Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2004

Keywords

Ford Motor Co v Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement Board, transfer pricing arrangements, minority shareholders, oppression remedy

Abstract

In Ford Motor Co. v. Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement Board, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice reviewed the transfer pricing arrangements between parent and subsidiaries Ford US and Ford Canada in the context of a going-private transaction. Its review was the key to resolving the two main issues in the case: first, did the transfer-pricing arrangements understate Ford Canada's profits so as to undermine the fair value of Ford Canada's shares? And second, did the transfer-pricing arrangement oppress or unduly disregard the interests of Ford Canada's minority shareholders so as to give rise to the oppression remedy? In this comment, the authors analyse the Court's reasoning and its implications for tax and corporate law. They review profit allocation methods that were available to the Court (and to Ford US) and the Court's rationale in adopting the profit split method. Although the authors agree with the Court's reasoning regarding the profit allocation methods, they argue that the reasoning with regard to oppression gives rise to some important questions regarding the proper analysis for oppression when board conduct is impugned. They disagree with the Court's use of reasonable foreseeablity as a basis for assessing whether the oppression remedy should be granted and argue that where board conduct is at issue in an oppression action, courts must consider whether directors have breached their fiduciary duties.

Publication Abbreviation

Ottawa L Rev

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