TAX MATTERS
Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following summary supplements the discussion under “Tax Matters — Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus, to which reference is hereby made.
In the opinion of Stikeman Elliott LLP, Canadian counsel for the Underwriters, the following is a fair summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable at the date hereof to a person who acquires beneficial ownership of a bond pursuant to this prospectus supplement and who at all relevant times, for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”): (a) is not, and is not deemed to be, a resident of Canada, (b) does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the bond in, or in the course of, carrying on a business in Canada, and (c) does not carry on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere (a “Non-Resident Holder”).
This summary is based upon: (a) the current provisions of the Tax Act and the regulations thereunder (the “Regulations”) in force as of the date hereof, (b) all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act or the Regulations that have been publicly announced by, or on behalf of, the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Tax Proposals”), and (c) counsel’s understanding of the published administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”). This summary assumes that the Tax Proposals will be enacted as currently proposed, but no assurance can be given that this will be the case. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations and, except for the Tax Proposals, does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law or in the administrative or assessing policies and practices of the CRA, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action, nor does it take into account provincial, territorial or foreign tax considerations. No assurances can be given that changes in the law or administrative practices or future court decisions will not affect the Canadian federal income tax treatment of a Non-Resident Holder.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be considered to be, legal or tax advice to any particular Non-Resident Holder and no representation with respect to the consequences to any particular Non-Resident Holder is made. Therefore, each Non-Resident Holder should consult its own tax advisors for advice regarding its particular circumstances.
Interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited by Canada to a Non-Resident Holder on a bond will be exempt from Canadian non-resident withholding tax and Canada will not be required to deduct or withhold tax from interest or principal paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited by Canada to the Non-Resident Holder on the bond. Generally, there are no other Canadian income taxes that would be payable by a Non-Resident Holder as a result of holding or disposing of a bond (including for greater certainty, any gain realized by a Non-Resident Holder on a disposition of a bond).
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following summary supplements the discussion under “Tax Matters — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the prospectus, to which reference is hereby made. The description reflects present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive changes. The following summary deals only with persons who purchase the bonds in the initial offering at the offering price to the public and who are United States Persons (as defined below) that hold bonds as capital assets. It does not deal with the tax considerations relevant to certain holders, such as banks, traders who elect to mark to market, life insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, persons holding bonds as a hedge, straddle, conversion or integrated transaction, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons required to accelerate the recognition of any
item of gross income as a result of such income being recognized on an “applicable financial statement,” and persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. In addition to other qualifications set forth in the
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