As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on May 9, 2024
Registration No.
333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933
FORTIS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
charter)
|
Newfoundland and Labrador,
Canada
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
98-0352146
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
| |
|
|
Fortis Place, Suite 1100
5 Springdale Street
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada A1E 0E4
(709) 737-2800
(Address and telephone number of Principal Executive
Offices) |
FortisUS Inc.
c/o The Corporation Trust Corporation
Corporation Trust Center
1209 Orange Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 658-7581
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for
service)
with copies to:
|
James R. Reid, Esq.
Executive Vice President,
Sustainability and Chief Legal Officer
Fortis Inc.
Fortis Place, Suite 1100
5 Springdale Street
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador,
Canada
A1E 0E4 |
Jeffrey Nadler, Esq.
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
900 Third Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 588-5505 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale
to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this
Form are to be offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. x
If any of the securities being registered on this
Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following
box. x
If this Form is filed to register additional
securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment
filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement
number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement
pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment
to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company that prepares its
financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition
period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities
Act. o
† The term “new or revised financial
accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification
after April 5, 2012.
FORTIS INC.
26,676,727 COMMON SHARES
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND SHARE PURCHASE PLAN
This prospectus covers 26,676,727 common shares,
without par value, or the Common Shares, of Fortis Inc., or the Corporation, we or us, that may be purchased under our second amended
and restated dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan, as amended, or the Plan. The Plan provides a means for holders of our
Common Shares to invest the cash dividends on their Common Shares and make optional cash payments to purchase additional Common Shares.
Under the Plan, holders of our Common Shares who
reside in Canada, the United States and elsewhere may opt to reinvest their dividends on all of their Common Shares or invest optional
cash payments. Common Shares purchased under the Plan will, at our option, either be (i) existing shares purchased on the open
market through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange, or the TSX, and/or any other stock exchange on which the Common Shares may
from time to time be listed and posted for trading or (ii) new shares purchased directly from us. If Common Shares are purchased
directly from us upon reinvestment of cash dividends under the Plan, the price at which such Common Shares are purchased will be the volume
weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX (or another stock exchange where the majority of the trading volume and
value of the Common Shares occurs) during the five trading days immediately preceding the dividend payment date on which not less than
100 Common Shares were traded, or the Average Market Price, less a discount, if any, of up to 5% at our election.
Currently, there is a 2% discount to participants
on the purchase of Common Shares under the Plan, except for a purchase pursuant to an optional cash payment.
If Common Shares are purchased on the open market,
upon either the reinvestment of cash dividends or as a result of an optional cash payment, the price at which such Common Shares are purchased
will be the average of the price paid (excluding brokerage commissions, fees and transaction costs) per Common Share. We bear all
administrative costs and there is no brokerage commission for the Common Shares acquired under the Plan.
Our Common Shares are listed on both the TSX and
the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol “FTS”.
We currently pay quarterly dividends on our Common
Shares. The rate at which we pay dividends takes into account many factors including the expectation of reasonable outcomes for
regulatory proceedings at our utilities, the successful execution of the five-year capital plan, and our management’s continued
confidence in the strength of our diversified portfolio of utilities and record of operational excellence.
We cannot estimate anticipated proceeds from the
further sale of Common Shares under the Plan, which will depend on the market price of the Common Shares, the extent of shareholder participation
in the Plan and other factors. We will not pay underwriting commissions in connection with the Plan.
Investing in our Common Shares involves risks.
See “Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” on pages 4 and 7 of this prospectus for a discussion
of certain factors relevant to an investment in our Common Shares.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED
BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is May 9, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the information
requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and, accordingly, we file reports with, and
furnish other information to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Under the multijurisdictional disclosure system
adopted by the United States, such reports and other information may be prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada,
which requirements are different from those of the United States. For example, the Corporation is exempt from the rules under
Section 14 of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and the Corporation’s officers,
directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16
of the Exchange Act.
The SEC maintains an Internet
site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the
SEC. The Internet address of that site is http://www.sec. gov. The SEC’s Next-Generation Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval,
or EDGAR, system at www.sec.gov contains reports and other information about us and all public documents that we file electronically with
the SEC. Our Internet address is https://www.fortisinc.com.
We are also a reporting issuer
in each of the provinces of Canada and are required to file through the Canadian Securities Administrators’ System for Electronic
Document Analysis and Retrieval Plus, or SEDAR+, the Canadian equivalent of the SEC’s EDGAR system, at www.sedarplus.ca, periodic
reports, including audited annual financial statements and unaudited quarterly financial statements, material change reports and management
proxy circulars and related materials for annual and special meetings of our shareholders. In addition, substantially all of the
disclosure materials that we file with the SEC are also available on SEDAR+.
We have filed with the SEC under
the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, a registration statement on Form F-3 relating to the Plan of
which this prospectus is a part. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in such registration statement,
and you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits to read that information. For further information about us and
our Common Shares, you are encouraged to refer to the registration statement and to the exhibits filed with it. Statements contained
in this prospectus as to the provisions of documents filed as exhibits are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is
made to the copy so filed that is included as an exhibit to the registration statement, and each such statement in this prospectus is
qualified in all respects by such reference.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate
by reference” into this prospectus certain documents that we file with or furnish to the SEC. This means that we can disclose
important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be an important
part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information.
References to this prospectus, unless otherwise stated, include the documents incorporated by reference herein. The following documents,
which we have filed with or furnished to the SEC are specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus:
All subsequent annual reports
on Form 40-F filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering will be incorporated by reference
into this prospectus as of the date of the filing of such annual reports. In addition, we may incorporate by reference into this
prospectus subsequent reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC prior to the termination of this offering to the extent we expressly
provide therein.
Any statement contained in a
document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that
a statement contained herein or therein or in any other later filed document that also is incorporated by reference in this prospectus
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified shall not be deemed, except as so modified, to constitute
a part of this prospectus. Any such statement so superseded shall be deemed not to constitute a part of this prospectus.
You may obtain, without charge,
upon written or oral request, a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference herein. Requests should be directed to the
Secretary of the Corporation at Fortis Place, Suite 1100, 5 Springdale Street, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
A1E 0E4 (telephone (709) 737-2800). Additionally, copies of such documents may be accessed through the “Investor Relations
— Financial and Regulatory Reports” section of our website at www.fortisinc.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This prospectus and the
documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (which we refer to as forward-looking information). Forward-looking information
reflects expectations of the Corporation's management regarding future growth, results of operations, performance, business
prospects and opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as anticipates, believes, budgets, could, estimates, expects, forecasts,
intends, may, might, plans, projects, schedule, should, target, will, would and the negative of these terms and other similar
expressions have been used to identify the forward-looking information, which includes, without limitation: forecast capital
expenditures for 2024-2028, including cleaner energy investments; forecast rate base and rate base growth for 2024 and through 2028;
targeted annual dividend growth through 2028; the expectation that Fortis is well-positioned to capitalize on evolving industry
opportunities, including additional investment opportunities beyond the capital plan; the 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction
target; the 2035 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target and projected asset mix; the 2050 net-zero direct greenhouse gas
emissions target and how that target is expected to be achieved; the potential impact of government policies to address climate
change and the resultant impact on the competitiveness of natural gas relative to other energy sources; Tucson Electric Power's
Integrated Resource Plan and the expectation to exit from coal generation by 2032; Tucson Electric Power’s estimated mine
reclamation costs; the expected timing, outcome and impact of legal and regulatory proceedings and decisions; the expected or
potential funding sources for operating expenses, interest costs and capital expenditures, including the expected sources of common
equity proceeds; the expectation that maintaining the targeted capital structure of the regulated operating subsidiaries will not
have an impact on the Corporation's ability to pay dividends in the foreseeable future; the expected consolidated fixed-term debt
maturities and repayments over the next five years; the expectation that the Corporation and its subsidiaries will continue to have
access to long-term capital and will remain compliant with debt covenants in 2024; the expected uses of proceeds from debt
financings; the targeted capital structure; the nature, timing, benefits and expected costs of certain capital projects, including
ITC’s transmission projects associated with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. long-range transmission plan,
Roadrunner Reserve Battery Storage Project, renewable generation projects at UNS Energy, Vail-to-Tortolita Transmission Project,
Tilbury Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Expansion, Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project, Eagle Mountain Woodfibre Gas Line
Project, Tilbury 1B Project, Okanagan Capacity Upgrade, and Wataynikaneyap Transmission Power Project, and additional opportunities
beyond the capital plan, including the Propel New York Energy project through Transco, investments associated with the Inflation
Reduction Act, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. long-range transmission plan, Tucson Electric Power's Integrated
Resource Plan, climate adaptation and grid resiliency, renewable gas solutions and liquefied natural gas infrastructure in British
Columbia and the acceleration of cleaner energy infrastructure; the expected in-service dates for certain projects; the potential
impact of the recognition of goodwill impairment losses; the potential and expected impacts of income tax compliance examination,
the introduction of a corporate alternative minimum income tax; and the expectation that long-term growth in rate base will drive
earnings that support dividend growth guidance of 4-6% annually through 2028.
Certain material factors or assumptions
have been applied in drawing the conclusions contained in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation: no material
impact from volatility in energy prices, global supply chain constraints, elevated interest rates and inflation; reasonable regulatory
decisions and the expectation of regulatory stability; the successful execution of the capital plan; no material capital project or financing
cost overrun; sufficient human resources to deliver service and execute the capital plan; the realization of additional opportunities
beyond the capital plan; no significant variability in interest rates; the Board exercising its discretion to declare dividends, taking
into account the financial performance and condition of the Corporation; no significant operational disruptions or environmental liability
or upset; the continued ability to maintain the performance of the electricity and gas systems; no severe and prolonged economic downturn;
sufficient liquidity and capital resources; the ability to hedge exposures to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, natural gas prices
and electricity prices; the continued availability of natural gas, fuel, coal and electricity supply; continuation of power supply and
capacity purchase contracts; no significant changes in government energy plans, environmental laws and regulations that could have a material
negative impact; maintenance of adequate insurance coverage; the ability to obtain and maintain licences and permits; retention of existing
service areas; no significant changes in tax laws and the continued tax deferred treatment of earnings from the Corporation's foreign
operations; continued maintenance of information technology infrastructure and no material breach of cybersecurity; continued favourable
relations with Indigenous Peoples; and favourable labour relations.
Forward-looking information involves
significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Corporation cautions readers that a number of factors could cause actual results,
performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking information. These factors
should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information. For additional information
with respect to certain of these risks or factors, reference should be made to the information detailed under the heading “Business
Risks” on page 25 of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, furnished as Exhibit
99.3 to the 2023 Annual Report, and to continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time by the Corporation with Canadian securities
regulatory authorities and the SEC. Key risk factors for 2024 include, but are not limited to:
| · | risks associated with changes in utility regulation, including the outcome of regulatory proceedings at the
Corporation's utilities; |
| · | physical risks related to the provision of electric and gas service, which can be exacerbated by the impacts
of climate change; |
| · | risks related to environmental laws and regulations; |
| · | risks associated with capital projects and the impact on the Corporation's continued growth; |
| · | risks associated with cybersecurity and information and operations technology, including disruption to electric
and gas service, consumption and load settlement systems, and financial or general operations, as well as the risk of misappropriation
and/or disclosure of confidential or proprietary information; |
| · | the impact of weather variability and seasonality on heating and cooling loads, gas distribution volumes
and hydroelectric generation; |
| · | risks associated with commodity price volatility and supply of purchased power; and, |
| · | risks related to general economic conditions, including inflation, interest rate and foreign exchange risks. |
Although the Corporation has
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in
the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated
or intended. This forward-looking information is made as of the date of this prospectus. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking
information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information.
Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. All forward-looking information in
this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein is qualified in its entirety by the above cautionary statements and,
except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
CURRENCY INFORMATION
This prospectus contains references
to U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars. All dollar amounts referenced, unless otherwise indicated, are expressed in Canadian dollars. References
to “$” or “C$” are to Canadian dollars and references to “US$” are to U.S. dollars.
THE CORPORATION
We are a North American electric
and gas utility holding Corporation, with total assets of $68 billion as at March 31, 2024, and revenue totaling $12 billion and $11 billion
for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our 9,600 employees serve customers at utility operations in five
Canadian provinces, ten U.S. states and three Caribbean countries.
Our principal executive offices
are located at Fortis Place, Suite 1100, 5 Springdale Street, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada A1E 0E4, and our
telephone number is (709) 737-2800.
Our Common Shares are listed
on both the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol “FTS”.
Our business segments are:
(a) Regulated
Independent Transmission – United States: consisting of the electric transmission operations of ITC Holdings Corp., or ITC, which
is our indirect subsidiary, with Eiffel Investment Pte Ltd (an affiliate of GIC Pte Ltd.) owning a 19.9% interest in ITC. ITC’s
business consists primarily of the electric transmission operations of ITC’s regulated operating subsidiaries, which include International
Transmission Corporation, Michigan Electric Transmission Corporation, LLC, ITC Midwest LLC, ITC Great Plains, LLC and ITC Interconnection
LLC. ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission systems in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois,
Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin that transmit electricity from generating stations to local distribution facilities connected
to ITC’s systems;
(b) Regulated
Electric & Gas Utilities – United States: consisting of vertically integrated electrical and gas utilities in the state of Arizona:
TEP, UNS Electric, Inc. and UNS Gas, Inc., each a subsidiary of UNS Energy Corporation; together with Central Hudson Gas & Electric
Corporation, a regulated transmission and distribution utility located in New York State’s Mid-Hudson River Valley;
(c) Regulated
Electric & Gas Utilities – Canadian and Caribbean: consisting of: (i) FortisBC Energy Inc., the largest distributor
of natural gas in British Columbia; (ii) FortisAlberta Inc., a regulated electric distribution utility serving a substantial portion
of southern and central Alberta; (iii) FortisBC Inc., an integrated, regulated electric utility serving the southern interior of British
Columbia; (iv) Newfoundland Power Inc., a regulated electric utility that operates throughout the island portion of the Province of Newfoundland
and Labrador; (v) Maritime Electric Corporation, Limited, a regulated electric utility on Prince Edward Island; (vi) FortisOntario
Inc., which provides regulated, integrated electric utility service in Fort Erie, Cornwall, Gananoque, Port Colborne and the District
of Algoma in Ontario; (vii) a 39% equity investment in the Wataynikaneyap Power Limited Partnership, a power project in Ontario; (viii)
an indirect approximate 60% controlling ownership interest in Caribbean Utilities Corporation, Ltd., an integrated electric utility in
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, the Class A Ordinary Shares of which are listed on the TSX under the symbol CUP.U; (ix) Fortis Turks and
Caicos, integrated electric utilities on the Turks and Caicos Islands; and (x) an approximate 33% equity investment in Belize Electricity
Limited, an integrated electric utility in Belize; and
(d) Non-Regulated
– Corporate and Other: captures expense and revenue items not specifically related to any reportable segment and those business
operations that are below the required threshold for reporting as separate segments. Consists of non-regulated holding company expenses,
as well as non-regulated generation assets in Belize consisting of: the 25-MW Mollejon, 7-MW Chalillo and 19-MW Vaca hydroelectric generating
facilities.
RISK FACTORS
Before you decide to participate
in the Plan and invest in our Common Shares, you should be aware of the following material risks in making such an investment. You
should consider carefully these risk factors together with all risk factors and information included or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus, including the risk factors set forth in our 2023 Annual Report, incorporated by reference herein. In addition, you should
consult your own financial and legal advisors before making an investment.
Risks Related to Our Common Shares
Dividends are declared at
the discretion of the Board and will not be declared and paid if not permitted by applicable law.
Holders of Common Shares are
entitled to receive dividends if, as and when declared by our Board out of funds legally available for such payments. The Board may determine
at any time to decrease or discontinue the payment of dividends by the Corporation. The Corporations Act (Newfoundland and Labrador),
or the Corporations Act, provides that a corporation may not declare or pay a dividend if there are reasonable grounds for believing that
the corporation is, or would be after the payment of the dividend, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due or the realizable
value of its assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and stated capital of all classes of shares of its capital.
Furthermore, holders of Common Shares may be subject to the prior dividend rights of holders of our preferred shares, if any, then outstanding.
Risks Related to the Plan
You will not know the price
of the Common Shares you are purchasing under the Plan at the time you elect to reinvest your dividends and purchase additional Common
Shares.
The price of our Common Shares
may fluctuate between the time you decide to reinvest in Common Shares under the Plan and the time of the actual reinvestment. In addition,
during this time period, you may become aware of additional information that might affect your investment decision, but you will be unable
to terminate your participation in the Plan prior to a dividend payment date if your notice of termination in proper form is received
by the plan agent fewer than three Business Days (as defined below) prior to the relevant dividend record date. If you decide to terminate
your participation in the Plan and instruct the plan agent to sell your shares, you will not be able to direct the time and price at which
your shares are sold. The price of our Common Shares may decline between the time you decide to sell Common Shares and the time of actual
sale. “Business Day” means any day on which the plan agent’s offices in the Province of Quebec, the TSX and each
other stock exchange on which the Common Shares may from time to time be listed and posted for trading are generally open, but does not
include a Saturday, Sunday, civic or statutory holiday in Toronto, Ontario or St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Corporation may amend,
suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.
Under the Plan, we reserve the
right to amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, but any such action shall not have retroactive effect that would prejudice
the interests of Plan participants. We will send written notice to participants of any material amendment, suspension or termination.
Any material amendment of the Plan will be subject to the prior approval of the TSX and, to the extent applicable, any other stock exchange
on which the Common Shares may from time to time be listed and posted for trading. If the Plan is terminated, the plan agent will remit
to participants share certificates or a statement of holdings of uncertificated shares registered in their name for whole Common Shares,
together with the proceeds from the sale of any fractions of Common Shares. If the Plan is suspended, subsequent dividends on Commons
Shares will be paid in cash.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We have no basis for estimating
precisely either the number of Common Shares that may be sold under the Plan or the prices at which such shares may be sold. The
amount of the proceeds that we receive will depend upon the Average Market Price of the Common Shares, the extent of shareholder participation
in the Plan and other factors. We intend to use any proceeds from the sale of Common Shares under the Plan for general corporate
purposes, unless otherwise disclosed by us from time to time.
THE DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND SHARE PURCHASE
PLAN
What is the Plan?
The Plan provides a means for
eligible holders of our Common Shares to acquire additional Common Shares by the reinvestment of their dividends on all of their Common
Shares and the investment of optional cash payments. Computershare Trust Company of Canada, or the Plan Agent, acts as the agent
for those who enroll in the Plan.
What are the advantages of the Plan?
Some advantages to participating
in the Plan are as follows:
| · | Common Shares are purchased quarterly with reinvested dividends. Full investment of dividends is
possible because the Plan permits fractions of shares (calculated to six decimal places), as well as whole shares, to be purchased
and held on your behalf. In addition, dividends on such fractions, as well as on whole shares, will be reinvested. Common Shares may
also be purchased with optional cash payments which are subject to a minimum of C$100 or US$100 per transaction and a maximum of
C$30,000 or US$30,000 per calendar year. |
| · | We bear all administrative costs and brokerage commissions (if
any) for the Common Shares acquired under the Plan. |
| · | Regular quarterly statements of account are provided for your
record-keeping. |
| · | You may withdraw and/or sell any number of whole Common Shares
held on your behalf under the Plan at any time without terminating participation in the Plan by giving written notice to the Plan Agent
or through the Plan Agent’s self-service web portal. |
Have there been any material changes to the Plan
since it was last amended on February 14, 2020?
Except for the reinstatement
of the 2% discount to participants on the purchase of Common Shares under the Plan effective from December 1, 2020, there have been no
changes to the Plan since it was last amended on February 14, 2020.
Who is eligible to participate?
Registered shareholders who reside
in Canada or the United States and hold at least one whole Common Share are eligible to participate in the Plan. Non-registered
beneficial Canadian and U.S. shareholders may also participate but should contact their intermediary to determine procedures for participation
in the Plan. Shareholders that are resident in jurisdictions other than Canada or the United States can also participate in the
Plan, subject to any restrictions of laws in such Shareholder’s jurisdiction of residence and provided such laws do not subject
the Corporation or the Plan to any additional legal, regulatory, filing or registration requirements.
How do I enroll in the Plan?
If you are a registered shareholder,
to join the Plan you must complete, sign and return a Reinvestment Enrolment - Participant Declaration Form to the Plan Agent or
enroll through the Plan Agent’s self-service web portal. If you are a non-registered shareholder, you should contact the intermediary
through which you hold your Common Shares to participate in the Plan. If your intermediary is unwilling or unable to enroll your
Common Shares in the Plan, you may become a registered shareholder by instructing your intermediary to send you a share certificate representing
your Common Shares and you may enroll in the Plan by following the procedure for registered shareholders.
The signature of the
shareholder on a Reinvestment Enrolment — Participant Declaration Form must correspond exactly to the name of such
registered holder. If a shareholder has Common Shares registered in different names on different share certificates, it is
necessary for such shareholder to complete, sign and submit as many separate Reinvestment Enrolment - Participant Declaration Forms
as there are different registrations, or else request that such certificates be consolidated.
Once enrolled, participation
in the Plan continues until you terminate your participation, until we terminate your participation, until your death, or until we terminate
the Plan.
How do I make an optional cash payment?
You can make optional cash payments
when or after enrolling in the Plan by enclosing a check payable to the Plan Agent accompanied by an Optional Cash Purchase - Participant
Declaration Form properly completed and signed. Participants in jurisdictions other than Canada may have to provide certain
additional information with any check payable to the Plan Agent. Thereafter, you should make optional cash payments by using the
Optional Cash Purchase - Participant Declaration Form enclosed with each quarterly statement of account you are sent. You may
obtain additional forms at any time from the Plan Agent. Alternatively, participants may make an optional cash payment by pre-authorized
debit by using the Plan Agent’s self-service web portal. Pre-authorized debit instructions must be received by the Plan Agent at
least ten Business Days before the Dividend Payment Date.
Your optional cash payments shall
not be less than C$100 or US$100 per transaction nor greater than C$30,000 or US$30,000 per calendar year.
There is no obligation to make
optional cash payments, to continue to make optional cash payments or to make all such payments in the same amount. No interest
will be paid to you on any funds held for investment or distribution under the Plan.
The Plan Agent is required under
the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada) to collect and record certain information
relating to optional cash purchases. Compliance measures are explained in the Reinvestment Enrolment — Participant Declaration
Form or Optional Cash Purchase - Participant Declaration Form and are also described on the Plan Agent’s self-service
web portal.
All optional cash payments made
in U.S. dollars to the Plan Agent will be converted into Canadian dollars by the Plan Agent on the dividend payment date based on the
exchange rate in effect at the time of conversion.
Where will the Common Shares be purchased for
participants under the Plan?
The Common Shares purchased by
the Plan Agent will either be (i) existing shares purchased on the open market through the facilities of the TSX and/or any other
stock exchange on which the Common Shares may from time to time be listed and posted for trading or (ii) new shares purchased directly
from the Corporation. Under the Plan, the Corporation determines, by written notice to the Plan Agent, which of these two sources
the Plan Agent will use.
How are dividends reinvested?
All dividends payable on Common
Shares recorded for participation in the Plan, including Common Shares acquired and retained under the Plan, will be paid by us to the
Plan Agent and will, after the deduction of any withholding tax applicable to participants residing outside of Canada, be used by the
Plan Agent to purchase Common Shares for your account on the dividend payment date (if such Common Shares are purchased directly from
the Corporation). If Common Shares are purchased under the Plan on the open market, such purchases will commence starting one business
day after the dividend payment date and ending three business days after the dividend payment date.
When will my dividend reinvestment begin?
Your completed
participation form must be received by the Plan Agent at least three business days prior to a Common Share dividend record date in
order for your enrolment in the Plan to be effective for such dividend record date. If your completed participation form is not
received by the Plan Agent at least three business days prior to a Common Share dividend record date, then it will not be effective
for such dividend record date but it will be effective for the next Common Share dividend record date. Subject to the foregoing,
participation in the Plan becomes effective on the first Common Share dividend record date after the Plan Agent receives your
completed participation form. Your cash dividends (less any applicable withholding taxes) are invested in Common Shares on
each subsequent dividend payment date.
When will my optional cash payment be invested?
Any optional cash payment that
you provide is converted into Canadian dollars by the Plan Agent on or prior to the dividend payment date based on the exchange rate in
effect at the time of conversion and is invested on the dividend payment date following receipt of such payment by the Plan Agent if the
optional cash payment is received at least three full business days prior to the dividend payment date. Enrolment forms and cleared funds
received less than three business days before a dividend payment date will be used to purchase Common Shares under the Plan on the next
dividend payment date. If a participant makes an optional cash payment by pre-authorized debit by using the Plan Agent’s self-service
web portal its bank account will be debited on the dividend payment date.
What will be the price of Common Shares purchased
under the Plan?
If Common Shares purchased under
the Plan are new shares purchased directly from us upon the reinvestment of cash dividends under the Plan, the price at which such Common
Shares are purchased on your behalf will be the Average Market Price less a discount, if any, of up to 5%, at the our election.
Currently, there is a 2% discount to participants on the purchase of Common Shares directly from us under the Plan, except for a purchase
pursuant to an optional cash payment. The Board may eliminate, alter or reinstate the discount at any time in its sole discretion. If
the discount is eliminated, altered or reinstated by the Board, the Corporation must publish a press release notifying participants of
such change.
No discount will be applicable
if Common Shares are new shares purchased directly from us for an optional cash payment (after converting any optional cash payments made
in U.S. dollars into Canadian dollars based on the exchange rate in effect at the time of conversion as described above), in which case
the price at which such Common Shares are purchased on your behalf will be the Average Market Price.
If Common Shares purchased under
the Plan are purchased on the open market, upon either the reinvestment of cash dividends or as a result of an optional cash payment (and,
in the case of an option cash payment, after converting any optional cash payments made in U.S. dollars into Canadian dollars based on
the exchange rate in effect at the time of conversion as described above), the price at which such Common Shares will be purchased on
your behalf is the average of the actual price paid (excluding brokerage commissions, fees and transaction costs) per Common Share by
the Plan Agent.
What are the fees associated with participation
in the Plan?
Participants in the Plan will
not be charged any brokerage commission or other fees in connection with the purchase of Common Shares under the Plan, and we will pay
all costs of administering the Plan. Participants will be responsible for any brokerage commission or other fees incurred in connection
with any requested sales of their Common Shares held in the Plan. You should obtain a copy of such charges from the Plan Agent before
requesting the sale of any of your Common Shares held in the Plan.
If you are a beneficial owner
of Common Shares, you should contact the intermediary through which you hold your Common Shares to confirm the fees, if any, the intermediary
may charge to enroll your Common Shares in the Plan on your behalf or whether the intermediary’s policies might result in any costs
otherwise becoming payable by you.
Will I be issued certificates for Common Shares
purchased on my behalf under the Plan?
You will not be issued a
share certificate unless specifically requested. Your quarterly statement of account will show the number of Common Shares
held for an account under the Plan and can be also be accessed through the Plan Agent’s self-service web portal. This
convenience protects against loss, theft or destruction and reduces administrative costs. Certificates or a statement of
holdings of uncertificated Common Shares for whole Common Shares purchased with reinvested dividends and optional cash payments
under the Plan will be provided upon written request to the Plan Agent from you or automatically upon termination of participation
in the Plan. Certificates or, if applicable, a statement of holdings of uncertificated Common Shares, will be issued in your
name. Certificates will not be issued or, if applicable, a statement of holdings of uncertificated Common Shares will not be made,
for any fraction of a Common Share.
May I vote the Common Shares held on my behalf
under the Plan?
If you are a registered Plan
participant, you may vote whole Common Shares held by the Plan Agent on your behalf, in the same manner as any other Common Shares of
the Corporation either by proxy or in person. The Plan Agent will forward to you, as soon as practicable following receipt, any
proxy solicitation materials provided by us. You cannot vote Common Shares held by the Plan Agent representing fractional interests.
If you are a non-registered Plan
participant, you should contact your intermediary to determine the procedures for voting your Common Shares.
What happens if there is a rights offering?
If we offer rights to our shareholders
then rights certificates will be issued to you in respect of whole Common Shares held on your behalf under the Plan on the record date
of the rights issue. You will not receive any fractional entitlement to a right, and your entitlement to rights will be rounded
down to the nearest whole number.
If you are a non-registered Plan
participant, you should contact your intermediary to determine how rights will be distributed to you in connection with any rights offering.
What happens if there is a stock dividend, stock
split or consolidation?
Any Common Shares distributed
pursuant to a stock dividend or a stock split on Common Shares held by the Plan Agent will be retained by the Plan Agent and credited,
net any applicable withholding or non-resident taxes, to the accounts of participants in accordance with their respective entitlements
under the Plan. In the event of a consolidation of the Common Shares, the number of Common Shares credited to a participant’s account
will be adjusted by the Plan Agent to account for the effect of such consolidation of the Common Shares.
Will I receive any statements on Common Shares
held on my behalf under the Plan?
A quarterly statement of account
will be mailed to you approximately three weeks after the dividend payment date in March, June, September and December and can
be also be accessed through the Plan Agent’s self-service web portal. The statement of account is your continuing record of
purchases made under the Plan and should be retained for tax purposes. In addition, you will receive on an annual basis such tax
information relating to your participation in the Plan as is required to be provided by law. Each such statement will indicate changes
to the account over the relevant period, including the dividends received by the Plan Agent in respect of Common Shares recorded in the
account and, if applicable, any tax withheld on dividends received by the Plan Agent in respect of such Common Shares; the amount of any
optional cash payments you provided to the Plan Agent; and the number of additional Common Shares acquired for the account.
Non-registered participants in
the Plan will receive statements of account from their intermediary in accordance with the intermediary’s administrative practices.
Non-registered participants in the Plan should contact their intermediary to determine the procedures for requesting statements.
Can I withdraw or sell Common Shares held on my
behalf under the Plan?
If you would like to sell
the Common Shares held on your behalf under the Plan without terminating your participation in the Plan you may withdraw whole
Common Shares from the Plan by duly completing the withdrawal portion of the voucher located on the reverse of a quarterly statement
of account and sending it to the Plan Agent or following the instructions for withdrawal on the Plan Agent’s self-service web
portal. You may obtain a duplicate copy of your quarterly statement of account containing the required voucher from the Plan
Agent at any time, including through the Plan Agent’s self-service web portal. Upon receipt of a withdrawal request, the
Plan Agent will withdraw the specified number of whole Common Shares from your account and deliver a share certificate or a
statement of holdings of uncertificated Common Shares in your name.
You may request that the Plan
Agent sell on your behalf any number of your Common Shares held under the Plan. Upon receipt of such a request, the Plan Agent will,
as soon as practicable, arrange for the sale of such Common Shares through a registered broker-dealer selected by the Plan Agent from
time to time. The proceeds of such sale, less brokerage commissions, administrative fees and applicable taxes, if any, will be paid
to you by the Plan Agent in Canadian dollars unless you are a non-resident of Canada, in which case the Plan Agent will sell your Common
Shares on the NYSE and pay such proceeds to you in U.S. dollars.
Common Shares that are to be
sold on your behalf may be commingled with Common Shares of other Plan participants requesting a sale of Common Shares under the Plan,
in which case the proceeds to each Plan participant will be based on the average sale prices and the average brokerage commissions, administrative
fee and applicable taxes of all Common Shares so commingled, which are payable by the selling participants.
If you sell or withdraw less
than all of your Common Shares under the Plan, dividends paid on your remaining Common Shares under the Plan will continue to be reinvested
in Common Shares under the Plan.
Can I transfer Common Shares currently held in
another share purchase plan account to my account under this Plan?
If you participate in any of
our other share purchase plans, you may transfer the Common Shares registered in your name pursuant to such plans to the Plan by providing
written notice to the Plan Agent of your desire to terminate your enrolment in your existing plan and to transfer the Common Shares currently
held under such plan to the Plan. You must also complete a Reinvestment Enrolment - Participant Declaration Form and mail both
documents together to the Plan Agent or complete the process to effect such transfer on the Plan Agent’s self-service web portal.
Where notice of termination and enrolment is received at least three business days prior to a dividend record date for Common Shares,
the termination and enrolment in the Plan will be effective for the applicable record date. Any requests received less than three
business days prior to a dividend record date for Common Shares will not be completed until after the next following dividend payment
date.
May I pledge my rights under the Plan?
Common Shares held on your behalf
under the Plan may not be pledged, hypothecated, assigned or otherwise disposed of or transferred. If you wish to pledge, hypothecate,
assign, dispose of or otherwise transfer your Common Shares held by the Plan Agent, you must first withdraw such shares from the Plan.
How do I terminate my participation in the Plan?
You may terminate your participation
in the Plan by completing the termination portion of the voucher on the reverse of your quarterly statement of account and sending it
to the Plan Agent at any time. Alternatively, you may follow the instructions for termination on the Plan Agent’s self-service
web portal. Where notice of termination is received at least three business days prior to a dividend record date for Common Shares the
termination will be effective for such record date. Any requests received less than three business days prior to a dividend record
date for Common Shares will become effective after the next following dividend payment date. Otherwise, termination will be effective
upon receipt of the notice by the Plan Agent.
The Plan Agent will settle your
terminating account by issuing a share certificate or a statement of holdings of uncertificated Common Shares for the number of whole
Common Shares held in such account and making a cash payment to you for any fraction of a Common Share remaining. The amount of
the payment for any such fraction will be based on the prevailing market price of the Common Shares at the time of termination.
Any optional cash payment that the Plan Agent receives prior to your termination that has not been invested in Common Shares under the
Plan will be returned to you upon such termination.
Additionally, participation
in the Plan will be terminated upon receipt by the Plan Agent of appropriate evidence of the death of a Plan participant from such
participant’s duly appointed legal representative and written instructions to terminate. Proof of the legal
representative’s authority to act must be provided to the Corporation together with the evidence of death. The Plan
Agent will terminate and settle the account for such deceased Plan participant.
Non-registered participants in
the Plan should consult with their intermediary to arrange for the termination of their participation.
Can the Corporation terminate my participation
in the Plan?
We reserve the right to terminate
your participation in the Plan at any time if there is less than one Common Share recorded in your account or if you cannot be contacted
at the addresses you provided.
Can the Corporation prevent shareholders from
participating in the Plan?
We may, in our sole discretion,
determine from time to time that any shareholder or group of shareholders may not participate or continue to participate in the Plan.
Without limitation, we may deny the right to participate in the Plan to any shareholder if we have reason to believe that such shareholder
has been engaged in market activities, or has been artificially accumulating our securities for the purpose of taking undue advantage
of the Plan to our detriment.
We reserve the right to deny
participation in the Plan, and to not accept enrolment from, any person or agent of such person who appears to be, or who we have reason
to believe is, subject to the laws of any jurisdiction that does not permit participation in the Plan in the manner sought by or on behalf
of such person. Shareholders should be aware that certain intermediaries may not allow participation in the Plan and we are not responsible
for monitoring or advising which intermediaries allow participation.
Can the Plan be amended, suspended or terminated?
We reserve the right to amend,
suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, but any such action shall not have retroactive effect that would prejudice the interests of
Plan participants. All Plan participants will be sent written notice of any such amendment, suspension or termination and such notice
shall also be published by press release. In the event that we terminate the Plan, the Plan Agent will terminate and settle the
account for each Plan participant. In the event that we suspend the Plan, no investment will be made by the Plan Agent on the investment
date immediately following the effective date of such suspension. Optional cash payments which are not invested as of the effective
date of such suspension and Common Share dividends which are subject to the Plan and which are paid after the effective date of such suspension
will be remitted by the Plan Agent to the Plan participants to whom these are due.
Amendments to the Plan will require
the prior approval of the TSX and, to the extent applicable, any other stock exchange on which the Common Shares may from time to time
be listed and posted for trading, which approval(s) will be obtained before the amendment is implemented. We and the Plan Agent may
also from time to time adopt and implement rules and regulations to facilitate the administration of the Plan. We reserve the right
to regulate and interpret the Plan as we deem necessary or desirable to ensure the efficient and equitable operation of the Plan.
What liability do the Corporation and the Plan
Agent have under the Plan?
The Plan provides that neither
we nor the Plan Agent shall be liable under the Plan, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any act or for any omission to act,
in connection with the operation of the Plan including, without limitation, any claims of liability:
| · | with respect to any failure by an intermediary to enroll or
not enroll you in the Plan (or, as applicable, any Common Shares held on your behalf) in accordance with your instructions or to not
otherwise act upon your instructions; |
| · | with respect to your continued enrolment in the Plan (or, as
applicable, any Common Shares held on your behalf) until receipt of all necessary documentation as provided in the Plan required to terminate
participation in the Plan; |
| · | arising out of failure to terminate a participant’s account
upon such participant’s death prior to receipt of notice in writing of such death; |
| · | with respect to the prices at which Common Shares are purchased
or sold for the participant’s account and the times such purchases or sales are made or with respect to the stock exchange or other
market on which such purchases or sales are effected; |
| · | with respect to any decision to amend, suspend, replace or terminate
the Plan; |
| · | with respect to any determination made by us or the Plan Agent
regarding your eligibility to participate in the Plan or any component thereof, including the cancellation of your participation for
failure to satisfy eligibility requirements; |
| · | any decision not to accept an optional cash payment for the
purchase of Common Shares under the Plan; |
| · | any failure by the Plan Agent to purchase Common Shares with
an optional cash payment; |
| · | with respect to any taxes or other liabilities payable by you
in connection with your Common Shares or your participation in the Plan; |
| · | actions taken as a result of inaccurate and incomplete information
or instructions; or |
| · | as a result of any currency conversion performed by the Plan
Agent, |
and each participant expressly disclaims any recourse
in respect thereof. In no event shall we be liable for consequential, special, indirect, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, costs,
expenses, or losses (including, without limitation, lost profits and opportunity costs).
How will notices to Plan participants be addressed?
All notices required to be given
to Plan participants shall be mailed to the addresses shown on the records of the Plan Agent. Plan participants must notify the
Plan Agent promptly in writing of any change of address.
Who should I contact with questions about the
Plan?
Notices to the Plan Agent shall
be sent to:
Fortis Inc. Second
Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan
c/o Computershare Trust Company of Canada
100 University Avenue, 8th Floor
Toronto, ON M5J 2Y1
| |
Telephone: |
1-866-586-7638 |
| |
Facsimile: |
1-888-453-0330 |
Web: www.investorcentre.com/fortisinc
How is the Plan interpreted and governed?
This Plan will be governed and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
MATERIAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELATING
TO THE PLAN
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF TAX
CONSEQUENCES IS OF A GENERAL NATURE ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR PARTICIPANT. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE PLAN TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN IN THEIR
RESPECTIVE COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following summary describes
the principal Canadian federal income tax consequences generally applicable to a participant in the Plan who acquires, as beneficial owner,
Common Shares pursuant to the Plan. It is assumed for the purposes of this summary that the participant deals at arm’s length
with the Corporation.
This summary is based on the
current provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada), or the Tax Act, the regulations thereunder, or the Regulations, in force as of the
date hereof, all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act or the Regulations publicly announced by the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior
to the date hereof (the “Proposed Amendments”) and the current published administrative policies and practices of the Canada
Revenue Agency. This summary assumes that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed; however, no assurance can
be made that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed or at all. Except for the Proposed Amendments, this summary
does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, regulatory, administrative or judicial decision or
action, nor does it take into account provincial, territorial or foreign income tax legislation or considerations, which may differ significantly
from the Canadian federal income tax considerations described herein. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal
income tax consequences that may affect a participant in the Plan.
This summary is of a general
nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular participant, and no representation
with respect to the Canadian federal income tax consequences to any particular participant is made. Consequently, prospective participants
are advised to consult their own tax advisors for advice with respect to the tax consequences to them of participating in the Plan, having
regard to their particular circumstances. This summary does not address any tax considerations applicable to persons other than
participants in the Plan and such persons should consult their own tax advisors regarding the consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing
of Common Shares under the Tax Act and any jurisdiction in which they may be subject to tax.
Foreign Exchange
For the purposes of the Tax Act,
all amounts expressed in a currency other than Canadian dollars relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of a Common Share,
including dividends, adjusted cost base and proceeds of disposition, must be determined in Canadian dollars using the relevant rate of
exchange required under the Tax Act.
Residents
of Canada
The following summary is generally
applicable to a participant who, at all relevant times for purposes of the Tax Act: (a) is, or is deemed to be, resident in Canada;
(b) holds their Common Shares, and will hold all Common Shares acquired under the Plan, as capital property; and (c) is not
affiliated with the Corporation (a “Resident Participant”). Generally, Common Shares are considered to be capital property
to a Resident Participant unless they are held in the course of carrying on a business or as part of an adventure or concern in the nature
of trade. Certain Resident Participants whose Common Shares do not otherwise qualify as capital property may, in certain circumstances,
make an irrevocable election in accordance with subsection 39(4) of the Tax Act to have their Common Shares and every other “Canadian
security” (as defined in the Tax Act) owned by such participant in the taxation year of the election and in all subsequent taxation
years deemed to be capital property. Resident Participants are advised to consult their own tax advisors to determine whether such
an election is available and desirable in their particular circumstances.
This summary is not applicable
to a Resident Participant: (i) that is a “financial institution” for the purposes of the “mark-to-market”
rules contained in the Tax Act; (ii) that is a “specified financial institution”; (iii) an interest in which
would be a “tax shelter investment”; (iv) that has elected to report its Canadian tax results in a currency other than
the Canadian currency; or (v) that enters into a “derivative forward agreement” in respect of Common Shares, as each
of those terms is defined in the Tax Act. Additional considerations, not discussed herein, may apply to a Resident Participant that
is a corporation and is, or becomes, or does not deal at arm’s length for purposes of the Tax Act with a corporation resident in
Canada (the “other Canadian corporation”) that is or becomes, as part of a transaction or event or series of transactions
or events that include the acquisition of Common Shares, controlled by a non-resident person or a group of non-resident persons not dealing
with each other at arm’s length for purposes of the “foreign affiliate dumping” rules in section 212.3 of the Tax Act
and in respect of which a subsidiary of the Corporation is, or would at any time be, a “foreign affiliate”, as defined in
the Tax Act, of the corporation or the other Canadian corporation. Any such Resident Participant should consult its own tax advisor
with respect to an investment in Common Shares.
Dividends
A Resident Participant will be
subject to tax under the Tax Act on all dividends paid on Common Shares (including where such shares are held of record by the Plan Agent
for the account of the participant pursuant to the Plan) which are reinvested in Common Shares under the Plan (as well as on any dividends
deemed under the Tax Act to be received on Common Shares) in the same manner as the participant would have been if such dividends had
been received directly by the participant. Such dividends paid to (or deemed to be received by) a Resident Participant who is an
individual (including most trusts) will be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules in the Tax Act normally applicable
to dividends received from “taxable Canadian corporations” (as defined in the Tax Act), including the enhanced gross-up and
dividend tax credit in respect of dividends designated by the Corporation as “eligible dividends.” A dividend will be
an eligible dividend if the recipient receives written notice (which may include a notice published on our website) from us designating
the dividend as an “eligible dividend”. There may be limitations on the ability of the Corporation to designate dividends
as “eligible dividends.”
A Resident Participant that is
a corporation will include such dividends in computing its income for tax purposes and generally will be entitled to deduct the amount
of such dividends in computing its taxable income. In certain circumstances, subsection 55(2) of the Tax Act will treat a taxable
dividend received or deemed to be received by a participant that is a corporation as proceeds of disposition or a capital gain.
Resident Participants that are corporations should consult their own tax advisors having regard to their own circumstances.
A Resident Participant that is
a “private corporation” or “subject corporation” (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act) may be liable under
Part IV of the Tax Act to pay a refundable tax on dividends received or deemed to be received on the Common Shares to the extent
that such dividends are deductible in computing the participant’s taxable income.
Dividends received by a Resident
Participant who is an individual (including certain trusts) may result in such participant being liable for alternative minimum tax under
the Tax Act. Resident Participants who are individuals should consult their own advisors in this regard.
The cost for tax purposes to
a participant of Common Shares purchased on the reinvestment of dividends or with optional cash payments made by the Resident Participant
to the Plan Agent will be the Canadian dollar equivalent of the price paid by the Plan Agent for the Common Shares. The cost of
such Common Shares will be averaged with the adjusted cost base of all other Common Shares held by the participant at the time such Common
Shares are acquired for purposes of subsequently computing the adjusted cost base of each such Common Share owned by the participant.
Dispositions
On a disposition or deemed
disposition of a Common Share (including by the Plan Agent on behalf of the participant), the Resident Participant will realize a
capital gain (or capital loss) equal to the amount by which the participant’s proceeds of disposition of the Common Share, net
of any reasonable costs of disposition, are greater than (or less than) the participant’s adjusted cost base of the Common
Share. Proceeds of disposition will not include an amount that is otherwise required to be included in the Resident
Participant’s income. The payment of cash in respect of any fraction of a Common Share on termination of participation
in the Plan will constitute a disposition of such fraction of a Common Share for proceeds of disposition equal to the cash
payment.
Generally, one-half of any capital
gain (a taxable capital gain) realized by a Resident Participant in a taxation year must be included in computing the participant’s
income for the year, and one-half of any capital loss (an allowable capital loss) realized by a Resident Participant in a taxation year
must be deducted from taxable capital gains realized by the participant in that year. Allowable capital losses for a taxation year
in excess of taxable capital gains for that year generally may be carried back and deducted in any of the three preceding taxation years
or carried forward and deducted in any subsequent taxation year against net taxable capital gains realized in such years, to the extent
and under the circumstances described in the Tax Act.
Canada’s 2024 federal budget,
released on April 16, 2024, included a proposal to generally increase the proportion of a capital gain that would be included in income,
or the proportion of a capital loss that would constitute an allowable capital loss, as discussed above, from one-half to 66 2/3%, effective
for dispositions on or after June 25, 2024 (the “Capital Gains Proposal”). The Capital Gains Proposal provides that the one-half
proportion would continue to apply to individuals (other than trusts) with respect to up to $250,000 of capital gains per year, and also
provides for adjustments of carried forward or carried back allowable capital losses to account for changes in the relevant inclusion
rates. However, no draft legislation to implement the Capital Gains Proposal has yet been publicly announced by the Minister of Finance
(Canada), and many aspects of how the Tax Act will be amended in connection with the Capital Gains Proposal remain unclear, including
with respect to how the changes would be applied for capital gains earned through a trust or partnership in 2024. A Resident Participant
who realizes a capital gain on a disposition or deemed disposition of a Common Share should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
Taxable capital gains realized
by a Resident Participant who is an individual (including certain trusts) may give rise to liability for alternative minimum tax depending
on the participant’s circumstances. A Resident Participant that is a “Canadian-controlled private corporation”
(as defined in the Tax Act) or a “substantive CCPC” (as defined in the Proposed Amendments that received second reading in
the House of Commons on March 18, 2024) may be liable to pay an additional refundable tax on certain investment income, including taxable
capital gains.
Under specific rules in
the Tax Act, any capital loss realized by a Resident Participant that is a corporation on the disposition of a Common Share may be reduced
by the amount of certain dividends which were received or were deemed to have been received on such Common Share (or on a share for which
such Common Share has been substituted). Similar rules may apply to a partnership or trust of which a corporation, trust or
partnership is a member or beneficiary. Resident Participants should consult their own tax advisors for specific advice regarding
the application of the relevant “stop-loss” provisions in the Tax Act.
Non-Residents of Canada
The following summary is generally
applicable to a participant under the Plan who, at all relevant times for purposes of the Tax Act and any applicable tax treaty or convention
(a) is not, and is not deemed to be, resident in Canada, and (b) does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, Common
Shares in the course of carrying on a business in Canada (a “Non-Resident Participant”). Special rules which are
not discussed in this summary may apply to a non-resident participant that is an insurer which carries on an insurance business in Canada
and elsewhere.
It is assumed that the
Common Shares will not be “taxable Canadian property” of a Non-Resident Participant at any time. Generally, Common
Shares will not be taxable Canadian property to a Non-Resident Participant at a particular time provided that the Common Shares are
listed on a designated stock exchange (such as the TSX or the NYSE) at that time, unless at any time during the 60-month period that
ends at that time: (i) one or any combination of: (a) the Non-Resident Participant; (b) persons with whom the
Non-Resident Participant does not deal at arm’s length; and (c) partnerships in which the Non-Resident Participant or a
person described in (b) holds a partnership interest (directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships), own 25% or more
of the issued shares of any class or series of the Corporation; and (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of the Common
Shares was derived directly or indirectly from any combination of: (a) real or immovable property situated in Canada;
(b) “timber resource property” (within the meaning of the Tax Act); (c) “Canadian resource
property” (within the meaning of the Tax Act); or (d) options in respect of, or interests in, or for civil law rights in,
any of the foregoing, whether or not the property exists. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in certain circumstances set out in
the Tax Act, a Common Share could be deemed to be taxable Canadian property.
Dividends
Dividends paid or credited (or
deemed to be paid or credited) on Common Shares to a Non-Resident Participant (including where such shares are held of record by the Plan
Agent for the account of the Non-Resident Participant pursuant to the Plan) are generally subject to Canadian withholding tax, whether
or not such dividends are reinvested under the terms of the Plan. Under the Tax Act, the rate of withholding tax is 25% of the gross
amount of such dividends, which rate may be subject to reduction under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty or convention.
Under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, or the U.S. Treaty, a Non-Resident Participant who is resident in the United States
for the purposes of the U.S. Treaty and who is entitled to the benefits of such treaty will generally be subject to Canadian withholding
tax at a rate of 15% of the amount of such dividends. In addition, under the U.S. Treaty, dividends may be exempt from Canadian
withholding tax if paid to certain Non-Resident Participants that are qualifying religious, scientific, literary, educational or charitable
tax-exempt organizations, or are qualifying trusts, companies organizations or other arrangements operated exclusively to administer or
provide pension, retirement or employee benefits which are exempt from tax in the U.S., and that have complied with specific administrative
procedures. Dividends to be reinvested in Common Shares under the Plan for Non-Resident Participants will be reduced by the amount
of any applicable Canadian withholding tax.
Dispositions
A Non-Resident Participant will
not be subject to tax under the Tax Act on any capital gain realized on a disposition (or deemed disposition) of a Common Share.
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following summary describes
certain material United States federal income tax consequences generally applicable to participants in the Plan. The summary is
based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Code, existing and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial
decisions and administrative interpretations, as in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive
effect. These United States federal income tax considerations apply only to a person or entity who, for United States federal income
tax purposes, is: a citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation or other entity organized under the laws of the United States
or of any political subdivision thereof; an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its
source; or a trust (i) if a United States court can exercise primary jurisdiction over the trust’s administration and one or
more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) that has elected to be treated
as a United States person under applicable regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury pursuant to its authority under the Code.
This summary does not
address the United States federal income tax consequences for participants that are subject to special provisions under the Code,
including the following participants: (i) participants that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans,
individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (ii) participants that are financial institutions, insurance
companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies or that are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in
securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (iii) participants that have a
“functional currency” other than the United States dollar; (iv) participants that are liable for the alternative
minimum tax under the Code; (v) participants that own Common Shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion
transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (vi) participants that hold the Common
Shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code; (vii) participants that own,
directly, indirectly, or constructively, 5% or more, by voting power or value, of the Corporation; (viii) S corporations,
partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (ix) investors in pass-through
entities; and (x) certain former citizens or residents of the United States. Participants that are subject to special
provisions under the Code, including participants described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the
tax consequences of reinvesting cash dividends in additional Common Shares under the Plan. This summary addresses only participants
that beneficially acquire and own their Common Shares and are not pass-through entities for US federal income tax purposes.
This summary does not include any discussion of tax consequences to participants in the Plan other than United States federal income
tax consequences. Participants are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding any United States estate and gift, United
States state and local, and foreign tax consequences of participating in the Plan.
Partners of entities that are
classified as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes and participate in the Plan should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of reinvesting cash dividends in additional Common Shares or making optional
cash purchases under the Plan.
Subject to the “passive
foreign investment company”, or PFIC, discussion below, the gross amount of any distribution (including any Canadian taxes withheld
therefrom) paid on Common Shares generally should be included in the gross income of a participant as foreign source dividend income to
the extent such distribution is paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Corporation, as determined under United
States federal income tax principles. To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds the Corporation’s current
and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, the distribution is treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of
the participant’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares. Then, to the extent that such distribution exceeds the participant’s
adjusted tax basis, it is treated as a sale or exchange and taxed as a capital gain. However, the Corporation may not maintain calculations
of its earnings and profits in accordance with United States federal income tax principles. Therefore, each participant should assume
that any distribution will be reported to them as a dividend. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, participants who are
subject to United States federal income tax will be entitled to a credit or deduction for Canadian income taxes withheld from any distributions.
Dividends received by non-corporate
participants may be subject to United States federal income tax at lower rates (generally 20% plus the 3.8% unearned income Medicare contribution
tax, if applicable) than other types of ordinary income if certain conditions are met. These conditions include the Corporation
not being classified as a PFIC for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or for the immediately preceding taxable year, the Corporation
being a “qualified foreign corporation”, the participant’s satisfaction of a holding period requirement, and the participant
not treating the distribution as “investment income” for purposes of the investment interest deduction rules.
In the case of participants that
are domestic corporations, distributions from the Corporation generally are not eligible for the dividends received deduction.
The amount of any distribution
paid in Canadian dollars will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of the Canadian dollars on the date of distribution regardless of whether
the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. Gain or loss, if any, realized on the sale or disposition of Canadian
dollars will generally be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
If cash dividends are reinvested
under the Plan through purchases of Common Shares directly from the Corporation, a participant should be treated for United States federal
income tax purposes as having received a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value on the dividend payment date of the
Common Shares acquired with reinvested dividends pursuant to the Plan (which fair market value may be greater or less than the Average
Market Price used to determine the number of Common Shares acquired under the Plan) plus the amount of any Canadian income tax withheld
with respect to the dividend. If cash dividends are reinvested under the Plan through purchases of Common Shares on the open market, a
participant should be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as having received a distribution in an amount equal to the
amount of the distribution that the participant would have received (including the amount of any Canadian income tax withheld therefrom)
if the participant did not reinvest the cash dividend pursuant to the Plan plus the amount of brokerage commissions (if any) paid by the
Corporation with respect to the purchase of Common Shares for the participant. A participant’s tax basis for Common Shares
purchased with cash dividends pursuant to the Plan will be equal to the amount of the distribution described in the preceding two sentences,
as applicable, but excluding the amount of any Canadian taxes withheld with respect to the dividend. A participant’s holding
period for Common Shares purchased with cash dividends under the Plan should begin on the day following the later of the dividend payment
date or the date on which the Common Shares are purchased.
A participant that makes optional
cash purchases of Common Shares under the Plan should have a tax basis in those Common Shares equal to the cash used to purchase those
Common Shares plus the amount of brokerage commissions (if any) paid by the Corporation with respect to the purchase of Common Shares
for the participant, and the participant’s holding period in those Common Shares should begin on the day following the date on which
those Common Shares are purchased. If the Corporation pays any such brokerage commissions, the participant should be treated as having
received an additional distribution from the Corporation in the amount of such brokerage commissions.
Participants generally will recognize
a taxable gain or loss when they sell or exchange Common Shares and when they receive cash payments for fractional shares credited to
their accounts upon withdrawal from or termination of the Plan or otherwise. The amount of this gain or loss will be equal to the
difference between the amount a participant receives for his or her Common Shares or fraction thereof and the participant’s adjusted
tax basis in these Common Shares or fraction thereof. The gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and will be a long-term capital
gain or loss if the holding period for such Common Shares exceeds one year. Capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. holder is generally
taxed at a maximum rate of 20% (plus the 3.8% unearned income Medicare contribution tax, if applicable) if the property has been held
for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. The gain or loss realized by participants
who are United States persons will generally be gain or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
The Corporation will be a PFIC
for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year if 75% or more of its gross income (including the pro rata share of the gross
income of any corporation in which it is considered to own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the shares by value) is passive income,
or on average at least 50% of the gross value of its assets is held for the production of, or produces, passive income.
PFIC status is determined on
an annual basis. The Corporation does not expect to be a PFIC for the taxable year ending December 31, 2024, or thereafter.
However, because the Corporation’s income and assets and the nature of its activities may vary from time to time, no assurance can
be given that the Corporation will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year. If a participant owns Common Shares during a taxable
year in which the Corporation is a PFIC, the PFIC rules generally will apply to a participant thereafter, even if in subsequent taxable
years the Corporation no longer meets the test described above to be treated as a PFIC. No ruling will be sought from the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service, or the IRS, regarding whether the Corporation is a PFIC.
In general, if the Corporation
were to be treated as a PFIC, certain adverse rules would apply to dividends received from the Corporation and to dispositions of
Common Shares (potentially including dispositions that would not otherwise be taxable). Participants are urged to consult their
tax advisors about the PFIC rules in connection with their holding of Common Shares.
Under current U.S. law, if the
Corporation is a PFIC in any year, a participant must file an annual return on IRS Form 8621, which describes the income received
(or deemed to be received pursuant to a “Qualified Electing Fund” election) from the Corporation, any gain realized on a disposition
of Common Shares and certain other information.
In general, dividends from the
Corporation and payments of the proceeds of a sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Shares paid to a participant are subject to
information reporting requirements and may be subject to backup withholding unless the participant is a corporation or other exempt recipient,
or provides an accurate taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred. Participants
who are required to establish their exempt status must provide such certification on IRS Form W-9. Amounts withheld as backup withholding
may be credited against a participant’s United States federal income tax liability, and a participant may obtain a refund of any
excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing
any required information.
U.S. individuals who hold an
interest in certain “specified foreign financial assets” with value in excess of certain dollar thresholds are required to
report such assets on IRS Form 8938 with their United States federal income tax return, subject to certain exceptions (including
an exception for foreign assets held in accounts maintained by United States financial institutions). Stock issued by a foreign
corporation, such as the Corporation, is treated as a specified foreign financial asset for this purpose. Penalties apply for failure
to properly complete and file IRS Form 8938. Participants are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the filing
of this form.
THE ABOVE SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED
TO CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF ALL UNITED STATES TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO PARTICIPANTS WITH RESPECT TO THE REINVESTMENT
OF DIVIDENDS, ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF COMMON SHARES. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE UNITED
STATES FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THEM IN THEIR OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Subject to the discussion below,
we will distribute Common Shares purchased under the Plan as described in this prospectus. The Plan Agent will assist in the identification
of shareholders, execute transactions in the Common Shares pursuant to the Plan and provide other related services, but will not be acting
as an underwriter with respect to our Common Shares sold under the Plan. You will pay no brokerage commissions or trading or transaction
fees on Common Shares purchased through the Plan with reinvested dividends or optional cash payments. However, you may be responsible
for other fees and expenses, including brokerage commissions and trading and transaction fees, if you request that your Common Shares
that are subject to the Plan be sold upon termination of your participation in the Plan.
Persons who acquire our Common
Shares through the Plan and resell them shortly after acquiring them, including coverage of short positions, under certain circumstances,
may be participating in a distribution of securities that would require compliance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act and may be
considered to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act. We will not extend to any such person any rights or privileges
other than those to which such person would be entitled as a participant in the Plan, nor will we enter into any agreement with any such
person regarding the resale or distribution by any such person of Common Shares so purchased.
Our major shareholders, directors,
officers and members of our management, supervisory or administrative bodies may participate in the Plan, subject to our discretion to
restrict participation in the Plan as described under “The Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan — Can the Corporation
prevent shareholders from participation in the Plan?” Enrollment and participation in the Plan by insiders and employees will be
subject to our insider trading policy.
From time to time, financial
intermediaries, including brokers and dealers and other persons, may engage in positioning transactions in order to benefit from any discounts
to the market price applicable to Common Shares purchased pursuant to the reinvestment of dividends under the Plan. Those transactions
may cause fluctuations in the trading price and volume of our Common Shares. Financial intermediaries and such other persons who
engage in positioning transactions may be deemed to be underwriters. We have no arrangements or understandings, formal or informal,
with any person relating to the sale of our Common Shares to be received under the Plan. We reserve the right to modify, suspend
or terminate participation in the Plan by otherwise eligible persons to eliminate practices that are inconsistent with the purposes of
the Plan.
CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
The table below sets forth our
consolidated indebtedness and shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 2024, and should be read together with the detailed information
and unaudited financial statements appearing in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Because the actual number
of Common Shares to be issued pursuant to the Plan cannot be determined, as adjusted data is not presented. The amounts in the table below
are unaudited and presented in millions of Canadian dollars. We have not guaranteed any indebtedness of any of our subsidiaries.
| | |
As of March 31, 2024 | |
| | |
(unaudited,
in millions C$) | |
| Indebtedness: | |
| | |
| Regulated Utilities | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| ITC | |
| | |
| Secured US First Mortgage Bonds — 4.28% weighted average fixed rate | |
$ | 3,544 | |
| Secured US Senior Notes — 4.16% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 1,422 | |
| Unsecured US Senior Notes — 4.17% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 5,281 | |
| Unsecured US Shareholder Note — 6.00% fixed rate | |
| 269 | |
| | |
| | |
| TEP, UNS Electric, Inc. and UNS Gas, Inc. | |
| | |
| Unsecured US Fixed Rate Notes — 3.80% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 3,751 | |
| | |
| | |
| Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation | |
| | |
| Unsecured US Promissory Notes — 4.39% weighted average fixed and variable rate | |
| 1,725 | |
| | |
| | |
| FortisBC Energy Inc. | |
| | |
| Unsecured Debentures — 4.61% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 3,295 | |
| | |
| | |
| FortisAlberta Inc. | |
| | |
| Unsecured Debentures — 4.52% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 2,685 | |
| | |
| | |
| FortisBC Inc. | |
| | |
| Unsecured Debentures — 4.70% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 860 | |
| | |
| | |
| Newfoundland Power Inc., Maritime Electric Corporation, Limited and FortisOntario Inc. | |
| | |
| Secured First Mortgage Sinking Fund Bonds — 5.24% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 747 | |
| Secured First Mortgage Bonds — 5.29% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 320 | |
| Unsecured Senior Notes — 4.45% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 152 | |
| | |
| | |
| Caribbean Utilities Corporation, Ltd., FortisTCI Limited and Turks and Caicos Utilities Limited | |
| | |
| Unsecured US Senior Loan Notes and Bonds — 4.92% weighted average fixed and variable rate | |
| 748 | |
| | |
| | |
| Fortis Inc. | |
| | |
| Unsecured US Senior Notes and Promissory Notes — 3.82% weighted average fixed rate | |
| 2,301 | |
| Unsecured Debentures — 6.50% fixed rate | |
| 200 | |
| Unsecured Senior Notes — 4.10% fixed rate | |
| 1,500 | |
| Long-term classification of credit facility borrowings | |
| 1,764 | |
| Fair value adjustment – ITC acquisition | |
| 89 | |
| Less: Deferred financing costs and debt discounts | |
| (174 | ) |
| Total indebtedness (including current installments) | |
$ | 30,479 | |
| Finance leases (including current installments) | |
| 350 | |
| Short-term borrowings | |
| 126 | |
| Total indebtedness, and finance leases | |
$ | 30,955 | |
| | |
| | |
| Shareholders’ Equity: | |
| | |
| Common shares | |
$ | 15,232 | |
| Preference shares | |
| 1,623 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | |
| 8 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | |
| 998 | |
| Retained earnings | |
| 4,279 | |
| Non-controlling interests | |
| 1,875 | |
| Total shareholders’ equity | |
$ | 24,015 | |
| | |
| | |
| Total Capitalization: | |
$ | 54,970 | |
The table above does not include
our cash and cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2024, we had approximately $569 million in cash and cash equivalents. Accordingly,
as of March 31, 2024, our total indebtedness, and finance leases, net of cash and cash equivalents, was approximately $30,386 million.
CHANGES IN CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION
The following describes the changes
in our share and loan capital structure since March 31, 2024:
| · | From April 1, 2024 through May 6, 2024, we have issued an aggregate of 12,797 Common Shares in connection
with the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2012 Stock Option Plan. |
| · | From April 1, 2024 through May 6, 2024, our consolidated long-term debt and finance leases, including current
portions and committed credit facility borrowing classified as long-term debt, have increased by approximately $0.2 billion, principally
due to changes in foreign exchange rates over the period. |
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES
The Common Shares to be offered
by this prospectus will be offered to our shareholders pursuant to participation in the Plan.
Authorized and Issued Capital
Our authorized share capital
consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares, an unlimited number of First Preference Shares issuable in series and an unlimited
number of Second Preference Shares issuable in series, in each case without nominal or par value.
As at March 31, 2024, the following
shares were issued and outstanding:
| · | 493,004,759 Common Shares; |
| · | 5,000,000 Cumulative Redeemable First Preference Shares, Series F, or the First Preference Shares,
Series F; |
| · | 9,200,000 Cumulative Redeemable Five-Year Fixed Rate Reset First Preference Shares, Series G, or
the First Preference Shares, Series G; |
| · | 7,665,082 Cumulative Redeemable Five-Year Fixed Rate Reset First Preference Shares, Series H, or
the First Preference Shares, Series H; |
| · | 2,334,918 Cumulative Redeemable Floating Rate First Preference Shares, Series I, or the First Preference
Shares, Series I; |
| · | 8,000,000 Cumulative Redeemable First Preference Shares, Series J, or the First Preference Shares,
Series J; |
| · | 10,000,000 Cumulative Redeemable Fixed Rate Reset First Preference Shares, Series K, or the First
Preference Shares, Series K; and |
| · | 24,000,000 Cumulative Redeemable Fixed Rate Reset First Preference Shares, Series M, or the First
Preference Shares, Series M. |
Our Common Shares, First Preference
Shares, Series F, First Preference Shares, Series G, First Preference Shares, Series H, First Preference Shares, Series I,
First Preference Shares, Series J, First Preference Shares, Series K and First Preference Shares, Series M are listed
on the TSX under the symbols "FTS", "FTS.PR.F", "FTS.PR.G", "FTS.PR.H", "FTS.PR.I",
"FTS.PR.J", "FTS.PR.K" and "FTS.PR.M", respectively. Our Common Shares are also listed on the NYSE under
the symbol "FTS".
Description of the Common Shares
Each Common Share offered hereunder
will have the terms described below.
Dividends
Dividends on Common Shares are
declared at the discretion of our Board. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to dividends on a pro rata basis if, as and when declared
by our Board. Subject to the rights of the holders of the First Preference Shares and Second Preference Shares and any of our other classes
of shares entitled to receive dividends in priority to or rateably with the holders of the Common Shares, our Board may declare dividends
on the Common Shares to the exclusion of any of our other classes of shares.
We declared cumulative cash dividends
on our Common Shares of $2.31 per Common Share in 2023, $2.20 per Common Share in 2022 and $2.08 per Common Share in 2021.
On November 17, 2022, our
Board declared a first quarter dividend of $0.565 per Common Share, which was paid on March 1, 2023 to holders of record on February 15,
2023. On February 9, 2023, our Board declared a second quarter dividend of $0.565 per Common Share, which was paid on June 1,
2023 to holders of record on May 17, 2023. On August 1, 2023, our Board announced a third quarter dividend of $0.565 per Common Share,
which was paid on September 1, 2023 to holders of record on August 21, 2023. On September 19, 2023, our Board declared a fourth
quarter dividend of $0.59 per Common Share, which was paid on December 1, 2023 to holders of record on November 17, 2023. This
represents an increase of approximately 4.4% in the declared quarterly dividend as compared to the prior quarter. On December 6, 2023,
our Board declared a first quarter dividend for 2024 of $0.59 per Common Share, which was paid on March 1, 2024 to holders of record
on February 16, 2024. On February 8, 2024, our Board declared a second quarter dividend of $0.59 per Common Share, which will
be paid on June 1, 2024 to holders of record on May 17, 2024. We have increased our annual Common Share dividend payment for 50 consecutive
years.
We
are targeting average annual dividend growth of 4-6% through 2028. This dividend guidance takes into account many factors, including the
expectation of reasonable outcomes for regulatory proceedings at the Fortis utilities, and the successful execution of the Corporation's
five-year capital plan.
Liquidation, Dissolution or
Winding-Up
On our liquidation, dissolution
or winding-up, holders of Common Shares are entitled to participate rateably in any distribution of our assets, subject to the rights
of holders of First Preference Shares and Second Preference Shares and any of our other classes of shares entitled to receive our assets
on such a distribution in priority to or rateably with the holders of the Common Shares.
Voting Rights
Holders of the Common Shares
are entitled to receive notice of and to attend all annual and special meetings of our shareholders, other than separate meetings of holders
of any other class or series of shares, and to one vote in respect of each Common Share held at such meetings.
Description of the Preference Shares
For the most recent description
of the terms of the preference shares, see Exhibit A to our annual information form filed as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (File No. 001-37915), filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024, which is incorporated
by reference into this registration statement. Such description may be amended and updated from time to time by any subsequent reports
that we file with the SEC.
For the five-year period from
September 1, 2023 up to but excluding September 1, 2028, the annual dividend per share of the First Preference Shares, Series G, if, as
and when declared by the Board, was reset to $1.5308. For the five-year period beginning on June 1, 2020 up to but excluding June 1, 2025,
the First Preference Shares, Series H will pay an annual dividend per share equal to $0.4588 per share, if, as and when declared
by the Board. The First Preference Shares, Series I will pay floating rate cumulative dividends, if, as and when declared by the
Board, which rate will reset every quarter based on the then current three-month Government of Canada Treasury Bill rate plus 1.45%.
For the five-year period from March 1, 2024 to but excluding March 1, 2029, the annual dividend per share of the First Preference Shares,
Series K, if, as and when declared by the Board, was reset to 1.3673. For the five-year period from December 1, 2019 to but excluding
December 1, 2024, the annual dividend per share of the First Preference Shares, Series M, if, as and when declared by the Board, was reset
to $0.9783. The annual dividend rate per share on the First Preference Shares, Series F, and the First Preference Shares, Series J, of
$1.2250 and $1.1875, respectively, are fixed and do not reset.
Principal Markets Where the Common Shares Trade
Our Common Shares are listed
on both the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol “FTS”. No significant trading suspensions of our Common Shares have occurred
in the three years prior to the date of this prospectus.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
The registrar and transfer agent
for the Common Shares in Canada is Computershare Trust Company of Canada at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario and in the United
States is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. at its principal office in Canton, Massachusetts.
EXPENSES
The expenses in connection with
the issuance and distribution of the Common Shares being offered are as follows:
| Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee |
|
US$ |
157,290 |
|
| Stock Exchange Listing Fees |
|
US$ |
10,000 |
|
| Accounting Fees* |
|
US$ |
35,000 |
|
| Legal Fees and Expenses* |
|
US$ |
75,000 |
|
| Total* |
|
US$ |
277,290 |
|
* Estimated
CERTAIN GOVERNANCE MATTERS
Director Conflicts
The Board does not nominate
for election any candidate who has an interest in any business conducted by the Corporation or its subsidiaries, and requires directors
to disclose any potential conflict of interest which may develop. Directors do not undertake any consulting activities for, or receive
any remuneration from, the Corporation other than compensation for serving as a director.
Directors must not engage
in any activity which could give rise, or could be perceived to give rise to, a conflict between an director’s personal interests
and the interests of the Corporation. Directors are required to arrange their private affairs in a manner which prevents conflicts or
the appearance of conflicts.
Director Term Limits
Directors are elected for
a term of one year and are generally eligible for re-election (unless the board determines otherwise in exceptional circumstances) until
the annual meeting of shareholders following the date they turn 72 or have served on the board for 12 years, whichever is earlier.
Director Share Ownership
Requirement
Directors must own three times
their annual retainer in equity of the Corporation within five years of joining the board. Directors can count Common Shares and/or deferred
share units toward meeting this requirement.
Shareholder Meetings
The directors of the Corporation:
(a) shall call an annual meeting of shareholders not later than 15 months after holding the last preceding annual meeting but no
later than 6 months after the end of the Corporation's preceding financial year; and (b) may at any time call a special meeting of shareholders.
Meetings of shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at such place: (i) within the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador as
the directors may determine; or (ii) outside the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador as may be permitted by the Corporations Act.
A notice stating the day,
hour and place of the meeting of shareholders and, if special business is to be transacted at the meeting, stating (a) the nature of that
business in sufficient detail to permit the shareholder to form a reasoned judgment thereon, and (b) the text of any special resolution
to be submitted to the meeting, must be sent to each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting, to each director of the Corporation
and to the auditor of the Corporation not less than 21 days and not more than 50 days before the date of the meeting.
The holders of not less than
5% of the issued shares of the Corporation that carry the right to vote at a meeting of shareholders sought to be held may requisition
the directors to call such a meeting for the purposes stated in the requisition. Subject to specific exemptions set out in the Corporations
Act, if the directors do not call the meeting within 21 days after receiving the requisition, a shareholder who signed the request may
call the meeting.
Two persons present at any meeting
of shareholders and collectively holding or representing by proxy at least 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Corporation
shall be considered a quorum for the meeting of shareholders enjoying voting rights at such meeting. If a quorum is present at the opening
of a meeting of shareholders, the shareholders present or represented by proxy at the meeting may proceed with the business of the meeting,
notwithstanding that a quorum is not present throughout the meeting.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL LIABILITIES
IN THE UNITED STATES
We are continued under the
laws of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The majority of our directors and officers, and some of the experts named
in this prospectus, are residents of Canada, and all or a substantial portion of their assets, and a substantial portion of our
assets, are located outside the United States. We have appointed an agent for service of process in the United States, but it
may be difficult for holders of Common Shares who reside in the United States to effect service within the United
States upon those directors, officers and experts who are not residents of the United States. It may also be difficult for
holders of the Common Shares who reside in the United States to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of
the United States predicated upon our civil liability and the civil liability of our directors and officers and experts under
U.S. federal securities laws.
We
have appointed CT Corporation System, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, as our agent for service of process in the United States in
connection with any investigation or administrative proceeding conducted by the SEC, and any civil suit or action brought against us in
a U.S. court arising out of or related to or concerning the offering of the Common Shares under the registration statement.
Additionally,
it might be difficult for shareholders to enforce judgments of U.S. courts based solely upon civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal
securities laws or the securities or "blue sky" laws of any state within the U.S. in a Canadian court against us or any
of our non-U.S. resident directors, officers or the experts named in this prospectus or to bring an original action in a Canadian
court to enforce liabilities based on the U.S. federal or state securities laws against such persons.
INDEMNIFICATION
Under the Corporations Act, except
in respect of an action by or on our behalf to obtain a judgment in our favor, we may indemnify a director or officer, a former director
or officer, or a person who acts or has acted at our request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which we are or were a shareholder
or creditor, or a body corporate, and his or her heirs and legal representatives (each, an “indemnified person”), against
all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the indemnified
person in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which the indemnified person is made a party by reason
of being or having been our director or officer or that of a body corporate, if the director or officer to be indemnified (i) acted
honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests, and (ii) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding
that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. We may with the approval
of a court indemnify an indemnified person in respect of an action by or on our behalf to obtain a judgment in our favor, to which the
person is made a party because of being or having been our director or officer, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred
by the person in connection with the action where the person fulfils the conditions set out in (i) and (ii) above.
Under Section 207 of the
Corporations Act, notwithstanding the above, an indemnified person is entitled to indemnity from us in respect of costs, charges and expenses
reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense of a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which
the person is made a party because of being or having been our director or officer or a director or officer of a body corporate, where
the person seeking indemnity:
| · | was substantially successful on the merits in his or her defense
of the action or proceeding; |
| · | qualifies in accordance with the standards set out in the above
paragraph; and |
| · | is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity. |
In addition, we may purchase
and maintain insurance for the benefit of an indemnified person against liability incurred by the person (a) in his or her capacity
as our director or officer, except where the liability relates to his or her failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to
our best interests; or (b) in his or her capacity as a director or officer of another body corporate where he or she acts or acted
in that capacity at our request, except where the liability relates to his or her failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view
to the best interests of that body corporate.
Subject to the above
provisions of the Corporations Act, our by-laws require us to indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or a
person who acts or has acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another
entity, or his or her heirs and legal representatives against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an
action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the person in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or
proceeding to which the individual is involved because of that association with us or such other entity. Our by-laws authorize us to
purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any such person against such liabilities and in such amounts as our board may
determine and are permitted by the Corporations Act. Our by-laws further authorize us to execute indemnity agreements evidencing our
indemnity in favor of the foregoing persons to the full extent permitted by law. Our by-laws provide that, unless prohibited by the
Corporations Act, we may advance moneys to any director, officer or other person for the costs, charges and expenses of any such
proceeding; provided, however, that such person must repay the moneys to us if the individual is found to not be entitled to
indemnification under the Corporations Act.
We have purchased insurance against
potential claims against our directors or officers and against loss for which we may be required or permitted by law to indemnify such
directors and officers. We have also entered into indemnity agreements with our directors and officers which provide, among other things,
that we will indemnify such persons to the full extent permitted by law. Pursuant to these agreements, we have agreed to provide such
persons an advance of defense costs prior to final disposition of a proceeding, subject to an obligation for such persons to repay such
advance if the individual is found to not be entitled to indemnification under the Corporations Act or otherwise at law.
Insofar as indemnification
for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Corporation pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, the Corporation has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating
to the offering of Common Shares have been passed upon on our behalf by Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP,
Toronto, Ontario, and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of the
Corporation incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial
reporting have been audited by Deloitte LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm given
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 8. Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
Under the Corporations Act,
except in respect of an action by or on our behalf to obtain a judgment in our favor, we may indemnify a director or officer, a
former director or officer, or a person who acts or has acted at our request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which
we are or we were a shareholder or creditor (a “body corporate”), and his or her heirs and legal representatives (each,
an “indemnified person”), against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action
or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the indemnified person in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or
proceeding to which the indemnified person is made a party by reason of being or having been our director or officer or that of a
body corporate, if the director or officer to be indemnified (i) acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests,
and (ii) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had reasonable
grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. We may with the approval of a court indemnify an indemnified person in
respect of an action by or on our behalf to obtain a judgment in our favor, to which the person is made a party because of being or
having been our director or officer, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the person in connection with
the action where the person fulfils the conditions set out in (i) and (ii) above.
Under Section 207 of the Corporations
Act, notwithstanding the above, an indemnified person is entitled to indemnity from us in respect of costs, charges and expenses reasonably
incurred by the person in connection with the defense of a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which the person
is made a party because of being or having been our director or officer or a director or officer of a body corporate, where the person
seeking indemnity:
| · | was
substantially successful on the merits in his or her defense of the action or proceeding; |
| · | qualifies
in accordance with the standards set out in the above paragraph; and |
| · | is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity. |
In addition, we may purchase and maintain insurance
for the benefit of an indemnified person against liability incurred by the person (a) in his or her capacity as our director or officer,
except where the liability relates to his or her failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests; or (b) in
his or her capacity as a director or officer of another body corporate where he or she acts or acted in that capacity at our request,
except where the liability relates to his or her failure to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of that body
corporate.
Subject to the above provisions
of the Corporations Act, our by-laws require us to indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or a person who acts
or has acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, or his or her
heirs and legal representatives against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment,
reasonably incurred by the person in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which the individual is
involved because of that association with us or such other entity. Our by-laws authorize us to purchase and maintain insurance for the
benefit of any such person against such liabilities and in such amounts as our board may determine and are permitted by the Corporations
Act. Our by-laws further authorize us to execute indemnity agreements evidencing our indemnity in favor of the foregoing persons to the
full extent permitted by law. Our by-laws provide that, unless prohibited by the Corporations Act, we may advance moneys to any director,
officer or other person for the costs, charges and expenses of any such proceeding; provided, however, that such person must repay the
moneys to us if the individual is found to not be entitled to indemnification under the Corporations Act.
We have purchased insurance against
potential claims against our directors or officers and against loss for which we may be required or permitted by law to indemnify such
directors and officers. We have also entered into indemnity agreements with our directors and officers which provide, among other things,
that we will indemnify such persons to the full extent permitted by law. Pursuant to these agreements, we have agreed to provide such
persons an advance of defense costs prior to final disposition of a proceeding, subject to an obligation for such persons to repay such
advance if the individual is found to not be entitled to indemnification under the Corporations Act or otherwise at law.
Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Corporation pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, the Corporation has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 9. Exhibits
The following exhibits have been
filed as part of this registration statement:
Exhibit
Number |
|
Description |
| 4.1 |
|
Fortis Inc. Second Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's F-3D Registration Statement (File No. 333-249039) filed with the SEC on
September 25, 2020) |
| |
|
|
| 4.2 |
|
First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's F-3D Registration Statement (File No. 333-249039) filed with the SEC on
September 25, 2020) |
| |
|
|
| 8.1 |
|
Opinion of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, New York, New York as to U.S. federal tax matters |
| |
|
|
| 8.2 |
|
Opinion of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Toronto, Ontario as to the validity of the Common Shares to be registered and Canadian tax matters. |
| |
|
|
| 23.1 |
|
Consent of Deloitte LLP, St. John’s, Canada |
| |
|
|
| 23.3 |
|
Consent of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, New York, New York (included in Exhibit 8.1) |
| |
|
|
| 23.4 |
|
Consent of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Toronto, Ontario (included in Exhibit 8.2) |
| |
|
|
| 24.1 |
|
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages of this Registration Statement) |
| |
|
|
| 107 |
|
Filing Fee Table |
Item 10. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby
undertakes:
(1) To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
(i) To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering
range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration
Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that the
undertakings set forth above in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the
registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in
the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the
registration statement.
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination
of the offering.
(4) To
file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F
at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required
by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act need not be furnished, provided that the Corporation includes in
the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (4) and other information
necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed
to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or Item 8.A of Form 20-F
if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3.
(5) That,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: if the Corporation is subject to Rule 430C, each
prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration
statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and
included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement
made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed
incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser
with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement
or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(6) That,
for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the
securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this
registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered
or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser
and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any
preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any
free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the
undersigned registrant;
(iii) The
portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant
or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any
other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(7) That,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of St. John’s, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Country of Canada, on May 7, 2024.
| |
FORTIS INC. |
| |
|
| |
By: |
/s/ James R. Reid |
| |
Name: |
James R. Reid |
| |
Title: |
Executive Vice President, Sustainability and Chief
Legal Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints
David G. Hutchens, Jocelyn H. Perry and James R. Reid, and each of them, as such person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file
the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in their respective capacities indicated below.
| Name |
|
Title |
|
Date |
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ David G. Hutchens |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| David G. Hutchens |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Jocelyn
H. Perry |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Jocelyn H. Perry |
|
(Principal Financial Officer and Accounting
Officer) |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Jo Mark
Zurel |
|
Chair of the Board of Directors |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Jo Mark Zurel |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Tracey
C. Ball |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Tracey C. Ball |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Pierre J. Blouin |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Pierre J. Blouin |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Lawrence T. Borgard |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Lawrence T. Borgard |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Maura J. Clark |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Maura J. Clark |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Lisa Crutchfield |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Lisa Crutchfield |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Margarita K. Dilley |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Margarita K. Dilley |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Julie A. Dobson |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Julie A. Dobson |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Lisa L. Durocher |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Lisa L. Durocher |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/ Gianna M. Manes |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Gianna M. Manes |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| /s/Donald R. Marchand |
|
Director |
|
May 7, 2024 |
| Donald R. Marchand |
|
|
|
|
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of
the Securities Act, the undersigned has signed this Registration Statement, solely in the capacity of the duly authorized representative
of Fortis Inc. in the United States, on this 7th day of May, 2024.
| |
FORTISUS INC. |
| |
|
|
| |
By: |
/s/ David G. Hutchens |
| |
|
Name: |
David G. Hutchens |
| |
|
Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number |
|
Description |
| 4.1 |
|
Fortis Inc. Second Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's F-3D Registration Statement (File No. 333-249039) filed with the SEC on
September 25, 2020) |
| |
|
|
| 4.2 |
|
First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's F-3D Registration Statement (File No. 333-249039) filed with the SEC on
September 25, 2020) |
| |
|
|
| 8.1 |
|
Opinion of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, New York, New York as to U.S. federal tax matters |
| |
|
|
| 8.2 |
|
Opinion of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Toronto, Ontario as to the validity of the Common Shares to be registered and Canadian tax matters |
| |
|
|
| 23.1 |
|
Consent of Deloitte LLP, St. John’s, Canada |
| |
|
|
| 23.3 |
|
Consent of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, New York, New York (included in Exhibit 8.1) |
| |
|
|
| 23.4 |
|
Consent of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Toronto, Ontario (included in Exhibit 8.2) |
| |
|
|
| 24.1 |
|
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages of this Registration Statement) |
| |
|
|
| 107 |
|
Filing Fee Table |
Exhibit 8.1
 |
900 Third Avenue 24th Floor
New York, NY 10022 USA
dwpv.com |
May 9, 2024
Fortis Inc.
Fortis Place, Suite 1100
5 Springdale Street
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada, A1E 0E4
Dear Sirs/Mesdames:
In connection with the filing by Fortis Inc. (the “Company”)
of a registration statement on Form F-3 on May 9, 2024 (the “Registration Statement”) in respect of common shares
of the Company to be offered and sold pursuant to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase
Plan (the “Plan”), you have asked Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP (hereinafter referred to as “Davies”,
“we” or “our”) for our opinion (this “Opinion”) regarding certain material U.S. federal income tax
considerations applicable to a participant in the Plan who is treated as a United States person for United States federal income tax purposes
(a “US Participant”), as more particularly described in the Registration Statement under the caption “Material Income
Tax Considerations Relating to the Plan--United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
In connection with rendering our Opinion, we have examined originals
(or copies identified to our satisfaction as true copies of the originals) of the Registration Statement and the Plan and originals, duplicates
or certified or conformed copies of such records, agreements, instruments and other documents as we have deemed relevant and necessary
in connection with our Opinion (collectively, the “Reviewed Documents”). In our review, we have assumed, with your consent,
that all of the representations and statements of a factual nature set forth in the Reviewed Documents are true and correct, and all of
the obligations imposed by any Reviewed Documents on the parties thereto have been and will be performed or satisfied in accordance with
their terms. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the proper execution of all Reviewed Documents, the authenticity of all
Reviewed Documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity
of the originals from which any copies were made. We have also assumed that the Registration Statement contains no untrue statement of
a material fact or omission of a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under
which they were made.
We have relied upon the factual representations contained in the officer's
certificate executed by a duly appointed officer of the Company (the “Officer's Certificate”) setting forth certain representations
relating to, among other things, the Company’s prior, current and projected revenues and assets. Our Opinion assumes that all of
the representations contained in the Officer's Certificate are accurate and complete, and we have not conducted any independent inquiry
to determine the veracity of any of those representations. Our Opinion further assumes that all such representations will be true on the
effective date of the Registration Statement and that the common shares offered under the Registration Statement will be in conformity
with the terms therein. Any representation or statement in any document upon which we rely that is made “to the best of our knowledge”
or otherwise similarly qualified is assumed to be correct. If any of the matters described in this paragraph were incorrect, our Opinion
might change. The opinions set forth herein are rendered as of the date first provided above, and we undertake no, and specifically disaffirm
any, obligation to update such opinions.
In rendering our Opinion, we have considered and relied upon the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings, judicial decisions,
regulations, and procedures issued by the Internal Revenue Service, and such other authorities as we have deemed appropriate.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations
stated herein, the statements set forth in the Registration Statement under the caption “Material Income Tax Considerations Relating
to the Plan--United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” insofar as they discuss matters of United States federal tax law and
regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute our opinion as to the material United States federal income tax consequences
of the ownership and disposition of common shares by US Participants in the Plan.
We hereby consent to the filing of this Opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. The issuance
of such consent does not concede that we are an “expert” for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933.
Yours very truly,
/s/ DAVIES WARD PHILLIPS & VINEBERG LLP
Exhibit 8.2
 |
155 Wellington Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 3J7 Canada
dwpv.com |
May 9, 2024
Fortis Inc.
Fortis Place, Suite 1100
5 Springdale Street
St. John’s, NL
A1B 3T2
Dear Sirs/Mesdames:
Reservation of Additional Shares under Dividend Reinvestment and
Share Purchase Plan
We have acted as Canadian counsel to Fortis Inc. (the “Corporation”)
in connection with the filing of a registration statement on Form F-3 (the “Registration Statement”) with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”),
and the rules and regulations thereunder, that registers 26,676,727 common shares of the Corporation (the “Common Shares”)
issuable pursuant to the Corporation’s Second Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (the “Plan”).
In connection with the opinion hereafter expressed, we have reviewed
such documents and given consideration to such matters of law and fact as we have deemed necessary to render the opinion. As to certain
matters of fact, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Corporation dated the date hereof. For the purposes of the opinion
expressed below, we have assumed, without independent investigation or verification, the genuineness of all signatures (whether on originals
or copies of documents) and the authority of all persons signing documents examined by us, the legal capacity of all natural persons,
the authenticity of all documents and instruments submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents and instruments
submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic or facsimile copies thereof and the authenticity of the originals of such copies
and facsimiles.
We express no opinion as to the laws or any matters governed by any
laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the laws of Canada applicable therein. The
opinion herein is based on the laws of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the laws of Canada applicable therein in effect on
the date hereof.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Common Shares will be, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, validly issued and outstanding
as fully paid and non-assessable common shares of the Corporation.
We hereby confirm to you that, insofar as they describe provisions
of Canadian federal income tax law, the statements set forth under the caption “Material Income Tax Considerations Related to the
Plan – Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Registration Statement are, subject to the qualifications, exceptions,
assumptions, and limitations contained therein, our opinion.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 462 under the Act, and to the use of our name under the heading
“Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category
of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Yours very truly,
/s/ Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
on Form F-3 of our reports dated February 8, 2024, relating to the financial statements of Fortis Inc. (the “Corporation”)
and the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Corporation’s Annual
Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts"
in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte LLP
St. John’s, Canada
May 9, 2024
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form F-3
(Form Type)
FORTIS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered Securities and Carry
Forward Securities
| |
Security
Type |
Security
Class
Title |
Fee
Calculation
Rule
or Carry
Forward
Rule |
Amount
Registered |
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit |
Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price |
Fee
Rate |
Amount of
Registration Fee |
Carry
Forward
Form
Type |
Carry
Forward
File
Number |
Carry
Forward
Initial
effective
date |
Filing Fee
Previously
Paid In
Connection
with Unsold
Securities to
be Carried
Forward |
| Newly Registered Securities |
| Fees to Be Paid |
Equity |
Common Shares, without par value |
457(c) |
26,676,727(1) |
US$39.947(2) |
US$1,065,655,213.47 |
0.0001476 |
US$157,290.71 |
|
|
|
|
| Fees Previously Paid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
| Carry Forward Securities |
| Carry Forward Securities |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Total Offering Amounts |
- |
US$1,065,655,213.47 |
- |
US$157,290.71 |
|
|
|
|
| |
Total Fees Previously Paid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
| |
Total Fee Offsets |
- |
- |
- |
US$11,184.31(3) |
|
|
|
|
| |
Net Fee Due |
- |
- |
- |
US$146,106.40 |
|
|
|
|
(1) Pursuant
to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the
Registrant’s common shares (“Common Shares”) that become issuable under the Registrant’s second
amended and restated dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split or similar transaction
effected without the receipt of consideration that results in an increase in the number of the outstanding Common Shares.
(2) Based on the average of the high (US$40.16)
and low (US$39.735) prices of the common shares of the Registrant on the New York Stock Exchange on May 6, 2024, and estimated solely
for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) See footnote (1) to Table 2 below.
Table 2: Fee Offset Claims and Sources
| |
Registrant
or Filer
Name |
Form or
Filing Type |
File Number |
Initial
Filing
Date |
Filing
Date |
Fee Offset
Claimed |
Security
Type
Associated
with Fee
Offset
Claimed |
Security Title
Associated
with Fee
Offset
Claimed |
Unsold
Securities
Associated
with Fee
Offset
Claimed |
Unsold
Aggregate
Offering Amount
Associated with
Fee Offset
Claimed |
Fee Paid with Fee
Offset Source |
| Rules 457(b) and 0-11(a)(2) |
| Fee Offset Claims |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fee Offset Sources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rule 457(p) |
| Fee Offset Claims |
Fortis Inc. |
F-3 |
333-249039(2) |
September 25, 2020 |
|
US$11,184.31 (1) |
Equity |
Common Shares, without par value |
2,176,727(1) |
US$86,165,738.30 |
|
| Fee Offset Sources |
Fortis Inc. |
F-3 |
333-249039(2) |
|
September 25, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
US$124,054.32(1) |
(1) The Registrant previously paid US$137,104.39
in registration fees (of which the Registrant transferred funds in the amount of US$124,054.32 and used offsets for the balance of the
fees in the amount of US$13,050.06) with respect to the Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-249039) filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 25, 2020 (the “2020 Registration Statement”),
of which US$11,184.31 remained unutilized and is therefore available for future registration fees pursuant to Rule 457(p) under
the Securities Act. As the total registration fee required for this Registration Statement is US$157,290.71, taking into consideration
the available offset of US$11,184.31 from the 2020 Registration Statement, the Registrant has accordingly transmitted US$146,106.40 otherwise
due under this Registration Statement.
(2) The Registrant has terminated or completed
any offerings that included the unsold securities under the 2020 Registration Statement.
Fortis (PK) (USOTC:FTRSF)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De May 2024 a Jun 2024
Fortis (PK) (USOTC:FTRSF)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Jun 2023 a Jun 2024
