News

On June 11, construction began on Espace Montmorency, Laval's largest mixed-use real estate project, worth nearly $500 million. Lavery had the opportunity to play a key role in this major transaction by representing Groupe Sélection in the creation of the consortium for the construction, development and ownership of Espace Montmorency. The organization of such a consortium raised complex issues related to corporate, construction, real estate and labour law all at once. In addition to having been mandated to develop several important project agreements, including the consortium agreement governing the rights and obligations of Espace Montmorency's builders, the lawyers involved in the deal represented Groupe Sélection in the negotiation of the terms of all the agreements ancillary to the project. Espace Montmorency is a sustainable, mixed-use urban development project combining residential, commercial, cultural and community spaces. This human-scale project, located near Place Bell and Laval's main thoroughfares and directly linked to Montréal's subway system, is sure to become a popular destination. Montoni and the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ will now rely on the recognized expertise of our client Groupe Sélection, a Canadian leader in the creation of intergenerational living environments, for the design and construction of the residential portion of the project. The work of Lavery's team, led by Étienne Brassard and composed mainly of Bernard Trang, Carole Gélinas, France Camille De Mers, André Vautour, Nicole Messier, Guy Lavoie, Élodie Brunet, Chantal Tremblay, Dolaine Béland and Joëlle Montpetit, helped launch this flagship project for Laval.

A team of lawyers from Lavery represented Clifton Star Resources Ltd. ("Clifton") in a transaction with First Mining Finance Corp. ("First Mining"), where First Mining acquired all the shares of Clifton, in exchange for shares of First Mining. The transaction was effected by way of a scheme of arrangement and was completed in April 2016. The firm has prepared and reviewed the documents related to this transaction, including the Arrangement Agreement and the information circular for Clifton shareholders meeting. Lavery’s team consisted of Josianne Beaudry, Philip Nolan, Jean-Yves Simard, Nicole Messier and Mylène Vallières.

On February 17, 2016, Sodémex Développement s.e.c. entered into an agreement with the mining company Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. (“Osisko”) to acquire a 15% interest in a portfolio of mining royalties including rights on Richmont Mines Inc.’s producing Island Gold Mine, Niogold Mining Corporation’s Marban and Noraltic sites and the Integra Gold Inc.’s Lamaque project. The value of the portfolio acquired by Osisko from Teck Resources Limited was more than $20 million.   Sodémex Développement s.e.c. was represented by a Lavery team composed of Sébastien Vézina, Tereza Kristic, Louis-Martin Dubé, Nicole Messier, Carole Gélinas and John McFarlane Sodémex Développement s.e.c. is an investment fund whose only shareholder is the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and whose mandate is to invest in companies in the natural resources sector that are in the development stage.

Lavery is pleased to announce it has acted as legal counsel for the Province of Québec to a consortium led by Magris Resources Inc. in the completion of the acquisition of Niobec Inc., a subsidiary of IAMGOLD Corporation (TSX : IMG, NYSE: IAG)  and one of the world’s three primary niobium producers. The total consideration of US$530 million was comprised of a US$500 million cash proceeds payable at closing, as well as an additional US$30 million payable upon commencement of commercial production from adjacent rare earths element properties. Lavery also acted as local counsel in connection with the financing of the acquisition. Lavery’s transactional and financing team was led by Mr. Sébastien Vézina (M&A and Mining Law) and Mr. Benjamin Gross (Financing), and included Mr. René Branchaud (Mining Law), Ms. Nicole Messier and Ms. Carole Gélinas (Real Estate Law and Mining Titles), Ms. Sophie Prégent (Environmental Law), Ms. Catherine Méthot and Mr. Raphaël Bacal (M&A), Mr. François Parent (Pension and Benefits), Ms. Catherine Maheu, Mr. Guy Lavoie and Ms. Valérie Korozs (Labour and Employement), Mr. Éric Gélinas (Tax Law), Mr. Pierre Denis and Ms. Anne-Sophie Lamonde (Financing).