Telesat Corporation announced today that it is now a public company and will begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "TSAT". This follows the closing of Telesat's previously announced transaction with Loral Space and Communications Inc. and Public Sector Pension Investment Board, in which Loral's stockholders and Telesat Canada's other equityholders have exchanged their interests for equity in Telesat's new public holding structure. Telesat did not issue new equity to raise additional cash financing as part of the Transaction.
Telesat Canada and Loral have become subsidiaries of Telesat Corporation, the Canadian controlled and incorporated public holding company formed in connection with the Transaction. Telesat Corporation will continue to be led by Telesat's President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Goldberg.
"Today's announcement marks a major milestone for Telesat, driving forward our plans for growth, innovation and increased value for our customers, partners, employees and shareholders," said Goldberg. "By rationalizing our corporate structure and providing access to the public equity markets, this dual-listing enhances Telesat's ability to execute on its compelling investment opportunities to drive our growth-and the future of global broadband connectivity-including our transformative Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit satellite network."
Dr. Mark H. Rachesky, Chairman of the Board of Telesat, added "I commend the management team for developing and advancing our revolutionary global connectivity solution. Today, by executing this strategically important transaction, we have aligned ownership and positioned Telesat to realize the significant value of our world-class assets for all equityholders."
In the Transaction, each share of Loral common stock has been converted into the right to receive either one share of Telesat Corporation or one unit of Telesat Partnership LP ("Telesat Partnership"). PSP Investments and other shareholders of Telesat Canada have also exchanged their shares or equity awards into shares or equity awards of Telesat Corporation or units of Telesat Partnership.
In total, Telesat Corporation and Telesat Partnership are expected to have 49,546,940 shares and units outstanding, of which a total of 11,907,246 Class A common shares and Class B variable voting shares of Telesat Corporation will be outstanding initially. The Class A common shares and Class B variable voting shares of Telesat Corporation are listed for trading on NASDAQ and TSX, under the stock symbol TSAT.
The equity securities of Telesat Corporation and Telesat Partnership that are not listed for trading consist of Class C shares of Telesat Corporation and units of Telesat Partnership, which are convertible into Class A common shares and Class B variable voting shares of Telesat Corporation in accordance with their terms. (See Exhibit 1, for further detail.)
Telesat's Board of Directors will have a majority of Canadian directors and will include current Telesat Canada board members Melanie Bernier, Michael Boychuk, Richard Fadden, Henry (Hank) Intven, Dr. Mark H. Rachesky, Guthrie Stewart and Michael B. Targoff, along with new directors
+ Jason A. Caloras, MHR Fund Management LLC Principal
+ Jane Craighead, Chartered Professional Accountant and former Scotiabank Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources
+ Dan Goldberg, Telesat President and CEO
Following the completion of the Transaction, affiliated funds of MHR Fund Management LLC hold securities representing approximately 36% of Telesat's outstanding equity (on a combined basis), and PSP Investments beneficially holds securities representing approximately 37% of Telesat's outstanding equity (on a combined basis).