CALGARY, AB – SNDL Inc. will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of Nova Cannabisnot already owned by SNDL, representing approximately 34.8% of Nova Shares, by way of a statutory plan of arrangement for aggregate consideration of approximately $40 million. All financial information is reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.
“Today’s announcement by our Alberta-based corporations underscores our commitment to sustainable performance in Canadian cannabis,” said Zach George, SNDL’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to building a consumer-centric model at scale, supported by SNDL’s robust shared service model, access to capital, and a well-developed cannabis retail pipeline. These factors are integral to the achievement of sustained profitable growth.”
Transaction Benefits
- Retail Expertise: Nova’s retail expertise will support SNDL’s entire cannabis retail portfolio to enhance programming, expand data programs, advance staff training initiatives, and optimize inventory management.
- Synergies and Cost Rationalization: The Transaction is anticipated to generate savings through the streamlining of public company expenses and the optimization of general and administrative costs.
- Access to Capital: SNDL’s robust balance sheet will ensure that Nova’s retail platform continues to be supported in a competitive and challenging environment.
“The proposed Transaction offers liquidity and certainty to minority shareholders, while creating a lasting retail legacy in a nascent industry,” said Ron Hozjan, one of Nova’s independent directors and Chair of the special committee of Nova. “I commend the Nova team and board of directors for their dedication and leadership.”
Under the terms of the Agreement, Nova’s shareholders will receive $1.75 in cash for each Nova Share, representing a premium of 41.2% to the 20-day VWAP of Nova Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) as of market close on August 12, 2024.
Nova shareholders also have the ability to elect 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.
The Transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both SNDL and Nova and is expected to close on or before October 18, 2024. Following the closing of the Transaction, the Nova Shares are expected to be delisted from the TSX and Nova will apply to cease to be a reporting issuer in all provinces and territories of Canada.
Shareholder Approval
The Transaction will be carried out by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), pursuant to which SNDL will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Nova Shares not already owned by SNDL. The implementation of the Transaction will be subject to (among other things) the approval of at least two thirds of the Nova Shares voted by Nova shareholders, as well as the requisite approval of the majority of disinterested Nova shareholders under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, at a special meeting of Nova shareholders expected to be held by Nova in October, 2024. The Transaction is also subject to the receipt of court approval from the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta and other customary closing conditions.
Nova Board Approval and Voting Recommendation
Nova’s board of directors, after consultation with its financial and legal advisors and acting on the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of Nova’s independent directors, has determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Nova and is fair to Nova Shareholders. Nova’s board of directors has resolved to recommend that the Nova shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction.
Formal Valuation and Fairness Opinion
The Special Committee retained Eight Capital Inc. as financial advisor and independent valuator and requested that Eight Capital prepare a formal valuation in accordance with MI 61-101. Eight Capital delivered an oral opinion to the Special Committee that, as of August 9, 2024, based on Eight Capital’s analysis and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications to be set forth in Eight Capital’s written valuation, the fair market value of the Nova Shares is in the range of $1.40 to $1.90 per Nova Share. Eight Capital also delivered an oral opinion that, as of August 9, 2024, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications to be set forth in Eight Capital’s written fairness opinion, the Consideration to be received by the shareholders of Nova (other than SNDL) pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such Nova shareholders.
Transaction Details
The Agreement provides for, among other things, customary support and non-solicitation covenants from Nova, including customary “fiduciary out” provisions that allow Nova to accept a superior proposal in certain circumstances. The Agreement also provides for the payment of a termination fee of $800,000 payable to SNDL by Nova in the event the Transaction is terminated in certain specified circumstances.
A full description of the Transaction will be set forth in a management information circular of Nova to be distributed to Nova shareholders in connection with the Meeting and filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval + (SEDAR+) under Nova’s profile.
Voting Support Agreement
All directors and executive officers of Nova, and Cannell Capital, LLC, in respect of approximately 13% of the issued and outstanding Nova Shares which are controlled by Cannell, have entered into voting support agreements with SNDL pursuant to which, among other things, the parties have agreed, subject to the terms thereof, to vote in favour of the Transaction.
Early Warning Disclosure by Cannell Capital, LLC
Further to the requirements of National Instrument 62-104 respecting Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids and National Instrument 62-103 respecting the Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues of the Canadian Securities Administrators, Cannell, a Wyoming limited liability company, will file an amended early warning report in connection with its participation in the transaction. A copy of Cannell’s related amended early warning report will be filed with the applicable Canadian securities commissions and will be made available on SEDAR+.
Advisors
McCarthy Tétrault LLP is acting as legal counsel to SNDL.
Eight Capital is acting as financial advisor and Bennett Jones LLP is acting 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, Spiritleaf, 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, Citizen Stash, Sundial Cannabis, Palmetto, Spiritleaf Selects Bon Jak, Versus, Value Buds, Namaste, Re-up, Grasslands and Vacay. SNDL’s investment portfolio seeks to deploy strategic capital through direct and indirect investments and partnerships throughout the North American cannabis industry.
ABOUT NOVA CANNABIS INC.
Nova Cannabis Inc. (TSX: NOVC) 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, B.C. and Saskatchewan, primarily under its “Value Buds” banner.
