Commercial insolvency in Canada

A closed restaurant in Gananoque, Ontario

Commercial insolvency in Canada has options and procedures that are distinct from those available in consumer insolvency proceedings. It is governed by the following statutes:

The following discussion concentrates on insolvency as it applies to corporations, but the rules apply to individuals and other entities involved in commercial matters as well, with necessary modifications.

Financial difficulties prior to insolvency

Provincial legislation under the property and civil rights power of the Constitution Act, 1867 regulates the resolution of financial difficulties that occur before the onset of insolvency, and the BIA incorporates many of them by reference in the application of its provisions. Notable legislation is in effect for governing:

As well, corporate directors have a statutory duty of loyalty to the corporation and a duty of care to all of its stakeholders. It follows that directors have a duty to ensure that their corporation carries on business only if it can meet its liabilities as they become due and if there is a reasonable expectation of newly incurred obligations being satisfied.[9]

Alternatives to resolving financial difficulties

Where a commercial debtor is experiencing financial difficulties, it is generally in his best interests to work with the secured lenders.[10] The following options may be considered in order to seek a resolution to the matter:

  • informal compromise with creditors
  • out-of court restructuring agreements [11]
  • plans of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act or similar provincial corporations legislation [12][13][14][15]
  • the debtor making an assignment for the general benefit of creditors under the pertinent provincial legislation [16]
  • the creditor(s) securing appointment of a receiver or interim receiver to seize and administer any of the debtor's property [17]
  • the debtor making a proposal to creditors (known as a "Division I proposal") [18]
  • the debtor making an application under the CCAA to make a compromise or arrangement with its creditors [19]
  • an insolvent debtor making an assignment under the BIA for the general benefit of his creditors[20]
  • creditors applying for a bankruptcy order where the debtor owes at least $1,000 and has committed an act of bankruptcy

All options other than the first four have the effect of staying any proceedings that can be brought against the debtor.

Insolvent persons have the choice of making an assignment immediately, or to seek protection from creditors in order to reorganize their affairs and continue as a going concern. For the latter option, companies owing less than $5 million generally opt to file a Division I proposal, while those owing more can also opt for the CCAA proceeding.

Entities subject to insolvency regime

With certain exceptions, the BIA covers a wide range of entities:

  • it covers anyone who has resided or carried on business in Canada
  • it "includes a partnership, an unincorporated association, a corporation, a cooperative society or a cooperative organization, the successors of a partnership, of an association, of a corporation, of a society or of an organization and the heirs, executors, liquidators of the succession, administrators or other legal representatives of a person;"[21] but
  • it does not apply to banks, insurance companies, trust companies, loan companies, and railways.[22]
  • Insolvent financial institutions are governed by the Winding-Up and Restructuring Act [23] and insolvent railways by the Canada Transportation Act.[24]
  • partners in a partnership may be placed into bankruptcy with that partnership,[25] but that can only occur where the partnership is located in one of the common-law jurisdictions; the Civil Code of Quebec defines partnership property as being a patrimony independent from its partners[26][27][28]
  • The Farm Debt Mediation Act provides that farmers cannot be forced into bankruptcy, but they can make a voluntary assignment.[29][30]

The CCAA covers insolvent companies (together with their affiliates) with debts greater than $5 million.[31]

The Winding-Up and Restructuring Act, in addition to its application to financial institutions, also offers a little-used alternative to the BIA for certain groups of insolvent companies.[32][33]

Settlement of the insolvent person's estate

The trustee/receiver/monitor must first realize the amount of the proceeds from the property that is available for payment to the different classes of creditors, and different rules apply according to the type of proceeding. They are summarized as follows:

 Starting with the property under the possession or control of the insolvent person
Type Notice of intention, or proposal[34][35] Bankruptcy[36] Receivership CCAA
Held in trust for another person Exclude Exclude Exclude
Exempt from execution or seizure Exclude Exclude Exclude
Income tax refunds for the fiscal year of the event Add Add Add
Such powers over property as are exercised for the insolvent person's own benefit Add Add Add
Garnishments for enforcing notices of assessment for income tax, CPP and EI liability Exclude Exclude Exclude
Withholding taxes deducted at source Exclude Exclude Exclude
Funds constituting a deemed trust for the Crown (other than for garnishments and withholding taxes deducted at source) Exclude
Third party's property in possession of bankrupt[37] Exclude
Goods shipped in 30 days prior to the event, and still unpaid[38] Exclude Exclude Exclude
Produce of farmer, fisherman or aquaculturist shipped in 15 days prior to the event, and still unpaid[39] Exclude Exclude Exclude
Copyrights and manuscripts for works not yet published[40] Revert to owner
Property transferred at undervalue[41] Add Add Add Add[42]

The estate is then settled, using the priority of claims outlined in the BIA.

Creation of security interests

It is in the lender's or supplier's best interest to minimize his financial exposure should his client experience financial difficulties. To that end, there is a range of remedies available to establish his status as a secured (vs unsecured) creditor under both provincial and federal legislation.[43][44]

In the common law provinces, security interests are created through the registration of mortgages and charges against the real property concerned. In Quebec, this is done by way of hypothecs against immoveable property.

For personal property (moveable property in Quebec), secured creditors create their security interests through registration under the Personal Property Security Act ("PPSA") in force in their province, or under the Civil Code in Quebec by way of hypothec through the Registre des droits personnels et réels mobiliers.[45][46] Banks can also create security interests under SS. 426-427 of the Bank Act,[47][48] which normally have priority over PPSA registrations.[49] However, as noted by the Supreme Court of Canada in Bank of Montreal v. Innovation Credit Union, with regard to unperfected security interests, this depends on the provisions of the PPSA in effect in the province concerned.

There can be complex interplay between insolvency law and other legal regimes, such as admiralty law.[50]

In the common law provinces and territories, legislation in place for specific security interests is as follows:

Province Personal Property Security Act Securities Transfer Act Bulk Sales Act Builders' liens Repair and storage liens Workers' liens
 British Columbia RSBC 1996, c. 359 SBC 2007, c. 10 Builders Lien Act Repairers Lien Act, Warehouse Lien Act Livestock Lien Act, Tugboat Worker Lien Act, Woodworker Lien Act
 Alberta RSA 2000, c. P‑7 SA 2006, c. S-4.5 Builders' Lien Act Possessory Liens Act, Warehousemen's Lien Act, Garage Keepers' Lien Act Woodmen's Lien Act
 Saskatchewan SS 1993, c. P-6.2 SS 2007, c. S-42.3 Builders' Lien Act Commercial Liens Act Threshers' Lien Act, Woodmen's Lien Act
 Manitoba CCSM c. P35 SM 2008, c. 14, also referred to as CCSM c. S60 Builders' Liens Act Garage Keepers Act, Warehousemen's Liens Act Threshers' Liens Act, Woodmen's Liens Act
 Ontario RSO 1990, c. P.10 SO 2006, c. 8 RSO 1990, c. B.14 Construction Lien Act Repair and Storage Lien Act Forestry Workers Lien for Wages Act
 New Brunswick SNB 1993, c. P-7.1 SNB 2008, c. S-5.8 Liens on Goods and Chattels Act, Mechanics' Lien Act, Storer's Lien Act Woods Workers' Lien Act
 Nova Scotia SNS 1995-96, c. 13 SNS 2010, c. 8 Builders' Lien Act Woodmen's Lien Act
 Prince Edward Island SPEI 1997, c.33, also referred to as c. P-3.1 Garage Keepers' Lien Act, Mechanics' Lien Act, Warehousemen's Lien Act
 Newfoundland and Labrador SNL 1998, c. P-7.1 SNL 2007, c. S-13.01 Mechanics' Lien Act, Warehouser's Lien Act
 Yukon RSY 2002, c. 169 SY 2010, c. 16 Builders Lien Act Garage Keepers Lien Act, Warehouse Keepers Lien Act Miners Lien Act
 Northwest Territories SNWT 1998, c.8 SNWT 2009, c.14 Garage Keepers Lien Act, Mechanics Lien Act, Warehouse Keepers Lien Act Miners Lien Act
 Nunavut As NWT SNu 2010, c. 15 As for NWT As for NWT

Debtor protection provisions

Stay of proceedings

No person may terminate or amend — or claim an accelerated payment or forfeiture of the term under — any agreement, including a security agreement, with a bankrupt individual by reason only of the individual’s bankruptcy or insolvency.[51] Similar provision is made with respect to any insolvent person upon filing a notice of intention or a proposal,[52] as well as for any debtor company subject to the CCAA by reason only that proceedings commenced under the CCA or that the company is insolvent.[53] Because of these restrictions on what are called "ipso facto" clauses, creditors must be careful in specifying appropriate trigger events in their contracts' termination clauses.[54] The Canadian courts have extended this further through application of the common law principle of fraud upon the bankruptcy law, declaring that termination clauses that are triggered where non-payment of obligations is indirectly caused by the debtor’s insolvency should be deemed to have been caused by the insolvency.[55]

A notice of intention [56] or a Division I proposal [57] will automatically create a stay of proceedings and "no creditor has any remedy against the debtor or the debtor’s property, or shall commence or continue any action, execution or other proceedings, for the recovery of a claim provable in bankruptcy". Similar provision is also made on the bankruptcy of any debtor.[58] Directors of insolvent companies that have filed a notice of intention or a proposal have similar protection.[59]

Suspension of attachments

S. 70(1) of the BIA provides that bankruptcy orders and assignments take precedence over "all judicial or other attachments, garnishments, certificates having the effect of judgments, judgments, certificates of judgment, legal hypothecs of judgment creditors, executions or other process against the property of a bankrupt,"[60] but that does not extend to:

  • those that have been completely executed by payment to the creditor or the creditor's representative, or
  • the rights of a secured creditor.

The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that, in the case of a "requirement to pay" under the Income Tax Act (Canada) that was issued after a notice of application to appoint a receiver (but before the court heard the application), supported by an ex parte "jeopardy order" issued by the Federal Court of Canada under s. 225.1(1) of that Act,[61] the "requirement to pay" was considered to have been completely executed on the date of its issue, and thus took precedence over other creditors' claims.[62][63][64]

Contractual arrangements

Contracts may be assigned elsewhere in the event of a notice of intention of a Division I proposal,[65] bankruptcy[66] or CCAA proceeding.[67] Agreements of any kind can be disclaimed in the event of a Division I proposal[68] or CCAA proceeding,[69] as well as leases in a bankruptcy proceeding.[70]

Critical suppliers may be ordered to continue dealing with companies undergoing a CCAA proceeding, if the goods or services supplied are critical to the company's continued operation.[71]

Anti-avoidance provisions

Attacking questionable behaviour

As in other countries, certain debtors may be tempted to bypass the process outlined above through the transfer of assets from an insolvent company to a phoenix company, thus abandoning outstanding liabilities to creditors. Recent legal developments have made this procedure unattractive, through creditors using the oppression remedy available under the CBCA and similar provincial corporations legislation.[72]

Several procedures are available for investigating companies' behaviour during times of insolvency or other financial difficulty. The BIA provides for examination of relevant parties during the administration of the estate,[73] and the CBCA and similar provincial corporations legislation provides for the court to appoint inspectors to investigate and report back on fraudulent, dishonest, oppressive or unfairly prejudicial behaviour of a corporation.[74][75] A typical inspector's report can be viewed here.[76]

The court has power to remove one or more of the company's directors, if the court is satisfied that the director is unreasonably impairing or is likely to unreasonably impair the possibility of a viable proposal (or in the case of the CCAA, a compromise or arrangement) being made in respect of the company or is acting or is likely to act inappropriately as a director in the circumstances.[77][78]

Protection of creditors

Where bankruptcy is sought, it does not necessarily wipe the slate clean on certain debts. Some liabilities are not released upon discharge.[79] Directors and parties related to the bankrupt may still be held personally liable for certain tax debts,[80][lower-alpha 1]and directors can be held accountable for other liabilities.[83]

Certain bankruptcy and CCAA proceedings involve the issue of unpaid wages, severance and termination pay, and other payroll liabilities. The Wage Earner Protection Program Act [84] provides a procedure to claim a portion of the amount due, against which the "super-priority" of the employees on the assets of the estate is subrogated.[85]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Whether through non-arm's-length transfers of property at less than fair market value when the debt is outstanding[81] or distribution of property from the estate without a clearance certificate.[82]

References

  1. ↑ "Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. B-3)". Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  2. ↑ "Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-36)". Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  3. ↑ "Winding-up and Restructuring Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. W-11)". Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  4. ↑ "Absconding Debtors Act (Ontario), R.S.O. 1990, c. A.2".
  5. ↑ "Bulk Sales Act (Ontario), R.S.O. 1990, c. B.14".
  6. ↑ "Fraudulent Conveyances Act (Ontario), R.S.O. 1990, c. F.29".
  7. ↑ "Creditors' Relief Act, 2010 (Ontario) , S.O. 2010, c. 16, Sch. 4".
  8. ↑ "Execution Act (Ontario), R.S.O. 1990, c. E.24".
  9. ↑ Scott Bomhof, Torys LLP. "Duties of Directors in the Insolvency Zone" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-12-14.
  10. ↑ D. Robb English, Paul Bowers and David Carson (2004-09-27). "Turnarounds: Dealing with the Secured Lender" (PDF). Aird & Berlis. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  11. ↑ Milly Chow (2010-11-16). "Out-of-Court Restructurings". Blake, Cassels & Graydon. Retrieved 2011-09-07.
  12. ↑ "CBCA, S. 192".
  13. ↑ "Policy Concerning Arrangements Under Section 192 of the CBCA". Industry Canada. 2010-01-04. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  14. ↑ Peter Rubin (2010-11-16). "Arrangement Provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act". Blake, Cassels & Graydon. Retrieved 2011-09-07.
  15. ↑ "Restructuring Under the Business Corporations Act" (PDF). Fraser Milner Casgrain. September 2009. Retrieved 2011-09-08.
  16. ↑ "Assignments and Preferences Act (Ontario), R.S.O. 1990, c. A.33". Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  17. ↑ Aubrey E. Kaufman and R. Graham Phoenix (2007-10-31). "Interim Receivers under the BIA: What practicality demands ... for now" (PDF). Fasken Martineau. Retrieved 2011-09-12.
  18. ↑ "Process for Division I Proposals". OSB. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  19. ↑ "The Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act". OSB. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  20. ↑ "BIA, S. 49".
  21. ↑ "BIA, S. 2, definition of "person"".
  22. ↑ "BIA, S. 2, definition of "corporation"".
  23. ↑ "Winding-Up and Restructuring Act, S. 6(1)".
  24. ↑ "Canada Transportation Act, S. 106".
  25. ↑ "BIA, S. 43".
  26. ↑ Martin Boodman (November 29, 2010). "Who Owns a Quebec Partnership?". McCarthy Tétrault.
  27. ↑ Alexandra Popovici (2013). "Québec's Partnership: Une Société Distincte". Journal of Civil Law Studies. Louisiana State University Law Center. 6 (1): 339–372. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  28. ↑ Ferme CGR enr., s.e.n.c. (Syndic de) 2010 QCCA 719 (16 April 2010)(French)
  29. ↑ "Farm Debt Mediation Act, SS. 12-13".
  30. ↑ "Farm Debt Mediation Act, S. 14".
  31. ↑ "CCAA, S. 3".
  32. ↑ "Winding-Up and Restructuring Act, S. 6(1)".
  33. ↑ Welling, Bruce L.; Thomas G. W. Telfer (September 1, 2008). "The Winding-Up and Restructuring Act: Realigning Insolvency's Orphan to the Modern Law Reform Process". Banking & Finance Law Review. 24: 233. Retrieved December 31, 2011.
  34. ↑ "BIA, S. 66".
  35. ↑ "BIA, S. 66.4".
  36. ↑ "BIA, S. 67".
  37. ↑ "BIA, S. 81".
  38. ↑ "BIA, S. 81.1".
  39. ↑ "BIA, S. 81.2".
  40. ↑ "BIA, S. 83(1)".
  41. ↑ "BIA, S. 95".
  42. ↑ "CCAA, S. 36.1".
  43. ↑ John R. Sandrelli, Christopher J. Ramsay and Anjili I. Bahadoorsingh (2002-09-18). "Remedies under Security Interests in Canada: An Overview" (PDF). Fraser Milner Casgrain. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  44. ↑ "Federal Security Interests: Contract #99-08-2" (PDF). Fraser Milner Casgrain under contract to the Law Commission of Canada. June 2000. Retrieved 2011-09-14.
  45. ↑ Kiriakoula Hatzikiriako (Summer 2010). "An attempt to "demystify" Québec secured transactions law (Part I)" (PDF). ABA Commercial Law Newsletter as reprinted by McMillan LLP. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  46. ↑ "Registre des droits personnels et réels mobiliers". Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  47. ↑ "Bank Act (S.C. 1991, c. 46), S. 426".
  48. ↑ "Bank Act (S.C. 1991, c. 46), S. 427".
  49. ↑ Rebecca M. Morse. "Priority Disputes between the Bank Act and Provincial PPSA Legislation" (PDF). Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  50. ↑ Robert A. Margolis and Christopher J. Giaschi (April 2002). "Priorities and Bankruptcy in Admiralty" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-09-22.
  51. ↑ "BIA, S. 84.2".
  52. ↑ "BIA, S. 65.1".
  53. ↑ "CCAA, S. 34(1)".
  54. ↑ Stephen J. Weisz (April 2009). "Insolvency and Restructuring Agreements in an Economic Downturn" (PDF). Blake, Cassels & Graydon. Retrieved 2011-09-07.
  55. ↑ Anthony Alexander (2013-06-06). "Beware Contractual Provisions triggered (even indirectly) by a Party's Insolvency". McCarthy Tétrault. Retrieved 2013-11-04., discussing Aircell Communications Inc. v. Bell Mobility Cellular Inc. 2013 ONCA 95 (14 February 2013), which extended upon C.I.B.C. v. Bramalea Inc. 1995 CanLII 7420 (13 December 1995), Superior Court of Justice (Ontario, Canada)
  56. ↑ "BIA, S. 50.4".
  57. ↑ "BIA, S. 62(1)".
  58. ↑ "BIA, S. 69.3".
  59. ↑ "BIA, S. 69.31".
  60. ↑ "BIA, S. 70".
  61. ↑ "Income Tax Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.), s. 225.1(1)".
  62. ↑ I. Waxman & Sons Limited (Re) 2010 ONCA447 (17 June 2010)
  63. ↑ "Canada Revenue Agency Trumps Unsecured Creditors!". Weir Foulds LLP. October 2010.
  64. ↑ "Case Comment – Re I. Waxman & Sons Ltd.". Cassels Brock. 14 October 2010.
  65. ↑ "BIA, S. 66(1.1)".
  66. ↑ "BIA, S. 84.1".
  67. ↑ "CCAA, S. 11.3".
  68. ↑ "BIA, S. 65.11".
  69. ↑ "CCAA, S. 32".
  70. ↑ "BIA, S. 30(1)(k)".
  71. ↑ "CCAA, S. 11.4".
  72. ↑ Mark Wiffen (July 2011). "getting blood from a stone – enforcing unpaid corporate judgments against directors". McMillan LLP. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  73. ↑ "BIA, SS. 161-167". Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  74. ↑ "CBCA, Part XIX". Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  75. ↑ Edmond F.B. Lamek and Andrew Derksen. "OBA Remedies Fast Forward - OBCA (and CBCA) Inspectors" (PDF). Fasken Martineau. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  76. ↑ "Carling (Inspector under Business Corporations Act)". Ernst & Young. Retrieved 2011-09-15.
  77. ↑ "BIA, s. 64".
  78. ↑ "CCAA, s. 11.5".
  79. ↑ "BIA, S. 178(1)".
  80. ↑ Katherine M. Wellburn and Murray Jamieson (2008-09-18). "Taking it all away - Traps set for debtors trying to dodge the taxman" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  81. ↑ Canada v. Heavyside 1996 FCA 3932 (9 December 1996), Federal Court of Appeal (Canada)
  82. ↑ Jean-Gillaume Schooner (September 29, 2014). "GST/QST - A tax debtor's bankruptcy or arrangement does not extinguish the obligation to obtain a clearance certificate from a tax authority". Stikeman Elliott., discussing Congiu c. Canada, 2014 CAF 73 (CanLII)(French) and Congiu c. Agence du revenu du Québec, 2014 QCCA 242 (CanLII)(French). Leave to appeal refused, Rita Congiu v. Agence du revenu du Québec 2014 CanLII 51415 (4 September 2014), Supreme Court (Canada)
  83. ↑ David A. DeGroot (June 2009). "Directors' liability during corporate insolvency" (PDF). Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer LLP. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  84. ↑ "Wage Earner Protection Program Act (S.C. 2005, c. 47, s. 1))". Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  85. ↑ "Wage Earner Protection Program". Retrieved 2011-09-04.
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