Vincent A. Mercier

Partner

Vincent A. Mercier

Vincent A. Mercier

Partner

“The best M&A lawyer in Canada bar none. He commands a boardroom, is a great technical lawyer, but is also a counsellor and a deal maker.”
Chambers Canada 2017

Vincent’s deep understanding of the M&A market – Canadian and global – is the reason why public and private sector clients trust him for their most critical transactions, and why boards turn to him when approached by activist investors.

His broad view, practical advice and methodical approach achieve significant success for clients in transactions of all sizes, domestic and international. He advises clients in industries as varied as financial services, communications and media, technology, mining and energy.

Vincent is a former member of our Management Committee. He is the chair of the board for Pathways to Education, a member of the President’s Council of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, a former director of Covenant House Toronto and a former chair of Camp Oochigeas.

Vincent A. Mercier

Partner

“The best M&A lawyer in Canada bar none. He commands a boardroom, is a great technical lawyer, but is also a counsellor and a deal maker.”
Chambers Canada 2017

Vincent’s deep understanding of the M&A market – Canadian and global – is the reason why public and private sector clients trust him for their most critical transactions, and why boards turn to him when approached by activist investors.

His broad view, practical advice and methodical approach achieve significant success for clients in transactions of all sizes, domestic and international. He advises clients in industries as varied as financial services, communications and media, technology, mining and energy.

Vincent is a former member of our Management Committee. He is the chair of the board for Pathways to Education, a member of the President’s Council of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, a former director of Covenant House Toronto and a former chair of Camp Oochigeas.

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Shaw Communications Inc.

Acted for Shaw Communications Inc. in the acquisition by Rogers Communications Inc. of all of Shaw's issued and outstanding Class A and Class B shares in a transaction valued at approximately $26 billion, including debt, representing a significant premium for Shaw's shareholders.

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Kansas City Southern

Acted as Canadian counsel to Kansas City Southern in its transformative US$31-billion merger with Canada Pacific Railway to create the first U.S.-Mexico-Canada rail network.

Mobile Content:

Canaccord Genuity Group Inc.

Acted for the special committee of the board of directors of Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. in connection with management’s proposed takeover bid for the common shares of Canaccord.

Mobile Content:

Shaw Communications Inc.

Acted for Shaw Communications Inc. in its joint C$2.85-billion sale with Rogers Communications Inc. of Freedom Mobile Inc. to Videotron Ltd., a subsidiary of Québecor Inc.

Mobile Content:

Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation

Acted for Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation, a non-agent Crown corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Development Investment Corporation, in connection with Air Canada's approximately $6-billion financing agreements with the Government of Canada through the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) program.

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Apotex Pharmaceutical Holdings Inc.

Acted as lead transaction and tax counsel to Apotex Pharmaceutical Holdings Inc., a global pharmaceutical company that produces high-quality affordable medicine, in its sale to SK Capital Partners.

Mobile Content:

The Blackstone Group Inc.

Acted for real estate funds managed by The Blackstone Group Inc. and their affiliates in Blackstone's $6.2-billion all-cash acquisition of Dream Global Real Estate Investment Trust and the separation of its external asset manager, Dream Asset Management.

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LKQ Corporation

Acting as Canadian counsel to LKQ Corporation in its C$2.8-billion acquisition of Uni-Select Inc.

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TransAlta Corporation

Acted for TransAlta Corporation in the strategic partnership with Brookfield Renewable Partners and its institutional partners, and the associated $750-million investment by Brookfield in TransAlta to advance TransAlta's transition to clean energy. The investment will occur in two tranches (i) $350 million in the form of exchangeable debentures at first closing expected in May 2019; and (ii) $400 million in the form of redeemable preferred shares at second closing expected in October 2020.

Mobile Content:

Shaw Communications Inc.

Acted for Shaw Communications Inc. in connection with its sale of Shaw Media Inc. to Corus Entertainment Inc. for $2.65 billion. Shaw Media is the owner of the Global Television Network and 19 specialty channels including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada and Showcase. Davies acted for Shaw in 2010 on the purchase of these assets from CanWest Global Communications for $2 billion. The proceeds from this sale were used to finance Shaw's acquisition of WIND Mobile for $1.6 billion. Davies acted for WIND Mobile.

Bulletin
Mobile Content:

Weed Wars Part III: The Joint Actor Issue

Mar. 23, 2018 - In the recently released joint reasons of the Ontario and Saskatchewan securities commissions in In the Matter of Aurora Cannabis Inc. in respect of the unsolicited takeover bid by Aurora Cannabis Inc. for all the shares of CanniMed Therapeutics Inc., the commissions considered when a...

Bulletin
Mobile Content:

Weed Wars Part II: Tactical Poison Pills and Lock-up Agreements in Hostile Bids

Mar. 20, 2018 - The Ontario and Saskatchewan securities commissions recently released joint reasons in In the Matter of Aurora Cannabis Inc. in respect of the unsolicited takeover bid by Aurora Cannabis Inc. for all the shares of CanniMed Therapeutics Inc. and CanniMed’s adoption of a shareholder rights...

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Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Corporate/Commercial: Ontario (Star Individual – only recipient of this distinction in this category)

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Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Corporate/M&A (Band 1)

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Chambers Canada Award—Corporate Lawyer of the Year (2021)

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IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms—Mergers and Acquisitions

Mobile Content:

The Legal 500 Canada—Corporate and M&A (Hall of Fame)

Mobile Content:

The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada—Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate Commercial Law; Corporate Finance and Securities; Corporate Mid-Market

Mobile Content:

Lexpert Special Edition: Energy

Mobile Content:

Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A

Mobile Content:

Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health Sciences

Mobile Content:

Lexpert Guide to US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada—Mergers & Acquisitions

Mobile Content:

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Mergers and Acquisitions (Most Frequently Recommended); Corporate Finance and Securities (Most Frequently Recommended); Corporate Commercial Law (Most Frequently Recommended); Corporate Mid-Market (Most Frequently Recommended)

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The Best Lawyers in Canada—Corporate Law; Corporate Governance Law (Lawyer of the Year 2023, Toronto); Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Lawyer of the Year 2018, Toronto); Securities Law

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Who’s Who Legal: Canada—Mergers and Acquisitions; Capital Markets; Who’s Who Legal: Capital Markets—Debt and Equity; Structured Finance; Who’s Who Legal: M&A and Governance—Mergers and Acquisitions; Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders—Mergers and Acquisitions

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Expert Guides—Mergers and Acquisitions

Bar Admissions
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Ontario, 1990

Education
Mobile Content:

Osgoode Hall Law School, LLB, 1988
University of Western Ontario, MA (Economics), 1985
Simon Fraser University, BA (First Class Honours), 1984

Board Memberships
Mobile Content:

Pathways to Education, chair
Covenant House Toronto, former director
Camp Oochigeas, former chair

Community Involvement
Mobile Content:

Camp Oochigeas, former volunteer counsellor
St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, President’s Council

Teaching Engagements
Mobile Content:

Vince has taught securities law at the University of Western Ontario and at client continuing legal education seminars.

“The best M&A lawyer in Canada bar none. He commands a boardroom, is a great technical lawyer, but is also a counsellor and a deal maker.”
Chambers Canada 2017

Vincent’s deep understanding of the M&A market – Canadian and global – is the reason why public and private sector clients trust him for their most critical transactions, and why boards turn to him when approached by activist investors.

His broad view, practical advice and methodical approach achieve significant success for clients in transactions of all sizes, domestic and international. He advises clients in industries as varied as financial services, communications and media, technology, mining and energy.

Vincent is a former member of our Management Committee. He is the chair of the board for Pathways to Education, a member of the President’s Council of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, a former director of Covenant House Toronto and a former chair of Camp Oochigeas.

Shaw Communications Inc.

Acted for Shaw Communications Inc. in the acquisition by Rogers Communications Inc. of all of Shaw's issued and outstanding Class A and Class B shares in a transaction valued at approximately $26 billion, including debt, representing a significant premium for Shaw's shareholders.

Kansas City Southern

Acted as Canadian counsel to Kansas City Southern in its transformative US$31-billion merger with Canada Pacific Railway to create the first U.S.-Mexico-Canada rail network.

Canaccord Genuity Group Inc.

Acted for the special committee of the board of directors of Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. in connection with management’s proposed takeover bid for the common shares of Canaccord.

Shaw Communications Inc.

Acted for Shaw Communications Inc. in its joint C$2.85-billion sale with Rogers Communications Inc. of Freedom Mobile Inc. to Videotron Ltd., a subsidiary of Québecor Inc.

Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation

Acted for Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation, a non-agent Crown corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Development Investment Corporation, in connection with Air Canada's approximately $6-billion financing agreements with the Government of Canada through the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) program.

Apotex Pharmaceutical Holdings Inc.

Acted as lead transaction and tax counsel to Apotex Pharmaceutical Holdings Inc., a global pharmaceutical company that produces high-quality affordable medicine, in its sale to SK Capital Partners.

The Blackstone Group Inc.

Acted for real estate funds managed by The Blackstone Group Inc. and their affiliates in Blackstone's $6.2-billion all-cash acquisition of Dream Global Real Estate Investment Trust and the separation of its external asset manager, Dream Asset Management.

LKQ Corporation

Acting as Canadian counsel to LKQ Corporation in its C$2.8-billion acquisition of Uni-Select Inc.

TransAlta Corporation

Acted for TransAlta Corporation in the strategic partnership with Brookfield Renewable Partners and its institutional partners, and the associated $750-million investment by Brookfield in TransAlta to advance TransAlta's transition to clean energy. The investment will occur in two tranches (i) $350 million in the form of exchangeable debentures at first closing expected in May 2019; and (ii) $400 million in the form of redeemable preferred shares at second closing expected in October 2020.

Shaw Communications Inc.

Acted for Shaw Communications Inc. in connection with its sale of Shaw Media Inc. to Corus Entertainment Inc. for $2.65 billion. Shaw Media is the owner of the Global Television Network and 19 specialty channels including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada and Showcase. Davies acted for Shaw in 2010 on the purchase of these assets from CanWest Global Communications for $2 billion. The proceeds from this sale were used to finance Shaw's acquisition of WIND Mobile for $1.6 billion. Davies acted for WIND Mobile.

Bulletin

Weed Wars Part III: The Joint Actor Issue

Mar. 23, 2018 - In the recently released joint reasons of the Ontario and Saskatchewan securities commissions in In the Matter of Aurora Cannabis Inc. in respect of the unsolicited takeover bid by Aurora Cannabis Inc. for all the shares of CanniMed Therapeutics Inc., the commissions considered when a...

Bulletin

Weed Wars Part II: Tactical Poison Pills and Lock-up Agreements in Hostile Bids

Mar. 20, 2018 - The Ontario and Saskatchewan securities commissions recently released joint reasons in In the Matter of Aurora Cannabis Inc. in respect of the unsolicited takeover bid by Aurora Cannabis Inc. for all the shares of CanniMed Therapeutics Inc. and CanniMed’s adoption of a shareholder rights...

Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Corporate/Commercial: Ontario (Star Individual – only recipient of this distinction in this category)

Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business—Corporate/M&A (Band 1)

Chambers Canada Award—Corporate Lawyer of the Year (2021)

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms—Mergers and Acquisitions

The Legal 500 Canada—Corporate and M&A (Hall of Fame)

The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada—Mergers and Acquisitions; Corporate Commercial Law; Corporate Finance and Securities; Corporate Mid-Market

Lexpert Special Edition: Energy

Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A

Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health Sciences

Lexpert Guide to US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada—Mergers & Acquisitions

The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory—Mergers and Acquisitions (Most Frequently Recommended); Corporate Finance and Securities (Most Frequently Recommended); Corporate Commercial Law (Most Frequently Recommended); Corporate Mid-Market (Most Frequently Recommended)

The Best Lawyers in Canada—Corporate Law; Corporate Governance Law (Lawyer of the Year 2023, Toronto); Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Lawyer of the Year 2018, Toronto); Securities Law

Who’s Who Legal: Canada—Mergers and Acquisitions; Capital Markets; Who’s Who Legal: Capital Markets—Debt and Equity; Structured Finance; Who’s Who Legal: M&A and Governance—Mergers and Acquisitions; Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders—Mergers and Acquisitions

Expert Guides—Mergers and Acquisitions

Bar Admissions

Ontario, 1990

Education

Osgoode Hall Law School, LLB, 1988
University of Western Ontario, MA (Economics), 1985
Simon Fraser University, BA (First Class Honours), 1984

Board Memberships

Pathways to Education, chair
Covenant House Toronto, former director
Camp Oochigeas, former chair

Community Involvement

Camp Oochigeas, former volunteer counsellor
St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, President’s Council

Teaching Engagements

Vince has taught securities law at the University of Western Ontario and at client continuing legal education seminars.