s
Table of Contents
Letter to Shareholders ......................................................
Notice of 2024 Annual and Special Meeting ......................
Notice of Application ........................................................
Management Information Circular....................................
About the Shareholder Meeting........................................
Delivery of Meeting Materials...........................................
Attending and Participating in the Meeting.......................
Voting ...............................................................................
Information for U.S. Shareholders.....................................
Forward-Looking Information ...........................................
Non-GAAP Measures ........................................................
Glossary............................................................................
Summary ..........................................................................
Business of the Meeting....................................................
Election of Directors..........................................................
The Arrangement..............................................................
Summary of the Arrangement ...........................................
Background to the Arrangement .......................................
Reasons for the Arrangement ............................................
Recommendation of the Board..........................................
Fairness Opinion ................................................................
Details of the Arrangement................................................
Distribution of Shares ........................................................
Treatment of Fractional Shares..........................................
Arrangement Agreement ...................................................
Separation Agreement and Other Arrangements ..............
Pre-Arrangement Transactions ..........................................
Conditions to Closing of the Arrangement and Tax
Rulings.............................................................................
Court Approval of the Arrangement ..................................
Shareholder Approval of the Arrangement and Related
Matters ...........................................................................
Proposed Timetable for the Arrangement .........................
Treatment of Incentive Securities ......................................
1 Treatment of TC Energy Employees and Employee
Benefit Plans | 75 | |
Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance | 76 | |
Intention of TC Energy Directors and Officers | 77 | |
Expenses of the Arrangement | 77 | |
Risk Factors Relating to the Arrangement | 77 | |
Certain Securities Law Matters | 81 | |
8 | ||
Stock Exchange Listings | 82 | |
10 | ||
Trading of Shares on the TSX and NYSE | 82 | |
13 | Material Income Tax Considerations | 83 |
14 Information Concerning TC Energy Prior to the
16 | Arrangement | 93 |
17 | Information Concerning TC Energy Post-Arrangement | 94 |
Information Concerning South Bow Post-Arrangement | 94 | |
25 | ||
South Bow Shareholder Rights Plan | 95 | |
36 | ||
Governance | 98 | |
41 | ||
About Our Governance Practices | 98 | |
56 | ||
Board Characteristics | 99 | |
56 | ||
Governance Philosophy | 102 | |
56 | ||
Role and Responsibilities of the Board | 105 | |
59 | ||
Orientation and Education | 114 | |
61 | ||
Board Effectiveness and Director Assessment | 117 | |
61 | ||
Sustainability and Environmental, Social and | ||
62 | ||
Governance Matters | 123 | |
66 | ||
Board Committees | 127 | |
66 | ||
Compensation | 132 | |
66 | ||
Compensation Governance | 132 | |
67 | ||
Director Compensation Discussion and Analysis | 139 | |
69 | ||
Director Compensation - 2023 Details | 142 | |
69 | Human Resources Committee Letter to Shareholders | 147 |
Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis | 149 | |
71 | ||
Executive Compensation - 2023 Details | 170 | |
72 | Other Information | 182 |
72 | Directors' Approval | 184 |
72 | Consent of Evercore | 185 |
Schedules
SCHEDULE A | Arrangement Resolution |
SCHEDULE B | South Bow Shareholder Rights Plan Resolution |
SCHEDULE C | Arrangement Agreement, including Plan of Arrangement |
SCHEDULE D | Fairness Opinion |
SCHEDULE E | Interim Order |
SCHEDULE F | Information Concerning South Bow Post-Arrangement |
SCHEDULE G | Audited Financial Statements of South Bow |
SCHEDULE H | Audited Combined Carve-Out Financial Statements for |
the Liquids Pipelines Business and MD&A | |
SCHEDULE I | Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements of South Bow |
SCHEDULE J | Information Concerning TC Energy Post-Arrangement |
SCHEDULE K | Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements of TC Energy |
SCHEDULE L | South Bow Shareholder Rights Plan |
SCHEDULE M | Shareholder Proposal |
SCHEDULE N | Charter of the Board of Directors of TC Energy |
These materials are important and require your
immediate attention. If you are in doubt as to how to deal with these documents or the matters they refer to, please consult your professional advisors. If you have any questions or require assistance with voting your shares, you may contact our shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent:
Morrow Sodali (Canada) Ltd.
Toll-Free Number: 1-888 999 2944
Email: assistance@morrowsodali.com
TC Energy Management Information Circular 2024 | i
About TC Energy
Delivering Results - Providing Energy Solutions.
We're a team of 7,000+ energy problem solvers working to safely move, generate and store the energy North America relies on. Today, we're delivering solutions to the world's toughest energy challenges - from innovating to deliver the natural gas that feeds LNG to global markets, to working to reduce emissions from our assets, to partnering with our neighbors, customers and governments to build the energy system of the future. It's all part of how we continue to deliver sustainable returns for our investors and create value for communities.
TC Energy's common shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. To learn more, visit our website at (tcenergy.com).
We encourage you to sign up for electronic delivery of all future proxy materials.
Registered shareholders
Go to www.investorcentre.com/tcenergy and click on "View Details to Manage Your Account" below the TC Energy logo. Under the heading "Quick Links", click on "Receive Documents Electronically" and you will be asked to complete additional fields: 1 - Company Name (TC Energy Corporation), 2 - Holder Account Number (begins with "C" and is on your form of proxy), 3 - Canadian Postal Code (if you are a Canadian resident) or 4 - Family or Company Name (if you are not a resident of Canada), and click "NEXT".
Non-registered shareholders
Go to www.investordelivery.com using the control number found on your voting instruction form, click on "Enrollment or Reactivation", and follow the instructions. If you vote online, go to www.proxyvote.com, click on "Delivery Settings", and follow the instructions.
ii | TC Energy Management Information Circular 2024
Letter to Shareholders
April 10, 2024
Dear Shareholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of TC Energy Corporation, we are pleased to invite you to our Annual and Special Meeting of common shareholders on June 4, 2024, at 8 a.m. (MDT). The meeting will be held virtually, using a live audio webcast available at https://web.lumiagm.com/423961867, password "tc2024" (case sensitive). At the meeting, you will be asked to consider matters related to our usual annual business, as well as the important proposal to spin off our Liquids Pipelines business.
The virtual-only meeting format provides all shareholders an equal opportunity to participate at the meeting regardless of their geographic location or any particular constraints or circumstances they may face relating to attendance at an in-person event. It also is a more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way to engage with shareholders. At this virtual meeting, shareholders who attend online will have the opportunity to participate, ask questions and vote in real-time, provided they comply with the applicable procedures set out in the accompanying management information circular.
Creation of South Bow
As announced on July 27, 2023, the Board of Directors approved the proposed plan to separate TC Energy into two independent, investment-grade, publicly listed companies:
- TC Energy Corporation: A low-risk, diversified, growth-oriented natural gas infrastructure and energy solutions company, uniquely positioned to meet growing industry and consumer demand for reliable, lower-carbon energy and lower emitting energy sources, including natural gas.
- South Bow Corporation: A critical infrastructure company, with an unrivalled market position to connect resilient, safe and secure liquids supply to the highest demand markets with incremental growth and value creation opportunities.
TC Energy's Board of Directors and management team are confident the proposed separation will enhance long-term value for TC Energy shareholders by creating two highly focused, premium energy infrastructure companies. Each company will be structured to reflect distinct value propositions and the ability to pursue and achieve greater success than a combined entity by executing tailored strategies targeted to distinct customer sets.
As the world renews its focus on energy security, TC Energy's Liquids Pipelines business has experienced increased customer demand - presenting immediate opportunities that require more financial flexibility to maintain its notable competitive advantage. Spinning off the Liquids Pipelines business will allow the new entity to better focus and fully capture the incremental value that exists within the company's unique opportunity set.
South Bow will be a low-risk, liquids transportation and storage business focused on enhancing the value of its unrivalled asset base. As a standalone entity with a distinct capital allocation strategy, South Bow will have greater flexibility to invest in strategic opportunities to expand, extend and unlock the full potential of its competitive corridor connecting WCSB crude oil to the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast. South Bow is expected to obtain an investment-grade rating. As a result, it will have the agility needed to quickly respond to market shifts, while delivering value back to shareholders in the form of a compelling dividend and enhanced capital allocation optionality.
TC Energy will maintain its regulated, low-risk and utility-like portfolio of natural gas infrastructure and power businesses with a balance of income and growth that continues to deliver strong shareholder returns. Focused on long-term energy fundamentals and capital discipline, TC Energy's established and highly differentiated natural gas infrastructure and energy solutions portfolio is expected to offer competitive services that meet growing energy demand; generate sustainable cash flow; and provide runway to capitalize on large-scale opportunities as they arise. Guided by its conservative risk preferences, TC Energy will continue to make strategic investments to enhance its industry-leading position while enabling it to effectively navigate a shifting energy landscape.
Throughout its more than 70 years of success, TC Energy has established a strong track record of delivering results by maximizing the value of its assets. This continues today. The separation is expected to enhance the strategic and financial focus of each company and improve TC Energy's and South Bow's abilities to pursue independent and disciplined growth opportunities to better serve key demand markets. As two distinct infrastructure companies, the long-term shareholder value we expect to generate exceeds what is replicable as a single entity.
TC Energy Management Information Circular 2024 | 1
Board Updates
Delivering on his commitment to align with TC Energy's revised governance guidelines regarding board commitments as outlined in the 2023 management information circular, Mr. Vanaselja stepped down as Board chair of TC Energy effective December 31, 2023 and Mr. John E. Lowe was appointed as his successor effective January 1, 2024. Mr. Vanaselja continues to serve as a valued member of the Board.
Your vote is important to us. For the proposed separation to become effective, it must be approved by our shareholders. The attached management information circular includes important information about the meeting and how to vote. Please take some time to read the document and remember to vote. You can find more information about TC Energy in our 2023 Annual Report and on our website.
If you have questions about any of the information contained within the attached management information circular please contact our Investor Relations team by telephone at 403-920-7911 or 1-800-361-6522 or by email at investor_relations@tcenergy.com. For assistance in completing your proxy form or voting instruction form, please contact our shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Morrow Sodali, by telephone at 1-888-999-2944 or by email at assistance@morrowsodali.com.
Thank you for your continued confidence in TC Energy. We appreciate your support and look forward to your participation in the meeting on June 4, 2024.
Sincerely,
John E. Lowe | Francois L. Poirier |
Chair of the Board of Directors | President and Chief Executive Officer |
2 | TC Energy Management Information Circular 2024
Notice of 2024 Annual and Special Meeting
You are invited to our 2024 annual and special meeting of common shareholders:
WHEN
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 8 a.m.
Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)
WHERE
Virtual-only meeting via live audio webcast online at https://web.lumiagm.com/423961867
password "tc2024" (case sensitive)
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
If you are a holder of record of TC Energy Corporation (TC Energy) common shares on April 16, 2024, you are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at this meeting.
Please take some time to read the attached management information circular. It contains important information about the meeting and the proposal to spin off our Liquids Pipelines business and explains who can vote and how to vote.
If you have questions about any of the information contained within the attached management information circular please contact our Investor Relations team by telephone at 403-920-7911 or 1-800-361- 6522 or by email at investor_relations@tcenergy.com. For assistance in completing your proxy form or voting instruction form, please contact our shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Morrow Sodali, by telephone at 1-888-999-2944 or by email at assistance@morrowsodali.com.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Christine R. Johnston
Vice-President, Law and Corporate Secretary
TC Energy Corporation
Calgary, Alberta
April 10, 2024
Eight Items of Business
- Receive our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the auditor's report thereon.
- Elect the directors.
- Appoint the auditor and authorize the directorsto fix their remuneration.
- Consider and, if deemed advisable, approve a special resolution, the full text of which is set forth in Schedule A to the attached management information circular, approving an arrangement under section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act, pursuant to which, among other things, TC Energy shareholders will receive one newly issued common share of TC Energy and 0.2 of a common share in a new public company called "South Bow Corporation" in exchange for each common share of TC Energy held.
- Consider and, if deemed advisable, approve an ordinary resolution, the full text of which is set forth in Schedule B to the attached management information circular, approving a shareholder rights plan for South Bow Corporation.
- Participate in the advisory vote on our approach to executive compensation (say on pay).
- Consider the shareholder proposal set out in Schedule M to the attached management information circular.
- Consider other business that is properly brought before the meeting or any meeting that is reconvened if the meeting is adjourned.
TC Energy Management Information Circular 2024 | 3
Notice of Application
Action No. 2401-04743
IN THE COURT OF KING'S BENCH OF ALBERTA
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF CALGARY
IN THE MATTER OF SECTION 192 OF THE CANADA BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-44,
AS AMENDED
AND IN THE MATTER OF A PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT INVOLVING
TC ENERGY CORPORATION, THE HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARES OF TC ENERGY CORPORATION AND SOUTH BOW
CORPORATION
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an originating application (the Application) has been filed with the Court of King's Bench of Alberta, Judicial District of Calgary (the Court) on behalf of TC Energy Corporation (TC Energy) with respect to a proposed arrangement (the Arrangement) brought pursuant to Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-44, as amended (the CBCA), involving, among others, TC Energy, the holders of common shares of TC Energy (TC Energy Shareholders) and South Bow Corporation (South Bow). The Arrangement is described in greater detail in the management information circular of TC Energy dated April 10, 2024, accompanying this Notice of Application.
At the hearing of the Application, TC Energy intends to seek:
- a declaration that the terms and conditions of the Arrangement, and the related procedures, are fair to the persons affected, both from a substantive and procedural perspective;
- an order approving the Arrangement pursuant to the provisions of Section 192 of the CBCA;
- a declaration that the Arrangement will, upon the filing of the Articles of Arrangement pursuant to the provisions of Section 192 of the CBCA, become effective in accordance with its terms and will be binding on and after the Effective Time as defined in the Arrangement; and
- such other and further orders, declarations and directions as the Court may deem just.
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the order approving the Arrangement, if granted, will constitute the basis for an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the distribution of the securities of TC Energy and South Bow to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement.
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the said Application was directed to be heard before a Justice of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta, 601 - 5th Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada on the 4th day of June, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. (MDT), or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard. Any TC Energy Shareholder or any other interested party desiring to support or oppose the Application, may appear at the time of hearing in person or by counsel for that purpose. Any TC Energy Shareholder or other interested party desiring to appear at the hearing is required to file with the Court, and serve upon TC Energy on or before 5:00 p.m. (MDT) on May 15, 2024, a notice of intention to appear, including an address for service in the Province of Alberta, together with any evidence or materials which are to be presented to the Court. Service on TC Energy is to be effected by delivery to the solicitors for TC Energy at the address below. If any TC Energy Shareholder or other interested party does not attend, either in person or by counsel, at that time, the Court may approve the Arrangement as presented, or may approve it subject to such terms and conditions as the Court shall deem fit, without any further notice.
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that no further notice of the Application will be given by TC Energy and that in the event the hearing of the Application is adjourned, only those persons who have appeared before the Court for the Application at the hearing shall be served with notice of the adjourned date.
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Court, by an Interim Order dated April 9, 2024 (the Interim Order), has given directions as to the calling and holding of the meeting of TC Energy Shareholders for the purpose of such holders voting upon the special resolution to approve the Arrangement.
4 | TC Energy Management Information Circular 2024
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the said Application and other documents in the proceedings will be furnished to any TC Energy Shareholder or other interested party requesting the same by the undermentioned solicitors for TC Energy upon written request delivered to such solicitors as follows:
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
3500 Bankers Hall East
855 - 2nd Street S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 4J8
Attention: David Tupper and Brendan MacArthur-Stevens
DATED at the City of Calgary, in the Province of Alberta, this 10th day of April, 2024.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
TC ENERGY CORPORATION
"Christine R. Johnston" ________________
Christine R. Johnston
Vice-President, Law and Corporate Secretary
TC Energy Corporation
TC Energy Management Information Circular 2024 | 5
Management Information Circular
We are sending you this management information circular (Circular) because you were a holder of record of common shares of TC Energy on April 16, 2024. You have the right to participate in our 2024 annual and special meeting of shareholders (the meeting) and to vote your shares online at the meeting or by proxy. The meeting can be accessed at https://web.lumiagm.com/423961867, password "tc2024" (case sensitive). Following the meeting, a webcast in English, including the live question and answer session, will be available for viewing on our website (www.tcenergy.com).
Management is soliciting your proxy for the meeting, and we pay all costs for doing so. TC Energy has engaged Morrow Sodali as its shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent to assist with the solicitation of votes from shareholders and to provide strategic services in the areas of capital markets intelligence, governance and shareholder engagement. TC Energy will pay fees of up to approximately $350,000 for the proxy solicitation service, in addition to certain out-of-pocket expenses. Morrow Sodali may utilize the Broadridge QuickVoteTM system to assist non-registered (beneficial) shareholders with voting their shares. Beneficial shareholders may be contacted by Morrow Sodali to obtain voting instructions directly over the telephone.
We will start mailing the proxy materials on April 26, 2024, and will also provide the materials to brokers, custodians, nominees and other fiduciaries to forward them to shareholders. A TC Energy employee may also contact you by phone or email to encourage you to vote.
In this document,
-
you, your and shareholder mean a holder of common shares of
TC Energy Corporation (including for greater certainty, New TC Energy Common Shares), - we, us, our, the company and TC Energy mean TC Energy Corporation, and
- TC Energy common shares, TC Energy shares and shares mean common shares of TC Energy prior to the completion of the Arrangement. Common shares of TC Energy following the completion of the Arrangement are referred to as New TC Energy Common Shares
Our principal corporate and executive offices are located at 450 - 1 Street S.W., Calgary, AB Canada T2P 5H1
The Board of Directors of TC Energy (Board) has approved the contents of this Circular and has authorized us to send it to you. We have also sent a copy to each member of our Board and to our auditors, and will file copies with the appropriate government regulatory agencies.
If you have any questions or require more information with regard to the procedures for voting your shares, please contact our shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent: Morrow Sodali, by telephone at 1-888-999-2944 or by email at assistance@morrowsodali.com.
If you have questions about deciding how to vote, you should contact your own legal, tax, financial or other professional advisor.
Unless stated otherwise, information in this document is as of April 10, 2024, and all dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars.
The use of the phrase "tax-free" in this Circular is a reference to the tax-deferred nature of the Arrangement. Specifically, the receipt of South Bow Common Shares pursuant to the Arrangement is generally intended not to result in taxable income or gain to Holders (as defined herein) for Canadian federal income tax purposes or U.S. federal income tax purposes. As described under the heading Material Income Tax Considerations - Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations and Material Income Tax Considerations - Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations, a Holder may trigger certain tax consequences upon the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional South Bow Common Shares to which they may otherwise be entitled pursuant to the Arrangement or on a subsequent disposition of a New TC Energy Common Share or a South Bow Common Share (in the ordinary course or otherwise).
About shareholder mailings
In March 2023, we asked all registered shareholders to advise us if they did not want to receive our Annual Reports when they became available.
If you are a registered shareholder who replied that you no longer want to receive the report, or a beneficial shareholder who did not request a copy, you will not receive one. If you purchased TC Energy shares after April 16, 2024, you also may not receive a copy of the TC Energy Annual Report. We are using notice and access to deliver this Circular and the TC Energy Annual Report.
The TC Energy Annual Report is available on our website (www.tcenergy.com) and on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), or you can request a free copy from our transfer agent:
Computershare Investor Services, Inc.
Tel: | 1-800-340-5024 | (toll-free within North America) |
1-514-982-7959 | (outside North America) |
6 | TC Energy Management Information Circular 2024
About the Shareholder Meeting | |||||||
As a shareholder of record, you are entitled to vote your shares at the meeting. | |||||||
WHERE TO FIND IT | |||||||
The meeting will cover eight items of business, six of which require your vote, | |||||||
> | About the Shareholder Meeting | ||||||
which are discussed in more detail starting on page 36. | |||||||
> | Delivery of Meeting Materials | ||||||
TC Energy will be holding the meeting via a virtual-only format, using a live | > | Attending and Participating in the | |||||
audio webcast available online at https://web.lumiagm.com/423961867, | |||||||
Meeting | 8 | ||||||
password "tc2024" (case sensitive). | |||||||
> | Voting | 10 | |||||
The next section discusses delivery of the meeting materials, attending and | Who Can Vote | 10 | |||||
participating in the meeting, the voting process, and submitting questions | How to Vote | 10 | |||||
during the meeting. | Changing Your Vote | 12 | |||||
Delivery of Meeting Materials | How the Votes are Counted | 12 | |||||
> | Business of the Meeting | 23 | |||||
We are using notice and access to deliver this Circular and the TC Energy Annual | Director Profiles | 42 | |||||
Report to both our registered and beneficial shareholders. | The Arrangement | 56 | |||||
This means that TC Energy will post this Circular and the TC Energy Annual Report online for our shareholders to access electronically. You will receive a package in the mail with a notice (Notice) explaining how to access and review
95
this Circular and the TC Energy Annual Report electronically and how to request a paper copy of either at no charge. You will also receive a form of proxy or a voting instruction form in the mail so you can vote your shares.
Notice and access is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to distribute this Circular and the TC Energy Annual Report because it reduces printing, paper and postage.
The following beneficial shareholders will receive a paper copy of this Circular:
- those who have already provided instructions that they prefer to receive a paper copy,
- employees of our U.S. affiliate who own TC Energy shares through our U.S. affiliate's 401(k) retirement plans, and
- those whose brokers receive materials through Computershare.
This Circular is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on our website (www.tcenergy.com/notice-and-access).
How to request a paper copy of this Circular
Starting April 26, 2024, shareholders can request a paper copy of this Circular and the TC Energy Annual Report for up to one year. This Circular and the TC Energy Annual Report will be sent to you at no charge.
If you would like to receive a paper copy of this Circular and the TC Energy Annual Report, please follow the instructions provided in the Notice.
Requests by shareholders must be made by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), on Friday, May 17, 2024 in order for you to receive a paper copy of this Circular or the TC Energy Annual Report before the meeting on June 4, 2024.
If you request a paper copy of this Circular or the TC Energy Annual Report you will not receive a new form of proxy (for registered shareholders) or voting instruction form (for beneficial shareholders), so you should keep the original form sent to you in order to vote.
If you have questions about notice and access, you can call our Investor Relations line at 403-920-7911 or 1-800-361-6522.
TC Energy Management Information Circular 2024 | 7
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TC Energy Corporation published this content on 16 April 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 16 April 2024 11:16:04 UTC.