M. KATHLEEN GRIMES v. M. ERSIN OZERDINC,, 2016 TCC 280

Docket : 2014-2006(IT)G BETWEEN: M. KATHLEEN GRIMES AND M. ERSIN OZERDINC, TRUSTEES OF THE OZERDINC FAMILY TRUST NO. 2, Appellant, and HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, Respondent. Appeal heard on June 8 and 9, 2016, at Ottawa, Canada Before: T he Honourable Justice Dominique Lafleur Appearances : Counsel for the Appellant: Paul C.

LaBarge Estelle Duez Counsel for the Respondent: Pascal Tétrault Nicholas MacDonald (student-at-law) JUDGMENT The appeal from the reassessment made pursuant to the Income Tax Act , the notice of which is dated October 17, 2013, for the 2011 taxation year, is allowed and the matter is referred back to the Minister of National Revenue for reconsideration and reassessment in accordance with the attached Reasons for Judgment and the

summary of adjustments found in Appendices B to D which form an integral part of the Reasons for Judgment. The matter of costs is reserved. The parties will have 60 days from the date of this Judgment with Reasons to reach an agreement on costs, failing which they are directed to file their written submissions on the issue of costs, not to exceed (10) pages, within 30 days of the expiration of the initial 60-day period. Signed at Ottawa, Canada, this 29 th day of November 2016. “Dominique Lafleur” Lafleur J. Citation: 2016 TCC 280 Date: 20161129 Docket: 2014-2006(IT)G BETWEEN: M. KATHLEEN GRIMES AND M.

ERSIN OZERDINC, TRUSTEES OF THE OZERDINC FAMILY TRUST NO. 2, Appellant, and HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, Respondent.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT Lafleur J. A. OVERVIEW . [ 1 ] This appeal arises out of the reassessment of the Ozerdinc Family Trust No. 2 (the “Trust” ) with respect to its 2011 taxation year. On October 17, 2013, the Minister of National Revenue (the “Minister” ) reassessed the Trust, in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act , R.S.C., 1985, c. 1 (5 th supp.), as amended (the “Act” ), and increased the Trust’s taxable income by the amount of $4,035,242 and therefore included a corresponding tax liability of $1,870,045.22 and accrued interest of $151,483.35 (Exhibit AR-2, tab 19).

The reassessment is the result of the application of the rules found in subsections 104(4) and 104(5.8) of the Act, referred to as the “21-year deemed disposition rules” . On January 15, 2014, Ms. Marion Kathleen Grimes and Mr. Ersin Ozerdinc, as trustees of the Trust (the “Appellant” ), filed a notice of objection in respect of the notice of reassessment. On May 5, 2014, the Appellant filed a notice of appeal pursuant to paragraph 169(1)(

b) of the Act, because the Trust had not received a notice of confirmation and 90 days had elapsed since the notice of objection was filed. [ 2 ] The fact that the Trust was subject to the application of the 21-year deemed disposition rules is not in issue in this appeal, the deemed disposition day being February 1, 2011, at the end of the day (the “Valuation Date” ). In issue is the determination of the fair market value of some of the capital property held by the Trust at that time. [ 3 ] In accordance with paragraph 7(

g) of the Reply to the Notice of Appeal and the Agreed Statement of Facts (Partial) filed as Exhibit AR-1 and as corrected by the parties, the capital property held by the Trust as of the Valuation Date and subject to the 21-year deemed disposition rules comprises the following: 1 Class A Common Share and 2,699,900 First Preferred Shares of the share capital of 1634158 Ontario Inc. ( “Holdco” ) and an interest in Site Preparation Limited Partnership ( “SPLP” ). [ 4 ] The fair market value of the interest in SPLP is not in dispute (Exhibit AR-1, para. 46).

Holdco, in turn, held all the issued and outstanding shares of a corporation called Site Preparation Limited ( “SPL” ). [ 5 ] The Minister concluded that the fair market value of the shares of Holdco owned by the Trust as of the Valuation Date was $7,993,655, allocated as follows: $2,699,900 for the 2,699,900 First Preferred Shares and $5,293,655 for the Class A Common Share. [ 6 ] One of the trustees of the Trust, Ms. Marion Kathleen Grimes, testified at the hearing, along with one expert witness called by the Appellant, Mr. Gerald S. Blackman from the firm MNP LLP.

The Respondent called two expert witnesses, namely Mr. Timothy Spencer from the Canada Revenue Agency and Mr. Neil de Gray from the firm Campbell Valuation Partners Limited ( “CVPL” ). B. THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION . [ 7 ] The relevant parts of paragraphs 104(4) and 104(5.8) of the Act read as follows:

104(4) Deemed disposition by trust — Every trust is, at the end of each of the following days, deemed to have disposed of each property of the trust (other than exempt property) that was capital property (other than excluded property or depreciable property) or land included in the inventory of a business of the trust for proceeds equal to its fair market value (determined with reference to subsection 70(5.3)) at the end of that day and to have reacquired the property immediately after that day for an amount equal to that fair market value, and for the purposes of this Act those days are . . . (

b) the day that is 21 years after the latest of (

i) January 1, 1972, (ii) the day on which the trust was created , and (iii) where applicable, the day determined under paragraph ( a ), ( a .1) or ( a .4) as those paragraphs applied from time to time after 1971; and . . .

(5.8) Trust transfers — Where capital property (other than excluded property), land included in inventory, Canadian resource property or foreign resource property is transferred at a particular time by a trust (in this subsection referred to as the “transferor trust”) to another trust (in this subsection referred to as the “transferee trust”) in circumstances in which subsection 107(2) or 107.4(3) or paragraph (

f) of the definition disposition in subsection 248(1) applies , (

a) for the purposes of applying subsections 104(4) to 104(5.2) after the particular time, (

i) subject to paragraphs (

b) to ( b. 3), the first day (in this subsection referred to as the “disposition day”) that ends at or after the particular time that would, if this

section were read without reference to paragraphs (4) ( a. 2) and ( a. 3), be determined in respect of the transferee trust is deemed to be the earliest of (

A) the first day ending at or after the particular time that would be determined under subsection 104(4) in respect of the transferor trust without regard to the transfer and any transaction or event occurring after the particular time, . . . 104(4) Présomption de disposition — Toute fiducie est réputée, à la fin de chacun des jours suivants, avoir disposé de chacun de ses biens (sauf les biens exonéré

s) qui constituait une immobilisation (sauf un bien exclu ou un bien amortissable) ou un fonds de terre compris dans les biens à porter à l’inventaire d’une de ses entreprises, pour un produit égal à la juste valeur marchande du bien (déterminée par rapport au paragraphe 70(5.3)) à la fin de ce jour , et avoir acquis le bien de nouveau immédiatement après ce jour pour un montant égal à cette valeur. Pour l’application de la présente loi, ces jours sont : […]

b) le jour qui tombe 21 ans après le dernier en date des jours suivants : (

i) le 1 er janvier 1972, (ii) le jour où la fiducie a été établie , (iii) le cas échéant, le jour déterminé selon les alinéas a ), a .1) ou a .4), dans leurs versions applicables après 1971; […]

(5.8) Transferts de fiducie — Lorsqu’une fiducie (appelée « fiducie cédante » au présent paragraphe) transfère à un moment donné à une autre fiducie (appelée « fiducie cessionnaire » au présent paragraphe) des immobilisations (sauf des biens exclus), des fonds de terre compris dans les biens à porter à son inventaire, des avoirs miniers canadiens ou des avoirs miniers étrangers dans les circonstances visées aux paragraphes 107(2) ou 107.4(3) ou à l’alinéa f ) de la définition de disposition au paragraphe 248(1), les règles suivantes s’appliquent :

a) pour l’application des paragraphes (4) à (5.2) après le moment donné : (

i) sous réserve des alinéas

b) à b .3), le premier jour (appelé « jour de disposition » au présent paragraphe) se terminant au moment donné ou postérieurement qui serait déterminé à l’égard de la fiducie cessionnaire si le présent

article s’appliquait compte non tenu des alinéas (4) a .2) et a .3) est réputé être le premier en date des jours suivants : (

A) le premier jour, se terminant au moment donné ou après, qui serait déterminé selon le paragraphe (4) à l’égard de la fiducie cédante s’il n’était pas tenu compte du transfert ou d’une opération ou d’un événement survenant après le moment donné, […] [Emphasis added.] C.

THE issues . [ 8 ] In accordance with subsection 104(4) of the Act, I have to determine the fair market value as of the Valuation Date of the Class A Common Share and the 2,699,900 First Preferred Shares of the share capital of Holdco held by the Trust. [ 9 ] In outlining the task faced by this Court, I would first note the classic discussions of the difficulties inherent in the valuation of the fair market value of capital property.

The basic approach is aptly defined in Gold Coast Selection Trust Limited v Humphrey (Inspector of Taxes ), [1948] AC 459, [1948] 2 All ER 379 , a leading case decided by the House of Lords. Viscount Simon stated at pages 472-473: In my view, the principle to be applied is the following. In cases such as this, when a trader in the course of his trade receives a new and

valuable asset, not being money, as the result of sale or exchange, that asset, for the purpose of computing the annual profits or gainsarising or accruing to him from his trade, should be valued as at the end of the accounting period in which it was received, even though itis neither realised or realisable till later. The fact that it cannot be realised at once may reduce its present value, but that is no reason fortreating it, for the purposes of income tax, as though it had no value until it could be realised.

If the asset takes the form of fully paidshares, the valuation will take into account not only the terms of the agreement, but a number of other factors, such as prospective yield,marketability, the general outlook for the type of business of the company which has allotted the shares, the result of a contemporaryprospectus offering similar shares for subscription, the capital position of the company, and so forth. There may also be an element ofvalue in the fact that the holding of the shares gives control of the company.

If the asset is difficult to value, but is none the less of amoney value, the best valuation possible must be made. Valuation is an art, not an exact science. Mathematical certainty is notdemanded, nor, indeed, is it possible. It is for the commissioners to express in the money value attributed by them to the asset theirestimate, and this is a conclusion of fact to be drawn from the evidence before them. [Emphasis added.] [10] In Conn v. MNR, 86 DTC 1669 [Conn], Justice Brulé of this Court noted the

summary made by Justice McIntyre of the BritishColumbia Supreme Court of older Canadian authorities in Re Mann Estate, (BC SC), [1972] 5 WWR 23 at 26,1 NR 518: 11 The expression “fair market value” is well known in law and, indeed, there is little dispute before me as to the definition of theterm. It has been the subject of much judicial discussion and the appellants referred to such cases as Untermyer Estate v. A.G. of B.C., (SCC), [1929] S.C.R. 84; Montreal Island Power Company v. The Town of Laval, (SCC),[1935] S.C.R. 304; In Re Succession Duty Act re Leiser (BC CA), [1937] 2 W.W.R. 428; A-G of Alta. v.

Royal TrustCo. (SCC), [1945] S.C.R. 267; Smith et al v. M.N.R. (SCC), [1950] S.C.R. 602; Semet-Solvay Co. v.Deputy M.N.R. (CA EXC), [1960], 20 D.L.R. 663. 12 I do not intend to quote at length from these authorities, but it is clear, from an examination of them, that the expression “fairmarket value” means the exchange value, the value an asset will bring in the market and where no market exists, that value must bedetermined by other indicia of value. I refer to a passage in the judgment of Estey J. in Attorney General of Alberta v.

Royal TrustCompany, supra, at p. 288 which is representative of the views expressed in the other authorities referred to: “It is not suggested that the Commissioner has overlooked any factor that ought properly to have been taken into account in determiningthe value of the property.

He had to determine the market value and when, as in this case, no market exists, it is the task of theCommissioner, so far as he can, to construct a normal market and to determine the value by taking into account all the factors whichwould exist in an actual normal market - a market which is not disturbed by factors similar to either boom or depression, and wherevendors, ready but not too anxious to sell, meet with purchasers ready and able to purchase.

Such a task is often very difficult, and thiscase is no exception.” [11] The specific situation where no ready market exists was examined by Justice Kellock in Smith v. Minister of National Revenue, (SCC), [1950] SCR 602, wherein he said at page 605: In determining the fair market value where there is no competitive market at the date as of which the value is to be ascertained, otherindicia may be resorted to as pointed out by Sir Lyman Duff C.J. in Montreal Island Power Co. v. Town of Laval des Rapides, (SCC), [1935] S.C.R. 304 at 306.

The learned Chief Justice went on to say: There may be reasonable prospects of the return of a market, in which case it might not be unreasonable for the assessor to evaluate thepresent worth of such prospects and the probability of an investor being found who would invest his money on the strength of suchprospects; and there may be other relevant circumstances which it might be proper to take into account as evidence of its actual capitalvalue. [12] In Henderson Estate and Bank of New York v.

MNR, (FC), 73 DTC 5471, [1973] CTC 636,Justice Cattanach of the Federal Court noted that: The statute does not define the expression “fair market value”, but the expression has been defined in many different ways dependinggenerally on the subject matter which the person seeking to define it had in mind. I do not think it necessary to attempt an exactdefinition of the expression as used in the statute other than to say that the words must be construed in accordance with the commonunderstanding of them.

That common understanding I take to mean the highest price an asset might reasonably be expected to bring ifsold by the owner in the normal method applicable to the asset in question in the ordinary course of business in a market not exposed toany undue stresses and composed of willing buyers and sellers dealing at arm's length and under no compulsion to buy or sell.

I wouldadd that the foregoing understanding as I have expressed it in a general way includes what I conceive to be the essential element which isan open and unrestricted market in which the price is hammered out between willing and informed buyers and sellers on the anvil ofsupply and demand. These

definitions are equally applicable to “fair market value” and “market value” and it is doubtful if the use of theword “fair” adds anything to the words “market value”. [Emphasis added.] [13] That definition has since been consistently cited with approval by the Federal Court of Appeal and this Court (see AttorneyGeneral of Canada v. Nash et al., 2005 FCA 386, 2005 DTC 5696; The Queen v. Gilbert et al., 2007 FCA 136, 2008 DTC 6295; KrugerWayagamack Inc. v. The Queen, 2015 TCC 90, 2015 DTC 1112).

Cattanach J. went on to observe that: In my opinion the discussion of the meaning of the expression by Mr Justice Migneault in delivering the unanimous judgment of theSupreme Court of Canada in Untermyer Estate v. Attorney-General for British Columbia is a most useful guide to the meaning of thewords “fair market value” as used in the Dominion Succession Duty Act as applicable to shares listed on a stock exchange. He said atpage 91:

We were favoured by counsel with several suggested

definitions of the words “fair market value.” The dominant word here is evidently“value,” in determining which the price that can be secured on the market—if there be a market for the property (and there is a marketfor shares listed on the stock exchange)—is the best guide. It may, perhaps, be open to question whether the expression “fair” addsanything to the meaning of the words “market value,” except possibly to this extent that the market price must have some consistencyand not be the effect of a transient boom or a sudden panic on the market.

The value with which we are concerned here is the value atUntermyer’s death, that is to say, the then value of every advantage which his property possessed, for these advantages, as they stood,would naturally have an effect on the market price.

Many factors undoubtedly influence the market price of shares in financial orcommercial companies, not the least potent of which is what may be called the investment value created by the fact—or the prospect as itthen exists—of large returns by way of dividends, and the likelihood of their continuance or increase, or again by the feeling of securityinduced by the financial strength or the prudent management of a company. The sum of all these advantages controls the market price,which, if it be not spasmodic or ephemeral, is the best test of the fair market value of property of this description.

I therefore think that the market price, in a case like that under consideration, where it is shown to have been consistent, determines thefair market value of the shares. I do not lose sight of the fact that mining operations are often of a speculative character, that there isalways a danger of depletion, and that a time will sooner or later arrive when no more minerals will be available, unless other propertiesare secured to keep up the supply.

But all these elements have an effect on the price of the shares on the stock exchange, and no doubtthey were fully considered by the purchasers of the stock at the then prevailing prices. [Emphasis added.] [14] The Untermeyer case makes a distinction between “market value” and “fair market value”. Similarly, courts have grappled withthe distinction between “fair value” and “fair market value” in the context of other proceedings. For instance, in 1234 Mountain RealtyCorp. c.

Ioanidis, (QC CA), [2002] JQ No. 5674 (QL), J.E. 2003-133, a case decided by the Quebec Court ofAppeal, a dissenting shareholder, upon the liquidation of a corporation from which he dissented, was entitled to seek the “fair value” ofhis shares from the corporation under the

Canada Business Corporations Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. C-44 (the “CBCA”). The relevantprovision of the CBCA defines “fair value”; however, Canadian jurisprudence has ruled that “fair value” is a concept that is not identicalwith “fair market value”. Indeed, the trial judge in 1234 Mountain Realty Corp. v. Ioanidis, [2000] QJ No. 264 (Superior Court), stated atparagraph 6, “fair value” departs from “fair market value” insofar as it excludes the minority discount and may add a premium for the“squeezing-out” of the minority shareholder. [15] Brulé TCJ, in Conn (cited above), noted the following: E.N.R.

Campbell in Canada Valuation Service, published by Richard De Boo Limited, indicates that there are two distinct markets wherevaluation determination may be required. One is the open market in which transactions are constantly consumated and the other is theless familiar notional market where valuation requirements are necessary for such things as income tax, expropriation, arbitration ordivorce proceedings. In this latter instance, although it is necessary to make a value determination, there may be no contemplation ofopen market transactions. [Emphasis added.] That is the task faced by this Court.

In Attridge v. The Queen, (FC), [1991] 1 CTC 247, 91 DTC 5161 [Attridge],Justice Muldoon discussed an important point pertaining to valuation cases: the trial judge is not bound to accept unquestioningly theexpert evidence: “[this] Court will have to form its own conclusions necessarily without adopting those of the expertwitnesses. . . .

Having . . . stated reasons enough for not accepting the expert witnesses’ approaches and conclusions, the Court mustnevertheless exercise the judgment which Parliament exacts despite its not having stated in the Income Tax Act any definition of “fairmarket value”” (pages 267 and 270).

His conclusion, which departed from the approaches of both sets of experts in that valuation case onthe ground that they reflected extreme views, was confirmed on appeal by the Federal Court of Appeal at [1994] 1 CTC 193,94 DTC 6132 (leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was refused, [1993] SCCA No. 555). [16] I emphasize Attridge since it reaffirms the independence of the trier of fact from the opinions of experts as well as theimportance of applying the relevant principles drawn from the fair value concept of the CBCA in arriving at a valuation for the purposesof the Act.

There is no similarity between the contribution of the experts who testified before Muldoon J. and that of the experts beforeme. While I have highlighted some erroneous assumptions on the part of the experts, I found their opinions overall quite helpful andwell-reasoned in most respects – in no way comparable to the “quite worthless” opinions and conclusions propounded before Muldoon J. [17] In this appeal, in order to determine that fair market value, I will examine, inter alia, five (5) issues:

(1) Which financial statements should be the starting point for the evaluation of the shares of SPL: the internal financial statementsof SPL as of January 31, 2011 prepared by the Management (filed as Exhibit AR-2, tab 8; the “Internal Statements”) or the auditedfinancial statements of SPL as of February 28, 2011 prepared by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, CPA (“RCGT”) (Exhibit AR-2,tab 7L; the “RCGT Statements”)?

(2) Should the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL and, consequently, the fair market value of the shares of SPL, be reduced by theamount of the advances made to a director in SPL (“Directors’ Advances”) and, in the affirmative, what is the amount that should bededucted ($2,257,132 as indicated on the Internal Statements or $1,904,422 as indicated on the RCGT Statements)?

(3) Should the Shareholders’ Equity of Holdco and, consequently, the fair market value of the shares of Holdco, be reduced by theamount of the advances made to a shareholder ($1,144,887) (“Holdco Advances”)?

(4) Should embedded income taxes be considered in determining the fair market value of the shares of Holdco?

(5) Should a minority and/or marketability discount(

s) be applied in the evaluation of the fair market value of the Class A CommonShare of Holdco held by the Trust?

Organizational Chart D. THE FACTS . 1. Organizational Chart. [ 18 ] At the hearing, the Appellant filed an organizational chart under Exhibit A-2: 2. Agreed Statement of Facts (Partial). [ 19 ] The parties also filed an Agreed Statement of Facts (Partial) under Exhibit AR-1, which is reproduced in its entirety in Appendix A to these reasons. At the hearing, the parties indicated that paragraph 31 should be amended to refer to 2,699,900 First Preferred Shares instead of 2,700,000 First Preferred Shares. 3. Testimony of Ms. Grimes. 3.1 Background. [ 20 ] Ms. Grimes testified at trial.

She is one of two trustees of the Trust, the other trustee being her husband, Mr. Ersin Ozerdinc. She is also corporate counsel for SPL and was the sole director, president and secretary-treasurer of SPL at all material times (para. 18 of the Agreed Statements of Facts, Exhibit AR-1). Furthermore, she was in 2011 and 2012, the director, president and the secretary- treasurer of Holdco; positions which she currently holds. [ 21 ] She testified that she and her husband have been in business together since 1986.

Since 1990, they have been operating SPL, which is active in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors of the construction industry. SPL also performs excavation and shoring. At all material times, Mr. Ersin Ozerdinc and Ms. Grimes played and continue to play key management roles in SPL, as indicated in paragraph 17 of the Agreed Statements of facts (Exhibit AR-1). [ 22 ] In 2005, Holdco was created. The reason behind the creation of Holdco was to keep a minimal amount of cash in SPL; it was the intent of the controlling minds to transfer all extra cash to Holdco. [ 23 ] Ms.

Grimes and her husband were trustees for the Ozerdinc Family Trust (the “Original Trust” ) which was settled in 1990. According to Ms. Grimes, the Trust was settled in 2007 pursuant to the legal advice of the Ozerdinc family’s counsel at that time; the objective was to allow a transfer without tax consequences of all the assets of the Original Trust to the Trust. [ 24 ] In the fall of 2012 (probably around the end of October), an agent of Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA” ) informed Ms. Grimes that he was performing an audit of the Trust.

As a result of this audit, the Trust was subject to a significant tax burden because of the application of the 21-year deemed disposition rules. According to Ms. Grimes, the result of the audit came as a total surprise to her. She was not aware of any tax consequences that could result from the holding of assets by the Trust. Both parties engaged in lengthy discussions about the proper valuation of the assets held by the Trust (Exhibit AR-2, tab 26 — letter from CRA explaining CRA’s position on the deemed disposition following the meeting of November 7, 2012).

Furthermore, a legal proceeding has been commenced (and is still pending) in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice by Ms. Grimes, her husband, Holdco, SPL, the Trust and other parties against the legal counsel who had proposed and implemented the 2007 reorganization, including the creation of the Trust, alleging the legal counsel’s negligence and claiming damages resulting, inter alia , from the application of the 21-year deemed disposition rules to the Trust (Exhibit AR-2, tab 11) (the “Civil Litigation” ). 3.2 Holdco Advances. [ 25 ] Ms.

Grimes explained that dividends received from SPL are the sole source of revenue of Holdco. Holdco is controlled by Ms. Grimes in her personal capacity through the ownership of shares (approximately 69% of the voting rights).

[ 26 ] A total amount of $1,144,887 (namely, the Holdco Advances) was transferred by Holdco to Ms. Grimes qua trustee in order to finance the purchase of an interest in a cooperative housing unit in New York City (the “Co-op” ), allowing one of her sons, who was then living in New York and who is a beneficiary of the Trust, to reside in an unit of the Co-op. According to Ms. Grimes, since the Co- op did not allow the Trust to purchase an interest in the Co-op, Ms. Grimes and her husband had to make the purchase in their own names. The closing took place in April 2011.

According to the financial statements of Holdco for the year ending February 28, 2011, an advance to a shareholder in the amount of the Holdco Advances (Exhibit AR-2, tab 1D) was made. [ 27 ] Ms. Grimes insisted that the Holdco Advances were made to her as trustee, and not personally. She also insisted that there was no intent to ever pay back the Holdco Advances to Holdco. [ 28 ] According to Ms. Grimes, dividends would be declared by Holdco to the Trust in order to settle the amount of the Holdco Advances.

In fact, dividends in an aggregate amount of $2,107,965 had been made payable during the months of January and February 2012 (Exhibit AR-2, tabs 4, 5 and 6) to the holders of the common shares of Holdco (namely, the Trust). The beneficiaries of the Trust were allocated the whole amount as a dividend and were taxed on said income in 2012 (copies of T3 statement, Exhibit AR-2, tab 30).

According to the financial statements of Holdco for the year ending February 29, 2012, an amount of nil is found under the heading “advances to a director” (Exhibit AR-2, tab 1E). 3.3 Directors’ Advances. [ 29 ] With respect to compensation received from SPL by Ms. Grimes and her husband for their work in SPL, Ms. Grimes explained that she and her husband are compensated by SPL by way of bonuses and they operate by way of a Shareholders’ Account. The amount stated in the Shareholders’ Account reflects all of their personal expenses (groceries, schooling fees, children’s expenses, etc.).

At the end of each fiscal year, Ms. Grimes meet with their accountants to determine the amount of the bonus to be paid by SPL to Ms. Grimes and her husband which will be equal to the amount stated in the Shareholders’ Account and which was used for personal purposes; then, the Shareholders’ Account will be reduced accordingly by way of a set-off against the bonuses. Taxes would be paid on this amount. Ms.

Grimes and her husband do not receive a regular salary from SPL; they do not receive any compensation from their work apart from said bonuses. [ 30 ] In cross-examination, counsel for the Respondent referred to the Internal Statements, in particular an item called “Office salaries” in the amount of $99,013.06. According to Ms. Grimes, this amount does not include the bonuses since the bonuses are declared at year-end; this refers to salaries paid to office staff only. In the Internal Statements is found an item called “Shareholders Advances” in the amount of $2,257,132.34.

Even if it refers to Shareholders’ Advances, it is, in fact, the amount of the Directors’ Advances. In the RCGT Statements, this item is referred to as “Advances to directors” in an amount of $1,904,422. On the Financial Statements of SPL for the period ending Feb. 29, 2012 (Exhibit AR-2, tab 7M), this same account is nil.

The Agreed Statement of Facts (Partial) (Exhibit AR-1, para. 34) sets out the history of the year-end balances of the advances to a director in SPL and confirms a full repayment of the advances in 2012. [ 31 ] Furthermore, paragraph 35 of the Agreed Statement of Facts (Partial) (Exhibit AR-1) states the remuneration received by each of Ms. Grimes and her husband from SPL for calendar years 2000 to 2013. More specifically, in 2011, each received an amount of $400,000 and, for 2012, each received an amount of $616,025. 3.4 Credibility Findings. [ 32 ] I am of the view that the testimony of Ms.

Grimes was credible; she was a very straightforward witness. Furthermore, in view of her interaction with the CRA agent and counsel for the Respondent, I find that Ms. Grimes’ testimony reflects the true facts. (

a) In respect of Holdco: [ 33 ] I find that the Holdco Advances were made to Ms. Grimes as trustee of the Trust, and not personally, in order to finance the acquisition of the interest in the Co-op. [ 34 ] The fact that the purchase of the interest in the Co-op was made by Ms. Grimes and her husband personally does not change my conclusion, as Ms. Grimes had indicated that she had been told that the Co-op did not allow a trust to purchase an interest in the Co-op. Her belief as to the veracity of this statement explains her conduct. [ 35 ] Furthermore,

Article 10 of the Agreement creating the Trust provides that the assets constituting the trust fund shall be held by, and registered in, the name of the trustees or their nominees or otherwise, as the trustees may deem expedient (Exhibit AR-2, tab 22). Accordingly, I accept that the fact that the interest in the Co-op was in Ms. Grimes’ and Mr. Ozerdinc’s names, without mention of the Trust, will not preclude a finding that the interest was held by them as trustees of the Trust. [ 36 ] Counsel for the Respondent argued that since the funds were transferred by Holdco to Ms.

Grimes’ personal US account, this is an indicia that the Holdco Advances had been made to her personally and not as trustee (Exhibit AR-2, tab 2). In accordance with Ms. Grimes’ credible testimony, and having regard to

Article 10 of the Agreement creating the Trust, this argument does not change my conclusion. [ 37 ] I also note that the financial statements of Holdco for the year ending February 29, 2012 refer to advances to a director but that the financial statements for the year ending February 28, 2011 refer to advances to a shareholder. Counsel for the Respondent did not make submissions on that difference in wording.

However, since these financial statements have not been audited, I decline to give any weight to that change of language. [ 38 ] Furthermore, counsel for Respondent insisted on the fact that the financial statements of Holdco have an item called “Due to a shareholder” . Consequently, according to the Respondent, if the Holdco Advances have been made to the Trust, there would have been a set-off in the Financial Statements. However, since these financial statements have not been audited, and in view of Ms. Grimes’

testimony, I do not accept this argument. [ 39 ] Also, I find that Ms. Grimes, as trustee of the Trust, had no intention to ever repay the Holdco Advances by way of a transfer of cash to Holdco. Her testimony was very clear in that regard (see transcript, June 8, 2016, page 80, lines 13 and following). [ 40 ] The payment of the dividend by Holdco to the Trust in 2012 by way of set-off against the Holdco Advances confirms that such was the parties’ intention throughout the relevant period.

I recognize that the corporate resolutions contain very broad language without referring specifically to the set-off (Exhibit AR-2, tabs 4, 5 and 6); however, I stand by Ms. Grimes’ justification of the facts surrounding the Holdco Advances. (

b) In respect of SPL: [ 41 ] From Ms. Grimes’ testimony, I understand that SPL’s day-to-day operations are controlled by her and her husband and that the transactions pertaining to the bonuses are decided by Ms. Grimes and the accountants at year-end. The facts also established very clearly that no regular salary is received by Ms. Grimes and Mr. Ozerdinc; more specifically, it was established that Ms. Grimes and Mr.

Ozerdinc did not receive compensation from SPL from March 1, 2010 to the Valuation Date, except for the bonuses. [ 42 ] In my view, it is clear that the amounts forming part of the Shareholders’ Account (or Advances to Directors) in SPL would never be repaid in cash to SPL. As Ms. Grimes explained, this formed part of a long-standing practice (even if at the beginning of their business operations, they would put money in SPL in order to cover the expenses). 4.

Valuation of the Shares. [ 43 ] Various exhibits were filed by the parties in respect of the valuation of the issued and outstanding shares of Holdco. [ 44 ] Exhibit A-4 includes a copy of a letter dated May 16, 2013 sent by James Craigen of the Regional Valuation Unit of the CRA to Ms. Grimes which purported to establish the fair market value of the Trust’s property as of the Valuation Date at $11,806,268 (the “CRA May Letter” ).

This letter is a draft proposal as per paragraph 9 of said letter. [ 45 ] Exhibit A-5 includes a copy of a letter dated July 17, 2013 sent by counsel for the Appellant to James Craigen containing submissions in respect of the CRA May Letter (the “Submissions” ). [ 46 ] Exhibit A-6 includes a copy of a letter dated September 17, 2013 sent by James Craigen to Ms. Grimes establishing “the fair market value of the outstanding Trust units” as of the Valuation Date at $9,498,511. To this letter was also attached the Estimate Valuation Report dated September 3, 2013 (the “Craigen Report” ).

This last letter completed the work of Mr. Craigen in the Appellant’s file. [ 47 ] I took Exhibit A-7 under reserve at the hearing. I will allow that exhibit to be entered into evidence as I am of the view that it is relevant to my inquiry. [ 48 ] A critique of the Craigen Report made by MNP was filed as Exhibit A-9. The Respondent objected to it on the basis of non-compliance with the Tax Court of Canada Rules (General Procedure ) in respect of expert reports.

However, at the hearing, I determined that this report was not being offered by the Appellant as an expert report but rather as evidence pertaining to the Appellant’s attack on the assumptions contained in the Reply. As such, I allowed it to be entered into evidence. [ 49 ] Exhibit R-3 contains a letter from RCGT dated October 5, 2006 (the “RCGT Letter” ), purporting to give a valuation of the shares of SPL for the purposes of the reorganisation of the corporate group in 2007. I will discuss the RCGT Letter below. 4.1 Testimony of Mr.

Blackman, the MNP Report and the Addendum. [ 50 ] Exhibit A-10 contains an Estimate Valuation Report on the valuation of Holdco and SPL dated June 19, 2014 and prepared by Richard M. Wise and Mr. Blackman of MNP LLP (the “MNP Report” ). [ 51 ] Exhibit A-11 contains an Addendum to the MNP Report dated October 30, 2014 and prepared by Mr. Wise and Mr. Blackman (the “Addendum” ). The Respondent objected to the qualification of the Addendum as an expert report; I will examine that issue below. [ 52 ] Ms. Grimes confirmed in cross-examination that she did not discuss with Mr. Wise or Mr.

Blackman the report filed as Exhibit A-10. The Addendum was prepared by MNP following a request Ms. Grimes had received from her lawyer in respect of the Civil Litigation; she did not commission the production of the Addendum to bolster her case in this appeal. [ 53 ] The Respondent did not object to the expert status of Mr. Blackman. Given the extensive experience, publications and qualifications of Mr. Blackman on the valuation of shares of private corporations and given the similar and extensive experience and qualifications of Mr. Wise, I have determined that Mr.

Blackman is an expert on valuation of shares and of businesses and that the MNP Report is an Expert Report. [ 54 ] MNP was hired to provide an estimate of the fair market value as of the Valuation Date of all of the issued and outstanding shares, viewed en bloc , of the share capital of Holdco, including its 100% holdings of the issued and outstanding shares, viewed en bloc , of SPL. [ 55 ] The MNP Report defines “fair market value” as “the highest price, expressed in terms of cash equivalents, at which property would change hands between a hypothetical willing and able buyer and a hypothetical willing and able seller, acting at arm’s length in an open and unrestricted market, when neither is under compulsion to buy or sell and when both have reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts” (para. 1.1 of the MNP Report).

[ 56 ] According to the MNP Report, the fair market value of all the issued and outstanding shares of Holdco as of the Valuation Date was approximately $3,556,000, allocated as follows: i) 2,700,000 First Preferred Shares: $2,031,000 ii) 12 Fifth Preferred Shares: $190,000 iii) 1 Class A Common Share: $1,335,000 [ 57 ] In arriving at this estimate, Mr.

Blackman reviewed, inter alia , the Craigen Report, the unaudited financial statements of Holdco for the two fiscal years ended February 28, 2011, as compiled by RCGT (Exhibit AR-2, tab 1D), the RCGT Statements, the Internal Statements and copies of the CRA May Letter and the Submissions. [ 58 ] According to Mr. Blackman, there are three basic approaches for valuing a business: the Asset-Based (Cost) Approach, the Income Approach and the Market Approach. In certain cases, a combination of the foregoing approaches may be appropriate. [ 59 ] Mr.

Blackman explained to the Court that, in this particular case, the “Asset-Based Approach” was used as the method to evaluate the fair market value of Holdco and SPL considering, inter alia , that Holdco is “a holding company whose main asset is its 100% interest in SPL and . . . SPL generates all of its revenues through the bidding and tendering process and as such does not have ongoing contracts with its customers, as a result, it has no goodwill . . . ” (para. 8.6 of the MNP Report).

It is to be noted that the same method was used in the Spencer Report (as defined below). [ 60 ] In applying this method, all assets and liabilities of Holdco and SPL as indicated in the balance sheets at their respective book values, were written up or down to their respective fair market value as of the Valuation Date on a going concern basis, and further adjustments were made to recognize the tax impact where applicable. (

a) Valuation of the shares of SPL: [ 61 ] Taking the Shareholders’ Equity as indicated in the RCGT Statements ($5,985,744), the loss of $95,027 for February 2011 (total loss for that month of February was $730,822 of which $635,795 was applicable to the prior eleven months ended January 31, 2011) was added back to arrive at the Shareholders’ Equity as of the Valuation Date of $6,080,771. [ 62 ] Then, the following adjustments were made to arrive at the Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity of $3,008,668 before income tax considerations:

i) An amount of $21,430 was deducted, representing the loss on investments (as per the Craigen Report — fair market value of the investments ($3,029,311) minus the book value ($3,050,741)); ii) An amount of $203,549 was added, representing the increase in the fair market value of the land (as per the Craigen Report – fair market value of the land ($260,000) minus the disposition costs (6%) discounted by 50% ($7,800), namely $252,200 minus the book value ($48,661)); iii) An amount of $997,080 was deducted to reflect the unpaid taxes on the deferred income for tax purposes ($3,561,000 X 28%); iv) An amount of $2,257,132 was deducted representing the advances to directors (namely, the Directors’ Advances). [ 63 ] Finally, in order to take into account income taxes resulting from the sale of the land (gain) and the investments (loss), an amount of $21,000 representing the taxes on the disposition of the land and investments was deducted and an amount of $56,000 representing the refundable dividend tax on hand ( “RDTOH” ) to be recovered (already existing as well as resulting from the capital gain from the sale of the land) discounted at 50% was added.

Consequently, the Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity of SPL was determined to be $3,043,668; an estimate of the fair market value of the shares of SPL was set at $3,044,500. (

b) Valuation of the shares of Holdco: [ 64 ] Taking the Shareholders’ Equity as indicated in the unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended February 28, 2011 ($2,789,286) and, assuming there were no material changes, Mr. Blackman determined that this amount is also the Shareholders’ Equity as of the Valuation Date. [ 65 ] The following adjustments were then made to arrive at the Adjusted Shareholders’ Equity of $4,727,122:

i) An amount of $3,044,300 was added to reflect the fair market value of the shares of SPL ($3,044,500) over the book value ($200); ii) An amount of $1,144,887 was deducted representing the Holdco Advances; and iii) An amount of $38,423 was added representing an amount due to a shareholder. [ 66 ] That amount of $4,727,122 was then allocated to the various classes of shares of Holdco as follows: i) 2,700,000 First Preferred Shares: $2,700,000, representing the redemption amount of the shares; ii) 12 Fifth Preferred Shares: $253,391, representing an amount of $1 (redemption amount) and an amount of $253,390 as a voting control premium calculated as 12.5% of $2,027,122 (this amount is the difference between $4,727,122 and $2,700,000) (these shares carry 68.97% of the votes, the balance of the votes being held by the Class A Common Share and the First Preferred Shares; in fact,

Ms. Grimes holds approximately 68.97% of the votes of Holdco personally); iii) 1 Class A Common Share: $1,773,731, representing the difference between $2,027,122 and $253,391 (attributed to the 12 Fifth Preferred Shares). As Mr. Blackman has explained to this Court, the reduction of $253,391 is, in fact, a minority discount, representing the premium attributed to the 12 Fifth Preferred Shares. [ 67 ] Finally, in order to determine the fair market value of the shares of Holdco, Mr. Blackman reduced the value as determined above by an estimate of taxes on redemption or purchase for cancellation of the shares. The personal income tax rate of 49.53% was discounted by 50%. As stated in

Schedule A-1 of the MNP Report, the fair market value of the shares of Holdco was then determined as follows: i) 2,700,000 First Preferred Shares: $2,031,000 ($2,700,000 minus the aggregate of $100 and the taxes of $669,000); ii) 12 Fifth Preferred Shares: $190,000 (rounded) ($253,391 minus the taxes of $63,000); iii) 1 Class A Common Share: $1,335,000 (rounded) ($1,773,731 minus the taxes of $439,000). [ 68 ] According to the Addendum, Mr. Blackman provided an estimate of the fair market value of the Class A Common Share of Holdco on a stand-alone basis as of the Valuation Date. Mr.

Blackman explained to the Court that this means not in a family context. He applied a marketability discount to the Class A Common Share of Holdco. [ 69 ] As stated in paragraph 2.1.1 of the Addendum, marketability is “the ability to convert the business ownership interest to cash quickly, with minimal transaction and administrative costs in so doing and with a high degree of certainty of realizing the expected amount of proceeds” .

The market will apply a discount when there is a lack of marketability or lack of liquidity as opposed to a ready marketability that will add value to a share. [ 70 ] Factors listed in paragraph 2.1.2 of the MNP Report (which I will review below in more details) and the rights and privileges attributable to the share were considered in quantifying the marketability discount applicable to the Class A Common Share of Holdco.

Considering the lack of control, the limited market for the share, various empirical studies that have quantified the marketability discount in the range of 15% to 45% and studies of the price relationship between private share transactions and subsequent initial public offering that were in the range of 40% to 65%, Mr.

Blackman concluded that a marketability discount in the range of 25% to 35%, or mid-point of 30% would be appropriate, giving the illiquid nature of the share. [ 71 ] The discount of 30% applicable to the fair market value of the Class A Common Share represents an amount of $400,500 (30% of $1,335,000). Accordingly, in accordance with the Addendum, the fair market value of the Class A Common Share of Holdco is $935,000, on a stand-alone basis. 4.2 Testimony of Mr. de Gray and the CVPL Report. [ 72 ] CVPL was hired by the Respondent to review and critique the MNP Report and the Addendum.

CVPL produced a Limited Critique Report dated April 8, 2016 and co-authored by Neil de Gray and Howard E. Johnson (the “CVPL Report” ) which was filed as Exhibit R-5. The Appellant did not object to the expert status of Mr. de Gray. [ 73 ] Given the experience and qualifications of Mr. de Gray and Mr.

Johnson in the valuation of shares of private corporations, I have concluded that Mr. de Gray is an expert on the valuation of shares and of businesses and that the CVPL Report is an Expert Report. [ 74 ] It is important to note that paragraph 1.10 of the CVPL Report states that: This Limited Critique Report does not contain our opinion or conclusion as to the FMV of the Shares and does not contain all the adjustments that may be required to arrive at a conclusion as to the FMV of the Shares. We have not been asked to prepare an independent valuation report setting our estimates of the FMV of the Shares.

This Limited Critique Report provides comments on the MNP Report and MNP Addendum and illustrates the quantification of our identified adjustments. [ 75 ] In the CVPL Report, the fair market value is defined as “the highest price available in an open and unrestricted market between informed and prudent parties acting at arm’s length and under no compulsion to act, expressed in terms of cash” (para. 1.8 of the CVPL Report). [ 76 ] The CVPL Report states that the MNP Report had understated the fair market value of the shares of Holdco as follows:

i) In respect of the fair market value of Holdco’s interest in SPL, by erroneously deducting an amount due from a director of SPL in the amount of $2,257,132; ii) By erroneously deducting an amount due from a shareholder of Holdco in the amount of $1,106,464 (net); and iii) By erroneously deducting personal income taxes in the determination of fair market value of each class of shares which reduces the value ascribed to the shares of Holdco by $1,171,000. [ 77 ] According to the CVPL Report, the fair market value of the shares of Holdco, viewed en bloc , should be equal to $8,090,000 (as opposed to $3,556,000 as indicated in the MNP Report) and allocated as follows: i) 2,700,000 First Preferred Shares: $2,700,000; ii) 12 Fifth Preferred Shares: $674,000 (a control premium of 12.5% is reasonable according to CVPL: 12.5% X ($8,090,000 - $2,700,000)); and

iii) 1 Class A Common Share: $4,716,000. [ 78 ] With respect to the Addendum, Mr. de Gray is of the view that the application of a minority or marketability discount to common shares in situations of family control is highly unusual, and there appears to be no basis in Holdco’s situation for such a minority discount. Mr. de Gray said that, generally, minority and marketability discount would be considered together.

However, if we were to apply a minority discount of 30%, the fair market value of the Class A Common Share of Holdco would be equal to $3,301,000 (as opposed to $4,716,000). [ 79 ] The CVPL Report also contains some general comments on the MNP Report. Mr. de Gray had accepted as reasonable in all material respects the valuation method used by MNP namely the Adjusted Net Book Value Methodology, for the purposes of valuing the shares of SPL and Holdco, as well as the treatment by MNP of the following items: land, investments, RDTOH considerations and the taxes on deferred income. 4.3 Testimony of Mr.

Spencer and the Spencer Report. [ 80 ] The Respondent called Mr. Timothy Spencer to testify as an expert witness. Mr. Spencer has been a valuation specialist with the CRA since 2010. Mr. Spencer is a CPA, CA, and also a chartered business valuator (CBV) since 2008. He has been employed by CRA since 2008 and has been a member of the valuation group since 2006. However, this was his first appearance in court as an expert witness. He became involved in the Appellant’s file around August 28, 2014, when he was contacted by his team leader and counsel for the Respondent. Mr.

Spencer’s report, which is a Comprehensive Valuation Report (as opposed to the MNP Report, which is an Estimate Valuation Report), was filed as Exhibit R-4 (the “Spencer Report” ). Mr. Spencer’s mandate was to determine the fair market value of all the issued and outstanding shares of Holdco as of the Valuation Date. [ 81 ] The Appellant objected to the qualification of Mr. Spencer as an expert witness. After hearing the submissions of the parties, I ruled that Mr.

Spencer is an expert in the valuation of equity securities and debt instruments and that the Spencer Report was an Expert Report. [ 82 ] In the Spencer Report, the fair market value is defined as “the highest price available in an open and unrestricted market, between informed and prudent parties acting at arm’s length and under no compulsion to transact, expressed in terms of money or money’s worth” (paragraph 5 of the Spencer Report). [ 83 ] Mr.

Spencer concluded that the fair market value of all the issued and outstanding shares of Holdco as of the Valuation Date was $9,057,001, allocated as follows: i) 2,700,000 First Preferred Shares: $2,700,000; ii) 12 Fifth Preferred Shares: $1; and iii) 1 Class A Common Share: $6,357,000. [ 84 ] In arriving at this estimate, Mr.

Spencer reviewed, inter alia , the unaudited financial statements of Holdco for the five fiscal years ended February 28, 2011, as compiled by RCGT (Exhibit AR-2, tabs 1A to D), the audited financial statements of SPL for the five fiscal years ended February 28, 2011, as reported by RCGT (Exhibit AR-2, tabs 7H to L), the Internal Statements, copies of the Submissions, the MNP Report, the Addendum, and the articles of incorporation of Holdco and SPL. [ 85 ] Mr. Spencer used the Adjusted Net Book Value Method to evaluate the shares of Holdco. Mr.

Spencer explained that, in applying this method, the value is determined by adjusting the Shareholders’ Equity, as stated in the financial statements, by adding (or deducting) an amount by which the fair market value of the assets exceeds their book value (or loss), deducting (or adding) the amount by which the market value of the business’ liabilities exceeds their book value (or loss), deducting the book value of intangible assets, adding (deducting) deferred income tax credits (debits), and deducting the present value of the lost tax shield. The same method was used by Mr. Blackman. (

a) Valuation of the shares of SPL: [ 86 ] Taking the Shareholders’ Equity as of January 31, 2011 as indicated in the Internal Statements ($7,073,019), Mr. Spencer added the net increase to investments of $64,061, the adjusted value of the land of $132,217 and the Management fees due from SPLP of $121,409. Then, he deducted the book value of the land ($48,661) and the income tax on deferred income ($1,074,166), to arrive at the Adjusted Net Book Value of $6,267,879. [ 87 ] With respect to the land, Mr.

Spencer estimated that the fair market value was equal to the municipal valuation of $145,000 (Exhibit AR-2, tab 18 — Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) which states that, for 2012, the property value is $145,000 (as opposed to the MNP Report who took the value as estimated in the Craigen Report of $260,000). Mr. Spencer explained that he chose that number in order to be more conservative. In arriving at the proceeds of disposition of $140,650, Mr. Spencer deducted disposition cost of 6% discounted at 50% ($4,350).

Then, he calculated the capital gains, deducting from the disposition cost an amount of $48,661 to arrive at a capital gain of $91,989, of which half is taxable, namely $45,995. He calculated the embedded taxes to be paid on a notional disposition of the land as follows: 50% rate, less the RDTOH of 26 2/3% and discounted the taxes by 50%, to arrive at an amount of $8,433. The adjustment of $132,217 was calculated by deducting the amount of embedded taxes from the proceeds of disposition (Schedule 2 notes of the Spencer Report). [ 88 ] With respect to the management fees from SPLP, Mr.

Spencer added an amount of $121,409, calculated as the difference between the 2010 Management fees from SPLP ($173,442) (Exhibit AR-2, tab 7L, note 16) and the tax at 30% payable on such income ($52,033). [ 89 ] With respect to the deduction for income tax on deferred income ($1,074,166), Mr. Spencer took the net reserve for contracts

not completed at year end (Exhibit AR-2, tab 17) and applied a rate of 30% of taxes. [ 90 ] Mr. Spencer did not make any adjustment with respect to RDTOH. (

b) Valuation of the shares of Holdco: [ 91 ] Taking the Shareholders’ Equity as indicated in the unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended February 28, 2011 ($2,789,286), assuming that there were no material changes and noting the absence of any financial statements as of February 1, 2011, Mr. Spencer determined that this amount is also the Shareholders’ Equity as of the Valuation Date. [ 92 ] Then, the following adjustments were made to arrive at the Adjusted Net Book Value of $9,056,965:

i) An amount of $6,267,879 was added to reflect the Adjusted Net Book Value of the shares of SPL; and ii) An amount of $200 was deducted to reflect the book value ($200) of the shares of SPL. [ 93 ] Mr. Spencer did not make any adjustments to take into account the net increase to investments, as it was immaterial. In addition, he did not make any adjustment for the existing RDTOH of Holdco (note 4 to

Schedule 1 of the Spencer Report). [ 94 ] That amount of $9,056,965 was then allocated to the various classes of shares of Holdco as follows: i) 2,700,000 First Preferred Shares: $2,700,000 (equal to their redemption amount); ii) 12 Fifth Preferred Shares: $1 (redeemable at $0.10 each); and iii) 1 Class A Common Share: $6,356,963, namely the remainder. [ 95 ] Mr. Spencer explained to the Court that a minority discount is the reduction from the pro-rata portion of the en bloc value of the shares as a whole to reflect the disadvantages of owning a non-controlling interest.

Accordingly, the Class A Common Share could be subject to a minority discount. However, Mr. Spencer was of the opinion that no minority discount should be applied to said share considering the factors listed in paragraph 70 of the Spencer Report, which I will review below. [ 96 ] Mr. Spencer explained the concept of liquidity discount and marketability discount. A liquidity discount relates to the relative ease of converting non-cash assets into cash. The marketability discount relates to the relative ease of selling a given corporate shareholding or business interest.

He further explained that, given the corporate structure and corporate assets held, he has combined these two types of discounts. Mr. Spencer is of the view that no marketability/liquidity discount should be applied in the evaluation of the Class A Common Share of Holdco considering the factors listed in paragraph 72 of the Spencer Report, which I will review below. [ 97 ] Finally, Mr.

Spencer made it clear in his testimony that his valuation of the shares of Holdco was based entirely on the fact that Holdco will be sold as a whole and that a purchaser will acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of the capital of Holdco and thus, would acquire control of Holdco on the notional purchase. E. analysis . 1.

Differences between the MNP Report and the Spencer Report. [ 98 ] The experts were in agreement in respect of some elements that have to be taken into account in the valuation of the shares: the investments and the land owned by SPL as well as the fact that the First Preferred Shares of Holdco derive their value from the redemption and retraction features of the shares. [ 99 ] I will review some of these elements below. 1.1 Valuation of the shares of SPL. [ 100 ] Adjustments made to the Shareholders’ Equity calculation in SPL are essentially the same in both reports, apart from the reduction made in the MNP Report for the Directors’ Advances ($2,257,132). [ 101 ] In the Spencer Report, the Shareholders’ Equity was reduced by $805,140.

In the MNP Report, it was reduced by $786,536. [ 102 ] The most important adjustment is the reduction of the Shareholders’ Equity in respect of income taxes on deferred income that will be paid in the next fiscal year. According to the MNP Report, an amount of $997,080 should be taken into account and deducted on account of this, but the Spencer Report calculated an amount of $1,074,166 in that respect.

In my view, the correct amount is $1,002,555, taking the correct tax rate of 28% and the amount as confirmed by Management of said deferred income, namely $3,580,554. [ 103 ] Another adjustment made is the increase in the value of the Land owned by SPL. Mr. Blackman used the value stated in the Craigen Report, which I do not accept. I am of the view that the proceeds of disposition of $145,000, as used by Mr. Spencer in making his calculation, should be used. I was not able to find any reference to $260,000 as being specified as such proceeds of disposition in the Craigen Report.

The tax rate that should be used is 46.2% and not 50%. Accordingly, a net amount of $81,364 should be added to the Shareholders’ Equity in respect of the Land (see Appendix C and Appendix D attached hereto). [ 104 ] In respect of the investments owned by SPL, Mr. Blackman deducted an amount of $21,430 as a loss; this amount of loss was taken from the Craigen Report. However, Mr. Spencer added an amount of $64,061 as a net increase. This amount of net increase to

investment in the amount of $64,061 was calculated by Mr. Spencer assuming that the change in value in the portfolio of assets was interest and taxed annually at the full rate of 50%; however, having examined the investment statements filed at Exhibit AR-2, tabs 15 and 16, I see that half of the investments are publicly listed shares; accordingly, I would conclude that it is reasonable to assume that half of the increase in value would be capital gains, of which only half is taxable. Furthermore, the tax rate to be used is 46.2% and not 50%.

Accordingly, I would calculate the increase in the value of the investments to be $128,122 (as per the Spencer Report) and estimate the taxes at $22,197 (see Appendix D). Since it is not clear as to how the loss was calculated in the Craigen Report and since it took the adjusted cost base of the assets as indicated in the financial statements of SPL for the year ended February 28, 2011, I am of the view that, subject to my comments above, the calculation made by Mr. Spencer is more accurate since the latter took the figures as of the Valuation Date.

Hence, I will add a net amount of $105,925 to the calculation of the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL in respect of the investments. [ 105 ] The RDTOH of SPL was fully discounted by Mr. Spencer but Mr. Blackman added an amount of $56,000 in that respect. Mr. Spencer fully discounted the RDTOH in order to be more conservative. However, I am of the view that Mr. Blackman’s analysis is more accurate, as confirmed by Mr. de Gray.

Since I made some changes to the calculation of the revenues arising out of SPL, an amount of $62,810 should be added to the calculation of the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL in respect of the RDTOH (see Appendix D). [ 106 ] Finally, with respect to the management fees of $121,409 due from SPLP (taxed at a rate of 30%), I note that Mr. Blackman did not make any adjustment in that respect, but Mr. Spencer did. Since Mr. Spencer took the Internal Statements, he had to increase the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL in that respect. However, since Mr.

Blackman took the RCGT Statements and given that the management fees were already accounted for in said statements, there was no need to make such adjustment. My conclusion in respect of the management fees will then depend of my answer to the starting point for the valuation of the shares of SPL.

If I conclude that the RCGT Statements are the starting point, then there will be no need for adjustments; however, if I conclude that the Internal Statements are the starting point, then an adjustment will have to be made in that respect. 1.2 Valuation of the shares of Holdco. [ 107 ] In the calculation of the Shareholders’ Equity of Holdco, both experts took the same starting point (the financial statements of February 28, 2011) since Ms. Grimes said that there would not be any difference between the end of February and the Valuation Date.

The MNP Report however reduced the Shareholders’ Equity by the amount of the Holdco Advances ($1,144,887) and added the amounts due to a shareholder ($38,423). No such reduction was made in the Spencer Report. [ 108 ] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the Spencer Report did not apply any minority, marketability or liquidity discount to the fair market value of the Class A Common Share of Holdco and did not apply any premium when calculating the fair market value of the controlling shares of Holdco held by Ms. Grimes (namely, the 12 Fifth Preferred Shares). [ 109 ] These issues will be discussed below. 2.

Starting point for the valuation of the shares of SPL. [ 110 ] Mr. Blackman was of the opinion that the starting point for the valuation of the shares of SPL should be the RCGT Statements. According to Mr. Blackman, the RCGT Statements, having been audited, are the most reliable and, therefore, more representative of the Shareholders’ Equity than the Internal Statements. Audited financial statements would contain all the proper “adjustments that are required to properly reflect the assets, liabilities, earnings and expenses of the company” (Transcript, June 8, 2016, page 162, lines 3 to 7).

Since the RCGT Statements were prepared for the period ending on February 28, 2011, Mr. Blackman made some adjustments in respect of the salaries and apportioned the salaries to the whole fiscal year in accordance with the matching principles to arrive at the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL as of the Valuation Date of $6,080,771. [ 111 ] In cross-examination, Mr. de Gray testified that he did not disagree with the starting point used by Mr. Blackman as explained in the MNP Report.

Mr. de Gray added that an adjustment made in respect of the salaries amounted to a recognition that $635,000 plus $99,000 was declared as salary for that 11-months period ending on January 31, 2011 (Transcript, June 9, 2016, page 167). [ 112 ] In contrast, Mr. Spencer was of the opinion that the starting point should be the Internal Statements. Under cross-examination, Mr. Spencer testified that he considered using the RCGT Statements, but he did not use them because the Internal Statements were available.

He added that any adjustments made in the RCGT Statements, which would have been made at year-end, hence after the Valuation Date, would be based on hindsight. Furthermore, since valuation is a point-in-time issue, the Internal Statements should be used to determine the fair market value as of the Valuation Date since these statements are the closest to the Valuation Date. [ 113 ] I do not agree with Mr. Spencer’s reasoning that all adjustments made by the auditors in the RCGT Statements are based on hindsight information. As Mr.

Blackman rightly said, adjustments made in audited financial statements are required in order to properly reflect the assets, liabilities, expenses and earnings of a person. These adjustments will be made to give the proper financial situation of a person at a given point in time and will be a reflection of the whole fiscal year; it may contain, for example, a provision for bad debts, amortization of fixed assets, etc.

It is not reasonable to claim that the adjustments are based on hindsight information, as the auditors would review the whole fiscal year to make the appropriate adjustments and would not only examine factors post-Valuation Date, as Mr. Spencer seems to argue.

In this particular situation, it is not true that adjustments would reflect only circumstances arising after the Valuation Date. [ 114 ] Furthermore, I am satisfied that, by making an adjustment to the salaries and by starting with the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL as indicated in the RCGT Statements, the MNP Report properly determined the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL as of the Valuation Date at an amount of $6,080.771. I am of the view that, by using the information found in the Internal Statements, Mr. Spencer’s calculations are erroneous in that respect.

I do not agree that the Internal Statements should be the starting point for the valuation due to their proximity to the Valuation Date. I am of the view that a proper valuation should start with financial statements that would best reflect the subject’s financial situation. In this case, the RCGT Statements, which have the highest level of reliability due to proper adjustments having been made, would best reflect the financial situation of SPL.

3. The Advances. [ 115 ] I have to determine whether (

i) the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL and, consequently, the fair market value of the shares of SPL, should be reduced by the amount of the Directors’ Advances and, in the affirmative, what amount should be deducted ($2,257,132 as indicated in the Internal Statements or $1,904,422 as indicated in the RCGT Statements); and whether (ii) the Shareholders’ Equity of Holdco and, consequently, the fair market value of the shares of Holdco, should be reduced by the amount of the Holdco Advances ($1,144,887). 3.1 The reasoning of the experts. [ 116 ] According to Mr.

Blackman, the objective of shareholders in a small company is to maximize their after-tax income. Since Ms. Grimes told him that she and her husband did not receive regular salaries and that the Directors’ Advances would never be repaid under any circumstances, he felt that these advances should reduce the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL. He had examined the financial statements of previous years and confirmed that SPL always operated in that way with respect to advances to directors.

He was, therefore, satisfied that SPL would never receive a reimbursement in cash of the Directors’ Advances but rather would offset these advances by way of bonuses. Accordingly, he concluded that the Directors’ Advances should not be included in the fair market value of the shares of SPL. He testified that, by declaring a bonus, the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL is reduced. [ 117 ] Mr. Blackman testified that he deducted the Holdco Advances in the calculation of the Shareholders’ Equity of Holdco for the same reasons. More particularly, as Ms. Grimes had advised Mr.

Blackman that Holdco would proceed with a declaration of dividends in order to offset the Holdco Advances, and even if no dividends had been declared in previous years by Holdco and Holdco had no history of making advances, he was of the view that the Holdco Advances should reduce the Shareholders’ Equity of Holdco and, consequently, the fair market value of the shares of Holdco. [ 118 ] Paragraph 9.1.1(

b) of the MNP Report specifically states that adjustments to Holdco’s Shareholders’ Equity were made, including “adjustments to reflect the write-down of the advances to a shareholder of $1,144,887 (Schedule A-3) which we were advised would not be repaid by way of a cash payment but rather by an offset from dividends that will be declared.” At paragraph 9.2.1(

b) of the MNP Report, it is stated that adjustments have been made to SPL’s Shareholders’ Equity, including “the advances to directors of $2,257,132 were written off as we were advised that such amount would not be repaid (see comments in

Section 9.1.1(b))” . [ 119 ] Mr. Blackman is of the view that he did not use hindsight in order to conduct his evaluation. Under cross-examination, he confirmed that he peeked at the following year’s information, which is for the year ending February 28, 2012, in order to confirm what he was told by Ms. Grimes with regards to the Holdco Advances and the Directors’ Advances. According to Mr.

Blackman, he certainly can use hindsight to corroborate assumptions that were made at the Valuation Date; however, he did not use hindsight to formulate his assumptions (Transcript, June 8, 2016, page 188, lines 11 to 28). [ 120 ] Mr. Spencer testified that he did not look at anything that occurred after the Valuation Date.

More particularly, with respect to dividends paid by Holdco and bonuses declared and paid by SPL after the Valuation Date, he is of the view that taking into account these payments to reduce the fair market value of the shares would be an impermissible use of hindsight (Transcript, June 9, 2016, pp. 97-98, lines 26 to 28 and lines 1 to 8). Since the RCGT Statements showed the Directors’ Advances as a current asset of SPL and since the financial statements of Holdco for the year ended February 28, 2011 showed the Shareholders’ Advances (namely, the Holdco Advances) as a current asset of Holdco, Mr.

Spencer was of the view that these amounts were a receivable to SPL and Holdco respectively and represent amounts owed to SPL and Holdco and should be taken into account in the valuation of the shares. The fact that Ms. Grimes had confirmed to him that she and her husband had use of the money and had the financial means to repay the Directors’ Advances to SPL are relevant factors confirming his treatment of the Directors’ Advances. [ 121 ] In addition, even considering that Ms. Grimes had told him that there would be a bonus declared by SPL and a dividend paid by Holdco to offset these advances, Mr.

Spencer would not have made any adjustment to his calculations since the RCGT Statements and the financial statements of Holdco for the period ending February 28, 2011 showed these advances as an asset and, accordingly, he would expect that these advances would be reimbursed. In his reasoning, Mr. Spencer also considered the fact that Ms. Grimes and her husband had the ability to repay the advances. [ 122 ] According to Mr. de Gray, valuation is point-in-time specific and is based only on facts known at this point in time. Hindsight or retrospective evidence should not be considered.

During negotiations between a vendor and a purchaser, neither has the benefit of having the knowledge of future events. However, he agreed that it has been recognized by the courts that hindsight can be used to validate assumptions and conclusions. [ 123 ] As mentioned above, Mr. de Gray was in disagreement with the treatment of the Directors’ Advances by the MNP Report. These amounts are recorded as an asset in the RCGT Statements; RCGT had verified whether they were collectible and whether they truly existed. In his view, these advances represent a true asset of SPL at the Valuation Date.

In his opinion, it is not relevant that these advances will be repaid or forgiven after the Valuation Date. The amount of the bonuses and the timing of payment are uncertain. He also added in cross-examination that Ms. Grimes has the financial ability to repay these amounts. Therefore, he is of the opinion that the Directors’ Advances should not be deducted in the calculation of the fair market value of the shares of SPL. [ 124 ] Mr. de Gray testified that the same reasoning would apply to the Holdco Advances. He also added that there was no history of dividends being paid by Holdco.

In cross-examination, Mr. de Gray said that the fact that Ms. Grimes does not own any dividend – paying shares in Holdco was one of the reasons he did not agree with the MNP Report on this point. However, since I have concluded that the Holdco Advances were made to Ms. Grimes as trustee of the Trust, I will not give any weight to that comment. 3.2 Discussion. [ 125 ] I agree with both experts for the Respondent that the Holdco Advances and the Directors’ Advances are assets of Holdco and SPL respectively.

However, that conclusion does not mean that the fair market value of the Directors’ Advances and the Holdco Advances is

equal to the respective face value of these advances for purposes of establishing the fair market value of the shares of SPL and Holdco, respectively. An asset may be accounted for in the financial statements of a corporation for accounting purposes and be discounted for in establishing the fair market value of the shares of said corporation.

The issue is whether, given the particular facts of this appeal, the Shareholders’ Equity of SPL and Holdco, and, consequently, the respective fair market value of the shares of SPL and Holdco, should be reduced by the amount of the Directors’ Advances and the Holdco Advances respectively, to account for the fact that bonuses and dividends have been declared and paid after the Valuation Date resulting in the offset of said advances, the whole in accordance with the intent of the controlling mind of SPL and Holdco (namely, Ms.

Grimes). [ 126 ] Mr. de Gray stated in his testimony that, in the ordinary course of business, a shareholder in the process of selling his or her shares will take steps to mitigate the impact that accounts such as advances to shareholders or directors appearing in financial statements will have on the marketability of the shares. I accept that this would be the normal conduct of a seller.

I am also of the view that such conduct is relevant to the evaluation even in the context of a deemed disposition, but that does not resolve the issue in this particular appeal. [ 127 ] During his oral submissions, counsel for the Respondent stated that the MNP Report wrongly assumed that these advances were not loans. Accordingly, if the advances were not loans, then they would represent an appropriation of corporate assets by the principals and shareholders, and would not be reflected on the financial statements. Consequently, these amounts would have to be included in the income of Ms.

Grimes, her husband and the Trust when the amounts are appropriated from Holdco and SPL. In my view, the MNP Report does not deny that the advances were loans. As mentioned above, Paragraph 9.1.1(

b) of the MNP Report states that adjustments to Holdco’s Shareholders’ Equity were made, including “adjustments to reflect the write-down of the advances to a shareholder of $1,144,887 (Schedule A - 3) which we were advised would not be repaid by way of a cash payment but rather by an offset from dividends that will be declared” . And the same reasoning was applied in respect of the Directors’ Advances (para. 9.2.1(

b) of the MNP Report). These assumptions were confirmed by the facts of this appeal and were clearly established in the course of this hearing. I have to determine whether these assumptions have any bearing on the determination of fair market value under the Act. [ 128 ] With respect to the Directors’ Advances, I am of the view that the treatment of the Directors’ Advances in accordance with the MNP Report is reasonable and should be confirmed.

However, the amount of the Directors’ Advances should be of an amount equal to $1,904,422, namely the amount indicated in the RCGT Statements and not an amount of $2,257,132 as stated in the Internal Statements. Since I have concluded that the starting point for the valuation is the RCGT Statements, which are for the year ended February 28, 2011, a deduction of an amount higher than $1,904,422 would, inter alia , not take into account the fact that amounts have already been taken off these statements through the bonuses and the set-off procedures for the period ending February 28, 2011.

On these facts, I am of the view that the use of hindsight information by the MNP Report was generally proper since it is clear that Mr. Blackman used hindsight information to corroborate his assumptions and not to formulate his assumptions, according to principles established by case law. [ 129 ] In this particular case, it would not be proper to conclude that the fair market value of the Directors’ Advances is equal to the face value of these advances.

I am of the view that the Directors’ Advances should be fully discounted in the calculation of the fair market value of the shares of SPL, since it is reasonable to conclude, on the facts of this case, that a willing seller and a willing buyer would have taken into account a corresponding liability of SPL, namely a bonus to be paid to Ms.

Grimes and her husband equal to the amount of the Directors’ Advances, in determining the price to be paid for the shares of SPL. [ 130 ] In respect of SPL, it is erroneous to argue that no consideration should be given to events that occurred after the Valuation Date, the perceived likelihood of whose occurrence was evident at the Valuation Date. In this appeal, with respect to SPL, this would mean that the Management’s stated intentions would be ignored. To ensure a proper valuation, one should not view the Valuation Date in a vacuum, ignoring the consistent action

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