CALGARY, AB — SNDL Inc. acquired all the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of Nova Cannabis Inc. not already owned by SNDL, representing approximately 34.8% of the Nova shares. The arrangement was approved by at least two-thirds of the holders of Nova Shares and the majority of disinterested Nova Shareholders under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions at a special meeting of the Nova Shareholders on October 16, 2024. The Court of King’s Bench of Alberta granted a final order approving the Arrangement on October 17, 2024. All financial information in this press release is reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Each Nova Shareholder (other than SNDL and its affiliates that hold Nova Shares) will receive $1.75 in cash for each Nova Share, representing a premium of 41.2% to the 20-day volume weighted average trading price of Nova Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange as of market close on August 12, 2024, the date prior to the announcement of the Arrangement, other than Nova Shareholders that validly elected to receive, in lieu of the Cash Consideration, 0.58 of a common share of SNDL for each Nova Share, subject to proration and a maximum of 50% of the aggregate Consideration being payable in SNDL Shares. Nova Shareholders representing a total of 275,507 Nova Shares elected to receive an aggregate of 159,792 SNDL Shares as Share Consideration. Nova Shareholders representing a total of 21,305,023 Nova Shares elected (or were deemed to have elected) to receive $37,283,790.25 as Cash Consideration.
“The acquisition of Nova’s remaining minority interest represents a significant milestone that will streamline SNDL’s cannabis retail operations and generate material savings by eliminating public company expenses,” said Zachary George, SNDL’s Chief Executive Officer. “With a debt-free and cash-rich balance sheet we are well-positioned to drive the continued expansion of our Canadian cannabis retail platform. We intentionally and successfully structured this transaction to incentivize shareholders to opt for cash, which further underscores our focus on accretive growth, allowing us to efficiently deploy capital without significant share dilution.”
The Nova Shares are expected to be delisted from the TSX and the OTC Markets. Following the delisting of the Nova Shares, Nova intends to submit an application to cease to be a reporting issuer in each applicable jurisdiction of Canada pursuant to applicable securities laws, and, following which, SNDL intends to amalgamate with Nova pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta).
Registered holders of Nova Shares are reminded that they must send their completed and executed letter of transmittal and election form and related share certificates or DRS advices, if any, to the depository for the Arrangement, Odyssey Trust Company, as soon as possible in order to receive the Consideration to which they are entitled under the Arrangement.
DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT
In connection with the Arrangement, SNDL intends to appoint to its board of directors J. Carlo Cannell, 61, a leading practitioner of special situations since the formation of Cannell Capital in 1992.
EARLY WARNING REPORTING
Immediately prior to the effective date of the Arrangement, SNDL and its subsidiaries owned an aggregate of 40,501,641 Nova Shares, representing approximately 65.2% of the outstanding Nova Shares at such time. Pursuant to the terms of the Arrangement, SNDL acquired each of the issued and outstanding Nova Shares (other than those held by SNDL and its affiliates) for the Consideration. The aggregate Consideration delivered pursuant to the Arrangement for Nova Shares (including cash payments in lieu of fractional shares) was $37,283,790.25 in cash and 159,792 in SNDL Shares. The closing trading price of a SNDL Share on Nasdaq on October 18, 2024, the last full trading day prior to the closing of the Arrangement, was US$2.02 (approximately C$2.79).
An early warning report will be filed on SEDAR+ under Nova’s profile.
ADVISORS
McCarthy Tétrault LLP has acted as legal counsel to SNDL.
Eight Capital has acted as financial advisor and Bennett Jones LLP has acted as legal counsel to Nova.
ABOUT SNDL INC.
SNDL is a public company whose shares are traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “SNDL”. SNDL is the largest private-sector liquor and cannabis retailer in Canada with retail banners that include Ace Liquor, Wine and Beyond, Liquor Depot, Value Buds, Spirit Leaf, Superette and Firesale. SNDL is a licensed cannabis producer and one of the largest vertically integrated cannabis companies in Canada specializing in low-cost biomass sourcing, indoor cultivation, product innovation, low-cost manufacturing facilities, and a cannabis brand portfolio that includes Top Leaf, Contraband, Palmetto, Bon Jak, Versus, Value Buds, and Vacay. SNDL’s investment portfolio seeks to deploy strategic capital through direct and indirect investments and partnership throughout the North American cannabis industry.
ABOUT NOVA CANNABIS INC.
Nova is one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing cannabis retailers with a goal of disrupting the cannabis retail market by offering a wide range of high-quality cannabis products at every-day best value prices. Nova currently owns and/or operates locations across Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, primarily under its “Value Buds” banner. Additional information about Nova Cannabis Inc. is available at www.sedarplus.ca and Nova’s website.
