numbers, the exercise price, dates and periods of exercise, the currency in which the Warrants are issued and any other specific terms; and (vi) in the case of Units, the designation and terms of the Units and of the securities comprising the Units, the currency in which the Units are issued and any other specific terms.
This prospectus does not qualify for issuance Debt Securities in respect of which the payment of principal and/or interest may be determined, in whole or in part, by reference to one or more underlying interests including, for example, an equity or debt security, a statistical measure of economic or financial performance including, but not limited to, any currency, consumer price or mortgage index, or the price or value of one or more commodities, indices or other items, or any other item or formula, or any combination or basket of the foregoing items. For greater certainty, this prospectus may qualify for issuance Debt Securities in respect of which the payment of principal and/or interest may be determined, in whole or in part, by reference to published rates of a central banking authority or one or more financial institutions, such as a prime rate or bankers’ acceptance rate, or to recognized market benchmark interest rates.
All information permitted under applicable securities laws to be omitted from this prospectus will be contained in one or more prospectus supplements that will be delivered to purchasers together with this prospectus. Each prospectus supplement will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus as of the date of such prospectus supplement but only for the purposes of the distribution of the Securities to which the prospectus supplement pertains.
Our head and registered office is located at 200 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 1E5.
We are permitted to prepare this prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from those of the United States. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles which follow International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). They are not comparable to financial statements of United States companies.
Owning the Securities may subject you to tax consequences both in the United States and Canada. This prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement may not describe these tax consequences fully. You should read the tax discussion in any applicable prospectus supplement and consult with your own tax adviser with respect to your own particular circumstances.
Your ability to enforce civil liabilities under the United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely because we are incorporated in Canada, most of our directors and officers and certain of the experts named in this prospectus are Canadian residents, and a significant portion of our assets are located outside the United States.
Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or provincial securities regulator has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence.
In connection with any offering of the Securities, the underwriters, dealers or agents mayover-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities offered at a higher level than that which might exist in the open market. These transactions may be commenced, interrupted or discontinued at any time. See “Plan of Distribution.”
The outstanding Common Shares are currently listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Philippines Stock Exchange, and the outstanding Class A Shares Series 2, Class A Shares Series 3, Class 1 Shares Series 3, Class 1 Shares Series 4, Class 1 Shares Series 5, Class 1 Shares Series 7, Class 1 Shares Series 9, Class 1 Shares Series 11, Class 1 Shares Series 13, Class 1 Shares Series 15, Class 1 Shares Series 17, Class 1 Shares Series 19, Class 1 Shares Series 21, Class 1 Shares Series 23 and Class 1 Shares Series 25 are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any Securities offered hereby will not be listed on any stock exchange.
The Securities may be sold through underwriters or dealers, directly by us pursuant to applicable statutory exemptions, or through designated agents from time to time. Each prospectus supplement will identify each underwriter, dealer or agent engaged in connection with the offering and sale of those Securities, and will also set forth the terms of the offering of such Securities including the net proceeds to us and, to the extent applicable, any fees payable to the underwriters, dealers or agents.
An investment in Securities involves significant risks that should be carefully considered by prospective investors before purchasing Securities. The risks outlined in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, including the applicable prospectus supplement, should be carefully reviewed and considered by prospective investors in connection with any investment in Securities. See “Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”.
The Debt Securities will be direct unsecured obligations of MFC constituting senior or subordinated indebtedness, as identified in the relevant prospectus supplement, for the purposes of theInsurance Companies Act (Canada) (the “ICA”) and will not constitute deposits that are insured under theCanada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (the “CDIC Act”), or by theU.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).