This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a
description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see
the section entitled "Caution Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements" later in this news release.
A first for Canadian telecom, public offering supports Bell's
commitment to lead in environmental, social and governance
standards
MONTRÉAL, May 25, 2021
/PRNewswire/ - Bell Canada today
announced the public offering in Canada of Cdn $500
million aggregate principal amount of MTN Debentures
pursuant to its medium term notes (MTN) program. The Cdn
$500 million 2.20% MTN Debentures,
Series M-56, will be dated May 28,
2021, will mature on May 29,
2028, and will be issued at a price of Cdn $99.877 per $100
principal amount for a yield to maturity of 2.219%. The MTN
Debentures will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by BCE
Inc.
The issue of the Series M-56 MTN Debentures will be Bell's first
Sustainability Bond offering and mark a major milestone in BCE's
new Sustainable Financing Framework announced April 29, 2021. Under the Framework, Bell will
provide ongoing reporting and transparency to investors and other
stakeholders, including annual updates on allocation and impact
metrics until an amount equal to the net proceeds of a sustainable
financing are fully allocated to eligible green and/or social
projects.
This Sustainability Bond offering supports Bell's commitment to
environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership and our goal
to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world.
Bell intends to use an amount equal to the net proceeds from this
offering to finance or re-finance, in whole or in part, new and/or
existing green and social eligible investments as set out in the
Framework.
A first for the Canadian telecommunications industry, Bell's
Sustainability Bond builds on Bell's status as the first North
American communications company to achieve ISO 50001 certification
for energy management and Bell's plan to be carbon neutral across
its operations in 2025. Bell is consistently ranked as one of
Canada's greenest employers and most sustainable operators.
Sustainalytics, a global leader in providing ESG research and
analysis, issued a second party opinion confirming that the
Framework aligns with the International Capital Markets
Association's Green and Social Bond Principles and Sustainability
Bond Guidelines, along with the Loan Market Association's and the
Loan Syndications and Trading Association's Green Loan Principles.
A copy of BCE's Sustainable Financing Framework, the second party
opinion from Sustainalytics and further information on our
sustainability strategy can be found at BCE.ca.
The Series M-56 MTN Debentures are being publicly offered in all
provinces of Canada through a syndicate of agents. Closing of the
offering of these MTN Debentures is expected to occur on
May 28, 2021, subject to customary
closing conditions.
This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be
any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such
offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Series M-56 MTN
Debentures have not been and will not be registered under the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (U.S. Securities Act), or any
state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in
the United States or to or for the
account or benefit of U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S
under the U.S. Securities Act).
The Series M-56 MTN Debentures are being issued pursuant to a
short form base shelf prospectus dated November 16, 2020 and a prospectus supplement
dated March 11, 2021. Bell will file
a pricing supplement relating to this issue with the securities
regulatory authorities in all provinces of Canada.
About Bell
The Bell team builds world-leading
broadband wireless and fibre networks, provides innovative mobile,
TV, Internet and business communications services and delivers the
most compelling content with premier television, radio, out of home
and digital media brands. With a goal to advance how Canadians
connect with each other and the world, Bell serves more than 22
million consumer and business customer connections across every
province and territory. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly
owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). To learn more, please visit
Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
Bell supports the social and economic prosperity of our
communities with a commitment to the highest environmental, social
and governance (ESG) standards. We measure our progress in
increasing environmental sustainability, achieving a diverse and
inclusive workplace, leading data governance and protection, and
building stronger and healthier communities. This includes
confronting the challenge of mental illness with the Bell Let's
Talk initiative, which drives mental health awareness and
action with programs like the annual Bell Let's Talk Day and Bell
funding for community care, research and workplace programs
nationwide all year round.
Media inquiries:
Marie-Eve
Francoeur
514-391-5263
marie-eve.francoeur@bell.ca
@Bell_News
Investor inquiries:
Richard
Bengian
514-786-8219
richard.bengian@bell.ca
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain
statements made in this news release constitute forward-looking
statements, including, but not limited to, statements relating to
the expected timing and completion of the proposed sale of MTN
Debentures, the intended use of an amount equal to the net proceeds
of such sale, certain ESG objectives and other statements that are
not historical facts. All such forward-looking statements are made
pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian
securities laws and of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are
subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on
several assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to
the possibility that actual results or events could differ
materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such
forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of
future performance or events and we caution you against relying on
any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking
statements contained in this news release describe our expectations
at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to
change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable
securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or
revise any forward–looking statements contained in this news
release, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Forward-looking statements are provided herein for the
purpose of giving information about the proposed offering referred
to above. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be
appropriate for other purposes. The timing and completion of the
abovementioned proposed sale of the MTN Debentures is subject to
customary closing terms and other risks and uncertainties.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the proposed sale of
the MTN Debentures will occur, or that it will occur at the
expected time indicated in this news release.
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SOURCE Bell Canada