
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE CORPORATION
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE. Each Indenture provides
that the Corporation will not merge, amalgamate or consolidate with any other
person and will not sell, lease or convey all or substantially all its assets to
any person, unless the Corporation shall be the continuing corporation, or
unless the successor corporation or person that acquires all or substantially
all the assets of the Corporation shall expressly assume all of the covenants
and obligations of the Corporation under the Indenture, and unless immediately
after such merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale, lease or conveyance, the
Corporation, such person or such successor corporation shall not be in default
in the performance of the covenants and conditions of such Indenture to be
performed or observed by the Corporation. (Section 9.1)
This covenant would not apply to a recapitalization transaction, a change of
control of the Corporation, a transaction with management or management
affiliates or a highly leveraged transaction unless such transactions or change
of control were structured to include a merger, amalgamation or consolidation or
sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Corporation. Except as may be included in a supplemental indenture applicable to
a specific series of debt securities and as may be described in a Prospectus
Supplement applicable to such debt securities, there are no covenants or other
provisions in the Indentures providing for a put or increased interest or
otherwise that would afford holders of debt securities additional protection in
the event of a recapitalization transaction, a change of control of the
Corporation, a transaction with management or management affiliates or a highly
leveraged transaction.
9
LIMITATIONS ON LIENS, OWNERSHIP OF SUBSIDIARIES AND CERTAIN OTHER
TRANSACTIONS. The Debt Indenture for the Unsubordinated Debt Securities provides
that, so long as any Unsubordinated Debt Securities remain outstanding:
(1) The Corporation will not, nor will it permit any Designated Subsidiary
(as defined below) to, in any way encumber any of its assets to secure
any obligations (other than First Mortgage Pipe Line Bonds) unless at the
same time all Unsubordinated Debt Securities shall be secured equally and
ratably with such obligations; provided that this covenant does not apply
to nor operate to prevent, among other things (a) any security given in
the ordinary course of business to any bank or banks to secure any
Indebtedness (as defined below) payable on demand or maturing (including
any right of extension or renewal) within 24 months after the date such
Indebtedness is incurred or the date of any renewal or extension thereof,
(b) the giving or assumption of security for any Purchase Money
Obligation (as defined below), (c) certain permitted liens specified in
the Debt Indenture or (d) any liens of a nature similar to the permitted
liens specified in the Debt Indenture which do not secure Indebtedness
of, or Indebtedness guaranteed by, the Corporation or any Designated
Subsidiary and which do not materially impair the use of the property
subject thereto or the operation of the business of the Corporation or
such Designated Subsidiary or the value of such property for the purpose
of such other business;
(2) The Corporation will not create, assume or otherwise incur any Funded
Obligations (as defined below) ranking prior to the Unsubordinated Debt
Securities except additional First Mortgage Pipe Line Bonds;
(3) If the Corporation shall cause the payment of the principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on any of its Indebtedness to be subordinated to the
prior payment of any other of its Indebtedness it shall in like manner
subordinate such payment to the prior payment in full of all of the
Unsubordinated Debt Securities outstanding under the Debt Indenture;
(4) The Corporation will at all times hold Voting Shares (as defined below)
of each Designated Subsidiary which, together with Voting Shares of such
Designated Subsidiary held by other Designated Subsidiaries, are
sufficient to entitle such holders to elect at least a majority of the
directors of such Designated Subsidiary;
(5) The Corporation will not enter into any agreement providing for the
issue or sale of Funded Obligations unless such agreement contains a
condition of such issue or sale (which condition can only be waived with
the consent of the holders of Unsubordinated Debt Securities expressed by
resolution) to the effect that the terms and conditions of the Debt
Indenture relating to the creation, assumption or incurring of Funded
Obligations shall be complied with at the time of each issue and sale
provided for in such agreement;
(6) The Corporation will not permit any Designated Subsidiary to issue any
shares of its capital stock except (a) to the Corporation, (b) to the
extent, if any, required to qualify directors of a Designated Subsidiary
under applicable law, (c) pursuant to obligations to issue shares which
exist prior to the date when such Designated Subsidiary became a
Subsidiary or (d) to the extent issued to other shareholders of such
Designated Subsidiary if after giving effect to such issue the pro rata
aggregate ownership interest of the Corporation and any other Designated
Subsidiaries in the capital stock of such Designated Subsidiary and the
Corporation's direct and indirect pro rata voting rights, pro rata
interest in shareholders' equity, and pro rata rights to participate in
earnings of such Designated Subsidiary are not reduced; and
(7) The Corporation will not, and will not permit any Designated Subsidiary
to, sell or dispose of any shares of capital stock or Indebtedness of any
Designated Subsidiary to any Person other than the Corporation or another
Designated Subsidiary unless all shares of capital stock and Indebtedness
of such Designated Subsidiary then held by the Corporation and any of its
Subsidiaries (together with all shares of capital stock and Indebtedness
of the Corporation and other Designated Subsidiaries then held by such
Designated Subsidiary) are being sold or disposed of at such time
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to a Subsidiary of the Corporation for cash at fair value determined by
an Independent Appraiser or to persons other than any of the
Corporation's Subsidiaries. (Debt Indenture, Section 3.6)
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
"CANADIAN TRUST INDENTURE" means the trust indenture dated as of June 15, 1970,
as amended and supplemented from time to time, between the Corporation and
Montreal Trust Company of Canada, as trustee, relating to the issue of
unsecured debentures.
"DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY" means: (a) any Subsidiary (i) which is engaged in or
proposes to engage in the business of producing, gathering, processing,
storing, manufacturing, compressing, liquefying, selling, transporting,
transmitting, distributing or supplying natural, manufactured or mixed gas
or extracts therefrom, in gaseous, liquefied or other form, for light, heat,
cold, fuel or other purposes, or in the business of acquiring, owning,
exploring, developing, dealing in, selling or otherwise disposing of oil or
gas, or any products thereof, or oil or gas properties and interests
therein, and (ii) which shall have been designated by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation as a "restricted subsidiary" under the Mortgage on or
prior to the date such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or, in the case of a
corporation which was a Subsidiary at March 1, 1964, on or prior to the
first date thereafter on which the Corporation shall make an additional
Investment (as defined in such Indenture) in such Subsidiary; or (b) any
Subsidiary that (i) is chiefly engaged in or proposed to chiefly engage in
the business of producing, gathering, processing, storing, manufacturing,
compressing, liquefying, selling, transporting, transmitting, distributing
or supplying natural, manufactured or mixed gas or extracts therefrom, in
gaseous, liquefied or other form, for light, heat, cold, fuel or other
purposes, or in the business of acquiring, owning, exploring, developing,
dealing in, selling or otherwise disposing of oil or gas, or any products
thereof, or oil and gas properties and interests therein or (ii) is a
Financial Intermediary (as defined below) and, in the case of both (b)(i)
and (ii), does not at the time of designation have outstanding any Funded
Obligations (other than those held by the Corporation or its Designated
Subsidiaries) which were issued after the date such Designated Subsidiary
became a Subsidiary and of which there is owned by the Corporation and/or
its Designated Subsidiaries Voting Shares which, in the aggregate, entitle
the holders thereof to elect at least a majority of the directors of such
first mentioned corporation; or (c) TCPL Finance N.V.; or (d) TransCan
Investments Limited; and (e) each Subsidiary of the Corporation which is
classified as a "Designated Subsidiary" under the Canadian Trust Indenture
and, in the case of clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d), which shall have been
designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation as a Designated Subsidiary, provided that any designation
pursuant to clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) or classification as a Designated
Subsidiary pursuant to clause (e) may be revoked from time to time by
further resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation if certain
specified conditions are met.
"FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY" means a Subsidiary which is chiefly engaged in or
proposes chiefly to engage in the business of or whose principal activity or
undertaking is or will be: (a) the holding, directly or indirectly, of any
securities of any corporation or entity in which the Corporation also has an
ownership interest of any kind or (b) the entering into and maintaining of
relations or arrangements, whether contractual or otherwise, with any such
corporation or entity for the purpose of facilitating financial transactions
with such corporation or entity.
"FUNDED OBLIGATIONS" means all Indebtedness of the obligor or Indebtedness of
others upon which the obligor customarily pays interest charges, other than
(a) Indebtedness which is payable on demand and (b) Indebtedness which
matures by its terms, or which the obligor has the right at its option to
renew or extend to a date, 24 months or less after the date of its
incurrence by the obligor or the date on which the obligor commenced to pay
interest charges thereon.
"INDEBTEDNESS", as to any corporation, means and includes, without duplication,
(a) all items of indebtedness or liability which in accordance with Canadian
generally accepted accounting principles would be considered to be direct
indebtedness or liabilities of such Person as at the date as of which
indebtedness is to be determined; (b) the full amount of all liabilities of
others for the repayment, either in money or in property, of borrowed money,
guaranteed or endorsed (otherwise than for
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purposes of collection) by such Person, or which such Person is obligated,
contingently or otherwise, to purchase, or on which such Person is otherwise
contingently liable; and (c) liabilities secured by purchase money mortgages
on property owned by such Person or by mortgages or liens existing on such
property at the time of acquisition thereof by such Person or by conditional
sales or other title retention agreements with respect to any such property,
whether or not such liabilities shall have been assumed by such Person.
"PURCHASE MONEY OBLIGATION" means any Indebtedness created or assumed as part of
the purchase price of real or tangible personal property, whether or not
secured, and any extensions, renewals or refundings of any such
Indebtedness, provided that the principal amount of such Indebtedness
outstanding on the date of such extension, renewal or refunding is not
increased, and provided further that any security given in respect of such
Indebtedness shall not extend to any property other than the property
acquired in connection with which such Indebtedness was created or assumed
and fixed improvements, if any, erected or constructed thereon.
"VOTING SHARES" means shares of capital stock of any class of a corporation
having under all circumstances the right to vote for the election of the
directors of such corporation, provided that, for the purpose of this
definition, shares which only carry the right to vote conditionally on the
happening of an event shall not be considered Voting Shares whether or not
such event shall have happened.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An Event of Default is defined under each Indenture with respect to debt
securities of any series issued under such Indenture as being:
(a) a default in payment of any principal of, and premium, if any, on the
debt securities of such series, either at maturity (or upon any
redemption), by declaration or otherwise;
(b) a default for 30 days in payment of any interest on any debt securities
of such series;
(c) a default for 60 days after written notice in the observance or
performance of any other covenant or agreement in the debt securities of
such series or such Indenture other than a covenant included in such
Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other
than such series;
(d) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization;
(e) failure by the Corporation to make any payment at maturity, including
any applicable grace period, in respect of any issue of Indebtedness in
an aggregate amount in excess of U.S. $50,000,000 and continuance of such
failure for a period of 30 days after written notice thereof to the
Corporation by the Trustee, or to the Corporation and the Trustee by the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities (treated as one class) issued under such Indenture;
(f) a default with respect to any Indebtedness, which default results in
the acceleration of any issue of Indebtedness in an aggregate amount in
excess of U.S. $50,000,000 without such Indebtedness having been
discharged or such acceleration having been cured, waived, rescinded or
annulled for a period of 30 days after written notice thereof to the
Corporation by the Trustee, or to the Corporation and the Trustee by the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities (treated as one class) issued under such Indenture; or
(g) any event of default provided with respect to that series;
provided that if any such failure, default or acceleration referred to in
clause (e) or (f) above shall cease or be cured, waived, rescinded or annulled,
then the Event of Default by reason thereof shall be deemed likewise to have
been thereupon cured. (Section 5.1)
Each Indenture provides that (a) if an Event of Default due to the default
in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any series of debt
securities issued under such Indenture or due to the default in the performance
or breach of any other covenant or warranty of the Corporation applicable to
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the debt securities of such series but not applicable to all outstanding debt
securities issued under such Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing,
either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of
the debt securities of each affected series (treated as one class) issued under
such Indenture and then outstanding may then declare the principal of all debt
securities of each such affected series and interest accrued thereon to be due
and payable immediately; and (b) if an Event of Default due to a default in the
performance of any other of the covenants or agreements in such Indenture
applicable to all outstanding debt securities issued thereunder and then
outstanding, due to the failure to make any payment at maturity on certain other
Indebtedness, due to a default on certain other Indebtedness which has caused an
acceleration of such Indebtedness or due to certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency and reorganization of the Corporation shall have occurred and be
continuing, unless the principal of all the debt securities has already become
due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in
principal amount of all debt securities issued under such Indenture and then
outstanding (treated as one class) may declare the principal of, and premium, if
any, on all such debt securities and interest accrued thereon to be due and
payable immediately, but upon certain conditions such declarations may be
annulled and past defaults may be waived (except a continuing default in payment
of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on such debt securities) by the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of all such
affected series then outstanding. (Section 5.1)
Each Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee, subject to the
duty of the Trustee during a default to act with the required standard of care,
to be indemnified by the holders of debt securities (treated as one class)
issued under such Indenture before proceeding to exercise any right or power
under such Indenture at the request of such holders. (Section 6.1) Subject to
such provisions in each Indenture for the indemnification of the Trustee and
certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities (treated as one class) issued under such Indenture
may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on
the Trustee. (Section 5.8)
Under the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee is required
to give to the holders of debt securities, within 90 days after the occurrence
of a default, notice of all defaults known to the Trustee. Except in the case of
a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any
debt securities, the Trustee shall be protected in the withholding of such
notice if it determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in
the interest of the holders of the debt securities.
Each Indenture provides that no holder of debt securities issued under such
Indenture may institute any action against the Corporation under such Indenture
(except actions for payment of overdue principal and premium, if any, or
interest) unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written
notice of default and continuance thereof and unless the holders of not less
than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series
(treated as one class) issued under such Indenture and then outstanding shall
have requested the Trustee to institute such action and shall have offered the
Trustee reasonable indemnity, the Trustee shall not have instituted such action
within 60 days of such request and the Trustee shall not have received direction
inconsistent with such written request by the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the debt securities of each affected series (treated as one class)
issued under such Indenture and then outstanding. (Sections 5.6 and 5.8)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of any holder of a debt security to
receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such debt
security on or after the respective due dates thereof and to institute suit for
the enforcement of such payment on or after such respective dates shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of such holder. (Section 5.12)
Each Indenture contains a covenant that the Corporation will file annually
with the Trustee a certificate with respect to the Corporation's compliance with
all covenants and conditions under such Indenture. (Section 3.5)
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
The Corporation can discharge or defease its obligations under each
Indenture as set forth below. (Section 10.1)
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The Corporation may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series
of debt securities issued under such Indenture (a) if the Corporation pays the
principal of and interest on all the outstanding debt securities of any series
as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (b) if the
Corporation delivers to the Trustee for cancellation all debt securities of any
series theretofore authenticated, or (c) in the case of any series of debt
securities where the exact amount of principal of and interest due on which can
be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in clause (ii)
below, if (i) all the debt securities of such series not theretofore delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or are by their
terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for
redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee, and (ii) the Corporation irrevocably deposits with the Trustee as trust
funds cash (in such Currency in which such debt securities are payable at their
stated maturity) (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to
the Corporation), or Government Obligations (as defined in such Indenture)
applicable to such debt securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in
which such debt securities are then specified as payable at their stated
maturity), maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such
amounts as will insure the availability of cash, or a combination thereof in an
amount certified by a nationally recognized firm of independent public or
chartered accountants to be sufficient to pay at maturity (or upon redemption or
pursuant to mandatory sinking fund payments) the principal of, premium, if any,
and interest on all outstanding debt securities of such series; and if, in any
such case, the Corporation pays all other sums payable under the Indenture by
the Corporation.
The Corporation may also discharge any and all of its obligations to holders
of any series of debt securities issued under an Indenture at any time
("defeasance") upon compliance with conditions discussed below if the exact
amounts of principal and interest due on such debt securities can be determined,
with the exception of its duty to register the transfer or exchange of such
series of debt securities, to replace any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of such
series of debt securities. Under terms reasonably satisfactory to the relevant
Trustee, the Corporation may instead be released with respect to any outstanding
series of debt securities issued under the relevant Indenture from the
obligations imposed by Sections 3.6 and 9.1, in the case of the Debt Indenture,
and Section 9.1, in the case of the Subordinated Debt Indenture (which Sections
contain the covenants described above under "Certain Covenants of the
Corporation"), and omit to comply with such Sections without creating an Event
of Default ("covenant defeasance"). Defeasance or covenant defeasance may be
effected only if, among other things: (i) the Corporation irrevocably deposits
with the Trustee, as trust funds specifically pledged as security for, and
dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of such debt securities, cash
(in such Currency, in which such debt securities are specified as payable at
their stated maturity) or Government Obligations applicable to such debt
securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such debt
securities are then specified as payable at their stated maturity), maturing as
to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the
availability of cash, or a combination thereof in an amount certified by a
nationally recognized firm of independent public or chartered accountants to be
sufficient to pay at maturity (or upon redemption or pursuant to mandatory
sinking fund payments) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all
outstanding debt securities of such series issued under such Indenture;
(ii) such deposit will not result in breach or violation of, or constitute a
default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Corporation is a party
or by which it is bound; (iii) the Corporation delivers to the relevant Trustee
an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such series of debt
securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal
income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and
that defeasance or covenant defeasance will not otherwise alter such holders'
United States federal income tax treatment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest payments on such series of debt securities (in the case of a
defeasance, such opinion must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue
Service or a change in the United States federal income tax law occurring after
the date of such Indenture, since such a result would not occur under current
tax law); (iv) the Corporation delivers to the relevant Trustee an opinion of
Canadian counsel to the effect that such deposit and related defeasance or
covenant defeasance, as the case may be, will not cause the holders of such
series of debt securities, other than holders of such series of debt securities
who are or who are deemed to be residents of Canada or use or hold or are deemed
to use or hold their debt securities of such series in carrying on a business in
Canada, to recognize income,
14
gain or loss for Canadian income tax purposes, and to the effect that payments
out of the trust fund described above will be free and exempt from any and all
withholding and other income taxes of whatever nature of Canada or any province
thereof or political subdivision thereof or therein having power to tax, except
in the case of debt securities of such series beneficially owned (a) by a person
who is or is deemed to be a resident of Canada or (b) by a person who uses or
holds or is deemed to use or hold such series of debt securities in carrying on
a business in Canada; and (v) in the case of the Subordinated Debt Indenture
(a) no event or condition shall exist that, pursuant to certain provisions
described under "Subordinated Debt" above, would prevent the Corporation from
making payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities at the date of the irrevocable deposit referred to
above and (b) the Corporation delivers to the Trustee for the Subordinated Debt
Indenture an opinion of counsel to the effect that (1) the trust funds will not
be subject to any rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness and (2) the trust
funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally; provided however, that such opinion may contain an exception to the
effect that if a court were to rule under any such law in any case or proceeding
that the trust funds remained property of the Corporation, then the Trustee and
the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities would be entitled to certain
rights as secured creditors in such trust funds.
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
Each Indenture provides that the Corporation and the Trustee may enter into
supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities
to: (a) secure any debt securities, (b) evidence the succession of another
corporation to the Corporation, or successive successions, and the assumption by
the successor corporation of the obligations of the Corporation, (c) add
covenants for the benefit of the holders of debt securities, (d) cure any
ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in such Indenture, (e) establish the form
or terms of debt securities of any series, (f) evidence the acceptance of
appointment by a successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to one or
more series of debt securities and provide for or facilitate the administration
of one or more trusts under the Indenture by one or more trustees, and
(g) provide for or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form or
provide for uncertificated securities. (Section 8.1)
Each Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Corporation and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of debt securities of each series issued under such Indenture
then outstanding and affected, to add any provisions to, or change in any manner
or eliminate any of the provisions of, such Indenture or modify in any manner
the rights of the holders of the debt securities of each series so affected;
provided that the Corporation and the Trustee may not, without the consent of
the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby, (a) extend the
stated maturity of the principal of any debt security, or reduce the principal
amount thereof or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest
thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof, or change the place
at which or currency in which principal and interest payments are to be made, or
reduce the amount of any original issue discount security payable upon
acceleration or provable in bankruptcy or impair the right to institute suit for
the enforcement of any payment on any debt security when due or (b) reduce the
aforesaid percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series issued
under such Indenture, the consent of the holders of which is required for any
such modification. (Section 8.2)
The Subordinated Debt Indenture may not be amended to alter the
subordination of any outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities without the
consent of each holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding that would be
adversely affected thereby. (Subordinated Debt Indenture, Section 8.6)
CONSENT TO JURISDICTION
Each Indenture provides that the Corporation agrees that any legal suit,
action or proceeding brought by the applicable Trustee or any holder of debt
securities issued under such Indenture in connection with such debt securities
or such Indenture may be instituted in any State or Federal court in The City of
New York. (Section 11.12)
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CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
The Bank of Nova Scotia, the parent of The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company
of New York, is one of a number of financial institutions with which the
Corporation and its subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking relationships and
with which the Corporation and its subsidiaries maintain credit facilities.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
The Corporation is a Canadian corporation, and the majority of its assets
and operations are located, and the majority of its revenues are derived,
outside the United States. In addition, certain of the directors and officers of
the Corporation are residents of Canada or other jurisdictions outside of the
United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of those directors
and officers are or may be located outside the United States. As a result, it
may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the
United States upon those persons, or to enforce against them judgments obtained
in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability
provisions of United States federal and state securities laws.
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe certain Canadian federal
income tax consequences to an investor who is a non-resident of Canada acquiring
any debt securities offered thereunder, including whether payments of principal,
premium, if any, and interest on debt securities will be subject to Canadian
non-resident withholding tax.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also describe certain
United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of any debt securities offered thereunder by an investor who is a
United States person (within the meaning of the United States Internal Revenue
Code), including, to the extent applicable, any such consequences relating to
debt securities payable in a currency other than the United States dollar,
issued at an original issue discount for United States federal income tax
purposes or containing early redemption provisions or other special items.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Corporation may offer and sell the debt securities to or through
underwriters or dealers purchasing as principals, and also may sell the debt
securities to one or more purchasers directly or through agents. The
distribution of the debt securities may be effected from time to time in one or
more transactions at a fixed price or prices or at non-fixed prices. If offered
on a non-fixed price basis, the debt securities may be offered at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market
prices or at prices to be negotiated with purchasers, in which case the
compensation payable to any underwriter, dealer or agent in connection with any
such sale will be the amount, if any, by which the aggregate price paid for the
debt securities by the purchasers exceeds the gross proceeds paid by the
underwriter, dealer or agent to the Corporation and the price at which the debt
securities will be offered and sold may vary as between purchasers during the
distribution period.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to each offering of debt securities will
identify each underwriter, dealer or agent, as the case may be, and will also
set forth the terms of the offering, including the type of security being
offered, the public offering price (or the manner of determination thereof if
offered on a non-fixed price basis), the proceeds to the Corporation and any
underwriting fees or commissions, any fees or commissions to be paid to any
agents and any fees, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid by
any underwriters to other dealers.
16
The Prospectus Supplement will also set forth the intention of any
underwriters, agents or dealers to engage in stabilizing, syndicate short
covering transactions, penalty bids, or any other transactions during the
offering that may stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the debt
security's price.
Under agreements which may be entered into by the Corporation, underwriters,
dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the debt securities
may be entitled to indemnification by the Corporation against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The debt securities may be offered and sold by the Corporation directly or
through agents designated by the Corporation from time to time. Any agent
participating in the distribution of the debt securities may be deemed to be an
"underwriter", as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the debt
securities so offered and sold. The debt securities also may be sold to dealers
at the applicable price to the public set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement for resale to purchasers. Such dealers may be deemed to be
"underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
The debt securities will not be qualified for sale under the securities laws
of Canada or any province or territory of Canada. Each underwriter, dealer or
agent participating in a distribution of the debt securities must agree that it
will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of the debt securities
acquired by it in connection with a distribution in Canada or to residents of
Canada in contravention of the securities laws of Canada or any applicable
province or territory thereof.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each
series or issue of the debt securities will be a new issue of securities with no
established trading market and will not be listed on any securities or stock
exchange. In connection with any offering of the debt securities, the
underwriters or agents may, subject to the foregoing, over-allot or effect
transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the debt securities
offered at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market.
Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. Any
underwriters or agents to or through whom the debt securities are sold by the
Corporation for public offering and sale may make a market in the debt
securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and
may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can
be given that a trading market in any of the debt securities will develop or as
to the liquidity of any trading market for such debt securities.
If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
offering of debt securities, the Corporation will authorize underwriters,
dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase such
debt securities from the Corporation pursuant to delayed delivery contracts
providing for payment and delivery at a future date. Such contracts will be
subject only to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitations of
such contracts.
RISK FACTORS
Investment in the debt securities is subject to various risks including
those risks inherent to the pipeline and power industry sectors. Before deciding
whether to invest in any debt securities, investors should consider carefully
the risks incorporated by reference in this prospectus (including subsequently
filed documents incorporated by reference) and those described in a Prospectus
Supplement relating to a specific offering of debt securities.
Discussions of certain risk factors affecting the Corporation in connection
with its business are provided in the Corporation's annual disclosure documents
filed with the various securities regulatory authorities, which are incorporated
by reference in this prospectus.
17
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain matters will be passed upon for the Corporation by McCarthy
Tetrault LLP, Calgary, Alberta and by Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, Chicago,
Illinois. As to matters of Canadian law, Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw will rely on
McCarthy Tetrault LLP. In addition, certain legal matters in connection with the
offering will be passed upon for the underwriters or agents, if any, by
Shearman & Sterling, Toronto, Ontario and New York, New York. Robert A. Helman,
a partner with Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, is a director of TC PipeLines
GP, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which is the general
partner of TC PipeLines, LP, a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership. The
partners and associates of McCarthy Tetrault LLP and Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw as
a group beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of any class of
securities of the Corporation.
EXPERTS
The consolidated comparative audited financial statements of the Corporation
for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the auditor's report thereon, which
have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report of KPMG, LLP ("KPMG"), chartered
accountants, given on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The following documents have been or will be filed with the SEC as part of
the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part: the documents
referred to under "Documents Incorporated by Reference"; consents of KPMG;
comfort letter of KPMG; consent of McCarthy Tetrault LLP; consent of Mayer,
Brown, Rowe & Maw; powers of attorney; Amended and Restated Debt Indenture;
Amended and Restated Subordinated Debt Indenture; Statement of Eligibility of
the Trustee on Form T-1 under the Debt Indenture; and Statement of Eligibility
of the Trustee on Form T-1 under the Subordinated Debt Indenture.
18
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US$
TRANSCANADA PIPELINES LIMITED
% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2034
[GRAPHIC]
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
March , 2004
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JPMORGAN
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CITIGROUP
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES
HSBC
BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
SG COWEN
LAZARD
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