Bridging Finance, a leading financier of First Nations and Inuit and ardent supporter of Indigenous reconciliation, acknowledges Orange Shirt Day September 30

The needless destruction imposed by Residential Schools had deep and lasting effects on community life, one of them being an exhaustive destabilization of local economies. At Bridging Finance, economic reconciliation is something we believe is paramount in the battle for equal rights for Indigenous communities across Canada. Since 2014, and the launch approximately 18 months ago of the socially responsible Bridging Indigenous Impact Fund, we have loaned tens of millions of dollars into Indigenous communities across Canada for projects ranging from medical service centers to housing and manufacturing. These loans are used to produce sustained economic success measured by indicators such as increased employment and greater access to housing and medical care.

We wear Orange today not with the hope it will immediately alleviate the many issues faced by the Indigenous population in Canada, but as a commitment to learn from and listen to the intergenerational victims of this national atrocity, while continuing to provide socially responsible investment into these communities.

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging Finance”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael Garofalo as Chief Financial Officer of Bridging Finance.

Michael is an accomplished finance professional who brings over 20 years of experience in public accounting with him to Bridging Finance. Michael is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Public Accountant and a CFA charterholder, and has a Bachelor of Administrative Studies from York University. He also previously served as President of the CFA Society Cayman Islands.

Michael specializes in asset management and previously held the role of Senior Manager at KPMG Canada. Prior to that, he was the Audit Director for KPMG in the Cayman Islands.

“I am thrilled to welcome Mike to the leadership team at Bridging Finance. I am positive that the combination of his past experience and strong financial rigor will be incredibly valuable to both Bridging Finance and to unitholders of the funds managed by Bridging Finance,” said David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance.

“I am delighted to be joining the team at Bridging Finance as we continue to expand and provide greater value to unitholders,” added Mr. Garofalo.

About Bridging Finance Inc.

Established in 2012, Bridging Finance is one of Canada’s leading alternative credit investment management firms and currently manages approximately $1.7 billion of assets. Bridging Finance provides middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million, are used by companies to address needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts.

David Sharpe has spent much of the past 72 hours fielding calls from companies desperate for bridging loans.

Before last week, Sharpe’s Bridging Finance Inc. would get around four calls a day from higher-quality borrowers. Now, with the coronavirus pandemic shutting down large chunks of the Canadian economy, it’s getting more than 30.

“The process of getting money from the big banks has slowed significantly,” the founder of the Toronto-based company said by phone. “The bigger you are, the longer it takes to adapt amid chaos,” he said.

Smaller players in the $812 billion global private lending market are seeing a jump in demand as the meltdown in business from the virus roils global credit markets and overloads traditional financing.

In the U.S., pure direct lending firms are getting many calls, but sitting on the sidelines to assess the damage to existing borrowers. Opportunistic firms with flexible capital to lend to distressed companies at steeper discounts are being more active.

Bridging Finance has C$1.6 billion ($1.1 billion) in assets under management with the most of its direct lending funds invested in collateral-based bridging loans, inventory and accounts-receivables financing.

Sharpe’s team is speeding up work to accommodate some of the requests for urgent loans ranging from C$10 million to C$50 million, he said.

At Arif Bhalwani’s shop, calls for loans increased three fold. But instead of originating new loans, he is seeing better opportunities in the secondary market as banks try to clean their balance sheets and offload some of their credits.

“Borrowers are worried that banks will not close by deadlines due to market stress and risk aversion and in some sectors such as resources and construction, banks are closed for lending and likely offloading loans at discounts to lenders like us,” said the founder of Third Eye Capital Management Inc., which manages C$2.5 billion in private credit and is working to raise a new C$1 billion fund.

The spike in credit requests are coming mostly from the energy patch and retail and consumer sectors, but the firm is also receiving inquires to support interim financing needs through restructurings, and for backup financing on acquisitions that are threatened to get hung, Bhalwani said.

“We have cash to invest and the requisite distressed investing experience to benefit from a once-in-a-decade opportunity,” he said.

The latest volatility could be a trial for the burgeoning asset class.

“This is not a man-made crisis like 2008, and so we don’t know how long it will last,” he said. “The legitimacy of the private debt asset class is going to be tested in this environment – will they fill the funding gap or exacerbate credit risks? There are several zombie borrowers lurking inside private debt portfolios.”

Link to full article

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging”) is pleased to announce a Canada wide roadshow promoting the launch of Bridging’s new fund of funds, the Bridging Fern Alternative Credit Fund. The events will be a panel format and will showcase industry leading global private debt managers who will discuss their specific strategies. These managers include BlackRock Asset Management, Morgan Stanley, Algonquin Capital Corporation, Next Edge Capital Corp, 1832 Asset Management LP and Purpose Investments.

Event Details:

Vancouver
Date: Monday, February 24, 2020
Time:  12:00am – 1:30pm
Location: The Vancouver Club

Calgary
Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Time:  11:30am – 1:00pm
Location: Calgary Petroleum Club

Toronto
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020
Time:  11:30am – 1:00pm
Location: The National Club

Montreal
Date: Friday, February 28, 2020
Time:  11:30am – 1:00pm
Location: The St. James Club

The Bridging Fern Alternative Credit Fund was launched in June 2019 and invests in a portfolio of specially selected investment funds and alternative investment vehicles that employ alternative credit investment strategies such as liquid credit and private credit. The strategies and underlying funds are managed by some of the largest and most established global private debt managers. The addition of this product is an excellent complement to Bridging’s existing offerings and will support the growth of Bridging as a preeminent private debt lender.

For any individuals interested in attending any of these events, please e-mail Bridging at inquiries@bridgingfinance.ca.

About Bridging Finance Inc.

Established in 2012, Bridging Finance is one of Canada’s leading alternative credit investment management firms and currently manages approximately $1.7 billion of assets. Bridging Finance provides middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million, are used by companies to address needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts. For more information, please visit bridgingfinance.ca.

Please visit the offering memorandum of the Funds for any further information. Performance of the fund is not guaranteed and past performance is not indicative of any future performance.

For further information on Bridging Finance Inc.:

David Sharpe, LLB, LLM, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, Bridging Finance Inc.,
C: (647) 981-5658, dsharpe@bridgingfinance.ca;

Ian Baele
Senior Vice President, Sales, Bridging Finance Inc.
C: (416) 937-7641, ibaele@bridgingfinance.ca;

Scott Miller
Director, Sales, Bridging Finance Inc.,
C: (647) 984-7524, smiller@bridgingfinance.ca

SYDNEY, NS, Jan. 14, 2020 – Sydney Harbour Investment Partners (“SHIP”) announces the expansion of its partnership consortium to include Membertou and Bridging Finance Inc.

SHIP is working to develop Novaporte, a deep-water, multi-use port on 500 acres within the Port of Sydney. Novaporte is expected to have container capacity of 1 million TEU’s in phase one and 3 million TEU’s by phase three. The port will also accommodate vehicle roll-on/roll-off with the infrastructure to support electric vehicles, as well as bulk, break bulk, heavy equipment and special project cargo. Novaporte has the major components for a successful development in place, including a 99-year land lease option with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM), long- lead time environmental approvals, Canadian Foreign Trade Zone designation, and ready access to nearby rail infrastructure connecting the site to the rest of Canada and the United States.

Membertou, a progressive Mi’kmaq community located only three kilometers from downtown Sydney, has an existing partnership through SHIP’s Novazone project. Novazone is a planned logistics park of more than 1250 acres which is directly adjacent to the Novaporte site. In addition to Membertou, the other 12 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq communities are also currently major shareholders of Novazone.

Furthering the relationship with Mi’kmaq partners, the next stage will see Membertou become major equity players in SHIP and Novaporte – while remaining invested in Novazone.

Chief Terry Paul, CEO of Membertou Development Corporation, says, “Through increased efforts with SHIP, we see great potential for the future of Sydney Harbour. In Membertou, we recognize the robust capacity of the port and believe its economic opportunities are vast.” In working together with Membertou, SHIP will establish Novaporte and Novazone as the only large-scale, deep-water port projects in Canada with major Indigenous ownership and leadership.

Bridging Finance is an Indigenous-led private Canadian company providing middle-market Canadian companies with alternative financing options. David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance and a member of the Mohawks of the Bay Quinte, commented, “We see tremendous potential in this project and we think it has wide-reaching benefits to Membertou and all 13 Mi’kmaq communities, as well as for the entire province of Nova Scotia. We look forward to our partnership with SHIP.”

SHIP CEO, Albert Barbusci, pointed to Novazone and Novaporte as exemplary models of private sector nation-to-nation collaboration and partnership. “This project will change transportation patterns in eastern North America and catalyze the Atlantic Gateway,” remarked Barbusci. “This is a model of nation-building with Indigenous participation and leadership; an important model for all projects moving forward.”

Novaporte is designed by global engineering firm AECOM to be one of the most efficient and greenest ports in the Americas. The port and adjacent logistics park will be carbon neutral and developed with the latest green maritime technologies.

About Bridging Finance Inc.:

Bridging Finance Inc. was founded in 2012 as a privately held Canadian company providing middle-market Canadian companies with alternative financing options to those offered by traditional lenders.

About Membertou Development Corporation:

Membertou Development Corporation is home to twelve corporate entities and is the business and economic development arm of the Mi’kmaq community of Membertou.

Since its incorporation in 1989, the Membertou Development Corporation has aimed to serve the needs of the Membertou community and create strong partnerships for the future of business in Unama’ki.

About Novaporte:

Novaporte is an ice-free deep-water port adjacent to a large logistics park, connected to North America’s rail and road system. Novaporte and Novazone, operating within a Foreign Trade Zone and located on nearly 2000 acres of land, will accommodate 1 million TEU’s in phase one and 3 million by phase three. The port and logistics park will also accommodate ro-ro traffic with a focus on electric vehicles, heavy machinery and large vehicles, bulk and break bulk traffic and special project cargo. Novaporte is one of the most valuable pieces of maritime real estate in the western hemisphere.

Press release

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging”) is pleased to announce a successful finish to the 2019 fiscal year, having provided over $600MM in new commitments with over 30 transactions closed in 2019 across Canada.

In addition to these commitments in 2019, Bridging expanded its offering with the launch of two additional products:

The Bridging Indigenous Impact Fund, which launched in April, is a socially responsible fund providing support for the economic development of Indigenous communities and projects. The fund’s main investment objective is to provide capital to support Indigenous initiatives including Indigenous enterprises, infrastructure projects, and to communities directly, in order to maintain, create and enhance a thriving and sustainable economy for Indigenous peoples and communities.

Additionally, Bridging also launched a new ‘fund of funds’ product in June. The Bridging Fern Alternative Credit Fund invests in a portfolio consisting of securities of specially selected investment funds and alternative investment vehicles that employ alternative credit investment strategies. The addition of these products is an excellent complement to Bridging’s existing offering and will support the growth of Bridging as a preeminent private debt lender. A sample of deals completed in 2019 can be accessed by the link below:

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MEMBERTOU, N.S. – The Chronicle Herald

Sydney Harbour Investment Partners has expanded its partnership consortium to include Membertou First Nation and Bridging Finance Inc.

The partnership is working to develop Novaporte, a deep-water, multi-use port on 500 acres within the Port of Sydney. Port goals are for a container capacity of one million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in phase one and three million TEU’s by phase three.

“Through increased efforts with SHIP, we see great potential for the future of Sydney harbour,” said Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation and CEO of Membertou Development Corp., in a press release. “In Membertou, we recognize the robust capacity of the port and believe its economic opportunities are vast.”

Bridging Finance is an Indigenous-led private Canadian company providing middle-market Canadian companies with alternative financing options.

“We see tremendous potential in this project and we think it has wide-reaching benefits to Membertou and all 13 Mi’kmaq communities, as well as for the entire province of Nova Scotia,” said David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance and a member of the Mohawks of the Bay Quinte, in a press release. “We look forward to our partnership with SHIP.”

Membertou has an existing partnership through SHIP’s Novazone project, a planned logistics park of more than 1,250 acres next to the Novaporte site. All 13 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq communities are also major shareholders of Novazone. Future plans are for Membertou to become a major equity player in SHIP and Novaporte — while remaining invested in Novazone.

Click here to the full article

TORONTO, Jan. 3, 2020 – Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging Finance“) is pleased to recognize the recent anniversaries of the launch of the Bridging Income Fund (November/2013) and the Bridging Mid-Market Debt Fund (November/2017). Both funds have delivered consistent positive returns on a monthly basis to investors seeking uncorrelated investments to traditional asset classes. “We are happy with the performance of our two flagship funds and look forward to continuing this trend as we see a lot of opportunity in the private debt sector” said Bridging Finance CEO, David Sharpe. Since its inception, the Bridging Income Fund has had a net return to investors of 8.69% (Class F, LP) and the Bridging Mid-Market Debt Fund, 8.77% (Class F, LP).

Bridging Finance also recently launched two new funds in 2019: The Bridging Indigenous Impact Fund and the Bridging Fern Alternative Credit Fund both aiming to capitalize on specific areas of growth within the private debt space.

About Bridging Finance Inc.

Established in 2012, Bridging Finance is one of Canada’s leading alternative credit investment management firms and currently manages approximately $1.7 billion of assets. Bridging Finance provides middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million, are used by companies to address needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts. For more information, please visit bridgingfinance.ca.

Please visit the offering memorandum of the Funds for any further information. Performance of the fund is not guaranteed and past performance is not indicative of any future performance.

For further information on Bridging Finance Inc.:
David Sharpe, LLB, LLM, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Bridging Finance Inc.,
C: (647) 981-5658, dsharpe@bridgingfinance.ca;

Ian Baele, Senior Vice President, Sales, Bridging Finance Inc.,
C: (416) 937-7641, ibaele@bridgingfinance.ca

Link to full article

Law’95 alumnus and donor David Sharpe with Indigenous Recruitment and Support Coordinator Ann Deer, former Dean Bill Flanagan, and new Dean Mark Walters at the Celebrate Queen’s Law in Toronto alumni reception, where the Chief Don Maracle Reconciliation/Indigenous Knowledge Fund gift was announced. (Photo by Rai Allen)
A gift from David Sharpe, Law’95, will bring a highly respected Indigenous scholar to Queen’s to lead a new program to promote reconciliation and Indigenous cultures on campus.

Sharpe, a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, made a $250,000 donation to fund the Indigenous Knowledge Initiative, a three-year program that will integrate Aboriginal knowledge and wisdom into the academic environment and develop connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars.

The donation helps support the efforts of Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force, which outlines 25 recommendations for sustained institutional change to create a more welcoming environment for Indigenous students, staff and faculty.

“Queen’s is doing much more for the Indigenous community than when I was a student (in the 1990s), but there is still more to be done,” says Sharpe.

The gift enables Queen’s to bring Indigenous scholar Professor Mark Dockstator to campus this fall to lead the Indigenous Knowledge Initiative. Dockstator is a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, and was the first person from a First Nation to graduate with a doctorate in law. He recently completed a five-year term as president of First Nations University of Canada in Regina, Sask., that saw the school reach record levels of student enrolment. Sharpe would like to see that success at Queen’s.

“I want more Indigenous students to come to Queen’s and be able to embrace their culture,” says Sharpe. “Mark Dockstator is the perfect person to bring the Queen’s and Indigenous communities closer together. He is very familiar with both the academic and Indigenous worlds.”

Exactly how the Indigenous Knowledge Initiative will bring the two communities closer together will be decided by Dockstator through a year-long consultation process with elders, Indigenous faculty and students, and administrative leaders. The following two years will see the recommended programs launched and refined.

Sharpe believes access to post-secondary education is key to helping Aboriginal students and communities. His Queen’s Law degree, along with an MBA from Richard Ivey School of Business and a Master of Laws from Osgoode, led to a successful career on Bay Street in the financial services industry. He is currently the CEO of Bridging Finance Inc., one of the few alternative financing companies in Canada that fund First Nations and Inuit infrastructure projects.

“I have an opportunity to make a difference, and the only way I know how to do that is through education and economic development,” says Sharpe.

The Indigenous Knowledge Initiative is supported by the Chief R. Donald Maracle Reconciliation/Indigenous Knowledge Fund, which Sharpe established in honour of Don Maracle, the long-time chief of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

The university is making its campus more welcoming to the Indigenous community by implementing the Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force recommendations. A 2018 progress report highlights many actions taken, including doubling the size of the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre to meet the demands of a growing Indigenous community and installing a permanent Indigenous art display in the Queen’s Law atrium to honour both Canada’s Indigenous legal traditions and the principals of reconciliation.

By Mike Onesi

Full article

For any questions please contact us at:
Ian Baele
Senior VP, Sales
P: 416-640-8965
E: ibaele@bridgingfinance.ca

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging”) is pleased to announce a successful start to the 2019 fiscal year, having provided over $220MM in new commitments across Canada.

In addition to these commitments, Bridging has recently expanded its offering with the launch of two additional products:

The Bridging Indigenous Impact Fund, which launched April 2, 2019, is a socially responsible fund providing support for the economic development of Indigenous communities and projects. The fund’s main investment objective is to provide capital to support Indigenous initiatives including Indigenous enterprises, infrastructure projects, and to communities directly, in order to maintain, create and enhance a thriving and sustainable economy for Indigenous peoples and communities.

Additionally, the Bridging Fern Alternative Credit Fund, which launched June 1, 2019, is a ‘fund of funds’ and intends to invest in a portfolio consisting of securities of specially selected other investment funds and alternative investment vehicles that employ alternative credit investment strategies.

The addition of these products will complement Bridging’s existing offering and will support the growth of Bridging as a preeminent private debt lender. A sample of deals completed in 2019 can be accessed below.

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Ontario is granting eight licenses for cannabis retail to First Nations communities. David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance, joined BNN Bloomberg to discuss.

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging Finance“) is pleased to announce that it has become a signatory to the United Nations – supported Principles for Responsible Investment (“PRI“). The PRI is a global initiative for the encouragement of social, environmental, and governance factors at all levels of investment decisions and ownership practices.

“Having recently launched the Bridging Indigenous Impact Fund, becoming a signatory to the PRI was a natural progression in the historical development of Bridging Finance” said David Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer of Bridging Finance. “Bridging is proud to adopt principles that align with our current investment mandates of creating wealth for Indigenous communities by providing capital for local economic development, job creation and long-term sustainable benefits for these communities” added Mr. Sharpe.

About Bridging Finance Inc.
Established in 2012, Bridging Finance is one of Canada’s leading alternative credit investment management firms and currently manages approximately $1.5 billion of assets. Bridging Finance provides middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million, are used by companies to address needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts. For more information, please visit bridgingfinance.ca.

For further information: Bridging Finance Inc.: David Sharpe, LLB, LLM, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Bridging Finance Inc., C: (647) 981-5658, dsharpe@bridgingfinance.ca

Bridging Finance Inc., one of North America’s leading infrastructure firms for First Nations and Inuit, is working with Peguis First Nation to bring safe Cannabis retail options to First Nation communities. The two organizations have engaged POPCANN to ensure that the sale of Cannabis is done in a secure manner that protects First Nation youth and eliminates black market product.

“Cannabis was legalized across Canada close to a year ago, but access to safe, legal product through retail has until now been limited to major urban centres, leaving rural communities at a disadvantage,” said David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance Inc. “We’ve worked closely with Chief Hudson to ensure we’re doing something for the good of First Nation communities, and POPCANN is a great partner to help facilitate this endeavor.” To date, Bridging has allocated over $300 million to finance renewable energy, housing, grocery stores and fisheries to Indigenous communities.

The partnership aims to provide safe, controlled Cannabis retail stores that are compliant with both community and regionally imposed regulations, while at the same time providing elected Chief and Bands control over the sale of Cannabis within their communities.

The collaboration will also enable the three entities to work with various levels of government to establish dialogue and collaboration with regulators concerning cannabis related activities and policies within indigenous communities.

“First Nation communities do not have the same commercial and retail infrastructure that are ubiquitous in larger cities, adding an additional challenge,” said Chief Hudson, elected Chief of Peguis First Nation. “POPCANN’s prefabricated Cannabis retail stores offer a turnkey solution that means fast and secure access to safe quality Cannabis in our communities and the eradication of black market product.”

The first stores are expected to be operational by fall, 2019.

About Peguis:

Located approximately 190 KM North of Winnipeg, Peguis First Nation is home to Manitoba’s largest First Nation population. In total, there are approximately 11,000 Peguis Band Members, which includes membership both on and off-reserve and comprising mainly of Ojibway and Cree descent.

About Bridging Finance Inc. 

Bridging Finance is a privately held Canadian company providing middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3,000,000to $50,000,000 and higher, are used by companies to address short-term needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts. Bridging Finance is the manager of the Bridging Income Fund LP and the Bridging Mid-Market Debt Fund LP, Bridging Infrastructure Fund LP, and Bridging Real Estate Lending Fund LP. Bridging Finance also offers portfolio management services for institutional and family office clients. Bridging Finance’s total assets under management are over $1.4 Billion.

About POPCANN

POPCANNs are the only prefabricated Cannabis retail stores available in the North American marketplace for both pop-up and permanent installations. POPCANN’s mission is to provide turn-key Cannabis retail stores that rapidly bring legal Cannabis to traditional and alternative destinations.

POPCANNs are made to solve problems for diverse Cannabis stakeholders, including government regulators and the general public. Modular designs enable POPCANN to bring legal Cannabis to northern cities, Indigenous communities, music festivals, and seasonal towns.

The POPCANN Corporation, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, was co-founded in 2019 by veteran media and technology entrepreneurs Michael Girgis and Jake Neiman.

Full article: link

Celebrate Queen’s Law is an annual high-water mark in the Queen’s Law social calendar, but there was even more than usual to look forward to at this year’s gala event in downtown Toronto. Alumni from across the country not only convened with classmates and connected with friends, but learned about exciting Indigenous and international initiatives, cheered on an outstanding young grad, paid tribute to the school’s longest-serving Dean, and welcomed his successor.

“Attending Toronto events gives me the opportunity to network with fellow alumni of all ages and backgrounds,” said Elisabeth van Rensburg, now a lawyer with TD Insurance. “As a Law’14 grad, it’s encouraging to see how many older alumni still support our alma mater and it makes me proud to also be a Queen’s Law grad. It is also very special to be able to attend Queen’s Law alumni events with my mother, Justice Katherine van Rensburg, Law’81, and these receptions are something that we both look forward to.”

Dean Bill Flanagan announced a new $250,000 gift to Queen’s by David Sharpe, Law’95, CEO of Bridging Finance Inc., Queen’s Law Dean’s Council Vice-Chair and a Queen’s Trustee, who was among the 150 attendees. Flanagan said, “David has been a wonderful partner for the law school and university – and for me personally – as we strive to respond to the calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Report.”

Sharpe’s latest significant gift has established the Chief R. Donald Maracle Reconciliation/Indigenous Knowledge Fund to support a three-year project at Queen’s that will be led by Professor Mark Dockstator, a highly respected Indigenous scholar and leader. The funds, Flanagan said, will be used “to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Knowledge, exploring ways to integrate Indigenous concepts of knowledge, wisdom and ways of knowing and understanding into the academic environment of Queen’s.”

Joy Wakefield, Law’12, received the 2019 Dan Soberman Outstanding Young Alumni Award for her work in increasing access to law in northern Ontario. She’s a staff lawyer for Legal Aid Ontario in Thunder Bay and is seconded part-time to Nokiiwin Tribal Council, working with communities on the north shore of Lake Superior. “We have lots of challenges that are unique to smaller communities,” she said, “and I am proud to bring awareness to the successes and what we are pioneering there.”

Event host Sheila Murray, Law’82 (Com’79), President and General Counsel of CI Financial, addressed the crowd in her company’s lounge in Maple Leaf Square. As Chair of the Dean’s Council, she spoke of the leadership and legacy of Dean Flanagan, whose third and final term comes to a close on June 30. “Bill’s been out there selling this university and raising our profile internationally,” she said. “I know Queen’s is one of the top law schools in the country and he made sure our graduates are extraordinarily well regarded.”

To mark his 14-year tenure, she told how a campaign was launched to endow the new Dean Bill Flanagan International Studies Award. “We started with ambitious target of $500,000,” she said. “We surpassed it and we are still raising money!” The awards will be available to students selected to attend one of the International Law Programs at the Bader International Study Centre (the “Castle”) and to those participating in an international internship.

Liz Guilbault, Law’19, spoke about the dean from a recent student perspective. “It was always clear that Bill’s top priority has been the student experience,” she said. “He prioritizes the inclusion of every student above all else.”

Murray presented Flanagan with a commemorative book containing reflections of his colleagues, staff, students and alumni.

“Palpable at the celebration was the recognition by all in attendance that this chapter has been a truly remarkable one for the law school,” said guest Henry Dinsdale, Law’87 (Artsci’84), a partner with Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP. “The heartfelt gratitude for Bill’s many accomplishments and the growth of the school under his stewardship was on full display. Cha Gheill!”

Dean Flanagan introduced the school’s incoming Dean, Mark Walters, Law’89. “I am thrilled to be handing the reins over to Mark, a highly talented scholar and teacher who cares deeply about the school.”
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be the next dean of this law school,” Walters told the crowd. “It’s such an honour and such a privilege.”

He spoke of how he knew all of his predecessors, starting with Bill Lederman, who was one of his first-year teachers in 1986. “Each of the deans has left an important mark on the law school … The school has a really meaningful role to play as an institution in Canadian public life,” Walters continued. “Bill, you’ve left us with brilliant scholars and teachers to be able to make
that contribution. I am so excited to be returning to the best law school in Canada!”

By Lisa Graham

Full article

By Paula Sambo (Bloomberg)

Bridging Finance Inc. is launching what it says is Canada’s first fund of funds for alternative credit — tapping into the swelling market for private debt in the
country.

The asset manager is planning to raise about C$500 million ($372 million) over the next 12 months, adding to its C$1.4 billion in assets under management, Chief Executive Officer David Sharpe said. Sharpe, a status member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, launched a private debt fund last month dedicated to financing Indigenous economic development which he also plans to expand to C$500 million.

The fund of funds, which is expected to be launched in June by Bridging and its affiliate Fern Capital Partners, will invest in funds focused on private credit, distressed debt, senior loans, along with public debt such as short-term Treasuries and preferred shares. Longer term, it plans to invest in
infrastructure funds.

It will cater to clients willing to “take baby steps into the private-debt world,” said Wilson Tow, a partner at Fern Capital Partners and an expert on doing due diligence on hedge funds.

Growing Market

Toronto-based Bridging is one of several money managers deepening their push into private credit, where businesses bypass the capital markets for finance. Global direct lending funds are raising money at a record-setting pace, collecting
$19.4 billion so far this year as investors pile into the market for private credit, according to London-based research firm Preqin.

In Canada, private debt under management totaled $10.4 billion at the end of June, and $600 million was raised this year, also according to Preqin. Toronto-based Ninepoint Partners launched a private debt fund last month that will focus on investing in U.S. middle-market companies. Other big players in the sector include Penfund and Northleaf Capital Partners.

Sharpe’s Bridging has already lent C$300 million to finance renewable energy, housing, grocery stores and fisheries to Indigenous communities, C$30 million of which was done through the new fund.

“We’ve never had a default on an Indigenous loan,” said Sharpe in his Toronto office. “And demand for direct credit has increased greatly since we started seven years ago.”

The fund of funds will charge 40 basis points on top of the fees of the underlying funds — which range from 1% to 1.5% for management and 15% to 20% for performance fees — and have monthly liquidity.

Regulatory Scrutiny

For now, Bridging’s new vehicle will invest in funds from Algonquin Capital Corp., Lawrence Park Asset Management, 1832 Asset Management , Next Edge Capital Corp., Onex Corp., and Bridging Finance.

Bridging’s other direct lending funds invest in collateral-based bridging loans, inventory and accounts-receivables financing. Returns hover around 8.5 percent, according to Sharpe. It charges an average of 12 percent in its loans. The firm has 36 people and plans to grow to 40 by year-end.

The growth in private debt has drawn attention from regulators. A report from the Federal Reserve and other supervisory agencies in January pointed out the increased participation of non-bank firms in direct lending in the U.S., pushing more risk out of the banking system and into the shadow banking world, beyond their purview.

In Canada, while the shadow banking sector has grown steadily since the global financial crisis in 2008, the overall financial system has expanded even faster, keeping risks under control, the Bank of Canada said in a report published in March.

The central bank estimated the sector at close to C$1.5 trillion at the end of 2017, up about 30% from the end of 2015.

FRED LUM/THE GLOBE AND MAIL

A new fund dedicated to financing Indigenous economic development offers Canadians the rare opportunity to invest in on-reserve projects through a private asset manager.

Launched this month, the Indigenous Impact Fund is the first of its kind. Run by Bridging Finance Inc., a Toronto-based money manager that specializes in debt investments and manages $1.3-billion, the fund is the brainchild of an Indigenous chief executive. The company projects 8-per-cent annual returns.

David Sharpe, the chief executive of Bridging Finance, is a status Indian and a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. After growing up on and off his reserve, he has spent the past two decades in the investment industry. “I feel as comfortable in a sweat lodge as I do in a boardroom on Bay Street,” Mr. Sharpe said in an interview with The Globe and Mail.

Mr. Sharpe runs Bridging Finance with his wife, Natasha Sharpe, who is the company’s chief investment officer and was formerly the chief credit officer for Sun Life Financial. Ms. Sharpe also spent more than a decade assessing credit risk at Bank of Montreal, including for Indigenous projects.

Their fund is launching at a time when Indigenous development opportunities are becoming more common, with many communities debating investing in large Canadian infrastructure projects. In March, a First Nations-led group said it is putting together a bid to buy a 51-per-cent stake in Ottawa’s Trans Mountain oil pipeline. Last week, a group representing 20 elected First Nation councils said it is looking to buy a 22.5-per-cent stake in TransCanada Corp.’s Coastal GasLink pipeline project in British Columbia.

The projects that the Impact Fund will help develop are smaller in scale − yet are necessary for everyday life. Examples of developments Bridging Finance have participated in over the past five years include a grocery store and a pharmacy, and the new fund will pursue the same types of opportunities.

Despite reconciliation efforts, the development of economic essentials on reserves remains muted. “It’s very difficult to do on-reserve lending in a traditional format,” Ms. Sharpe said. When financing the construction of a retail plaza, for instance, the land is often used as collateral. “With on-reserve lending, you can’t do that, which makes it extremely challenging for economic development.” These rules are written into the Indian Act.

Technically speaking, the federal government can provide Indigenous communities with upfront capital for these projects, or offer other financing solutions. But that’s proven to be more of a theoretical exercise. “If you wait for the federal government,” Ms. Sharpe said, “you’ll be waiting a very, very long time.”

In the private sector, large Canadian banks do look to participate in these projects, but they have their own credit-quality rules that limit when they can be involved. Banks tend to shun early stage developments, particularly construction projects, because there is no cash flow being generated from the asset.

The Impact Fund, then, is designed to provide a bridge to the banks − hence the company name Bridging Finance. It will provide early stage funding, and then effectively sell the loan to a major bank.

In fact, the company is often asked by the banks to get deals up and running. “Most of our referrals of business come from a bank who say, ‘I like this deal, I want to do this deal, but I can’t do it for, say, two to three quarters,’ ” Ms. Sharpe said. Bridging Finance is able to act much quicker than a bank, sometimes securing a deal in 30 days. “We can do what they cannot.”

Two completed projects illustrate the types of opportunities the Impact Fund will pursue. In 2014, Mr. Sharpe visited the chief and council of the Elsipogtog First Nation, who live on a small reserve north of Moncton, and learned that the community had no grocery store or pharmacy. Bridging Finance funded the development of a Loblaw’s and a Pharmasave, which now employ roughly 50 people.

The company has also financed an Inuit collective’s effort to buy a $23-million icebreaker that was used to fish shrimp in the North Sea. The vessel was being sold in Norway, and the deal had to close in 30 days, creating logistical hurdles.

Although the fund’s projected 8-per-cent return looks juicy, its anticipated payout is a reflection of the inherent project risks. In finance, a higher yield is generally a result of higher risk.

Bridging Finance relies on its credit roots to assess the risk potential, and the company looks to finance projects that will be attractive to banks once they are generating cash. That way, it isn’t lending money to individual projects for extended periods of time − the company will be “taken out” by bigger financial institutions. “We’ve never had a loss, nor a default, on First Nations lending,” Mr. Sharpe said.

As an extra safety measure, the fund is only available to accredited investors, and for individuals that means having at least $1-million in investable assets. This is a common feature of private funds.

Until recently, pitching Canadians on such an investment would have been difficult. “A lot of people read about First Nations and Indigenous people, and many people haven’t been on a reserve,” Mr. Sharpe said. “There’s a natural fear of the unknown.” Lately, however, smaller pension plans and high-net-worth investors have shown more interest in ethical investing.

And with a pipeline of deals worth between $400-million and $500-million, Bridging Finance sees the potential for other asset managers to enter this arena and meet the rising demand.

“This is not charity,” Mr. Sharpe said. “This is a strong business.”

Link to the full article

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging Finance” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tanuja Patel as Senior Vice President of Investor and Dealer Relations.

Tanuja is a very accomplished finance professional who brings over 25 years of experience in wealth management with her to Bridging Finance. Most recently, Tanuja held the role of Vice President of National Accounts at CI Financial where she was responsible for building and fostering partnership relationships between CI Financial and the MFDA and IIROC dealer community.

“We are very happy to have Tanuja join our team as we continue to grow and launch new strategic and unique products. Tanuja’s extensive experience in our industry will be beneficial as we continue to expand” said David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance.

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Bridging Finance and looking forward to applying my experience to assist in the growth of the company”, added Ms. Patel.

About Bridging Finance Inc.
Bridging Finance is a privately held Canadian company providing middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3,000,000to $50,000,000 and higher, are used by companies to address short-term needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts. Bridging Finance is the manager of the Bridging Income Fund LP and the Bridging Mid-Market Debt Fund LP, Bridging Infrastructure Fund LP, and Bridging Real Estate Lending Fund LP. Bridging Finance also offers portfolio management services for institutional and family office clients. Bridging Finance’s total assets under management are over $1.3 billion.

For further information: David Sharpe, LLB, LLM, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Bridging Finance Inc., T: (416) 642-7572 | C: (647) 981-5658, dsharpe@bridgingfinance.ca

Queen’s Law students, faculty and community members packed a large campus classroom on February 2 for the school’s first-ever “Reconciliation on Bay Street” conference. Organized by the Faculty, the Queen’s Indigenous Law Students’ Alliance and Corporate Law Club, the event attracted Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples alike for wide-ranging discussions with lawyers, business leaders and professors on economic reconciliation and entrepreneurship.

The day began with a welcome from Elder Fred McGregor, who provided some interesting perspective on the topics for the day. He then introduced the screening of the 2018 documentary Reconciliation on Bay Street, which showcased the resilience of Canada’s First Nations communities and their success in legal and corporate decision-making in Canada.

A Q&A then followed with documentary filmmaker Andrée Cazabon and two key figures in the film: Chief Duke Peltier of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, and Bridging Finance Inc. CEO David Sharpe, Law’95.

Cazabon was compelled to create a film on economic reconciliation where none existed before, and was inspired by the largely untold success stories of Indigenous peoples in corporate Canada. “This film is shaped by the business leaders I met at the 20-year anniversary celebration of First Nations University,” she said. “It is such an honour to showcase the vision and direction of our Indigenous peoples.”

Chief Peltier emphasized the essential role of Indigenous peoples in bringing their own issues to the forefront. “Our individual responsibility as First Nations peoples is to walk into any environment and be proud of who we are,” he stressed. “Today’s environment offers many supports to this end. You no longer need to be the student who keeps his or her head down in the far back corner. You have a responsibility to your ancestors to be the best you can be.”

Sharpe – who is also Vice-Chair of the Queen’s Law Dean’s Council and a member of the Queen’s Board of Trustees – said that in his view, corporate Canada has been receptive to the needs of First Nations people and is impressed by leaders who commit to making a difference. “We’re where we are because of what the Chief said,” stated Sharpe. “Now, we can talk about truth and reconciliation like never before. When I played this documentary for my colleagues on Bay Street in Toronto, it was a sold-out room. Many said they heard of residential schools, but wanted to know more. Leaders like Dean Bill Flanagan – who had said ‘I want to understand, and I want to promote Indigenous people coming to the law school and business school,’ – are making a real difference. We’re building momentum; it’s very grassroots, but it’s tangible.”

Following the Q&A, event attendees congregated in the student lounge for lunch and collaborated on an artwork piece representing a Two-Row Wampum Belt, in commemoration of the 1613 treaty between the Dutch and the Haudenosaunee. Attendees were then invited to the afternoon’s first workshop, “We Are All Treaty People,” co-chaired by Sharpe and Chief Peltier.

Sharpe said that while First Nations have been largely successful at establishing their land claims in the Canadian court system, he vastly prefers negotiating with the federal government as opposed to litigation. “If you are the government, does it make sense for you to spend taxpayers’ money to deny Indigenous peoples their rights?” he asked. “No. Litigation wastes time and money, while real people lack clean water and housing. These are real people with real families. Let’s stop the litigation, honour the treaties and engage in real conversations.”Chief Peltier’s arguments focused on how treaties are often misunderstood, in terms of their significance once signed and who became responsible for what once implemented. “Society must demand that treaties come to the forefront of government operations and diplomacy,” he said. “These are agreements between nations. When I was elected Chief in 2012, it became my mission to figure out who the Crown was. But the Crown is essentially a concept, not any one person. Coming to an understanding on treaties is very complex and it must get resolved. We can only do that by coming together.”

The second session, “Investing in Aboriginal Communities and Businesses,” was moderated by Professor Tina Dacin, the Stephen J.R. Smith Chair of Strategy & Organizational Behaviour and the Director of the Smith School of Business Centre for Social Impact, and featured guest speakers Cherie Brant, a partner at Dickinson Wright, and Gail Henderson, a professor at Queen’s Law.

Dacin advocated for First Nations investment as a necessary step toward creating equal opportunities for everyone in society. “Many young people dream of pursuing entrepreneurship,” she emphasized. “But many, particularly in Indigenous communities, don’t have the privilege of walking into the bank and asking for money to make that happen. Moving forward, we need to engage on this issue in an open, caring way.”

Brant promoted the inherent value in empowering Indigenous communities, by helping them enter commercial transactions and build the necessary confidence to invest their own capital in new businesses. “It’s so critical that corporate Canada assists First Nations, and helps them build the courage to address the systemic legal barriers they face,” she noted. “The provisions of the Indian Act prevent day-to-day banking – which prevents Indigenous communities from accessing wealth and capital. When corporate Canada hears about these barriers, they’re shocked and want to help remove them. They are uniquely placed to help finance First Nations projects and light that first spark for successful Indigenous entrepreneurship.”

Henderson elaborated on the key connections between social entrepreneurship and Indigenous entrepreneurship, as illustrated in the First Nations enterprises showcased in the Reconciliation documentary. “These enterprises are engaging with markets, such as the fishing and tourism industries, guided by a connection to the land, for the social goal of keeping people living and working in their own communities.”

The third and final panel, “Thoughts on Duty to Consult,” was to be led by Sara Mainville, Law’04, a partner at OKT and Ryan Lax, a senior associate at Torys. Unfortunately, they were delayed on the disabled train. In their stead, the panel moderator and Queen’s Law sessional instructor Hugo Choquette, Law’05, LLM’10, PhD’16, and audience Justin Connidis, Law’79, a Queen’s Law sessional instructor and counsel to Dickinson Wright, led the discussion.

Choquette stressed that despite their high-profile land claim victories at the Supreme Court of Canada, Indigenous communities remain at a structural disadvantage in the courts. “Today, in Canadian common law, using and occupying your traditional territory for thousands of years means nothing if you can’t prove it,” he said. “That sets Indigenous groups back, because they always bear the burden of proving and asserting their rights in court. Placing that burden squarely back on Indigenous communities to challenge government action is a costly thing, and they often don’t have the necessary financial resources.”

Choquette and Connidis then discussed the difference between “consultation and accommodation” under Canadian jurisprudence and the obligation set out in the TRC calls to action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples for governments and businesses to obtain free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from indigenous peoples before undertaking large-scale energy, extraction and other projects affecting lands subject to indigenous claims or affecting local communities.

“The current federal government committed to implementing all 94 TRC calls to action,” Connidis stated. “But since then, their actions would suggest they had not read all of the TRC calls to action when making this commitment since they have not honoured FPIC.” Connidis discussed the fact that businesses are used to obtaining FPIC in their day to day commercial dealings since FPIC is the underlying concept of contract law and determining fair market value. He advised that businesses would generally be much better off to agree with indigenous groups that they would not proceed without FPIC, rather than to argue and litigate over whether there is a right to FPIC. “Such an agreement would create trust between parties essential to agree to the long term contracts and partnerships essential for the development of resources. This is a far better result for businesses then years of litigation to assert a unilateral right to proceed. Even if successful, litigating businesses would face a myriad of non-legal processes designed to delay or prevent their project, such as lawful protest, civil disobedience, and market boycotts. Socially responsible companies recognize that they will be more successful at developing resources when they honour their Indigenous partnerships and FPIC. Government should not be afraid to do the same.”

To conclude the day’s activities, students and panelists attended dinner at the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront. Professor Mark S. Dockstator, President of the First Nations University of Canada, delivered the keynote address on the theme of inspiring future leaders, both personally and professionally, on ways they can contribute toward reconciliation.

Dockstator offered various ways, ideas and concepts to illustrate how Canadian universities can better “Indigenize” the work of their institutions. Specifically, he discussed the ways in which First Nations University of Canada is utilizing academic courses to bring students back to the land, stressing the importance of land based education in the development educational pedagogies for all students. He further highlighted how the university consults with and includes Elders and traditional knowledge holders, including the integration of Ceremony and traditional protocols, to infuse the university with the “spirit” of Indigenous knowledge as it is passed down to students. Stitched throughout his presentation, President Dockstator stressed the importance of artistic expression, the land, Elder knowledge, and most importantly, the use of traditional languages in reconnecting students to Indigenous education.

By Justin Murphy

Full article

For any questions please contact us at:
Ian Baele
Senior VP, Sales
P: 416-640-8965
E: ibaele@bridgingfinance.ca

Bridging Finance would like to sincerely thank all of our partners for making 2018 a banner year!

Highlights include:

• $480 million funded in new loans in 2018
• Robust pipeline of $150 million in deals currently ready to be funded
• No loan losses in 2018 and Since Inception
• As at the end of November, the net return for the Bridging Income Fund (class F) was 7.88% and for the Bridging Mid-Market Debt Fund was 8.32%
• Bridging Finance currently manages over $1.1 billion in the Private Debt space for retail and institutional clients
• Very positive outlook for 2019 and non-correlated to volatile public markets

Thank you from all of us at Bridging Finance and we look forward to a fantastic 2019!

About Bridging Finance Inc.

Established in 2012, Bridging Finance is one of Canada’s leading alternative credit investment management firms and currently manages approximately $1.1 billion of assets. Bridging Finance provides middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million, are used by companies to address needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts.

Please read the Offering Memorandum and financial statements before investing. Past performance may not be repeated.

Rama First Nation and GrowForce Holdings Inc. announced a joint venture to bring cannabis production to Rama and the surrounding region. The announcement coincides with the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada. The partnership’s first major project will be the construction of a large-scale cannabis production facility which will create at least 100 permanent jobs for Rama and area residents.

The Chippewas of Rama First Nation (Rama) has been known as ‘the gathering place’, where travellers journeyed for many reasons. Today, it is home to Casino Rama, a tourism attraction that brings thousands of visitors to the area daily for gaming, shows, conventions, shopping and fine dining.

Guided by a long-term community visioning which has built a sustainable economic foundation, this proud, progressive First Nation community provides members and area residents with employment close to home and services for family living and recreation.

“We chose to work with GrowForce because of their strong financial backing from Bridging Finance, an Indigenous-led company, along with industry-leading safe cannabis product management practices,” said Chief Rodney Noganosh for Rama First Nation. “This joint venture generates a long-term positive economic impact for our community in an emerging market and adds significant jobs in the region.”

GrowForce Holdings Inc. is a vertically integrated international cannabis platform with a portfolio which includes five production facilities in various stages of completion across Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. GrowForce is licensed by Heath Canada under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) and plans to continue to expand across Canada through partnerships with various Indigenous Nations for large-scale cannabis cultivation, extraction, and retail.

“Partnering with Indigenous communities is core to our business plan and growth strategy,” said Rishi Gautam, Chairman and CEO of GrowForce. “We are excited about our partnership with Rama First Nation and look forward to bringing additional economic opportunities to the community through the cultivation, distribution and retail sale of high quality cannabis products.”

GrowForce’s cannabis facilities are managed by MJardin Group, a highly-experienced cannabis management company. The joint venture will utilize MJardin’s services including their proprietary training programs and cannabis management software.

David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance, an Indigenous led company, has been a key advisor, bringing financial backing and supporting GrowForce’s execution of its Indigenous joint ventures. Through the strategic partnership with Bridging Finance and the establishment of the Bridging Infrastructure Fund, GrowForce has unique access to growth capital for continued infrastructure investments and consolidation of strong operational cannabis assets.

About GrowForce

GrowForce is a geographically diversified and vertically integrated cannabis platform operating within Health Canada’s Cannabis Act (formerly known as the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations). GrowForce owns a majority interest in flagship cannabis facilities with strategic partnerships for turnkey operations, proprietary software and training, and project financing. GrowForce’s flagship facilities are operated by MJardin Group, North America’s largest turnkey operator of legal cannabis facilities, and financed by Bridging Finance Inc., Canada’s leading provider of private credit. For more information, please visit www.growforce.ca.

About RAMA First Nation

RAMA First Nation is home to Casino Rama and many flourishing community enterprises including two Tim Horton’s franchises, a Shell Station, the Gathering Place stores, Black River Wilderness Park, the Ojibway Bay Marina and property leasing. Rama’s commitment to community and economic development growth remain focal points for the future. With long standing local and regional relationships, the Chippewas of Rama First Nation is one of the country’s leading First Nation communities. For more information, please visit www.ramafirstnation.ca.

Full article: click here

Cannabis Elevated is a podcast, offering insight into the evolving cannabis industry directly from the industry leaders. Each episode delves into the realities of operating a successful cannabis business.

Episode 7 goes in deep into how cannabis is lending Canada a massive economic boost, largely due to the joint efforts of MJardin and Bridging Finance. Discover how these companies are transforming Canada’s indigenous communities from David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance, and Rishi Gautam, Executive Chairman of MJardin and Chairman & CEO of Growforce.

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging Finance“) and Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint“) are pleased to announce the completion of the previously disclosed acquisition by Bridging Finance of Ninepoint’s rights and obligations under the existing co-management agreements for the funds known as the “Ninepoint Bridging Income Fund LP” (the “Partnership“) and the “Ninepoint Bridging Income RSP Fund” (the “Trust,” collectively with the Partnership, the “Fund“), and Ninepoint’s ownership interest in SB Fund GP Inc., which is the general partner of the Partnership (the “Transaction“).

“With the strong support of the unitholders of the Trust, we are thrilled to announce the successful closing of the Transaction and the appointment of Bridging Finance as the sole manager of the Fund,” said David Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer of Bridging Finance. “This represents a great milestone for the continued growth of Bridging Finance. We look forward to further success for the fund as one of the preeminent private debt funds in Canada,” added David Sharpe.

Advisors:
In connection with the Transaction, Raymond James Ltd. and Wildeboer Dellelce LLP acted as exclusive financial advisor and legal counsel to Bridging Finance, while INFOR Financial Inc. and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP acted as exclusive financial advisor and legal counsel to Ninepoint.

About Bridging Finance Inc.
Established in 2012, Bridging Finance is one of Canada’s leading alternative credit investment management firms and currently manages approximately $1 billion of assets. Bridging Finance provides middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million, are used by companies to address needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts.

About Ninepoint Partners LP
Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $3 billion in assets under management. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies including North American Equity, Global Equity, Real Assets & Alternative Income.

SOURCE Bridging Finance Inc.

For further information: for further information on Bridging Finance Inc., please visit us at www.bridgingfinance.ca or please contact us at (416) 640-8965 or (888) 920-9598 or by email at dsharpe@bridgingfinance.ca or ibaele@bridgingfinance.ca; for more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging Finance“) and Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint“) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement“) whereby Bridging Finance will purchase from Ninepoint certain assets, including Ninepoint’s rights and obligations under the existing co-management agreements for the funds known as the “Ninepoint Bridging Income Fund LP” (the “Partnership”) and the “Ninepoint Bridging Income RSP Fund” (the “Trust,” collectively with the Partnership, the “Fund”), and Ninepoint’s ownership interest in SB Fund GP Inc. (the “GP”), which is the general partner of the Partnership (the “Transaction“).

Currently, Bridging Finance and Ninepoint are co-managers of the Fund and co-owners of the GP. Bridging Finance, for its part, possesses full discretionary authority of the Fund’s portfolio management and shares the responsibility to manage the business and affairs of the Funds with Ninepoint in accordance with the co-management agreements. Upon the closing of the Transaction, Bridging Finance will become the sole manager of the Fund and the sole shareholder of the GP.

“We are extremely pleased to announce that we have entered into this transaction. Bridging Finance is currently experiencing significant corporate growth in all aspects of its business and this transaction represents a great milestone for the continued success of Bridging Finance. As it relates to the day-to-day operations of the Fund, investors and advisors alike should not see any changes relating to the transition in management of the Fund and we look forward to the continued success of the Fund which saw its inception nearly five (5) years ago” said David Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer of Bridging Finance. “Ninepoint has been a great partner of the Fund and we wish them all of the best in their future endeavors” added Mr. Sharpe.

“We are pleased with the consistent positive monthly performance that Bridging Finance has provided unitholders since we partnered with them five years ago” said John Wilson, Managing Partner of Ninepoint Partners. “It is great to see Bridging’s investment team and capabilities evolve over the years.  Given they now have other investment products, this transaction is a natural evolution to both of our businesses. We wish them continued success” added James Fox, Managing Partner of Ninepoint.

Advisors:
In connection with the Transaction, Raymond James Ltd. and Wildeboer Dellelce LLP are respectively acting as exclusive financial advisor and legal counsel to Bridging Finance, while INFOR Financial Inc. and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP are respectively acting as exclusive financial advisor and legal counsel to Ninepoint.

Notice to Unitholders
The Transaction is expected to close on or about October 15, 2018, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including unitholder approval for the change of manager pursuant to the trust agreement governing the Trust (the “Trust Agreement“). Unitholders will be given an information circular promptly detailing the events of the Transaction and outlining their voting rights pursuant to the Trust Agreement.

About Bridging Finance Inc.
Established in 2012, Bridging Finance is one of Canada’s leading alternative credit investment management firms and currently manages approximately $1 billion of assets. Bridging Finance provides middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million, are used by companies to address needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts.

About Ninepoint Partners LP
Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $3 billion in assets under management. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies including North American Equity, Global Equity, Real Assets & Alternative Income.

Forward-Looking Statements:
Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and the company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

For further information: on Bridging Finance Inc., please visit us at www.bridgingfinance.ca or please contact us at (416) 640-8965 or (888) 920-9598 or by email at dsharpe@bridgingfinance.ca or ibaele@bridgingfinance.ca. For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com

Bridging Finance Inc. (« Bridging Finance ») et Ninepoint Partners LP (« Ninepoint ») sont heureuses d’annoncer qu’elles ont conclu une convention d’achat d’actifs définitive (la « convention d’achat ») aux termes de laquelle Bridging Finance achètera de Ninepoint certains actifs, notamment les droits et obligations de Ninepoint aux termes des conventions de cogestion existantes à l’égard des fonds connus sous les noms de « Ninepoint Bridging Income Fund LP » (la « Société en commandite ») et de « Ninepoint Bridging Income RSP Fund » (la « Fiducie » et, avec la Société en commandite, le « Fonds »), ainsi que la participation de Ninepoint dans SB Fund GP Inc. (le « Commandité »), qui est le commandité de la Société en commandite (l’« opération »).

À l’heure actuelle, Bridging Finance et Ninepoint sont les cogestionnaires du Fonds et les copropriétaires du Commandité. Bridging Finance, de son côté, a les pleins pouvoirs discrétionnaires pour la gestion de portefeuille du Fonds et partage la responsabilité de gérer les activités et affaires des Fonds avec Ninepoint conformément aux conventions de cogestion. À la clôture de l’opération, Bridging Finance deviendra l’unique gestionnaire du Fonds et l’unique actionnaire du Commandité.

« Nous sommes ravis d’annoncer que nous avons conclu cette opération. Bridging Finance enregistre actuellement une croissance importante de son entreprise dans tous les aspects de ses activités et cette opération représente une étape importante du succès continu de Bridging Finance. En ce qui a trait aux activités quotidiennes du Fonds, les investisseurs et les conseillers ne devraient pas constater de changement en raison de la transition des activités de gestion du Fonds et nous sommes optimistes quant au succès continu du Fonds, qui a été créé il y a près de cinq (5) ans », a affirmé David Sharpe, chef de la direction de Bridging Finance. « Ninepoint a été un partenaire précieux du Fonds et nous souhaitons à celle‑ci la meilleure des chances pour l’avenir », d’ajouter M. Sharpe.

« Nous sommes heureux du rendement mensuel positif stable que Bridging Finance a fourni aux porteurs de parts depuis que nous nous sommes associés à celle‑ci il y a cinq ans », a affirmé John Wilson, directeur général de Ninepoint Partners. « C’est avec plaisir que nous avons vu l’équipe de direction et les capacités de Bridging évoluer au fil des ans. Étant donné qu’elle possède désormais d’autres produits de placement, cette opération marque une évolution naturelle pour nos deux entreprises. Nous souhaitons un succès continu à Bridging Finance », a souligné James Fox, directeur général de Ninepoint.

Conseillers :

Dans le cadre de l’opération, Wildeboer Dellelce LLP et Raymond James Ltée agissent respectivement à titre de conseillers juridiques et de conseillers financiers exclusifs de Bridging Finance, tandis que Norton Rose Fulbright Canada S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l. et INFOR Financial Inc. agissent respectivement à titre de conseillers juridiques et de conseillers financiers exclusifs de Ninepoint.

Avis aux porteurs de parts

La clôture de l’opération devrait avoir lieu vers le 15 octobre 2018, sous réserve du respect de conditions usuelles, dont l’approbation des porteurs de parts à l’égard du changement de gestionnaire aux termes de la convention de fiducie régissant la Fiducie (la « convention de fiducie »). Les porteurs de parts recevront dans les plus brefs délais une circulaire d’information qui contient une description des événements prévus dans le cadre de l’opération et énonce leurs droits de vote aux termes de la convention de fiducie.

À propos de Bridging Finance Inc.

Fondée en 2012, Bridging Finance est l’une des principales sociétés de gestion de placements du marché canadien du crédit non traditionnel et gère actuellement des actifs totalisant environ 1 G$. Bridging Finance offre aux sociétés nord-américaines du marché intermédiaire des solutions de rechange aux options de financement offertes par les prêteurs traditionnels. Ces sociétés affectent les fonds obtenus, qui s’établissent généralement dans une fourchette de 3 M$ à plus de 50 M$, à des fins telles que la restructuration de la dette existante, la constitution d’un fonds de roulement aux fins de croissance, le financement d’achats de stocks et le financement de dépenses ainsi que d’acquisitions ou de rachats d’entreprise.

À propos de Ninepoint Partners LP

Établie à Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP est l’une des principales sociétés de gestion de placements non traditionnels du Canada et elle gère des actifs totalisant environ 3 G$. Elle a pour mission d’aider les investisseurs à explorer des solutions de placement novatrices susceptibles d’améliorer les rendements et de mieux gérer les risques liés au portefeuille. Ninepoint offre une gamme diversifiée de stratégies de rechange, notamment des placements dans des titres de capitaux propres de sociétés nord-américaines, des titres de capitaux propres de sociétés étrangères, des actifs réels et des revenus de sources non traditionnelles.

Énoncés prospectifs :

Les énoncés prospectifs contenus aux présentes sont donnés à la date du présent communiqué, et la société décline toute obligation de les mettre à jour afin de tenir compte de nouveaux renseignements, d’événements ou de résultats futurs ou pour d’autres raisons, sauf dans la mesure où la législation applicable l’exige.

Renseignements : Pour en savoir davantage sur Bridging Finance Inc., veuillez consulter notre site Web au www.bridgingfinance.ca ou communiquer avec nous par téléphone en composant le 416‑640‑8965 ou le 1‑888‑920‑9598, ou par courriel à l’adresse dsharpe@bridgingfinance.ca ou ibaele@bridgingfinance.ca; Pour en savoir davantage sur Ninepoint Partners LP, veuillez consulter le site Web www.ninepoint.com ou communiquer avec nous par téléphone en composant le 416‑943‑6707 ou le 1‑866‑299‑9906, ou par courriel à l’adresse invest@ninepoint.com.

First step in a Canada-wide expansion strategy with First Nations and Indigenous Peoples in the spirit of reconciliation and today’s National Aboriginal Day

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, June 21, 2018 — Today, GrowForce Holdings Inc. and Peguis First Nation announced a joint venture to establish a partnership in a cross-Canada expansion.

The partnership will continue to evaluate opportunities in the cultivation, distribution and retail sale of cannabis products, and will be announcing further details on its initial activities, later this year, and plans for the future.

“This is a fitting announcement reflective of the spirit of reconciliation inherent in National Indigenous Peoples Day and demonstrates the intent of the leadership of Peguis to capitalize on economic opportunities in the cannabis space,” said Chief Glenn Hudson. “The joint venture is the culmination of seven months of intense effort by a dedicated team from the Chief Peguis Investment Corporation acting on the directives of Chief and Council with the support of the Peguis First Nation membership. This initiative will result in local investment, significant job creation and long-term economic development for our people and to the Selkirk area.”

Prior to selecting GrowForce, we explored a number of potential joint venture partnerships and GrowForce clearly has the most industry experience and the clearest vision for developing a nationwide seed to sale cannabis strategy that includes First Nations and Indigenous Peoples.

GrowForce currently owns a majority interest in flagship cannabis facilities operated through Health Canada’s ACMPR, with the exclusive rights to MJardin’s cannabis management services and intellectual property portfolio for use in Canada and other federally legal markets worldwide.

GrowForce also has significant project financing from Bridging Finance Inc., which is led by David Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Tyendinaga) First Nation. Sharpe has been instrumental in guiding GrowForce on its strategy to partner with First Nations across Canada, and sees joint ventures like this one bringing significant new economic development and employment opportunities to Indigenous peoples. Selkirk being the first location, will see the strength and shared passion behind this partnership.

“We backed GrowForce financially because of their dynamic business plan and executive experience, but we also saw the company genuinely wanted to make a positive impact in Indigenous communities across the country,” said Sharpe. “GrowForce has an experienced operating team through MJardin and an in-house training program that is second to none in the cannabis industry. Put that together with strong partners and an eager Indigenous workforce, and you have a great combination for both production and distribution of cannabis.”

GrowForce’s portfolio currently spans Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. The Peguis venture will spur the development of new facilities in or near Selkirk, Manitoba.

“We continue to move swiftly to strategically build our capacity in Canada,” said GrowForce Chairman and CEO Rishi Gautam. “Partnering with First Nations and Indigenous peoples is a great fit for our company and overall vision. Our operating partner and executives bring the experience of more than nine consecutive years in legal cannabis and 100,000 kg of finished product, with innovative software and training through MJardin University. GrowForce has the substantive ability to invest in new operations while hiring and training local staff.

The partnership with Peguis First Nation helps to achieve our goal of building Canada’s leading cannabis company with our Indigenous partners.”

Learn more about this new initiative in the Cover Story featured from page 28 – 37

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Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging Finance”) announces a sample of deals made in 2018. “We are very pleased with a successful start to 2018 having provided over $140MM in new commitments across the country,” said David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance.

Bridging has recently expanded its offering with the launch of three additional funds: Bridging Mid-Market Debt Fund, focusing on mid-market companies with a need for longer-term financing as an alternative to lower their cost of capital; Bridging Infrastructure Fund, focusing on providing debt capital for infrastructure assets in the cannabis space; and Bridging Real Estate Fund, focusing on underserved borrowers in the real estate space.

“The addition of these products will complement Bridging’s existing offering and will support the growth of Bridging Finance as a preeminent private debt lender,” said Sharpe.

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About Bridging Finance Inc.
Bridging Finance is a privately held Canadian company providing middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3,000,000 to $50,000,000 and higher, are used by companies to address short-term needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts. Bridging Finance is the co-manager of the Ninepoint Bridging Income Fund LP and the manager of the Bridging Mid-Market Debt Fund LP,  Bridging Infrastructure Fund LP, and Bridging Real Estate Lending Fund LP. Bridging Finance also offers portfolio management services for institutional and family office clients. Bridging Finance’s total assets under management are over $900 million.

Graham Marr, CA, CPA, CFA, Senior Managing Director & Portfolio Manager, Bridging Finance Inc., T: 416-777-1794 | C: 416-906-0395, gmarr@bridgingfinance.ca;

Robb Cacovic, Senior Managing Director, Bridging Finance Inc., C: (604) 785-0936, rcacovic@bridgingfinance.ca;

Advisors please contact: David Sharpe, LLB, LLM, MBA, CEO, Bridging Finance Inc., T: (416) 362-6252 | C: (647) 981-5658, dsharpe@bridgingfinance.ca;

Bridging Finance CEO, David Sharpe speaks with the CBC’s Michael Enright about First Nations economic development opportunities.

To see the full article and listen to the interview please click here.

David Sharpe, CEO of Bridging Finance, says signing deals with First Nations for major projects is just good sense.
“We know that with every major project across this land, you must work with First Nations,” Sharpe says.

Bridging Finance is an alternative lender on Bay Street with a focus on Indigenous business development. As its CEO, Sharpe has financed housing construction, and oil, gas and renewable energy projects on — and for — First Nations.
“It’s no longer that you’re going to Bay Street, Wall Street, to get the money first. You’re going to the First Nations,” he says.

For more information on Bridging Finance: www.bridgingfinance.ca

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging Finance”) is pleased to announce the launch of its latest product, the Bridging Real Estate Lending Fund LP (the “Bridging Real Estate Lending Fund”) which will be available for sale as of March 9, 2018 through the IIROC dealer channel on FundSERV and to institutional investors.

The investment strategy of the Bridging Real Estate Lending Fund will be to invest in an actively managed portfolio of first and second ranked mortgage loans that are secured by real property used for commercial purposes in Canada. At the onset, the target market will be the Province of Ontario and will expand throughout Canada thereafter.

In addition, Bridging Finance is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with MarshallZehr Group Inc. (“MarshallZehr“), a licensed mortgage brokerage (#12453) and mortgage administrator (#11955), to act as the mortgage administrator of the mortgages.

“We are very pleased to continue our growth and broaden our relationship with the team of professionals at MarshallZehr. We have been able to experience first-hand the quality of their work and integrity and are eager to work in collaboration with them on growing the Bridging Real Estate Lending Fund,” said David Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer of Bridging Finance.

“Bridging Finance has established itself as a leader of private debt financing in Canada and have built a great reputation with both investors and borrowers alike. We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Bridging Finance and look forward to working together on numerous projects,” said Gregory Zehr, Chief Executive Officer of MarshallZehr.

About MarshallZehr Group Inc.
Established in 2008, MarshallZehr is a privately held real estate lending firm formed under the laws of Ontario. Along with its principals which have a combined 50+ years of various experience in the real estate industry, MarshallZehr possesses expertise and experience in originating, underwriting, servicing and syndicating mortgage investments. MarshallZehr brings a fresh perspective, financing efficiency and active administration, to elevate opportunities and attract the right capital to enable business success for both borrowers and lenders. For more information, please visit marshallzehr.com

About Bridging Finance Inc.
Established in 2012, Bridging Finance is a privately held Canadian company providing middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million, are used by companies to address needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts. Bridging Finance is the co-manager of the Sprott Bridging Income Fund LP and the Sprott Bridging RSP Fund, which invest in factoring/private debt loans that have a low correlation to traditional asset classes. Bridging Finance also offers portfolio management services for institutional clients and currently manages approximately $700 million of assets. For more information, please visit bridgingfinance.ca.

The units of the Bridging Real Estate Lending Fund (the “Units”) will not be qualified for sale to the public under applicable Canadian securities laws and, accordingly, any offer and sale of the Units in Canada will be made on a basis that is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws and only through registered dealers.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell the Units or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Units, nor will there be any sale of the Units, in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

David Sharpe, Law’95, a Mohawk from the Bay of Quinte First Nation near Deseronto, Ontario, has defied the odds in carving out a successful career as a lawyer and entrepreneur. Now he has a bold plan to help Canada’s First Nations take advantage of opportunities in the country’s high-growth cannabis sector.

Sharpe, CEO of Toronto-based Bridging Finance Inc., has teamed-up with American partner MJardin Group to establish an infrastructure fund to provide First Nations with access to capital for business ventures in the production, marketing and distribution of marijuana when it is legalized in Canada on July 1.

Bridging Finance, founded in 2012 by Sharpe’s wife and business partner Natasha (Hilfer) (Artsci’93, MA’95), offers private-debt financing to small- and medium-sized businesses across North America – typically anywhere from $3 million up to $50 million. Since Sharpe’s December 2016 appointment as company CEO, Bridging Finance has become known as the “go to” source of capital for First Nations economic development. “We’re not inherently into backing initiatives in the cannabis sector,” he says, “but we foresaw huge opportunities for First Nations economic development in this area.”

Sharpe, who got a BA at the University of Guelph prior to enrolling at Queen’s Law in 1992, subsequently graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School with an LLM in securities law, earned an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western, and worked in the corporate sector for two decades prior to joining Bridging Finance. Early in his career, he never hid his Indigenous heritage, but he never publicized it. “It was a different time. I just wanted to fit in and do my best to survive on Bay Street,” he recalls.

He did that and more, proving he has what it takes to succeed in both the corporate and legal worlds. Nowadays, at age 52 and with his career firmly established, he “feels equally at home in a boardroom or in a sweat lodge.” And so he’s tirelessly devoting himself to leadership and mentoring roles with First Nations people. He’s Chair Emeritus of the Board of Governors of the First Nations University of Canada, while at Queen’s Law he serves as a member of the Dean’s Council, as an Aboriginal Ambassador Student Recruitment, and as the instructor in the First Nations Negotiation course. However, it’s in his capacity as CEO of Bridging Finance that Sharpe feels he can really make an immediate difference.‎

For one thing, he’s eager to create jobs for First Nations, particularly young people – for example, he hired Jason Mercredi, Law’18, to work at the company prior to attending Queen’s Law. And Bridging Finance has provided loans to back the purchase of an Arctic fishing trawler by an Inuit-owned corporation, the building of housing and elders’ apartments in northern Manitoba, a wind farm and a hockey rink in Quebec, and the opening of a full-scale grocery store/pharmacy – the first ever – in the remote New Brunswick Elsipogtog First Nation community, 245 km northeast of Fredericton.

Sharpe hails Bridging Finance’s infrastructure fund agreement with MJardin Group as being an “exciting new initiative” both for his company and for Canada’s First Nations communities, one that promises to grow cannabis-sector opportunities and good jobs for First Nations. Denver-based MJardin, which now also has a Toronto office, is the world’s largest legitimate cannabis producer and an industry leader.

“MJardin provides its partners with turn-key cultivation and processing solutions for large-scale, professionally managed cannabis production,” says Sharpe. “First Nations across Canada are expressing strong interest in getting into the business.”

By Ken Cuthbertson
Link to the article

Bridging Finance Inc. (“Bridging Finance” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce the launch of its newest product, the Bridging Infrastructure Fund LP (the “Bridging Infrastructure Fund“) which will be available for sale as of today through the IIROC dealer channel on FundSERV and to institutional investors.

As previously announced by the Company on December 12, 2017, the Bridging Infrastructure Fund will be focused on private debt loans related to infrastructure and the consolidation of entities within the cannabis sector. Bridging is also pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic alliance with an affiliate entity of the MJardin Group to act as its Strategic Operating Partner, assisting in identifying potential borrowers as well as actively managing the operations of the underlying infrastructure investments.

“We continue to experience significant growth and are very pleased with the continued support we have received to date from our investors. We are also extremely delighted to collaborate with the MJardin Group on the launch of the Bridging Infrastructure Fund and look forward to utilizing their expertise within this industry and leveraging their operating expertise across North America,” said David Sharpe, Chief Executive Officer of Bridging Finance. “Having established ourselves as leaders of infrastructure financing to First Nations, we are also excited about the opportunity of assisting them on capitalizing on such opportunity to create both wealth and employment,” added David Sharpe.

“We are currently seeing numerous opportunities to bring our expertise to Canada and are thrilled to work with Bridging Finance in bringing these opportunities to fruition. The Bridging Finance team has established themselves as leaders in the private debt space with the ability to act and deliver quickly which is instrumental in this industry,” said Rishi Gautam, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the MJardin Group.

About MJardin Group
MJardin is a highly specialized professional operating company that develops partnerships with licensed operators. MJardin provides its partners turnkey cannabis cultivation and processing solutions including licensure support, facility design, systems implementation, facility ramp-up and the day-to-day operational management required in a large-scale, professionally managed cannabis facility. MJardin is headquartered in Denver, Colorado with an additional office in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please visit MJardin.com.

About Bridging Finance Inc.
Established in 2012, Bridging Finance is a privately held Canadian company providing middle-market North American companies with alternatives to the financing options offered by traditional lenders. Lending proceeds, typically ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million, are used by companies to address needs such as restructuring existing debt, providing working capital for growth, supporting inventory purchases and financing expenditures and acquisitions/buyouts.  Bridging Finance is the co-manager of the Sprott Bridging Income Fund LP and the Sprott Bridging RSP Fund, which invest in factoring/private debt loans that have a low correlation to traditional asset classes. Bridging Finance also offers portfolio management services for institutional clients and currently manages approximately $600 million of assets. For more information please visit bridgingfinance.ca.

The units of the Bridging Infrastructure Fund (the “Units”) will not be qualified for sale to the public under applicable Canadian securities laws and, accordingly, any offer and sale of the Units in Canada will be made on a basis that is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws and only through registered dealers.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell the Units or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Units, nor will there be any sale of the Units, in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

For further information: on MJardin: Paul Wilken, MJardin Group, paul.wilken@MJardin.com, +1.720.613.4019; For further information on Bridging Finance Inc.: David Sharpe, LLB, LLM, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Bridging Finance Inc., C: (647) 981-5658, dsharpe@bridgingfinance.ca

DIANNE MALEY
Special to The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 5:00AM EST

This RRSP season, as you cast about for bond alternatives to plump up the fixed income side of your portfolio, consider a private debt offering from an alternative investment manager.

Now, “alt” investing might evoke images of risky algorithms dreamed up by quantitative analysts, or vulture funds picking over the bones of distressed companies. Ideally, though, debt strategies are designed to offset the ups and downs of the stock market while offering stable yields that are higher than those available on most bonds.

Here are a few favoured by Craig Machel, a portfolio manager at Richardson GMP in Toronto who specializes in alternative investments.

Until recently, alt investments were the preserve of “accredited” investors – individuals with high income and a high net worth. Changes have made alt investments available to investors of lesser means whose investment adviser is also a portfolio manager.

Bridge financing

David Sharpe, chief executive officer of Bridging Finance Inc. of Toronto, clearly loves the role his firm plays providing short-term financing to small and mid-sized borrowers who may not meet bank lending requirements.

Mr. Sharpe, a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation near Deseronto, Ont., says his firm has become the “go to” group for bridge financing to First Nations, a burgeoning market for infrastructure and economic development.

“We’re one of the first calls in Canada for this type of thing,” Mr. Sharpe said in an interview. “It’s an important and growing part of our business.”

A lawyer by training, Mr. Sharpe also teaches a course in First Nations negotiations at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. “Consultations with First Nations about economic development is gigantic in this country,” he says. “We want to be on the leading edge of that.”

Among Mr. Sharpe’s proudest achievements was providing interim financing for a new commercial centre – a supermarket, drugstore and retail space – for the Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick, creating 50 jobs in the process. Already, the supermarket is netting $1-million a year, he says, and community members no longer have to drive 20 minutes to buy a loaf of bread.

The project had been years in the making, says D.J. Joseph, Elsipogtog nation administrator. “We were coming down to the wire when the idea was brought to us that we could secure the financing through a bridge financing company,” Mr. Joseph said in an interview. “Bridging Finance was the one that secured the capital dollars to get things going. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

With deal flow robust, Mr. Sharpe is “looking forward to consistent growth in 2017” despite uncertainty over the recent U.S. election. “The economy is alive and well in this country.”

The Sprott Bridging Income Fund LP is diversified by sector and geography, he notes, “and we’re getting deals in interesting places,” from Nunavut to Newfoundland. Among the projects financed were the purchase of two fishing vessels for an Inuit organization called the Baffin Fisheries Coalition and a tomato processing and canning plant in Leamington, Ont.

Mr. Sharpe is chair of the board of governors of the First Nations University of Canada in Regina and a board member of the economic development corporation for Eabametoong (Fort Hope) First Nation near Thunder Bay, Ont. He runs the fund with his wife, Natasha Sharpe, who is chief investment officer. She has PhDs in epidemiology and community health. Both have MBAs.

All of the Bridging Finance loans are performing, Mr. Sharpe says, which means no one is behind on their payments. “Private debt is very hard work,” he adds. “You have to roll up your sleeves, do your due diligence and monitor your investments.”

The Bridging Finance fund is marketed and distributed by Sprott Asset Management of Toronto. Bridging Finance acts as subadviser. The Sprott Bridging Income Fund LP (Class F) returned a net 8.07 per cent to investors in 2016, Mr. Sharpe says. The fund has returned a compounded 8.95 per cent a year since inception in November of 2013.

Click here to read the full article