Public M&A

Expertise
Practices
Mergers & Acquisitions
Public M&A

The Blakes M&A team has extensive experience structuring and negotiating complex public M&A transactions, across a wide cross-section of industry sectors. We provide strategic counsel to Canadian and international companies, private equity funds, financial advisors and international law firms on transactions within Canada and across borders.

In both negotiated and unsolicited transactions, we offer guidance on structuring considerations, regulatory issues, related-party rules and fiduciary duties. Our M&A team also advises boards and special committees on governance, fiduciary duties, director and officer liabilities, shareholder engagement and other strategic considerations.

Recent Experience

Filo Corp. on its C$4.5-billion acquisition by BHP and Lundin Mining Corporation.
Fission Uranium Corp. on its C$1.14-billion acquisition by Paladin Energy.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. on its proposed acquisition of Stelco Holdings Inc., a transaction representing an enterprise value of approximately C$3.4-billion.
AstraZeneca AB on its US$2-billion acquisition of Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners on its investment in the C$1.2-billion purchase of LOGISTEC Corporation in partnership with Blue Wolf Capital Partners.
Ten Coves Capital and a group of other shareholders on the C$274-million acquisition of TSX-listed Q4 Inc. by Sumeru Equity Partners, through a transaction in which the shareholders will roll their interest in Q4 into a new private company controlled by Sumeru.
Enerplus Corporation on its US$11-billion merger with Chord Energy Corporation.
Strathcona Resources Ltd. in its proposed all-share transaction to acquire Pipestone Energy Corp. creating a combined entity with an approximate C$11.5-billion enterprise value.
Terra Firma Capital Corporation in its C$46-million privatization transaction.
Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. on its C$1.1-billion sale to B2Gold Corp.
Maverix Metals Inc. on its C$606-million acquisition by Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp.
Magnet Forensics on its C$1.8-billion acquisition by an affiliate of private equity firm Thoma Bravo.
The Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Hammerhead Resources Inc. on its C$1.39-billion business combination with Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation IV, a U.S. SPAC, with the merged company to be listed on Nasdaq.
Sierra Wireless, Inc. on its US$1.2-billion acquisition by Semtech Corporation.
Pretium Resources Inc. in connection with the C$3.5-billion acquisition by Newcrest Mining Limited.
WPT Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust on its US$3.1-billion acquisition by Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc.
Canadian counsel to Allied Universal on its US$5.3-billion takeover of G4S.
The Board of Directors of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Limited on CP's acquisition of Kansas City Southern, a transaction representing an enterprise value of approximately US$29-billion.
Canadian counsel to Intact Financial Corporation on connection with its proposed C$12.3-billion acquisition, together with Tryg A/S, of RSA Insurance Group Plc and related private placements of C$4.45-billion of subscription receipts.
Genworth MI Canada Inc. on its C$1.6-billion acquisition by Brookfield Business Partners L.P.
Torstar Corporation on its acquisition by NordStar Capital LP.
The Special Committee of Balmoral Resources Limited on its C$110-million acquisition by Wallbridge Mining Company Limited.
Starlight Investments, KingSett Capital and other investors on their C$4.8-billion acquisition of Northview Apartment REIT.
Equinox Gold Corp. on its US$578-million all-stock acquisition of Leagold Mining Corporation and concurrent private placement of US$170-million and debt financing of US$500-million.
Great Hill Partners on the C$126-million acquisition of VersaPay Corporation.
Pattern Energy Group Inc. on its approximately US$6.1-billion all-cash acquisition by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
Cona Resources Ltd., a portfolio company of Waterous Energy Fund, on its C$740-million acquisition of Pengrowth Energy Corporation.
Hudson’s Bay Company in connection with its C$2-billion privatization transaction with a shareholder group led by the company's executive chairman.
Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund Board on their C$1.7-billion acquisition of AltaGas Canada Inc.
The Stars Group Inc. in connection with its US$15-billion enterprise value merger of equals with Flutter Entertainment Inc., one of the largest transactions in Canada in 2019.
Atlantic Gold Corporation on its C$802-million sale to St Barbara Limited.
WestJet on its acquisition by Onex for approximately C$5-billion.