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Montreal (Quebec), October 31, 2023 — Yellow Pages Limited (TSX: Y) (the “Company”), a leading Canadian digital media and marketing company, today announced that it has filed and is in the process of mailing the management proxy circular (the “Circular”) and related materials for the special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the Company’s shareholders (the “Shareholders”) to approve the previously announced arrangement under the Business Corporation Act (British Columbia) (the “Arrangement”). Under the Arrangement, the Company will repurchase from Shareholders pro rata an aggregate of 4,440,497 common shares at a purchase price of $11.26 per share, which represents the volume weighted average price for the five consecutive trading days ending the trading day immediately prior to October 19, 2023, all as more particularly described in the Circular. Under the Arrangement, the Company will also advance the previously announced voluntary incremental cash contributions to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan’s (the “Pension Plan”) wind-up deficit by an amount of $12 million during the year ending December 31, 2023, bringing 2023 cash payments to the Pension Plan’s wind-up deficit to $18 million by the end of the year.
The Arrangement is subject to the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Shareholders at the Meeting. Shareholders holding in excess of 77% of the outstanding shares have agreed with the Company to vote in favor of the Arrangement. The Arrangement is also subject to the receipt of the approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Court”).
Board Recommendation
The board of directors of the Company has unanimously determined, after consultation with its advisors and its own deliberations, that the Arrangement is fair to the Shareholders and the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company, and recommends the Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement.
Interim Order
The Company also announced today that the Court has issued an interim order in connection with the Arrangement authorizing various matters, including the holding of the Meeting and the mailing of the Circular.
Record Date
The Company filed a notice of meeting and record date with applicable securities regulatory authorities on October 23, 2023, pursuant to which it advised the Shareholders that the Meeting would be held virtually on November 30, 2023 and set the close of business on October 23, 2023 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the Meeting.
Meeting and Circular
The Meeting is scheduled to be held as a virtual-only meeting available via live audio webcast available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/yp2023sm on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern time). Shareholders, regardless of geographic location, will have an equal opportunity to participate in the Meeting online. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting in person. Shareholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting. Shareholders are urged to vote well before the proxy deadline of 1:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
The Circular provides important information on the Arrangement and related matters, including the background to the Arrangement, voting procedures and how to virtually attend the Meeting. Shareholders are urged to read the Circular and its schedules carefully and in their entirety. The Circular is being mailed to Shareholders in compliance with applicable laws and the Interim Order. The Circular is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company’s website at www.corporate.yp.ca.
Shareholder Questions and Assistance
Shareholders who have questions regarding the Meeting or require assistance with voting may contact Broadridge Investor Communications Corporation, the Company’s proxy solicitation agent, via email at proxy.request@broadridge.com.
About Yellow Pages Limited
Yellow Pages Limited (TSX: Y) is a Canadian digital media and marketing company that creates opportunities for buyers and sellers to interact and transact in the local economy. Yellow Pages holds some of Canada’s leading local online properties including YP.ca, Canada411 and 411.ca. The Company also holds the YP, Canada411 and 411 mobile applications and Yellow Pages print directories. For more information visit www.corporate.yp.ca.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements about the Arrangement within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Completion of the Arrangement is subject to a number of risks. Risks that could cause our results to differ materially from our current expectations, and that could impact the Arrangement, are discussed in section 5 of our August 8, 2023 Management's Discussion and Analysis. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law, even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason.