AS FILED WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 3, 2011

REGISTRATION No. 333-176788

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM F-10

TELUS CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

British Columbia, Canada		4812		Not Applicable
(Province or other jurisdiction of		(Primary Standard Industrial		(I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)		Classification Code Number)		No., if applicable)

Floor 8, 555 Robson Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 3K9, Canada
(604) 697-8044
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

CT Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue, 13th Floor
New York, New York 10011
(212) 590-9200
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number
(including area code) of agent for service in the United States)

Phyllis G. Korff		Robert Gardner		Kathleen L. Keller-Hobson
Richard B. Aftanas		TELUS Corporation		Bennett Jones LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate,		Floor 8, 555 Robson Street,		3400 One First Canadian Place
Meagher & Flom LLP		Vancouver, British		P.O. Box 130
Four Times Square,		Columbia V6B 3K9,		Toronto, Ontario M5X 1A4
New York, NY 10036		Canada		Canada
(212) 735-3000		(604) 697-8044		(416) 863-1200

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

British Columbia, Canada
(Principal jurisdiction regulating this offering)

It is proposed that this filing shall become effective (check appropriate box below):

A.		þ upon filing with the Commission, pursuant to Rule 467(a) (if in connection with an offering being made contemporaneously in the United States and Canada).
B.		o at some future date (check the appropriate box below).

	1.		o pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time not sooner than seven calendar days after filing).
	2.		o pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time seven calendar days or sooner after filing) because the securities regulatory authority in the review jurisdiction has issued a receipt or notification of clearance on ( ).
	3.		o pursuant to Rule 467(b) as soon as practicable after notification of the Commission by the Registrant or the Canadian securities regulatory authority of the review jurisdiction that a receipt or notification of clearance has been issued with respect hereto.
	4.		o after the filing of the next amendment to this Form (if preliminary material is being filed).

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the home jurisdiction’s shelf prospectus offering procedures, check the following box. þ

 

 

PART I

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS

 

No securities regulatory authority has expressed an opinion about the securities and it is an offence to claim otherwise.

 

This short form base shelf prospectus has been filed under legislation in each of the provinces of Canada that permits certain information about these securities to be determined after this prospectus has become final and that permits the omission from this prospectus of that information. The legislation requires the delivery to purchasers of a prospectus supplement containing the omitted information within a specified period of time after agreeing to purchase any of these securities.

 

Information has been incorporated by reference in this short form base shelf prospectus from documents filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada. Copies of documents incorporated by reference herein may be obtained on request without charge from the Assistant Corporate Secretary of TELUS at 3777 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5H 3Z7 (telephone 604.697.8029) and are also available electronically on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval of the Canadian Securities Administrators (“SEDAR”) at www.sedar.com.

 

PRELIMINARY SHORT FORM BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS

 

TELUS Corporation

$2,500,000,000

 

Debt Securities

Preferred Shares

Non-Voting Shares

Common Shares

Warrants to Purchase Equity Securities

Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

Share Purchase Contracts

Share Purchase or Equity Units

 

TELUS Corporation (“TELUS” or the “Company”) may offer and issue from time to time any bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of any kind, nature or description (“Debt Securities”), preferred shares, non-voting shares and common shares (the “Equity Securities”), warrants to purchase Equity Securities and warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the “Warrants”), share purchase contracts and share purchase or equity units (all of the foregoing, collectively, the “Securities”) of up to $2,500,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of Securities (or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies or composite currencies, including United States dollars) during the 25 month period that this short form base shelf prospectus (the “Prospectus”), including any amendments thereto, is valid. Securities may be offered separately or together, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined based on market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in an accompanying shelf prospectus supplement (a “Prospectus Supplement”).

 

The specific terms of the Securities with respect to a particular offering will be set out in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and may include, where applicable (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, the currency or the currency unit for which the Debt Securities may be purchased, the maturity, interest provisions, authorized denominations, offering price, covenants, events of default, any terms for redemption or retraction, any exchange or conversion terms, whether the debt is senior or subordinated and any other terms specific to the Debt Securities being offered; (ii) in the case of Equity Securities, the designation of the particular class and series, the number of shares offered, the issue price, dividend rate, if any, and any other terms specific to the Equity Securities being offered; (iii) in the case of Warrants, the designation, number and terms of the Equity Securities or Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants, any procedures that will result in the adjustment of these numbers, the exercise price, dates and periods of exercise, the currency in which the Warrants are issued and any other specific terms; (iv) in the case of share purchase contracts, the designation, number and terms of the Equity Securities to be purchased under the share purchase contract, any procedures that will result in the adjustment of these numbers, the purchase price and purchase date or dates of the Equity Securities, any requirements of the purchaser to secure its obligations under the share purchase contract and any other specific terms; and (v) in the case of share purchase or equity units, the terms of the component share purchase contract and Debt Securities or third party obligations, any requirements of the purchaser to secure its obligations under the share purchase contract by the Debt Securities or third party obligations and any other specific terms. Where required by statute, regulation or policy, and where Securities are offered in currencies other than Canadian dollars, appropriate disclosure of foreign exchange rates applicable to such Securities will be included in the Prospectus Supplement describing such Securities.

 

(Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page)

 

 

All information permitted under applicable securities laws to be omitted from this Prospectus will be contained in one or more Prospectus Supplements that will be delivered to purchasers together with this Prospectus. Each Prospectus Supplement will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement and only for the purposes of the distribution of the Securities to which the Prospectus Supplement pertains.

 

TELUS has filed an undertaking with the British Columbia Securities Commission that it will not distribute Securities that, at the time of distribution, are novel specified derivatives or asset-backed securities without pre-clearing with the applicable regulator the disclosure to be contained in the Prospectus Supplement pertaining to the distribution of such Securities.

 

For the purpose of calculating the Canadian dollar equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of Securities issued under this Prospectus from time to time, Securities denominated in or issued in, as applicable, a currency (the “Securities Currency”) other than Canadian dollars will be translated into Canadian dollars at the date of issue of such Securities using the Bank of Canada noon rate of exchange of Canadian dollars with the Securities Currency in effect as of noon (Toronto time) on the date of issue of such Securities.

 

TELUS is incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. It maintains its registered office at Floor 21, 3777 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5H 3Z7 and its executive office at Floor 8, 555 Robson Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 3K9.

 

This offering is made by a Canadian issuer that is permitted, under a multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States, to prepare this Prospectus in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada. Prospective investors in the United States should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States. The financial statements included or incorporated herein relating to periods ending on or before December 31, 2010 have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles and the financial statements included or incorporated herein relating to periods ending after December 31, 2010 have been prepared using International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS-IASB”), and may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies.

 

Prospective investors should be aware that acquisition of the Securities described herein may have tax consequences both in the United States and in Canada. Such consequences for investors who are resident in, or citizens of, the United States may not be described fully herein.

 

The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under the United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that TELUS is incorporated or organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, that some or all of its officers and directors may be residents of Canada, that some or all of the underwriters or experts named in the Prospectus may be residents of Canada, and that all or a substantial portion of the assets of TELUS and said persons may be located outside the United States.

 

THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

Brian Canfield, a director of the Company who is signing the certificate under Part 5 of National Instrument 41-101, resides outside of Canada. Although Mr. Canfield has appointed TELUS Corporation, 3777 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia as his agent for service of process in Canada, it may not be possible for investors to enforce judgments obtained in Canada against Mr. Canfield.

 

This Prospectus constitutes a public offering of the Securities only in those jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale and therein only by persons permitted to sell such Securities. The Company may offer and sell Securities to or through underwriters or dealers and also may offer and sell certain Securities directly to other purchasers or through agents. A Prospectus Supplement relating to each issue of Securities offered thereby will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of such Securities and the compensation of any such underwriters, dealers or agents. The common shares (“Common Shares”) and the non-voting shares (“Non-Voting Shares”) of TELUS are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbols “T” and “T.A.”, respectively, and the non-voting shares of TELUS are also listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TU”. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Securities other than the common shares and non-voting shares of TELUS will not be listed on any securities exchange.

 

The offering of Securities hereunder is subject to approval of certain legal matters on behalf of TELUS by Bennett Jones LLP, Toronto, Ontario and by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this Prospectus to “TELUS” or the “Company” are references to TELUS Corporation, its consolidated subsidiaries and predecessor companies.

 

The following documents of the Company, which have been filed by the Company with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, are specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of, this Prospectus:

 

 

 

 

 

Any documents of the types referred to above, and similar material, together with any material change reports (excluding confidential reports), business acquisition reports filed by the Company pursuant to the requirements of securities legislation of any province of Canada, and any other disclosure document which the Company has filed pursuant to an undertaking to a securities regulatory authority of any province of Canada, in each case, after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the date on which this Prospectus ceases to be effective, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. In addition, to the extent indicated in any Report on Form 6-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or in any Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC, any information included therein shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.

 

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained

herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set forth in the document which it modifies or supersedes. The making of such a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it was made. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not constitute a part of this Prospectus, except as so modified or superseded.

 

A Prospectus Supplement containing the specific terms of an offering of Securities, updated disclosure of earnings coverage ratios, if applicable, and other information relating to the Securities, will be delivered to prospective purchasers of such Securities together with this Prospectus and will be deemed to be incorporated into this Prospectus as of the date of such Prospectus Supplement only for the purpose of the offering of the Securities covered by that Prospectus Supplement.

 

Upon a new annual information form and the related annual financial statements being filed by the Company with and, where required, accepted by, the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the currency of this Prospectus, the previous annual information form, the previous annual financial statements and all interim financial statements, and the accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and material change reports filed prior to the commencement of the Company’s financial year in which the new annual information form is filed, and information circulars and business acquisition reports filed prior to the commencement of the Company’s financial year in respect of which the new annual information form is filed, shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of further offers and sales of Securities hereunder. Upon interim financial statements and the accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis being filed with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the currency of this Prospectus, all interim financial statements and the accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed prior to the new interim financial statements will be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of further offers and sales of Securities hereunder. Upon the Company filing an information circular in connection with an annual general meeting, the information circular filed in connection with the previous annual general meeting (unless such information circular also related to a special meeting) will be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of further offers and sales of the Securities hereunder.

 

In addition to its continuous disclosure obligations under the securities laws of the provinces of Canada, TELUS is subject to the information requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the SEC. Under the multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States, such reports and other information may be prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada, which requirements are different from those of the United States. Such reports and other information, when filed by TELUS in accordance with such requirements, can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates from such public reference facilities of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. In addition, such materials are also available to the public on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Certain securities of TELUS are listed on The New York Stock Exchange and reports and other information concerning TELUS can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York, 10005.

 

Prospective investors should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company has not authorized anyone to provide prospective investors with different or additional information. The Company is not making an offer of the Securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted by law. Prospective investors should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus Supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus or the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

 

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references herein to currency are references to Canadian dollars. For Securities issued in other than Canadian currency, potential purchasers should be aware that foreign exchange fluctuations are likely to occur from time to time and that the Company does not make any representation with respect to currency values from time to time. Investors should consult their own advisors with respect to the potential risk of currency fluctuations.

 

This Prospectus, together with the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, contain forward-looking statements about expected future events and the financial and operating performance of TELUS. By their nature, forward-looking statements require the Company to make assumptions, and forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that assumptions, predictions and other forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause future performance, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, and reserves the right to change, at any time at its sole discretion, its current practice of updating annual targets and guidance. Annual targets, guidance and assumptions are described in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of financial results in respect of the Company’s most recent annual financial statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of financial results in respect of the Company’s interim financial statements filed thereafter.

 

Factors that could cause actual performance to differ materially include, but are not limited to:

 

Competition (including the Company’s ability to offer an enhanced customer service experience; more active price and brand competition; the expectation that new wireless entrant competitors will launch or expand services in 2011 or 2012 using advanced wireless services (AWS) spectrum or become stronger through amalgamation; industry growth rates including wireless penetration gain; actual network access line losses; subscriber additions and subscriber retention experience for wireless, TELUS TV^® and Optik High Speed^tm Internet services; costs of subscriber acquisition and retention; variability in wireless average revenue per subscriber unit per month (ARPU) as well as variability in smartphone sales and subsidy levels; and TELUS TV programming cost and availability risk from increasing vertical integration by competitors into broadcast content ownership); technological substitution (contributing to reduced utilization and increased commoditization of traditional wireline voice local and long distance services, and increasing numbers of households that have only wireless telephone services; and over-the-top IP services that may cannibalize TV and entertainment services); technology (including subscriber demand for data that could challenge wireless network capacity, service levels and spectrum capacity in future; reliance on systems and information technology, broadband and wireless technology options and roll-out plans; choice of suppliers and suppliers’ ability to maintain and service their product lines; wireless handset supplier concentration and market power; expected technology and evolution paths; expected future benefits and performance of high-speed packet access plus (HSPA+) dual-cell technology and transition to long-term evolution (LTE) wireless technology; dependence of rural LTE rollout strategy on ability to acquire spectrum in the 700 MHz band; successful implementation of international roaming agreements; successful deployment and operation of new wireless networks and successful introduction of new products (such as new HSPA+, LTE and tablet devices), new services and supporting systems; and successful upgrades of TELUS TV technology); economic growth and fluctuations (including strength and persistence of the economic recovery in Canada, future interest rates, and pension performance, funding and expenses); capital expenditure levels in 2011 and beyond (due to the Company’s wireline broadband initiatives, wireless deployment strategy for future technologies including LTE, and future Industry Canada wireless spectrum auctions, including auction of spectrum in the 700 MHz and 2.5/2.6 GHz bands); financing and debt requirements (including ability to carry out refinancing activities); ability to sustain dividend growth model of circa 10% per annum to 2013 (including generating sufficient after-tax earnings and free cash flow which may be affected by factors such as capital expenditure and spectrum auction requirements, regulatory and government developments and decisions, competitive environment, and reasonable economic performance in Canada); regulatory approvals and developments (including the incumbent local exchange carriers’ (ILECs’) obligation to serve; interpretation and application of tower sharing and roaming rules; the design and impact of future spectrum auctions (including the spectrum auction rules and cost of acquiring spectrum in the 700 MHz and 2.5/2.6 GHz bands); adequacy of regulatory safeguards regarding vertical

integration by competitors into broadcast content ownership; and increased foreign control of wireless entrants pending federal policy decisions on foreign ownership restrictions); human resource developments (including employee retention and engagement matters); ability to successfully implement cost reduction initiatives and realize expected savings, net of restructuring costs (such as from business integrations, business process outsourcing, internal off-shoring and reorganizations, without losing customer service focus or negatively impacting client care); process risks (including reliance on legacy systems and ability to implement and support new product and services; and implementation of large enterprise deals that may be adversely impacted by available resources and degree of co-operation from other service providers); tax matters (including the possibility of increased corporate income taxes); health, safety and environmental developments; litigation and legal matters; business continuity events (including human-caused and natural threats); acquisitions or divestitures (including realizing expected strategic benefits); and other risk factors discussed herein and listed from time to time in TELUS’ reports and public disclosure documents including its annual report, annual information form, and other filings with securities commissions in Canada (on SEDAR at sedar.com) and in its filings in the United States, including Form 40-F (on EDGAR at sec.gov).

 

For further information, see the section entitled “Risks and risk management” in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of financial results for the year ended December 31, 2010, as well as updates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of financial results in respect of the Company’s interim financial statements filed thereafter.

 

TELUS was incorporated under the Company Act (British Columbia) (the “BC Company Act”) on October 26, 1998 under the name BCT.TELUS Communications Inc. (“BCT”). On January 31, 1999, pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act among BCT, BC TELECOM Inc. (“BC TELECOM”) and the former Alberta based TELUS Corporation (“TC”), BCT acquired all of the shares of BC TELECOM and TC in exchange for common shares and non-voting shares of BCT, and BC TELECOM was dissolved. On May 3, 2000, BCT changed its name to TELUS Corporation and in February 2005, the Company transitioned under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), successor to the BC Company Act. TELUS maintains its registered office at Floor 21, 3777 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia and its executive office at Floor 8, 555 Robson Street, Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

TELUS is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, offering a wide range of wireline and wireless communications products and services including data, voice and entertainment.

 

Except as may otherwise be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds to be received by the Company from the issue and sale from time to time of Securities will be added to the general funds of the Company to be used to repay existing indebtedness of TELUS, to fund capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes. Each Prospectus Supplement will contain specific information concerning the use of proceeds from that sale of Securities.

 

For the 12-month periods ended December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011, the Company’s consolidated net income attributable to Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares before gross interest expense and income taxes was $1,910 million and $1,963 million, respectively. Gross interest expense for each of these 12-month periods was $527 million and $503 million, respectively. The earnings coverage ratio refers to the ratio of (i) consolidated net income attributable to Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares before gross interest expense and income taxes, and (ii) gross interest expense. The following earnings coverage ratios were calculated on a consolidated basis for the 12-month periods ended December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011:

 

 

The earnings coverage ratios set out above do not give effect to any offering of Securities pursuant to this Prospectus or to any other change in indebtedness not reflected in the financial statements of the Company for the periods ended

December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011. The earnings coverage ratio for the 12-month period ended June 30, 2011 is based on unaudited financial information. The earning coverage ratios set out above have been prepared using IFRS-IASB and do not purport to be indicative of earnings coverage ratios for any future periods.

 

Pursuant to the Company’s various employee stock option plans, during the 12-month period ending on September 30, 2011, the Company granted 1,525,094 options to acquire an aggregate of 1,525,094 Non-Voting Shares at a weighted average exercise price of $46.56 per share, issued 1,262,398 Non-Voting Shares on the exercise of 2,751,368 options at a weighted average price of $30.93 per share and issued 21,141 Common Shares on the exercise of 21,141 options at a weighted average price of $38.38 per share. Pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan, during the 12-month period ending on September 30, 2011, the Company issued 2,521,637 Non-Voting Shares at a weighted average price of $42.08 per share. On May 25, 2011, the Company issued Notes due May 25, 2016 in an aggregate principal amount of $600 million.

 

The Common Shares and the Non-Voting Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbols “T” and “T.A”, respectively. The following table summarizes the market price and trading volumes on the TSX for the previous 12 months.

 

Common Shares

 

Non-Voting Shares

 

 

The following description of the terms of Debt Securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of Debt Securities in respect of which a Prospectus Supplement will be filed. The particular terms and provisions of Debt Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement will be described in the Prospectus Supplement filed in respect of such Debt Securities.

 

Debt Securities will be issued under an indenture dated May 22, 2001 (the “Trust Indenture”) between the Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by supplemental indentures applicable to specific Debt Securities (the “Indenture”). The following summary of certain provisions of the Trust Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Trust Indenture and any applicable supplemental indentures. All capitalized terms are as defined in the Trust Indenture (unless otherwise defined herein).

 

General

 

The Trust Indenture provides that Debt Securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series. Specific terms and conditions which apply to such series will be set out in a supplement to the Trust Indenture. The Debt Securities will be direct, unconditional and, unless otherwise indicated in the relevant Prospectus Supplement, unsecured obligations of the Company. As of September 30, 2011, $5,100 million principal amount of Debt Securities are outstanding under the Trust Indenture.

 

The Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular Debt Securities offered thereby will describe the terms of such Debt Securities, including, where applicable:

 

 

 

Payment

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of principal of (and premium, if any on) Debt Securities will be made in the designated currency against surrender of such Debt Securities at the office of the Trustee in Toronto. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement related thereto, payment of any instalment of interest on Debt Securities will be made to the Person (as defined below) in whose name such Debt Security is registered immediately prior to the close of business on the record date for such interest by electronic funds transfer.

 

Negative Pledge

 

The Trust Indenture contains provisions to the effect that the Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary (as defined below) to, create or assume any Lien (as defined below) upon any present or future Principal Property (as defined below), or any Property (as defined below) which, together with any other Property subject to Liens in the same transaction or a series of related transactions, would in the aggregate constitute a Principal Property, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, to secure Indebtedness (as defined below) of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary unless the Debt Securities, other than Debt Securities which by their terms do not have the benefit of the Negative Pledge (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary ranking at least equally with the Debt Securities then existing or thereafter created), shall be concurrently secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such other Indebtedness so long as such Lien is outstanding.

 

The restrictions set forth above shall not apply to “Permitted Liens”, which are defined in the Trust Indenture to include:

 

 

 

Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

 

Neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction (as defined under “— Certain Definitions” below), except for:

 

 

Modification of the Trust Indenture

 

With certain exceptions, the Trust Indenture, the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the holders of a particular series of Debt Securities may be modified by the Company with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of Debt Securities or a majority in principal amount of such series voted at a duly constituted meeting; but no such modification may be made which would: (i) reduce in any manner the amount of, or change the currency of payment of, or delay the time of any payments (whether of principal, premium, interest or otherwise); (ii) change the definition of or the manner of calculating amounts (including any change in the applicable rate or rates of interest) to which any holder is entitled; or (iii) reduce the above-stated percentage of Debt Securities of such series, in each case without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security of such series so affected or the consent of 100% of the principal amount of such the Debt Securities of such series voted at a duly constituted meeting.

 

Events of Default

 

The Trust Indenture provides that any one or more of the following events shall constitute an event of default with respect to any series of Debt Securities thereunder:

 

 

 

 

The Company is required to file with the Trustee an annual officers’ certificate as to the absence of certain defaults under the Trust Indenture.

 

The Trust Indenture provides that if an event of default (other than an event of default specified in clause (vii) above in relation to the Company) shall occur and be continuing with respect to a series of Debt Securities issued thereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion and shall upon request of the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series declare the principal of, together with accrued interest on, all Debt Securities of

such series to be due and payable. In certain cases, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of Debt Securities or a majority in principal amount of such series voted at a duly constituted meeting may on behalf of the holders of all such Debt Securities waive any past default or event of default and rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences.

 

The Trust Indenture further provides that if an event of default specified in clause (vii) above in relation to the Company occurs, the principal of and any accrued interest on the Debt Securities then outstanding shall become immediately due and payable; provided however that at any time after an automatic acceleration with respect to the Debt Securities has been made, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of Debt Securities or a majority in principal amount of such series voted at a duly constituted meeting may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration and its consequences.

 

The Trust Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee, subject to its duty during a default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders of Debt Securities of such series before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the Trust Indenture at the request of such holders. The Trust Indenture provides that no holder of Debt Securities of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to the Trust Indenture except in the case of failure of the Trustee to act.

 

Defeasance

 

Defeasance of Certain Obligations

 

If the supplement to the Trust Indenture provides, the Company may elect, with respect to any series of Debt Securities, either to be discharged from its obligations or to be released from its obligations to comply with the terms, provisions or conditions relating to the negative pledge, the restriction on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions, the restrictions on amalgamations described below, any other covenants or any event of default (other than its covenant to maintain its existence and pay the principal, (premium, if any), interest and other amounts on such series of Debt Securities). Following such election, the Company will be so discharged, provided:

 

 

Other Defeasance Arrangements

 

If so described in the Prospectus Supplement related to Debt Securities of a specific series, the Company may enter into certain other arrangements providing for the due payment and ultimate satisfaction of its obligations with respect to such series of Debt Securities by the deposit with the Trustee of funds or obligations of the type referred to under “—Defeasance of Certain Obligations” above. The Prospectus Supplement will more fully describe the provisions, if any, relating thereto.

 

Amalgamation, Consolidation, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

 

The Trust Indenture provides that the Company will not consolidate, merge or amalgamate with any other Person or effect any conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of its Property substantially as an entirety, unless, in such case:

 

 

Governing Law

 

The Trust Indenture is governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Province of Ontario.

 

Certain Definitions

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.

 

“Attributable Debt” shall mean, in respect of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, at the time of determination, the Capital Lease Obligations under the Capital Lease resulting from such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction as reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company. Attributable Debt may be reduced by the present value of the rental obligations, calculated on the same basis that any sublessee has for all or part of the same property.

 

“Capital Lease” means a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” means indebtedness represented by obligations under a Capital Lease. The amount of indebtedness will be the capitalized amount of the obligations determined in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

 

“Closing Date” means the date on which the Debt Securities are issued.

 

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the consolidated total assets of TELUS and its Subsidiaries as reflected in TELUS’ most recent consolidated balance sheet preceding the date of determination prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, less (a) current liabilities, excluding the amount of those which are by their terms extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than 12 months after the date as of which the amount is being determined and current maturities of long-term debt and Capital Lease Obligations, and (b) goodwill, tradenames, trademarks, patents, minority interests of others, unamortized debt discount and expense and other similar intangible assets, excluding any investments in permits, licenses and the subscriber base.

 

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, (without duplication) (a) any liability of such Person (1) for borrowed money, or under any reimbursement obligation relating to a letter of credit, or (2) evidenced by a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument (including a purchase money obligation arising in connection with the acquisition of any businesses,

properties or assets of any kind, other than a trade payable or a current liability arising in the ordinary course of business), or (3) for the payment of Capital Lease Obligations; (b) any liability of others described in the preceding clause (a) that the Person has guaranteed or that is otherwise its legal liability; (c) any amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or refunding of any liability of the types referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; and (d) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, the aggregate amount at which any preference shares of such Restricted Subsidiary are redeemable or retractable at the option of the holder (excluding any such preference shares that are owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary).

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance or preferential arrangement (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof other than a title retention agreement in connection with the purchase of goods in the ordinary course of business which is outstanding for not more than 90 days).

 

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture or other unincorporated association, trust, government or governmental authority and pronouns have a similar extended meaning.

 

“Principal Property” means at any time any Property which has a fair market value or a book value in excess of US$5 million (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies).

 

“Property” means any asset, revenue or any other property or property right or interest, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal, including, without limitation, any right to receive income.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” means (a) TELUS Communications Inc. and (b) at any time any other Subsidiary of TELUS, if at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which the Company has issued its financial statements, the total assets of such Subsidiary exceeds 10% of the consolidated assets of TELUS and its Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, provided that Restricted Subsidiary shall not include any Subsidiary that is principally engaged in the wireless business or TELUS Québec Inc.

 

“Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” means any transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or transfers any Principal Property, or any Property which together with any other Property subject to the same transaction or series of related transactions would in the aggregate constitute a Principal Property, of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to any Person and leases back such Principal Property (or other Properties) by way of a Capital Lease Obligation but does not include (a) any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction between the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or between Restricted Subsidiaries, or (b) any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction where the term of the lease back is less than three years.

 

“Subsidiary” means any company or other business entity which the Company owns or controls (either directly or through one or more other Subsidiaries) more than 50% of the issued share capital or other ownership interest, in each case having ordinary voting power to elect directors, managers or trustees of such company or other business entity (whether or not capital stock or other ownership interest or any other class or classes shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency).

 

 

General

 

The following sets forth the terms and provisions of the existing capital of the Company. The particular terms and provisions of the Equity Securities offered by a Prospectus Supplement and the extent to which these general terms and provisions apply will be described in such Prospectus Supplement. The Company is authorized under its Notice of Articles to issue up to 1,000,000,000 shares of each class of first preferred shares (the “First Preferred Shares”), second preferred shares (the “Second Preferred Shares”), Non-Voting Shares or Common Shares. Certain of the rights and attributes of each class are described below.

 

First Preferred Shares

 

Shares Issuable in Series

 

The First Preferred Shares may be issued at any time or from time to time in one or more series. Before any shares of a series are issued, the Board of Directors of the Company shall fix the number of shares that will form such series and

shall, subject to the limitations set out in the articles of the Company, determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions to be attached to the First Preferred Shares of such series, except that no series shall be granted the right to vote at a general meeting of the shareholders of the Company or the right to be convertible or exchangeable for Common Shares, directly or indirectly.

 

Priority

 

The First Preferred Shares of each series shall rank on a parity with the First Preferred Shares of every other series with respect to dividends and return of capital and shall be entitled to a preference over the Second Preferred Shares and the Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares and over any other shares ranking junior to the First Preferred Shares with respect to priority in payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.

 

Voting Rights

 

Except as required by law, holders of the First Preferred Shares as a class shall not be entitled to receive notice of, to attend or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Company, provided that the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the First Preferred Shares as a class may be added to, changed or removed only with the approval of the holders of the First Preferred Shares given in such manner as may then be required by law, subject to a minimum requirement that such approval be given by resolution signed by the holders of not less than two-thirds of the First Preferred Shares then outstanding, or passed by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of the First Preferred Shares duly called for that purpose.

 

Second Preferred Shares

 

Shares Issuable in Series

 

The Second Preferred Shares may be issued at any time or from time to time in one or more series. Before any shares of a series are issued, the Board of Directors of the Company shall fix the number of shares that will form such series and shall, subject to the limitations set out in the articles of the Company, determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions to be attached to the Second Preferred Shares of such series, except that no series shall be granted the right to vote at a general meeting of the shareholders of the Company or the right to be convertible or exchangeable for Common Shares, directly or indirectly.

 

Priority

 

The Second Preferred Shares of each series shall rank on a parity with the Second Preferred Shares of every other series with respect to dividends and return of capital and shall, subject to the prior rights of the holders of the First Preferred Shares, be entitled to a preference over the Common Shares and the Non-Voting Shares and over any other shares ranking junior to the Second Preferred Shares with respect to priority in payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.

 

Voting Rights

 

Except as required by law, holders of the Second Preferred Shares as a class shall not be entitled to receive notice of, to attend or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Company, provided that the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Second Preferred Shares as a class may be added to, changed or removed only with the approval of the holders of the Second Preferred Shares given in such manner as may then be required by law, subject to a minimum requirement that such approval be given by resolution signed by the holders of not less than two-thirds of the Second Preferred Shares then outstanding, or passed by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of the Second Preferred Shares duly called for that purpose.

 

Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares

 

Priority

 

The holders of Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares shall be entitled to participate equally with each other as to dividends and the Company shall pay dividends thereon, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of monies properly applicable to the payment of dividends, in amounts per share and at the same time on all such Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares at the time outstanding as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time determine. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or other distribution of assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, all the property and assets of the Company which remain after payment to the holders of any shares ranking in priority to the Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares in respect of payment upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of all amounts attributed and properly payable to such holders of such other shares in the event of such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up or distribution, shall be paid and distributed equally, share for share, to the holders of the Common Shares and the Non-Voting Shares, without preference or distinction.

 

Voting Rights

 

The holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend (in person or by proxy) and be heard at all general meetings of the shareholders of the Company (other than separate meetings of the holders of shares of any other class of shares of the Company or any other series of shares of such other class of shares) and to vote at all such general meetings with each holder of Common Shares being entitled to one vote per Common Share held at all such meetings. The holders of Non-Voting Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend (in person or by proxy) and be heard at all general meetings of the shareholders of the Company (other than at separate meetings of the holders of shares of any other class of shares of the Company or of shares of any other series of shares of any such other class of shares other than the Common Shares) and shall be entitled to receive all notices of meetings, information circulars and other written information from the Company that the holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive from the Company but not to vote at such general meetings, unless otherwise required by law.

 

Anti-Dilution

 

Neither the Common Shares nor the Non-Voting Shares shall be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed unless contemporaneously therewith the other class is subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed in the same proportion and in the same manner.

 

Non-Voting Share Conversion Rights

 

In the event an offer is made to purchase Common Shares that (i) must, by reason of applicable securities legislation or the requirements of a stock exchange on which the Common Shares are listed, be made to all or substantially all of the holders of Common Shares who are in a province of Canada to which the requirement applies, and (ii) is not made concurrently with an offer to purchase Non-Voting Shares that is identical to the offer to purchase Common Shares in terms of price per share and percentage of outstanding shares to be taken up exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the offer by the Offeror (as defined in the articles of the Company), and in all other material respects, and that has no condition attached thereto other than the right not to take up and pay for shares tendered if no shares are purchased pursuant to the offer for Common Shares, then each outstanding Non-Voting Share shall be convertible into one fully paid and non-assessable Common Share at the option of the holder thereof exercisable during the period commencing on the eighth day after the date on which the offer to purchase Common Shares was made or deemed to be made and expiring on the expiry date of such offer.

 

If all of the Telecommunications Regulations, the Radiocommunication Regulations and the Broadcasting Direction (each as defined below) are changed so that there is no restriction on any non-Canadians (as defined in the Telecommunications Regulations or the Broadcasting Direction, as applicable) holding Common Shares in the Company and no requirement that Canadians (as defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations) hold Common Shares in the Company, a holder of one or more Non-Voting Shares shall have the right, at his or her option, at any time after the date of the last to change of the Telecommunications Regulations, the Radiocommunication Regulations and the Broadcasting Direction; and prior to the closing of business 90 days thereafter (the “Regulatory Conversion Period”) to convert any one or more of such Non-Voting Shares into Common Shares on a one-for-one basis. If all of the Telecommunications Regulations,

the Radiocommunication Regulations and the Broadcasting Direction are changed so that there is no restriction on any non-Canadians (as defined in the Telecommunications Regulations and the Broadcasting Direction, as applicable) holding Common Shares in the Company and no requirement that Canadians (as defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations) hold Common Shares in the Company and following the Regulatory Conversion Period there are Non-Voting Shares still outstanding, all holders of Non-Voting Shares shall be deemed to have exercised their right to convert the Non-Voting Shares held by them into Common Shares upon receipt by all of the holders of written notice by the Company stating that the Company is requiring all holders to convert their Non-Voting Shares to Common Shares on the date specified in such notice. “Telecommunications Regulations” mean the Canadian Telecommunication Common Carrier Ownership and Control Regulations made pursuant to the Telecommunications Act (Canada); “Radiocommunication Regulations” mean the Regulations respecting Radiocommunications, Radio Authorizations, Exemptions from Authorizations and the Operation of Radio Apparatus, Radio-Sensitive Equipment and Interface Causing Equipment, P.C. 1996 — 1679 5 November, 1996, as amended or replaced from time to time, whether by statute, regulation, direction or by any other form of legislative instrument, and includes any licences under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) held by entities controlled (as defined in the foregoing Regulations) by the Company; and “Broadcasting Direction” means the Direction to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (Ineligibility of Non-Canadians) P.C. 1997 — 486 8 April 1997, as amended from time to time and any replacement direction or regulation under the Broadcasting Act (Canada) or any other form of legislative instrument, with respect thereto.

 

Common Share Conversion Right

 

The Company shall provide notice to each holder of Common Shares at least 10 days before the record date in respect of each general meeting of shareholders of the Company at which the holders of the Non-Voting Shares will be entitled to vote as a class. In such event and to the extent that, after taking into account the conversion, the class of persons, each of whom is a non-Canadian as defined in the Telecommunications Regulations or the Broadcasting Direction, or is not a Canadian as defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations (the “Constrained Class”), would continue to hold no more than the maximum number of Common Shares that may be owned and controlled by persons in the Constrained Class in accordance with the Telecommunications Regulations, the Radiocommunication Regulations or the Broadcasting Directions, whichever is the lowest so that, when added to all other voting shares (as defined in the Telecommunications Regulations, the Radiocommunication Regulations or the Broadcasting Direction, as the case may be) owned or controlled by the Constrained Class, the Company will be and will continue to be a “qualified corporation” as defined in the Telecommunications Regulations, a corporation that is Canadian (as defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations) that controls (as defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations) a person or entity that holds licences under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) and a corporation that is qualified under the Broadcasting Direction to be the parent of a corporation that is a “qualified corporation” as defined in the Broadcasting Direction, each outstanding Common Share shall be convertible into one Non-Voting Share on a one-for-one basis.

 

Ownership and Voting Restrictions

 

Non-Canadian shareholders shall not beneficially own or control, other than by way of security only, more than 331/3% (or such other percentage as may then be prescribed by the Telecommunications Regulations, the Radiocommunication Regulations or the Broadcasting Directions, whichever is the lowest percentage, as the percentage of voting shares that may be beneficially owned or controlled, by non-Canadians, in order for a corporation to be a “qualified corporation” as defined in the Telecommunications Regulations, a corporation that is Canadian (as defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations) that controls (as defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations) a person or entity that holds licences under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) and a corporation that is qualified under the Broadcasting Direction to be the parent of a corporation that is a “qualified corporation” as defined in the Broadcasting Direction, provided that if no such percentage is prescribed the relevant percentage shall be deemed to be 100%) (the “Restricted Percentage”) of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company (the “Non-Canadian Share Constraint”). In the event that it appears from the central securities register of the Company that, or in the event of a Directors’ determination (as provided for in the articles of the Company) that there is a contravention of the Non-Canadian Share Constraint: (a) the Company may pursuant to a Directors’ determination make a public announcement, whether by press release, newspaper advertisements or otherwise, reasonably expected to inform the markets in which voting shares are traded of the contravention; and (b) the Company may refuse to (i) accept any subscription for voting shares from any non-Canadian, (ii) issue any voting shares to any non-Canadian, (iii) register or otherwise recognize the transfer of any

voting shares from any Canadian to any non-Canadian, or (iv) purchase or otherwise acquire any voting shares, except as provided in the articles of the Company.

 

In the event of a Directors’ determination that there is a contravention of the Non-Canadian Share Constraint and that to do so would be practicable and would not be unfairly prejudicial to, and would not unfairly disregard the interests of, persons beneficially owning or controlling voting shares who are non-Canadians, the Company shall send a disposition notice to the registered holders of such of those voting shares as shall be chosen on the basis of inverse order of registration of all non-Canadians. The Company may, by Directors’ determination, suspend all rights of a shareholder to vote that would otherwise be attached to any voting shares beneficially owned, or controlled, by non-Canadians so that the proportion of the voting shares beneficially owned, or controlled, or considered by the Telecommunications Regulations, the Radiocommunication Regulations or the Broadcasting Direction to be beneficially owned, or controlled, by non-Canadians and with respect to which voting rights are not suspended is reduced to not more than the Restricted Percentage of the total issued and outstanding voting shares of the Company. Any disposition notice required to be sent to a registered holder of shares pursuant to the foregoing shall, among other things: (a) specify a date, which shall not be less than 60 days, after the date of the disposition notice, by which the excess voting shares are to be sold or otherwise disposed of or, if the Directors determine it to be in the interest of the Company to permit a conversion, converted into Non-Voting Shares; and (b) state that unless (i) the registered holder either sells or otherwise disposes of or converts the excess voting shares into Non-Voting Shares by the date specified in the disposition notice on a basis that does not result in any contravention of the Non-Canadian Share Constraint and provides to the Company written evidence satisfactory to the Company of such sale, other disposition or conversion, or (ii) provides written evidence satisfactory to the Company that no such sale, other disposition or conversion of excess voting shares is required, such default shall result in the consequence of suspension of voting rights and may result in a consequence of sale or conversion or repurchase or redemption and the disposition notice shall specify in reasonable detail the nature and timing of those consequences.

 

TELUS Shareholder Rights Plan

 

TELUS first adopted a shareholder rights plan in March 2000, which expired on March 20, 2010. The Board of Directors adopted a substantially similar shareholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”) on March 12, 2010, which was ratified by shareholders of both classes at the May 2010 annual and special meeting. Under the Rights Plan, TELUS issued one right (a “Series A Right”) in respect of each Common Share outstanding as at such date and issued one right (a “Series B Right”) in respect of each Non-Voting Share outstanding as of such date. The Rights Plan has a term of just over nine years, subject to shareholder confirmation every three years. Each Series A Right or Series B Right, other than those held by an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Plan) and certain of its related parties, entitles the holder in certain circumstances following the acquisition by an Acquiring Person of 20% or more of the Common Shares (otherwise than through the “Permitted Bid” requirements of the Rights Plan) to purchase from TELUS $320 worth of Common Shares or Non-Voting Shares for $160 (i.e., at a 50% discount) respectively.

 

This section describes the general terms that will apply to any warrants (the “Warrants”) for the purchase of Equity Securities (the “Equity Warrants”) or for the purchase of Debt Securities (the “Debt Warrants”).

 

Warrants may be offered separately or together with Equity Securities or Debt Securities, as the case may be. Each series of Warrants will be issued under a separate Warrant agreement to be entered into between the Company and one or more banks or trust companies acting as Warrant agent. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will include details of the Warrant agreements covering the Warrants being offered. The Warrant agent will act solely as the agent of the Company and will not assume a relationship of agency with any holders of Warrant certificates or beneficial owners of Warrants. The specific terms of the Warrants, and the extent to which the general terms described in this section apply to those Warrants, will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

 

Original purchasers of Equity Warrants or Debt Warrants (if offered separately) will be granted a contractual right of rescission against the Company in respect of the conversion, exchange or exercise of such Equity Warrant or Debt Warrant. The contractual right of rescission will entitle such original purchasers to receive the amount paid upon conversion, exchange or exercise, upon surrender of the underlying securities gained thereby, in the event that this Prospectus (as supplemented or amended) contains a misrepresentation, provided that: (i) the conversion, exchange or exercise takes place within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security

under this Prospectus; and (ii) the right of rescission is exercised within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security under this Prospectus. This contractual right of rescission will be consistent with the statutory right of rescission described under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia), and is in addition to any other right or remedy available to original purchasers under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia) or otherwise at law.

 

Original purchasers are further advised that in certain provinces the statutory right of action for damages in connection with a prospectus misrepresentation is limited to the amount paid for the convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security that was purchased under a prospectus, and therefore a further payment at the time of conversion, exchange or exercise may not be recoverable in a statutory action for damages. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province for the particulars of these rights, or consult with a legal advisor.

 

Equity Warrants

 

The particular terms of each issue of Equity Warrants will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:

 

 

Debt Warrants

 

The particular terms of each issue of Debt Warrants will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:

 

 

 

The Company may issue share purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from the Company, and the Company to sell to the holders, a specified number of Equity Securities, at a future date or dates, or similar contracts issued on a “prepaid” basis (in each case, “Share Purchase Contracts”). The price per Equity Security and the number of Equity Securities may be fixed at the time the Share Purchase Contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the Share Purchase Contracts. The Share Purchase Contracts will require either the share purchase price be paid at the time the Share Purchase Contracts are issued or that payment be made at a specified future date. The Share Purchase Contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a Share Purchase Contract and Debt Securities or obligations of third parties (including U.S. treasury securities) (the “Share Purchase or Equity Units”), and may or may not serve as collateral for a holder’s obligations. The Share Purchase Contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner. The Share Purchase Contracts also may require the Company to make periodic payments to the holders of the Share Purchase Contracts or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or refunded on some basis.

 

The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of the Share Purchase Contracts or Share Purchase or Equity Units. The description in the Prospectus Supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference will be made to the Share Purchase Contracts, and, if applicable, collateral, depositary or custodial arrangements, relating to the Share Purchase Contracts or Share Purchase or Equity Units. Material United States and Canadian federal income tax considerations applicable to the holders of the Share Purchase or Equity Units and the Share Purchase Contracts will also be discussed in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

 

Original purchasers of Share Purchase Contracts or Share Purchase or Equity Units will be granted a contractual right of rescission against the Company in respect of the conversion, exchange or exercise of such Share Purchase Contract or Share Purchase or Equity Unit. The contractual right of rescission will entitle such original purchasers to receive the amount paid upon conversion, exchange or exercise, upon surrender of the underlying securities gained thereby, in the event that this Prospectus (as supplemented or amended) contains a misrepresentation, provided that: (i) the conversion, exchange or exercise takes place within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security under this Prospectus; and (ii) the right of rescission is exercised within 180 days of the date of the purchase of the convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security under this Prospectus. This contractual right of rescission will be consistent with the statutory right of rescission described under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia), and is in addition to any other right or remedy available to original purchasers under section 131 of the Securities Act (British Columbia) or otherwise at law.

 

Original purchasers are further advised that in certain provinces the statutory right of action for damages in connection with a prospectus misrepresentation is limited to the amount paid for the convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security that was purchased under a prospectus, and therefore a further payment at the time of conversion, exchange or exercise may not be recoverable in a statutory action for damages. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province for the particulars of these rights, or consult with a legal advisor.

 

The Securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons attached in either global or definitive form and in denominations and integral multiples as set out in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (unless otherwise provided

with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities pursuant to the provisions of the Trust Indenture, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture). Other than in the case of book-entry only securities, Securities may be presented for registration of transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) in the city specified for such purpose at the office of the registrar or transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose with respect to any issue of Securities referred to in the Prospectus Supplement. No service charge will be made for any transfer, conversion or exchange of the Securities but the Company may require payment of a sum to cover any transfer tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Such transfer, conversion or exchange will be effected upon such registrar or transfer agent being satisfied with the documents of title and the identity of the Person making the request. If a Prospectus Supplement refers to any registrar or transfer agent designated by the Company with respect to any issue of Securities, the Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such registrar or transfer agent and appoint another in its place or approve any change in the location through which such registrar or transfer agent acts.

 

In the case of book-entry only securities, a global certificate or certificates representing the Securities will be held by a designated depository for its participants. The Securities must be purchased or transferred through such participants, which includes securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies. The depository will establish and maintain book-entry accounts for its participants acting on behalf of holders of the Securities. The interests of such holders of Securities will be represented by entries in the records maintained by the participants. Holders of Securities issued in book-entry only form will not be entitled to receive a certificate or other instrument evidencing their ownership thereof, except in limited circumstances. Each holder will receive a customer confirmation of purchase from the participants from which the Securities are purchased in accordance with the practices and procedures of that participant.

 

Prospective investors in the Securities should consider carefully the matters set forth in the section entitled “Risks and risk management” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of financial results in respect of the Company’s most recent annual financial statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of financial results in respect of the Company’s interim financial statements filed thereafter, each of which is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.

 

The Company may sell the Securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and also may sell Securities to one or more other purchasers directly or through agents. Each Prospectus Supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters or agents, the purchase price or prices of the Securities and the proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Securities.

 

The Securities may be sold, from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices which may be changed or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the Securities may be entitled under agreements to be entered into with the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under securities legislation, or to contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Such underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.

 

In connection with any offering of Securities, the underwriters or agents may, subject to applicable law, over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities offered at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

Certain legal matters in connection with any offering hereunder will be passed upon by Bennett Jones LLP, Toronto, Ontario and by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York for the Company.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO
OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS

Indemnification

     Sections 160 to 163 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (successor to the Company Act (British Columbia)) provide as follows:

          160 Subject to section 163, a company may do one or both of the following:

     (a) indemnify an eligible party against all eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable;

     (b) after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding.

          161 Subject to section 163, a company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party

     (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses, and

     (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.

          162 (1) Subject to section 163 and subsection (2) of this section, a company may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding.

          (2) A company must not make the payments referred to in subsection (1) unless the company first receives from the eligible party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses is prohibited by section 163, the eligible party will repay the amounts advanced.

          163 (1) A company must not indemnify an eligible party under section 160 (a) or pay the expenses of an eligible party under section 160 (b), 161 or 162 if any of the following circumstances apply:

     (a) if the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, the company was prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by its memorandum or articles;

     (b) if the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, the company is prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by its memorandum or articles;

     (c) if, in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company or the associated corporation, as the case may be;

     (d) in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible party’s conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful.

          (2) If an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of the company or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, the company must not do either of the following:

     (a) indemnify the eligible party under section 160 (a) in respect of the proceeding;

     (b) pay the expenses of the eligible party under section 160 (b), 161 or 162 in respect of the proceeding.

     Article 20 of the Articles of the Registrant provides as follows:

          “Indemnification

          20.1 Definitions

          In this Article 20:

          (1) “eligible penalty” means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding;

          (2) “eligible party” means a director or former director of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or an officer or former officer of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company;

          (3) “eligible proceeding” means a proceeding, in which an eligible party or any of the heirs and legal personal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director, former director, officer or former officer of the Company or its subsidiaries:

               (a) is or may be joined as a party; or

               (b) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding;

          (4) “expenses” has the meaning set out in the Business Corporations Act;

          (5) “proceeding” includes a legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed; and

          (6) “subsidiary” for this Article 20 includes any partnership or joint venture which is controlled, directly or indirectly by the Company.

          20.2 Mandatory Indemnification of Eligible Parties

     Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must indemnify an eligible party and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each eligible person is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in this Article 20.2.

          20.3 Indemnification of Other Persons

          Subject to any restrictions in the Business Corporations Act, the Company may indemnify any person.

          20.4 Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act

          The failure of an eligible party, or any other person to comply with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under this Part.

          20.5 Company May Purchase Insurance

          The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:

          (1) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company;

          (2) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company;

          (3) at the request of the Company, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity; or

          (4) at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;

     against any liability incurred by him or her as such director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.”

          To the extent permitted by law, the Company has entered into an indemnification agreement with its directors for liabilities incurred while performing their duties. The Company also maintains Directors’ & Officers’ Liability and Fiduciary Liability insurance which protect individual directors and officers and the Company against claims made, provided they acted in good faith on behalf of the Company, subject to policy restrictions.

          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is therefore unenforceable.

Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description
4.1**		Annual Information Form of the Company, dated March 16, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 40-F filed on March 18, 2011)
4.2**		Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, including the notes thereto, as at and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, together with the auditor’s report thereon dated February 24, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 40-F filed on March 18, 2011)
4.3**		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2010 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 40-F filed on March 18, 2011)
4.4**		Information Circular of the Company, dated as of March 11, 2011, prepared in connection with the Company’s annual meeting held on May 5, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on April 11, 2011)
4.5**		Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as at June 30, 2011 and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on August 5, 2011)
4.6**		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results of the Company for the period ended June 30, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on August 5, 2011)
5.1*		Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
6***		Powers of Attorney (contained on the signature pages of this Registration Statement on Form F-10)
7.1**		Form of Indenture (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form F-10/A filed on May 22, 2001)

PART III

UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS

Item 1.		Undertaking

     The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission Staff, information relating to the securities registered pursuant to this Form F-10 or to transactions in said securities.

Item 2.		Consent to Service of Process.

     Concurrently with the filing of this Registration Statement on Form F-10, the Registrant is filing with the Commission a written irrevocable consent and power of attorney on Form F-X.

     Concurrently with the filing of this Registration Statement on Form F-10, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as trustee under the indenture relating to the securities registered hereby, shall file with the Commission a written irrevocable consent and power of attorney on Form F-X.

     Any change to the name or address of the agent for service of the Registrant or the trustee will be communicated promptly to the Commission by amendment to Form F-X referencing the file number of this Registration Statement.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-10 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, Country of Canada, on this 3rd day of October, 2011.

		TELUS CORPORATION
		By:				/s/ Darren Entwistle
				Name:		Darren Entwistle
				Title:		President and Chief Executive Officer
		By:				/s/ Robert G. McFarlane
				Name:		Robert G. McFarlane
				Title:		Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.

Name		Title		Date
/s/ *   Darren Entwistle		Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   Robert G. McFarlane		Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   Brian A. Canfield		Chairman		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   R.H. (Dick) Auchinleck		Director		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   A. Charles Baillie		Director		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   Micheline Bouchard		Director		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   R. John Butler		Director		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   Stockwell Day		Director		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   Pierre Y. Ducros		Director		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   Ruston E.T. Goepel		Director		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   John S. Lacey		Director		October 3, 2011

Name		Title		Date
/s/ *   William A. MacKinnon		Director		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   Ronald P. Triffo		Director		October 3, 2011
/s/ *   Donald Woodley		Director		October 3, 2011

By:		/s/ Robert G. McFarlane		Attorney-in-Fact		October 3, 2011
		Robert G. McFarlane

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, the authorized representative has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, solely in its capacity as the duly authorized representative of TELUS Corporation in the United States, in the State of Delaware, Country of the United States of America, on this 3rd day of October, 2011.

		/s/ Donald J. Puglisi              Name: Donald J. Puglisi

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Description
4.1**		Annual Information Form of the Company, dated March 16, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 40-F filed on March 18, 2011)
4.2**		Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, including the notes thereto, as at and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, together with the auditor’s report thereon dated February 24, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 40-F filed on March 18, 2011)
4.3**		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2010 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 40-F filed on March 18, 2011)
4.4**		Information Circular of the Company, dated as of March 11, 2011, prepared in connection with the Company’s annual meeting held on May 5, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on April 11, 2011)
4.5**		Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as at June 30, 2011 and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2011 and June 30, 2010 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on August 5, 2011)
4.6**		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results of the Company for the period ended June 30, 2011 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on August 5, 2011)
5.1*		Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
6***		Powers of Attorney (contained on the signature pages of this Registration Statement on Form F-10)
7.1**		Form of Indenture (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form F-10/A filed on May 22, 2001)