Professional Documents
Culture Documents
EY QuadrigaCX Report
EY QuadrigaCX Report
484742
INTRODUCTION
1. On February 5, 2019 (the “Filing Date”), Quadriga Fintech Solutions Corp., Whiteside
Capital Corporation and 0984750 B.C. Ltd. (“Quadriga” or the “Company”) (collectively,
the “Applicants”) were granted protection from their creditors by the Nova Scotia
Supreme Court (the “Court”) under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the
“CCAA”). Pursuant to an Order of Justice Wood dated February 5, 2019 (the “Initial
Order”), Ernst & Young Inc. (“EY”) was appointed as the monitor (the “Monitor”) of the
Applicants in these CCAA proceedings. The Initial Order provides for a stay of
extend the stay of proceedings in respect of the Applicants and hear any motions to amend
or vary the Initial Order was scheduled by the Court for March 5, 2019.
PURPOSE
2. The purpose of the first report of the Monitor (the “First Report”) is to provide the Court
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with an update in respect of the following:
(b) Commentary on the motions of Bennett Jones LLP and McInnes Cooper
(collectively “Bennett/McInnes”), Miller Thomson LLP and Cox & Palmer LLP
(collectively, “Miller/Cox”) and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and Patterson Law
TERMS OF REFERENCE
3. In preparing this First Report, the Monitor has relied upon unaudited financial information,
the Company’s books and records, financial information prepared by the Company (the
“Information”) and discussions with the Applicants’ directors, senior management team,
consultants (“Management”) and legal advisors. The Monitor has not audited, reviewed or
that would wholly or partially comply with Generally Accepted Assurance Standards
accordingly the Monitor expresses no opinion or other form of assurance in respect of the
Information.
4. The Monitor’s understanding of factual matters expressed in this Report concerning the
Applicants and their business is based on the Information, and not independent factual
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5. Unless otherwise stated, all monetary amounts contained herein are expressed in Canadian
dollars.
6. Capitalized terms not defined in this First Report are as defined in the Pre-Filing Report of
the Proposed Monitor dated January 31, 2019 (the “Pre-Filing Report”).
Notice to Creditors
7. On the Filing Date, this Court issued the Initial Order upon application by the Applicants
which, among other things, declared that the Applicants are debtor companies under the
CCAA and granted certain relief in respect of the Applicants. The Initial Order also
directed and empowered the Monitor to perform certain activities for the benefit of the
8. Pursuant to the terms of the Initial Order, the Monitor arranged to place a notice of these
proceedings in the Globe and Mail (print and electronic editions) on February 9, 2019 and
February 16, 2019. A copy of the notice published in the Globe & Mail on February 9,
9. The Applicants coordinated to electronically post a copy of the Initial Order on the
post copies of the Initial Order on the Monitor’s case website at www.ey.com/ca/quadriga
www.reddit.com/r/quadrigacx, each within the required time frame specified in the Initial
Order. In addition, the Monitor e-mailed the prescribed notice to 1,658 known creditors
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having estimated claims exceeding $10,000 (of which 11 e-mails were returned as
10. In addition, the Monitor has prepared a list of creditors in accordance with section 23(1)(a)
of the CCAA. Subsequent to the Monitor filing the Pre-Filing Report in these CCAA
reconciling the differences between the two lists produced by Management to determine
any differences. Pursuant to the terms of the Initial Order and to address privacy concerns,
the list of creditors will not be publicly filed unless ordered otherwise by the Court.
11. The Monitor has made various materials relating to these CCAA proceedings available on
the Monitor’s Website including all motion materials filed by Applying Rep Counsel. The
Monitor intends to promptly post orders of the Court, motion materials and its own reports
12. A toll free hotline number (1-855-870-2285) and a dedicated Monitor’s e-mail account
interested parties to contact the Monitor to obtain additional information concerning the
CCAA proceedings. As of the date of this First Report, the Monitor has received nearly
500 inquiries from Affected Users. The Monitor anticipates posting an FAQ document on
the Monitor’s Website to address common questions that have been received by the
Monitor to date.
13. The Monitor established the Disbursement Account (as defined within the Initial Order)
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and received $150,000 from Ms. Jennifer Robertson providing immediate access to funds
14. The Monitor and the Applicants’ counsel notified nine (9) separate third party payment
processors known to have provided services to the Applicants to advise of the Initial Order
and request that any funds, including bank drafts, and information and documents
15. The Monitor has not received any funds from third party payment processors to date. The
Monitor and the Applicants are continuing to attempt to work cooperatively with certain of
these payment processors in order to secure funds and information in their possession. One
third party payment processor has alleged it has the right to continue to hold funds in its
possession pursuant to the terms of its agreement with the Applicants. It may be necessary
for the Applicants and Monitor to return to the Court for additional assistance in enforcing
the terms of the Initial Order and securing the return of funds from third party payment
processors. The Monitor will update the Court and stakeholders as to the progress of these
16. As noted in the Robertson Affidavit, one payment processor is currently in possession of
five separate bank drafts totalling approximately $25.2 million. Counsel for the Applicants
and the Monitor have been in contact with legal counsel for this payment processor. There
are various issues to address, however, discussions between the parties have been positive
to date. The second group of bank drafts originally held by a third party payment
processor, have now been relocated and are in the possession of Stewart McKelvey who is
currently cataloguing the bank drafts in its possession. The Applicants and Monitor are
working with the issuing banks and the Monitor’s bank to determine the necessary
5
documentation and/or endorsements required to facilitate the transfer and negotiation of the
Cryptocurrency Retrieval
17. The Monitor was advised that Quadriga held the following cryptocurrency balances (with
approximate Canadian currency equivalent aggregating to $902,743) within its hot wallets
approximately $468,675 to Quadriga cold wallets which the Company is currently unable
to access. The Monitor is working with Management to retrieve this cryptocurrency from
19. The Monitor has made arrangements to transfer the remaining cryptocurrency (Bitcoin
which will be retained by the Monitor pending further order of this Court.
Electronic Devices
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20. The Monitor has identified and secured various Quadriga electronic devices reportedly
owned or used by Mr. Cotten within the Quadriga operation. The majority of the Quadriga
devices retrieved and now controlled by the Monitor were obtained from a consultant, Mr.
Chris McBryan, Insp (retired) of McKalian Sensors Inc. who was previously engaged by
Quadriga to access the devices and locate the missing cryptocurrency. The devices taken
into custody from Mr. McBryan include two (2) active laptops, two (2) older model
laptops, two (2) active cell phones, two (2) older “dead” cell phones and three (3) fully
encrypted USB keys. These devices are currently secure in a safety deposit box rented by
the Monitor.
21. The Monitor’s forensic group is currently working with Mr. McBryan to better understand
actions that have been taken in respect of the devices and what information has been
obtained from the devices to date to determine what forensic next steps will be employed.
22. In addition, the Monitor was made aware of and took steps to retrieve Mr. Cotten’s desktop
computer from his home office at his residence in Nova Scotia. No forensic activities have
23. The Quadriga platform operates from a series of third party servers located in various
jurisdictions. The Monitor is working with the Company to confirm the exact locations of
the Quadriga servers and make arrangements to preserve the server information and the
associated data which will be retained by the Monitor pending further order of this Court.
operation of Quadriga’s exchange platform, the accounts (hot and cold wallets and other
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exchanges) used by Quadriga to store cryptocurrency and confirm efforts performed to date
24. The Applicants and the Monitor will continue with their efforts to access Mr. Cotten’s
devices, find and access any Quadriga cold wallets that exist, and locate any other
cryptocurrency belonging to Quadriga and report back to the Court in respect of these
activities.
25. As previously noted in the Pre-Filing Report, the primary affected creditors within these
proceedings are users of Quadriga’s exchange platform (the “Affected Users”) who the
Applicants have estimated are owed cash and cryptocurrency cumulatively valued in
Canadian dollar equivalency at approximately $260 million. The claims of the Affected
26. The Monitor has reviewed the motion materials filed by Applying Rep Counsel in support
of their respective motions to be appointed Rep Counsel for the Affected Users. In
addition to motion materials filed by Applying Rep Counsel, two other law firms delivered
correspondence to the Monitor in connection with the motion to appoint Rep Counsel.
Copies of the letters delivered to the Monitor by the other law firms are attached as
27. To assist the Court in the review of the motion, the Monitor has prepared a brief summary
of the factors and issues typically taken into consideration by other Canadian courts in past
proceedings on such motions. The Monitor also considered these issues in the unique
8
circumstances of this proceeding and provides its views below.
28. In the Pre-Filing Report the Monitor noted the potential need for representative counsel in
these CCAA proceedings given the number and nature of the Affected Users. On the same
day that the Applicants’ sought the Initial Order, Bennett/McInnes filed a motion to be
appointed as Rep Counsel in respect of the Affected Users. The Court adjourned the
motion until February 14, 2019 allowing other firms to seek appointment as Rep Counsel
in these CCAA proceedings. The Monitor notes that the process for the appointment of
Rep Counsel in these CCAA proceedings has proceeded on an expedited timeline and has
proceeded in a fashion different than other CCAA cases that the Monitor has reviewed.
29. The Monitor notes that the process historically followed by Canadian courts in appointing
representative counsel is for the Court to be given the opportunity to consider a motion
brought forward together with the Applicants and Monitor which outline:
(a) whether such an appointment is necessary in the particular case, and at the
(c) the proposed group which is to be represented, and commonality of interest of the
group members;
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(f) the manner in which the representative counsel should be paid.
Factors to be Considered
30. A review of relevant case law suggests that when deciding whether to appoint
representative counsel, Canadian courts have given significant weight to the following
three factors:
(a) The vulnerability and resources of the group seeking representation. While
However, in cases where representative counsel or estate funding for it was denied,
the members of the group were well-resourced and there was no evidence of any
financial inability of group members to retain their own (or joint) counsel.
(b) The facilitation of the administration of the proceedings and efficiency. Courts
less costly proceedings. Often, this means unifying large groups of claimants so that
their common interests can be protected and the proceedings run efficiently.
Similarly, the Courts have appointed representative counsel in cases where the
unrealistic to expect that it could be fully responsive to the needs and demands of
31. The Monitor notes that the Courts have denied representative counsel appointments,
ordered that claimants must opt-in to representation (as opposed to opt-out of it) or limited
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the scope of the representative counsel’s mandates or fees to be paid in circumstances
where the proposed representative counsel was not seen as adding any value to the estate
(simply duplicating the Monitor’s role or not having a clear role to play), and where the
vulnerability or a need to receive funding from the debtor to protect their interests.
Similarly, the Courts have limited the mandates for representative counsel to represent the
class members in respect of their common issues only and not any individual claimant’s
claims.
32. The Monitor is aware of only limited circumstances where multiple law firms applied to be
representative counsel. In those cases, the Courts considered the underlying experience of
the proposed counsel, as well as considering which law firm proposed to represent the most
inclusive class of claimants and how many claimants have already retained that firm to
represent them.
33. The reasonable fees and expenses of representative counsel, as well as financial and other
advisors, are frequently funded by the CCAA debtors’ estates. In such cases, the Courts
frequently grant the representative counsel a charge to secure its fees and disbursements.
One of the main factors the Courts tend to consider is the ability of the proposed class
members to pay for counsel themselves. Representative counsel orders may include a
permanent or time-limited monetary cap on fees and expenses (and on such charge).
34. The Monitor is of the view that in these CCAA proceedings, the following issues could
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benefit from the appointment of Rep Counsel:
(a) Communicating with and disseminating pertinent information about the CCAA
(b) Securing the Affected Users’ collective view on various issues in the CCAA
proceedings;
(c) Advocating on behalf of Affected Users before the Court on various issues that
(d) Disseminating information to Affected Users for the purposes of a future claims
(e) Negotiating and assisting with voting in respect of a potential future plan of
arrangement, if any.
35. The Monitor notes that it is early stages in these CCAA proceedings and the Monitor is
timeframe:
(b) Forensic investigations into, among other things, determining the location of the
missing cryptocurrency;
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(d) Retention of experts to assist with the above.
36. In order to avoid duplication of efforts and cost, it may be appropriate for the Court to limit
information to the Affected Users, and securing and communicating the collective view on
preliminary issues in these CCAA proceedings, without prejudice to their right to bring a
motion at a later date to increase the scope of their mandate. Given the limited resources of
the Applicants’ estate at this time, the Monitor believes it may be premature for a more
significant mandate. Further, the Monitor intends to consult with Rep Counsel, if
appointed, with respect to the above to ensure they receive up to date information on the
37. Should the Court be of the view that Rep Counsel should be appointed in these CCAA
proceeding, the Monitor considers the following aspects of the Order to be of particular
importance in this case. The Monitor notes that not all of these issues appear to be fully
addressed in the materials submitted by the Applying Rep Counsel and further submissions
may be required to fill the gaps in information presently before the Court.
(a) Composition of the Affected User Committee. At these early stages of these CCAA
proceedings, the Monitor does not yet have full visibility into the various interests
of the Affected Users and whether a single committee and representative counsel
can represent all such interests. However, given the premature stage of these CCAA
proceedings and limited funding currently available for the Applicants’ estate, the
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The representation of diverse, and potentially conflicting, interests of the Affected
Users, could be addressed in the size and diversity in composition of the committee
of Affected Users (the “Affected Users’ Committee”) that will instruct Rep
claims, Rep Counsel and/or the Monitor can advise the Court and if appropriate,
alternative arrangements may be made to address the conflict, for example, through
representative counsel will often implement by-laws or terms which govern the
manner in which they will solicit and receive instructions from their group. The
Court may wish to have further information in respect of the contemplated terms of
such governance. However, the Monitor is not aware of other orders granted by
terms.
(c) Opt-In or Opt-Out Basis. The “opt-out basis” suggested in the draft orders
represented by the named Rep Counsel. The Monitor notes that in this case the
to date. However, given the breadth and disparity of the Affected Users, the
Monitor believes it would beneficial for the process and administration of these
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CCAA proceedings if Rep Counsel represented the greatest number of Affected
Users. Further, certain Affected User may not be up to date on the CCAA
proceedings and will not become aware of an opt-in process. In these CCAA
basis. Any privacy concerns that individuals may be have about providing personal
Applicants and Rep Counsel (and not the Affected Users’ Committee).
(d) Privacy considerations. The Applicants and Monitors have been approached by
personal information during the CCAA proceedings. The Monitor notes that the
motion materials filed by the Applying Rep Counsel also speak to this
consideration. The Monitor suggests that wherever possible, the terms of the order
(e) The mandate of the representative counsel. As noted above, due to the very early
appropriate to temporarily limit the mandate of Rep Counsel appointed at this time
(f) Funding of the representative counsel. It appears to the Monitor that many Affected
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Users are investors with means who were able to invest large sums of money in a
highly speculative industry. However, many Affected Users have modest amounts
owed to them by the Company and others allege that they had a significant amount
of their net worth deposited with Quadriga. Given the disparity of the Affected
Users and the potential that certain Affected Users are unable to secure individual
that Rep Counsel is funded by the Applicants’ estate in these CCAA proceedings.
However, given the limited resources of the Applicants and potential for a mandate
with limited scope, it may be appropriate for the Court to place permanent or time-
38. The Monitor notes that each Applying Rep Counsel has outlined the estimated number of
individuals and holdings which have expressed support for their appointment as Rep
Counsel.
39. With respect to selecting between Bennett/McInnes, Miller/Cox and Osler/Patterson for the
role of Rep Counsel, the Monitor is of the view that each of the Applying Rep Counsel are
more than adequately qualified and experienced to act as Rep Counsel in these CCAA
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proceedings.
40. With respect to the members of the Affected Users’ Committee, the Monitor is unable to
gauge the appropriateness of the proposed members given the limited information available
to date. The Monitor proposes that the identity of the members on the Affected User
Committee should either be approved by the Court at a later date or determined by Rep
Counsel at a later date in consultation with the Monitor after providing notice to the
Affected Users that Rep Counsel is seeking to establish an Affected Users’ Committee.
the Affected Users’ Committee with respect to their holdings, interests and qualifications
relative to other Affected Users. The Monitor believes the Affected Users’ Committee
should attempt to reflect the diversity of composition of the Affected Users and as noted
above, the Court may wish to provide guidance or instruction to Rep Counsel on the
CONCLUSION
41. At the hearing of the Initial Order, at the request of the Bennett/McInnes moving parties,
the Court scheduled this motion to permit potential counsel the opportunity to apply for the
role of Rep Counsel of the Affected Users in these CCAA proceedings. While the Monitor
appreciates that the ultimate selection is a decision for the Court, in an effort to assist the
Court with its decision, the Monitor has outlined some factors and issues for consideration
by the Court, based on the Monitor’s earlier experiences with similar representative
counsel orders in other CCAA proceedings and the Monitor’s review of precedent orders.
42. On the merits of the motions brought by the Applying Rep Counsel, the Monitor believes it
17
would be appropriate to appoint Rep Counsel in these CCAA proceedings to represent the
broad group of Affected Users. The Monitor also believes that each of the Applying Rep
Counsel are well qualified and experienced to act as Rep Counsel and will adequately
______________________________
George Kinsman, CPA, CA, CIRP, LIT
Senior Vice President
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Appendix “A” – Globe & Mail Notice
[Attached]
Globe2Go, the digital newspaper replica of The Globe and Mail - The Globe and Mail (O... Page 1 of 2
http://globe2go.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/services/OnlinePrintHandler.ashx?issue=189... 2/11/2019
Appendix “B” – Notice to Creditors
[Attached]
RE: Proceedings under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act
[Attached]
Barristers & Solicitors
Bay Adelaide Centre - West Tower
Goodman 333 Bay Street, Suite 3400
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2S7
Telephone: 416.979.2211
Facsimile: 416.979.1234
goodmans.ca
February 7,2019
Elizabeth Pillon
5300 Commerce Court West
199 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5L 1B9
Dear Sirs/Mesdames:
We write to you in your respective capacities as counsel to Quadriga, and counsel to the court-
appointed Monitor for Quadriga's CCAA proceeding, to express our interest in serving as
representative counsel for the affected creditors of Quadriga and, more importantly, to suggest to
the Debtor and Monitor an alternative process for the formation of the creditors' committee for
this case, and thereafter, the selection of representative counsel for same, in each case under a
more open and inclusive process than appears to be currently contemplated.
We believe that our firm is uniquely and highly qualified to serve as representative counsel and
that the role of representative counsel in this case is an important one for the creditors now
involved in this highly particular and developing situation, which concerns the first significant
bankruptcy or restructuring of a cryptocurrency business in Canada.1
We understand that a motion has been filed by a law firm seeking to be appointed as the
representative counsel to a certain set of five creditors, and that a hearing has been scheduled to
Among other notable creditor representations, our firm has represented creditors' committees in the following
cases: (i) representation of the Pan Canadian Investors Committee in Canada's $32 billion asset back commercial
paper crisis and restructuring; (ii) representation of the creditors' committee in the $6 billion Sino-Forest
restructuring (including litigation matters in respect of numerous fraud issues); and (iii) representation of the ad hoc
committee ofsecond lien lenders in the CCAA proceedings in respect of NewPage Port Hawkesbury. Our firm also
represented Co-Op Atlantic as a debtor in its CCAA proceedings, which had a broad effect on many stakeholders
across the Maritimes and worked to complete a successful CCAA plan and resolution of key business issues. For
the past seventeen years, Chambers has listed Goodmans as the leading restructuring practice in Canada.
Goodmang Page 2
consider that motion on February 14th at which time those creditors would be designated as the
"Official Committee of Affected Users" for this case, and their counsel would be appointed as
the Representative Counsel for all creditors.
Based on the circumstances of this CCAA case, we believe that there has been not been
sufficient notice of this selection process and that greater visibility and opportunity should be
given both (i) to other creditors who may wish to come forward and serve on any creditors'
committee to be appointed in this case and (ii) to other qualified and experienced law films who
may wish to present their credentials and rates to that committee, the Monitor and the Court. We
note that, based on the information provided in the Monitor's Pre-Filing Report, the Debtor has
at least 92,000 account holders with cash or cryptocurrency balances totalling in excess of$260
million. This suggests a large and diverse creditor base that may not be well represented by the
five creditors listed in the current motion, who appear to collectively hold less than 1.5% of that
debt.
We would like to suggest that the following alternative process be presented by the Debtor
and/or the Monitor to the CCAA Court on February 14th for a more fulsome and proper process
for (i) the formation and membership of a creditors' committee for this case and (ii) the selection
of representative counsel for same. The process could be as follows:
1. The Debtor or Monitor would announce by way of a press release and post on the
Monitor's website that a committee of affected creditors will be formed in these CCAA
proceedings and that any and all creditors interested in serving on that committee can
contact the Monitor to be considered for membership on that committee.
2. Following a more broad dissemination of that process and opportunity, the Monitor will
have greater input and information from creditors interested to serve on the committee
and, in consultation with the Debtor and its advisors, can select an appropriately
representative set of creditors to serve on the committee. Conducting the process in this
manner may disclose that there are indeed different kinds and types of creditors to be
considered and represented in these CCAA proceedings, before any one set of counsel
and creditor types is approved by the Court, on relatively short notice and in the absence
of any apparent urgency to do so (especially, now that the Monitor is on the scene).
3. Once the committee members have been selected and the committee formed, any
interested and qualified firms would then be invited to prepare presentations to the
creditors' committee to be considered for the role of representative counsel to that
committee.
4. The members of the committee, in consultation with the Monitor and its advisors, can
then select the law firm best suited to serve as representative counsel, and thereafter, the
selection made by the committee can be presented to the Court for approval, with the
support and recommendations ofthe Debtor and the Monitor, as the case may be.
Goodman Page 3
Proceeding in this manner could have several advantages (with appropriate timelines to be set for
the above steps by the Debtor,the Monitor and the Court):
1. it will give a fair and proper opportunity for any and all interested creditors to come
forward and express their interest in this case and the selection of their counsel, with
greater visibility and additional time for that process to unfold (we note that there does
not appear to be an urgent need for representative counsel to be put in place, especially
now that the Monitor has been appointed and is on the scene). Indeed, it may be that
there are several different kinds of creditors involved here, and this step would allow for
that potential to be properly explored in advance of a single choice being made;
2. it will give the parties with an economic interest in this case — i.e., the creditors
themselves — a better opportunity to canvass their choices for counsel and to make a
more informed decision among and from the firms that submit their credentials, rates and
rate structures; and
3. it does not require the CCAA court to make that decision for the creditors, on short and
limited notice to other creditors, as the current approach does. To the contrary, it gives
all creditors a better opportunity to make that decision for themselves.
The issues that will be involved in this case are significant and a great many creditors (at least
92,000 of them) will be affected by this proceeding. We believe that their views can be given
greater consideration and greater voice through the alternative process outlined above, as
compared to the "first to the post" process that appears to be contemplated by the law firm's
motion for immediate appointment as counsel, and designation of certain creditors as the
creditors' committee for this case. We believe that a more open and inclusive process, such as
the one we have outlined above, will provide a better process and greater benefit for all parties
involved here.
As you know, our firm is highly qualified and experienced in CCAA matters, and in representing
creditors' committee in unique and difficult circumstances such as these, and we make these
submissions to you based on our experience and in the interests of a better process for all parties
involved in this important preliminary and foundational step in these CCAA proceedings.
Yours truly,
Goodmans LL15—Th
Brendan O'Neill
BO/lds
cc: Robert J. Chadwick
6908847
Ken Rosenberg
T 416.646.4304 Asst 416.646.7404
F 416.646.4301
E [email protected]
www.paliareroland.corn
Elizabeth Pillon
Chris G. Paliare Stikeman Elliott LLP
Ian J. Roland 5300 Commerce Court West
Ken Rosenberg 199 Bay Street
Linda R. Rothstein Toronto Ontario M5L 1B9
Richard P. Stephenson
Nick Coleman
Dear Liz:
Donald K. Eady
Gordon D. Capem
Re: QuadrigaCX insolvency — future potential litigation
Lily I. Harmer
Andrew Lokan
Thank you for speaking with me in your role as Monitor's counsel about this very
John Monger
interesting CCAA proceeding. As we discussed, we foresee the potential for
Odette Soriano
significant litigation arising in this case if the cold wallet funds cannot ultimately
Andrew C. Lewis
be accessed or are not sufficient to fully satisfy creditors claims, depending on
Megan E. Shortreed
Massimo Stamino
fluctuating bitcoin values, etc. The successful pursuit of same will require a
Karen Jones
coordinated approach by all of the stakeholders who stand to gain from any
Robert A. Centa
litigation recovery. In our experience, this is most often best accomplished
Nini Jones through the court appointment of a litigation investigator / trustee who can act
Jeffrey Larry independently and objectively in the best interest of the insolvent estate and all of
Kristian Borg-Olivier its creditors. At the appropriate time, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the
Emily Lawrence value Paliare Roland could bring to that process.
Tina H. Lie
Jean-Claude Killey Representative counsel role
Jodi Martin
Michael Fenrick We understand there is to be a motion on February 14, 2019 to determine if there
Ren Bucholz is a need for the appointment of representative counsel to assist the thousands
Jessica Latimer of account investors, who have been left wondering if they will ever recoup some
Lindsay Scott or all of their investment, in the restructuring. We have decided not to participate
Alysha Shore in that "carriage" motion, as it is apparent that there are already a number of law
Denise Cooney firms seeking that appointment, and one more is unlikely to assist that process.
Paul J. Davis
Lauren Pearce Litigation investigator role
Elizabeth Rathbone
Daniel Rosenbluth However, we do see a potential role for Paliare Roland in any future litigation that
Glynnis Hawe might become necessary. If and when appropriate, we believe that PRRR is
Emily Home uniquely situated to fulfil the role of a litigation investigator, and ultimately as
Hailey Bruckner
counsel to a litigation trustee, because of our experience in similar cases and our
Charlotte Cabn
freedom from the inevitable conflicts of interest that will surely plague the larger
COUNSEL
more full service firms who are vying for representative counsel status. Most
Stephen Goudge, O.C. fraud and tracing litigation involves large institutions such as banks, accounting
firms, insurers, etc. PRRR has no legal or business conflicts which might restrict
COUNSEL
We have a number of partners who act for clients involved in disputes in the
bitcoin and blockchain space. Moreover, PRRR's experience in commercial
litigation, insolvency, fraud and tracing cases, and in acting for class action
plaintiffs, gives us a unique skillset that is especially tailored to the nature of the
litigation which may arise in this case.
Paliare Roland lawyers have acted for decades in many of the leading Canadian
insolvency cases. These have included large insolvency matters involving
serious allegations of fraud and mismanagement, including Sino Forest and
Hollinger. We pioneered the successful "pro rata" theory adopted by both the
Canadian and U.S. courts in Nortel, resulting in a significant win for Canadian
creditors. We've brought successful bidders to the table and taken a lead role in
the restructuring of a number of files such as Stelco and subsequently the U.S.
Steel insolvencies, Nortel, Sears, and many others. We regularly act as
insolvency counsel to class action plaintiffs, where there are many thousands of
clients, suing companies that ultimately become insolvent and file for CCAA
protection — the recent Lac Megantic case is such an example which resulted in a
meaningful settlement for class members tragically affected by the rail disaster.
situated creditors to coordinate our efforts to recover very significant funds from
implicated third parties. We foresee the potential for a similar arrangement in the
QuadrigaCX case, working with the Monitor and creditors' counsel.
Finally, we intend to involve and work with the Halifax law firm Nijhawan McMillan
Petrunia Barristers as local counsel as appropriate. Nasha Nijhawan was an
associate with Paliare Roland before returning to Halifax a number of years ago.
She and her colleagues have considerable experience in commercial litigation
and other practice areas in the Nova Scotia courts.
Next steps
We know that you have much on your hands at the moment at the inception of
this insolvency. We would like the opportunity, at the appropriate time, to further
discuss with you the concepts described above, and how our relevant experience
and conflict free status could be of real assistance to the Monitor, and most
importantly to the court and the stakeholders, in the investigation and pursuit of
possible litigation avenues and strategies to maximize creditor recoveries.
We leave it to your discretion as to if and when this letter might be shared with
the court, with whomever is appointed as representative counsel, and / or with
the service list.
I look forward to speaking with you more about this when it is appropriate and
convenient for you.
c Nasha Nijhawan