Canada's Shale Gas Resources

CANADA’S SHALE GAS RESOURCES
“Game Changer” or “Bridge Too Far”?

Management of
Multinational Corporation
- MGT 4880 –

December 2012

Prepared for
Professor Mark Hunter
Yafees Sarwar | Dimitrios Kapelonis | Nel Mejia | Malika Tiliaeva | Min Hee Chun

1

Canada’s Shale Gas Resources: “Game Changer” or “Bridge too Far?” 2012

Table of Contents

Section

I. CANADA
1. Background…………………………………………………………………….. 3
2. Electoral geography in Canada………………………………………............ 4
3. Climate………………………………………………………………………… 5
4. Language………………………………………………………………………. 5
5. Ethnic groups…………………………………………………………………. 5
6. Cultural Holidays……………………………………………………………… 6
7. Values System…………………………………………………………………. 8
8. Negotiating……………………………………………………………………. 9
9. Tips for doing business in Canada…………………………………………... 10
10.Economy…………………………………………………………………….... 11
11. Forecast…………………………………………………………………….… 12
12. Tax System……………………………………………………………….….. 17
13. Environment Legislation……………………………………………….…... 22
14. Employment Legislation……………………………………………….….... 30
15. Technological Environment…………………………………………….….. 31

II. SHALE GAS
1. Overview…………………………………………………………………….. 49
2. Shale Gas in North America……………………………………………….. 49
3. Shale Gas in Canada………………………………………………………... 49
a. Key facts………………………………………………………………. 51
b. Canada shale gas market overview………………………………..... 52
c. Canada’s unconventional potential in shale gas……………………. 54
d. Infrastructure………………………………………………………… 56
e. Competitive landscape………………………………………………..57

2


e. Competitive Landscape……………………………………………… 57
4. Regulation and Licensing………………………………………………….. 58
a. Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act……………………………….. 58
b. Canada Oil and Gas Operations Regulations……………………... 59
c. Regulations in Alberta……………………………………………….. 61
d. Regulations in British Columbia……………………………………. 61
e. Regulations in Quebec………………………………………………. 62
f. Regulations in the Arctic Offshore………………………………….. 62
5. Environmental conditions…………………………………………………. 63
a. Greenhouse gas emissions from shale gas………………………….. 63
6. Water used in Hydraulic Fracturing…………………………………….... 64
a. How is drinking water protected?................................................ 65
7. Government Environmental Policy……………………………………….. 65
8. Social Concerns……………………………………………………………. 70
9. Potential Issues on the way toward Shale Gas Production in Canada…. 75
10. Development of Unconventional Gas Resources……………………........ 77
11. Opportunities and Benefits arising from growth of Shale Gas…………. 79

III. FUTURE PREDICTIONS WORLDWIDE……………………………………… 90
1. Europe……………………………………………………………………….. 90
2. Asia…………………………………………………………………………… 92

IV. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY………………………………………………………... 93

3


Meet the Researchers
I.

NelMejia YAFEES SARWAR Dimitiros Kapelonis

Min Heen Chun Malika Tiliaeva

4


I CANADA
1. Background:

ENVIRONMENT:
Canada is the second largest country in the world in land area, divided into five natural regions.
The Maritime Provinces along the Atlantic coast are a mixture of rich agricultural land and
forests. The Canadian Shield is a rocky region which is covered with woods and is rich in
minerals. To the south, along the shores of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, there is a
large plain with fertile farmlands, where over 60% of the population is concentrated, and the
major urban centers are located. Farming (wheat, oats and rye), is the mainstay of the Central
Prairie Provinces. The Pacific Coast is a mountainous region with vast forests. The ―Great
North‖ is almost uninhabited, with very cold climate and tundra. There are ten provinces, and
two territories; the Yukon and Northwest. These are working towards provincial status, but this
is complicated by Native Land claims. Canada has immense mineral resources; it is the world‘s
largest producer of asbestos, nickel, zinc and silver and the second largest of uranium. There are
also major lead, copper, gold, iron ore, gas and oil deposits. Its industry is highly developed.
Industrial emissions from Canadian and US plan-ts contribute to the ―acid rain‖ which has
affected thousands of lakes. The construction of a number of hydroelectric plants in Quebec is
threatening to destroy the lands and livelihood of the indigenous population.

SOCIETY:
Peoples: There are about 800,000 Native Americans, ―Metis‖ (mixed race) and Inuit ("Eskimos")
ranging from highly acculturated city-dwellers to traditional hunters and trappers living in
isolated northern communities. There are six distinct culture areas and ten language families;
many native languages such as Cree and Ojibwa are still widely spoken. About 350,000 native
people are classified as such: that is, they belong to one of 573 registered groups and can live on
a federally protected reserve (though only about 70% actually do so). ―Metis‖ and those who do
not have official status as ―native people― have historically enjoyed no separate legal recognition,
but attempts are now being made to secure them special rights under the law.

5


THE STATE:
Official Name: Canada. Administrative Divisions: 10 Provinces and 2 Territories. Capital:
Ottawa, 920,857 inhab. (1991). other cities: Toronto, 3,893,046 inhab.Montreal, 3,127,242
inhab.Vancouver, 1,602,502 inhab. (1991). Government: Ramon J. Hnatyshyn, Governor-
General. Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister and head of government. Canada is a federation of ten
provinces and a member of the British Commonwealth. The system of government is
parliamentary.National Holiday: July 1, Canada Day (1867). Paramilitaries: 6,400 Coast Guard.

2. Electoral Geography in Canada:

Making it possible for some 23 million electors to vote within a 12-hour period is no easy task.
To ensure smooth operations, each elector is assigned to one of the more than 65,000 polling
divisions across Canada and directed to the polling station nearest his or her place of ordinary
residence. Efficient management of this process relies heavily on keeping electoral maps and
geographic tools up to date and accurate. Elections Canada carries out various tasks in this area:
● It maintains the National Geographic Database jointly with Statistics Canada. The
National Geographic Database contains data on streets in Canada, including their names
and address ranges and many geographical features. It is used by Elections Canada for
electoral operations and by Statistics Canada for census operations.
● It maintains the Electoral Geography Database, which is derived from the National
Geographic Database and contains cartographic representations of federal electoral
districts, with all polling divisions and advance polling districts. This database is used for
creating the thousands of maps necessary for elections. It is also used to assign voters to
the correct electoral districts and polling divisions based on their addresses. This process
is known as ―georeferencing‖; it provides precise geographic coordinates with links to
Elections Canada's geographic databases.
● It plans and maintains the digitized Geographic Information System to produce both
printed and digital electoral maps, as well as a variety of other geography-related
documents.

6


● It provides technical support and digitized mapping tools to the electoral boundaries
commissions.
3. Climate:
Canada is often associated with cold weather and snow, but in reality, its climate is as diverse as
its landscape. Generally, Canadians enjoy four very distinct seasons, particularly in the more
populated regions along the US border. Daytime summer temperatures can rise to 35°C and
higher, while lows of -25°C are not uncommon in winter. More moderate temperatures are the
norm in spring and fall.

Summers can be hot and dry on the prairies, humid in central Canada, and milder on the coasts.
Spring is generally pleasant across the country. Autumns are often crisp and cool, but brightened
by rich orange and red leaves on trees.

Winters are generally cold with periods of snow, although southern Alberta enjoys the occasional
"Chinook", a warm dry wind from the Rocky Mountains those gusts through and melts the snow.
Winters are mild and wet on the west coast, in cities such as Vancouver and Victoria.

When the temperature does drop, Canadians stay warm thanks to an infrastructure of heated
houses, cars and public transportation systems. Some cities have also installed walkways to and
from buildings in schools.

4. Languages:

English and French are official languages of Canada. 13% of the population is bilingual, 67%
speak only English, 18% only French, and 2% speak other languages (Italian, German and
Ukrainian).

5. Ethnic groups:

More than 80% of the population is Canadian-born. In general, the percentage of the population
born outside Canada increases as one goes westward from Newfoundland to British Columbia.

7


Persons of whole or partial British (including Irish) origin make up about 28% of the total
population; those of whole or partial French origin (centered mainly in Québec, where they
constitute some 80% of the population) make up 23%. Other European groups account for 15%
of the total populace. About 26% of the population is from mixed backgrounds. Others, mostly
Asian, African, and Arab, make up about 6% of the population.Amerindians, commonly known
as Indians constituted about 2%. These Indians were classified into ten major ethno linguistic
groups; the Métis, of mixed European and Indian extraction, were recognized as an aboriginal
people in the Constitution Act of 1982. Most of the Inuit (Eskimos) live in the Northwest
Territories, with smaller numbers in northern Québec and northern Newfoundland (Labrador).

6. Cultural Holidays:

Canada holidays and events include a number of fantastic events and happenings. Some
holidays in Canada are similar to those in the U.S., but holidays that are exclusively Canadian
truly show the Canadian spirit. The following are some of the best examples of celebrations in
Canada:
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/canada/folklorama
Canada Day
On July 1, 1868 Canadians were called upon by the Governor General to celebrate the
anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North American provinces (aka
Canada). In 1879, the Canadian holiday called ―Dominion Day‖ was established to
commemorate this great event. It wasn‘t until 1982 that the name ―Dominion Day‖ was
changed to ―Canada Day‖. Today, Canada Day is celebrated throughout Canada, most visibly
in Montrealand Ottawa, with fireworks and patriotic events.

Saint Jean Baptiste Day (Quebec)
To experience one of the most significant of the culture events in Canada, come see the
festivities of Saint Jean- Baptiste Day. French Canadians across Canada celebrate Saint-Jean-
Baptiste Day (also called La Fete Nationale) on June 24th. Nowhere is this truer than in the
province of Quebec. In 1975 Quebec declared St-Jean-Baptiste Day as the official nation
holiday of their province. French Canadians celebrate with parades and parties, honoring their

8


patron saint. Along the St. Lawrence River it was a custom of those who lived there to take the
first swim of the year on St. Jean Baptiste Day. Even today many pools open for the first time
on this day.
Remembrance Day
On November 11 Canadians remember those who have served their country in times of war
and peace. A moment of silence is observed to remember those who fell during World War I,
World War II and the Korean War. Canadians wear a red poppy over their heart—a symbol
taken from a poem written about the poppies that grew over the graves of the fallen soldiers of
World War I. One of the more solemn holidays in Canada, Remembrance Day is an important
one to peace-loving Canadians.

Great Northern Arts Festival (Inuvik, Northwest Territories)
Every summer in remote Inuvik, artists from all over Canada gather to show their work, meet
each other, and learn new techniques. These artists are Inuit, Gwich‘in, Inuvialuit, Dene, Metis
and many other Canadian First Nations, as well as non-Native artists from the Artic
Archipelago, Gjoa Haven, Fort Smith and the Yukon Territories. In its 13th year, the Great
Northern Arts Festival hosted 92 artists, 14 musicians and performers. Travelers from Europe,
Asia, the U.S. and Canada come to this, one of the great culture events in Canada, for the range
and variety of artistic talent in one setting.

Caribana
Created in 1967, Caribana is the largest Caribbean festival in North America. This two-week
festival takes place every summer in Toronto. The city comes alive with the music, food, dance
and costumes of Trinidad, the Bahamas, Guyana, and Jamaica. This is one of the culture events
in Canada that really celebrates the diversity and beauty of the people who make of the mosaic
of the country.

Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede takes place in early July and attracts visitors from all over the world.
This is one of the major events in Canada worth taking several days to enjoy. The Stampede
celebrates ―Western Canadian heritage with dynamic contemporary entertainment‖. Highlights

9


of this event are the afternoon rodeo, chuck wagon races, grandstand show and live
entertainment acts.

7. Value System:

The national character and cultural values of a nation best describe the values that will develop
among consumers in that culture. Some marketers define that the core of the social value
monitoring is if one understands people's values, one can better predict how they will behave in
the marketplace. Social value system of Canadians is evidence that there is growing optimism in
Canada across all generations. Canadians across all generations are committed to liberal social
values which mean that they are more accepting of diversity in lifestyles and social behavior.
They value honesty, universality in education, health care, and welfare. There is a large evidence
of voluntarism, charity, entrepreneurship, civility, tolerance and concern for the welfare of the
poor. There is collective responsibility for the betterment of the nation. Trust is a major player in
intuiting confidence in public institutions and optimism about their collective future. Consumer
values of Canadian consumers, as a whole, are described as being less materialistic, more in
control, less respective of authority. Canadian consumers value accountability. It is shown that
the consumer and the marketer are responsible for display of both competence and responsibility
in the marketplace. Canadian consumers do not fall back on assuming that a poor purchase
decision is the marketer's fault and the government's responsibility to fix it. Marketers suggest
that consumers are developing a new critical awareness of their contributory role in the
marketplace rather than taking things for granted.

Recent polls of 2000 saw that an incredible 90% of Canadians placed themselves in the middle
class (41% in the upper middle and 48% in the lower middle class). There is still a strong value
and desire for moving forward and people feel that individual hard work and enterprise should be
rewarded with a change in social status. Canadian consumers are placing increased importance
on quality and functional product differences. People want things to last and to work. Consumers
are redefining quality. Whereas quality was perceived as price, durability, fit, safety and the like,
the trend is to perceive quality along the dimensions of product origin including social, ethical
and environmental issues and impact on originating country.

10


8. Negotiating:

Most Canadian businesspeople, especially those among younger generations, are experienced in
interacting and doing business with visitors from other cultures. They often take a genuine
interest in other countries and are usually open-minded rather than forcing their ways upon you.
Generally, business relationships are only moderately important in this country. They are
usuallynot a necessary precondition for initial business interactions. Your counterparts‘
expectation may beto get to know you better as you do business together. This is especially true
for Anglo-Canadians,while French-Canadians tend to place more emphasis on building stronger
relationships before engagingin serious business interactions. Generally, people in the country
may emphasize near-term results over long-range objectives but are usually also interested in
building long-term relationships. Businesspeople in this country usually speak in a controlled
fashion, only occasionally raising their voices to make a point. At restaurants, especially those
used for business lunches and dinners, keep conversations at a quiet level. Being loud may be
regarded as bad manners. Canadians are polite listeners and rarely interrupt others. Negotiations
in Canada can be conducted by individuals or teams of negotiators. Both approaches have their
distinct advantages. Since decisions are oft en made by individuals, meeting the decision maker
one-on-one may help get results quickly. On the other hand, a well-aligned team with clearly
assigned roles can be quite effective when negotiating with a group of Canadians. Owing to the
high degree of individualism that characterizes the culture, Canadian teams are not always well
aligned, which sometimes makes it easy to play one member against the other.

To Canadians, negotiating is usually a joint problem-solving process. With French-Canadians,
however, it may mean engaging in a somewhat more aggressive debate aimed at reaching a
mutually agreeable solution. While the buyer is in a superior position, both sides in a business
deal own the responsibility to reach agreement. They may focus equally on near-term and long-
term benefits. The primary negotiation style is cooperative and people may be open to
compromising if viewed helpful in order to move the negotiation forward. Since Canadians
believe in the concept of win-win, they expect you to reciprocate their respect and trust. They are
oft en very pragmatic and usually find compromises both sides can live with. While the
negotiation exchange may include conflicts, you should keep a positive attitude and show

11


willingness to work with the other side in an effort to reach agreement. Negotiations in Canada
often move at a rapid pace. Though somewhat cautious, Canadians believe in the ‗time is money‘
philosophy almost as strongly as Americans do. Accordingly, your counterparts will generally
want to finish the negotiation in a timely manner and implement actions soon. Even complex
negotiations may not require more than one trip, as follow-up negotiations are oft en conducted
via phone and e-mail.

9. Tips for doing business in Canada:

Tip 1- Although there are similarities in approach to business between the USA and Canada,
there are also enormous differences. Be aware of sensitivities in this area.
Tip 2- Canada is officially a bilingual country and efforts should be made, wherever possible to
recognize the linguistic heritage of the French-speaking minority.
Tip 3- Canada has encouraged a multi-ethnic approach to its immigration policies. Cultural
diversity is recognized and respected. It is very likely that you will encounter people from a wide
range of cultural backgrounds.
Tip 4- Business structures vary enormously - do your homework on the contact organization
before visiting.
Tip 5- Business meetings in Canada tend to be more formal than in the US with a more
restrained approach.
Tip 6- People expect the right to be heard and listened to in meetings situations regardless of
rank or status.
Tip 7- Detailed preparation prior to meetings is expected and respected - decisions are not
usually made until all the facts are to hand.
Tip 8- Communication styles are reserved and understated and there is a suspicion of hyperbole.
Tip 9- Canadians are direct in their communication style and can usually be taken on face value
without the need to try to decipher and coded messages.
Tip 10- Women visitors should have little or no problems operating within the Canadian business
environment.

12


10. Economy

Canada has the eleventh-largest economy in the world (measured in US dollars at market
exchange rates), is one of the world's wealthiest nations, and is a member of the Organization for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Group of Eight (G8). As with other
developed nations, the Canadian economy is dominated by the service industry, which employs
about three quarters of Canadians. Canada is unusual among developed countries in the
importance of the primary sector, with the logging and oil industries being two of Canada's most
important. Canada also has a sizable manufacturing sector, centered in Central Canada, with the
automobile industry and aircraft industry especially important. With a long coastal line, Canada
has the 8th largest commercial fishing and seafood industry in the world.The foundations of
economic freedom are very strong in Canada, and the economy has emerged from the global
economic slowdown relatively unscathed. The rule of law is sustained by an effective and
independent court system, ensuring protection of property rights and the equitable application of
the commercial code.Canada also performs well in other pillars of economic freedom and
continues to sharpen its long-term competitiveness. The soundness of public finance has been
notable, although government spending has been rising as a share of GDP. Along with open-
market policies that support trade and dynamic investment, the efficient regulatory environment
facilitates entrepreneurial activity and provides a high degree of certainty for business planning.
The steady reduction of the standard corporate tax rate over the past three years has also
contributed to Canada‘s competitiveness. Canadian inflation has been modest in the past few
years but the government controls virtually all prices for health care services through its
mandatory ―single-payer‖ nationalized program.Canada‘s bio-economy contributes $86.5 billion
to our GDP. There are over 1 million Canadians working throughout the bio-economy
employment network.

13


11. Forecast

The recent global economic downturn started late in Canada and its effect has been more
moderate than in other countries. Canada‘s multicultural workforce is highly skilled and
residents enjoy a high standard of living. Foreign investment that provides identifiable benefits to
Canada and its citizens is welcome and there are excellent opportunities for non-residents to
invest or do business there.

Canadian exports have slowed this year as a result of the softening of demand in the US and the
broader moderation of growth in world trade. Flight-to-quality purchases of the Canadian dollar
have also caused the exchange rate to strengthen, compounding the pressures on exporters. Our
expectation is that the exchange rate vis-à-vis the US dollar will be pushed further into
overvalued territory next year, which will blunt any recovery of exports. But the strength of the
currency should prove temporary and a gradual weakening of the exchange rate thereafter will
help to restore export competitiveness.

With over 70% of Canadian exports destined for the US, changing economic conditions in the
US economy are critically important to Canada. Unfortunately, prospects for the US economy
appear subdued, with the looming ―fiscal cliff‖ clouding the outlook for next year and
persistently sluggish growth likely to continue for some time as the economy wrestles with the
drawn-out process of debt deleveraging and on-going fiscal consolidation.

Canadian exports to the US are forecast to expand at an average annual pace of 6% a year during
2021-30, which will be slower than the growth rate of total exports. While this implies that the
share of Canadian exports destined for the US will be gradually eroded, it will nevertheless be
many years before the dominant position of the US in Canadian trade is challenged by another
trade partner.

The medium term outlook for exports to Europe also appears disappointing. Canadian exports to
Europe (excluding Russia) are forecast to rise at a similar pace as exports to the US of around
6% a year during 2021-30. Exports to the UK, which is currently Canada‘s second largest trading
partner, are forecast to expand by just 5% a year over this period.

14


With export growth to the US and Europe remaining relatively sluggish, Canada will
increasingly look to new sources of growth in rapidly expanding emerging markets. As a
commodity exporter, Canada will be able to benefit from the rapid industrialization of many
Asian economies and the associated demand for raw materials. Exports to Asia (excluding Japan)
are forecast to rise at an average annual rate of around 11% a year throughout 2021-30. By 2030,
China will have surpassed the UK as the second-largest destination for exports, while India will
overtake Mexico to take fifth place.

Top Five Export Destinations

Rank 2011 2030

1 USA USA

2 UK China

3 China UK

4 Mexico India

5 Germany Mexico

15


Fastest Growing Exports (% year CAGR)
Rank Destination 2012 Destination 2013-15 Destination 2016-20 Destination 2021-30

1 Poland 81 Vietnam 15 China 13 Vietnam 12

2 Saudi 81 Poland 15 Vietnam 13 China 11

3 UAE 42 China 15 India 13 India 11

4 China 22 India 15 Poland 11 Malaysia 10

5 Australia 19 UAE 14 Turkey 10 Turkey 10

6 Vietnam 18 Saudi 13 Brazil 10 Indonesia 9

16


Rank Destination 2012 Destination 2013-15 Destination 2016-20 Destination 2021-30

7 Brazil 13 Indonesia 11 Malaysia 10 Egypt 8

8 France 13 Egypt 10 Indonesia 10 Saudi 8

9 UK 6 Brazil 10 UAE 9 Bangladesh 8

10 Indonesia 2 HK 9 Saudi 8 UAE 8

Fastest Growing Imports (% year CAGR)

Rank Origin 2012 Origin 2013-15 Origin 2016-20 Origin 2021-30

1 India 82 India 22 India 14 Vietnam 12

2 Malaysia 80 Turkey 16 Vietnam 12 India 11

3 Vietnam 69 Vietnam 13 Turkey 12 China 11

4 Mexico 64 Mexico 12 China 11 Bangladesh 10

5 Turkey 51 Egypt 12 Poland 10 Turkey 9

6 Ireland 36 Malaysia 10 Mexico 8 Mexico 9

7 Poland 27 China 9 Egypt 8 Malaysia 8

8 Germany 18 Germany 7 Malaysia 8 Egypt 8

9 China 11 Poland 7 Bangladesh 8 Poland 8

10 Saudi 6 Ireland 6 Brazil 7 Ireland 8

17


Trade Confidence Index

Although confidence is down slightly compared to six months ago according to the HSBC Trade
Confidence Index, Canadian traders remain optimistic with an overall score of 110 (115 in H1
2012). The majority (88%) of exporters and importers expect trade volumes to remain at current
levels if not increase, and close to half (49%) of those surveyed anticipate business to grow over
the next six months. They cite barriers to growth being foreign exchange, logistical issues and
lack of demand.

Attitudes on the global economy follow this trend as well with 70% of Canadian businesses
saying the economy will either grow or hold steady. Yet even with this positive outlook, 20% of
Canadian sellers plan to examine buyers‘ payment histories and financial positions thoroughly
before entering into an agreement. An additional 14% of exporters will monitor debts and
accounting items closely. In addition to this, nearly a quarter of Canadian traders believe they
will need access to increased funding in the coming months, and almost half of these will turn to
banks for trade finance solutions.

Generally, traders in Canada conduct most of their business with the US (97%), China (53%) and
Western Europe (43%). Troubles in the Eurozone have not had a negative impact on the
country‘s dealings with Europe as all European countries have seen an increase in Canadian
trade flows over the last six months. Even with this bump in trade activity in Europe, however,
use of the Euro as settlement currency has dropped to 23% compared to 28% six months ago.

18


12. TAX SYSTEM

Administration

Federal taxes are collected by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), formerly known as "Revenue
Canada" or the "Canada Customs and Revenue Agency".

19


Under "Tax Collection Agreements", CRA collects and remits to the provinces:

Provincial personal income taxes on behalf of all provinces except Quebec, so that
individuals outside of Quebec file only one set of tax forms each year for their federal
and provincial income taxes.
Corporate taxes on behalf of all provinces except Quebec and Alberta.

The Ministère du revenu du Québec collects the GST in Quebec on behalf of the federal
government, and remits it to Ottawa.

The provincial governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador,
British Columbia, and Ontario no longer impose a separate provincial sales tax and in those
provinces the federal government collects goods and services tax at a rate higher than in the other
provinces. The additional revenue from this Harmonized Sales Tax is paid by the federal
government to the five harmonizing provinces.

Personal income taxes

Both the federal and provincial governments have imposed income taxes on individuals, and
these are the most significant sources of revenue for those levels of government accounting for
over 40% of tax revenue. The federal government charges the bulk of income taxes with the
provinces charging a somewhat lower percentage, except in Quebec. Income taxes throughout
Canada are progressive with the high income residents paying a higher percentage than the low
income residents.

Where income is earned in the form of a capital gain, only half of the gain is included in income
for tax purposes; the other half is not taxed.

Federal and provincial income tax rates are shown at Canada Revenue Agency's website.

Personal income tax can be deferred in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and tax
sheltered savings accounts (which may include mutual funds and other financial instruments)
that are intended to help individuals save for their retirement.

20


Corporate taxes

Companies and corporations pay tax on profit income and on capital. These make up a relatively
small portion of total tax revenue. Tax is paid on corporate income at the corporate level before it
is distributed to individual shareholders as dividends. A tax credit is provided to individuals who
receive dividend to reflect the tax paid at the corporate level. This credit does not eliminate
double taxation of this income completely, however, resulting in a higher level of tax on
dividend income than other types of income. (Where income is earned in the form of a capital
gain, only half of the gain is included in income for tax purposes; the other half is not taxed.)
Corporations may deduct the cost of capital following capital cost allowance regulations.

Starting in 2002, several large companies converted into "income trusts" in order to reduce or
eliminate their income tax payments, making the trust sector the fastest-growing in Canada as of
2005. Conversions were largely halted on October 31, 2006, when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty
announced that new income trusts would be subject to a tax system similar to that of
corporations, and that these rules would apply to existing income trusts after 2011.

Capital tax is a tax charged on a corporation's taxable capital. Taxable capital is the amount
determined under Part 1.3 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) plus accumulated other
comprehensive income.

On January 1, 2006, capital tax was eliminated at the federal level. Some provinces continued to
charge corporate capital taxes, but effective July 1, 2012, provinces have stopped levying
corporation capital taxes. In Ontario the corporate capital tax was eliminated July 1, 2010 for all
corporations, although it was eliminated effective January 1, 2007, for Ontario corporations
primarily engaged in manufacturing or resource activities. In British Columbia the corporate
capital tax was eliminated as of April 1, 2010.

Sales taxes

The federal government levies a multi-stage sales tax of 5% (6% prior to January 1, 2008, and
7% before July 1, 2006), that is called the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and, in some
provinces, the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). The GST/HST is a value-added tax.

21


All provincial governments except Alberta levy sales taxes as well. The provincial sales taxes for
the provinces of British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador,
and Ontario are harmonized with the GST that is they have a combined tax instead of separate
GST and PST. The provinces of Quebec and Prince Edward Island apply provincial sales tax to
the sum of price and GST. The territories of Nunavut, Yukon and Northwest Territories charge
GST only.

Property taxes

The municipal level of government is funded largely by property taxes on residential, industrial
and commercial properties. These account for about ten percent of total taxation in Canada.
There are two types. The first is an annual tax levied on the value of the property (land plus
buildings). The second is a land transfer tax levied on the sale price of properties everywhere
except Alberta, Saskatchewan and rural Nova Scotia.

Excise taxes

Both the federal and provincial governments impose excise taxes on inelastic goods such as
cigarettes, gasoline, alcohol, and for vehicle air conditioners. A great bulk of the retail price of
cigarettes and alcohol are excise taxes. The vehicle air conditioner tax is currently set at $100 per
air conditioning unit. Canada has some of the highest rates of taxes on cigarettes and alcohol in
the world. These are sometimes referred to as sin taxes. It is generally accepted that higher prices
deter consumption of these items which have been deemed to increase health care costs
stemming from those who use them.

Payroll taxes

Ontario levies a payroll tax on employers, the "Employer Health Tax", of 1.95% of payroll.
Eligible employers are exempt on the first $400,000 of payroll. This tax was designed to replace
revenues lost when health insurance premiums, which were often paid by employers for their
employees, were eliminated in 1989.

22


Quebec levies a similar tax called the "Health Services Fund". For those who are employees, the
amount is paid by employers as part of payroll. For those who are not employees such as
pensioners and self-employed individuals, the amount is paid by the taxpayer.

Premiums for the Employment Insurance system and the Canada Pension Plan are paid by
employees and employers. Premiums for Workers' Compensation are paid by employers. These
premiums account for 12% of government revenues. These premiums are not considered to be
taxes because they create entitlements for employees to receive payments from the programs,
unlike taxes, which are used to fund government activities. The funds collected by the Canada
Pension Plan and by the Employment Insurance are in theory separated from the general fund. It
should be noted that Unemployment Insurance was renamed to Employment Insurance to reflect
the increased scope of the plan from its original intended purpose.

Employment Insurance is unlike private insurance because the individual's yearly income
impacts the received benefit. Unlike private insurance, the benefits are treated as taxable
earnings and if the individual had a mid to high income for the year, they could have to repay up
to the full benefit received.

Health and Prescription Insurance Tax

Ontario charges a tax on income for the health system. These amounts are collected through the
income tax system, and do not determine eligibility for public health care. The Ontario Health
Premium is an additional amount charged on an individual's income tax that ranges from $300
for people with $20,000 of taxable income to $900 for high income earners. Individuals with less
than $20,000 in taxable income are exempt.

Quebec also requires residents to obtain prescription insurance. When an individual does not
have insurance, they must pay an income-derived premium. As these are income related, they are
considered to be a tax on income under the law in Canada.

Other provinces, such as British Columbia, charge premiums collected outside of the tax system
for the provincial medicare systems. These are usually reduced or eliminated for low-income
people.

23


Alberta does not levy a premium for its provincial medicare.

Estate tax

Since the government of Pierre Trudeau repealed Canada's inheritance tax in 1972, estates have
been treated as sales (a "deemed disposition") upon death, except where the estate is inherited by
a surviving spouse or common law partner. Tax owing is paid by the estate, and not by the
beneficiaries. Registered Retirement Savings Plans and Registered Retirement Income Funds are
wound down, and the assets distributed to beneficiaries are treated as withdrawals, i.e., they are
taxed as part of the income of the estate at the normal applicable personal income tax rates with
no reduction for capital gains. Non-registered capital assets are treated as having been sold, and
are taxed at the applicable capital gains tax rates. Interest or other income from non-registered
non-capital assets that is accrued up to the date of death is taxed on the final tax return of the
deceased as the normal tax rates, and is not included on the tax return of the estate.

International taxation

Canadian residents and corporations pay income taxes based on their world-wide income.
Canadians are protected against double taxation receiving income from certain countries which
gave agreements with Canada through the foreign tax credit, which allows taxpayers to deduct
from their Canadian income tax otherwise payable from the income tax paid in other countries. A
citizen who is currently not a resident of Canada may petition the CRA to change her or his
status so that income from outside Canada is not taxed.

13. Environmental Legislation

a. Permits

Permits are documents that grant a group or individual legal permission to carry out an activity
for a specified period of time. Environment Canada issues permits and licenses for a variety of
commercial, industrial and recreational activities.

24


Permits administered by the Department pertain to the protection or conservation of the natural
environment. Examples include permits governing the disposal of substances at sea, the import
and export of hazardous wastes, and the hunting of migratory birds.

Antarctic Environmental Protection Act Permits

The Antarctic Environmental Protection Act prohibits Canadians and Canadian vessels where
applicable, from undertaking the following activities, except where a permit has been granted
or under circumstances described in the Act:

Activities related to mineral resources other than for scientific purposes
Interference with wildlife indigenous to the Antarctic
Introduction of animal or plant species that are not indigenous to the Antarctic
Any activity related to waste disposal
Any activity in a specially protected area

Permit applications must include environmental impact assessment, waste management plans
and emergency plans. In some cases, the Minister may require that a permit applicant provide
and maintain a security to cover potential costs needed to prevent, mitigate or remedy any
adverse environmental impacts caused by the permit holder while in the Antarctic.

It is not necessary for everyone on an expedition, or everyone planning to carry out a specific
activity in the Antarctic, to apply for a permit. One person may apply on behalf of others. The
conditions of a permit apply to any person or vessel covered by that permit. A person who
applies for and/or receives a permit is called a permit holder. The permit holder is responsible for
the actions of every person and vessel covered by that permit. Permit application must be filled
out and submitted to Environment Canada by a representative of an expedition or group.

Recognizing the global effort to implement the Protocol, and the desire to avoid duplication,
written authorization from another nation that is a Party to the Madrid Protocol is an adequate
substitute under the AEPA.

25


Canadian Environmental Protection Act: Permits

Authorizations for Ozone-depleting Substances

Under the Ozone-depleting Substances Regulations, 1998, every person must receive written
authorization from the Minister of the Environment prior to manufacturing, importing or
exporting a "controlled substance". There are two types of authorization: allowances and permits.

Allowances

Allowances provide authorization for the production and importation of unused hydro
chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and methyl bromide for circumstances not governed by permits,
e.g., the importation of unused methyl bromide for uses other than quarantine or pre-shipment or
the importation of unused HCFCs for non-essential uses.

Unlike permits, persons do not make application for consumption allowances. The allowances
are entitlements. The Regulations provide criteria to determine those activities that would entitle
a person to an allowance and define the method by which the quantity of the allowance is
calculated. The sum of all allowances within Canada for each group of controlled substance is
progressively reduced according to a schedule fixed by the Regulations. In order to
accommodate the shifting markets allowance holders face, in terms of their needs and choice of
supplier, allowance holders may make application to transfer all or some portion of their
allowance to others.

At the end of each year, the authorizations provided by permits, allowances and transfers lapse.
Persons may reapply for permits and transfers in the succeeding year. Allowance holders are
automatically informed of their allowances for the succeeding year.

Permits

A permit is required by anyone who intends to:

26


1. import or export a controlled substance that is recovered, recycled, reclaimed or used or a
controlled substance for destruction;

2. export a controlled substance other than a recovered, recycled, reclaimed or used
controlled substance or a controlled substance for destruction;

3. manufacture or import a controlled substance for a purpose set out in Schedule 3 of the
Regulations (e.g., for essential uses, feedstock, quarantine application or pre-shipment
application as defined in the Regulations or as an analytical standard);

4. export a product that contains, or is intended to contain, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
bromofluorocarbons (Halons), tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride) or 1,1,1-
trichloroethane (methyl chloroform);

5. manufacture, import, use, sell, offer for sale, or export a controlled substance for an
essential purpose.

Note: Individuals and companies are entitled to claim information provided under the Canadian
Environmental Protection Act and its regulations as confidential. Where the Act or other
legislation prohibits the disclosure of such information, it has been "masked" to protect it from
disclosure.

Disposal at Sea Permits

A Disposal at Sea Permit is required by anyone who intends to dispose of materials at sea or load
materials for that purpose. It sets out conditions controlling the disposal, including the type of
material, the quantity, the location of the loading site and disposal site, equipment use and
requirements and restrictions such as the timing of disposal operations.

Before a permit is issued by Environment Canada, it is subject to a scientific review and public
consultation which may take up to 90 days. Previously, permits were published in Part I of the
Canada Gazette at least 30 days before the first date on which the loading or disposal was
authorized by the permit. Since July 2012, permits are published on the CEPA Registry at least

27


7days before the effective date of the permit. During the term of a permit, operations may be
subject to inspections by Environment Canada staff.

Permits of Equivalent Level of Environmental Safety (PELES)

Section 190 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) gives the
Minister the authority to issue a permit authorizing any activity to be conducted in a manner that
does not comply with the requirements of Division 8, Part 7 of CEPA 1999 (Control of
Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material and of Prescribed Non-
Hazardous Waste for Final Disposal), including requirements of the regulations made under
Division 8. Such a permit is called a Permit of Equivalent Level of Environmental Safety
(PELES). In order to issue a PELES, the Minister must be satisfied that the proposed activities
provide a level of environmental safety at least equivalent to that provided by compliance with
Division 8.

A PELES must be consistent with international environmental agreements that are binding on
Canada and is subject to conditions fixed by the Minister. CEPA 1999 also gives the Minister the
authority to revoke the PELES if the permit holder does not comply with the conditions of the
permit, or if there is a change in the regulations or a modification in international environmental
agreements binding on Canada.

Note: Individuals and companies are entitled to claim information under the Canadian
Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and its regulations as confidential. Where the Act or other
legislation prohibits the disclosure of such information, it has been "masked" to protect it from
disclosure.

Transboundary Permits

Hazardous Waste & Hazardous Recyclable Material

Transboundary permits apply to movements of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable
materials that are exported or imported out of and into Canada respectively, including transits
passing through Canadian territory en route to a foreign destination. These permits provide a way

28


of controlling and tracking the movements of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable
materials into and out of Canada. A Transboundary Permit is required by anyone who intends to
transport across an international border hazardous waste destined for final disposal or hazardous
recyclable material, which is destined for recovery (i.e. recycling).

Section 187 of CEPA 1999 requires the publication of certain information provided on notices
received for proposed imports, exports and transits of hazardous wastes. This information
comprises: the name or characteristics of the waste or recyclable material; the name of the
Canadian importer, exporter or, for transits, the name of the carrier; and the country of origin or
destination, and in the case of transits both.

b. Contaminated Lands

In pursuit of its mandate, the CSMWG has developed a generic definition and a policy statement
for contaminated sites:
Definition:
A contaminated site is defined as a site at which substances occur at concentrations: (1) above
background levels and pose or are likely to pose an immediate or long-term hazard to human
health or the environment, or (2) exceeding levels specified in policies and regulations.
Policy:
―Contaminated sites on federal lands shall be identified, classified, managed and recorded in a
consistent manner.‖

Inventory of sites

The Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory (FCSI) is a searchable online database providing
Canadians with information on identified and suspected federal contaminated sites across the
country.

About the Inventory

What kind of information is available on the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory (FCSI)?

29


The Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory contains information about each site,
including the classification of the site when initially added to the inventory. The initial
classification is based on a number of factors including the level of contamination and the
current status of remediation work. The inventory is updated annually to reflect current
conditions.

How many federal contaminated sites are there in Canada?

There are over 21,000 federal sites listed in the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory
maintained by the Treasury Board Secretariat, including about 7,000 confirmed
contaminated sites and about 6,000 suspected others. Approximately 9000 are listed as
"closed" because remediation is complete or because no action was identified as
necessary during assessment.

Why does the federal government have so many contaminated sites?

Federal contaminated sites are a legacy of past practices that have resulted in
contamination. The Government of Canada continues the work initiated under the Federal
Contaminated Sites Action Plan and remains committed to the proper management of
contaminated sites for which it is responsible.

Does the Government of Canada take responsibility for all contaminated sites that have been
abandoned by the original owner?

The Government of Canada is not legally liable for all contaminated sites that have been
abandoned by the original owner. The "polluter pays" principle applies and therefore
private companies or other owners are typically liable for the costs of cleaning up (or
"remediating") the land they contaminate.

The nature and extent of any liability is not always clear. Liability depends on many
factors, including the location of the contaminated site and the role of the Government of
Canada regarding the site. With regards to the location of the site, under the Constitution
and other laws, provinces and territories have authority to make laws regarding property

30


and commerce. As such, responsibility and legislative authority over contaminated sites
is primarily the jurisdiction of the provinces and territories. With regards to the role or
actions of the Government of Canada, there may be liability where it owns, leases or
manages contaminated sites - in whole or in part. Similarly, provinces or territories may
also be liable under the same circumstances. In some cases, there may be share liability
between many parties.

In addition, there may be some cases where the Government of Canada concludes that it
is appropriate in the circumstances to assume some responsibility for the contaminated
site. For example, when private companies who caused the contamination have gone out
of business or were unable to pay for dealing with these sites and where no governments
are legally liable, one or more levels of government have assumed responsibility of these
orphan sites. This has occurred in the North where mining companies have gone bankrupt
and there is a need to remediate the contaminated site.

Why are the Sydney Tar Ponds not listed on the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory?

The Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory only lists sites that are strictly a federal
responsibility, the majority of which are on federal lands. The Sydney Tar Ponds are not
included on the list of federal contaminated sites because responsibility for the
remediation of this large site is being shared with the Province of Nova Scotia.

High Priority Projects

Phase II (2011-2016) of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) will focus
remediation efforts on the highest priority FCSAP sites, reducing risk and liability by 2016.
From the original $3.5 billion commitment in Budget 2004, Phase II will draw a further $366
million in 2012-2013, with $333 million to be spent on remediation of an estimated 380 priority
sites. This includes the largest, highest priority projects, Giant and Faro Mines, as well as
hundreds of smaller high priority projects across Canada, resulting in safer, more productive
environments for communities.

31


This section describes some high priority projects that will be managed during Phase II of the
Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan.

Lennard Island Remediation Project, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
5 Wing Goose Bay Remediation Project, Department of National Defence and the
Canadian Forces
DYE-M Remediation Project, Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces
Faro Mine Remediation Project, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada -
Northern Affairs Office
Giant Mine Remediation Project, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada -
Northern Affairs Office
Alaska Highway - Liard River Maintenance Camp Remediation/Risk Management,
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Rock Bay Remediation Project, Transport Canada

14. Employment Legislation

Canadian labour law is that body of law which regulates the rights, restrictions obligations of
trade unions, workers and employers in Canada. Canadian employment law is that body of law
which regulates the rights, restrictions obligations of non-unioned workers and employers in
Canada.

Framework

Both the federal and provincial (or territorial) governments have authority over labour and
employment law in Canada. The constitution gives exclusive federal jurisdiction over
employment in specific industries, such as banking, radio and TV broadcasting, inland and
maritime navigation and shipping, inland fishing, as well as any form of transportation that
crosses provincial boundaries. Employment that is not subject to federal jurisdiction is governed
by the laws of the province or territory where the employment takes place.

32


In areas of unrestricted provincial jurisdiction, each province (and increasingly each territory) is
in charge. So, for example, education (except education on First Nation reserves) and municipal
government are both subject to provincial legislation (the territories excepted).

While Quebec's statutory environment is considerably different in many respects, most provinces
and the federal Code all follow the standard of enterprise-based bargaining structures. They also
share a certification process (the details of which differ somewhat from province to province)
through which unions are recognized by the state as having the support of a majority of workers
in a narrowly-defined workplace.

One feature common to all provincial and federal labour laws is the "Rand Formula". This legal
concept allows employees in unionized workplaces to decline union membership, but requires
them to pay the equivalent of basic union dues even if they decide not to be union members.

15. Technological Environment

Current Research and Development activities

Canada‘s innovation performance is nothing to brag about. In 2012, the country lost its top 10
spot on the Global Innovation Index, ranking 12th. In spite of generous government programs to
support R&D, a 2012 OECD report presented Canada as an R&D laggard, with business
enterprise research and development (BERD) at 0.99 percent of GDP in 2009, against 2.04
percent for the U.S. and an OECD median of 1.62 percent.

Figure 1 shows Canadian BERD slowly declining since 2007, despite non-financial corporations
holding large cash reserves and the federal corporate tax rate having been halved since 2000 (to
15 percent). With a widespread belief that economic conditions will now improve, it is unclear
whether businesses will invest in productivity-enhancing activities soon, or simply let future
sales expansion drive revenue growth.

33


A Shift of Approach

Past data indicate that low investment in R&D is structural and chronic in Canada. No one was
surprised, therefore, when the finance minister‘s March budget speech noted that Canada needs
―to promote innovation more effectively,‖ thereby recognizing Canada‘s lackluster performance.

The 2012 federal budget introduced new measures to address Canada‘s lack of innovation in the
last 30 years with respect to R&D support. This was one of few areas not to face belt-tightening,
with the federal government committing CA$1.6 billion to various measures.

The 2012 budget marked a change in philosophy in the way R&D and innovation are supported
in Canada. The government took the first steps of moving away from a system of indirect
funding, in the form of tax credits, toward a more direct approach using grants, venture capital,
and government procurement.

34


The change was predictable, as the budget announcement was preceded by a series of 2011
reports that were clearly influential. In particular, a federal expert panel‘s report recommended
moving away from tax credits. The report criticized the very generous (35 percent) tax credit for
small Canadian-controlled private corporations and argued that A) it should be reduced to the
general rate available to other corporations (20 percent) and B) the latter should be lowered.

Pre-budget rates are shown in Table 1, along with the rates of the refundable tax credit that most
provinces offer in addition to federal programs. Foreign companies can benefit from these and
other support programs if R&D activities are undertaken in Canada and take an eligible form
(e.g., experimental development or applied research).

Significant Changes

As part of the new approach, the government committed to support further ―traditional‖ R&D, in
the form of advanced research in universities and colleges, by earmarking CA$500 million over
five years to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support new competitions. It also made a
clear case for supporting the private sector more vigorously: the Industrial Research Assistance
Program saw its budget for supporting companies double to CA$220 million per year; the
National Research Council received CA$67 million toward refocusing its activities on business-
led, industry-relevant research; and CA$400 million was allocated to ―help increase private

35


sector investments in early-stage risk capital, and to support the creation of large-scale venture
capital funds led by the private sector.‖

These measures came at a cost, and the victim was Canada‘s largest R&D support program, the
federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit. Changes to the
SR&ED program were presented as ―streamlining and improving‖ it, but the bottom line is that
the program will be less generous starting in 2014. Main changes include a reduction of the rate
from 20 percent to 15 percent for larger firms; the elimination of most capital expenditures as
eligible expenditures; the reduction of eligible overhead expenditures (the proxy rate being
lowered from 65 percent to 55 percent); and the eligibility of only 80 percent of the SR&ED
amount paid to an arm‘s length contractor.

The shift in ideology, in particular the proposed changes to the SR&ED program, were not
welcomed by all, as SR&ED tax incentives seem to have generated a small benefit to
Canada. Opponents point to drawbacks of direct funding: potential lack of transparency in the
process, funds being given out before projects are undertaken, the threat to Canada‘s
international competitiveness if funding contravenes WTO rules, and a heavier administrative
burden as pointed out in the 2011 expert panel report. They also mention the Technology
Partnerships Canada program, canceled in 2006 by the current conservative government after
disbursing more than CA$2 billion in public money on controversially selected projects.

A Different Future?

With the changes introduced in the 2012 budget, foreign companies carrying out R&D in Canada
will need to keep an eye on how tax credit changes may affect them. Currently, the Canadian tax
credit is generous compared to other countries‘ equivalents, including that of the United States.
Compared to its neighbor and other OECD countries, Canada has indeed promoted R&D largely
through a system of tax credits (Figure 2). While the philosophical shift is important per se,
changes announced in the 2012 budget will modify the proportions of direct and indirect
government support for R&D only slightly. It seems likely, however, that future federal policy
will move according to this new paradigm.

36


b. Information and Communication Infrastructure

i. Phone Network

Networks

Mobile Broadband

The Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)'s Communications
Monitoring Report, published in September 2012, indicated there were 13.2mn mobile
broadband subscribers at the end of 2011, making up 48% of all mobile subscribers. The CRTC
reported there were 10mn mobile broadband subscribers in the country at the end of 2010 and we
previously highlighted that prior year data were not included for comparison. Of the 13.2mn
mobile broadband subscribers, 12.0mn were served by 'standard' mobile broadband services and
the remainders were dedicated mobile broadband connections.

The CRTC's mobile broadband definition includes 3G (and 3G equivalent), HSPA+ and LTE.
Both 3G and HSPA+ achieved an availability of 99% of all households at the end of 2011, up
from 98% and 97% respectively. Meanwhile, LTE had a respectable 45% availability at the end
of 2011.

3G/HSPA

SaskTel was the first to launch a 3G service in August 2005, with Bell Wireless and Telus
following before the end of the year. Upgrades from their existing CDMA networks saw the
CDMA 1xEV-DO standard launched across the network, with MTS Mobility following suit in
2006. Rogers Wireless was the last to launch but its services used the GSM-based HSDPA
technology when launched in November 2006. In December 2008, Rogers announced the
completion of its nationwide rollout of HSDPA; by the end of 2010, its UMTS/HSPA+ network
covered 88% of the Canadian population and was able to provide data access rates of up to
21Mbps. Efforts to increase the capacity of its network continue, even as it turns to 4G
technologies such as LTE.

37


In Q211, Rogers began a CAD80mn investment to further enhance its wireless voice and data
network in maritime Canada, extending its HSPA+ coverage to almost 1mn more people across
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, a 130% increase over the existing
population coverage of our network in those provinces. Earlier, in February 2011, Rogers and
MTS jointly rolled out their HSPA+ networks, providing 96% coverage of the population of the
Manitoba region.

Despite networks being built on top of their existing CDMA bases, Telus and Bell announced in
October 2008 that they would jointly build an HSPA network, sharing the expected CAD1bn
cost. The network was built by China's Huawei Technologies and Nokia Siemens Networks
(NSN). The contracts with these vendors include additional software, hardware and cell towers
on top of the other infrastructure required by the build-out. The shared platform went live in
November 2009, much earlier than planned. The decision to move to a W-CDMA platform is
driven by the lower costs of handsets and wider range of models available. As GSM-based
subscribers make up over 80% of the world's mobile customers, there are significant economies
of scale that Telus and Bell are hoping to take advantage of. The companies are also keen to add
many of the industry's latest handsets and related devices that make explicit use of high-speed
infrastructure HSPA. Devices are increasingly being used to lure customers away from rival
networks. In November 2010 Bell announced plans to launch download speeds of 42Mbps using
its HSPA+ network. Both Bell and Telus continued to invest in network capacity and presence
expansion initiatives throughout 2011.

LTE

Bell formally launched its commercial LTE service in parts of Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton,
Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph in mid-September 2011, and added Yellowknife in December
2011. In February 2012 Bell announced it had added seven more urban centres to its LTE
coverage: Montréal, Québec City, Ottawa, London, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver join
those in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Halifax, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph,
Belleville and Yellowknife. By August 2012, Bell had completed the first phase of its LTE
network expansion in Manitoba, with services available to approximately 70% of Manitobans.

38


The timing of broader rural and remote coverage deployments would be contingent on the
outcome of the auction of 700MHz spectrum, which is due to take place in early 2013.

At launch, Bell LTE customers could buy dual-mode LTE/HSPA+ Turbo Sticks (plug-in
wireless routers, or 'dongles') for use with laptops. However, in Q411, the company launched the
LGOptimus LTE. More LTE-enabled smartphones and mobile computers are expected to be
launched in 2012.

Telus, too, is deploying an LTE-based 4G network to complement the jointly owned HSPA
platform, which it launched in February 2012. The company completed field tests in 2011 and
submitted a request to the regulator to permit network construction from H211. Telus' LTE
network operates on advanced wireless services (AWS) spectrum, acquired by the company for
CAD882mn in Industry Canada's 2008 auction.

Telus' LTE services compliment its HSPA+ network, which it launched in March 2011, in the
Greater Vancouver area, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Whistler, Camrose, Winnipeg,
and the Greater Toronto area. Dual-cell capable devices available to Telus' customers include the
Sierra WirelessAirCard 319U 4G Internet Key and the Huawei E372 Mobile Internet Key. The
dual-cell HSPA+ platform offered access speeds of up to 42Mbps. In announcing the HSPA+
expansion, Telus noted that its investments in the technology had been made to provide an
optimal transition to LTE. The firm has promised maximum download speeds of up to 75Mbps,
averaging at between 12-25Mbps. Fourteen metropolitan areas have already started using the
service and Telus plans to roll out its 4G coverage to more than 25mn customers in Canada.

Huawei signed contracts with Telus to provide LTE radio access network upgrades across
Canada in February 2012. It has also signed a contract with Bell for a similar LTE RAN kit. No
substantive details were provided about either contract.

In August 2012, Telus announced that its LTE network was operation in Burnaby, New
Westminster, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, South Delta and Vancouver. The operator is
looking to provide coverage for 90% of the province's population by end-2012.

39


In January 2012 Rogers announced that it expanded its LTE coverage area in Montreal to now
reach Laval, Terrebonne, Brossard, Longueuil and Vaudreuil. It also revealed plans to expand
4G coverage to more than 25 additional cities by the end of 2012, to reach 20mn customers.

Rogers announced in August 2012 that its LTE network was operational in Moncton, making the
operator the first to deliver LTE services in New Brunswick. Rogers has invested CAD20mn in
its wireless network in New Brunswick and the development further expands Rogers LTE
network in Atlantic Canada, adding to cities including Halifax and St. John's. LTE services in
Calgary and Halifax went live in April 2012 while commercial services in St John's started in
February 2012.

At the beginning of September 2011, SaskTel said that it was committing itself to the
deployment of '4G+' LTE technology. The network will be built alongside and interwork with
the HSPA+ platform. The company said that work had begun on LTE planning, infrastructure
development and internal systems. LTE will be deployed to other urban and rural areas starting
in 2013 based on the demand for incremental data services, and it is anticipated that voice-
optimised LTE will begin to be deployed in 2013. A supplier for LTE infrastructure had not been
identified at the time of writing, though BMI would expect NSN and Huawei to secure the
contracts. In September 2012, SaskTel announced it has awarded an LTE trial contract to
Huawei for TD-LTE-based fixed wireless services in Saskatchewan. The trial will run from end-
December 2012 to August 2013.

Canada's smaller operators have not wanted to get left behind in the race to boost the expansion
of 3G and 4G networks. Wind Mobile - an operator that is little more than a year old -
announced in February 2011 that it had conducted a successful live trial of an LTE network, and
had also introduced high-definition voice calling over its network. Following these tests, the
operator claimed that its network was now capable of migrating to 4G technologies.

However, following the auction rule announcement of March 2012, Wind announced it may not
bid in the upcoming spectrum auction. CEP, Anthony Lacavera, stated that the10MHz bands of
spectrum would not be sufficient to build an adequate LTE network capable of competing with
the larger players. This is in contrast to the attitude to that of MTS, which, following the

40


announcement, Stewart Lyons, Mobilicity's chief operating officer, said: 'We'll be there, we'll be
bidding 100 per cent and we'll be bidding aggressively.'

Key Market Developments

SaskTel Introduces Commercial FTTP Services

SaskTel introduced commercial FTTP high-speed broadband services, under the infiNET banner.
The FTTP service offers data speeds of up to 200Mbps/60Mbps (download/upload). The FTTP
service launch is part of a seven-year CAD670mn investment programme. The operator plans to
deploy FTTP in nine of the biggest urban centres of SaskTel's home province - Saskatoon,
Regina, Moose Jaw, Weyburn, Estevan, Swift Current, Yorkton, North Battleford and Prince
Albert by end-2017. The operator expected that more than 40,000 homes will be equipped with
FTTP by end-2012.

Telus Ownership under Scrutiny

Canada's Globalive (Wind) has submitted a filing to the CRTC, the country's telecoms regulator,
accusing Telus of exceeding foreign ownership rules for telecommunications companies
operating in the country. Foreign ownership cannot exceed 33.3% of shares in operators under
Canadian law, and Wind has accused Telus of having around 48% foreign ownership. Although
Telus contests this, BMI believes the move may help encourage greater transparency in
shareholder structure, which would benefit the market.

Astral Takeover To Benefit Bell - CRTC Approval Pending

Despite a change to the law in March 2012, which allowed carriers with less than 10% market
share to exceed the 33.3% ownership rule, the larger operators in the country, including Telus,
were not included in the ruling. The move was to encourage competition in a market where three
carriers, Bell, Rogers and Telus, hold 93% of the market between them. Telus has 28.4% of the
Canadian mobile market, considerably higher than the 10% cut-off.

On March 19 2012 Bell Canada revealed plans to acquire Astral Media for CAD3.38bn. The
transaction will see Bell take ownership of 100% of Astral's non-voting shares at nearly a 40%

41


premium on trading price. BMI believes the move is a good strategy on Bell's part as it will
leave the company well positioned to cater to growing demand for mobile content. However, we
raise concerns that the deal may not pass regulators on anticompetitive grounds.

Astral is the eighth largest media outlet in Canada, operating 22 TV channels and 84 radio
stations, as well as 100 websites and other digital media content. The proposed takeover will
integrate Astral's operations with Bell Media, which currently controls CTV, Canada's oldest and
largest private broadcast television network, among other broadcasting content. BMI believes
this is a sensible acquisition on Bell's part, as it will facilitate Bell Canada's access to content. It
will also cut capital expenditure considerably - currently, Astral is the single largest recipient of
Bell's expenditure on TV content.

FIXED LINE

As is the general trend in most markets, the fixed-line market in Canada continues to decline.
The principal operators have reported a slow, but steady fall in recent quarters, with any market
growth being generated by smaller operators. During Q212 the number of fixed-line subscribers
fell further, decreasing 6.0% y-o-y. This decline had been factored in during our previous
forecast adjustment, and we have largely maintained our expectation with 16.754mn fixed-line
subscribers in the country at end-2012, a penetration rate of 48.3%.

At the end of 2011, the number of fixed-line subscribers in Canada fell to 17.270mn or 50.3%
penetration. Fixed-line penetration will fall below 50% in 2012 and will continue to on a
downward trajectory through our forecast period. Not only have new mobile operators
heightened price competition, which can only serve to lure more customers away from fixed-line
connections, but smaller cable and broadband operators have turned to fixed-line services to
boost income, primarily with bundled packages. BMI continues to believe that even the major
operators' triple-play services are not stemming the overall downward trend, although it is clear
that such offerings have at least slowed the rate of decline. Additionally, while the subscription
numbers may be supported by operators' bundling strategy, we believe actual service usage
continues to decline. Further, wireless is increasingly important, and less expensive to roll out in

42


more remote regions, which will continue to augment the mobile market's lead over the fixed-
line market.

Canada's fixed-line penetration rate is higher than many developed markets and will remain so as
there are regions that have more limited mobile infrastructure. While such infrastructure is
expanding, fixed-line connections will remain an important part of the telecoms market and the
number of lines in service will stay reasonably high. By 2016, BMI expects the market will have
declined to 13.631mn lines, with a 37.9% penetration rate.

ii. Broadband

Broadband remains one of the strongest sectors within the market and is key to maintaining
interest in fixed-line services as growth continues at a strong pace in Canada. Triple-play options
have also encouraged take-up of broadband as subscribers see significant discounts through the
bundling of services. The CRTC reports that approximately 13.2mn mobile broadband
subscribers were served by mobile operators at the end of 2011.

CRTC reports that there were around 500 active players in Canada's broadband and internet
services market in 2011, generating total revenue of CAD7.2bn; this represented a 6.3% increase
from CAD6.8bn in 2010. Access and transport revenue totalled CAD6.4bn in 2011, versus
CAD6.0bn in 2010, with residential services accounting for 77% of that part of the market in
2011.

The top five major ISPs, including affiliates, accounted for 76% of access revenue in 2011,
unchanged y-o-y, reported the regulator. Cable operators accounted for 51% of revenue in 2011,
up from 50% in 2010. Incumbent local telephone companies accounted for 37% of revenue in
2011. Meanwhile, network upgrades helped improve high-speed connection penetration among
Canadian households, encouraging subscribers to download and upload more data. On average,
17.9GB of data were downloaded by each residential subscriber every month in 2011, up from
14.8GB in 2010. Meanwhile, on average, 3.8GB of data were uploaded by every residential
subscriber each month in 2011 (3.7GB in 2010).

43


Canada Broadband Market By Operator ('000)

% chg y-o-y Market
Q111 Q211 Q311 Q411 Q112 Q212 (Q211-Q212) Share, Q212

e = BMI estimate. Source: BMI, operators

Bell Canada 2,110 2,112 2,111 2,113 2,104 2,104 -0.4 18.8%

Shaw* 1,848 1,860 1,877 1,888 1,907 1,906 2.5 17.0%

Rogers Cable 1,698 1,729 1,768 1,793 1,806 1,815 5.0 16.2%

Telus 1,183 1,196 1,218 1,242 1,298 1,315 9.9 11.7%

Vidéotron 1,267 1,267 1,306 1,333 1,341 1,341 5.8 12.0%

Bell Aliant 851 855 892 896 902 906 6.0 8.1%

Manitoba Telecom
Services (MTS) 185 186 187 189 190 190 2.0 1.7%

Cogeco* 586 593 601 609 626 629 6.0 5.6%

Other (e) 867 910 946 972 990 1,000 9.9 8.9%

44


Canada Broadband Market By Operator ('000)

% chg y-o-y Market
Q111 Q211 Q311 Q411 Q112 Q212 (Q211-Q212) Share, Q212

Total 10,597 10,707 10,906 11,034 11,163 11,206 4.7 100.0%

The CRTC's Communications Monitoring Report 2011 suggests that cable connections
accounted for 55% all residential internet accesses in 2011, versus 50% in 2007. Telecoms
operators' xDSL networks accounted for another 39% (38% in 2007) while dial-up connections
accounted for 2% (down from 10% in 2007). Alternative platforms, such as satellite, Wi-Fi,
powerlines and fibre accounted for the remaining 4% of accesses in 2011 (2% in 2007).

The same report noted that cable connections accounted for just 20% of business internet
connections in 2011 (10% in 2007), while xDSL led the field with 43% (46% in 2007). Canadian
businesses are seeing the benefits of fibre: 27% of business internet connections were via fibre in
2011 (28% in 2009), while dial-up platforms served just 2% of customers (7% in 2007). Other
technologies accounted for the remaining 8% in both periods.

Market Shares

Unsurprisingly, it is the largest fixed-line and cable-TV operators that top the fixed broadband
market with Bell Canada. However, competition in the broadband market is fierce, with
operators seeing the service as a means of getting subscribers to spend more on their accounts,
as well as encourage greater loyalty. While Bell's lead in the market is quite strong, it has been
continually declining, from 22.3% in 2008 to 18.8% in Q212. Smaller operators, such as Bell
Aliant, MTS and Cogeco, have reported stronger growth rates, although they are starting from
a smaller base. Other, smaller operators have grown 9.9% y-o-y.

The second largest operator, Shaw, had 17.0% of the market. However, as seen in the pay-TV
market, smaller players are reporting strong growth and rapidly catching up to Bell. Shaw's
combination of HDTV and high-speed broadband options seems to be attractive to subscribers

45


and is creating a significant boost to Shaw's market shares across sectors. New services such as
its Plan Personalizer also add value to the operators' offerings, while Shaw has also cut the price
of its broadband package. Rogers Cable maintains its third-ranked position with a market share
of 16.2%. In January 2011 Rogers boosted its presence with the acquisition of Atria Networks, a
fibre-optic data service network in Ontario.

Canada Business Internet Access By Technology

2011

Source: CRTC

WiMAX

Investment focus remains on providing higher speed services to subscribers. As customers
download increasingly media-rich content and use online services more and more, providing the
latest technologies and services is important for customer satisfaction, as well as maintaining a
competitive edge. This has seen operators increase their spending plans and invest heavily in
next generation technologies such as WiMAX and fibre-optic cable. While fibre provides a faster
download speed, WiMAX is a real option for Canadian operators given the large distances that
must be covered in order to reach some areas of the population. That said, few operators have yet
to put WiMAX networks into commercial service and many trials of the technology have either

46


been abandoned or indefinitely postponed while operators consider alternative propositions, such
as the mobile broadband capabilities of HSPA and LTE.

In December 2011, Rogers announced it would discontinue its portable internet service, based on
WiMAX technology, form March 2012. The service, operating over the Inukshuk Wireless
network, mostly targeted rural customers who are unable to sign up for the cheaper DSL or cable
internet offerings. In June 2010 Telus announced the launch of its Optik High Speed and Optik
TV brands, both of which have served to boost subscriber numbers. Telus had an 11.2%
broadband market share in Q311, reporting subscriber growth of 6% y-o-y and market share
steady on last quarter. In March 2011, Telus announced plans to invest CAD650mn in Alberta to
expand and enhance its wireless and wireline networks. Later that month, it went on to describe
its plans to spend CAD670mn in British Columbia and CAD220mn in Quebec to expand its
network further. In December 2011 it reported it was to invest CAD875,000 on expanding its
WiMAXnextwork to more than 1,700km of Highway 1. The company is investing CAD670mn
in its 4G networks across British Columbia.

In April 2009, I-NetLink Wireless contracted Redline to supply it with RedMAX equipment to
serve 150 communities in rural Manitoba with wireless broadband services. The RedMAX
network, which was expected to be the largest 3.5GHz WiMAX network in Manitoba when
completed, would also allow I-NetLink to expand its network to areas where high capacity
services were not available due to lack of fibre and limited interest from larger carriers. The
WiMAX network uses I-NetLink's 3.5GHz licensed spectrum holdings and extended its existing
infrastructure of 135 privately owned and operated towers, making I-NetLink the second largest
telecommunications provider in the province.

In September 2009, Motorola's Home & Networks Mobility division was awarded a contract by
Craig Wireless Systems to build a new 802.16e WiMAX network in Vancouver, British
Columbia. Motorola said the system would be the first commercial deployment of its mobile
WiMAX technology in Canada, and that it followed a recent decision by Industry Canada
decision to award a Broadband Radio Service Licence to Craig Wireless. Motorola provided its
end-to-end WiMAX platform, including base stations, wireless access controllers and an
operation and maintenance centre. Motorola also provided supporting services for network

47


design, planning, installation and optimization for end-to-end integration of the network, which
operates in the 2.5GHz spectrum band. The value of Motorola's contract was not disclosed.

However, in April 2010, it was announced that Craig Wireless Systems decided to exit the
Canadian wireless broadband market and sold its SkyWeb business and wireless spectrum
covering Manitoba and British Columbia for CAD80mn to Inukshuk Wireless Partnership, a
joint venture between affiliates of Rogers Communications and Bell Canada. In November
2010 wireless internet solutions provider YourLink (a subsidiary of Vecima Networks)
announced it would sell its licences in Saskatchewan to Inukshuk Wireless Partnership. The
licences are worth CAD14mn and the agreement is subject to regulatory approval.

In June 2010, TeraGo Networks agreed to purchase licences for 24GHz spectrum covering six
of the largest markets in Canada. TeraGo exercised its option to purchase these spectrum assets
for a gross purchase price of CAD5mn under an existing lease arrangement entered into in
March 2007 with Mobilexchange Spectrum. This spectrum is used by TeraGo for Ethernet-
based broadband links for business, government and cellular backhaul. The purchased spectrum
includes 240MHz in each of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, as well as 80MHz in each of
Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. Following completion of this purchase, TeraGo will own 76
spectrum licences in the 24GHz and 38GHz bands.

TeraGo Networks has been offering carrier-grade wireless broadband and data communications
services since 2001. The operator owns and manages its wireless IP network in 43 major markets
across Canada, serving more than 4,800 customer locations.

Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural CanadiansIn May 2010, Industry Canada announced
that 52 projects across Canada had been conditionally approved for funding under the Broadband
Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians programme. These projects, which will collectively receive
a federal contribution of around CAD76.7mn, will bring broadband access to an estimated
169,000 households currently underserved by high-speed internet services.

The following companies were conditionally approved for funding as part of this announcement:
ABC Communications; Barrett Xplore; Corridor Communications; Cybernet
Communications; FlexiNET Broadband; GwaiiTel Society; Manitoba NetSet; Naskapi

Canada's Shale Gas Resources

Empfohlen

Empfohlen

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Ähnlich wie Canada's Shale Gas Resources

Ähnlich wie Canada's Shale Gas Resources (20)

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Kürzlich hochgeladen (20)

Canada's Shale Gas Resources