21. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
The Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings and claims associated with the ordinary course of business operations. Management believes that the amount of liability, if any, from these actions would not have a material effect on the Corporation's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
The following describes the nature of the Corporation's contingent liabilities.
Fortis
In May 2012 CH Energy Group and Fortis entered into a proposed settlement agreement with counsel to plaintiff shareholders pertaining to several complaints, which named Fortis and other defendants, which were filed in, or transferred to, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, relating to the proposed acquisition of CH Energy Group by Fortis. The complaints generally alleged that the directors of CH Energy Group breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed acquisition and that CH Energy Group, Fortis, FortisUS Inc. and Cascade Acquisition Sub Inc. aided and abetted that breach. The settlement agreement is subject to court approval.
FHI
During 2007 and 2008, a non-regulated subsidiary of FHI received Notices of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency for additional taxes related to the taxation years 1999 through 2003. The exposure has been fully provided for in the consolidated financial statements. FHI is appealing these assessments.
In April 2013 FHI and Fortis were named as defendants in an action in the British Columbia Supreme Court by the Coldwater Indian Band ("Band"). The claim is in regard to interests in a pipeline right of way on reserve lands. The pipeline on the right of way was transferred by FHI (then Terasen Inc.) to Kinder Morgan Inc. in April 2007. The Band seeks orders cancelling the right of way and claims damages for wrongful interference with the Band's use and enjoyment of reserve lands. The outcome cannot be reasonably determined and estimated at this time and, accordingly, no amount has been accrued in the interim consolidated financial statements.
FortisBC Electric
The Government of British Columbia has alleged breaches of the Forest Practices Code and negligence relating to a forest fire near Vaseux Lake in 2003, prior to the acquisition of FortisBC Electric by Fortis, and has filed and served a writ and statement of claim against FortisBC Electric dated August 2, 2005. The Government of British Columbia has now disclosed that its claim includes approximately $15 million in damages as well as pre-judgment interest, but that it has not fully quantified its damages. In addition, private landowners have filed separate writs and statements of claim dated August 19, 2005 and August 22, 2005 in relation to the same matter, which claims have now been settled. FortisBC Electric and its insurers continue to defend the claim by the Government of British Columbia. The outcome cannot be reasonably determined and estimated at this time and, accordingly, no amount has been accrued in the interim consolidated financial statements.
The Government of British Columbia filed a claim in the British Columbia Supreme Court in June 2012 claiming on its behalf, and on behalf of approximately 17 homeowners, damages suffered as a result of a landslide caused by a dam failure in Oliver, British Columbia in 2010. The Government of British Columbia alleges in its claim that the dam failure was caused by the defendants', which includes FortisBC Electric, use of a road on top of the dam. The Government of British Columbia estimates its damages and the damages of the homeowners, on whose behalf it is claiming, to be approximately $15 million. While FortisBC Electric has not been served, the utility has retained counsel and has notified its insurers. The outcome cannot be reasonably determined and estimated at this time and, accordingly, no amount has been accrued in the interim consolidated financial statements.
22. COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to comply with current period presentation.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
Fortis Inc. is the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, with total assets of approximately $15 billion and fiscal 2012 revenue totalling approximately $3.7 billion. The Corporation serves more than two million gas and electricity customers. Its regulated holdings include electric distribution utilities in five Canadian provinces and two Caribbean countries and a natural gas utility in British Columbia. Fortis owns and operates non-regulated generation assets in Canada, Belize and Upstate New York. It also owns hotels and commercial office and retail space in Canada.
The Common Shares; First Preference Shares, Series C; First Preference Shares, Series E; First Preference Shares, Series F; First Preference Shares, Series G; First Preference Shares, Series H; First Preference Shares, Series J; and Subscription Receipts of Fortis are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the ticker symbols FTS, FTS.PR.C, FTS.PR.E, FTS.PR.F, FTS.PR.G, FTS.PR.H, FTS.PR.J and FTS.R, respectively.
Transfer Agent and Registrar:Computershare Trust Company of Canada9th Floor, 100 University AvenueToronto, ON M5J 2Y1T: 514.982.7555 or 1.866.586.7638F: 416.263.9394 or 1.888.453.0330W: www.investorcentre.com/fortisinc
Additional information, including the Fortis 2012 Annual Information Form, Management Information Circular and Annual Report, are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Corporation's web site at www.fortisinc.com.
Contacts:
Barry V. Perry
Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Fortis Inc.
709.737.2822
