As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2010
Registration No. 333-
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM F-10
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ENBRIDGE INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Canada (Province or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
4923 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number (if applicable)) |
None (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number (if applicable)) |
3000, 425 - 1st Street S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 3L8
Telephone Number: (403) 231-3900
(Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Chris Kaitson
Enbridge (U.S.) Inc.
1100 Louisiana, Suite 3300
Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone Number: (713) 650-8900
(Name, address, (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United States)
Copies to:
Robert E. Buckholz, Jr. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 125 Broad Street New York, New York 10004 Telephone Number: (212) 558-4000 |
Alison T. Love Vice President, Corporate Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer Enbridge Inc. 3000, 425 - 1st Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 3L8 Telephone Number: (403) 231-3900 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:
From time to time after this Registration Statement is declared effective, as determined by market conditions.
Province of Alberta
(Principal jurisdiction regulating this offering (if applicable))
It is proposed that this filing shall become effective (check appropriate box):
A. | o | Upon filing with the Commission, pursuant to Rule 467(a) (if in connection with an offering being made contemporaneously in the United States and Canada | ||||||
B. | ý | At some future date (check the appropriate box below): | ||||||
1. | o | pursuant to Rule 467(b) on at (designate a time not sooner than 7 calendar days after filing) | ||||||
2. | o | pursuant to Rule 467(b) on at (designate a time 7 calendar days or sooner after filing) because the securities regulatory authority in the review jurisdiction has issued a receipt or notification of clearance on | ||||||
3. | ý | pursuant to Rule 467(b) as soon as practicable after notification of the Commission by the Registrant or the Canadian securities regulatory authority of the review jurisdiction that a receipt or notification of clearance has been issued with respect hereto. | ||||||
4. | o | After the filing of the next amendment to this form (if preliminary material is being filed). |
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the home jurisdiction's shelf short form prospectus offering procedures, check the following box. ý
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
Amount to be Registered(1) |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Unit(1)(2) |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price per Unit(1)(2) |
Amount of Registration Fee(3) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Debt Securities | ||||||||
Common Shares | ||||||||
Preferred Shares | ||||||||
Total | US$2,000,000,000(4) | 100% | US$2,000,000,000 | US$142,600 | ||||
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registration statement shall become effective as provided in Rule 467 under the Securities Act of 1933 or on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Act, may determine.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS
I-1
No securities regulatory authority has expressed an opinion about these securities and it is an offence to claim otherwise.
This short form prospectus has been filed under legislation in each of the provinces of Canada that permits certain information about these securities to be determined after this prospectus has become final and that permits the omission from this short form prospectus of that information. The legislation requires the delivery to purchasers of a prospectus supplement containing the omitted information within a specified period of time after agreeing to purchase any of these securities.
This short form prospectus constitutes a public offering of these securities only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale and therein only by persons permitted to sell such securities.
Information has been incorporated by reference in this short form prospectus from documents filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada. Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary of Enbridge Inc., Suite 3000, 425 1st Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3L8 (telephone (403) 231-3900), and are also available electronically at www.sedar.com.
SHORT FORM BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS
NEW ISSUE | October 28, 2010 |
ENBRIDGE INC.
US$2,000,000,000
DEBT SECURITIES
COMMON SHARES
PREFERRED SHARES
We may from time to time offer our debt securities, common shares and preferred shares (collectively, the "Securities"), up to an aggregate initial offering price of US $2,000,000,000 (or its equivalent in Canadian dollars or any other currency or currency unit used to denominate the Securities) during the 25 month period that this short form base shelf prospectus (the "Prospectus"), including any amendments hereto, remains valid.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "SEC") NOR HAS THE SEC PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This offering is made by a foreign issuer that is permitted, under a multi-jurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States, to prepare this Prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements. Prospective investors should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States. The financial statements incorporated herein have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("Canadian GAAP") and are subject to Canadian auditing and auditor independence standards. As a result, they may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies.
Prospective investors should be aware that the acquisition of the Securities may have tax consequences both in the United States and Canada. Such tax consequences for investors who are resident in, or citizens of, the United States may not be described fully herein or in any applicable Prospectus Supplement (as defined herein). You should read the tax discussion under "Certain Income Tax Considerations" herein and in any applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that the Corporation is incorporated and organized under the laws of Canada, that most of its officers and directors are residents of Canada, that some of the experts named in this Prospectus are residents of Canada, and that all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation and said persons are located outside the United States.
The specific variable terms of any offering of Securities will be set forth in a shelf prospectus supplement (a "Prospectus Supplement") including, where applicable: (i) in the case of common shares or preferred shares, the number of shares offered and the offering price; and (ii) in the case of debt securities, the designation, any limit on the aggregate principal amount, the currency or currency unit, the maturity, the offering price, whether payment on the debt securities will be senior or subordinated to our other liabilities and obligations, whether the debt securities will bear interest, the interest rate or method of determining the interest rate, any terms of redemption, any conversion or exchange rights and any other specific terms of the debt securities. You should read this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement before you invest in any Securities.
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, other than as required to provide for an interest rate that is adjusted for inflation. 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 a bankers' acceptance rate, or to recognized market benchmark interest rates such as LIBOR, EURIBOR or a U.S. federal funds rate.
The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "ENB". The Corporation's Preferred Shares, Series A are listed on the TSX under the symbol "ENB.PR.A". There is currently no market through which the debt securities may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell such securities issued under this Prospectus. This may affect the pricing of those securities in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of the securities, and the extent of issuer regulation. See "Risk Factors".
The Corporation may sell the Securities to or through underwriters or dealers purchasing as principals, directly to one or more purchasers pursuant to applicable statutory exemptions or through agents. See "Plan of Distribution". The Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Securities will identify each underwriter, dealer or agent engaged in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities, and will set forth the terms of the offering of such Securities, including the method of distribution, the proceeds to us and any fees, discounts or any other compensation payable to underwriters, dealers or agents and any other material terms of offering of such Securities.
In connection with any offering of Securities, the underwriters, agents or dealers may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. See "Plan of Distribution".
The head and registered office of the Corporation is located at Suite 3000, 425 1st Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3L8.
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Page | |
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About this Prospectus |
2 | |
Documents Incorporated by Reference |
3 | |
Certain Available Information |
4 | |
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements |
5 | |
The Corporation |
6 | |
Use of Proceeds |
7 | |
Earnings Coverage Ratios |
7 | |
Description of Debt Securities |
7 | |
Description of Share Capital |
22 | |
Certain Income Tax Considerations |
24 | |
Plan of Distribution |
24 | |
Risk Factors |
25 | |
Legal Matters |
25 | |
Experts |
25 | |
Documents Filed as Part of the Registration Statement |
25 | |
Enforcement of Civil Liabilities |
26 | |
Purchasers' Statutory Rights |
26 | |
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
27 | |
Certificate of Enbridge Inc. |
28 |
In this Prospectus and in any Prospectus Supplement, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars or Cdn$. "U.S. dollars" or "US$" means lawful currency of the United States. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial information included and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or included in any Prospectus Supplement is determined using Canadian GAAP. "U.S. GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. For a discussion of the principal differences between our financial information as calculated under Canadian GAAP and under U.S. GAAP, you should refer to the notes of our consolidated annual financial statements incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Except as set forth under "Description of Debt Securities", and unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement to "Enbridge", the "Corporation", "we", "us" and "our" mean Enbridge Inc. and its subsidiaries, partnership interests and joint venture investments.
This Prospectus provides a general description of the Securities that we may offer. Each time we sell Securities under this Prospectus, we will provide you with a Prospectus Supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The Prospectus Supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus. Before investing in any Securities, you should read both this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement together with additional information described below under "Documents Incorporated by Reference" and "Certain Available Information".
We take responsibility only for the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus Supplement and on the other information included in the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making an offer of the Securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted by law. You should bear in mind that although the information contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this Prospectus is intended to be accurate as of the date on the front of such documents, such information may also be amended, supplemented or updated by the subsequent filing of additional documents deemed by law to be or otherwise incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and by any subsequently filed prospectus amendments.
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Corporation with the securities commission or similar regulatory authority in each of the provinces of Canada and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), are specifically incorporated by reference in, and form an integral part of, this Prospectus, except as otherwise provided below:
Any documents of the type referred to above, any interim financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis, any material change reports (except confidential material change reports), business acquisition reports and any exhibits to interim unaudited financial statements which contain updated earnings coverage calculations filed by the Corporation with the various securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the expiry of the term of this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. These documents are available through the internet on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) which can be accessed at www.sedar.com. In addition, any similar documents filed on Form 6-K or Form 40-F by the Corporation with the SEC after the date of this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, if and to the extent expressly provided in such report. The Corporation's reports on Form 6-K and its annual report on Form 40-F are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Upon a new annual information form and the related annual financial statements and management's discussion and analysis being filed by the Corporation with and, where required, accepted by the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the term of this Prospectus, any previous annual information form, any previous annual financial statements, all interim financial statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis, any material change reports and any business acquisition reports filed by the Corporation prior to the commencement of the financial year of the Corporation in respect of which the new annual information form is filed shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of Securities hereunder. Upon interim financial statements and the accompanying management's discussion and analysis being filed by the Corporation with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the term of this Prospectus, all interim financial statements and the accompanying management's discussion and analysis filed prior to the new interim financial statements shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of Securities hereunder, and upon a new management information circular relating to an annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation being filed by the Corporation with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the term of this short form prospectus, any management information circular for a previous
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annual meeting of shareholders shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of Securities hereunder.
Any statement contained in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set forth in the document that it modifies or supersedes. The making of such a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this Prospectus.
A Prospectus Supplement containing the specific terms of an offering of Securities will be filed together with this Prospectus and will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus as of the date of such supplement solely for the purposes of the offering of the Securities offered thereunder.
Updated earnings coverage ratios will be filed quarterly with the applicable securities regulatory authorities, either as exhibits to the Corporation's unaudited interim and audited annual financial statements or as Prospectus Supplements and will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus for the purposes of the offering of the Securities.
Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary of Enbridge Inc., Suite 3000, 425 1st Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3L8 (telephone (403) 231 3900).
The Corporation has filed with the SEC under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), a registration statement on Form F-10 relating to the Securities and of which this Prospectus forms a part. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in such registration statement, certain items of which are contained in the exhibits to the registration statement as permitted or required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. See "Documents Filed as Part of the Registration Statement". Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the exhibit, if applicable, for a more complete description of the relevant matter, each such statement being qualified in its entirety by such reference. Items of information omitted from this Prospectus but contained in the registration statement will be available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
The Corporation is subject to the information requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the SEC. Under the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States and Canada, such reports and other information may be prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada, which requirements are different from those of the United States. The Corporation is exempt from the rules under the U.S. Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and its officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the U.S. Exchange Act. Under the U.S. Exchange Act, the Corporation is not required to publish financial statements as
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promptly as United States companies. Such reports and other information will be available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus, including documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, contain both historical and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act and Section 21E of the U.S. Exchange Act. This information has been included to provide readers with information about the Corporation and its subsidiaries, including management's assessment of Enbridge's and its subsidiaries' future plans and operations. This information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "intend", "target", "believe" and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information or statements included or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: expected earnings or adjusted earnings; expected earnings or adjusted earnings per share; expected costs related to projects under construction; expected in-service dates for projects under construction; expected tariffs for pipelines; expected capital expenditures; and estimated future dividends.
Although Enbridge believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable based on the information available on the date such statements are made and processes used to prepare the information, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Material assumptions include assumptions about:
Assumptions regarding the expected supply and demand of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, and the prices of these commodities, are material to and underlay all forward-looking statements. These factors are relevant to all forward-looking statements as they may impact current and future levels of demand for the Corporation's services. Similarly, exchange, inflation and interest rates impact the economies and business environments in which the Corporation operates, may impact levels of demand for the Corporation's services and cost of inputs, and are therefore inherent in all forward-looking statements. Due to the interdependencies and correlation of these macroeconomic factors, the impact of any one assumption on a forward-looking statement cannot be determined with certainty, particularly with respect to expected earnings or adjusted earnings and associated per share amounts, or estimated future dividends. The most relevant assumptions associated with forward-looking
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statements on projects under construction, including estimated in-service dates and expected capital expenditures, include:
Enbridge's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to operating performance, regulatory parameters, project approval and support, weather, economic and competitive conditions, exchange rates, interest rates, commodity prices and supply and demand for commodities, including but not limited to those risks and uncertainties discussed in this Prospectus and in documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. The impact of any one risk, uncertainty or factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as these are interdependent and Enbridge's future course of action depends on management's assessment of all information available at the relevant time. Except to the extent required by applicable Canadian law, Enbridge assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made in this Prospectus or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Enbridge or persons acting on the Corporation's behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
Enbridge is a North American leader in delivering energy. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the United States, the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Corporation also has a significant involvement in the natural gas transmission and midstream businesses. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company and provides distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. As a clean energy generator, Enbridge is expanding its interests in renewable and green energy technologies, including wind and solar energy, and hybrid fuel cells. Enbridge employs approximately 6,000 people, primarily in Canada and the United States.
The Corporation's activities are carried out through four business segments, Liquids Pipelines, Natural Gas Delivery and Services, Sponsored Investments and Corporate. Each business segment's contribution to earnings and revenues is as follows:
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2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
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|
Revenues |
Earnings |
Revenues |
Earnings |
Revenues |
Earnings |
|||||||||||||
Liquids Pipelines |
11% | 29% | 7% | 25% | 9% | 41% | |||||||||||||
Natural Gas Delivery and Services |
86% | 41% | 91% | 73% | 89% | 49% | |||||||||||||
Sponsored Investments |
3% | 9% | 2% | 8% | 2% | 14% | |||||||||||||
Corporate |
| 21% | | (6)% | | (4)% | |||||||||||||
The Corporation was incorporated on April 13, 1970 under the Companies Act of the Northwest Territories and was continued under the Canada Business Corporations Act on December 15, 1987. The registered office and principal place of business of the Corporation are at Suite 3000, 425 1st Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3L8.
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Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities will be added to the general funds of the Corporation to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include reducing outstanding indebtedness and financing capital expenditures, investments and working capital requirements of the Corporation. Specific information about the use of proceeds from the sale of any Securities will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement. The Corporation may invest funds that it does not immediately require in short-term marketable debt securities. The Corporation expects that it may, from time to time, issue securities other than pursuant to this Prospectus.
The net proceeds to be received by the Corporation from the sale of the Securities from time to time under this Prospectus are not expected to be applied to fund any specific project. The Corporation's overall corporate strategy and major initiatives supporting its strategy are summarized in the Corporation's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2009, as modified or superseded by information contained in the Corporation's management's discussion and analysis for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010, and subsequent periods, incorporated herein by reference.
The following earnings coverage ratios have been calculated on a consolidated basis for the respective 12 month periods ended December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010 and are derived from audited financial information, in the case of December 31, 2009, and unaudited financial information, in the case of June 30, 2010. The following earnings coverage ratios: (i) do not give effect to the issue of any debt securities pursuant to this Prospectus; (ii) do not purport to be indicative of earnings coverage ratios for any future periods; and (iii) have been calculated based on Canadian GAAP. The following earnings coverage ratios give effect to the issuance of all of the Corporation's currently outstanding debt securities and assume repayment thereof as of the respective stated maturities of such debt securities.
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December 31, 2009 | June 30, 2010 | ||
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Earnings coverage on long term debt |
3.6 times | 2.9 times |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
In this section, the terms "Corporation" and "Enbridge" refer only to Enbridge Inc. and not to its subsidiaries. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The Corporation will provide particular terms and provisions of a series of debt securities and a description of how the general terms and provisions described below may apply to that series in a Prospectus Supplement. Prospective investors should rely on information in the applicable Prospectus Supplement if it is different from the following information.
The debt securities will be issued under an indenture (the "Indenture") dated February 25, 2005 between Enbridge and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The Indenture is subject to and governed by the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. A form of the Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part and is available as described above under "Certain Available Information". The following is a summary of the Indenture. For further details, prospective investors should refer to the Indenture.
The Corporation may issue debt securities and incur additional indebtedness other than through the offering of debt securities pursuant to this Prospectus.
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General
The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities which may be issued under the Indenture. It provides that debt securities will be in registered form, may be issued from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars or any other currency. Material Canadian and United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any debt securities, and special tax considerations applicable to the debt securities denominated in a currency or currency unit other than Canadian or U.S. dollars, will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the offering of debt securities.
The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the following terms relating to the debt securities being offered:
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Indenture does not afford the holders the right to tender debt securities to Enbridge for repurchase or provide for any increase in the rate or rates of interest at which the debt securities will bear interest, in the event Enbridge should become involved in a highly leveraged transaction or in the event of a change in control of Enbridge.
Debt securities may be issued under the Indenture bearing no interest or interest at a rate below the prevailing market rate at the time of issuance, and may be offered and sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. The Canadian and United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities or other debt securities offered and sold at par which are treated as having been issued at a discount for Canadian and/or United States federal income tax purposes will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Enbridge may, without the consent of the holders thereof, reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of such series.
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Ranking and Other Indebtedness
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the debt securities will be unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of the Corporation's other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Enbridge is a holding company that conducts substantially all of its operations and holds substantially all of its assets through its subsidiaries. As at June 30, 2010, Enbridge's subsidiaries had outstanding Cdn$6.3 billion aggregate principal amount of long-term debt, of which Cdn$6.3 billion relates to long-term debt incurred by regulated entities. The debt securities issued under this Prospectus will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities, including trade payables and other indebtedness, of Enbridge's subsidiaries.
Form, Denominations and Exchange
Debt securities will be issuable solely as registered securities without coupons in denominations of US $1,000 and integral multiples of US $1,000, or in such other denominations as may be set out in the terms of the debt securities of any particular series. The Indenture also provides that debt securities of a series may be issuable in global form.
Registered securities of any series will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor of different authorized denominations.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may indicate the places to register a transfer of debt securities, if other than the corporate trust office of the Trustee. Except for certain restrictions set forth in the Indenture, no service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but the Corporation may, in certain instances, require a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charges payable in connection with these transactions.
The Corporation shall not be required to: (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of debt securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any registered security, or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part; or (iii) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities which have been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, thereof not to be so repaid.
Payment
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities will be made at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, 60 Wall Street, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10005, or the Corporation may choose to pay principal, interest and any premium by (i) check mailed or delivered to the address of the person entitled at the address appearing in the security register of the Trustee or (ii) wire transfer to an account located in the United States of the person entitled to receive payments as specified in the securities register.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of any interest will be made to the persons in whose name the debt securities are registered at the close of business on the day or days specified by the Corporation.
Global Securities
The registered debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in global form (a "Global Security") and will be registered in the name of and be deposited with a depository (the "Depositary"), or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the Prospectus Supplement, if
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the depository is other than The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and if the Trustee's nominee is other than Cede & Co. Unless and until exchanged, in whole or in part, for debt securities in definitive registered form, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor of the Depositary or a nominee of the successor.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to a series of debt securities, DTC, New York, New York, will act as the depositary for the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC's nominee. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the U.S. Exchange Act. Direct participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations.
If other than as described below, the specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to any portion of a particular series of debt securities to be represented by a Global Security will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. The Corporation anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all depository arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary therefor or its nominee will credit, on its book entry and registration system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the Global Security to the accounts of such persons having accounts with such Depositary or its nominee ("participants"). Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities or by Enbridge if such debt securities are offered and sold directly by the Corporation. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary therefor or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) or by participants or persons that hold through participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states in the United States may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form.
So long as the Depositary for a Global Security or its nominee is the registered owner of the Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series represented by the Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities of such series in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.
Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued or if there has occurred and be continuing an event of default under the Indenture. The Depositary will have no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities; the Depositary's records will reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The direct and indirect participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Any payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Global Securities registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security representing such debt securities. None of Enbridge,
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the Trustee or any paying agent for debt securities represented by the Global Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
The Corporation expects that the Depositary for a Global Security or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global Security as shown on the records of such Depositary or its nominee. The Corporation also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such participants.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Depositary to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial owners of debt securities may wish to take certain steps to augment transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the debt securities, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults, and proposed amendments to the Indenture.
Any redemption notices relating to the debt securities will be sent to the Depositary. If less than all of the debt securities of a series are being redeemed, the Depositary may determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the series to be redeemed. Neither the Depositary nor its nominee will consent or vote with respect to debt securities unless authorized by a direct participant in accordance with the Depositary's procedures. Under its procedures, the Depositary may send a proxy to the Corporation as soon as possible after the record date for a consent or vote. The proxy would assign the Depositary's nominee's consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the relevant record date.
No Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any person other than the Depositary for the Global Security or its nominee unless (1) the Depositary (A) has notified the Corporation that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Security or (B) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the U.S. Exchange Act, or (2) there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under the Indenture.
Definitions
The Indenture contains, among others, definitions substantially to the following effect:
"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means all consolidated assets of the Corporation as shown on the most recent audited consolidated balance sheet of the Corporation, less the aggregate of the following amounts reflected upon such balance sheet:
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"Consolidated Shareholders' Equity" means the aggregate amount of shareholders' equity (including, without limitation, common share capital, contributed surplus and retained earnings but excluding preferred share capital) of the Corporation as shown on the most recent audited consolidated balance sheet of the Corporation adjusted by the amount by which share capital and contributed surplus has been increased or decreased (as the case may be) from the date of such balance sheet to the relevant date of determination, the whole in accordance with Canadian GAAP.
"Financial Instrument Obligations" means obligations arising under:
to the extent of the net amount due or accruing due by the Corporation thereunder (determined by marking-to-market the same in accordance with their terms).
"Indebtedness" means all items of indebtedness in respect of amounts borrowed and all Purchase Money Obligations which, in accordance with Canadian GAAP, would be recorded in the financial statements as at the date as of which such Indebtedness is to be determined, and in any event including, without duplication:
"Non-Recourse Assets" means the assets created, developed, constructed or acquired with or in respect of which Non-Recourse Debt has been incurred and any and all receivables, inventory, equipment, chattel paper, intangibles and other rights or collateral arising from or connected with the assets created, developed, constructed or acquired and to which recourse of the lender of such Non-Recourse Debt (or any agent, trustee, receiver or other person acting on behalf of such lender) in
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respect of such indebtedness is limited in all circumstances (other than in respect of false or misleading representations or warranties).
"Non-Recourse Debt" means any Indebtedness incurred to finance the creation, development, construction or acquisition of assets and any increases in or extensions, renewals or refundings of any such Indebtedness, provided that the recourse of the lender thereof or any agent, trustee, receiver or other person acting on behalf of the lender in respect of such Indebtedness or any judgment in respect thereof is limited in all circumstances (other than in respect of false or misleading representations or warranties) to the assets created, developed, constructed or acquired in respect of which such Indebtedness has been incurred and to any receivables, inventory, equipment, chattel paper, intangibles and other rights or collateral connected with the assets created, developed, constructed or acquired and to which the lender has recourse.
"Petroleum Substances" means crude oil, crude bitumen, synthetic crude oil, petroleum, natural gas, natural gas liquids, related hydrocarbons and any and all other substances, whether liquid, solid or gaseous, whether hydrocarbons or not, produced or producable in association with any of the foregoing, including hydrogen sulphide and sulphur.
"Purchase Money Obligation" means any monetary obligation created or assumed as part of the purchase price of real or tangible personal property, whether or not secured, any extensions, renewals, or refundings of any such obligation, provided that the principal amount of such obligation outstanding on the date of such extension, renewal or refunding is not increased and further provided that any security given in respect of such obligation shall not extend to any property other than the property acquired in connection with which such obligation was created or assumed and fixed improvements, if any, erected or constructed thereon.
"Security Interest" means any security by way of assignment, mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, encumbrance, title retention agreement or other security interest whatsoever, howsoever created or arising, whether absolute or contingent, fixed or floating, perfected or not.
Covenants
The Indenture contains promises by the Corporation, called "covenants" for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities. Except to the extent that covenants are modified, deleted or added with respect to any series of debt securities, as provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to such series of debt securities, the Corporation will make the covenant described under the heading " Limitation on Security Interests" for the holders of the senior debt securities, but not for the holders of subordinated debt securities, and will make each of the covenants described under the heading " Other Indenture Covenants" for the holders of all debt securities, unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement.
Limitation on Security Interests
The Corporation agrees in the Indenture, for the benefit of the holders of senior debt securities, but not for the benefit of the holders of subordinated debt securities, that it will not create, assume or otherwise have outstanding any Security Interest on its assets securing any Indebtedness unless the obligations of the Corporation in respect of all senior debt securities then outstanding shall be secured equally and rateably therewith.
This covenant has significant exceptions which allow the Corporation to incur or allow to exist over its properties and assets Permitted Encumbrances (as defined in the Indenture), which include, among other things:
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In addition, the Indenture permits the Corporation to incur or allow to exist any other Security Interest or Security Interests if the amount of Indebtedness secured under the Security Interest or Security Interests does not exceed 5% of the Corporation's Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
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The Indenture covenant restricting Security Interests will not restrict the Corporation's ability to sell its property and other assets and will not restrict any subsidiary of the Corporation from creating, assuming or otherwise having outstanding any Security Interests on its assets.
Other Indenture Covenants
Except to the extent that covenants are modified, deleted or added with respect to any series of debt securities, as provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to such series of debt securities, the Corporation will covenant with respect to each series of debt securities to (1) duly and punctually pay amounts due on the debt securities; (2) maintain an office or agency where debt securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to the Corporation may be served; (3) deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate stating whether or not the Corporation is in default under the Indenture; (4) pay before delinquency, taxes, assessments and governmental charges and lawful claims for labour, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Corporation, subject to the right of the Corporation to contest the validity of a charge, assessment or claim in good faith; and (5) maintain and keep in good condition properties used or useful in the conduct of its business and make necessary repairs and improvements as in the judgment of the Corporation are necessary to carry on the Corporation's business; provided, that the Corporation may discontinue operating or maintaining any of its properties if, in the judgment of the Corporation, the discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of the Corporation's business and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the debt securities.
Subject to the provision described under the heading " Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets" below, the Corporation will also covenant that it will do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights and franchises; provided that the Corporation is not required to preserve any right or franchise if the board of directors of the Corporation determines that preservation of the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Corporation and that its loss is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the debt securities.
Waiver of Covenants.
Except as otherwise provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to any series of debt securities under the Indenture, the Corporation may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition in any covenant for such series, if before the time for such compliance the holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding securities of the series waive compliance with the applicable term, provision or condition.
Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets
The Corporation may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or enter into any statutory arrangement for such purpose with any other person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, so long as, among other requirements:
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Upon any consolidation, amalgamation, merger or arrangement of the Corporation or conveyance, transfer or lease of properties and assets of the Corporation substantially as an entirety, the successor to the Corporation will succeed to every right and power of the Corporation under the Indenture, and the Corporation will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the debt securities.
Payment of Additional Amounts
Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Corporation will, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth below, pay to the holder of any debt security who is a non-resident of Canada under the Income Tax Act (Canada) such additional amounts as may be necessary so that every net payment on such debt security, after deduction or withholding by the Corporation or any of its paying agents for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment or other governmental charge (including penalties, interest and other liabilities related thereto) imposed by the government of Canada (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) (collectively, "Canadian Taxes") upon or as a result of such payment, will not be less than the amount provided in such debt security or in such coupon to be then due and payable (and the Corporation will remit the full amount withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law). However, the Corporation will not be required to make any payment of additional amounts:
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payment can be made to such person without such withholding by at least one other paying agent the identity of which is provided to such person;
nor will additional amounts be paid with respect to any payment on a debt security to a holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of Canada (or any political subdivision thereof) to be included in the income for Canadian federal income tax purposes of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to payment of the additional amounts had such beneficiary, settlor, member or beneficial owner been the holder of such debt security.
The Corporation will furnish to the holders of the debt securities, within 30 days after the date of the payment of any Canadian Taxes is due under applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts or other documents evidencing such payment.
Wherever in the Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal (and premium, if any), interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to a debt security, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of additional amounts to the extent that, in such context additional amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.
Redemption
If and to the extent specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the debt securities of a series will be subject to redemption at the time or times specified therein, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption, upon the giving of a notice. Notice of redemption of the debt securities of such series will be given once not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption and will specify the date fixed for redemption.
Tax Redemption
Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, each series of debt securities will be subject to redemption at any time at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the debt securities, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption, upon the giving of the notice as described above, if the Corporation (or its successor) determines that (1) as a result of (A) any amendment to or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws or related regulations of Canada (or the Corporation's successor's jurisdiction of organization) or of any applicable political subdivision or taxing authority or (B) any amendment to or change in an interpretation or application of such laws or regulations by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority announced or becoming effective on or after the date specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Corporation has or will become obligated to pay, on the next interest payment date for the debt securities of the series, additional amounts with respect to any debt security of the series as described under " Payment of Additional Amounts" above, or (2) on or after the date specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any action has been taken by any taxing authority of, or any decision has been rendered by a court in, Canada (or the Corporation's successor's jurisdiction of organization) or any applicable political subdivision or taxing authority, including any of those actions specified in (1) above, whether or not the action was taken or decision rendered with respect to the Corporation, or any change, amendment, application or interpretation is officially proposed, which, in the opinion of the Corporation's counsel, will result in the Corporation becoming
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obligated to pay, on the next interest payment date, additional amounts with respect to any debt security of the series, and the Corporation has determined that the obligation cannot be avoided by the use of reasonable available measures.
Provision of Financial Information
The Corporation will file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC, copies of its annual report and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Corporation is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act. If the Corporation is not required to file such information, documents or reports with the SEC, then the Corporation will file with the Trustee such periodic reports as the Corporation files with the securities commission or corresponding securities regulatory authority in each of the Provinces of Canada within 15 days after it files them with such securities commissions or securities regulatory authorities.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities, the following events are defined in the Indenture as "Events of Default" with respect to debt securities of any series:
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, then and in every such case the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of
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the outstanding debt securities of such affected series may, subject to any subordination provisions thereof, declare the entire principal amount (or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount debt securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all debt securities of such series and all interest thereon to be immediately due and payable. However, at any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to any series of debt securities has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by written notice to the Corporation and the Trustee under certain circumstances (which include payment or deposit with the Trustee of outstanding principal, premium and interest, unless the Prospectus Supplement applicable to an issue of debt securities otherwise provides), may rescind and annul such acceleration.
The Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the Trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to such provisions for indemnification of the Trustee and certain other limitations set forth in the Indenture, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by an Event of Default shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the debt securities of all series affected by such Event of Default.
No holder of a debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a Trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (a) such holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of such series affected by such Event of Default, (b) the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series affected by such Event of Default have made written request, and such holder or holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as Trustee, and (c) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series affected by such Event of Default a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer. However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by the holder of a debt security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on such debt security on or after the applicable due date specified in such debt security.
Modification and Waiver
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Corporation and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series issued under the Indenture affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such affected series: (1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any instalment of interest, if any, on any debt security; (2) reduce the principal amount of, or the premium, if any, or the rate of interest, if any, on any debt security; (3) change the place of payment; (4) change the currency or currency unit of payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any debt security; (5) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any debt security; (6) adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any debt security; (7) reduce the percentage of principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series, the consent of the holders of which is required for modification or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; (8) modify the provisions of the Indenture relating to subordination in a manner that adversely affects
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the rights of the holders of debt securities; or (9) modify any provisions of the Indenture relating to the modification and amendment of the Indenture or the waiver of past defaults or covenants except as otherwise specified in the Indenture.
The holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive, insofar as that series is concerned, compliance by the Corporation with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture, including the covenants and events of default. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to that series, except a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any debt security of that series or in respect of a provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of that series. The Indenture or the debt securities may be amended or supplemented, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, in order, among other purposes, to cure any ambiguity or inconsistency or to make any change that does not have an adverse effect on the rights of any holder of debt securities.
Defeasance
The Indenture provides that, at its option, the Corporation will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the outstanding debt securities of any series upon irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government securities which will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and each instalment of interest, if any, on the outstanding debt securities of such series ("Defeasance") (except with respect to the authentication, transfer, exchange or replacement of debt securities or the maintenance of a place of payment and certain other obligations set forth in the Indenture). Such trust may only be established if among other things (1) the Corporation has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States stating that (a) the Corporation has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (b) since the date of execution of the Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that the holders of the outstanding debt securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Defeasance had not occurred; (2) the Corporation has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in Canada or a ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") to the effect that the holders of such outstanding debt securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income or other tax purposes as a result of such Defeasance and will be subject to Canadian federal or provincial income and other tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case had such Defeasance not occurred (and for the purposes of such opinion, such Canadian counsel shall assume that holders of the outstanding debt securities of such series include holders who are not resident in Canada); (3) no Event of Default or event that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, shall constitute an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit; (4) the Corporation is not an "insolvent person" within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada); (5) the Corporation has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that such deposit shall not cause the Trustee or the trust so created to be subject to the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and (6) other customary conditions precedent are satisfied. The Corporation may exercise its Defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its Covenant Defeasance option described in the following paragraph if the Corporation meets the conditions described in the preceding sentence at the time the Corporation exercises the Defeasance option.
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The Indenture provides that, at its option, the Corporation may omit to comply with covenants, including the covenants described above under the heading "Covenants", and such omission shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default under the Indenture and the outstanding debt securities upon irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government securities which will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and each instalment of interest, if any, on the outstanding debt securities ("Covenant Defeasance"). If the Corporation exercises its Covenant Defeasance option, the obligations under the Indenture other than with respect to such covenants and the Events of Default other than with respect to such covenants shall remain in full force and effect. Such trust may only be established if, among other things, (1) the Corporation has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States to the effect that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; (2) the Corporation has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel in Canada or a ruling from the CRA to the effect that the holders of such outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income or other tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to Canadian federal or provincial income and other tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case had such Covenant Defeasance not occurred (and for the purposes of such opinion, such Canadian counsel shall assume that holders of the outstanding debt securities include holders who are not resident in Canada); (3) no Event of Default or event that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, shall constitute an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit; (4) the Corporation is not an "insolvent person" within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada); (5) the Corporation has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that such deposit shall not cause the Trustee or the trust so created to be subject to the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and (6) other customary conditions precedent are satisfied.
Consent to Jurisdiction and Service
Under the Indenture, the Corporation agrees to appoint CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10011, as its authorized agent for service of process in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the debt securities or the Indenture and for actions brought under federal or state securities laws in any federal or state court located in the city of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction.
Governing Law
The debt securities and the Indenture will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
The following sets forth the terms and provisions of the existing capital of the Corporation. The following description is subject to, and qualified by reference to, the terms and provisions of the Corporation's articles and by-laws. The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares and an unlimited number of non-voting preference shares, issuable in series.
Common Shares
Each common share of the Corporation entitles the holder to one vote for each common share held at all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation, except meetings at which only holders of
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another specified class or series of shares are entitled to vote, to receive dividends if, as and when declared by the board of directors of the Corporation, subject to prior satisfaction of preferential dividends applicable to any first preferred shares, and to participate rateably in any distribution of the assets of the Corporation upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, subject to prior rights and privileges attaching to the preferred shares.
Under the dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan, registered shareholders may reinvest their dividends in additional common shares of the Corporation or make optional cash payments to purchase additional common shares, in either case, free of brokerage or other charges.
The registrar and transfer agent for the common shares in Canada is CIBC Mellon Trust Company at its principal transfer office in Vancouver, British Columbia, Calgary, Alberta, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Toronto, Ontario, Montreal, Québec and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The co-registrar and co-transfer agent for the common shares in the United States is Mellon Investor Services LLC at its principal office in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Shareholder Rights Plan
The Corporation has a Shareholder Rights Plan that is designed to encourage the fair treatment of shareholders in connection with any take-over bid for the Corporation. Rights issued under the plan become exercisable when a person, and any related parties, acquires or announces the intention to acquire 20% or more of the Corporation's outstanding common shares without complying with certain provisions set out in the plan or without approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Should such an acquisition or announcement occur, each rights holder, other than the acquiring person and related parties, will have the right to purchase common shares of the Corporation at a 50% discount to the market price at that time. For further particulars, reference should be made to the Shareholder Rights Plan, a copy of which may be obtained by contacting the Manager, Investor Relations, Enbridge Inc., 3000, 425 1st Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3L8; telephone: 1-800-481-2804; fax (403) 231-5780; email: investor.relations@enbridge.com.
Preferred Shares
Shares Issuable in Series
The preferred shares may be issued at any time or from time to time in one or more series. Before any shares of a series are issued, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall fix the number of shares that will form such series and shall, subject to the limitations set out in the articles of the Corporation, determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions to be attached to the preferred shares of such series, except that no series shall be granted the right to vote at a general meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or the right to be convertible or exchangeable for common shares, directly or indirectly.
Priority
The preferred shares of each series shall rank on a parity with the preferred shares of every other series with respect to dividends and return of capital and shall be entitled to a preference over the common shares and over any other shares ranking junior to the preferred shares with respect to priority in payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.
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Voting Rights
Except as required by law, holders of the preferred shares as a class shall not be entitled to receive notice of, to attend or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, provided that the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the preferred shares as a class may be added to, changed or removed only with the approval of the holders of the preferred shares given in such manner as may then be required by law, at a meeting of the holders of the preferred shares duly called for that purpose.
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe material Canadian federal income tax consequences to an investor who is a non-resident of Canada of acquiring any Securities offered thereunder, including whether the payments of dividends on common shares or preferred shares or payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on debt securities will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also describe material United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of any Securities offered thereunder by an initial investor who is a United States person (within the meaning of the United States Internal Revenue Code), including, to the extent applicable, any such material consequences relating to debt securities payable in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, issued at an original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes or containing early redemption provisions or other special items.
The Corporation may sell the Securities to or through underwriters, agents or dealers and also may sell the Securities directly to purchasers pursuant to applicable statutory exemptions or through agents.
The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, or at prices related to such prevailing market prices to be negotiated with purchasers.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to each series of the Securities will also set forth the terms of the offering of the Securities, including to the extent applicable, the initial offering price, the proceeds to the Corporation, the underwriting concessions or commissions, and any other discounts or concessions to be allowed or re-allowed to dealers. Underwriters or agents with respect to Securities sold to or through underwriters or agents will be named in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Securities.
In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters may receive compensation from the Corporation or from purchasers of the Securities for whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Any such commissions will be paid out of the general funds of the Corporation.
Under agreements which may be entered into by the Corporation, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the Securities may be entitled to indemnification by the Corporation against certain liabilities, including liabilities under securities legislation, or to contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof.
In connection with any offering of Securities, the underwriters, agents or dealers may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities offered at a level
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above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Investment in the Securities is subject to various risks. Before deciding whether to invest in any Securities, investors should consider carefully the risks incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (including subsequently filed documents incorporated by reference) and those described in any Prospectus Supplement before purchasing the Securities offered hereby.
Discussions of certain risks affecting the Corporation in connection with its business are provided in the Corporation's AIF and its management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the various securities regulatory authorities, which is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities, certain legal matters relating to Canadian law in connection with the offering of Securities will be passed upon for the Corporation by McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The partners and associates of McCarthy Tétrault LLP as a group, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, not more than 1% of the outstanding securities of any class or series of the Corporation.
The consolidated annual financial statements of the Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the audit report, which is also incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, Calgary, Alberta, on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The following documents have been filed with the SEC either separately or as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part: the documents listed herein under "Documents Incorporated by Reference"; the consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants; certain powers of attorney; the form of Indenture; a letter explaining the earnings coverage ratios; appointment of agent for service of process and undertaking on Form F-X; and the Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1.
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ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
The Corporation is a Canadian corporation, and the majority of its assets and operations are located, and the majority of its revenues are derived, outside the United States. The Corporation has appointed CT Corporation System, New York, New York, as its agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against it in any federal or state court in the State of New York arising from any offering conducted under this Prospectus. However, it may not be possible for investors to enforce outside the United States judgments against the Corporation obtained in the United States in any such actions, including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal and state securities laws. In addition, certain of the directors and officers of the Corporation are residents of Canada or other jurisdictions outside of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of those directors and officers are or may be located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon those persons, or to enforce against them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of United Stated federal and state securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain of the provinces of Canada provides purchasers with the right to withdraw from an agreement to purchase securities. This right may be exercised within two business days after receipt or deemed receipt of a prospectus or the accompanying Prospectus Supplement relating to the securities purchased by a purchaser and any amendment. In several of the provinces, the securities legislation further provides a purchaser with remedies for rescission or, in some jurisdictions, revisions of the price or damages if the prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement relating to the securities purchased by a purchaser and any amendment thereto contains a misrepresentation or is not delivered to the purchaser, provided that the remedies for rescission, revision of the price or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser's province of residence. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser's province of residence for the particulars of these rights or consult with a legal adviser.
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CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
We have read the short form prospectus of Enbridge Inc. (the "Corporation") dated October 28, 2010 relating to the issue and sale by the Corporation of up to US$2.0 billion of securities, including common shares, preferred shares and debt securities of the Corporation. We have complied with Canadian generally accepted standards for an auditor's involvement with offering documents.
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the above-mentioned prospectus of our report to the shareholders of the Corporation on the consolidated statements of financial position of the Corporation as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009 and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as at December 31, 2009. Our report is dated February 18, 2010.
Chartered
Accountants
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
October 28, 2010
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Dated: October 28, 2010
This short form prospectus, together with the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference, will, as of the date of the last supplement to this prospectus relating to the securities offered by this prospectus and the supplement(s), constitute full, true and plain disclosure of all material facts relating to the securities offered by this prospectus and the supplement(s) as required by the securities legislation of the provinces of Canada.
(Signed) Patrick D. Daniel | (Signed) J. Richard Bird | |
President & Chief Executive Officer |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Development |
|
On behalf of the |
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Board of Directors | ||
(Signed) David A. Arledge |
(Signed) David A. Leslie |
|
Director | Director |
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE
DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS
Indemnification
Section 34 of By-law No. 1 of Enbridge Inc. ("Enbridge") provides, with regard to indemnity and insurance under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "CBCA" or the "Act"), in part as follows:
"Indemnity of directors, officers and others. Subject to the limitations contained in the Act but without limit to the right of the Corporation to indemnify as provided for in the Act, the Corporation shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or another individual who acts or acted at the Corporation's request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with the Corporation or other entity, if the individual:
The CBCA provides that a Corporation may indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or another individual who acts or acted at the Corporation's request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity (collectively an "Indemnified Person") against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Person in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding (other than an action by or on behalf of Enbridge to procure a judgment in its favor) in which the Indemnified Person is involved because of that association with Enbridge or other entity, if the Indemnified Person satisfies the conditions set forth above in paragraphs (a) and (b). In respect of an action by or on behalf of Enbridge or other entity to procure a judgment in its favor, Enbridge, with the approval of a court, may indemnify an Indemnified Person against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by an Indemnified Person in connection with such action, if the Indemnified Person satisfies the conditions set forth above in paragraphs (a) and (b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification from Enbridge in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with the defense of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which such Indemnified Person is made a party by reason of such Indemnified Person's association with Enbridge or such other entity, if such Indemnified Person satisfies the conditions set forth above in paragraphs (a) and (b) and was not judged by the court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that such Indemnified Person ought to have done.
As authorized by Section 35 of By-law No. 1, Enbridge has an insurance policy which indemnifies directors and officers against certain liabilities incurred by them in their capacities as such, including among other things, certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
Underwriting agreements in respect of offerings of securities under this registration statement may contain provisions by which the underwriters agree to indemnify the Registrant, each of the directors and officers of the Registrant and each person who controls the Registrant within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to information furnished by the underwriters for use in the registration statement.
II-1
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising from the Securities Act may be permitted by directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
II-2
The exhibits to this Registration Statement are listed in the Exhibit Index, which appears elsewhere herein.
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PART III
UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
ITEM 1. UNDERTAKING.
The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to the securities registered pursuant to Form F-10 or to transactions in said securities.
ITEM 2. CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS.
Concurrently with the filing of this Registration Statement on Form F-10, the Registrant is filing with the Commission a written irrevocable consent and power of attorney on Form F-X.
III-1
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-10 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Calgary, Province of Alberta, Canada, on this 28th day of October, 2010.
ENBRIDGE INC. | |
/s/ WANDA OPHEIM Wanda Opheim Vice President, Treasury & Tax October 28, 2010 |
III-2
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of David T. Robottom and Alison T. Love, jointly and severally, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that such attorney may deem necessary or advisable under the Securities Act, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the securities of the Registrant, including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign his or her name in his or her respective capacity as a member of the Board of Directors or officer of the Registrant, this Registration Statement and/or such other form or forms as may be appropriate to be filed with the Commission as any of them deem appropriate in respect of the securities of the Registrant, to any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and to any and all instruments and documents filed as part of or in connection with this Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
/s/ PATRICK D. DANIEL Patrick D. Daniel President, Chief Executive Officer and Director October 28, 2010 |
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/s/ J. RICHARD BIRD J. Richard Bird Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Development October 28, 2010 |
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/s/ COLIN GRUENDING Colin Gruending Vice President & Controller October 28, 2010 |
||
/s/ DAVID A. ARLEDGE David A. Arledge Chair of the Board of Directors October 28, 2010 |
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/s/ JAMES J. BLANCHARD James J. Blanchard Director October 28, 2010 |
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/s/ J. LORNE BRAITHWAITE J. Lorne Braithwaite Director October 28, 2010 |
||
/s/ J. HERB ENGLAND J. Herb England Director October 28, 2010 |
||
/s/ J. CHARLES W. FISCHER Charles W. Fischer Director October 28, 2010 |
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/s/ DAVID A. LESLIE David A. Leslie Director October 28, 2010 |
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/s/ GEORGE K. PETTY George K. Petty Director October 28, 2010 |
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/s/ CHARLES E. SHULTZ Charles E. Shultz Director October 28, 2010 |
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/s/ DAN C. TUTCHER Dan C. Tutcher Director October 28, 2010 |
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/s/ CATHERINE L. WILLIAMS Catherine L. Williams Director October 28, 2010 |
III-4
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Authorized Representative has signed this Registration Statement solely in its capacity as the duly authorized representative of Enbridge Inc. in the United States, in the City of Houston, State of Texas on October 28, 2010.
/s/ CHRIS KAITSON Chris Kaitson Associate General Counsel Authorized Representative in the United States Enbridge (US) Inc. October 28, 2010 |
III-5
Exhibit Number |
Description of Exhibt |
|
---|---|---|
4.1(1) | Consolidated comparative financial statements of the Registrant for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the auditors' report thereon. | |
4.2(2) | Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009. | |
4.3(3) | Annual Information Form of the Registrant, dated February 18, 2010. | |
4.4(4) | Management Information Circular of the Registrant, dated March 3, 2010 relating to the annual meeting of shareholders held on May 5, 2010. | |
4.5(5) | Consolidated comparative interim unaudited financial statement of the Registrant for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010. | |
4.6(6) | Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010. | |
5.1 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | |
6.1 | Powers of Attorney (included on page III-3 of this Registration Statement). | |
7.1(7) | Form of Indenture between the Registrant and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, relating to the Debt Securities registered hereunder. | |
7.2 | Statement of qualification on Form T-1 of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee under the Indenture included as Exhibit 7.1 to the Registration Statement. |
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