Gavyn B. Backus

‘Going Public’ Transactions (IPOs, RTOs, and Qualifying Transactions)

Counsel to a Canadian private issuer in connection with its acquisition of an e-gaming and high-performance computing issuer, and subsequent IPO (special warrants offering) and listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange (2019).
Counsel to a Canadian private issuer in connection with its acquisition of a licensed California cannabis issuer and subsequent IPO (non-offering prospectus) and listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange (2018).
Counsel to a Canadian reporting issuer in connection with its delisting from the TSX Venture Exchange, change of business to become an organic tobacco producer, and listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange (2018).
Counsel to various Capital Pool Companies and businesses in completing “qualifying transactions” pursuant to the TSX Venture Exchange CPC program.

Mergers and Acquisitions

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. in its $4 billion acquisition of Norbord Inc. by way of a plan of arrangement (2020)
Auryn Resources Inc. in its $350mn three-way reorganization including spinout of Peruvian assets and concurrent acquisition of Eastmain Resources Inc. for $121 million by way of plan of arrangement (2020)
Fury Gold Mines Limited in its approx. $350 million comprehensive reorganization transaction and acquisition of Eastmain Resources Inc. (2020).
Advantage Lithium Corp. in its C$69 million acquisition by Orocobre Limited by way of plan of Arrangement (2020).
Aurora Cannabis Inc. in its C$63.4 million acquisition of Hempco Food and Fiber Inc. by way of a plan of arrangement (2019).
Aurora Cannabis Inc. in its C$290 million acquisition of ICC Labs Inc. by way of a plan of arrangement (2018).
Aurora Cannabis Inc. in its C$1.1 billion successful unsolicited takeover bid for CanniMed Therapeutics Inc. (2017).

Corporate Finance

Aurora Cannabis Inc. in its US$750 million mixed shelf offering of equity, debt and convertible securities (2019).
Canadian counsel to private blockchain issuer in connection with its Series A financing of debt and equity (2019).
Canadian counsel to a technology and e-waste issuer in connection with its C$10,050,000 brokered and non-brokered private placement of units (common shares and warrants) on the Canadian Securities Exchange (2018).

Regulatory Compliance and Corporate Governance

Advise public issuers on compliance with continuous disclosure obligations under Canadian securities laws and stock exchange rules.
Experience in drafting continuous disclosure documents, including: management information circulars, annual information forms, management discussion and analysis, material change reports and press releases.
Advise public and private Canadian cannabis issuers on Canadian cannabis laws.
Advise public issuer board of directors and senior management on regulations and corporate governance best practices, including board and committee charters and operating guidelines.