Canadian Pension Funds Investment

Canadian Pension Funds Investment

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As the demand for long-term, stable assets is much greater than the supply in Canada, pension funds are actively seeking growth opportunities and looking to diversify offshore. With 160+ locations around the world, Dentons is uniquely positioned to offer Canadian pension funds unprecedented access to global investment opportunities. Through our long-established global connections within the infrastructure, real estate and private equity sectors, we offer unique investment opportunities to complement investment portfolios and strategies.

When investing in other regions, a key element to success is partnering with a law firm that understands the local business culture and delivers seamless service across multiple jurisdictions and time zones, while adhering to the same standards of service which you expect in North America. We believe a partnership approach works best, leveraging the sophisticated knowledge of your investment team and legal counsel, supported by our global team and directed by your local point of contact. – bridging you to resources and opportunities around the global while ensuring seamless and uninterrupted high-quality service.

Our highly-skilled team of lawyers have extensive experience advising through every stage of a pension plan investment—from asset allocation and plan modification to fund structuring, regulatory and corporate governance advice. We regularly act for Canadian pension funds, providing strategic advice that goes beyond simply advising on legal issues, but understanding the business of pension funds and their investments. Our hands-on knowledge advising pension fund administrators and investment management firms, which invest on behalf of pension funds, means we can help you not only understand regulatory obligations, but also navigate the sensitivities associated with public perceptions of pension plans.

At Dentons, we leverage our deep and varied proficiency, trusted judgment and consultative mindset to develop an approach that is aligned with your business objectives and legal needs. Our practitioners are consistently recognized in leading Canadian and global directories and publications, such as Chambers Global, Legal 500, Lexpert and Best Lawyers.

Experience

We advise on significant global transactions in the sectors that are targeted by Canadian pension funds:

African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM): Acting through various SPVs (African Infrastructure Investment Fund 2 (AIIF2) and AIIF2 Towers Mauritius), on its investments in IHS Holding Limited, Africa's leading mobile infrastructure company. This deal won "Single Deal Advisor of the Year" at the Private Equity Africa Awards 2015.
Alberta Investment Management Corporation: Advising in respect of its purchase of CA$200 million common shares of TransAlta Renewables Inc. from TransAlta Corporation.
Bank of New York Mellon: Advising the administrator and US paying agent on the CA$10 billion Ontario Teachers' Finance Trust (OTFT)'s commercial paper program guaranteed by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board.
Berkshire Hathaway Energy: Acting in connection with a CA$3.2 billion acquisition agreement to acquire AltaLink, a subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. This was in the top five of Canada’s largest PE transactions in 2014.
Blackstone: Advising on the acquisition of two logistics portfolios comprising 43 assets for over €400 million.
European Investment Bank (EIB): Advising on legislation in the Mediterranean countries (FEMIP countries) for the preparation of a study aimed at exploring and promoting public-private partnerships (PPP) to fund critical infrastructure projects across nine countries in North Africa and the Middle East.
Gávea Funds: Representing a Brazilian Fund Manager with US$7 billion in assets under management in connection with the sale of a controlling interest in the fund to JP Morgan Asset Management for US$600 million.
Greystone Managed Investments: Advising on a joint venture with a BC developer for the construction of a large multi-use commercial real estate project located along the King George Corridor.
Hilco UK Ltd.: Advising the leading UK restructuring specialist on the high-profile purchase of the syndicated secured debt of HMV.
HOOPP Realty Inc.: Advising on the indirect acquisition of approximately 240 acres in Calgary as a major commercial/industrial park consisting of over 3.4 million square feet of Class A industrial and office buildings.
HOOPP Realty Inc.: Advising on their joint venture arrangement with Menkes Developments Ltd. and construction financing for a new landmark office tower in downtown Toronto called One York Street. The CA$375 million senior syndicated financing was drawn in two tranches: Tranche A (CA$364 million) is to finance budgeted project costs for the development, construction and leasing of the Project and Tranche B (CA$11 million) is for the issuance of Letters of Credit in favour of Governmental Authorities to secure the performance of the Borrower’s obligations in connection with the Project.
Patheon/DPX: Acting as Canadian litigation counsel to a leading provider of contract development and manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical industry, in its US$2.6 billion going private transaction by way of plan of arrangement, and business combination with DSM’s pharmaceutical products business.
Pension fund client: Advising on the commercial component of the Marine Gateway project in Vancouver which includes negotiating a complex subordinated construction loan for the project and a forward purchase agreement for the commercial component.
Pension fund client : Advising in connection with a ground lease for 40 surplus acres from the Greater Toronto Airport Authority to build a build a one million square foot logistics centre, in partnership with a taxable developer.
Stonebridge Infrastructure Debt Fund I Limited Partnership and Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc.: Acting as counsel in respect of the CA$60 million credit facility to finance the construction of a 10 MW hydro-electric project to be located on the French River in the district of Parry Sound, Ontario.