News Column

Superior Plus Corp. Announces Strong 2013 First Quarter Results

Page 24 of 47

Risk Factors to Superior

The risks factors and uncertainties detailed below are a summary of Superior's assessment of its material risk factors as detailed in Superior's 2012 Annual Information Form under "Risk Factors" which is filed on the Canadian Securities Administrators' website, www.sedar.com, and on Superior's website, www.superiorplus.com.

Risks to Superior

Superior depends entirely on the operations and assets of Superior LP. Superior's ability to make dividend payments to its shareholders depends on the ability of Superior LP to make distributions on its outstanding limited partnership units, as well as on the operations and business of Superior LP.

There is no assurance regarding the amount of cash to be distributed by Superior LP or generated by Superior LP and, therefore, there is no assurance regarding funds available for dividends to shareholders. The amount distributed in respect of the limited partnership units will depend on a variety of factors including, without limitation, the performance of Superior LP's operating businesses, the effect of acquisitions or dispositions on Superior LP, and other factors that may be beyond the control of Superior LP or Superior. In the event significant sustaining capital expenditures are required by Superior LP or the profitability of Superior LP declines, there would be a decrease in the amount of cash available for dividends to shareholders and such decrease could be material.

Superior's dividend policy and the distribution policy of Superior LP are subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Superior or the Board of Directors of Superior General Partner Inc., the general partner of Superior LP, as applicable. Superior's dividend policy and the distribution policy of Superior LP are also limited by contractual agreements including agreements with lenders to Superior and its affiliates and by restrictions under corporate law.

Since the beginning of 2010, the CRA has requested and reviewed information from Superior relating to the plan of arrangement involving Superior Plus Income Fund and Ballard Power Systems Inc. and the Conversion. As disclosed by Superior on September 20, 2012, Superior anticipated receiving a proposal letter from the CRA in due course on this matter and on February 11, 2013, Superior received the proposal letter from the CRA. The proposal letter proposes to deny the availability of capital losses of approximately $623 million and other tax basis of approximately $1,000 million. Superior remains confident in the appropriateness of its tax filing position and the expected tax consequences of the Arrangement and the Conversion and intends to vigorously defend such position. Superior also strongly believes that the acquisition of control or the general anti-avoidance rule do not apply to the Arrangement and the Conversion and intends to file its future tax returns on a basis consistent with its view of the outcome of the Arrangement and the Conversion.

The credit facilities and U.S. Notes of Superior LP contain covenants that require Superior LP to meet certain financial tests and that restrict, among other things, the ability of Superior LP to incur additional debt, dispose of assets or pay dividends/distributions in certain circumstances. These restrictions may preclude Superior LP from returning capital or making distributions on the limited partnership units.

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