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Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject to the exceptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that: |
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| | 1. The Bank validly exists as a Schedule I bank under the Bank Act (Canada) and has the corporate power to own, lease and operate its properties, to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus, to create, issue and sell the Notes and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Indenture. |
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| | 2. The creation, issuance, sale and delivery of the Notes have been duly authorized by the Bank and the Notes have been, to the extent issuance, execution and delivery are matters governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, duly issued, executed and delivered by the Bank. The Notes, with respect to the provisions thereof governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Bank enforceable in accordance with their terms. |
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| | 3. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and, to the extent delivery is a matter governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, delivered by the Bank and, with respect to the provisions thereof governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Bank enforceable in accordance with its terms. |
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| | 4. The execution and delivery by the Bank of, and the performance by the Bank of its obligations under, the Notes and the Indenture do not contravene any existing provision of applicable law or result in a breach (whether after notice or lapse of time or both) of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Bank Act (Canada) or the by-laws of the Bank. |
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| | The opinions set forth in paragraphs 2 and 3 above as to the enforceability of the Notes and the Indenture, respectively, are subject to the qualifications that: |
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| | (i) enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, preference, moratorium, arrangement or winding-up laws or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; |
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| | (ii) enforceability may be limited by equitable principles, including the principle that equitable remedies such as specific performance and injunction may only be granted in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction; and |
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| | (iii) enforceability will be subject to the limitations contained in the Limitations Act, 2002 (Ontario), and we express no opinion as to whether a court may find any provision of the Indenture to be unenforceable as an attempt to vary or exclude a limitation period under that Act. |