Comprehensive settlement agreements with tobacco companies

THIS AGREEMENT RESPECTING CERTAIN FUNDS RECEIVED FROM JTI-Macdonald Corp., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Northern Brands International Inc., or on their behalf, (the "Agreement") is made as of April 13, 2010

AMONGST

Her Majesty in Right of Canada as represented by The Minister of National Revenue (hereinafter "Canada") 

and

The Minister of Revenue of Quebec, represented by the Deputy Minister of Revenue (hereinafter "Quebec")

and

Her Majesty in Right of Ontario as represented by the Attorney General of Ontario (hereinafter "Ontario")

and

Her Majesty in Right of Nova Scotia as represented by the Attorney General of Nova Scotia (hereinafter "Nova Scotia")

and

Her Majesty in Right of New Brunswick as represented by the Minister of Finance (hereinafter "New Brunswick")

and

Her Majesty in Right of Manitoba as represented by the Minister of Finance (hereinafter "Manitoba")

and

Her Majesty in Right of British Columbia as represented by the Attorney General of British Columbia (hereinafter "British Columbia")

and

Her Majesty in Right of Prince Edward Island as represented by the Attorney General for Prince Edward Island (hereinafter "Prince Edward Island")

and

Her Majesty in Right of Saskatchewan as represented by the Minister of Finance (hereinafter "Saskatchewan")

and

Her Majesty in Right of Alberta as represented by the Minister of Finance and Enterprise (hereinafter "Alberta")

and

Her Majesty in Right of Newfoundland and Labrador as represented by the Minister of Finance; the Minister of Justice and Attorney General and the Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs (hereinafter "Newfoundland and Labrador")

and

The Government in Right of the Northwest Territories as represented by the Minister of Finance (hereinafter "Northwest Territories")

and

The Government in Right of Yukon, as represented by the Minister of Finance (hereinafter "Yukon Territory")

and

The Government of Nunavut, as represented by the Minister of Finance (hereinafter "Nunavut Territory)"

(the "Provinces and Territories" and collectively with Canada, the "Governments").

WHEREAS

1. During the period from January 1, 1985 to December 31, 1999 ("the Material Time"):

• (a) Canada imposed excise duties, federal taxes and customs duties on cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products ("Tobacco Products") manufactured or imported for sale and consumption in Canada;
  
  
• (b) Provincial and territorial taxes were payable by a purchaser of Tobacco Products;
  
  
• (c) Tobacco Products imported into Canada and intended for consumption in Canada were subject to customs duties, federal taxes and applicable provincial and territorial tobacco and retail taxes; and
  
  
• (d) Exemptions from applicable taxes and duties were permitted on the lawful export of Tobacco Products from Canada;

2. A significant difference in price developed between the Tobacco Products sold in the domestic Canadian market and the products exported and sold into the United States which stimulated a growth in contraband activity in Tobacco Products;

3. The Governments suffered the loss of applicable taxes and duties as a result of that contraband activity during the Material Time;

4. The Governments have resolved their pending or potential civil claims against JTI Macdonald Corp. ("JTI-M"), R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company ("RJR") together with affiliates and related entities, in accordance with the terms of the Comprehensive Agreements, with respect to their activitieswhich led to the growth in the contraband tobacco products market during the Material Time and the loss of applicable taxes and duties in accordance with the terms of the Comprehensive Agreements as defined below. It is acknowledged, understood and agreed by the Governments that, except as provided therein, nothing in the Comprehensive Agreements or this Agreement affects, resolves or releases any claims in respect of any existing or future claim by any Government for damages relating to health care costs or the recovery thereof, and that the Comprehensive Agreements so provide;

5. The Governments acknowledge their awareness of the resolution, concurrent with but separate from this Agreement, of criminal proceedings related to the activities of JTI-M, RJR and Northern Brands International Inc. ("NBI") during the period January 1, 1991 to December 31, 1996 through the plea of guilt by JTI-M to an offence contrary to section 240(1)(a) of the Excise Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E14, as amended, in the Ontario Court of Justice (Toronto), and the payment by JTI-M of a fine, if so ordered, in the amount of Cdn. $150 million, and through the plea of guilt by NBI to an offence contrary to section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, as amended, in the Ontario Court of Justice (Toronto), and the payment by NBI of a fine, if so ordered, in the amount of Cdn. $75 million (collectively the "Criminal Fines") both of which must ultimately be remitted to the Receiver General for Canada;

6. The Minister of National Revenue and the responsible Minister of each Province or Territory represents and warrants that he or she has authority of his or her respective Government to enter into this Agreement, and that all approvals or authorizations required to enter into, execute and implement this Agreement and bind that Government to the terms hereof have been obtained;

7. The Governments have entered into a Comprehensive Agreement with each of JTI-M on the one hand and RJR on the other, each made as of April 13, 2010 (the "Comprehensive Agreements"); and

8. The Governments are desirous of entering into this Agreement to authorize, facilitate and provide for the distribution by Canada, under the terms of this Agreement, of funds received by Canada on behalf of Canada and on behalf of the Provinces and Territories from JTI-M, RJR and NBI;

THEREFORE and in consideration for the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement and the performance thereof, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Governments agree as follows:

Recitals

9. The Recitals form part of this Agreement.

Receipts by Canada on behalf of All

10.The Governments acknowledge and confirm their agreement to the terms of each of the Comprehensive Agreements and specifically to the receipt by Canada for Canada and as agent for and on behalf of all Governments of the Payment received from RJR pursuant to its Comprehensive Agreement and from JTI-M and NBI in respect of the Criminal Fines, all as set out in Schedule A hereto ("Financial Settlements Schedule"), which Schedule forms part of this Agreement.

11. For greater certainty, the Governments acknowledge and confirm that the amounts received by Canada on behalf of the Provinces and Territories include amounts to be paid by JTI-M, RJR and NBI to the Provinces and Territories to resolve the civil claims or potential civil claims in accordance with the terms of the Comprehensive Agreements of each of the Provinces and Territories relating to the loss of applicable taxes and duties arising from activitieswhich led to the growth in the contraband tobacco products market during the Material Time.

Payment of Funds by JTI-M, RJR and NBI Received by Canada

12. The Provinces and Territories acknowledge that it is expected that Canada shall receive funds from JTI-M, RJR and NBI in respect of separate and wholly distinct matters, and therefore in correspondingly separate and wholly-distinct capacities as follows:

• (a) Canada shall receive from JTI-M Criminal Fines in the amount of Cdn. $150 million as a payment of a fine levied against JTI-M if so ordered by the Ontario Court of Justice (Toronto) following a plea of guilt by JTI-M to an offence contrary to s.240(1)(a) of the Excise Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E14, as amended;
  
  
• (b) Canada shall receive from NBI Criminal Fines in the amount of Cdn. $75 million as a payment of a fine levied against NBI if so ordered by the Ontario Court of Justice (Toronto) following a plea of guilt by NBI to an offence contrary to  section 465 (1)(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1985, c.C.46, as amended. (This Criminal Fine and the amount referred to in paragraph 13 a) are collectively referred as the "Criminal Fines"); and
  
  
• (c) Canada shall receive a fixed payment from RJR in the amount of Cdn. $325 million pursuant to the terms of the Comprehensive Agreement in respect of civil claims ("the Payment").

13. It is agreed that based on Schedule "A", that Canada shall, prior to any distribution to the Governments in accordance with Schedule "B", (the "Distribution Schedule", which forms part of this Agreement) deduct and distribute from the JTI/RJR/NBI Amounts received by Canada and available for distribution the following amounts all in respect of expenses and other rights and obligations: $12 million to Canada; $2 million to the Province of Quebec, $40 million to the Province of British Columbia and $5 million to the Province of Ontario. These amounts shall be paid by Canada to those Provinces within 30 days of Canada receiving the JTI/RJR/NBI Amounts and such JTI/RJR/NBI Amounts being available for distribution.

14. The Governments agree and acknowledge their mutual intention to distribute amounts equal to all Criminal Fines and the Payment received by Canada from JTI-M, RJR and NBI net of the amounts referred to in paragraph 13 above (collectively the "JTI/RJR/NBI Amounts"), in satisfaction of all Government civil claims for loss of applicable taxes and duties as a result of that contraband activity in the proportions enumerated on Schedule "B" hereto and subject to the terms hereof.

15. Canada undertakes to distribute to each of the Governments their share of the JTI/RJR/NBI Amounts as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after receipt of such Amounts by Canada according to the terms of this Agreement and such JTI/RJR/NBI Amounts being available for Distribution.

Effect of Release and Claim Over

16. Each of the Governments acknowledges the terms of the Comprehensive Agreements and particularly paragraph 8 of the JTI-M Comprehensive Agreement and paragraph 12 of the RJR Comprehensive Agreement in respect of Released Claims and claims over.

17. Accordingly, each of the Governments agrees that if it receives, directly or indirectly, such an amount from JTI-M, NBI and/or RJR in respect of Released Claims other than pursuant to the Comprehensive Agreements and this Agreement, any then outstanding distributions payable to that Government pursuant to the Distribution Schedule of this Agreement from any or all of JTI-M, NBI or RJR shall be reduced and/or adjusted to give effect to the distributions and allocations provided for in the Distribution Schedule as expeditiously as possible.

18. Each of the Governments hereby agrees that it shall indemnify and make whole the other Governments in respect of all reasonable costs, legal fees and disbursements and expenses incurred, and for all damages, costs, penalties, fines or interest awarded, all on a full indemnity scale, as a result of any action by that Government resulting in a breach of this Agreement or the Comprehensive Agreements, including the receipt, directly or indirectly, of any amount by that Government from JTI-M, NBI and/or RJR in respect of Released Claims other than pursuant to the Comprehensive Agreements.

Form of Payment

19. All payments under this Agreement shall be made by electronic funds transfers to the account coordinates to be provided by each of the Provincial and Territorial Governments to the Government of Canada.

Notices

20. All notices required and/or made under this Agreement shall be given by facsimile and by courier delivery to the following:

• (a) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF CANADA AS REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL REVENUE
  
  Attention: Assistant Commissioner
  Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch
  Canada Revenue Agency
  320 Queen Street
  Place de Ville, Tower A
  Room 22-03, 22nd Floor
  Ottawa, ON K1A 0L5
  
  Fax: (613)-957-2067
  
  
• (b) THE MINISTER OF REVENUE OF QUEBEC, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF REVENUE
  
  Attention : Sous-ministre adjoint
  Direction générale de la législation et des enquêtes et du registraire des entreprises
  Revenu Québec
  Gouvernement du Québec
  3800, rue de Marly
  Secteur 5-2-6
  Québec  G1X 4A5
  
  Fax: (418)-643-9381
  
  
• (c) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF ONTARIO AS REPRESENTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ONTARIO
  
  Attention: Assistant Deputy Attorney General – Legal Services Division
  Ministry of the Attorney General
  720 Bay Street, 6th Floor
  Toronto, Ontario
  M5G 2K1
  
  Fax: (416)-326-6996
  
  
• (d) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF NOVA SCOTIA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NOVA SCOTIA
  
  Attention: Director Legal Services
  Nova Scotia Department of Justice
  400 – 151 Terminal Road
  P.O. Box 7
  Halifax, NS B3J 2L6
  
  Fax: (902)-424-1730
  
  
• (e) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF NEW BRUNSWICK AS REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE
  
  Attention: Provincial Tax Commissioner
  Department of Finance
  Government of New Brunswick
  Centennial Building
  PO Box 6000
  Fredericton, New Brunswick
  E3B 5H1
  
  Fax: (506)-453-3275
  
  
• (f) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF MANITOBA AS REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE
  
  Attention: Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
  Manitoba Finance
  1000-386 Broadway
  Winnipeg, Manitoba
  R3C 3N9
  
  Fax: (204)-948-3553
  
  
• (g) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
  
  Attention: Assistant Deputy Minister
  Revenue Programs Division
  Ministry of Finance
  P.O. Box 9432
  Victoria, B.C.
  V8W 9M9
  
  Fax: (250)-387-3000
  
  
• (h) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND AS REPRESENTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
  
  Attention: Provincial Tax Commissioner
  Taxation and Property Records
  Department of Provincial Treasury
  Government of Prince Edward Island
  First Floor, Shaw Building
  95 Rochford Street
  PO Box 2000
  Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
  C1A 7N8
  
  Fax: (902)-368-6584
  
  
• (i) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF SASKATCHEWAN AS REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE
  
  Attention: Assistant Deputy Minister, Revenue Division
  Ministry of Finance
  5th Floor, 2350 Albert Street
  Regina, SK
  S4P 4A6
  
  Fax: (306) 787-0241
  
  
• (j) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF ALBERTA AS REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ENTERPRISE
  
  Attention: Assistant Deputy Minister
  Tax and Revenue Administration
  Finance and Enterprise
  Government of Alberta
  2nd Fl Sir Frederick W. Haultain Building
  9811-109 Street
  Edmonton, Alberta
  T5K 2L5
  
  Fax: (780)-422-0899
  
  
• (k) HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR AS REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE
  
  Attention:  Assistant Deputy Minister Taxation and Fiscal Policy Branch
  Department of Finance
  Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
  Confederation Building
  PO Box 8700
  Prince Phillip Drive
  St. John's, Newfoundland
  A1B 4J6
  
  Fax: (709)-729-2070
  
  
• (l) THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES AS REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE
  
  Attention: Director of Fiscal Policy
  Department of Finance
  Government of the Northwest Territories
  P.O. Box 1320
  Yellowknife, NT
  X1A 2L9
  
  Fax: (867)-873-0128
  
  
• (m) THE GOVERNMENT OF YUKON AS REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE
  
  Attention: Director, Taxation
  Department of Finance, Government of Yukon
  P.O. Box 2703, Whitehorse, YT  Y1A 2C6
  
  Fax: (867)-393-6217
  
  
• (n) THE GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT AS REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF FINANCE
  Attention: Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy & Planning
  Department of Finance, Government of Nunavut
  P.O. Box Box 1000, Station 330, Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0
  
  Fax: 867-975-5805
  
  

Miscellaneous

• 21. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement when executed may be made public.
  
  
• 22. In the event that any Party hereto or its representatives are subpoenaed or otherwise compelled by law to give evidence with respect to this Agreement or the matters contained herein, such Parties shall provide notice forthwith to all other Parties.
  
  
• 23. Both versions of this Agreement in the official languages of Canada are equally binding, enforceable and authentic.
  
  
• 24. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile with originals to follow, and such counterparts, taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument and such facsimiles shall be deemed to be originals.
  
  
• 25. This Agreement may be modified, waived or amended only by the written agreement of authorized representatives of the Parties and not by acquiescence or conduct.
  
  
• 26. The Parties agree to take such further acts and steps, and execute and deliver such further documents as may be reasonably required to implement and/or give effect to this Agreement and its terms.
  
  
• 27. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Canada.

Schedule A
Financial Settlements Schedule

Financial Settlements - Schedule Year 2010

(All dollar amounts in millions)
* Fine amounts relating to criminal charges

Schedule B
Government Distribution Schedule

Government Distribution Schedule - Year 2010

[Subject to Rounding Adjustments]
(All dollar amounts in millions)