Ace Aviation Reports First Quarter Results

MONTRÉAL, May 30, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. (ACE) announced today its results for the first  quarter of 2016.

2016 First Quarter Results

In the first quarter of 2016, ACE recorded a decrease in net assets in liquidation of approximately $42,000 as a result of administrative and other expenses, offset by interest income earned during the quarter.

As at May 30, 2016, ACE's only remaining assets consist of cash in an aggregate amount of approximately $19 million.

Liquidation Process and Court Approval for Interim Distribution to Shareholders

On June 28, 2012, further to the approval by ACE shareholders on April 25, 2012 of a special resolution providing for the voluntary liquidation of ACE, the Superior Court of Québec (Commercial Division) (the "Court") issued an order appointing Ernst & Young Inc. as liquidator of ACE (the "Liquidator").

Pursuant to an order issued by the Court on February 25, 2013, the Liquidator established a process for the identification, resolution and barring of claims and other contingent liabilities against ACE. Creditors had until May 13, 2013 to file their proof of claims, failing which their claims would be barred and extinguished. The interim consolidated financial statements of ACE for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 and the related management's discussion and analysis include a description of proofs of claim which were filed and the status thereof. All of the remaining contingent obligations which were the object of proofs of claims filed in connection with such claims process have expired at the beginning of 2016.

Given the results of the claims process and the expiry of all of the remaining contingent obligations covered by proofs of claims filed in connection with such process, the Liquidator announced on April 29, 2016 that it would seek Court approval for a distribution to shareholders of ACE in the aggregate amount of $12 million. ACE expects that the Court hearing will be held on June 1, 2016. The Liquidator has posted a copy of the relevant application to the Court and notice of the hearing date on its website at www.ey.com/ca/aceaviation. Any distribution to shareholders is subject to Court approval and there is no certainty as to the amount or timing of such distribution. The record date and payment date for such distribution would be announced by subsequent press release upon receipt of approval from the Court, and such dates are currently expected to be in June 2016.

Liquidation and Dissolution Process and Final Distribution to Shareholders

Following the interim distribution to shareholders of $12 million expected to occur in June 2016, ACE's only remaining assets are expected to consist of cash in an aggregate amount of approximately $7 million. 

During the remainder of 2016, ACE will complete the remaining corporate, administrative and tax processes to facilitate its dissolution and the final distribution of the remaining cash of ACE prior to its dissolution. ACE currently expects that such final distribution and dissolution will occur within the next twelve months.

The final distribution to shareholders, the cancellation of the shares of ACE and the dissolution of ACE will not occur until all necessary corporate, administrative and tax measures to dissolve ACE are completed and until the settlement of any remaining contingencies that may arise in connection with the remaining liquidation and dissolution steps of ACE. There is no certainty as to the timing or amount of such final distribution and dissolution.

The distributions to shareholders of ACE will generally be treated as deemed dividends from a Canadian tax standpoint. Such deemed dividends will be designated as eligible dividends for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Annual Shareholder Meeting

As previously announced, effective as of June 28, 2012, all of the directors and officers of ACE resigned from their positions and the Liquidator was vested with the powers of the directors and the shareholders of ACE in accordance with the Canada Business Corporations Act and the Court order issued on June 28, 2012. Accordingly, ACE does not plan to hold an annual shareholder meeting in 2016 with respect to the financial year ended December 31, 2015. ACE filed an application with the Court to confirm that no such shareholder meeting shall be held and the Liquidator has posted a copy of the relevant application to the Court and notice of the hearing date on its website at www.ey.com/ca/aceaviation. ACE expects that the Court hearing will be held on June 1, 2016. Shareholders who have questions or require additional information with respect to ACE and the liquidation process may contact the Liquidator by telephone (1-855-279-8388 or 416-943-4444) or by fax (1-416-943-3300).

For additional information with respect to the liquidation of ACE, refer to the management proxy circular dated March 9, 2012, the interim consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 and the other public filings of ACE which are available at www.sedar.com and www.aceaviation.com.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to strategies, expectations, future actions, the timing of the liquidation, the timing and amount of distributions to shareholders, the timing of Court hearings and Court approvals, the final distribution to shareholders, the cancellation of the shares of ACE and the dissolution of ACE. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will", "would", and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Any forecasts or forward-looking predictions or statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, market, regulatory developments or proceedings, and actions by third parties as well as the factors identified throughout ACE's filings with securities regulators in Canada and, in particular, those identified in the Risk Factors section of ACE's 2015 Annual MD&A dated April 29, 2016. ACE will continue to incur operating costs and fees for the duration of the winding-up process. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent ACE's expectations as of the date they are made, and are subject to change after such date. However, ACE disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

SOURCE ACE Aviation Holdings Inc.