BCE Completes Bell Aliant Privatization

Goodmans represented BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE) in connection with its privatization of Bell Aliant Inc. and the integration of its Atlantic Canada affiliate into BCE's national operations, following its successful offer to purchase all of the outstanding publicly-held Bell Aliant common shares for a combination of cash and BCE common shares valued at approximately $3.95 billion.  BCE’s offer was accepted by holders of more than 90% of the publicly-held Bell Aliant common shares.  Concurrently with the offer, BCE also successfully exchanged all of the outstanding preferred shares of Bell Aliant Preferred Equity Inc. for newly issued preferred shares of BCE with the same financial terms.

BCE is Canada's largest communications company, providing a comprehensive and innovative suite of broadband communication services to residential and business customers under the Bell Canada and Bell Aliant brands.