INTRODUCTION
In this Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 (referred to herein as the “AIF”), all references to “GFL”, “we”, “our”, “us”, “the Company” or similar terms refer to GFL Environmental Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Certain terms used herein are defined in the text and others are included in the glossary of terms.
This AIF should be read in conjunction with our 2023 audited annual consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the related annual management’s discussion and analysis, but which, for greater certainty, are not incorporated by reference herein. In this AIF, unless otherwise specified, all monetary amounts are in Canadian dollars, all references to “$”, “C$”, “CDN$”, “CAD$”, and “dollars” mean Canadian dollars and all references to “US$” and “USD” mean U.S. dollars.
Unless indicated otherwise, all information in this AIF is stated as of December 31, 2023.
Trademarks and Trade Names
This AIF includes certain trademarks, such as “GFL Green For Life”, “Green Today, Green For Life”, “GFL Environmental” and “GFL” which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are our property. Solely for convenience, our trademarks and trade names referred to in this AIF may appear without the (®) or (TM) symbol, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to these trademarks and trade names.
Forward-Looking Information
This AIF contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable securities laws in Canada. Forward-looking information includes all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, may relate to anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding our objectives, plans, goals, strategies, outlook, results of operations, financial and operating performance, dividend policy, prospects and opportunities. Particularly, statements regarding our expectations of future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities or the markets in which we operate are forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “targets”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “an opportunity exists”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “outlook”, “forecasts”, “projection”, “prospects”, “strategy”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will”, “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”, although not all forward-looking information includes those words or phrases. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts nor assurances of future performance but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances.
Forward-looking information contained in this AIF is based on our opinions, estimates and assumptions in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we currently believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. Despite a careful process to prepare and review the forward-looking information, there can be no assurance that the underlying opinions, estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Certain assumptions in respect of our ability to build our market share; our ability to retain key personnel; our ability to maintain and expand geographic scope; our ability to continue to grow our revenue and improve operating margins; our ability to maintain good relationships with our customers; our ability to execute on our expansion plans; our ability to respond to changing customer and legal requirements with respect to sustainable solutions or other matters; our ability to execute on additional acquisition opportunities and successfully integrate acquired businesses; our ability to continue investing in infrastructure to support our growth; our ability to obtain and maintain existing financing on acceptable terms; our ability to implement price increases or offset increasing costs; currency exchange and interest rates; the impact of competition; our potential liability, if any, in connection with environmental matters; the changes and trends in our industry or the global economy; and the changes in laws, rules, regulations, and global standards are material factors made in preparing forward-looking information and management’s expectations.