Chorus Aviation Announces Substantial Issuer Bid for an Aggregate Purchase Price Not Exceeding $50 Million of Its Shares
The Offer will proceed by way of a "modified Dutch auction" that allows Shareholders wishing to tender to the Offer to individually select the price, within the specified range (and specified increments), at which they are willing to sell their Shares. Shareholders wishing to tender to the Offer may do so pursuant to: (a) auction tenders in which the tendering Shareholders specify the number of Shares being tendered at a price (the "Auction Price") of not less than
Promptly following the Expiration Date (as defined below), the Company will determine a single price per Share (the "Purchase Price") (which will be not less than
All Shares purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer (including Shares tendered at Auction Prices below the Purchase Price) will be purchased at the Purchase Price. Chorus will return all Shares not purchased under the Offer, including Shares not purchased because of proration or invalid tenders, or properly withdrawn before the Expiration Date.
If the aggregate Purchase Price for Shares validly deposited and not withdrawn pursuant to Auction Tenders at Auction Prices tendered at or below the Purchase Price and Purchase Price Tenders would result in an aggregate Purchase Price exceeding
The Offer will not be conditioned upon any minimum number of Shares being properly deposited under the Offer. The Offer will, however, be subject to other conditions, and the Company reserves the right, subject to applicable laws, to withdraw, extend or vary the Offer if, at any time prior to the payment of the purchase price of any Shares, certain events occur as will be described in the formal offer to purchase and issuer bid circular, letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery (collectively, the "Offer Documents").
The Offer is expected to formally commence on or about September 26, 2025 (the "Mailing Date") and, unless withdrawn or extended, is expected to expire at
Chorus' board of directors (the "Board") believes that the Offer is an advisable use of the Company's financial resources given its available cash resources, its ongoing cash requirements and access to capital markets, as well as the fact that the Company believes the recent trading price of its Shares is not fully reflective of the value of the Company's business and future prospects. After giving effect to the Offer, Chorus believes that it will continue to have sufficient financial resources and working capital to conduct its ongoing business and operations, and the Offer is not expected to preclude the Company from pursuing its foreseeable business opportunities or the future growth of the Company's business. The Offer allows the Company to return up to
The Board has concluded that the Company can rely on the "liquid market exemption" specified in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61- 101") from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation that would otherwise be applicable to the Offer.
The Company has engaged
The Board has approved the Offer. However, none of Chorus, its Board or the Depositary makes any recommendation to any Shareholder as to whether to deposit or refrain from depositing Shares under the Offer. Shareholders are urged to evaluate carefully all information in the Offer, consult their own financial, legal, investment and tax advisors and make their own decisions as to whether to deposit Shares under the Offer, and, if so, how many Shares to deposit and at what price(s). Shareholders should carefully consider the income tax consequences to them of having Shares purchased under the Offer.
In connection with today's announcement, the automatic share purchase plan that Chorus had previously entered into with its designated broker in connection with its normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") for Shares was automatically terminated in accordance with its terms. Chorus will therefore suspend further purchases pursuant to its existing NCIB until after the Expiration Date or earlier termination of the Offer.
This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Shares. The solicitation and the offer to buy Shares will only be made pursuant to the Offer Documents.
About Chorus Aviation Inc.
Chorus is a holding company which owns the following principal operating subsidiaries:
Chorus Class A Variable Voting Shares and Class B Voting Shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol 'CHR'. Chorus' 6.00% Convertible Senior Unsecured Debentures due
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include statements and expectations regarding the Offer. Forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those described in forward-looking information due to known or unknown risks, including, but not limited to, the failure to satisfy any condition to the Offer; Chorus' inability to finance the Offer in the manner it intends; the extent to which Shareholders elect to tender their Shares under the Offer; Chorus having sufficient financial resources and working capital following completion of the Offer (including to fund its currently anticipated financial obligations and pursue desirable business opportunities); the Offer being completed later than the fourth quarter of 2025; and the risk factors described in Chorus' public disclosure record available under Chorus' profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and many other factors beyond the control of Chorus.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents Chorus' expectations as of the date of this news release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made) and is subject to change after such date. Chorus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing factors and risks are not exhaustive.
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