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Auto Partner

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FY2016 Annual Report · Auto Partner
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Consolidating Canada’s 
Automotive Dealership 
Properties

2 0 1 6  A n n u A l   R e p o R t

D R IV I N G   U N I TH O L D E R  V A L U E

At IPO  
(July 2015)

Year ended  
Dec. 31, 2016

Percentage  
Increase

Number of properties

Number of acres

26

88

32

108

Gross Leasable Area (square feet)

0.96 million1

1.27 million1 

Number of automotive brands 

Number of markets

% of GLA leased to third party 
automotive dealership tenants 

26

4

0%

29

6

8.9%

Net Operating Income (NOI)

$25.9 million2

$29.5 million

Adjusted Funds 
From Operations (AFFO)

$15.5 million2

$17.6 million

Market capitalization 

$180.5 million3 $233.8 million3

Total Assets

$357.7 million $464.3 million

(1)  Includes ancillary retail 

(2)  Annualized 12-month run rate at IPO 

(3)  Includes Class B Units

23.1%

22.7%

32.3%

11.5%

50%

–

13.9%

13.5%

29.5%

29.8%

 
TM

To Our Unitholders:

We are pleased to present Automotive Properties REIT’s (APR) 2016 Annual Report, covering our first full calendar year 

as a publicly traded REIT. We  have made strong progress in advancing our strategic objectives, elevating our profile 

and building unitholder value in the relatively short period of time since our July 2015 initial public offering (IPO). A big 

part of our success has been the favourable reception APR has received from both the investment community and 

the automotive dealership community.

The investment community has recognized the stable and predictable growth of our cash flow, which is supported 

by long-term, triple-net leases, contractual annual rent increases and the accretive impact of our steady acquisition 

program. We are attracting the support of institutional investors and we have succeeded over the last year in gaining 

research coverage from five investment dealers. Clearly, sophisticated investors recognize our property portfolio as 

an institutional-quality asset class. This has enabled us to complete two follow-on, over-subscribed bought deal 

equity offerings since our IPO. The net proceeds from these offerings are funding the advancement of our accretive 

acquisition program.  

From the time of our IPO to 2016 year end, we completed six accretive acquisitions of automotive dealership 

properties for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $93 million. Through these acquisitions, APR has 

expanded its presence in the Greater Toronto Area and established a presence in new major Canadian markets, 

including Edmonton and Montreal. Further, APR has augmented its automotive brand diversification by adding Jaguar, 

Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz dealership properties to its portfolio. APR’s automotive dealership property tenants 

now represent 29 global brands, ranging from the mass market segment to ultra-luxury. 

The acquisitions completed to date effectively demonstrate our ability to execute on the three key elements of 

our acquisition strategy. First, we have completed acquisitions with major automotive dealer groups, whereby they 

acquire the dealership business and we concurrently acquire the dealership property. Second, our acquisitions of 

Go Auto’s Porsche Centre and Jaguar Land Rover and Go Mazda dealership properties in Edmonton, and the Pfaff Audi 

dealership property in Vaughan, Ontario, part of the Greater Toronto Area, are consistent with our objective to diversify 

our tenant base by partnering with large automotive dealership groups. Finally, our acquisitions of the Audi Barrie and 

Barrie Volkswagen properties, and pending acquisition of Heritage Honda in Calgary, demonstrate the execution of the 

third pillar of our acquisition strategy, which is the opportunity to capitalize on our right of first offer to acquire REIT-

suitable properties from Dilawri’s development and acquisition pipeline. 

Acquisitions have contributed significant growth for the REIT. As showcased on the inside front cover of this report,  

for the 12 months ended December 31, 2016, Net Operating Income (NOI) and Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO) 

were up 13.9% and 13.5%, respectively, compared to the NOI and AFFO forecasted for the 12-month period ended 

June 30, 2016 at the time of our IPO.  The REIT’s total assets were $464.3  million as at December 31, 2016, compared 

to $357.7 million at the time of our IPO. These figures do not include the impact of our year-to-date 2017 property 

acquisitions, including Go Mazda, Barrie Volkswagen and Heritage Honda. 

TM

Our strategy to own and invest in automotive dealership properties is supported by compelling industry 

fundamentals.  The Canadian automotive retail industry is large and has a history of long-term growth. The industry 

generated record sales of approximately $134 billion in 2016, representing the largest component of retail products 

and merchandise sales in Canada. Over the last 20 years, automotive retail sales grew at a compound annual rate 

of 4.5%. This long-term industry growth is one of the key factors that makes high-quality automotive dealership 

businesses an attractive tenant profile. 

The Canadian automotive retail industry is also highly fragmented and consolidation is gaining momentum. We 

estimate that the top 10 automotive dealership groups in Canada comprise in aggregate less than 10% of the overall 

automotive dealership market and that there are more than 3,100 automotive dealerships outside of this group 

of large multi-location operators. Industry consolidation is being driven by the increasing sophistication of the 

automotive dealership business and growing capital requirements. Larger, multi-location operators achieve clear 

benefits of scale compared to individual dealership owners. We believe that industry consolidation will provide ample 

opportunities for us to partner with automotive dealership groups by acquiring the real estate associated with their 

businesses.

We continue to raise awareness in the automotive dealership community of our monetization solution, providing 

owners of dealership businesses with the opportunity to generate liquidity from their real estate for succession 

planning, directly investing in upgrading their dealerships or facilitating acquisitions. We’re Canada’s only publicly 

traded entity pursuing this strategy and it’s proven to be a compelling offering. Our dealer proposition is being well 

received among dealership operators and our network of opportunities is continuing to expand.

Looking ahead, we are uniquely positioned to generate further asset expansion. Coming out of our February 2017 

offering, APR has a strong balance sheet with the capacity to accretively add attractive new dealership properties 

to our portfolio. We’re targeting prime automotive dealership properties with cash flow stability in strategic markets 

across Canada that will enhance the REIT’s brand, tenant and geographic diversification. We expect to steadily add 

attractive new properties to our portfolio, while growing AFFO per unit and maintaining conservative debt ratios. 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and management of APR, thank you for your confidence and support. We look 

forward to reporting to you on the continued advancement of our value-enhancing growth strategy. 

Sincerely,

Kapil Dilawri 
Chair of the Board 

Milton Lamb
 President and Chief Executive Officer

Automotive Properties Real Estate Investment Trust 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis 

December 31, 2016 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

Table of Contents  

SECTION 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS ........................................ 4 
Basis of Presentation ..................................................................................................................... 4 
The REIT ....................................................................................................................................... 4 
Forward-Looking Statements ......................................................................................................... 6 
Non-IFRS Measures ...................................................................................................................... 7 

SECTION 2 – OVERVIEW, STRATEGY AND OBJECTIVES ..................................................................... 9 
Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 9 
Growth Strategies ........................................................................................................................ 10 

SECTION 3 – FINANCIAL OVERVIEW AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ................................ 11 
Key Performance Indicators ......................................................................................................... 12 
Portfolio ........................................................................................................................................ 12 
Operating Results ........................................................................................................................ 12 
Balance Sheet Metrics ................................................................................................................. 13 

SECTION 4 - PROPERTY PORTFOLIO ................................................................................................... 13 
Property Portfolio Summary ......................................................................................................... 13 
Portfolio Overview ........................................................................................................................ 13 
Profile of the Dilawri Leases ......................................................................................................... 14 
Property Use and Brand Diversification ........................................................................................ 15 
Description of the REIT’s Key Tenant .......................................................................................... 17 
Dilawri Additional and Non-ASPE Measures ................................................................................ 17 

SECTION 5 – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ............................................................................................ 18 
Results of Operations - For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 .................. 18 
Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) ................................................................ 18 
Property Revenue and Property Costs ......................................................................................... 19 
General and Administrative Expenses ......................................................................................... 19 
Interest Expense and Other Financing Charges ........................................................................... 20 
Changes in Fair Values of Investment Properties ........................................................................ 20 
Changes in Fair Values of Class B LP Units and Interest Rate Swaps ........................................ 21 
FFO and AFFO ............................................................................................................................ 21 
Reconciliation of NOI, Cash NOI, FFO and AFFO ....................................................................... 21 
Cash Flow from Operating Activities Compared to AFFO ............................................................ 23 

SECTION 6 – LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES .......................................................................... 23 
Capital Structure .......................................................................................................................... 23 
Debt Financing ............................................................................................................................. 25 
Unitholders’ Equity (including Class B LP Units) .......................................................................... 26 
Financing Metrics and Debt Covenants ........................................................................................ 28 

SECTION 7 – QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ...................................................................... 30 

SECTION 8 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS ................................................................................. 31 

SECTION 9 − OUTLOOK ......................................................................................................................... 32 

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2016 MD&A 

SECTION 10 – OTHER DISCLOSURES .................................................................................................. 33 
Commitments and Contingencies ................................................................................................ 33 
Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting ............................................. 33 

SECTION 11 – RISKS & UNCERTAINTIES, CRITICAL JUDGEMENTS & ESTIMATES ......................... 34 

APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................................... 48 
Property List as at December 31, 2016 ........................................................................................ 48 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

SECTION 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS  

Basis of Presentation 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of the financial position and results of operations of 
Automotive Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (the “REIT”) is intended to provide readers with an assessment 
of the performance of the REIT for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period ended December 31, 2015. 
The REIT was formed on June 1, 2015 and had no operating activity until July 22, 2015, the date of completion of 
its initial public offering (“IPO”). Prior thereto, the REIT generated no revenue and incurred no expenses. As a result, 
the comparative information contained herein reflect the REIT’s operating results from July 22, 2015 to December 
31, 2015 and therefore the year end results for 2016 and 2015 are not comparable. Consequently, the comparative 
analysis of the results of operations will primarily focus on the three month periods ended December 31, 2016 (“Q4 
2016”)  and  2015  (“Q4  2015”).  This  MD&A  also  outlines  the  REIT’s  capital  structure,  operating  strategies  and 
business outlook. All dollar amounts in this MD&A are presented in thousands of Canadian dollars, except unit and 
per unit amounts, unless otherwise noted.  

This  MD&A  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  REIT  and 
accompanying notes for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period ended December 31, 2015. Further 
information about the REIT can be found in the REIT’s annual information form dated March 20, 2017 (the “AIF”). 
The AIF, along with other continuous disclosure documents required by the Canadian securities regulators, can be 
found on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and on the REIT’s website at www.automotivepropertiesreit.ca. 

The REIT 

The REIT was formed primarily to own income producing automotive dealership properties located in Canada. In 
connection with the completion of the REIT’s IPO, the REIT indirectly acquired a portfolio of 26 commercial properties 
from certain members of the Dilawri Group (as defined below) (the “Initial Properties”). The REIT currently owns a 
portfolio  of  32  commercial  properties,  including  the  Initial  Properties,  located  in  Ontario,  Saskatchewan,  Alberta, 
British Columbia and Québec, totaling approximately 1.3 million square feet of gross leasable area (“GLA”). 

893353 Alberta Inc. (“Dilawri”) is a privately held corporation, which, together with certain of its affiliates, held an 
approximate 45% effective interest in the REIT as at December 31, 2016 (38% as of the date hereof), through the 
ownership,  direction  or  control  of  all  of  the  Class B  limited  partnership  units  (“Class B  LP Units”)  of  Automotive 
Properties  Limited  Partnership,  the  REIT’s  operating  subsidiary  (the  “Partnership”).  The  Class  B  LP  Units  are 
economically  equivalent  to  REIT  Units  (as  defined  below),  and  exchangeable  generally  on  a  one-for-one  basis. 
Dilawri and its affiliates, other than its shareholders and controlling persons, are referred to herein as the “Dilawri 
Group”. Upon closing of the 2016 Equity Offering (as defined below), Dilawri’s effective interest in the REIT was 
reduced from approximately 55% to approximately 45% and was further reduced to approximately 38% upon closing 
of the 2017 Equity Offering (as defined below). 

As at December 31, 2016, the total number of the REIT Units and Class B LP Units was 11,961,000 and 9,933,253, 
respectively for a total of 21,894,253 Units (16,216,000, 9,933,253 and for a total of 26,149,253, respectively, as of 
the date hereof). 

Out of the 32 properties, 28 are exclusively occupied by the Dilawri Group for use as automotive dealerships or, in 
one case, an automotive repair facility, while two of the other four properties are jointly occupied by the Dilawri Group 
(for  use  as  automotive  dealerships)  and  one  or  more  third  parties  (for  use  as  automotive  dealerships  or 
complementary  uses,  including  restaurants),  and  two  are  exclusively  occupied  by  third  party  tenants  for  use  as 
automotive dealerships. At the time of the acquisition of each applicable property, the REIT entered into a lease with 
the  applicable  member  of  the  Dilawri  Group  (collectively,  the  “Dilawri  Tenants”)  in  respect  of  each  of  the  30 
investment properties occupied by the Dilawri Group, and either entered into a new lease or assumed the existing 
lease in respect of the two properties occupied exclusively by third parties.   

The first acquisition of a dealership property undertaken by the REIT with the Dilawri Group pursuant to the Strategic 
Alliance Agreement was completed on December 23, 2015. The REIT acquired the real estate underlying Toyota 
Woodland (“Toyota Woodland Property”), a 49,737 square foot automotive dealership property located at 1000 – 
1009  Woodland  Avenue  in  Montréal,  Québec,  from  a  third  party  for  approximately  $7,200.  On  closing  of  the 
transaction, a Dilawri Tenant entered into a 16-year triple-net lease with the REIT. 

4 

 
2016 MD&A 

The REIT’s first acquisition of a dealership property with a third-party dealer as a tenant was completed on December 
30,  2015.  The  REIT  acquired  the  real  estate  underlying  the  Porsche  Centre  Edmonton  and  Jaguar  Land  Rover 
Edmonton (“Porsche JLR Edmonton Property”), a 44,779 square foot automotive dealership property occupied by 
two  third-party  dealerships  and  located  at  17007  111th  Avenue  N.W.  in  Edmonton,  Alberta,  for  approximately 
$23,000. On closing of the transaction, the third-party tenants entered into a 17-year triple-net lease with the REIT.  

On January 14, 2016, the REIT acquired the real estate underlying Audi Barrie (“Audi Barrie Property”) from the 
Dilawri Group, a newly constructed 24,982 square foot automotive dealership property located at 2484 Doral Drive 
in  Innisfil,  near  Barrie,  Ontario,  for  approximately  $11,130.  Audi  Barrie  Property  was  one  of  three  development 
properties owned by the Dilawri Group at the time of the IPO and was acquired pursuant to the REIT’s right of first 
offer to acquire any REIT-suitable properties from the Dilawri Group pursuant to the Strategic Alliance Agreement. 
On closing of the transaction, the applicable Dilawri Tenant entered into a 19-year triple-net lease with the REIT. 

On September 19, 2016, the REIT issued an aggregate of 3,841,000 trust units (“REIT Units”) at a price of $10.50 
per REIT Unit in connection with a public offering of REIT Units for gross proceeds of $40,330, which included the 
exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, whereby an additional 501,000 REIT Units 
were issued at a price of $10.50 per REIT Unit (the “2016 Equity Offering”). Issuance costs of $2,124 were netted 
against the gross proceeds. 

On September 20, 2016, the REIT acquired the real estate underlying Pfaff Audi (“Pfaff Audi Property”) from a third- 
party vendor for $17,150. Pfaff Audi Property is a 68,874 square foot automotive dealership property located at 9088 
Jane  Street,  in  Vaughan,  Ontario.  The  REIT  assumed  the  current  triple-net  lease  on  the  property,  which  had  a 
remaining term of approximately 4.4 years as at December 31, 2016, following which there are two five-year renewal 
options available to the tenant. 

On December 8, 2016, the REIT acquired the automotive dealership property located at 1905 and 1917 Boulevard 
Sir Wilfrid Laurier in St. Bruno, Quebec (“St. Bruno Audi & VW Property”) for approximately $14,280. The St. Bruno 
Audi & VW Property includes a Volkswagen and an Audi dealership and has a combined total gross leasable area 
of 62,705 square feet. The St. Bruno Audi & VW Property was acquired from an unrelated third-party pursuant to 
the  Strategic  Alliance  Agreement  concurrently  with  the  acquisition  by  a  member  of  the  Dilawri  Group  of  the 
automotive dealership operated at the St. Bruno Audi & VW Property. The applicable Dilawri Tenant entered into a 
18-year triple-net lease with the REIT on closing of the transaction. 

On December 22, 2016, the REIT acquired the real estate underlying the automotive dealership property located at 
4525 Boulevard Saint-Jean in suburban Montreal, Quebec (“MB West Island Property”) for approximately $20,250. 
The MB West Island Property has a total gross leasable area of 60,850 square feet. Pursuant to the Strategic Alliance 
Agreement, the MB West Island Property was offered for purchase to the REIT by the Dilawri Group and on closing 
of the transaction, the applicable Dilawri Tenant entered into a 17-year triple-net lease with the REIT.  

As at December 31, 2016, the Dilawri Group is the REIT’s most significant tenant and is expected to continue to be 
for  the  foreseeable  future,  with  members  of  the  Dilawri  Group  occupying  91.1%  of  the  REIT’s  GLA  (including 
subleases  to  third  parties).  The  remaining  8.9%  of  the  REIT’s  GLA  is  occupied  by  the  Porsche  JLR  Edmonton 
Property  and  the  Pfaff  Audi  Property.  The  remaining  terms  of  the  leases  with  the  Dilawri  Tenants  (the  “Dilawri 
Leases”)  range  from  9.5  to  18.0  years.  Overall,  the  REIT’s  portfolio  has  a  weighted  average  lease  term  of 
approximately  13.6  years,  including  the  aforementioned  acquisitions  closed  subsequent  to  the  IPO  in  2015  and 
2016. 

On February 7, 2017, the REIT issued an aggregate of 4,255,000 REIT Units at a price of $10.85 per REIT Unit in 
connection with a public offering of REIT Units for gross proceeds of $46,167, which included the exercise in full of 
the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, whereby an additional 555,000 REIT Units were issued at a 
price of $10.85 per REIT Unit (the “2017 Equity Offering”). Issuance costs of $2,248 were netted against the gross 
proceeds. 

On March 17, 2017, the REIT announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the real estate underlying 
the Go Mazda dealership (the “Go Mazda Property”) from the same third party vendor from which the REIT acquired 
the Porsche JLR Edmonton Property in December 2015. The Go Mazda Property is a 17,150 square foot, full-service 
automotive dealership property located on 2.27 acres in Edmonton, Alberta. The purchase price for the acquisition 
will be approximately $8,000 and will be funded using cash on hand. On closing of the acquisition, the third party 
tenant will enter into a 17-year triple-net lease with the REIT which is expected to include an annual contractual rent 

5 

 
2016 MD&A 

increase of 1% following the initial year of the lease. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and 
is expected to be completed by the end of March 2017.       

The REIT announced monthly cash distributions of $0.067 per REIT Unit, resulting in total distributions declared and 
paid  of  $4,401  for  Q4  2016  (Q4  2015  -  $3,629).  For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2016,  the  REIT  declared 
distributions of $15,544 and paid distributions of $15,287. 

The REIT is externally administered by Dilawri pursuant to the Administration Agreement. The Strategic Alliance 
Agreement with Dilawri allows the REIT to benefit from a preferential relationship with Dilawri as Dilawri develops 
and  acquires  automotive  dealerships  in  the  future.  These  agreements  are  described  under  “Related  Party 
Transactions” in this MD&A. 

This MD&A is dated March 20, 2017. 

Forward-Looking Statements  

Certain statements contained in this MD&A constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities 
laws. Forward-looking information may relate to the REIT’s future outlook and anticipated events or results and may 
include statements regarding the financial  position, business  strategy, budgets, litigation, projected  costs, capital 
expenditures,  financial  results,  taxes,  plans  and  objectives  of  or  involving  the  REIT.  Particularly,  statements 
regarding future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities for the REIT or the real estate or 
automotive dealership industry are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking information can be 
identified  by  terms  such  as  “may”,  “might”,  “will”,  “could”,  “should”,  “would”,  “occur”,  “expect”,  “plan”,  “anticipate”, 
“believe”,  “intend”,  “estimate”,  “predict”,  “potential”,  “continue”,  “likely”,  “schedule”,  “objectives”,  or  the  negative 
thereof  or  other  similar  expressions  concerning  matters  that  are  not  historical  facts.  Some  of  the  specific 
forward-looking statements in this MD&A include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the following: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the REIT’s relationship with the Dilawri Group, Dilawri’s shareholders and certain other related persons and 
entities (collectively, the “Dilawri Organization”), including in respect of (i) the Dilawri Organization’s retained 
interest in the REIT and its current intention with respect thereto, (ii) the services to be provided to the REIT 
(whether  directly  or  indirectly)  by  Dilawri  pursuant  to  the  Administration  Agreement,  (iii)  expected 
transactions to be entered into between Dilawri and the REIT (including the REIT’s acquisition of certain 
interests in properties held by the Dilawri Group), (iv) substantial completion of the Development Properties 
(as defined below) and occupancy and leasing arrangements relating thereto, and (v) the Strategic Alliance 
Agreement; 

the REIT’s intention with respect to, and ability to execute, its external and internal growth strategies; 

the  REIT  representing  a  unique  alternative  for  automotive  dealership  operators  considering  a  sale  or 
recapitalization of their business; 

the REIT’s acquisition of the Go Mazda Property, including the expected accretion to the REIT’s AFFO (as 
defined below), timing of the completion; 

the  REIT’s  capital  expenditure  requirements  and  capital  expenditures  to  be  made  by  the  REIT  and  the 
Dilawri Group; 

the REIT’s distribution policy and the distributions to be paid to Unitholders (as defined below); 

the REIT’s debt strategy; 

the REIT’s access to available sources of debt and/or equity financing; 

the expected tax treatment of the REIT and its distributions to Unitholders; 

the REIT’s ability to meet its stated objectives; 

the REIT’s ability to expand its asset base and make accretive acquisitions; and 

the ability of the REIT to qualify as a “Mutual Fund Trust” as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), and 
as a “Real Estate Investment Trust”, as defined in the SIFT Rules (as defined below).  

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2016 MD&A 

The REIT has based these forward-looking statements on factors and assumptions about future events and financial 
trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, 
including that the Canadian economy will remain stable over the next 12 months, that inflation will remain relatively 
low,  that  interest  rates  will  remain  stable,  that  tax  laws  remain  unchanged,  that  conditions  within  the  automotive 
dealership  real  estate  industry  and  the  automotive  dealership  industry  generally,  including  competition  for 
acquisitions, will be consistent with the current climate, that the Canadian capital markets will provide the REIT with 
access to equity and/or debt at reasonable rates when required and that the Dilawri Organization will continue its 
involvement with the REIT. 

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are based upon assumptions that management 
believes are reasonable based on information currently available to management, there can be no assurance that 
actual  results  will  be  consistent  with  these  forward-looking  statements.  Forward-looking  statements  necessarily 
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the REIT’s control, that may cause 
the REIT’s or the industry’s actual results, performance, achievements, prospects and opportunities in future periods 
to  differ  materially  from  those  expressed  or  implied  by  such  forward-looking  statements.  These  risks  and 
uncertainties  include,  among  other  things,  the  factors  contained  in  the  REIT’s  filings  with  securities  regulators, 
including the factors discussed under “Risks & Uncertainties, Critical Judgements & Estimates” in this MD&A.  

When  relying  on  forward-looking  statements  to  make  decisions,  the  REIT  cautions  readers  not  to  place  undue 
reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should 
not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether 
or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements made 
in this MD&A relate only to events or information as of the date of this MD&A. Except as required by law, the REIT 
undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new 
information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence 
of unanticipated events. 

All information regarding Dilawri contained in this MD&A (the “Dilawri Information”) has been provided by, and is 
solely the responsibility of, Dilawri and not of the REIT, the REIT’s management nor the trustees of the REIT (the 
“Trustees”). Although the REIT has no reason to believe that the Dilawri Information contains a misrepresentation, 
Dilawri  is  a  private  company  that  is  independent  of,  and  operates  entirely  independently  from,  the  REIT  and, 
consequently, neither the REIT, its management nor its Trustees (in their capacities as such) have been involved in 
the  preparation  of  the  Dilawri  Information,  nor  has  the  REIT  approved  such  information.  Readers  are  cautioned, 
therefore, not to place undue reliance on the Dilawri Information. 

Non-IFRS Measures  

The  REIT  prepares  its  financial  statements  according  to  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). This MD&A contains certain financial measures 
which are not defined under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other real estate 
investment trusts or enterprises.  

Funds from operations (“FFO”), adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”), FFO payout ratio, AFFO payout ratio, net 
operating income (“NOI”), cash net operating income (“Cash NOI”), and earnings before income tax, depreciation, 
and amortization (“EBITDA”) are key measures of performance used by real estate businesses. Gross book value 
(“GBV”), indebtedness (“Indebtedness”), interest coverage ratio (“Interest Coverage Ratio”) and tangible net worth 
are measures of financial position defined by agreements to which the REIT is a party. These measures, as well as 
any associated “per Unit” amounts are not defined by IFRS and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by 
IFRS, and therefore should not be construed as alternatives to net income  or cash flow from operating activities 
calculated in accordance with IFRS. The REIT believes that AFFO is an important measure of economic performance 
and is indicative of the REIT’s ability to pay distributions, while FFO, NOI, Cash NOI, and EBITDA are important 
measures of operating performance of real estate businesses and properties. The IFRS measurement most directly 
comparable to FFO, AFFO, NOI, Cash NOI, and EBITDA is net income. 

“FFO” is defined consistently with the definition presented in the White Paper on funds from operations prepared by 
the Real Property Association of Canada. FFO is calculated as net income in accordance with IFRS, adjusted by 
removing the impact of: (i) fair value adjustments on investment properties; (ii) other fair value adjustments including 
fair  value  adjustments  on  redeemable  or  exchangeable  units;  (iii) gains  and  losses  on  the  sale  of  investment 

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2016 MD&A 

properties; (iv) amortization of tenant incentives; and (v) distributions on redeemable or exchangeable units treated 
as interest expense. 

“FFO payout ratio” is calculated as distributions per unit divided by the FFO per unit diluted. 

“AFFO” is defined as FFO subject to certain adjustments, to (a) remove the impact of: (i) amortization of fair value 
mark-to-market adjustments on debt and amortization of financing costs and indemnity payable in respect of the 
third party tenant portfolio sublease structure; (ii) adjusting for any differences resulting from recognizing property 
rental revenues or expenses (including ground lease rental payments) on a straight-line basis; (iii) depreciation; and 
(iv) non-cash  compensation  incentive  plans;  and  (b) deduct  a  reserve  for  normalized  maintenance  capital 
expenditures,  tenant  inducements  and  leasing  commissions.  Other  adjustments  may  be  made  to  AFFO  as 
determined by the Trustees in their sole discretion. 

“AFFO payout ratio” is calculated as distributions per unit divided by the AFFO per unit diluted. 

“NOI” is defined as rental revenue from properties less property operating expenses as presented in the statement 
of  income  prepared  in  accordance  with  IFRS.  Accordingly,  NOI  excludes  certain  expenses  included  in  the 
determination of net income such as general and administrative expenses, fair value adjustments and amortization. 

“Cash NOI” is defined as NOI prior to the effects of straight-line adjustments. 

FFO, AFFO, FFO payout ratio, AFFO payout ratio, NOI and Cash NOI should not be construed as alternatives to 
net income or cash flow from operating activities determined in accordance with IFRS as indicators of the REIT’s 
performance.  The  REIT’s  method  of  calculating  FFO,  AFFO,  FFO  payout  ratio,  AFFO  payout  ratio,  NOI  and 
Cash NOI may differ from other issuers’ methods and, accordingly, may not be comparable to measures used by 
other issuers. See “Results of Operations” in this MD&A for a reconciliation of these measures to net income. 

“EBITDA” is defined as earnings before, income tax, depreciation, and amortization. 

“GBV”  means,  at  any  time,  the  greater  of:  (A)  the  book  value  of  the  assets  of  the  REIT  and  its  consolidated 
subsidiaries,  as  shown  on  its  then  most  recent  consolidated  balance  sheet,  less  the  amount  of  any  receivable 
reflecting interest rate subsidies on any debt assumed by the REIT; and (B) the historical cost of the investment 
properties, plus (i) the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, (ii) the carrying value of mortgages receivable; 
and (iii) the historical cost of other assets and investments used in operations. “Debt to GBV” means the ratio of 
Indebtedness to GBV at a particular time. 

“Indebtedness” of the REIT means (without duplication) (i) any obligation for borrowed money (including, for greater 
certainty, the full principal amount of convertible debt, notwithstanding its presentation under IFRS), (ii) any obligation 
incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses, (iii) any obligation issued or assumed 
as the deferred purchase price of property, (iv) any capital lease obligation (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), 
and (v) any obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of another entity, the payment of which the 
REIT has guaranteed or for which the REIT is responsible or liable; provided that, (A) for the purpose of clauses (i) 
through (v) an obligation will constitute Indebtedness of the REIT only to the extent that it would appear as a liability 
on the consolidated balance sheet of  the REIT in accordance with IFRS, (B) obligations referred to in clauses (i) 
through  (iii)  exclude  trade  accounts  payable,  distributions  payable  to  Unitholders  or  holders  of  other  securities 
excluded from the definition of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (C) below, accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary 
course of business which are not overdue or which are being contested in good faith, deferred revenues, intangible 
liabilities,  deferred  income  taxes,  deferred  financing  costs, tenant  deposits  and  indebtedness  with  respect to  the 
unpaid balance of installment receipts where such indebtedness has a term not in excess of 12 months, and (D) 
REIT Units and Class B LP Units, exchangeable securities and other equity securities that constitute debt under 
IFRS do not constitute Indebtedness. 

“Net Asset Value” means total assets less Indebtedness, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, credit facilities and 
interest rate swaps. The net balance is then divided by the total of Unitholders’ equity plus the market value of Class 
B LP Units at a particular time. 

8 

 
2016 MD&A 

“Debt to GBV” means the ratio of Indebtedness to GBV at a particular time. 

“Interest Coverage Ratio” means the ratio of Cash NOI less general and administrative expenses divided by the total 
of the interest expense and other financing charges 

SECTION 2 – OVERVIEW, STRATEGY AND OBJECTIVES 

Overview 

The REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust, offering exposure to a unique real estate 
asset class. At December 31, 2016, the REIT’s portfolio consisted of 32 income producing automotive dealership 
properties  located  in  Ontario,  Saskatchewan,  Alberta,  British  Columbia  and  Québec.  The  properties  encompass 
approximately 1.3 million square feet of GLA, and are primarily occupied by retail automotive dealerships, which 
also  include  service  centres  and,  in  certain  instances,  ancillary  businesses.  The  REIT’s  automotive  dealership 
business  tenants  represent  the  largest,  most  recognizable  global  automotive  brands  ranging  from  mass  market 
vehicle brands through to the ultra-luxury segment, with a focus on European and Asian brands. The REIT Units are 
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “APR.UN”.  

Canada’s  automotive  retail  industry  is  characterized  by  strong  industry  fundamentals.  According  to  Statistics 
Canada, the automotive retail industry represented the largest component of total retail sales and merchandise in 
Canada, equating to approximately 6.7% of gross domestic product in 2016. Industry sales totaled a record $134 
billion in 2016 (up 4.6% from 2015), representing approximately 25% of Canada’s overall retail sales of products 
and merchandise. Over the last 20 years, retail automotive sales grew at a compound annual rate of 4.5%. The table 
below contains new automobile sales by units in Canada for the 2016 and 2015 calendar years: 

Alberta 

British Columbia and the Territories

Manitoba 

New Brunswick 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Nova Scotia 

Ontario 

Prince Edward Island 

Québec 

Saskatchewan 

Total Canada 

2016 

223,651

221,772

57,428

44,984

33,687

54,451

821,762

8,768

465,143

52,099

1,983,745

12 Months Ended December 31  

YoY unit 
increase/ 
 (decrease) 

YoY % 
increase/ 
(decrease) 

(18,325)

10,513

(558)

249

(1,332)

(606)

43,046

792

13,481

(3,032)

44,228

-7.6% 

5.0% 

-1.0% 

0.6% 

-3.8% 

-1.1% 

5.5% 

9.9% 

3.0% 

-5.5% 

2.3% 

   2015 

241,976

211,259

57,986

44,735

35,019

55,057

778,716

7,976

451,662

55,131

1,939,517

(Source: Statistics Canada, last modified at February 14, 2017) 

The REIT’s most significant tenant is the Dilawri Group, one of the largest automotive dealership groups in Canada. 
Building  on  a  strong  track  record  of  development  and  active  management,  revenues  of  the  Dilawri  Group  were 
approximately $2.4 billion over the 12 month period ended December 31, 2016, compared to approximately $2.0 
billion in 2015. The Dilawri Leases are structured as triple-net leases under which the tenant is responsible for all 
costs  relating  to  repair  and  maintenance,  realty  taxes,  property  insurance,  utilities  and  all  non-structural  capital 
improvements. Dilawri indemnifies its individual dealerships’ rental obligations.  

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

The Dilawri Leases include a fixed rent escalator of 1.5% per annum. The Porsche JLR Edmonton Property lease 
includes an annual rent escalator of 1.0% after the end of the fifth year of the 17-year term. On September 20, 2016, 
the REIT acquired the Pfaff Audi Property and assumed the current triple-net lease, which had a remaining term of 
approximately 4.4 years as at December 31, 2016, following which there are two five-year renewal options available 
to the tenant.   

The REIT’s overall portfolio has a weighted average lease term of approximately 13.6 years.  

The REIT’s portfolio of best-in-class dealership properties, strong industry fundamentals and an attractive leasing 
profile  support the  stability  of  Unitholder  distributions.  The  REIT  is currently  paying  monthly  cash  distributions  to 
holders of REIT Units and Class B LP Units (collectively, “Unitholders”) of $0.067 per Unit, representing $0.804 per 
Unit on an annualized basis. 

The primary strategy of the REIT is to create long-term value for Unitholders by generating sustainable tax-efficient 
cash  flow  and  capital  appreciation,  while  maintaining  a  strong  balance  sheet  and  practicing  prudent  financial 
management.  The objectives of the REIT are to: 

  provide Unitholders with stable, predictable and growing monthly cash distributions on a tax-efficient basis; 

  enhance the value of the REIT’s assets in order to maximize long-term Unitholder value; and 

  expand the REIT’s asset base while also increasing the REIT’s AFFO per Unit, including through accretive 

acquisitions. 

Management intends to grow the value of the REIT’s real estate portfolio while also increasing AFFO per Unit through 
accretive acquisitions  and  steady growth  in rental rates. The  REIT  expects to be  well-positioned to  capitalize  on 
acquisition  opportunities  presented  by  third  parties  due  to  the  fragmented  nature  of  the  automotive  dealership 
market. The REIT also expects to leverage its strategic arrangement with the Dilawri Group to acquire properties 
from the Dilawri Group that meet the REIT’s investment criteria. Management intends to focus on obtaining new 
properties which have the potential to contribute to the REIT’s ability to generate stable, predictable and growing 
monthly cash distributions to Unitholders. 

Growth Strategies 

The REIT has a well-defined, long-term growth strategy which includes both external and internal elements. 

External Growth 

Accretive Acquisitions of Third Party Properties 

Management believes that the REIT is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities for accretive acquisitions from 
third party vendors due to certain features of the Canadian automotive dealership industry: 

  Fragmented ownership – Management estimates that the top 10 automotive dealership groups in Canada 

own less than 10% of the approximately 3,500 automotive dealerships in Canada;  

 

Increasing  momentum  of  consolidation  –  The  proportion  of  automotive  dealerships  in  Canada  that  are 
owned by operators with fewer than five locations has declined from 71% in 2009 to 65% in 2013 (Source: 
DesRosiers  Automotive  Consultants).  The  REIT  is  uniquely  positioned  to  work  with  the  large  dealership 
groups in unlocking the value of the underlying real estate as they accumulate dealerships.  

  Capital redeployment needs – According to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s 2012 Automotive Trendsetter 
Report, 91% of dealers surveyed said that they own the properties underlying their dealerships.  Monetizing 
the underlying real estate would allow dealers to retain control of their dealership while redeploying capital 
into other areas of their business; and 

  Succession  planning  issues  –  Management  believes  that  for  the  majority  of  independent  dealers,  the 
dealership  and  its  underlying  real  estate  together  represent  the  single  largest  proportion  of  their  wealth. 
Selling the underlying real estate to the REIT can help such dealers address succession planning issues, 
particularly if the transaction can be effected on a tax efficient basis. This is especially important given the 
aging demographics of the Canadian dealership owners.  

10 

 
2016 MD&A 

Management believes that the REIT represents a unique alternative for automotive dealership operators considering 
a  sale  or  recapitalization  of  their  business,  as  the  REIT  is  at  present  the  only  publicly  listed  vehicle  in  Canada 
exclusively focused on owing and acquiring automotive dealership properties.  

The  REIT  seeks  to  acquire  properties  that  meet  its  specific  investment  criteria.  Acquisition  opportunities  are 
evaluated based on a number of factors, including valuation, expected financial performance, stability of cash flows, 
physical  features,  existing  leases,  functionality  of  design,  geographic  market,  location,  automotive  brand 
representation and opportunity for future value enhancement. 

As  described  above  under  “The  REIT”,  in  line  with  this  strategy,  the  REIT  acquired  the  Porsche  JLR  Edmonton 
Property on December 30, 2015 and Pfaff Audi Property on September 20, 2016 from third party vendors.  

Right of First Offer to Acquire REIT-Suitable Properties from the Dilawri Group 

Management believes that its relationship with the Dilawri Group provides the REIT with additional opportunities to 
add quality automotive dealership properties to its portfolio in an accretive manner. Pursuant to the Strategic Alliance 
Agreement, which is further described under ”Related Party Transactions”, the REIT has the right of first offer on 
properties  that  are  suitable  for  use  as  an  automotive  dealership  that  are  acquired,  developed,  redeveloped, 
refurbished, repositioned or held for sale by the Dilawri Group. 

As described above under “The REIT”, in line with this strategy, subsequent to the IPO, the REIT acquired the Toyota 
Woodland Property, the Audi Barrie Property, the St. Bruno Audi & VW Property and the MB West Island Property 
under the Strategic Alliance Agreement.  

As previously disclosed by the REIT, the Dilawri Group has two properties under development which represent an 
aggregate of approximately 75,000 square feet of GLA, consisting of a Volkswagen dealership property located in 
Barrie,  Ontario  and  a  Honda  dealership  property  located  in  Calgary,  Alberta  (the  “Development  Properties”). 
Construction  in  respect  of  the  Development  Properties  was  completed  in  January  2017.  The  REIT  has  begun 
discussions with the Dilawri Group to acquire the Development Properties. If acquired by the REIT, these properties 
are expected to be 100% leased to the Dilawri Group. 

Internal Growth 

Management believes that the REIT is well-positioned to achieve organic increases in cash flow and, as a result, 
increase the values of its properties over time. These increases are expected to come from the following sources: 

  Each  of  the  Dilawri  Leases contains  annual  contractual  basic  rent  escalators  in  the  amount  of  1.5%  per 
annum. These leases are structured as triple-net leases under which the tenant is responsible for all costs 
relating  to  repair  and  maintenance,  realty  taxes,  property  insurance,  utilities  and  non-structural  capital 
improvements so that rent escalators are expected to flow directly to NOI; and 

  Contractual rent escalators that are expected, wherever possible, to be negotiated into new leases entered 
into by the REIT. For example, the lease in respect of the Porsche JLR Edmonton Property has an annual 
rent accelerator of 1.0% after the end of the fifth year of the term. 

SECTION 3 – FINANCIAL OVERVIEW AND KEY PERFORMANCE 
INDICATORS 

The financial results described herein relate to the year ended December 31, 2016. The REIT was formed on June 
1, 2015 and had no operating activity until July 22, 2015, the date of completion of the IPO. Prior thereto, the REIT 
generated no revenue and incurred no expenses. As a result, the comparative information contained herein reflects 
the REIT’s operating results from July 22, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and therefore the results for 2016 and 2015 
are not comparable. Consequently, the comparative analysis of the results of operations will primarily focus on Q4 
2016 and Q4 2015.   

The  financial  results  in  respect  of  Q4  2016  were  higher  than  Q4  2015  due  to  the  acquisition  of  six  properties 
subsequent to the IPO.  

11 

 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

AFFO was $4,608 in Q4 2016 (Q4 2015 - $3,787), or $0.210 per Unit (Q4 2015 - $0.210); and Cash NOI was $7,043 
on $9,127 of revenue (compared to Cash NOI of $5,865 on revenue of $7,498 for Q4 2015). During 2016, the REIT’s 
properties generated AFFO of $17,605, or $0.920 per Unit and Cash NOI was $26,772 on $34,274 of revenue.   

The REIT declared distributions of $4,401, or $0.201 per Unit, to Unitholders, which resulted in an AFFO payout 
ratio of 95.7% in Q4 2016, which was consistent with Q4 2015. The Q4 2016 payout ratio remained high as a result 
of the 2016 Equity Offering. In 2016, the REIT declared distributions of $15,544, or $0.804 per Unit, to Unitholders, 
representing an AFFO payout ratio of 87.4% compared to 93.7% in 2015. The lower AFFO payout ratio year over 
year is a result of an increase in the Cash NOI attributable to the six properties acquired by the REIT subsequent to 
the IPO. 

The  REIT’s  Credit  Facilities  (as  defined  below),  as  well  as  the  components  of  the  REIT’s  equity,  are  more  fully 
described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in this MD&A. 

The REIT’s total assets were $464,338 as at December 31, 2016, representing a Debt to GBV ratio of 51.5%. As at 
December  31,  2016,  the  REIT’s  weighted  average  in-place  interest  rate  on  its  debt  is  3.15%.  The  remaining 
outstanding expected term of the Credit Facilities is 3.5 years, and the remaining expected term to maturity of the 
related interest rate swaps is 5.0 years. 

Key Performance Indicators 

Performance is measured by management by these and other key indicators: 

Portfolio 
Number of properties 
GLA (sq. ft.)  
Average in-place base rent per sq. ft.  
Weighted average remaining lease term (years) 

As at December 31, 
2016  

As at December 31, 
2015 

32 
1,270,202 
 $24.33  
 13.6 

28
1,052,828
 $24.72 
 14.7

For the three months ended 
December 31 

For the twelve months ended 
December 31 

Operating Results 

2016 

2015

2016  

2015(1) 

Revenue from investment properties 

$

9,127   $

7,498  

  $ 

34,274 

  $

13,300  

Cash NOI 

FFO 

AFFO 

7,043  

5,021  

4,608  

5,865

4,454

3,787

Fair value adjustment to investment properties 

99  

(1,249)

Distributions per Unit 
FFO per Unit - basic (2) 
FFO per Unit - diluted (3) 
AFFO per Unit - basic   (2)  
AFFO per Unit - diluted (3)    
Payout ratio (%) 
FFO  
AFFO  

  $ 

$

0.201   $
0.229  
0.229  
0.210  
0.210  

87.8%  
95.7%  

0.201
0.247
0.247
0.210
0.210

81.4%
95.7%

26,772 

19,900 

17,605 

5,316 

0.804 
1.040 
1.040 
0.920 
0.920 

77.3% 
87.4% 

$

10,410

8,054

6,875

(94)

0.357
0.446
0.446
0.381
0.381

80.0%
93.7%

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Metrics 

Total assets 

Units outstanding (includes Class B LP Units) 

Q4 2016 weighted average Units - basic (includes Class B LP Units) 

Q4 2016 weighted average Units - diluted (includes Class B LP Units) 

Year Ended 2016 weighted average Units - basic (includes Class B LP Units) 

Year Ended 2016 weighted average Units - diluted (includes Class B LP Units) 

Market capitalization (includes Class B LP Units)
Weighted average effective interest rate on debt 

Proportion of total debt at fixed interest rates through swaps 

Weighted average interest rate swap term remaining (years)  

Interest coverage ratio 

Debt Service Coverage 

Debt to GBV  

2016 MD&A 

As at December 
31, 2016

$464,338

21,894,253

21,894,253

21,897,998

19,134,190

19,135,140

$233,831
3.15%

 77%

                   5.0

3.4X

1.8X  

51.5%

(1)  Based on operations beginning July 22, 2015. 
(2)  FFO per Unit and AFFO per Unit – basic is calculated by dividing the total FFO and AFFO by the amount of the total weighted average number of outstanding 

REIT Units and Class B LP Units. For 2015, the total number of REIT Units outstanding (including Class B LP Units) was 18,053,253. 

(3)  FFO per Unit and AFFO per Unit – diluted is calculated by dividing the total FFO and AFFO by the amount of the total weighted average number of 

outstanding REIT Units, Class B LP Units and DUs (as defined below) granted to certain Trustees. For 2015, the total number of REIT Units outstanding 
(including Class B LP Units) was 18,053,253. 

SECTION 4 - PROPERTY PORTFOLIO 

Property Portfolio Summary 

City or Region 

Greater Vancouver Area (GVA) 
Calgary  

Regina 
Greater Montréal Area (GMA)(3) 
Edmonton 

Greater Toronto Area (GTA)  

Total Portfolio 

Number of 
Properties

GLA (sq. ft.)

Average 
rental rate 
(per sq. ft.)(1)  

Weighted 
Average Lease 
Term (yrs)(2)

6
4

8

3

1

10

32

153,950
177,787

183,941

173,292

44,779

536,453

$36.39 
21.62 

19.84 

16.60 

34.00 

24.87 

1,270,202

$24.33 

15.9
13.7

12.4

16.6

16.0

12.0

13.6

(1)  Based on 12 month rolling average. 

(2)  As at December 31, 2016. 

(3) 

Includes MB West Island Property and St. Bruno Audi & VW Property. 

Appendix “A” in this MD&A contains a list and description of the REIT’s properties as of December 31, 2016. 

Portfolio Overview  

At December 31, 2016, the REIT’s portfolio consisted of 32 properties, including the 26 Initial Properties and the 
Toyota Woodland property (acquired on December 23, 2015), the Porsche JLR Edmonton Property (acquired on 
December 30, 2015), the Audi Barrie Property (acquired on January 14, 2016), the Pfaff Audi Property (acquired on 
September 20, 2016), the St. Bruno Audi & VW Property (acquired on December 8, 2016) and the MB West Island 
Property (acquired on  December  22, 2016).  Out of the  32 properties, 28 are exclusively occupied by  the Dilawri 
Group for use as automotive dealerships or, in one case, an automotive repair facility, while two of the other four 
properties are jointly occupied by the Dilawri Group (for use as automotive dealerships) and one or more third parties 
(for use as automotive dealerships or complementary uses, including restaurants), and two are exclusively occupied 
by  third  party  tenants  for  use  as  automotive  dealerships.  Consequently,  the  Dilawri  Group  is  the  REIT’s  most 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

significant tenant and provides approximately 93.1% of the REIT’s Cash NOI, including subleases to third parties 
(100% as at December 31, 2015).  

As the REIT grows, management intends to continue to diversify the REIT’s tenant base, but management expects 
that the Dilawri Group will provide a significant proportion of the REIT’s rental revenue for the foreseeable future. 

Collectively,  the  REIT’s  properties  contain  46 automotive  dealership  locations  (including  one  automotive  repair 
location) occupying 45 individual buildings as well as four ancillary retail buildings. The Dilawri Group is the sole 
occupant of 38 of the 46 automotive dealership locations (including the one automotive repair location), with third 
party automotive  dealers occupying the Porsche JLR Edmonton Property located in  Edmonton Alberta, the Pfaff 
Audi Property located in Vaughan, Ontario, Hyundai and Kia dealerships at Dixie Auto Mall, located in Mississauga, 
Ontario and the Ford dealership located in Markham, Ontario. While the Honda and Toyota dealerships in the Dixie 
Auto Mall have relocated to another location, the third party tenants remain under lease and are expected to use the 
existing sites for ancillary dealership purposes, and Dilawri will continue to be the lead tenant for the Dixie Auto Mall 
until July 2030. The four retail buildings are located on contiguous lots within the Dixie Auto Mall and are occupied 
by  several  national  retail  tenants  including  Cara  Operations  Limited  (operating  as  Montana’s  Cookhouse  and 
Kelsey’s Restaurant), A&W restaurant and Enterprise Rent-a-Car. 

Dixie Auto Mall includes an industrial property with approximately 53,000 square feet of GLA which is not included 
as part of the portfolio as it is not an asset over which the REIT has control. This property was acquired by the REIT 
for nominal consideration on July 22, 2015 from a member of the Dilawri Group. This property has been leased to 
the applicable Dilawri Tenant for nominal consideration pending severance approvals at which time the property will 
be transferred to that member of the Dilawri Group for the same nominal consideration that the REIT paid for its 
acquisition. All severance approvals have been completed and the transfer is to be completed by June 30, 2017. 

The former Dilawri Acura property in Regina at 1921 1st Avenue, is being used for ancillary dealership purposes by 
both the Dilawri BMW and the Triple 7 Chrysler dealerships. It continues to be leased by a Dilawri Group tenant 
under the same lease as Dilawri BMW. 

Profile of the Dilawri Leases  

The remaining terms of the Dilawri Leases range from 9.5 years to 18.0 years, with a weighted average lease term 
of approximately 14.0 years. As of December 31, 2016, the weighted average annual basic rent payable under the 
Dilawri Leases, including the Toyota Woodland Property, the Audi Barrie Property, the St. Bruno Audi & VW Property 
and the MB West Island Property, is approximately $24.38 per square foot. The basic annual rental rates of these 
leases increase by 1.5% annually. 

Material terms of the Dilawri Leases include the following: 

  Requirements to obtain the REIT’s consent for certain changes in use that might affect or impair the value 

of the properties; 

  Options on the part of Dilawri to extend the leases for successive five-year periods as long as Dilawri meets 

certain conditions; 

  The leases are triple-net to the REIT, with the tenant responsible for costs relating to the properties, including 

property taxes and non-structural repairs and maintenance; 

  Rights  on  the  part  of  Dilawri  to  cease  operations  under  certain  circumstances,  provided  it  continues  to 

comply with the other terms of the leases; and 

  Other terms with respect to alterations, environmental covenants, assignment and subletting, damage and 

destruction and tenant expansion. 

A full description of the material terms of the Dilawri Leases is contained in the REIT’s AIF, which is available on 
SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  

Profile of Third Party Leases 

  The Porsche JLR Edmonton Property, was the REIT’s first acquisition of a dealership property with third 
party dealerships as the REIT’s tenants. On closing of the transaction, the tenants entered into a 17-year 
triple-net lease with the REIT, with annual 1.0% rent escalations beginning at the end of the fifth year of the 

14 

 
lease term. The tenant is controlled by the parent company operating as Go Auto, which indemnifies the 
dealerships’ rental obligations. 

  The  Pfaff  Audi  Property,  was  the  REIT’s  second  acquisition  of  a  dealership  property  with  a  third  party 
dealership as the REIT’s tenant. On closing the transaction, the REIT assumed the current triple-net lease 
on the property, which had a remaining lease term of approximately 4.4 years as at December 31, 2016, 
following which there are two five-year renewal options available to the tenant. The tenant is controlled by 
the parent company operating as Pfaff, which indemnifies the dealership’s rental obligations. 

2016 MD&A 

Profile of Overall Rent  

Overall, at December 31, 2016, the REIT’s properties have a weighted average base rental rate of $24.33 per 
square foot. 

Profile of Overall Lease Maturity 

With the exception of the Pfaff Audi Property, the lease portfolio matures between 2026 and 2035 as set out in the 
chart below: 

Lease Maturity Profile 

5.0

I

4.0
O
N
3.0
h
s
a
2.0
C
f
o
1.0
%

‐

4%

7%

6%

5%

16% 15% 16%

10%

9% 8%

25%

20%

15%

10%

3%

5%

‐

'16 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24 '25 '26 '27 '28 '29 '30 '31 '32 '33 '34 '35

(*) Based on a 12 month rolling average as at December 31, 2016. 

Property Use and Brand Diversification 

Sales for an individual automotive dealership are heavily influenced by the popularity of the automotive brands being 
marketed, and these, in turn, are often cyclical for each brand as new models are introduced and existing models 
are updated and refreshed. In addition, prospects for both mass market and luxury brands can vary with economic 
cycles. Management believes that the portfolio’s broad automotive brand diversification contributes to the quality 
and  stability  of  the  REIT’s  cash  flows.  The  table  below  sets  out  the  breakdown  of  automotive  brands  that  are 
marketed, retailed and serviced at the REIT’s properties as of December 31, 2016: 

15 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Manufacturer / Brand 

REIT Auto  
Dealership GLA 
(Sq. Feet) 

% of REIT Auto  
Dealership GLA 

% of REIT Auto  
Dealership Rent 

No. of REIT Locations

2016 MD&A 

Honda (1) 

Porsche (2) 

Acura (1) 

Nissan 

BMW (3) 

Audi 

Toyota 

Mazda 

Hyundai 

Infiniti 

Volkswagen 

General Motors  

Ford 

Chrysler (4) 

Mitsubishi 

Kia 

Mercedes Benz 

Other (5) 

Total 

193,211 

15.5% 

84,569 

93,829 

71,521 

100,180 

160,215 

72,478 

47,501 

49,734 

31,077 

64,855 

35,504 

39,286 

40,957 

14,750 

13,890 

60,850 

75,570 

6.8% 

7.5% 

5.7% 

8.0% 

12.8% 

5.8% 

3.8% 

4.0% 

2.5% 

5.2% 

2.8% 

3.1% 

3.3% 

1.2% 

1.1% 

4.9% 

6.0% 

16.7% 

11.1% 

10.7% 

6.9% 

7.1% 

8.1% 

4.0% 

4.6% 

4.4% 

4.7% 

3.8% 

3.3% 

3.3% 

2.1% 

1.4% 

1.3% 

0.2% 

6.3% 

6 

2 

4 

3 

2 

4 

2 

2 

3 

4 

2 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1 

5 

1,249,977 

100.0% 

100.0% 

46 

Notes: 
(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

Includes Honda Used Car and Regina Collision Centre. Regina Honda/Acura split 75% & 25% of 30,863 sq. ft.  
Includes Porsche JLR Edmonton.  
Includes MINI. 
Includes Dodge, FIAT, Jeep and RAM.  
Represents the Dilawri Distinctive Collection property in Calgary, which currently has franchise agreements with Aston Martin and Bentley. In 
addition,  the  Dilawri  Distinctive  Collection  sells  a  variety  of  used  vehicles,  including  Audi,  BMW,  Lamborghini,  Maserati,  McLaren  and 
Mercedes‐Benz. The former Dilawri Acura property in Regina at 1921 1st Avenue, is being used for ancillary dealership purposes by both the 
Dilawri BMW and the Triple 7 Chrysler dealerships. It continues to be leased by a Dilawri Group tenant under the same lease as Dilawri BMW. 
The former Honda and Toyota dealerships located in the Dixie Auto Mall have vacated their premises, however, the third party tenants are 
expected to use the existing sites for ancillary dealership purposes, and Dilawri will continue to be the lead tenant for the Dixie Auto Mall until 
July 2030.  

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description of the REIT’s Key Tenant  

The following chart summarizes certain relevant financial information of the Dilawri Group as at and for the twelve 
months ended December 31, 2016 as provided to the REIT by Dilawri (all figures are approximations): 

2016 MD&A 

Dilawri Group’s Financial Information (approximations) 

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

Year ended 
December 31, 2015 

Combined Revenues (not audited or reviewed) 

2.4 billion(1) 

$ 2.0 billion 

EBITDA (not audited or reviewed) 

$ 72.8 million(1) 

$ 76.6 million 

Pro Forma Adjusted Rent Coverage Ratio (not audited or 
reviewed) 

3.2 (2) 

3.4 

Term Debt (not audited or reviewed) 

$ 150.5 million(2) 

$ 139.6 million 

Term Debt to EBITDA Ratio (not audited or reviewed) 

2.1(2) 

1.8 

Notes: 

(1) 
(2) 

For the Last Twelve Months (“LTM”) ended December 31, 2016.  
As at December 31, 2016.  

Although the REIT has no reason to believe that the above financial information of the Dilawri Group contains a 
misrepresentation, Dilawri is a private company that is independent of, and operates entirely independently from, 
the REIT and, consequently, neither the REIT, its management nor its Trustees in their capacities as such have 
been involved in the preparation of this financial information. Readers are cautioned, therefore, not to place undue 
reliance on that financial information. 

Dilawri Additional and Non-ASPE Measures 

Dilawri uses “EBITDA” in its financial statements which is an additional ASPE (as defined below) measure. “EBITDA” 
is defined as the earnings of the Dilawri Group before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, all as reflected 
in  the  non-consolidated  combined  financial  statements  of  the  Dilawri  Group  prepared  in  accordance  with  the 
recognition, measurement and disclosure principles of ASPE. Dilawri believes that EBITDA is an important measure 
of  operating  performance  as  it  shows  Dilawri’s  earnings  before  interest,  taxes,  depreciation  and  amortization. 
Dilawri’s  method  of  calculating  EBITDA  may  differ  from  other  issuers’  calculations  and,  accordingly,  may  not  be 
comparable to measures used by other issuers. 

References to “Pro Forma Adjusted Rent Coverage Ratio”, “Term Debt” and “Term Debt to EBITDA Ratio”, which 
are key measures of performance used by automotive dealership businesses, refer to the Pro Forma Adjusted Rent 
Coverage Ratio, Term Debt and Term Debt to EBITDA Ratio of the Dilawri Group on a non-consolidated combined 
basis. Pro Forma Adjusted Rent Coverage Ratio, Term Debt and Term Debt to EBITDA Ratio are not defined by 
Canadian accounting standards for private enterprises (“ASPE”) or IFRS and do not have standardized meanings 
prescribed by ASPE or IFRS.  

“Pro Forma Adjusted Rent Coverage Ratio” is calculated by Dilawri as EBITDA  for the LTM plus rent paid by the 
Dilawri Group for the LTM to third parties and the REIT, less rent received from third parties. The resultant figure is 
divided by rent paid by the Dilawri Group for the LTM to third parties and the REIT, less rent received from third 
parties.   

“Term Debt” is calculated by Dilawri as the Dilawri Group’s total debt reflected in its non-consolidated combined 
financial  statements  as  at  December  31,  2016  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  recognition,  measurement  and 
disclosure principles of ASPE.   

“Term Debt to EBITDA Ratio” is defined as the ratio of Term Debt to EBITDA. 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

SECTION 5 – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Results of Operations - For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 

Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

The REIT was formed on June 1, 2015 and had no operating activity until July 22, 2015, the date of completion of 
the  IPO.  Prior  thereto,  the  REIT  generated  no  revenue  and  incurred  no  expenses.  As  a  result,  the  comparative 
information contained herein reflects the REIT’s operating results from July 22, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and 
therefore the results for 2016 and 2015 are not comparable. Consequently, the comparative analysis of the results 
of operations will primarily focus on Q4 2016 and Q4 2015. 

Three months 
ended 
December 31 

Twelve months 
ended 
December 31  

2016 

2015 

Variance 

2016 

2015(1) 

Variance 

$    9,127 

$    7,498

$    1,629

$    34,274

$    13,300

$    20,974

(1,444) 

7,683 

(980)

6,518 

(464)

(4,788)

(1,734)

(3,054)

1,165 

29,486 

11,566 

17,920 

(891) 

(481)

(410)

(2,409) 

(780)

(1,629)

(1,771) 

(1,583) 

(188) 

(7,177) 

(2,732) 

(4,445) 

4,110 

(355) 

4,465 

1,522 

(4,172) 

5,694 

(1,997) 

(1,997) 

- 

(7,986) 

(3,546) 

(4,440) 

(1,590) 

14,800 

(16,390) 

(24,139) 

17,383 

(41,522) 

99 

(1,249) 

1,348 

5,316 

(94) 

5,410 

$    5,643 

$    15,653 

$    (10,010) 

$    (5,387) 

$    17,625 

$    (23,012) 

21,894,253 

18,053,253

3,841,000 

21,894,253

18,053,253

3,841,000 

Net Property Income 

Rental revenue from investment 
properties 

Property costs   

NOI 

Other Income (Expenses) 

General and administrative 
expenses 

Interest expense and other 
financing charges 

Fair value adjustment on interest 
rate swaps 

Distribution expense on Class B 
LP Units 

Fair value adjustment on Class B 
LP Units, Deferred Units and 
Income Deferred Units 

Fair value adjustment on 
investment properties 

Net Income (Loss) and 
Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

Units Outstanding including 
Class B LP Units   

weighted average Units - basic 

21,894,253 

18,053,253 

3,841,000 

19,134,190 

18,053,253 

1,080,937 

weighted average Units - diluted  21,897,998 

18,053,253 

3,844,745 

19,135,140 

18,053,253 

1,081,887 

Per Unit (2) 

$    0.258 

$    0.867

$    (0.604)

$    (0.282)

$    0.976

$    (1.258)

(1)  Based on operations commencing July 22, 2015. 
(2)  Calculation based on the weighted average number of REIT Units diluted. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

Property Revenue and Property Costs 

Rental revenue is based on rents from leases entered into with tenants on closing of the applicable acquisitions, all 
of which are triple-net leases and, as such, include recoverable realty taxes. The Dilawri Leases have remaining 
lease terms ranging from approximately 9.5 to 18.0 years, with an average remaining lease term of approximately 
14.0 years  and  an  annual  basic  rent  escalator  of  1.5%  in  each  year  during  the  initial  term.  The  Porsche  JLR 
Edmonton Property has an initial 17-year lease term and an annual base rent escalator of 1.0% after the fifth year 
of the term. The Pfaff Audi Property has a triple-net lease with a remaining term of approximately 4.4 years as at 
December 31, 2016, following which there are two five-year renewal options available to the tenant. Two of the Initial 
Properties are subject to land leases. Land lease expense includes straight line rent on the land leases over the 
expected lease term and recoverable realty taxes that have been paid by the REIT. 

For Q4 2016, rental revenue of $9,127 was $1,629 higher than Q4 2015, primarily due to the four properties acquired 
in 2016 (the Audi Barrie Property, the Pfaff Audi Property, the St. Bruno Audi & VW Property and the MB West Island 
Property) and the two properties acquired at the end of 2015 (the Toyota Woodland Property and the Porsche JLR 
Edmonton Property), and contractual annual rent increases from the Dilawri Leases. Rental revenue for the year 
ended December 31, 2016 was $34,274 (2015 - $13,300).  

Property costs for Q4 2016 were $464 higher than Q4 2015. The increase is attributable to the six properties acquired 
subsequent to the IPO. The property costs for YTD 2016 were $4,788 (YTD 2015 - $1,734). 

Q4 2016 property costs as a percentage of revenue increased from approximately 13% in Q4 2015 to  approximately 
16% in Q4 2016, reflecting the pre-payment by the Dilawri Group of some realty taxes earlier in the year in 2015 
prior to the IPO. 

General and Administrative Expenses 

The REIT has two broad categories of general and administrative expenses consisting of: i) public entity costs, and 
ii) outsourced costs. The public entity costs reflect the expenses related to ongoing operations of the REIT (including 
professional fees for legal and audit services and fees payable to members of the REIT’s Board of Trustees (the 
“Board”) and will fluctuate depending on when such expenses are incurred. The outsourced costs are largely related 
to  the  services  provided  by  Dilawri  pursuant  to  the  Administration  Agreement.  The  Administration  Agreement 
provided for services to the REIT to be on a cost-recovery basis with a fixed fee during the period from July 1, 2015 
to June 30, 2016 (the “Forecast Period”). Following the Forecast Period, the REIT will reimburse Dilawri for costs 
incurred in connection with the provision of such services so long as such costs are identified in the then current 
annual  budget  of the  REIT  or  are  otherwise  approved  by  the  REIT.  The  REIT  paid  to  Dilawri  $771  in  respect  of 
services  provided  in  2016.  General  and  administrative  expenses  in  Q4  2016  of  $891  were  $410  higher  than  Q4 
2015, primarily attributable to management compensation expenses, public entity costs, Deferred Unit (“DU”) and 
Income  Deferred  Unit  (“IDU”)  expenses  and  an  increase  in  fees  payable  to  Dilawri  under  the  Administration 
Agreement following the Forecast Period. 
On June 8, 2016, the Unitholders approved the adoption of an Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) whereby DUs may 
be  granted  to  Trustees,  officers  and  employees  of  the  REIT  on  a  discretionary  basis  by  the  Governance, 
Compensation and Nominating Committee, subject to approval by the Board.  Each DU shall receive a distribution 
of additional IDUs equal to the amount of distributions paid per REIT Unit by the REIT on its REIT Units. Under the 
Plan,  the  fair  value  of  the  DUs  and  IDUs  is  recognized  as  compensation  expense  over  the  vesting  period. The 
deferred unit liability is adjusted to reflect the change in their fair value at each reporting period with the changes in 
fair value recognized as compensation expense. Under the Plan, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial 
Officer will be eligible to receive a short-term incentive with a target of 50% and 40% of base salary up to a maximum 
of 75% and 60%, respectively, which will be payable in fully-vested DUs. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer and 
the  Chief  Financial  Officer  will  be  eligible  to  receive  a  long-term  incentive  grant  of  DUs  of  up  to  50%  and  40%, 
respectively, of base salary. For the twelve month period ended December 31, 2016, the REIT accrued short-term 
incentive awards of $360 which will be settled by the granting of DUs. 

Certain independent Trustees elected to receive board and committee fees in the form of DUs. The fair value of 
each DU granted is measured based on the volume-weighted average trading price of the REIT Units for the five 
trading days immediately preceding the grant date. As of December 31, 2016, the REIT incurred an expense of $79 
reflecting the grant of 7,428 DUs and IDUs granted in 2016.  

19 

 
2016 MD&A 

The table below illustrates the breakdown of general and administrative expenses incurred in Q4 2016 as compared 
to Q4 2015: 

Administration Agreement 

DUs and IDUs expense 

Management compensation expense 

Public entity costs and other 

General and administrative expenses 

Q4 2016 

 $    (211) 

         (39) 

(175) 

       (466) 

 $    (891) 

Q4 2015 

 $            (175) 

                  -   

- 

Variance 

 $      (36) 

         (39) 

(175) 

              (306) 

         (160) 

 $            (481) 

 $    (410) 

The $36 increase in Administration Agreement cost is attributable to an increase in outsourced costs as a result of 
the REIT being required to pay Dilawri for the provided services on a cost recovery basis rather than at a fixed fee 
following the end of the Forecast Period (July 1, 2016). DU and IDU expense reflects the costs attributed to DUs 
and IDUs granted to Participants under the Plan. Management compensation expense reflects the costs attributed 
to DUs which are expected to be granted to management according to the Plan.  Public entity costs and other were 
higher due to the regulatory requirements for annual audited combined operating carve-out financial statements of 
the Dilawri Tenants for the Initial Properties.   

Interest Expense and Other Financing Charges 

Interest expenses include amounts payable to lenders under the REIT’s Credit Facilities as well as amortization of 
upfront costs and costs to hedge the Credit Facilities at fixed rates. For Q4 2016, the interest expense and other 
financing charges were $1,771, $188 higher than those incurred during Q4 2015 primarily due to the financing of the 
four acquisitions completed in 2016. 

The weighted average fixed rate of interest on the REIT’s debt is 3.15% as of December 31, 2016 (2015 – 3.15%). 

Changes in Fair Values of Investment Properties 

As at 

Balance, beginning of period 

Acquisition of Initial Properties  

Acquisitions during the period 

Fair value adjustment on investment properties

Straight-line rent  

Balance, end of period 

December 31, 
2016 

December 31, 
2015

$389,650    

-    
64,129    
5,316    
2,714    

$-

357,742

30,846

(94)

1,156

$461,809    

$389,650

The REIT valued the investment properties using a discounted cash flow approach whereby a current discount rate 
was applied to the projected net operating income which a property can reasonably be expected to produce in the 
future. The REIT’s valuation inputs are supported by quarterly market reports from an independent appraiser which 
indicate a decrease in capitalization rates in the Vancouver and Toronto markets which were offset by a capitalization 
rate increase in the Regina market. The overall implied capitalization rate applicable to the entire portfolio remained 
at 6.5%, which is equivalent to the REIT’s overall assessment as at December 31, 2015.  

In accordance with the REIT’s valuation policy, an independent appraiser is engaged to prepare appraisals on a 
portion of the portfolio annually, such that the entire portfolio is appraised at least once every three years. In addition, 
any investment property which represents greater than 15% of the overall portfolio value is appraised annually. 

A 25 basis point decrease or increase in capitalization rates would result in an increase or decrease in the fair value 
of investment properties of approximately $18,500 or ($17,100), respectively. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

Changes in Fair Values of Class B LP Units and Interest Rate Swaps 

The Class B LP Units and the interest rate hedges (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in this MD&A) are required 
to be presented under relevant accounting standards at fair value on the balance sheet.  The resulting changes in 
these items are recorded in net income and comprehensive income.   

The  REIT  entered  into  interest  rate  swaps  on  August  7,  2015  and  December  30,  2015  to  limit  its  exposure  to 
fluctuations in the interest rates on variable rate financings for Facility 1 and Facility 2 (see “Liquidity and Capital 
Resources” in this MD&A). Gains or losses arising from the change in the fair value of the interest rate derivative 
contracts are recognized in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss).  

Under IFRS, the Class B LP Units are classified as financial liabilities and measured at fair value through profit and 
loss (FVTPL). The fair value of the Class B LP Units will be measured every period by reference to the traded value 
of  the  REIT  Units,  with  changes  in  measurement  recorded  in  interest  expense  and  other  financing  charges. 
Distributions on the Class B LP Units will be recorded in interest expense and other financing charges in the period 
in which they become payable. 

The contribution to net income for Q4 2016 is primarily attributable to the fair value  adjustments for interest rate 
swaps  of  $4,110.  The  net  loss  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2016  is  primarily  attributable  to  the  fair  value 
adjustments for both Class B LP Units and Deferred Units of $24,139. 

FFO and AFFO 

Q4 2016 FFO increased 12.7% to $5,021, or $0.229 per Unit, from $4,454, or $0.247 per Unit, in Q4 2015. The per 
Unit  decline  was  attributable  to  a  $215  non-cash  accrual  for  the  Equity  Incentive  Plan  and  the  timing  difference 
between the 2016 Equity Offering and the deployment of the funds in late Q4 2016. Q4 2016 AFFO increased 21.7% 
to $4,608, or $0.21 per Unit, from $3,787, or $0.21 per Unit, in Q4 2015, with the timing difference also impacting 
the Q4 2016 per Unit figures. 

Reconciliation of NOI, Cash NOI, FFO and AFFO 

The REIT uses the following non-IFRS key performance indicators: NOI, Cash NOI, FFO, AFFO, FFO Payout Ratio 
and  AFFO  Payout  Ratio.  The  REIT  believes  these  non-IFRS  measures  and  ratios  provide  useful  supplemental 
information to both management and investors in measuring the financial performance and financial condition of the 
REIT. These measures and ratios do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not 
be comparable to similarly titled measures and ratios presented by other publicly traded real estate investment trusts, 
and should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS (see 
“Non-IFRS Measures” in this MD&A). The calculations of these measures and the reconciliation to net income and 
comprehensive income are set out in the following table: 

($000s, except per Unit amounts) 

Calculation of NOI 
Property revenue 
Property costs 

NOI (including straight-line 
adjustments) 

Three months 
ended 
December 31 

Twelve months
ended 
December 31 

2016

2015

Variance

2016 

2015(1)

Variance

$9,127
(1,444)

$7,498
(980)

$1,629
(464)

$34,274 
(4,788) 

$13,300
(1,734)

$20,974
(3,054)

7,683

6,518

1,165

29,486 

11,566

17,920

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

Reconciliation of net income to 
FFO and AFFO 
Net income (loss) and 
comprehensive income (loss) 
Adjustments: 

Change in fair value – Interest 
rate swaps 
Distributions on Class B LP Units 
Change in fair value – Class B LP 
Units and Deferred Units 
Change in fair value – investment 
properties 

FFO  

Adjustments: 

Amortization of deferred financing 
costs and indemnity fee(2)  
Straight-line adjustment (rent and 
land lease) (3) 
Equity Incentive Plan(4) 
Structural reserve(5) 

AFFO 

NOI (including straight-line 
adjustments) 
Adjustments: 

Straight-line adjustment (rent and 
land lease) 

Cash NOI 

Number of Units outstanding 
(including Class B LP Units)  
Weighted average Units 
Outstanding – basic  
Weighted average Units 
Outstanding – diluted 

FFO per Unit - basic(6)  
FFO per Unit - diluted(7)  
AFFO per Unit - basic (6) 
AFFO per Unit - diluted (7) 
Distributions per Unit 
FFO payout ratio 
AFFO payout ratio 

5,643

15,653

(10,010)

(5,387) 

17,625

(23,012)

(4,110)
1,997

355
1,997

(4,465)
-

(1,522) 
7,986 

4,172
3,546

(5,694)
4,440

1,590

(14,800)

16,390

24,139 

(17,383)

41,522

(99)

5,021

88

(640)
215
(76)

4,608

7,683

1,249

4,454

(1,348)

567

(5,316) 

19,900 

94

8,054

(5,410)

11,846

50

(653)
-
(64)

3,787

38

13
215
(12)

821

274 

90

184

(2,714) 
439 
(294) 

17,605 

(1,156)
-
(113)

6,875

(1,558)
439
(181)

10,730

6,518

1,165

29,486 

11,566

17,920

(640)

$7,043

(653)

$5,865

13

(2,714) 

(1,156)

(1,558)

$1,178

$26,772 

$10,410

$16,362

21,894,253

18,053,253

3,841,000 21,894,253 

18,053,253

3,841,000

21,894,253

18,053,253

3,841,000 19,134,190 

18,053,253

1,080,937

21,897,998

18,053,253

3,844,745 19,135,140 

18,053,253

1,081,887

$0.229
$0.229
$0.210
$0.210
$0.201
87.8%
95.7%

$0.247
$0.247
$0.210
$0.210
$0.201
81.4%
95.7%

($0.018)
($0.018)
-
-
-
6.4%
-

$1.040 
$1.040 
$0.920 
$0.920 
$0.804 
77.3% 
87.4% 

$0.446
$0.446
$0.381
$0.381
$0.357
80.0%
93.7%

$0.594
$0.594
$0.539
$0.539
$0.447
-2.7%
-6.3%

(1)  Based on operations commencing July 22, 2015.  

(2)  Amortization of deferred financing costs and indemnity fee of $88 for Q4 2016 and $274 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The 

increase of $38 from Q4 2015 is attributable to the addition of financing facilities used to acquire four properties in 2016. 

(3)  Straight-line adjustment (rent and land lease) of $640 and $2,714 for Q4 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively. 

The decrease from Q4 2015 is attributable to the six properties acquired subsequent to the IPO and annual rent escalators. 

(4)  During Q4 2016, the REIT incurred an expense of $39 relating to 3,754 DUs and IDUs granted in Q4 2016 and $176 for management 
compensation expense as part of the Plan. In respect of the year ended December 31, 2016, the REIT incurred an expense of $79 
relating to 7,428 DUs and IDUs granted and a total of $360 for management compensation expense as part of the Plan. 

(5)  Structural reserve of $76 in Q4 2016 was $13 higher than Q4 2015 attributable to the six properties acquired subsequent to the IPO. 

(6)  The FFO and AFFO per Unit – basic is calculated by dividing the total FFO and AFFO by the amount of the total weighted-average 

number of outstanding REIT Units and Class B LP Units.  

22 

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(7)  The FFO and AFFO per Unit – diluted is calculated by dividing the total FFO and AFFO by the amount of the total weighted-average 
number of outstanding REIT Units, Class B LP Units and DUs granted as at December 31, 2016 to certain independent Trustees. 

2016 MD&A 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities Compared to AFFO  

AFFO is not defined by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other real 
estate  investment  trusts.  In  compliance  with  Canadian  Securities  Administrators  Staff  Notice  52-306  (Revised), 
“Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, the table below reconciles AFFO to cash generated from (utilized in) operating 
activities. 

Cash generated from operating activities 

Add (deduct): 

  Structural reserve 

  Changes in non-cash operating accounts 

AFFO 

Twelve months ended 
December 31, 2016 

17,128

(294)

771

17,605

SECTION 6 – LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

Capital Structure 

Debt(5) 

Term 
(yrs) 

Hedged Term 
(yrs) 

Interest Rate 

Payments & 
Interest/ 
Amortization

Effective 
Interest 
Rate 

As at December 31, 2016

Key Terms 

Facility 1 

 (1)  

1.6 to 8.6 

BA + 150 bps, 
Prime +25 bps

 (1) 

3.1% 

$

           141,485

Facility 2 

Facility 3 

Facility 4 

Facility 5 

 (2) 

1.6 to 8.6 

 BA + 150 bps, 
Prime +25 bps

(2) 

3.1% 

2.1  

n/a 

Fixed 3.5 % 

P&I, 20 yrs 

3.5% 

4.0 

2.8 

n/a 

n/a 

Fixed 3.22 % 

P&I, 20 yrs 

3.2% 

BA + 150 bps, 
Prime +25 bps 

n/a 

n/a 

Financing fees 

Average /Total   

               5.0 

Class B LP Units & REIT 
Units 

Class B LP Units 

REIT Units 

Number of 
Units 
Outstanding 

9,933,253

11,961,000

21,984,253

64,436

13,415

6,913

12,950

239,199

(658)

238,541

$

$

As at December 31, 2016

  $ 

  $ 

106,087

111,000

217,087

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Balance  

Key Financing Metrics and Debt 
Covenants(3),(6) 

Interest coverage 

Debt to GBV  

Unitholders’ Equity (including Class 
B LP Units) 

Debt Service Coverage 

AFFO payout ratio 

2016 MD&A 

$257

Debt Covenant 

Declaration 
of Trust(4) 

- 

- 

  <65% (5) 

<65%(5) 

>$120,000 

>1.35 

<100% 

- 

- 

- 

As at December 31, 2016

3.4

51.5%

$218,868

1.8

87.4%

(1)  $113,535 of this facility matures July 2020, $14,400 of this facility matures December, 2020 and the $13,550 revolving facility matures July 2018. 
(2)  $56,936 of this facility matures July 2020 and the $7,500 revolving facility matures July 2020.   
(3)  The calculations of these ratios, which are non-IFRS measures, are set out under “Financing Metrics and Debt Covenants” below.  
(4)  The Declaration of Trust contains other operating covenants that do not relate to leverage or debt service/coverage. The Declaration of Trust is available 

on www.sedar.com and is described in the AIF. Management believes that the REIT is in compliance with these operating covenants. 
Including convertible debentures. Excluding convertible debentures, the maximum ratio is 60%. 

(5) 
(6)  The debt agreements for Facility 1 and Facility 2, which are available on www.sedar.com, have other covenants that do not directly relate to the REIT’s 
consolidated financial position.  Management believes that the REIT is in compliance with all such covenants and with the debt agreement covenants for 
Facility 3, Facility 4 and Facility 5. 

In order to maintain or adjust its capital structure, the REIT may increase or decrease the amount of distributions 
paid to Unitholders, issue new REIT Units and debt, or repay debt. Factors affecting such decisions include:   

 

 

complying with the guidelines set out in the REIT’s Declaration of Trust; 

complying with debt covenants; 

  ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to support the REIT’s financial obligations and to execute its operating 

and strategic plans; 

  maintaining financial capacity and flexibility through access to capital to support future development; and 

  minimizing the REIT’s cost of capital while taking into consideration current and future industry, market and 

economic risks and conditions. 

 Principal mortgage repayments are as follows: 

2017 ...............................................................................................................................  

2018 ...............................................................................................................................  

2019 ...............................................................................................................................  

8,577

22,330

33,622

2020 ...............................................................................................................................  

168,903

Thereafter .......................................................................................................................  

5,767

Total ...............................................................................................................................  

$239,199

See details below regarding the Credit Facilities and remaining expected terms to maturity of the interest rate swaps.  

Management  believes  that  the  REIT’s  liquidity  position  as  at  December  31,  2016,  which  includes  approximately 
$3,100  of  undrawn  credit  facilities  and  cash  on  hand  of  $257,  is  sufficient  to  carry  out  its  obligations,  discharge 
liabilities as they come due and fund distributions to Unitholders.  

Capital  requirements  in  the  next  two  years  are  low,  given  that  there  are  no  debt  maturities  during  that  time  and 
capital expenditure  requirements are  expected to be  insignificant.   Capital required for investing  activities will be 
addressed through additional borrowings or issuances of equity as acquisition and development opportunities arise. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

Debt Financing 

The REIT’s overall borrowing policy is to obtain secured credit facilities, principally on a fixed rate or effectively fixed 
rate  basis,  which  will  allow  the  REIT  to  (i) achieve  and  maintain  staggered  maturities  to  lessen  exposure  to 
re-financing risk in any particular period; (ii) achieve and maintain fixed rate maturities to lessen exposure to interest 
rate fluctuations; and (iii) extend loan commitment periods and fixed rate periods as long as possible when borrowing 
conditions are favourable. Subject to market conditions and the growth of the REIT, management currently intends 
to target Indebtedness of approximately 55%-60% of GBV. As at December 31, 2016, the REIT’s Debt to GBV ratio 
was 51.5% (2015 – 55.0%). The reduction is attributable to the pay down of revolving debt from the net proceeds 
from 2016 Equity Offering. Management expects that the ratio of Debt to GBV may increase, at least temporarily, 
following an acquisition by the REIT of one or more additional properties. Interest rates and loan maturities will be 
reviewed on a regular basis by management and the Trustees to ensure appropriate debt management strategies 
are implemented. 

Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the REIT may not incur or assume any Indebtedness, if after giving effect to 
the incurring or assumption of such Indebtedness, the total Indebtedness of the REIT would be more than 65% of 
GBV, including convertible debentures.  

The REIT intends to finance its ongoing operations with a combination of primarily fixed rate non-revolving secured 
debt with staggered maturities and floating rate secured short-term revolving debt. 

Secured Credit Facilities 

The Credit Facilities with Canadian Schedule 1 banks described below (the “Credit Facilities”) are secured by the 
REIT’s investment properties, excluding the MB West Island Property and the St. Bruno Property. 

Facility 1  

A  non-revolving  loan  in  the  amount  $113,535  (December  31,  2015  -  $118,315)  bearing  interest  at  the  bankers’ 
acceptance (“BA”) rate plus 150 basis points (bps) or Canadian prime rate (“Prime”) plus 25 bps, maturing in July 
2020,  repayable  in  equal  quarterly  principal  payments  which  commenced  on  December  31,  2015,  based  on  a 
25 year amortization. The REIT entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps on August 7, 2015 for terms of 3 to 
10 years which resulted in a weighted average effective interest rate of 3.1%.  

An additional non-revolving loan in the amount of $14,400 (December 31, 2015 - $15,000) bearing interest at the 
BA rate plus 150 bps or Prime plus 25 bps, maturing in December 30, 2020, repayable in equal quarterly principal 
payments  which  commenced  on  March  31,  2016,  based  on  a  25 year  amortization.  The  REIT  entered  into  a 
floating-to-fixed interest rate swap on December 30, 2015 for a term of 7 years which resulted in a weighted average 
effective interest rate of 3.17%. 

A $15,000 revolving Credit Facility bearing interest at Prime plus 25 bps or CDOR plus 1.0%, maturing in July  2018, 
of which $13,550 was drawn at December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 - $10,200). 

Facility 2 
A non-revolving loan in the amount of $56,936 (December 31, 2015 - $59,074) bearing interest at the BA rate plus 
150 bps or Prime plus 25 bps, maturing in July 2020, repayable in monthly blended payments based on a 20 year 
amortization. The REIT entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps on August 7, 2015 for terms of 3 to 10 years 
which resulted in a weighted average effective interest rate of 3.1%. 

A $7,500 revolving credit facility bearing interest at Prime plus 25 bps maturing in July 2020, of which $7,500 was 
drawn at December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 – $nil). 

Facility 3  

A non-revolving loan in the amount of $13,415 (December 31, 2015 - $13,874) bearing interest at 3.5% maturing in 
February 2019, repayable in monthly blended payments based on a 20 year amortization. 

Facility 4  

A  non-revolving  loan  in  the  amount  of  $6,913  bearing  interest  at  3.22%  maturing  in  January  2021,  repayable  in 
monthly blended payments based on a 20 year amortization (December 31, 2015 – $nil). 

25 

 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

Facility 5  

A  $14,600  revolving  credit  facility  bearing  interest  at  the  BA  rate  plus  150 bps  or  Prime  plus  50 bps  maturing  in 
October 2019, of which $12,950 was drawn as at December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 – $nil). 

Financing Fees 

The REIT incurred financing fees of $273 (December 31, 2015 –$641). The amounts are accounted for using the 
effective interest method, $658 remains unamortized at December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 - $585). 

Hedging Arrangements 

The  REIT  entered  into  interest  rate  derivative  contracts  on  August  7,  2015  and  December  30,  2015  to  limit  its 
exposure to fluctuations in the interest rates payable on variable rate financings for Facility 1 and Facility 2. Gains 
or  losses  arising  from  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  interest  rate  derivative  contracts  are  recognized  in  the 
consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss). 

The following table sets out the combined borrowings under Facility 1 and Facility 2, and the remaining expected 
term to maturity of the related interest rate swaps. 

Remaining 
Term (yrs) 

1.6           

3.6 

5.6 

6.0 

8.6 

5.0 

Amount 
($000s) 

43,187 

40,910 

14,400 

43,187 

43,187 

184,871 

Total Swapped 
Fixed Rate Debt 
(%) 

23.4 

22.1 

23.4 

7.7 

23.4 

100.0 

As at December 31, 2016, the notional principal amount of the interest rate swaps was $184,871 (2015 - $192,389) 
and the  fair value adjustment of the  interest  rate swaps  was $1,522 (2015 - $4,172),  which  resulted in  a liability 
balance of $2,650 (2015 - $4,172). 

Unitholders’ Equity (including Class B LP Units) 

Unitholders’ equity consists of two classes of Units described below: 

REIT Units 

The REIT is authorized to issue an unlimited number of REIT Units.  

Each  REIT  Unit  is  transferable  and  represents  an  equal,  undivided  beneficial  interest  in  the  REIT  and  any 
distributions from the REIT, whether of net income, net realized capital gains (other than such gains allocated and 
distributed to redeeming holders of REIT Units) or other amounts and, in the event of the termination or winding-up 
of the REIT, in the net assets of the REIT remaining after satisfaction of all liabilities. All REIT Units rank equally 
among themselves without discrimination, preference or priority and entitle the holder thereof to receive notice of, to 
attend  and  to  one  vote  at all  meetings  of  holders  of  REIT  Units  and  holders  of  Special  Voting  Units  (as  defined 
below) or in respect of any written resolution thereof. 

Holders of REIT Units are entitled to receive distributions from the REIT (whether of net income, net realized capital 
gains or other amounts) if, as and when declared by the Board. Upon the termination or winding-up of the REIT, 
holders of REIT Units will participate equally with respect to the distribution of the remaining assets of the REIT after 
payment of all liabilities. Such distribution may be made in cash, as a distribution in kind, or both, all as the Board in 
its  sole  discretion  may  determine.  REIT  Units  have  no  associated  conversion  or  retraction  rights.  No  person  is 
entitled, as a matter of right, to any pre-emptive right to subscribe for or acquire any REIT Units, except for Dilawri 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

as set out in the Exchange Agreement entered into on closing of the IPO between the REIT and certain members 
of the Dilawri Group, pursuant to which such members of the Dilawri Group have been granted, among other things, 
certain rights to participate in future offerings of the REIT. 

On September 19, 2016, the REIT issued an aggregate of 3,841,000 Units at a price of $10.50 per REIT Unit in 
connection with a public offering of REIT Units for gross proceeds of $40,330, which included the exercise in full of 
the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, whereby an additional 501,000 REIT Units were issued at a 
price of $10.50 per REIT Unit. Direct costs of $2,124 were netted against the gross proceeds. The Dilawri Group 
waved its pre-emptive right to acquire REIT Units in connection with the offering. 

On February 7, 2017, the REIT issued an aggregate of 4,255,000 REIT Units at a price of $10.85 per REIT Unit in 
connection with a public offering of REIT Units for gross proceeds of $46,167, which included the exercise in full of 
the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, whereby an additional 555,000 REIT Units were issued at a 
price of $10.85 per REIT Unit. Issuance costs of $2,248 were netted against the gross proceeds. The Dilawri Group 
waved its pre-emptive right to acquire REIT Units in connection with the offering. 

As at December 31, 2016, the total number of the REIT Units outstanding was 11,961,000 (16,216,000 as of the 
date of this MD&A). 

Class B LP Units 

In conjunction with the IPO, and as partial consideration for the Initial Properties, the REIT, through the Partnership, 
issued Class B LP Units to certain members of the Dilawri Group. The Class B LP Units are economically equivalent 
to  REIT  Units,  and  are  exchangeable  at  the  option  of  the  holder  for  REIT  Units  (subject  to  certain  anti-dilution 
adjustments), are accompanied by a special voting unit (a “Special Voting Unit”) (which provides the holder with that 
number of votes at any meeting of holders of REIT Units to which a holder of the number of REIT Units that may be 
obtained upon the exchange of the Class B LP Unit to which such Special Voting Unit is attached would be entitled), 
and will receive distributions of cash from the Partnership equal to the distributions to which a holder of the number 
of  REIT Units that may be obtained upon the exchange of the Class B LP Unit would be entitled.  Under IFRS, the 
Class B LP Units are classified as financial liabilities and measured at fair value through profit and loss (FVTPL). 
The fair value of the Class B LP Units will be measured every period by reference to the traded value of the REIT 
Units, with changes in measurement recorded in interest expense and other financing charges. Distributions on the 
Class B LP Units will be recorded in interest expense and other financing charges in the period in which they become 
payable. As at December 31, 2016, the total number of the Class B LP Units outstanding was 9,933,253 (9,933,253 
as of the date of this MD&A). 

Distributions  

Holders of REIT Units are entitled to receive distributions from the REIT (whether of net income, net realized capital 
gains or other amounts) if, as and when declared by the Board. Upon the termination or winding-up of the REIT, 
holders of REIT Units will participate equally with respect to the distribution of the remaining assets of the REIT after 
payment of all liabilities. Such distribution may be made in cash, as a distribution in kind, or both, all as the Board in 
its  sole  discretion  may  determine.  REIT  Units  have  no  associated  conversion  or  retraction  rights.  No  person  is 
entitled, as a matter of right, to any pre-emptive right to subscribe for or acquire any REIT Units, except for Dilawri 
as  set  out  in  the  Exchange  Agreement,  or  as  otherwise  agreed  to  by  the  REIT  pursuant  to  a  binding  written 
agreement. 

In  determining  the  amount  of  the  monthly  cash  distributions  paid  to  holders  of  REIT  Units,  the  Board  applies 
discretionary judgment to forward-looking cash flow information, which includes forecasts and budgets and many 
other factors including provisions in the Declaration of Trust, the macro-economic and industry-specific environment, 
debt maturities and covenants and taxable income.  

The Board regularly reviews the REIT’s rate of distributions to ensure an appropriate level of cash distributions.  

Net income prepared in accordance with IFRS recognizes certain revenues and expenses at time intervals that do 
not match the receipt or payment of cash. Therefore, in applying judgment, consideration is given to AFFO (which 
is the product of the cash generated from, and required for, operating activities) and other factors when establishing 
cash distributions to holders of REIT Units. 

27 

 
 
2016 MD&A 

Deferred Units 

On June 8, 2016, Unitholders approved the adoption of the Plan whereby DUs may be granted to Trustees, officers 
and employees of the REIT on a discretionary basis by the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee 
and approved by the Board. The maximum number of REIT Units available for issuance under the Plan is 500,000. 
Each DU is economically equivalent to one REIT Unit, however, under no circumstances shall DUs be considered 
REIT Units nor entitle a participant to any rights as a Unitholder, including, without limitation, voting rights or rights 
on liquidation. Each DU shall receive a distribution of additional IDUs equal to the amount of distributions paid per 
REIT Unit by the REIT on its REIT Units. Upon vesting of the DUs and IDUs, a participant may elect, prior to the 
expiry  of  such  DU  or  IDU,  to  exchange  such  vested  DUs  and  IDUs  (subject  to  satisfaction  of  any  applicable 
withholding taxes) whereby the REIT will issue to the participant an equal number of REIT Units in exchange for the 
DUs and IDUs. The holder of such DUs and IDUs cannot settle such DUs and IDUs for cash. A summary of DU and 
IDU grants under the Plan is outlined below: 

Outstanding DUs and IDUs, beginning of period 

DUs Granted 

IDUs Granted 

Outstanding DUs and IDUs, end of period 

As at  December 31, 2016

  Units

Amount

-

7,359

69

7,428

$ -  

79  

-

$79 

Financing Metrics and Debt Covenants 

The calculations of financial metrics and debt covenants are set out in the table below:  

Calculations of financial metrics and debt covenants 

Year ended  
December 31, 2016 

Year ended 
December 31, 2015 

Net Asset Value 

Investment properties, IFRS value 

Cash, prepaid and other assets 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

    $ 461,809 

$ 389,650 

2,529 

(4,200) 

4,189 

(4,319) 

Credit Facilities, interest rate swaps and DUs & IDUs 

(241,270) 

(220,050) 

Total Net Asset Value   

   $ 218,868 

$ 169,470

REIT Units and Class B LP Units outstanding (thousands) 

21,894 

18,053 

Interest coverage 

Cash NOI 

General and administrative expenses 

     $ 26,772 

(2,409) 

    $ 10,410 

(780) 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
2016 MD&A 

Income before interest expense and fair value adjustments 

Interest expense and other financing charges  

(A) 

(B) 

      24,363 

       7,177 

                9,630 

     2,732 

                         Interest coverage ratio   

(A/B) 

3.4X 

        3.5X

Debt to GBV 

Indebtedness outstanding : 

Credit Facilities (excludes deferred financing costs)    

(C) 

$  239,199 

$  216,463

Gross Book Value 

Total assets  

(D) 

464,338 

393,839

                       Debt to GBV  

(C/D) X 100 

51.5% 

55.0%

Unitholders’ Equity & Class B LP Units 

Unitholders’ Equity  

Value of Class B LP Units  

Total Unitholders’ Equity & Class B LP Units 

$ 112,781 

106,087 

218,868 

$ 87,520

81,950

169,470

Calculations of financial metrics and 
debt covenants (1) 

Q4 2016           Q4 2015

Year ended 
December 31, 2016 

Debt Service Coverage 

Consolidated net income 

$5,643

$15,653 

$(5,387)

Interest expense and other financing charges 

Distribution expense on Class B LP units 

Amortization of deferred financing costs and indemnity fee 

1,771

1,997

88

1,583 

1,997 

50 

Fair value adjustments, net 

(2,619)

(13,196) 

EBITDA 

E 

6,880

6,087 

Principal payments on debt 

Interest payments on debt  

Debt Service 

2,122

1,692

3,814

F 

1,890 

1,553 

3,443 

Debt Service Ratio 

E/F

1.8 X 

1.8 X  

AFFO payout ratio 

AFFO 

Distributions on REIT Units 

4,608

2,404

3,787 

1,632 

7,177

7,986

274

17,301

27,351

8,214

6,936

15,150

1.8 X

17,605

7,301

29 

 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions on Class B LP Units 

1,997

4,401

1,997 

3,629 

AFFO payout ratio (2) 

95.7%

95.7% 

2016 MD&A 

7,986

15,287

87.4%

(1)  The REIT was formed on June 1, 2015 and had no operating activity until July 22, 2015, the date of completion of the IPO. Prior thereto, the 
REIT generated no revenue and incurred no expenses. As a result, the comparative information contained herein reflect the REIT’s 

operating results from July 22, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and therefore the results for 2016 and 2015 are not comparable. Consequently, 

the comparative analysis of operations in respect of Q4 2016 and Q4 2015 are provided only. 
(2)  AFFO payout ratio is calculated as distributions per REIT Unit divided by the AFFO per Unit - diluted. 

SECTION 7 – QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

The following is a summary of selected consolidated financial information for each of the five most recently 
completed quarters. 

Selected Quarterly 
Information 

($ thousands except where otherwise 
indicated) 

Fourth

Quarter
2016

Third

Second

First  

Fourth 

Quarter
2016

Quarter
2016

Quarter 
2016 

Quarter
2015

Number of Properties 

32 

30 

29 

                   29  

                   28 

GLA (sq. ft.) 

Rental revenue 

Net Operating Income 

Net Income (loss) 

FFO per unit – basic(i) 

FFO per unit – diluted(ii) 

AFFO per unit – basic(i) 

AFFO per unit – diluted(ii) 

AFFO payout ratio 

Distribution declared per unit 
Units outstanding (including 
Class B LP Units)  

Total assets 

Debt to total assets 

Debt service coverage 

1,270,202 

1,146,684 

1,077,810 

     1,077,810  

     1,052,828 

9,127 

7,683 

5,643 

0.229 

0.229 

0.210 

0.210 

95.7% 

8,538 

7,302 

1,171 

0.269 

0.269 

0.236 

0.236 

85.2% 

8,302 

             8,308  

             7,498 

7,266 

             7,235  

             6,518 

(2,530) 

           (9,673) 

           15,653 

0.269 

             0.279  

             0.247 

- 

- 

- 

0.239 

             0.238  

             0.210 

- 

84.1% 

- 

84.5% 

- 

95.7% 

0.201 

                 0.201 

0.201 

                 0.201  

             0.201 

21,894,253 

       21,894,253 

   18,053,253 

18,053,253 

       18,053,253 

464,338 

51.5% 

1.8x 

430,294 

407,366 

         407,201  

         393,839 

48.2% 

1.7x 

55.6% 

 1.8x 

55.9% 

 1.8x  

55.0% 

 1.8x 

(i) 

(ii) 

The FFO and AFFO per Unit-basic is calculated by using the weighted-average number of outstanding 
REIT Units and Class B LP Units.  
The FFO and AFFO per Unit-diluted is calculated by using the weighted-average number of outstanding 
REIT Units, Class B LP Units, DUs and IDUs granted as at December 31, 2016 

The increase in rental revenue and NOI is primarily attributable to the six acquisitions completed since the REIT’s 
IPO. The net income (loss) is impacted by the fluctuations in fair value of Class B LP Units, investment properties 
and interest rate swaps. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

SECTION 8 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

The  REIT’s  largest  Unitholder  and  lead  tenant  is  the  Dilawri  Group,  which  as  at  December  31,  2016,  held  an 
approximate 45% effective interest in the REIT on a fully diluted basis, through its ownership of all of the issued and 
outstanding Class B LP Units. The Dilawri Group’s effective interest in the REIT was reduced from approximately 
55% to approximately 45% as a result of the 2016 Equity Offering and was further reduced to approximately 38%, 
as a result of the 2017 Equity Offering. 

In the normal course of its operations, the REIT enters into various transactions with related parties and the REIT’s 
policy is to conduct all transactions and settle all balances with related parties on market terms and conditions and 
in accordance with the Related Party Transaction Policy adopted by the Board and the Declaration of Trust. 

In consideration of the applicable Dilawri Tenants leasing the entirety of two of the Initial Properties with third party 
tenants (and thereby bearing occupancy, rental and other risks associated with the portions of those properties to 
be subleased to third party tenants for the initial lease terms of 12 and 15 years for those properties), the REIT paid 
to  such  Dilawri  Tenants  an  indemnity  fee  in  the  aggregate  amount  of  $1,000  at  the  time  of  closing  of  the  IPO 
(amortizable over the term of the leases).  

In addition, the REIT paid Dilawri $1,800 as part of the purchase price of the Initial Properties with respect to the 
recoverable land transfer taxes associated with the acquisitions that may become payable by Dilawri over the 3 years 
following the IPO. Subsequently, this amount was adjusted to $896 and the remaining balance of $904 was paid 
back to the REIT from Dilawri.  

Administration Agreement 

Pursuant  to  the  Administration  Agreement,  Dilawri  has  agreed  to  provide,  or  cause  to  be  provided,  if  and  as 
requested by the REIT and, in each case, subject to the overriding supervision and direction of the Trustees, the 
REIT with: 

i. 

ii. 

the  REIT’s  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  Corporate  Secretary,  as 
approved by the REIT; 

certain  administrative  and  other  support  services,  including  assisting  the  President  and  Chief  Executive 
Officer  and  the  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  Corporate  Secretary  with  the  standard  functions  of  a  public 
company,  including  financial  reporting,  investor  relations,  quarterly  conference  calls,  ongoing  disclosure 
obligations, Unitholder correspondence, annual and special meetings of the Unitholders, compliance with 
the Declaration of Trust and providing office space for the REIT; and 

iii. 

such other services as may from time to time be agreed in writing by the REIT and Dilawri for which Dilawri 
will be compensated on terms to be agreed prior to the provision of such services. 

Effective July 1, 2016, subject to the provisions above, Dilawri provided these services to the REIT on a cost-recovery 
basis in the amount of $421 from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, reflecting Dilawri’s actual costs in providing 
such services. Dilawri agreed to provide the above-noted services for a fixed fee equal to $700 during the Forecast 
Period. The independent Trustees approved a $71 budget increase which was effective July 1, 2016 for the balance 
of 2016. Following  the Forecast Period, the  REIT  will reimburse  Dilawri  for costs  incurred in connection  with the 
provision of the above services so long as such costs are identified in the then current annual budget of the REIT or 
are otherwise approved by the REIT. 

The  term  of  the  Administration  Agreement  is  for  five  years  commencing  on  closing  of  the  IPO  and  will  be 
automatically renewed for further one-year terms, provided that the Administration Agreement or any of the services 
thereunder may be terminated by the REIT at any time during the term upon 90 days’ prior written notice to Dilawri, 
or in the event of a material breach or material default of Dilawri’s obligations under the Administration Agreement 
or insolvency of Dilawri, in all cases without payment of any termination fees. Dilawri has the right to terminate the 
Administration Agreement upon not less than 180 days’ prior written notice to the REIT once the REIT’s fully-diluted 
market capitalization based on the volume weighted average price of the REIT Units on the principal exchange or 
market on which the REIT Units are listed or quoted for trading over a 20 business day period exceeds $500,000 or 
in the event of a material breach or material default of the REIT’s obligations under the Administration Agreement or 
insolvency of the REIT, in all cases without payment of any termination fees. For clarity, the REIT’s independent 
Trustees may terminate the Administration Agreement in part in respect of one or more particular services, in each 

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case, upon 90 days’ prior written notice, without payment of any termination fees. As part of any termination of the 
Administration Agreement, the REIT will be permitted to solicit employees of the Dilawri Group who provide services 
to the REIT under the Administration Agreement. 

Management expects the scope of the services to be provided pursuant to the Administration Agreement to decrease 
over time as the REIT develops the capacity and financial wherewithal to undertake more of the services internally 
and transitions to directly employing its President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate 
Secretary and other senior management. 

General  and  administrative  expenses  include  $211  for  Q4  2016  (Q4  2015  -  $175)  and  $771  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2016 (2015 - $311) paid by the REIT to Dilawri pursuant to the Administration Agreement.  

Strategic Alliance Agreement 

In connection with the IPO, the REIT and the Dilawri Group entered into the Strategic Alliance Agreement which 
establishes a preferential and mutually beneficial business and operating relationship between the REIT and the 
Dilawri  Group.  The  Strategic  Alliance  agreement  will  be  in  effect  so  long  as  the  Dilawri  Organization  and  the 
applicable transferors of the Initial Properties own, control or direct, in the aggregate, an effective interest of at least 
10% (on a fully-diluted basis) in the REIT. The Strategic Alliance Agreement provides, among other things, that (i) 
subject  to  certain  exceptions,  the  REIT  has  the  right  to  purchase  any  property  in  Canada  or  the  United  States 
acquired  by  a  member  of  the  Dilawri  Group  that  Dilawri  determines,  acting  reasonably,  to  be  a  REIT-Suitable 
Property (as defined in the Strategic Alliance Agreement), and any property owned by a member of the Dilawri Group 
that a member of the  Dilawri Group develops, redevelops, refurbishes,  or repositions into a property that Dilawri 
determines, acting reasonably, is a REIT-Suitable Property, each on terms (including the terms of the lease pursuant 
to which the applicable member of the Dilawri Group will lease the relevant property from the REIT) and at prices to 
be agreed between the REIT and Dilawri, (ii) subject to certain exceptions, Dilawri has a right of first offer to purchase 
any property owned by the REIT in which a member of the Dilawri Group is a tenant or which the REIT acquired 
from a member of the Dilawri Group or pursuant to the Strategic Alliance Agreement that the REIT seeks to sell or 
otherwise dispose of on terms and at prices to be agreed between the REIT and Dilawri, (iii) without the prior written 
approval of a majority of the REIT’s independent Trustees, subject to certain exceptions, Dilawri and its directors 
and executive officers will not be permitted during the term of the Strategic Alliance Agreement, directly or indirectly, 
to create another real estate investment trust or publicly-traded real estate business with investment criteria similar 
to  that  of  the  REIT  or  materially  engage  (contractually  or  otherwise)  with  another  real  estate  investment  trust  or 
publicly-traded real estate business with investment criteria similar to that of the REIT, except in the normal course 
of business to lease or acquire property for use by Dilawri or its directors or executive officers, as applicable, and 
(iii)  during  the  term  of the  Strategic Alliance  Agreement,  neither  the  REIT  nor  Dilawri  will  intentionally  solicit  any 
specific tenant of a property that is owned by the other to vacate that property in favour of a property in which it has 
an ownership or operating interest and that the Dilawri Group will not intentionally solicit any employee of the REIT. 

Pursuant to the Strategic Alliance Agreement, the REIT acquired the following investment properties: 

  On December 23, 2015, the REIT acquired the Toyota Woodland Property from a third party and leased it to a 

Dilawri Tenant.  

  On  January  14,  2016,  the  REIT  acquired  the  Audi  Barrie  Property  from  a  member  of  the  Dilawri  Group  and 

leased it to a Dilawri Tenant.  

  On December 8, 2016, the REIT acquired the St. Bruno Audi & VW Property from a third party and leased it to 

a Dilawri Tenant. 

  On December 22, 2016, the REIT acquired the MB West Island Property from a member of the Dilawri Group 

and leased it to a Dilawri Tenant.  

Refer to the AIF for additional information on related party agreements and arrangements with Dilawri.  

SECTION 9 − OUTLOOK 

The Canadian automotive retail industry is a large and stable business with a track record of long-term growth. At 
approximately  6.7%  of  Gross  Domestic  Product  (“GDP”)  in  2016,  the  automotive  retail  industry  is  the  largest 
component of retail sales and merchandise in Canada. Over the last 20 years, Canadian automobile retail sales 
grew at a compound annual rate of 4.5%. For calendar year 2016, this steady growth has continued, with sales of 

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new automobiles up 2.3% to 1,983,745 units, compared to 1,939,954 units for 2015, which was itself a record year 
for automobile sales in Canada (Source: Statistics Canada). Management expects continued steady sales levels for 
2017.  

Management believes that the stable and growing sales levels within the Canadian automotive retail sector support 
the ability of the automobile dealership tenants within the REIT’s portfolio to meet their current lease obligations and 
the  contractual  annual  rent  escalations  in  place.  Further,  given  the  large  size  of  the  industry,  there  are  ample 
opportunities for the REIT to acquire additional properties on an accretive basis in support of stable and growing 
cash available for Unitholder distributions. The Canadian automotive dealership industry is highly fragmented. The 
top 10 dealership groups in aggregate comprise less than 10% of the overall market. There are more than 3,100 
automobile dealerships that fall outside this group of larger multi-location operators. Industry consolidation is now 
gaining momentum. According to Desrosiers Automotive Consultants, from 2009 to 2013, the number of groups with 
five or more automobile dealerships increased by 24%. This consolidation trend is being driven by the increasing 
sophistication of the auto dealership business, growing capital requirements and economies of scale. To this end, 
the  REIT  has  been  actively  expanding  its  automotive  dealer  and  industry  relationships  to  build  its  acquisition 
pipeline.   

As the  only  publicly  traded  Canadian  real  estate  entity focused  on  owning  automotive  dealership  properties, the 
REIT provides a unique opportunity for automotive dealership owners to monetize the real estate underlying their 
dealerships  while  retaining  ownership  and  control  of  their  core  automotive  dealership  businesses. This  provides 
them  with  liquidity  to  advance  their  individual  strategic  objectives,  whether  it  be  succession  planning,  directly 
investing in upgrading their dealerships, or facilitating acquisitions in this period of industry consolidation.  Finally, 
the REIT has an attractive pipeline of opportunities from Dilawri with a right of first offer to acquire any REIT-suitable 
properties  that  Dilawri  acquires  or  develops.  As  previously  disclosed  by  the  REIT,  the  Dilawri  Group  has  two 
properties under development which represent an aggregate of approximately 75,000 square feet of GLA, consisting 
of a Volkswagen dealership property located in Barrie, Ontario and a Honda dealership property located in Calgary, 
Alberta (the “Development Properties”). Construction in respect of the Development Properties was completed in 
January 2017. The REIT has begun discussions with the Dilawri Group to acquire the Development Properties. If 
acquired by the REIT, these properties are expected to be 100% leased to the Dilawri Group.  

SECTION 10 – OTHER DISCLOSURES 

Commitments and Contingencies 

In conjunction with the IPO, the REIT and Dilawri entered into the Administration Agreement which covers various 
operational  and  administrative  services  to  be  provided  to  the  REIT  by  Dilawri  on  a  cost-recovery  basis.  The 
Administration Agreement has a term of 5 years from the closing of the IPO and will be automatically renewed for 
one year terms.  

The REIT, as lessee, is committed under long-term land leases that are classified as operating leases with expiry 
dates to 2033 with minimum annual rentals as follows: 

Within 1 year ............................................................................................................................................ 

$576

After 1 year, but not more than 5 years .................................................................................................... 

3,115

More than 5 years ..................................................................................................................................... 

8,356

Total .........................................................................................................................................................  $12,047

 Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls over Financial Reporting 

The REIT’s certifying officers have designed a system of disclosure controls and procedures (“DC&P”) to provide 
reasonable  assurance that (i) material information  relating  to  the REIT, including its consolidated subsidiaries,  is 
made known to them by others; and (ii) information required to be disclosed by the REIT in its annual filings, interim 
filings  and  other  reports  filed  or  submitted  by  the  REIT  under  securities  legislation  is  recorded,  processed, 
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation. Also, the REIT’s certifying officers 

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have  designed  a  system  of  internal  controls  over  financial  reporting  (“ICFR”)  to  provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external 
purposes in accordance with IFRS. 

The  REIT has  used  the  Internal  Control –  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  from  The  Committee of  Sponsoring  
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in order to assess the effectiveness of the REIT’s internal 
control over financial reporting. There are no material weaknesses relating to the design of either DC&P or ICFR as 
at  December  31,  2016.  There  have  been  no  changes  to  the  REIT’s  ICFR  during  Q4  2016  and  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2016, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the REIT’s ICFR. 

Management does recognize that any controls and procedures no matter how well designed and operated, can only 
provide  reasonable  assurance  and  not  absolute  assurance  of  achieving  the  desired  control  objectives.  In  the 
unforeseen event that lapses in the disclosure or internal controls and procedures occur and/or mistakes happen, 
the REIT intends to take whatever steps are necessary to minimize the consequences thereof. 

Consistent with National Instrument 52-109 – Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings (“NI 
52‐109”), the REIT has filed certificates on Form 52-109F1.  

SECTION 11 – RISKS & UNCERTAINTIES, CRITICAL JUDGEMENTS & 
ESTIMATES 

The following risks are a subset of the key risks that affect the REIT’s business and operations. They should be read 
in conjunction with the full set of risks inherent in the REIT’s business, as included in the REIT’s Annual Information 
Form for the year ended December 31, 2016. 

Risk Factors Related to the REIT’s Relationship with Dilawri 

Significant Ownership by the Dilawri Organization  

As at December 31, 2016, Dilawri had an approximate 45% effective interest in the REIT on a fully-diluted basis 
through ownership, direction or control of all of the Class B LP Units. Each Class B LP Unit has attached to it, a 
Special Voting Unit of the REIT, providing for voting rights in the REIT (approximately 38% as of the date of this 
MD&A). 

In addition, the Declaration of Trust grants Dilawri the right to nominate certain Trustees of the REIT based on the 
Dilawri Organization’s direct and indirect interest in the REIT. For so long as the Dilawri Organization maintains a 
significant effective interest in the REIT, the Dilawri Organization will have the ability to exercise certain influence 
with respect to the affairs of the REIT and significantly affect the outcome of the votes of Unitholders, and may have 
the ability to prevent certain fundamental transactions. As a result, the Dilawri Organization has the ability to influence 
many matters affecting the REIT. 

Accordingly,  the  REIT  Units  may  be  less  liquid  and  trade  at  a  relative  discount compared  to  such  REIT  Units  in 
circumstances where the Dilawri Organization did not have the ability to influence or determine matters affecting the 
REIT. Additionally, the Dilawri Organization’s significant effective interest in the REIT may discourage transactions 
involving a change of control of the REIT, including transactions in which an investor, as a holder of the REIT Units 
(a  “REIT  Unitholder”),  might  otherwise  receive  a  premium  for  its  REIT  Units  over  the  then-current  market  price. 
Further, the Dilawri Organization’s significant effective interest in the REIT may discourage competing bids if Dilawri 
or another member of the Dilawri Organization bids for the REIT. 

Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, each Class B LP Unit is exchangeable at the option of the holder for one 
REIT Unit (subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments). If the Dilawri Organization exchanges some or all of its 
Class B LP Units for REIT Units and subsequently sells such REIT Units in the public market, the market price of 
the  REIT  Units  may  decrease.  Moreover,  despite  the  fact  that  Dilawri  has  advised  the  REIT  that  the  Dilawri 
Organization’s current intention is to retain a significant interest in the REIT for the foreseeable future, the perception 
in the public market that these sales will occur could also produce such an effect. 

The Dilawri Group as Key Tenant 

As of December 31, 2016, the REIT derives approximately 93.2% of its annual base minimum rent from the Dilawri 
Group. Consequently, revenues will be dependent on the ability of the Dilawri Group to meet its rent obligations and 
the REIT’s ability to collect rent from the Dilawri Group. If the Dilawri Group were to terminate its tenancies, default 

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on  or  cease  to  satisfy  its  payment  obligations,  it  would  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  REIT’s  financial 
condition and results of operations and its ability to make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

The REIT has entered into leases with the applicable members of the Dilawri Group in respect of each of the Initial 
Properties,  including the  Third  Party  Tenant Portfolio,  as  well  as the  Toyota  Woodland  Property, the Audi Barrie 
Property, the St. Bruno Audi & VW Property and the MB West Island Property (collectively, the “Dilawri Properties”). 
Under  such  leases,  Dilawri  provided  an  indemnity  for  the  lease  obligations  of  each  other  member  of  the  Dilawri 
Group. Consequently, the  Dilawri Group will be the REIT’s most significant tenant for the foreseeable future, with 
members of the Dilawri Group occupying 91.1% of the REIT’s GLA including third parties occupying the subleases 
and remaining 8.9% occupied by Porsche JLR Edmonton Property and Pfaff Audi Property, at December 31, 2016. 
As of the date of this MD&A, the initial terms of the Dilawri Leases range from approximately 9.5 to 18.0 years, with 
a weighted average lease term as at December 31, 2016 of approximately 14.0 years. Therefore, the REIT’s net 
income could also be materially adversely affected in the event of a downturn in the business, or the bankruptcy or 
insolvency, of Dilawri or the Dilawri Group, as the REIT’s largest tenant. 

Acquisition of Future Properties from the Dilawri Group 

The REIT’s ability to expand its asset base and increase AFFO per Unit through acquisitions will be significantly 
affected by the REIT’s ability to leverage its relationship with the Dilawri Group to access opportunities to acquire 
additional  properties  that  satisfy  the  REIT’s  investment  criteria,  including  pursuant  to  the  Strategic  Alliance 
Agreement. As previously disclosed by the REIT, the Dilawri Group has two properties under development which 
represent an aggregate of approximately 75,000 square feet of GLA, consisting of a Volkswagen dealership property 
located  in  Barrie,  Ontario  and  a  Honda  dealership  property  located  in  Calgary,  Alberta  (the  “Development 
Properties”). Construction in respect of the Development Properties was completed in January 2017. The REIT has 
begun discussions with the Dilawri Group to acquire the Development Properties. If acquired by the REIT, these 
properties are expected to be 100% leased to the Dilawri Group. As the REIT’s acceptance of such offer will be 
conditional on market conditions and the REIT’s due diligence, there can be no assurance that the REIT will approve 
such opportunities and acquire either or both of the Development Properties or do so on terms favourable to the 
REIT. In addition, there can be no assurance that the right of first offer granted to the REIT by Dilawri to acquire the 
Dilawri Group’s interests in other properties will be exercised or that the Dilawri Group will dispose of interests in its 
properties. The inability of the REIT to expand its asset base by virtue of its relationship with the Dilawri Group or 
pursuant to the rights of first offer may have a material adverse effect on the REIT’s business, cash flows, financial 
condition and results of operations and its ability to make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

Sale Provisions under the Strategic Alliance Agreement 

Pursuant to the Strategic Alliance Agreement, the REIT has granted a right of first offer in favour of Dilawri in the 
event that the REIT intends to sell or otherwise to dispose of any of its properties in which a member of the Dilawri 
Group is a tenant or, where a member of the Dilawri Group is not a tenant, which the REIT acquired from a member 
of the Dilawri Group or pursuant to the Strategic Alliance Agreement. In the event that the REIT desires to sell or 
otherwise dispose of a property, the existence of this right of first offer in favour of Dilawri could limit the number of 
purchasers of such property, make it more difficult to sell such property and/or decrease the potential purchase price 
that could be obtained for such property, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the REIT. This right 
survives termination of the Strategic Alliance Agreement. 

Potential Conflicts of Interest with Dilawri 

Other than pursuant to the Strategic Alliance Agreement, Dilawri is not limited or restricted in any way from owning, 
acquiring,  constructing,  developing  or  redeveloping  properties,  and  may  itself  compete  with  the  REIT  in  seeking 
tenants  and  for  the  purchase,  development  and  operation  of  desirable  properties  to  be  used  as  automotive 
dealerships. 

Dilawri’s continuing business may lead to conflicts of interest between Dilawri and the REIT. In addition, the ongoing 
employment relationships between the applicable subsidiary of Dilawri and each of Milton Lamb (President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the REIT) and Andrew Kalra (Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the REIT), and 
the  development  and  other  services  to  be  performed  by  Mr.  Lamb,  and  the  services  provided  by  Mr.  Kalra, 
respectively, for Dilawri may lead to conflicts of interest between such persons and the REIT. The REIT may not be 
able to resolve any such conflicts and, even if it does, the resolution may be less favourable to the REIT than if it 
were dealing with a party that was not a holder of a significant interest in the REIT. The agreements that the REIT 
has entered into with the Dilawri Group to date may be amended upon agreement between the parties, subject to 
applicable  law  and  approval  of  the  Trustees  who  are  “independent”  pursuant  to  National  Instrument  58-101  — 
Disclosure  of  Corporate  Governance  Practices.  Because  of  the  Dilawri  Organization’s  significant  holdings  in  the 
REIT, the REIT may not have the leverage to negotiate any required amendments to these agreements on terms as 
favourable  to  the  REIT  as  those  the  REIT  could  secure  with  a  party  that  was  not  a  significant  effective  REIT 
Unitholder. There can be no assurance that actual or potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in favour of the 
REIT. 

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Risk Factors Related to the Real Estate Industry and the Business of the REIT 

Real Property Ownership and Tenant Risks 

Real estate ownership is generally subject to numerous factors and risks, including changes in general economic 
conditions (such as the availability, terms and cost of mortgage financing and other types of credit), local economic 
conditions  (such  as  an  oversupply  of  properties  or  a  reduction  in  demand  for  real  estate  in  the  area),  the 
attractiveness of properties to potential tenants or purchasers, competition with other landlords with similar available 
space, and the ability of the owner to provide adequate maintenance at competitive costs. 

There is no assurance that the operations of the REIT will be profitable or that cash from operations will be available 
to make distributions to REIT Unitholders. Real estate, like many other types of long-term investments, experiences 
significant fluctuation in value and, as a result, specific market conditions may result in occasional or permanent 
reductions in the value of the REIT’s portfolio. The marketability and value of the REIT’s portfolio will depend on 
many factors, including, without limitation: (i) changes in general economic conditions (such as the availability, terms 
and cost of mortgage financing and other types of credit); (ii) local economic conditions (such as business layoffs, 
industry  slowdowns,  changing  demographics  and  other  factors);  (iii)  local  real  estate  conditions  (such  as  an 
oversupply of properties or a reduction in demand for real estate in the area); (iv) changes in occupancy rates; (v) 
the attractiveness of properties to potential tenants or purchasers; (vi) competition with other landlords with similar 
available space; (vii) the ability of the REIT to provide adequate maintenance at competitive costs; (viii) changes in 
exchange rates; (ix) the promulgation and enforcement of governmental regulations relating to land-use and zoning 
restrictions, environmental protection and occupational safety; (x) the financial condition of borrowers and of tenants, 
buyers and sellers of real estate assets; (xi) changes in real estate tax rates and other operating expenses; (xii) the 
imposition of rent controls; (xiii) energy and supply shortages; (xiv) various uninsured or uninsurable risks; and (xv) 
natural disasters. There can be no assurance of profitable operations because the costs of operating the portfolio, 
including debt service, may exceed gross rental income therefrom, particularly since certain expenses related to real 
estate, such as property taxes, utility costs, maintenance costs and insurance, tend to increase even if there is a 
decrease in the REIT’s income from such investments. 

The  Properties  generate  income  through  rent  payments  made  by  the  Dilawri  Group  and  third  parties.  The  REIT 
depends  on  tenants  who  lease  its  properties  to  pay  rent,  maintain  its  properties  and  meet  their  other  lease 
obligations. All of the REIT’s properties rely on the Dilawri Group and third parties under a triple-net lease, which 
subjects the REIT to additional risk related to the financial strength of the Dilawri Group and such third parties relative 
to multi-tenant properties. Furthermore, as the Dilawri Group will head lease all of the premises currently leased to 
third party tenants (with the exception of the Porsche JLR Edmonton Property and the Pfaff Audi Property which are 
leased by the REIT to third party tenants), the Dilawri Group, not the REIT, will have control over the re-leasing of 
such premises. Upon the expiry of any lease, there can be no assurance that the lease will be renewed or the tenant 
replaced for a number of reasons. Furthermore, the terms of any subsequent lease may be less favourable than the 
existing lease. In addition, historical occupancy rates and rents are not necessarily an accurate prediction of future 
occupancy  rates  for  the  REIT’s  properties.  The  REIT’s  cash  flows  and  financial  position  would  be  materially 
adversely affected if its tenants (and especially the Dilawri Group) were to become unable to meet their obligations 
under their leases or if a significant amount of available space in the REIT’s properties was not able to be leased on 
economically favourable lease terms. 

The REIT also depends on the tenant to keep the property adequately insured. If the tenant does not have enough 
insurance and there is a loss, the REIT could incur all or some of the cost to repair or replace the property. In addition, 
if the tenant fails to pay real estate taxes when due, the REIT may be required to pay these taxes. If a tenant fails to 
pay rent or perform any other obligation under the lease, the tenant could be in default under the lease. In the event 
of  default  by  a  tenant,  the  REIT  may  experience  delays  or  limitations  in  enforcing  its  rights  as  lessor  and  incur 
substantial costs in protecting its investment. Any such process may be costly, time consuming and could divert the 
attention  of  management  from  the  day-to-day-business  of  the  REIT.  Further,  the  REIT  may  be  unsuccessful 
collecting  the  money  that  is  owed  by  a defaulting  tenant.  In  addition,  the  Dilawri  Leases  may  narrow  the  field  of 
potential tenants at a property and could contribute to difficulties in leasing space to new tenants. Furthermore, at 
any time, a tenant may seek the protection of bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws which could result in the rejection 
and termination of the lease of the tenant and thereby cause a reduction in the REIT’s cash flows, financial condition 
or results of operations and its ability to make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

The above list of  ways in which the  REIT depends on its  tenants is not  exhaustive. Other  actions  by the REIT’s 
tenants could have an adverse effect on its cash flows, financial condition or results of operations and its ability to 
make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

Asset Class and Manufacturer Diversification 

The REIT’s investments are not widely diversified by asset class. Substantially all of the REIT’s investments are in 
automotive dealership properties. A lack of asset class diversification increases risk because automotive dealership 
properties  are  subject  to  their  own  set  of  risks,  such  as  the  risks  associated  with  automotive  manufacturers. 

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Furthermore, Honda and Acura dealerships collectively represent over 27% of the gross automotive dealership rent 
paid to the REIT in 2016 and approximately 23% of the REIT’s GLA as at December 31, 2016. Because Acura is a 
division of Honda, any material adverse changes to the business of this one manufacturer may adversely affect the 
ability of the Dilawri Group to meet its rent obligations, which in turn may have a material adverse effect on the REIT. 

Geographic Concentration 

The  REIT’s  properties  are  all  located  in  Canada,  in  the  provinces  of  Ontario,  Saskatchewan,  Alberta,  British 
Columbia and Québec. As a result, the market value of the REIT’s properties, the income generated by the REIT 
and  the  REIT’s  performance  are  particularly  sensitive  to  changes  in  the  economic  condition  and  regulatory 
environments of Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Québec. Adverse changes in the economic 
condition  or  regulatory  environment  of Ontario, Saskatchewan,  Alberta, British  Columbia  or Québec  may  have  a 
material adverse effect on the REIT’s business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations and its ability 
to make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders.  

Competition 

The REIT competes with other investors, managers and owners of properties in seeking tenants and for the purchase 
and development of desirable real estate properties. Some of the properties of the REIT’s competitors may be newer 
or  better  located  than  the  REIT’s  properties.  Certain  of  these  competitors  may  have  greater  financial  and  other 
resources and greater operating flexibility than the REIT. An increase in the availability of funds for investment or an 
increase  in  interest  in  real  estate  property  investments  may  increase  the  competition  for  real  estate  property 
investments,  thereby  increasing  purchase  prices  and  reducing  the  yield  on  them.  The  existence  of  competing 
managers and owners could have a material adverse effect on the REIT’s ability to lease space and on the rents the 
REIT is able to charge, and could materially adversely affect revenues and the REIT’s ability to meet its obligations 
and its ability to make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

Capital Expenditures and Fixed Costs 

Certain  significant  expenditures,  including  property  taxes,  maintenance  costs,  debt  service  payments,  insurance 
costs and related charges, must be made throughout the period of ownership of real property, regardless of whether 
the property is producing sufficient income to pay such expenses. In order to retain desirable rentable space and to 
generate adequate revenue over the long-term, the REIT must maintain or, in some cases, improve each property’s 
condition  to  meet  market  demand.  Maintaining  a  rental  property  in  accordance  with  market standards  can  entail 
significant costs, which the REIT may not be able to recover from its tenants. In addition, property tax reassessments 
based on updated appraised values may occur, which the REIT may not be able to fully recover from its tenants. As 
a result, the REIT will bear the economic cost of such structural defects and/or taxes not recoverable from tenants 
which may adversely impact the REIT’s financial condition and results from operations and decrease the amount of 
cash available for distribution to REIT Unitholders. Numerous factors, including the age of the relevant building, the 
materials used at the time of construction or currently unknown building code violations could result in substantial 
unbudgeted  costs for refurbishment or modernization.  In  addition, the timing  and  amount of capital expenditures 
may indirectly affect the amount of cash available for distribution to REIT Unitholders. Distributions may be reduced, 
or even eliminated, at times when the REIT deems it necessary to make significant capital or other expenditures. 

If  the  actual  costs  of  maintaining  or  upgrading  a  property  exceed  the  REIT’s  estimates,  or  if  hidden  defects  are 
discovered during maintenance or upgrading which are not covered by insurance or contractual warranties, or if the 
REIT is not permitted to increase rents due to legal or other constraints, the REIT will incur additional and unexpected 
costs. If competing properties of a similar type are built in the area where one of the REIT’s properties is located or 
similar properties located in the vicinity of one of the REIT’s properties are substantially refurbished, the net operating 
income derived from, and the value of, the REIT’s property could be reduced. Any failure by the REIT to undertake 
appropriate  maintenance  and  refurbishment  work  in  response  to  the  factors  described  above  could  materially 
adversely affect the rental income that the REIT earns from such properties. Any such event could have a material 
adverse  effect  on  the  REIT’s  cash  flows,  financial  condition  or  results  of  operations  and  its  ability  to  make  cash 
distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

Liquidity 

An investment in real estate is relatively illiquid. Such illiquidity will tend to limit the REIT’s ability to vary its portfolio 
promptly  in response to changing economic or investment  conditions.  In recessionary times it may be difficult to 
dispose of certain types of real estate. The costs of holding real estate are considerable and during an economic 
recession the REIT may be faced with ongoing expenditures with a declining prospect of incoming receipts. In such 
circumstances,  it  may  be  necessary  for  the  REIT  to  dispose  of  properties  at  lower  prices  in  order  to  generate 
sufficient cash for operations and for making distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

Environmental Matters 

Environmental legislation and regulations have become increasingly important in recent years. As an owner of real 
property in Canada, the REIT is subject to various Canadian federal, provincial, territorial and municipal laws relating 
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to environmental matters. In the event that the REIT acquires properties in the United States, it will also be subject 
to various U.S. federal, state and other environmental laws. Such laws provide that the REIT could be, or become, 
liable for environmental harm, damage or costs, including with respect to the release of hazardous, toxic or other 
regulated  substances  into  the  environment,  and  the  removal  or  other  remediation  of  hazardous,  toxic  or  other 
regulated substances that may be present at or under its properties. Further, liability may be incurred by the REIT 
with respect to the release of such substances from or to the REIT’s properties. These laws often impose liability 
regardless  of  whether  the  property  owner  knew  of,  or  was  responsible  for,  the  presence  of  such  substances. 
Additional  liability  may  be  incurred  by  the  REIT  with  respect  to  the  release  of  such  substances  from  the  REIT’s 
properties to properties owned by third parties, including properties adjacent to the REIT’s properties or with respect 
to the exposure of persons to such substances. These laws also govern the maintenance and removal of materials 
containing asbestos in the event of damage, demolition or renovation of a property and also govern emissions of, 
and  exposure  to,  asbestos  fibres  in  the  air.  Certain  of  the  REIT’s  properties  contain  or  might  contain  materials 
containing  asbestos.  The  costs  of  investigation,  removal  and  remediation  of  such  substances,  materials  and/or 
contamination  from  the  REIT’s  properties  may  be  substantial  and  could  materially  adversely  affect  the  REIT’s 
financial condition and results of operations. The presence of such substances, materials and/or contamination or 
the failure to remediate them may also materially adversely affect the REIT’s ability to sell such property, realize the 
full  value  of  such  property  or  borrow  using  such  property  as  collateral  security,  and  could  potentially  result  in 
significant claims against the REIT by public or private parties. 

The REIT is also exposed to the risk that recourse against the polluter or the previous owners of the properties might 
not  be possible. Moreover, the existence or even the  mere suspicion  of  the existence of hazardous materials or 
contamination can materially  adversely  affect the value of a property and the  REIT’s ability  to  lease or sell such 
property. 

All of the REIT’s properties have, or have had, tenants that would or currently use, hazardous, toxic or other regulated 
substances. For example, automotive repair and/or service operations are currently located at each of the REIT’s 
properties. 

The REIT’s operating policy is to obtain, or be able to rely on, a phase I environmental site assessment, conducted 
by an independent and experienced environmental consultant, prior to acquiring a property and to have phase II 
environmental site assessment work completed where recommended in a phase I environmental site assessment. 
Although  such  environmental  site  assessments  would  provide  the  REIT  with  some  level  of  assurance  about  the 
condition  of  such  properties,  the  REIT  may  become  subject  to  liability  for  undetected  contamination  or  other 
environmental conditions at its properties, which could materially adversely affect the REIT’s financial condition and 
results of operations and decrease or eliminate the amount of cash available for distribution to REIT Unitholders. 

The  REIT  intends  to  make,  or  require  the  tenants  to  make,  the  necessary  capital  and  operating  expenditures  to 
comply  with  environmental  laws  and  address  any  material  environmental  issues  and  such  costs  relating  to 
environmental matters that may have a material adverse effect on the REIT’s business, financial condition or results 
of operation and decrease or eliminate the amount of cash available for distribution to REIT Unitholders. In addition, 
environmental laws can change and the REIT may become subject to even more stringent environmental laws in 
the future, with increased enforcement of laws by the government. Compliance with more stringent environmental 
laws, which may be more rigorously enforced, the identification of currently unknown environmental issues or an 
increase in the costs required to address a currently known condition may have a material adverse effect on the 
REIT’s financial condition and results of operation and may decrease or eliminate the amount of cash available for 
distribution to REIT Unitholders. 

Financing Risks 

The  REIT  has  outstanding  Indebtedness  of  approximately  $239.2  million  as  of  December  31,  2016.  Although  a 
portion of the cash flow generated by the REIT’s properties will be devoted to servicing such debt, there can be no 
assurance  that  the  REIT  will  continue  to  generate  sufficient  cash  flow  from  operations  to  meet  required  interest 
payments  and  principal  repayments  upon  an  applicable  maturity  date.  If  the  REIT  is  unable  to  meet  interest  or 
principal payments, it could be required to seek renegotiation of such payments or obtain additional equity, debt or 
other financing. The failure of the REIT to make or renegotiate interest or principal payments or obtain additional 
equity,  debt  or  other  financing  could  materially  adversely  affect  the  REIT’s  financial  condition  and  results  of 
operations and decrease or eliminate the amount of cash available for distribution to REIT Unitholders. 

The REIT is subject to the risks associated with debt financing, including the risk that any outstanding indebtedness 
will not be able to be refinanced or that the terms of such refinancing will not be as favourable as the terms of existing 
indebtedness,  which  may  reduce  AFFO.  To  the  extent  that  the  REIT  incurs variable  rate  indebtedness  (such  as 
under the revolving credit facilities), this will result in fluctuations in the REIT’s cost of borrowing as interest rates 
change. To the extent that interest rates rise, the REIT’s operating results and financial condition could be materially 
adversely  affected  and  decrease  the  amount  of  cash  available  for  distribution  to  REIT  Unitholders.  The  Credit 
Facilities also contain covenants that require the REIT to maintain certain financial ratios on a consolidated basis. If 
the REIT does not maintain such ratios, the REIT’s ability to make distributions to REIT Unitholders may be limited 

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2016 MD&A 

or suspended. In particular, Facility 1, Facility 2 and Facility 5 limits distributions by the REIT to an amount not to 
exceed 100% of its consolidated adjusted funds from operations. Such maximum payout ratios could limit the amount 
of distributions payable by the REIT from time to time. In addition, the Credit Facilities contain restrictions concerning 
the change of control of the REIT and the Partnership (and/or requiring the REIT to remain publicly-traded) which 
may discourage transactions involving a change of control of the REIT, including transactions in which an investor, 
as a holder of the REIT Units, might otherwise receive a premium for its REIT Units over the then-current market 
price. Facility 1 also contains a limit on the amount the REIT can spend in any year on capital improvements to its 
properties. Although the REIT does not anticipate spending significant sums on capital improvements given that the 
Dilawri  Leases  are  “triple  net”  leases,  such  a  limit  could  impact  the  REIT’s  ability  to  expand  or  otherwise  make 
substantial structural improvements to its properties. 

Degree of Leverage 

The REIT’s ratio of Indebtedness to GBV was approximately 51.5% as of December 31, 2016. The REIT’s degree 
of  leverage  could  have  important  consequences  to  REIT  Unitholders,  including:  (i)  the  REIT’s  ability  to  obtain 
additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, development or other general 
trust purposes, making the REIT more vulnerable to a downturn in business or the economy in general and (ii) a 
portion of the REIT’s cash flow is dedicated to the  payment of the principal  of  and  interest on, its Indebtedness, 
thereby reducing the amount of funds available for distributions to REIT Unitholders. Under the Declaration of Trust, 
the maximum amount of Indebtedness cannot exceed 60% of GBV (or 65% including convertible Indebtedness). 

Interest Rate Risk 

The  REIT  required  extensive  financial  resources  to  complete  the  IPO,  the  acquisition  of  the  Initial  Properties  in 
conjunction to the IPO and acquisition of properties completed subsequent to the IPO, and will require extensive 
financial  resources  to  implement  its future  growth  strategy.  When  concluding  financing  agreements  or  extending 
such agreements, the REIT will depend on its ability to agree on terms, including in respect of interest payments 
and, if applicable, amortization that will not impair the REIT’s desired AFFO and that do not restrict its ability to make 
distributions to REIT Unitholders. In addition to the revolving credit facilities, the REIT may enter into future financing 
agreements  with  variable  interest  rates  if  the  current  historical  low  level  of  interest  rates  continue.  Given  the 
historically low interest rates, there is a risk that interest rates will increase. An increase in interest rates could result 
in a significant increase in the amount paid by the REIT to service debt, resulting in a decrease in or the elimination 
of distributions to REIT Unitholders, which could materially adversely affect the trading price of the REIT Units. In 
addition, increasing interest rates may put competitive pressure on the levels of distributable income made by the 
REIT  to  REIT  Unitholders,  increasing  the  level  of  competition  for  capital  faced  by  the  REIT,  which  could  have  a 
material adverse effect on the trading price of the REIT Units. 

The  REIT  has  implemented  hedging  programs  in  respect  of  Facility  1  and  Facility  2  in  order  to  offset the  risk  of 
revenue losses and to provide more certainty regarding the payment of distributions to REIT Unitholders. However, 
to the extent that the REIT fails to adequately manage its variable interest rate risks, its financial results, and its 
ability  to  pay  distributions  to  REIT  Unitholders  and  interest  payments  under  the  Credit  Facilities  and  any  other 
variable rate financings, may be materially adversely affected. Increases in interest rates generally cause a decrease 
in demand for real property. Higher interest rates and more stringent borrowing requirements, whether mandated by 
law or required by lenders, could have a material adverse effect on the REIT’s ability to sell any of its properties at 
fair market value. 

Appraisals 

The REIT retained an independent professional appraiser to provide independent estimates of the fair market value 
range in respect of the Initial Properties and each property acquired by the REIT subsequent to the IPO. Caution 
should be exercised in the evaluation and use of appraisal results, which are estimates of market value at a specific 
point in time. In general, appraisals represent only the analysis and opinion of qualified experts as of the effective 
date  of  such  appraisals  and  are  not  guarantees  of  present  or  future  value.  There  is  no  assurance  that  the 
assumptions employed in determining the appraised values of the REIT’s properties are correct as of the date of 
this MD&A or that such valuations actually reflect an amount that would be realized upon a current or future sale of 
any of the REIT’s properties or that any projections included in the appraisals will be attainable. As prices in the real 
estate market fluctuate over time in response to numerous factors, the values of the REIT’s properties reflected in 
the appraisals may be an unreliable indication of their current market values. 

A publicly-traded real estate investment trust will not necessarily trade at values determined solely by reference to 
the underlying value of its real estate assets. Accordingly, the REIT Units may trade at a premium or a discount to 
values implied by the above-mentioned appraisals. 

General Insured and Uninsured Risks 

The Dilawri Leases require Dilawri (or the applicable member of the Dilawri Group) to carry general liability, umbrella 
liability and/or excess liability insurance with limits that are typically obtained for similar real estate properties and 

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2016 MD&A 

that are otherwise acceptable to the Board that names the REIT as an additional insured. For property risks, the 
Dilawri Leases require Dilawri (or the applicable member of the Dilawri Group) to carry “All Risks” property insurance, 
including but not limited to, flood, earthquake and loss of rental income insurance (with at least a 12 month indemnity 
period)  that  names  the  REIT  as  an  additional  insured.  The  REIT  also  carries  customary  insurance  covering  its 
Trustees and officers as well as prospectus liability insurance. There are, however, certain types of risks (generally 
of a catastrophic nature, such as from war or nuclear accident) which are uninsurable under any insurance policy. 
Furthermore, there are other risks that are not economically viable to insure at this time. The REIT does not carry 
title insurance on the REIT’s properties. If a loss occurs resulting from a title defect with respect to a property where 
there is no title insurance, the REIT could lose all or part of its investment in, and anticipated profits and cash flows 
from, such property. 

While the REIT, as an additional insured on Dilawri’s policies, will have insurance to cover a substantial portion of 
the cost of natural disasters, such insurance includes customary deductible amounts and certain items may not be 
covered by insurance. Future natural disasters may materially adversely affect the REIT’s operations and properties 
and,  more  specifically,  may  cause  the  REIT  to  experience  reduced  rental  revenue  (including  from  increased 
vacancy), incur clean-up costs or otherwise incur costs in connection with such events. Any of these events may 
have a material adverse effect on the REIT’s business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations and 
its ability to make distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

Risk Related to Insurance Renewals 

Certain  events  could  make  it  more  difficult  and  expensive  to  obtain  property  and  casualty  insurance,  including 
coverage  for  catastrophic  risks.  When  Dilawri’s  current  insurance  policies  expire,  it  may  encounter  difficulty  in 
obtaining or renewing property or casualty insurance at the same levels of coverage and under similar terms. Such 
insurance may be more limited and, for catastrophic risks (e.g., earthquake, hurricane, flood and terrorism), may not 
be generally available to fully cover potential losses. If Dilawri or the REIT is unable to obtain adequate insurance 
for certain risks, it could result in an event of default under the Dilawri Leases and/or could cause the REIT to be in 
default under specific covenants on certain of its indebtedness or other contractual commitments that it has which 
require the REIT to maintain adequate insurance on its properties to protect against the risk of loss. If this were to 
occur, or if Dilawri or the REIT were unable to obtain adequate insurance, and its properties experienced damages 
that  would  otherwise  have  been  covered  by  insurance,  it  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  REIT’s 
business, cash flows, financial condition and results of operations  and ability  to  make cash distributions to REIT 
Unitholders. 

Current Economic Environment 

Continued concerns about the uncertainty over whether the economy will be adversely affected by inflation, deflation 
or stagflation, and the systemic impact of unemployment, volatile energy costs, geopolitical issues and the availability 
and cost of credit have contributed to increased market volatility and weakened business and consumer confidence. 
This difficult operating environment could materially adversely affect the REIT’s ability to generate revenues, thereby 
reducing its operating income and earnings. It could also have a material adverse effect on the ability of the REIT’s 
operators to maintain occupancy rates in the REIT’s properties, which could harm the REIT’s financial condition. If 
these economic conditions continue,  the REIT’s tenants  may  be unable  to meet their rental payments and other 
obligations due to the REIT, which could have a material adverse effect on the REIT. 

Reliance on Key Personnel 

The management and governance of the REIT depends on the services of certain key personnel, including certain 
executive officers and the Trustees. The inability to attract and retain qualified and experienced personnel or the 
loss of the services of any key personnel could have a material adverse effect on the REIT and materially adversely 
affect the REIT’s financial condition and results of operations and decrease or eliminate the amount of cash available 
for distribution to REIT Unitholders. The REIT does not have key person insurance on any of its executive officers. 
Further, pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the roles and responsibilities of the REIT’s President and Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary are currently performed by employees of a 
subsidiary of Dilawri. Therefore, Dilawri’s inability to attract and retain qualified and experienced personnel or the 
loss  of  the  services  of  any  such  key  personnel  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  REIT,  its  financial 
condition and results of operations and decrease or eliminate the amount of cash available for distribution to REIT 
Unitholders. 

Derivative Risks 

The  REIT  has  swap  facilities  in  place  as  part  of  Facility  1  and  Facility  2.  See  “Section  6  –  Liquidity  and  Capital 
Resources”. The REIT may also use other derivative instruments, including futures, forwards, options and additional 
swaps to manage the interest rate risks inherent in its operations and Credit Facilities. There can be no assurance 
that any hedging activities of the REIT will be effective. Further, these activities, although intended to mitigate price 
volatility, would expose the REIT to other risks. For example, the REIT would be subject to the credit risk that its 
counterparty (whether a clearing corporation in the case of exchange traded instruments or another third party in the 

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2016 MD&A 

case of over-the-counter instruments) may be unable to meet its obligations. In addition, there would be a risk of 
loss by the REIT of margin deposits in the event of the bankruptcy of the dealer with whom the REIT has an open 
position  in  an  option  or  futures  or  forward  contract.  In  the  absence  of  actively  quoted  market  prices  and  pricing 
information from external sources, the valuation of these contracts involves judgment and use of estimates. As a 
result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair 
value of these contracts. The ability of the REIT to close out its positions may also be affected by exchange-imposed 
daily trading limits on options and futures contracts. If the REIT is unable to close out a position, it will be unable to 
realize  its  profit  or  limit  its  losses  until  such time  as the  option  becomes  exercisable  or  expires  or  the  futures  or 
forward contract terminates, as the case may be. The inability to close out options, futures and forward positions 
could also have a material adverse effect on the REIT’s ability to use derivative instruments to effectively hedge the 
interest rate risks inherent in its operations. 

Joint Venture Arrangements 

The  REIT  does  not  currently  have  but  may,  directly  or  indirectly,  invest  in  a  joint  venture  arrangement,  thereby 
acquiring  a  non-controlling  interest  in  certain  investments.  Although  the  REIT  may  not  have  control  over  these 
investments and therefore may have a limited ability to protect its position therein, such joint venture arrangements 
are expected to contain terms and conditions which are commercially reasonable. Nevertheless, such investments 
may involve risks not present in investments where a third party is not involved, including the possibility that a co-
venturer may have financial difficulties resulting in a negative impact on such investment, may have economic or 
business interests or goals which are inconsistent with those of the REIT (including relating to the sale of properties 
held in the joint venture or the timing of the termination and liquidation of such joint venture) or may be in a position 
to take action contrary to the REIT’s investment objectives. The REIT also may, in certain circumstances, be liable 
for the actions of its third party co-venturers. 

Land Leases 

Two of the REIT’s properties are subject to land leases. To the extent that the properties in which the REIT has or 
will have an interest are located on leased land, including these properties, the land leases may be subject to periodic 
rate resets which may fluctuate and may result in significant rental rate adjustments which could adversely impact 
the REIT’s financial condition and operating results and decrease the amount of cash available for distribution. 

Litigation Risks 

In the normal course of the REIT’s operations, whether directly or indirectly, it may become involved in, named as a 
party to or the subject of, various legal proceedings, including regulatory proceedings, tax proceedings and legal 
actions  relating  to  personal  injuries,  property  damage,  property  taxes,  land  rights,  the  environment  and  contract 
disputes. The outcome with respect to outstanding, pending or future proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty 
and may be determined in a manner adverse to the REIT and, as a result, could have a material adverse effect on 
the REIT’s assets, liabilities, business, financial condition and results of operations. Even if the REIT prevails in any 
such  legal  proceeding,  the  proceedings  could  be  costly  and  time-consuming  and  may  divert  the  attention  of 
management and key personnel from the REIT’s business operations, which could have a material adverse effect 
on the REIT’s cash flows, financial condition or results of operations and its ability to make cash distributions to REIT 
Unitholders. 

Investments in Debt Instruments 

Under the Declaration of Trust, the REIT may hold direct or indirect investments in mortgages and mortgage bonds 
(including participating or convertible mortgages). Adverse changes to the financial condition of a mortgagor with 
respect to a mortgage held directly or indirectly by the REIT could have an adverse impact on the REIT’s ability to 
collect principal and interest payments from such mortgagor and therefore, cause a reduction in the REIT’s ability to 
make distributions to REIT Unitholders and in the value of that investment. 

Based  upon  applicable  laws  governing  the  REIT’s  investments  in  debt  instruments  and  the  loans  underlying  the 
REIT’s  debt  securities,  the  REIT’s  investments  in  debt  may  also  be  adversely  affected  by:  (i)  the  operation  of 
applicable laws regarding the ability to foreclose mortgage loans or to exercise other creditors’ rights provided in the 
underlying loan documents; (ii) lender liability with respect to the negotiation, administration, collection or foreclosure 
of mortgage loans; (iii) penalties for violations of applicable usury limitations; and (iv) the impact of bankruptcy or 
insolvency laws. 

Further, the REIT will not know whether the values of the properties securing the mortgage loans will remain at the 
levels existing on the dates of origination of those mortgage loans. If the values of the underlying properties fall, the 
risk to the REIT will increase because of the lower value of the security associated with such loans. 

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Risk Factors Related to the Automotive Dealership Industry 

Automotive Dealership Tenant Risks 

All of the REIT’s annual base minimum rent as of the date of this MD&A will be received from the Dilawri Group and 
third party operators of automotive dealerships. Further, the REIT’s external growth strategy is intended to primarily 
target acquisitions of automotive dealership properties. Therefore, the REIT will be affected and may be harmed by 
changes in the automotive dealership industry and the automotive production market. 

An automotive dealership tenant’s ability to pay rent and perform its other obligations under a lease will be dependent 
to a significant extent on its relationship with the automotive manufacturer. The automotive dealership tenants or 
their related dealership groups generally operate dealerships that sell the products of more than one manufacturer. 
The sales mix of makes and models of motor vehicles tends to change periodically; therefore, current sales of the 
makes or models of one manufacturer may not reflect the level of future sales of that manufacturer’s products. A 
reduction in supply, particularly of certain models, could lower motor vehicle sales, which in turn could negatively 
impact service and parts sales. Other factors which can affect sales include the manufacturer’s financial condition, 
marketing and incentive programs and expenditures; ability and desire to finance the sale  of vehicles or provide 
warranties  to  consumers  on  vehicles  sold;  vehicle  design;  production  capabilities  and  management  of  the 
manufacturer;  strikes  and  other  labour  actions  by  unions;  negative  publicity;  product  recalls;  or  litigation.  The 
automotive  dealership  tenant  may  be  unable  to  pay  rent  or  meet  other  lease  obligations  if  a  dealership’s  motor 
vehicle supply is reduced. Further, the REIT depends on its tenants to maintain good relationships with automotive 
manufacturers and to comply with their franchise agreements. Manufacturers exercise a certain degree of control 
over dealerships, and the franchise agreements between the dealership groups and the manufacturers provide for 
termination or non-renewal for a variety of causes. The REIT has no rights under the franchise agreements. If a 
manufacturer terminates or declines to renew one or more franchise agreements or negotiates terms for renewal 
that are better for the manufacturer, the tenant may be unable to pay rent and perform its other obligations under its 
lease with the REIT. These factors, as well as other events involving the automotive dealership tenant/manufacturer 
relationship, could adversely affect the REIT’s cash flows, financial condition or results of operations and its ability 
to make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

Furthermore, the business of the REIT’s automotive dealership tenants is heavily dependent on consumer demand 
and preferences. Such tenants’ revenues will be materially and adversely affected if there is a severe or sustained 
downturn in overall levels of consumer spending. Retail vehicle sales are cyclical and historically have experienced 
periodic downturns characterized by oversupply and weak demand. These cycles are often dependent on general 
economic  conditions  and  consumer  confidence,  as  well  as  the  level  of  discretionary  personal  income  and  credit 
availability.  A  sustained  downturn  in  the  sale  of  vehicles  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  REIT’s 
automotive dealership tenants which, in turn, could materially adversely affect the financial performance of the REIT 
and its ability to make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

Competitive Environment 

The  automotive  dealership  industry  in  Canada  is  highly  competitive.  If  Dilawri  or  another  automotive  dealership 
tenant is ineffective in responding to consumer trends or in executing its strategic plans, its financial performance 
could be negatively affected. The REIT’s automotive dealership tenants are subject to competitive pressures from 
new entrants into the marketplace, from the expansion or renovation of existing competitors and from new sales 
channels  such  as  the  Internet.  The  inability  of  these  tenants  to  effectively  predict  market  activity  or  compete 
effectively with their current or future competitors or new sales channels could result in, among other things, reduced 
market share and lower pricing in response to competitors’ pricing activities. Failure by any automotive dealership 
tenant,  particularly  the  Dilawri  Group,  to  sustain  its  competitive  position  could  negatively  affect  its  financial 
performance which, consequently, could materially adversely affect the financial performance of the REIT and its 
ability to make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

Economic Environment 

Economic factors that impact motor vehicle consumer spending patterns could deteriorate or remain unpredictable 
due  to  global,  national  or  regional  economic  volatility.  These  factors  include  high  levels  of  unemployment  and 
household debt, increased interest rates, inflation, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices (including gasoline) 
and  access  to  consumer  credit.  Any  of  these  factors  could  negatively  affect  the  automotive  dealership  tenants’ 
revenue and margins. Inflationary trends are unpredictable and changes in the rate of inflation or deflation will affect 
consumer  prices,  which  in  turn  could  negatively  affect  the  financial  performance  of  the  automotive  dealership 
tenants, including the Dilawri Group, which, consequently, could materially adversely affect the financial performance 
of the REIT and its ability to make cash distributions to REIT Unitholders. 

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Risk Factors Related to the Structure of the REIT 

Reliance on the Partnership 

The REIT is dependent on the business of the Partnership for NOI. The cash distributions made to REIT Unitholders 
are dependent on the ability of the Partnership to make distributions in respect of the limited partnership units of the 
Partnership. The ability of the Partnership to make distributions or make other payments or advances to the REIT 
will depend on the Partnership’s results of operations and may be restricted by, among other things, applicable tax 
and other laws and regulations and may be subject to contractual restrictions contained in any instruments governing 
the  indebtedness  of  the  Partnership,  and  any  other  agreements  governing  the  Partnership.  If  the  Partnership  is 
unable to make distributions or other payments or advances to the REIT, such failure could have a material adverse 
effect on  the REIT’s financial condition or  results  of operations and its ability to  make cash distributions to REIT 
Unitholders. 

Return on Investment and Cash Distributions are Not Guaranteed 

There can be no assurance regarding the amount of income to be generated by the REIT’s properties. The ability of 
the REIT to make cash distributions, and the actual amount distributed, is entirely dependent on the operations and 
assets of the REIT, and is subject to various factors, including financial performance, obligations under the Credit 
Facilities,  fluctuations  in  working  capital,  the  sustainability  of  income  derived  from  the  tenants  of  the  REIT’s 
properties and any capital expenditure requirements. The REIT Units are equity securities of the REIT and are not 
traditional fixed income securities. Unlike fixed-income securities, there is no obligation of the REIT to distribute to 
REIT Unitholders any fixed amount and there is no promise to return the initial purchase price of a REIT Unit on a 
certain date in the future, and reductions in, or suspensions of, cash distributions may occur at any time that would 
reduce the yield of a REIT Unit. The market value of the REIT Units will deteriorate if the REIT is unable to meet its 
distribution and AFFO targets in the future, and that deterioration may be significant. In addition, the composition of 
cash distributions for tax purposes may change over time and may affect the after-tax return for investors. Therefore, 
the rate of return over a defined period for a REIT Unitholder may not be comparable to the rate of return on a fixed 
income security that provides a “return on capital” over the same period. 

Tax-Related Risk Factors 

Mutual Fund Trust Status — The REIT intends to comply with the requirements under the Income Tax Act (Canada) 
(the “ITA”) at all relevant times such that it maintains its status as a “unit trust” and a “mutual fund trust” for purposes 
of the ITA. There can be no assurance that Canadian federal income tax laws and the administrative policies and 
assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency respecting mutual fund trusts will not be changed in a manner 
that adversely affects REIT Unitholders. Should the REIT cease to qualify as a mutual fund trust under the ITA, the 
consequences may be material and adverse. 

Non-Resident Ownership — Under current law, a trust may lose its status under the ITA as a mutual fund trust if it 
can reasonably be considered that the trust was established or is maintained primarily for the benefit of non-resident 
persons,  except  in  limited  circumstances.  Accordingly,  the  Declaration  of  Trust  provides  that  (i)  non-residents  of 
Canada,  (ii)  partnerships  that  are  not  Canadian  partnerships,  or  (iii)  a  combination  of  non-residents  and  such 
partnerships (all within the meaning of the ITA) (“Non-Residents”) may not be the beneficial owners of more than 
49% of the REIT Units (determined on a basic or a fully-diluted basis). The Trustees also have various powers that 
can be used for the purpose of monitoring and controlling the extent of Non-Resident ownership of the REIT Units.  

The restriction on the issuance of REIT Units by the REIT to Non-Residents may adversely affect the REIT’s ability 
to  raise  financing  for  future  acquisitions  or  operations.  In  addition,  the  Non-Resident  ownership  restriction  may 
adversely impact the liquidity of the REIT Units and the market price at which REIT Units can be sold. 

REIT Exception — Unless the exclusion from the definition of “SIFT trust” in the ITA for a trust qualifying as a “real 
estate investment trust” under the ITA applies to the REIT (the “REIT “Exception”), the rules applicable to SIFT trusts 
and SIFT partnerships in the ITA (the “SIFT Rules”) may have an adverse impact on the taxation of the REIT and 
on the taxation of distributions to REIT Unitholders. Although, as of the date hereof, management believes that the 
REIT will be able to meet the requirements of the REIT Exception throughout the current taxation year and each 
subsequent taxation year, there can be no assurance that the REIT will be able to qualify for the REIT Exception 
such that the REIT and the REIT Unitholders will not be subject to the SIFT Rules in the current taxation year or in 
any subsequent taxation year. 

In the event that the SIFT Rules apply to the REIT, the tax consequences to REIT Unitholders will depend on the 
status of the holder and, in part, on the amount of income distributed which would not be deductible by the REIT in 
computing  its  income  in  a  particular  year  and  what  portions  of  the  REIT’s  distributions  constitute  “non-portfolio 
earnings”, other income and returns of capital. If the SIFT Rules apply to the REIT, they may adversely affect the 
marketability of the REIT Units, the amount of cash available for distribution and the after-tax return to investors.  

Tax Basis of the Initial Properties — The Initial Properties were acquired by the Partnership on a tax deferred basis, 
such that the tax cost of these properties is less than their then fair market value. If one or more of such properties 
43 

 
2016 MD&A 

are disposed of, the gain realized by the Partnership for tax purposes (including any income inclusions arising from 
the recapture of previously claimed capital cost allowance on depreciable property) will be in excess of that which it 
would  have  realized  if  it  had  acquired  the  properties  at  their  respective  tax  costs  equal  to  their  then  fair  market 
values. For the purpose of claiming capital cost allowance, the undepreciated capital cost of such properties acquired 
by the Partnership was equal to the amounts jointly elected by the Partnership and the applicable transferor of such 
Initial Property on the tax-deferred acquisition of such property. The undepreciated capital cost of such property was 
less than the fair market value of such properties. As a result, the capital cost allowance that the Partnership may 
claim in respect of such properties is less than it would have been if such properties had been acquired with a tax 
cost basis equal to their fair market values. 

Loss Restriction Event — The ITA contains “loss restriction event” (“LRE”) rules that may apply to certain trusts, 
including the REIT. In general, the REIT will experience an LRE each time any person, together with all other persons 
with whom that person is affiliated within the meaning of the ITA, or any group of persons acting in concert, acquires 
REIT Units having a fair market value that is greater than 50% of the fair market value of all the outstanding REIT 
Units. If an LRE occurs, then among other things (i) the REIT will be deemed to have a year-end for tax purposes, 
(ii) any undistributed net income and net realized capital gains of the REIT at such year-end will be distributed to 
REIT Unitholders, and (iii) the REIT will be restricted in its ability to use tax losses (including any unrealized capital 
losses) that exist at the time of the LRE. 

Change in Law — There can be no assurance that income tax laws applicable to the REIT, including the treatment 
of  real  estate  investment  trusts  and  mutual  fund  trusts  under  the  ITA,  will  not  be  changed  in  a  manner  which 
adversely affects the REIT of the REIT Unitholders. Any such changes may have a negative effect on the value of 
the REIT Units. 

Potential Volatility of REIT Unit Prices 

The market price for REIT Units may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to numerous factors, 
many  of  which  are  beyond  the  REIT’s control,  including  the  following:  (i)  actual  or  anticipated  fluctuations  in  the 
REIT’s  quarterly  results  of  operations;  (ii)  recommendations  by  securities  research  analysts;  (iii)  changes  in  the 
economic  performance  or  market  valuations  of  other  issuers  that  investors  deem  comparable  to  the  REIT;  (iv) 
addition or departure of the REIT’s executive officers and other key personnel; (v) release or expiration of lock-up or 
other  transfer  restrictions  on  outstanding  REIT  Units;  (vi)  sales  or  perceived  sales  of  additional  REIT  Units;  (vii) 
significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by 
or  involving  the  REIT  or  its  competitors;  and  (viii)  news  reports  relating  to  trends,  concerns,  technological  or 
competitive developments, regulatory changes and other related issues in the REIT’s industry or target markets. 
Another  factor  that  may  influence  the  market  price  of  the  REIT  Units  is  the  annual  yield  on  the  REIT  Units.  An 
increase  in  market  interest  rates  may  lead  purchasers  of  REIT  Units  to  demand  a  higher  annual  yield,  which 
accordingly could materially adversely affect the market price of the REIT Units. 

Financial markets have recently experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have particularly affected 
the market prices of equity securities of public entities and that have, in many cases, been unrelated to the operating 
performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such entities. Accordingly, the market price of the REIT Units 
may  decline  even  if  the  REIT’s  operating  results,  underlying  asset  values  or  prospects  have  not  changed. 
Additionally, these factors, as well as other related factors, may cause decreases in asset values that are deemed 
to be other than temporary, which may result in impairment losses. As well, certain institutional investors may base 
their  investment  decisions  on  consideration  of  the  REIT’s  environmental,  governance  and  social  practices  and 
performance against such institutions’ respective investment guidelines and criteria, and failure to meet such criteria 
may result in limited or no investment in the REIT Units by those institutions, which could materially adversely affect 
the trading price of the REIT Units. There can be no assurance that continuing fluctuations in price and volume will 
not occur. If such increased levels of volatility and market turmoil continue for a protracted period of time, the REIT’s 
operations  could  be  materially  adversely  impacted  and  the  trading  price  of  the  REIT  Units  may  be  materially 
adversely affected. 

44 

 
2016 MD&A 

Restrictions on Redemptions 

It is anticipated that the redemption right attached to the REIT Units will not be the primary mechanism by which 
REIT  Unitholders  liquidate  their  investment.  The  entitlement  of  REIT  Unitholders  to  receive  cash  upon  the 
redemption  of their  REIT Units  is subject to the  following  limitations:  (i)  the  total  amount  payable  by  the  REIT  in 
respect of such REIT Units and all other REIT Units tendered for redemption in the same calendar month must not 
exceed $50,000 (provided that such limitation may be waived at the discretion of the Trustees); (ii) on the date such 
REIT Units are tendered for redemption, the outstanding REIT Units must be listed for trading on a stock exchange 
or market which the Trustees believe, in their sole discretion, provides fair market value prices for the REIT Units; 
(iii) the normal trading of REIT Units is not suspended or halted on any stock exchange on which the REIT Units are 
then listed (or, if not listed on a stock exchange, on any market on which the REIT Units are quoted for trading) on 
the  date  on  which  the  REIT  Units  were  surrendered  for  redemption  (the  “Redemption  Date”)  for  more  than  five 
trading  days  during  the  10-day  trading  period  commencing  immediately  after  the  Redemption  Date;  and  (iv)  the 
redemption of the REIT Units must not result in the delisting of the REIT Units from the principal stock exchange on 
which the REIT Units are then listed. 

“Subsidiary Notes” (being promissory notes of the Partnership, a trust all of the units of which, or a corporation all of 
the shares of which, are owned directly or indirectly by the REIT or another entity that would be consolidated with 
the REIT under IFRS, having a maturity date and interest rate determined by the Trustees at the time of issuance) 
(“Subsidiary Notes”) which may be distributed to REIT Unitholders in connection with a redemption will not be listed 
on any exchange, no market is expected to develop in Subsidiary Notes and such securities may be subject to an 
indefinite “hold period” or other resale restrictions under applicable securities laws. Subsidiary Notes so distributed 
do  not  currently  qualify  as  qualified  investments  for  trusts  governed  by  a  registered  retirement  savings  plan, 
registered retirement income fund, registered disability savings plan, deferred profit sharing plan, tax-free savings 
account and registered education savings plan, each within the meaning of the ITA. 

Nature of Investment 

The REIT Units represent a fractional interest in the REIT and do not represent a direct investment in the REIT’s 
assets and should not be viewed by investors as direct securities of the REIT’s assets. A holder of a REIT Unit does 
not hold a share of a body corporate. As holders of REIT Units, the REIT Unitholders will not have statutory rights 
normally associated with ownership of shares of a corporation including, for example, the right to bring “oppression” 
or “derivative” actions. The rights of REIT Unitholders are based primarily on the Declaration of Trust. There is no 
statute governing the affairs of the REIT equivalent to the Canada Business Corporations Act which sets out the 
rights and entitlements of shareholders of corporations in various circumstances. As well, the REIT may not be a 
recognized entity under certain existing insolvency legislation such as the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) 
and  the  Companies  Creditors’  Arrangement  Act  (Canada),  and  thus  the  treatment  of  REIT  Unitholders  upon  an 
insolvency of the REIT is uncertain. 

Availability of Cash Flow 

AFFO  may  exceed  actual  cash  available  to  the  REIT  from  time  to  time  because  of  items  such  as  principal 
repayments,  leasing  costs and  capital  expenditures  in  excess  of  stipulated  reserves  identified  by  the  REIT  in  its 
calculation of AFFO. The REIT may be required to use part of its debt capacity or to reduce distributions to REIT 
Unitholders in order to accommodate such items. The terms of the certain indebtedness of the REIT from time to 
time may prohibit payments or distributions from the REIT in certain circumstances. 

Dilution 

The number of REIT Units that the REIT is authorized to issue is unlimited. The REIT may, in its sole discretion, 
issue additional REIT Units from time to time (including pursuant to the Plan or any employee incentive compensation 
plan  that  may  be  introduced  in  the  future),  and  the  interests  of  REIT  Unitholders  may  be  diluted  thereby.  The 
issuance of additional REIT Units may have a dilutive effect on the interests of REIT Unitholders. 

Structural Subordination of REIT Units 

In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the Partnership, holders of its indebtedness and its trade 
creditors will generally be entitled to payment of their claims from the assets of the Partnership before any assets 
are made available for distribution to the REIT or REIT Unitholders. The REIT Units are effectively subordinated to 
the  debt and  other  obligations  of the Partnership.  The Partnership generates all of the  REIT’s cash  available for 
distribution to REIT Unitholders and holds substantially all of the REIT’s assets. 

Limited Control 

REIT  Unitholders  have  limited  control  over  changes  in  the  REIT’s  policies  and  operations,  which  increases  the 
uncertainty  and  risks  of  an  investment  in  the  REIT.  The  Board  will  determine  major  policies,  including  policies 
regarding financing, growth, debt capitalization, REIT qualification and distributions to REIT Unitholders. The Board 
may amend or revise these and other policies without a vote of Unitholders. Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, 

45 

 
2016 MD&A 

Unitholders have a right to vote only on limited matters. The Trustees’ broad discretion in setting policies and REIT 
Unitholders’ inability to exert control over those policies increases the uncertainty and risks of an investment in the 
REIT. 

Unitholder Liability 

The Declaration of Trust provides that no REIT Unitholder will be subject to any liability whatsoever to any person in 
connection with the holding of a REIT Unit. In addition, legislation has been enacted in the Province of Ontario and 
certain other provinces that is intended to provide REIT Unitholders in those provinces with limited liability. However, 
there remains a risk, which is considered by the REIT to be remote in the circumstances, that a REIT Unitholder 
could be held personally liable for the obligations of the REIT to the extent that claims are not satisfied out of the 
assets of the REIT. It is intended that the affairs of the REIT will be conducted to seek to minimize such risk wherever 
possible. 

Financial Reporting and Other Public Company Requirements 

The REIT is subject to reporting and other obligations under applicable Canadian securities laws and rules of the 
stock  exchange  on  which  the  REIT  Units  are  listed,  including  National  Instrument  52-109  —  Certification  of 
Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings. These reporting and other obligations place significant demands 
on the REIT’s and Dilawri’s management, administrative, operational and accounting resources. In order to meet 
such  requirements,  the  REIT  and  Dilawri  have  established  systems,  implemented  financial  and  management 
controls, reporting systems and procedures and hired accounting and finance staff. However, any failure to maintain 
effective  internal  controls  could  cause  the  REIT  to  fail  to  meet  its  reporting  obligations  or  result  in  material 
misstatements in its financial statements. If the REIT cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, its 
reputation and operating results could be materially harmed which could also cause investors to lose confidence in 
the REIT’s reported financial information, which could result in a reduction in the trading price of the REIT Units. 

Management does not expect that the REIT’s and Dilawri’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls 
over  financial  reporting  will  prevent  all  error  and  all  fraud.  A  control  system,  no  matter  how  well-designed  and 
implemented, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. 
Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of 
controls must be considered relative to their costs. Due to the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation 
of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues within an organization are detected. The inherent 
limitations  include  the  realities  that  judgments  in  decision  making  can  be  faulty,  and  that  breakdowns  can  occur 
because of simple errors or mistakes. Controls can also be circumvented by individual acts of certain persons, by 
collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. Due to the inherent limitations in a cost-
effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may not be detected in a timely manner 
or at all. 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statement requires management to make judgements and estimates 
in applying the REIT’s accounting policies that affect the reported amounts and disclosures made in the consolidated 
financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes.    Within  the  context  of  these  consolidated  financial  statements,  a 
judgment is a decision made by management in respect of the application of an accounting policy; a recognized or 
unrecognized financial statement amount and/or note disclosure, following an analysis of relevant information that 
may  include  estimates  and  assumptions.  Estimates  and  assumptions  are  used  mainly  in  determining  the 
measurement of balances recognized or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and are based on a set 
of underlying data that may include management’s historical experience, knowledge of current events and conditions 
and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management continually evaluates 
the estimates and judgments it uses. 

Critical Accounting and Judgments and Estimates 

The following are the accounting policies subject to judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty that the 
REIT  believes  could  have  the  most  significant  impact  on  the  amounts  recognized  in  the  consolidated  financial 
statements.  

Investment Properties 

The  REIT  assesses  whether  the  properties  it  acquires  are  considered  to  be  asset  acquisitions  or  business 
combinations. The REIT considers all the properties it has acquired to date to be asset acquisitions.  

Investment  properties  are  reviewed  by  management  in  conjunction  with  independent  appraisers.  Valuations  are 
completed  by  undertaking  a  discounted  cash  flow  approach  whereby  a  current  discount  rate  is  applied  to  the 
projected net operating income which a property can reasonably be expected to produce in the future. The external 
valuators review of projected cash flows involves a review of assumptions relating to rental rates and residual values. 
These assumptions may not ultimately be achieved. 

46 

 
 
2016 MD&A 

Leases 

The REIT is required to make judgments in determining whether certain leases are operating or finance leases, in 
particular long-term leases. All tenant leases have been determined to be operating leases. 

Income Taxes 

The REIT is a mutual fund trust and a real estate investment trust as defined in the ITA. The REIT is not liable to 
pay Canadian income taxes provided that its taxable income is fully distributed to Unitholders each year. The REIT 
is a real estate investment trust if it meets the prescribed conditions under the ITA relating to the nature of its assets 
and revenue. The REIT uses judgment in reviewing these prescribed conditions and assessing its interpretation and 
application to the REIT’s assets and revenue. It has determined that it qualifies as a real estate investment trust for 
the current period. 

The REIT expects to continue as a mutual fund trust and real estate investment trust under the ITA, however, should 
it no longer qualify, it would not be able to flow through its taxable income to Unitholders and would be subject to 
tax. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

City/ 
Province 

Year Built 
/Renov. 

GLA 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

Mississauga, ON 

1988/2011 

1988/2001 

1987/2014 

1988/2014 

1998 

1987 

1987 

2002/2006 

1998 

2001 

2001 

1999 

1999/2011/2012 

1999/2011/2012 

1999/2011/2012 

39,209 

26,369 

16,713 

14,592 

8,000 

22,078 

17,735 

13,890 

9,345 

5,150 

5,000 

4,000 

2,200 

2,000 

1,875 

  188,156 

APPENDIX 

 Property List as at December 31, 2016 

Name 

 Address 

Properties (as at December 31, 2016) 

1. Dixie Auto Mall 

Dilawri-Owned Auto 
Volkswagen 

Nissan 

Mazda 

Infiniti 

Mitsubishi 

Third Party Auto 

    5500 Ambler Drive 

    5500 Dixie Road 

    5500 Ambler Drive 

    5500 Ambler Drive 

    5525 Ambler Drive 

Ancillary-other (formerly Toyota) 

    5500 Dixie Road 

Ancillary-other (formerly Honda) 

    5500 Dixie Road 

Kia  

Hyundai 

Third Party Retail 

Montana’s  

Kelsey’s 

A&W 

Subway/NY Fries 

    5505 Ambler Drive 

    5515 Ambler Drive 

    1495 Aerowood Drive 

    1485 Aerowood Drive 

    1465 Aerowood Drive 

    1475 Aerowood Drive 

Enterprise Rent-a-Car 

    1475 Aerowood Drive 

Made in Japan 

    1475 Aerowood Drive 

Dixie Auto Mall Total 

2. Markham Honda and Ford 

Dilawri-Owned Auto 

Markham Honda 

Third Party Auto 

    8220 Kennedy Road 

Markham, ON 

2004 

32,723 

Markville Ford Lincoln 

    8210 Kennedy Road 

Markham, ON 

1988/2010 

Markham Honda and Ford Total 

3. Calgary BMW 

    34 Heritage Meadows Road S.E.  Calgary, AB 

4. Calgary Honda 

5. Triple 7 Chrysler 

    11700 Lake Fraser Dr S.E. 

Calgary, AB 

    700 Broad Street 

Regina, SK 

1959/2011 

6. Porsche Centre Vancouver 

    688 Terminal Avenue 

Vancouver, BC 

  150 Bovaird Drive West 

Brampton, ON 

39,287 

72,010 

87,724 

43,511 

40,957 

39,790 

35,504 

2007 

2005 

2013 

2013 

  815 Broad Street 

Regina, SK 

2012/2015 

32,457 

7. Frost Chevrolet Buick GMC 
    Cadillac 

8. Honda Used Car and Regina 
    Collision Centre 

9. Oakville Honda 

10. Markham Acura 

    500 Iroquois Shore Road 

Oakville, ON 

    5201 Highway 7 E 

Markham, ON 

11. Regina Honda/Acura 

    789 Broad Street 

12. Agincourt Mazda 

    5500 Finch Avenue E 

13. Dilawri Nissan Infiniti 

    1775 5th Avenue 

Regina, SK 

Toronto, ON 

Regina, SK 

14. Audi Sales Downtown Vancouver 

    1788 West 2nd Avenue 

Vancouver, BC 

15. Meadowvale Honda 

    2210 Battleford Road 

Mississauga, ON 

16. Burrard Acura(1) 

17. Langley Acura(1) 

18. Distinctive Collection 

    150 Glendeer Circle S.E. 

    730 Terminal Avenue 

Vancouver, BC 

    20257 Langley Bypass 

Langley, BC 

Calgary, AB 

2003/2006 

2002 

2003/2015 

2005 

1998/2015 

2013 

2007 

2015 

2015 

1988/2008 

33,334 

32,025 

30,863 

30,788 

30,864 

29,300 

28,039 

27,640 

26,448 

24,367 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
    
  
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 MD&A 

19. Bolton Toyota 

20. Hyundai Gallery 

    12050 Albion Vaughan Road 

Bolton, ON 

    11770 Lake Fraser Dr S.E. 

Calgary, AB 

2004 

2006 

21. North Vancouver Nissan Infiniti 

    819 Automall Drive 

N. Vancouver, BC 

1992/2002 

22. Regina Hyundai 

23. Dilawri BMW 

    444 Broad Street 

    1919 1st Avenue 

Regina, SK 

Regina, SK 

24. Infiniti Vancouver 

    1718 West 3rd Avenue 

Vancouver, BC 

25. Ancillary-other 1921 1st Avenue 
(formerly Dilawri Acura) 

  1921 1st Avenue 

Regina, SK 

26. Dilawri Mitsubishi 

27. Toyota Woodland 

    1750 6th Avenue 

Regina, SK 

    1000-1009 Woodland Avenue  Montreal, QC 

28. Porsche Centre Edmonton and Jaguar 
Land Rover Edmonton(2)………………… 

  17007 111th Avenue N.W. 

29. Audi Barrie…………………    

  2482 Doral Drive 

Edmonton, AB 

Innisfil, ON 

30. Pfaff Audi (2)………………………..      9088 Jane Street 

Vaughan, ON 

2005 

1997 

1999 

1997 

1993/2003 

2007/2008 

2014 

2015 

2006 

22,741 

22,185 

19,050 

18,204 

12,456 

11,722 

11,390 

6,750 

49,737 

    44,779 

24,982 

68,874 

31. St. Bruno Audi and Volkswagen 

    1905&1917 Boulevard Sir   

Wilfrid Laurier 

St. Bruno, QC 

1987/2014 

67,705 

32. Mercedes Benz West Island 

    4525 Boulevard Saint-Jean 

Montreal, QC 

2016 

60,850 

1,270,202 

Portfolio Total 
_____________ 
Notes: 

(1) The REIT has a leasehold interest in this property. 

(2) The REIT has leased this property to a third party tenant unrelated to the Dilawri Group. 

49 

 
 
   
 
Automotive Properties Real Estate Investment Trust 
 Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the year ended December 31, 2016 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING 

The management of Automotive Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (the “REIT”) is responsible for the preparation, 
presentation and integrity of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis. This responsibility includes the selection and consistent application of appropriate accounting principles and 
methods in addition to making the judgments and estimates necessary to prepare the consolidated financial statements 
in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting 
Standards  Board  (“IASB”).  It  also  includes  ensuring  that  the  financial  information  presented  in  the  Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis is consistent with that in the consolidated financial statements.  

Management is also responsible for providing reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and that relevant and 
reliable financial information is produced. Management is required to design a system of internal controls and certify as 
to the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. BDO Canada LLP, whose report 
follows, are the independent auditors engaged to audit the consolidated financial statements of the REIT.  

The  Board  of  Trustees,  acting  through  an  Audit  Committee  comprised  solely  of  directors  who  are  independent,  is 
responsible for determining that management fulfills its responsibilities in the preparation of the consolidated financial 
statements  and  the  financial  control  of  operations.  The  Audit  Committee  recommends  the  independent  auditors  for 
appointment by the Unitholders. The Audit Committee meets regularly with senior and financial management and the 
independent auditors to discuss internal controls, auditing activities and financial reporting matters. The independent 
auditors have unrestricted access to the Audit Committee. These consolidated financial statements and Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis have been approved by the Board of Trustees based on the review and recommendation of 
the Audit Committee. 

Toronto, Canada 
March 20, 2017 

“Milton Lamb” 

            “Andrew A. Kalra” 

Milton Lamb 
President and Chief Executive Officer  

Andrew A. Kalra, CPA, CA 
Chief Financial Officer 

Page 2 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tel:  416 865 0200
Fax:  416 865 0887 
www.bdo.ca 

BDO Canada LLP
TD Bank Tower 
66 Wellington Street West 
Suite 3600, PO Box 131 
Toronto, ON  M5K 1H1 Canada 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

To the Unitholders of 
Automotive Properties Real Estate Investment Trust 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Automotive Properties Real Estate 
Investment  Trust,  which comprise  the  consolidated  balance sheets as  at  December 31,  2016  and 2015  and 
the  consolidated  statements  of  income  (loss)  and  comprehensive  income  (loss),  changes  in  unitholders’ 
equity, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from June 1, 2015 to December 
31, 2015, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information. 

Management's Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements 
Management  is  responsible  for  the  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  these  consolidated  financial 
statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and for such internal control as 
management  determines  is  necessary  to  enable  the  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  that 
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

Auditor's Responsibility 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.  
We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  Canadian  generally  accepted  auditing  standards.    Those 
standards  require  that  we  comply  with  ethical  requirements  and  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain 
reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  consolidated  financial  statements  are  free  from  material 
misstatement. 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the 
consolidated  financial  statements.    The  procedures  selected  depend  on  the  auditor's  judgment,  including 
the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due 
to fraud or error.  In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant  to the 
entity's  preparation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  in  order  to  design  audit  procedures  that  are 
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of 
the  entity's  internal  control.    An  audit  also  includes  evaluating  the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies 
used  and  the  reasonableness  of  accounting  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the 
presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a 
basis for our audit opinion. 

Opinion 
In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial 
position  of  Automotive  Properties  Real  Estate  Investment  Trust  as  at  December  31,  2016  and  2015  and  its 
financial performance and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from June 1, 
2015 to December 31, 2015 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. 

Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants  

March 20, 2017  
Toronto, Ontario 

BDO Canada LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the 
international BDO network of independent member firms. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automotive Properties REIT 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

ASSETS 

Cash and cash equivalents  

Prepaid expenses and other assets 

Investment properties  

Total assets 

LIABILITIES AND UNITHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

Liabilities: 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  

Credit facilities  

Interest rate swaps  

Deferred Units and Income Deferred Units 

Class B LP Units  

Total liabilities 

Unitholders’ equity 

                   As at 

As at

Note

      December 31, 2016 

December 31, 2015

8

7

10

9

9

13

12

$257  

2,272 

461,809 

$1,769 

2,420

389,650

$464,338  

$393,839 

$4,200  

238,541 

2,650 

79 

106,087 

$4,319 

215,878

4,172

-

81,950

351,557 

306,319

112,781 

87,520

Total liabilities and unitholders’ equity 

$464,338  

$393,839 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

Approved on behalf of the Board of Trustees 

“Janet Graham”  

Janet Graham   
Trustee, Audit Committee Chair   

“John Morrison” 

John Morrison 
Trustee, Lead Independent 

Page 4 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Automotive Properties REIT 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income 
(Loss) 

For the Year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from June 1, 
2015 (date of formation) to December 31, 2015 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Note

2016 

2015

Net Property Income 

Rental revenue from investment properties 

Property costs   

Net Operating Income 

Other Income (Expenses) 

14

14

$34,274  

(4,788) 

$13,300 

(1,734)

29,486 

11,566

General and administrative expenses 

(2,409) 

(780)

  Interest expense and other financing charges 

                    (7,177) 

                    (2,732)

  Fair value adjustment on interest rate swaps  

9

                       1,522 

                    (4,172)

  Distribution expense on Class B LP Units  

  Fair value adjustment on Class B LP Units and Deferred Units 

  Fair value adjustment on investment properties  

11

12

7

(7,986) 

(24,139) 

5,316 

(3,546)

17,383

(94)

Net Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) 

($5,387) 

$17,625 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

Page 5 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
Automotive Properties REIT 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Unitholders’ Equity 

For the year ended December 31, 2016 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Trust 
Units

Cumulative 
Net Income 
(Loss) 

Cumulative 
Distributions to 
Unitholders

Total 

Note

Unitholders’ Equity at December 31, 2015 

$72,794 

$17,625 

$(2,899) 

$87,520

Issuance of Units 

Over-allotment Issuance of Units 

Net loss 

Distributions 

12

12

11

33,156

5,050

— 

— 

— 

(5,387) 

— 

— 

(7,558) 

33,156

5,050

(5,387)

(7,558)

Unitholders’ Equity at December 31, 2016 

$111,000 

$12,238 

$(10,457) 

$112,781

For the period from June 1, 2015 (date of formation) to 
December 31, 2015 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Unitholders’ Equity at June 1, 2015 

Issuance of Units in connection with IPO 

Over-allotment Issuance of Units 

Net income 

Distributions 

Trust 
Units

Cumulative 
Net Income  

Cumulative 
Distributions 
to Unitholders

$—

66,966

5,828

—

—

12

12

11

$— 

— 

— 

17,625 

$—

—

—

—

— 

(2,899)

Total 

$—

66,966

5,828

17,625

(2,899)

Unitholders’ Equity at December 31, 2015 

$72,794

$17,625 

$(2,899)

$87,520

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

Page 6 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
Automotive Properties REIT 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow 

For the year ended December 31, 2016, and the period from June 1, 
2015 (date of formation) to December 31, 2015  
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Net income (loss) 
Straight-line rent 
Non-cash compensation expense 
Fair value adjustment on interest rate swaps 

Distributions expense on Class B LP Units

Fair value adjustment on Class B LP Units and Deferred Units 

Fair value adjustment on investment properties 

Amortization of financing fees 

Amortization of other assets 

Change in non-cash operating accounts  

20

Cash Flow from operating activities 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Acquisitions of investment properties 

Other assets 

Cash Flow used in investing activities 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Proceeds from Credit Facilities 

Principal repayment on Credit Facilities 

Financing fees paid  

Issuance of Units  

Issuance costs 

Distributions to REIT unitholders and Class B LP unitholders 

Cash Flow from financing activities 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the 
year 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 

Note

2016 

2015

$            (5,387) 
(2,714) 
439 
(1,522) 

  $          17,625
(1,156)
-
4,172

7,986 

24,139 

(5,316) 

201 

73 

(771) 

17,128 

(64,129) 

- 

(64,129) 

30,950 

(8,214) 

(166) 

40,330 

(2,124) 

(15,287) 

45,489 

(1,512) 

1,769 

3,546

(17,383)

94

56

34

2,463

9,451

(289,255)

(1,863)

(291,118)

218,990

(2,527)

(585)

81,200

(8,406)

(5,236)

283,436

1,769

-

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year 

$                257 

$          1,769

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

Page 7 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 
For year ended December 31, 2016, and the period from June 1, 2015 (date of formation) to December 31, 2015 
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, except Unit and per Unit amounts)  

1.  NATURE OF OPERATIONS 

Automotive  Properties  Real  Estate  Investment  Trust  (the  “REIT”)  is  an  unincorporated,  open-ended  real  estate 
investment trust existing pursuant to a declaration of trust dated June 1, 2015, as amended and restated on July 22, 
2015 (the “Declaration of Trust”) under, and governed by, the laws of the Province of Ontario. In connection with the 
formation of the REIT, one trust unit of the REIT (each, a “Unit”) was issued for $10.00 in cash on June 1, 2015 and 
subsequently redeemed for $10.00 in cash following closing of the REIT’s initial public offering on July 22, 2015 (the 
“IPO”). From June 1, 2015 to July 22, 2015, the REIT had no operations or activity other than holding $10.00 cash 
and an equivalent amount of equity. Accordingly, the information contained in these consolidated financial statements 
with respect to the period ended December 31, 2015 reflects commencement of operations as of July 22, 2015. The 
principal, registered and head office of the REIT is located at 133 King Street East, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M5C 
1G6. The REIT’s Units are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol “APR.UN”. 

893353 Alberta  Inc.  (“Dilawri”)  is a  privately held  corporation,  which, together  with  certain  of  its  affiliates, held an 
approximate 45% effective interest in the REIT as at December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 – approximately 55%), 
through  the  ownership,  direction  or  control  of  all  of  the  Class B  limited  partnership  units  (“Class B  LP Units”)  of 
Automotive Properties Limited Partnership, the REIT’s operating subsidiary (the “Partnership”). The Class B LP Units 
are economically equivalent to, and exchangeable for, Units. Dilawri and its affiliates, other than its shareholders and 
controlling persons, are referred to herein as the “Dilawri Group”.  

The REIT was formed primarily to own income-producing automotive dealership properties located in Canada. In 
connection with the completion of the IPO, the REIT indirectly acquired a portfolio of 26 commercial properties from 
certain  members  of  the  Dilawri  Group  (the  “Initial  Properties”). The  REIT  currently  owns  a  portfolio  of  32  income 
producing commercial properties, including the Initial Properties, located in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British 
Columbia and Quebec, totaling approximately 1.3 million square feet of gross leasable area. Out of the 32 properties, 
28 are exclusively occupied by the Dilawri Group for use as automotive dealerships or, in one case, an automotive 
repair facility, while two of the other four properties are jointly occupied by the Dilawri Group (for use as automotive 
dealerships)  and  one  or  more  third  parties  (for  use  as  automotive  dealerships  or  complementary  uses,  including 
restaurants), and two are exclusively occupied by third party tenants for use as automotive dealerships. At the time 
of the acquisition of each applicable investment property, the REIT entered into a lease with the applicable member 
of the Dilawri Group (collectively, the “Dilawri Tenants”) in respect of each of the 30 investment properties occupied 
by  the  Dilawri  Group,  and  either  entered  into  a  new  lease  or  assumed  the  existing  lease  in  respect  of  the  two 
investment  properties  occupied  by  third  parties.  The  Dilawri  Tenants  are  the  REIT’s  major  tenant,  providing 
approximately 93.2% of the REIT’s rental income (2015 – 100%). 

The subsidiaries of the REIT included in the REIT’s consolidated financial statements include the Partnership and 
Automotive Properties REIT GP Inc. the general partner of the Partnership and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the 
REIT.  

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

(a)  Statement of Compliance 

The consolidated financial statements of the REIT have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  as  issued  by  the  International Accounting  Standards  Board  (“IASB”)  and  using  the 
accounting policies described herein. 

These  consolidated  financial  statements  were  authorized  for  issuance  by  the  Board  of Trustees  of  the  REIT  (the 
“Board”) on March 20, 2017. 

(b)  Basis of Presentation 

The consolidated financial statements of the REIT have been prepared using the historical cost basis except for the 
following items that were measured at fair value: 

investment properties as described in note 7; 
interest rate swaps as described in note 9; 

 
 
  Class B LP Units which are exchangeable for Units at the option of the holder as described in note 12; and 
  Deferred Units and Income Deferred Units which are exchangeable for Units at the option of the holder as 

described in note 13  

Page 8 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  consolidated  financial  statements  are  presented  in  Canadian  Dollars,  the  REIT’s  functional  and  reporting 
currency. 

(c)  Basis of Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the REIT and the other entities that the REIT controls 
in accordance with IFRS 10 — Consolidated Financial Statements. Control requires exposure or rights to variable 
returns  and  the  ability  to  affect  those  returns  through  power  over  an  investee. All  intercompany  transactions  and 
balances have been eliminated on consolidation. 

(d)  Investment Properties 

Investment  properties  include  properties  held  to  earn  rental  income  and/or  for  capital  appreciation.  Investment 
properties  are  initially  measured  at  cost,  including  directly  attributable  acquisition  costs.  Directly  attributable 
acquisition  costs  include  professional  fees,  land  transfer  taxes  and  other  transaction  costs.  Subsequent  to  initial 
recognition, investment properties are measured at fair value. Fair value is determined based on available market 
evidence, at each balance sheet date. The fair value of investment properties reflects, among other things, rental 
income  from  current  leases  and  assumptions  about  rental  income  from  future  leases  in  light  of  current  market 
conditions. Related fair value gains and losses are recorded in net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) 
in the period in which they arise. 

(e)  Revenue Recognition 

The  REIT  has  retained  substantially  all  of  the  risks  and  benefits  of  ownership  of  its  investment  properties  and, 
therefore, accounts for its leases with tenants as operating leases. 

Property revenue includes basic rents earned from tenants under lease agreements and realty tax recoveries. 

The REIT follows the straight-line method of recognizing rental revenue, whereby the total amount of basic rent to 
be received from leases is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Accordingly, an accrued 
rent  receivable/payable  is  recorded  for  the  current  difference  between  the  straight-line  rent  recorded  as  rental 
revenue and the rent that is contractually due from the tenant and is included as part of investment properties on the 
consolidated balance sheet. 

(f)  Expenses 

Property costs and general and administrative expenses are recognized in income in the period in which they are 
incurred. The indemnity fee will be amortized over the average lease term with the Dilawri Tenants that have third 
party sub-tenants. The REIT follows a straight-line method for recognizing land lease expense. 

(g)  Income Taxes 

The  REIT  qualifies  as  a  “mutual  fund  trust”  under  the  Income  Tax Act  (Canada).  The  Board  intends  to  annually 
distribute  all  taxable  income  directly  earned  by  the  REIT  to  holders  of  Units  (“Unitholders”)  and  to  deduct  such 
distributions for income tax purposes. 

Legislation  relating  to  the  federal  income  taxation  of  Specified  Investment  Flow  Through  trusts  or  partnerships 
(“SIFT”) provide that certain distributions from a SIFT will not be deductible in computing the SIFT’s taxable income 
and that the SIFT will be subject to tax on such distributions at a rate that is substantially equivalent to the general 
tax  rate  applicable  to  Canadian  corporations.  However,  distributions  paid  by  a  SIFT  as  return  of  capital  should 
generally not be subject to tax. 

Under  the  SIFT  rules,  the  taxation  regime  will  not  apply  to  a  real  estate  investment  trust  that  meets  prescribed 
conditions relating to the nature of its assets and revenue (the “REIT Exception”). The REIT has reviewed the SIFT 
rules  and  has  assessed  their  interpretation  and  application  to  the  REIT’s  assets  and  revenue.  While  there  are 
uncertainties in the interpretation and application of the SIFT rules, the REIT believes that it meets the REIT Exception 
and accordingly, no net current income tax expense or deferred income tax assets or liabilities have been recorded 
in the consolidated statements of net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss). 

(h)  Units and Class B LP Units 

Units are redeemable at the holder’s option subject to certain limitations and restrictions. As a result, the Units are 
liabilities  by  definition  but  qualify  for  presentation  as  equity  under  certain  limited  exceptions  within  International 
Accounting Standards 32 — Financial Instruments: Presentation (“IAS 32”). The Class B LP Units are economically 
equivalent to Units, receive distributions equal to the distributions paid on Units and are exchangeable at the option 
of the holder into Units. One special voting unit in the REIT (the “Special Voting Units”) has been issued to the holder 
of each Class B LP Unit issued (such Special Voting Unit does not have any entitlement in the REIT with respect to 
distributions, but does generally entitle the holder to that number of votes at any meeting of Unitholders to which a 
holder of the number of Units that are obtained upon the exchange of the Class B LP Unit to which such Special 
Voting Unit is attached would be entitled). The limited IAS 32 exception for presentation as equity does not extend to 
the Class B LP Units. As a result, the Class B LP Units have been classified as financial liabilities and are measured 
at fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”). The fair value of the Class B LP Units is measured every period by 

Page 9 of 23 

 
 
 
 
reference to the traded value of the Units, with changes in value recorded through profit and loss. Distributions on 
the Class B LP Units are recorded as an expense in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive 
income (loss) in the period in which they become payable. 

(i)  Cash and Cash Equivalents 

Cash  consists  of  cash  on  hand  and  unrestricted  cash.  Cash  equivalents  consist  of  highly  liquid  marketable 
investments with an original maturity date of 90 days or less from the date of acquisition. As at December 31, 2016 
and December 31, 2015, there were no cash equivalents. 

(j)  Financial instruments 

Financial instruments are classified as one of the following: (i) held-to-maturity, (ii) loans and receivables, (iii) FVTPL, 
(iv) available-for-sale,  or  (v) other  financial  liabilities.  Financial  assets  and  liabilities  classified  as  FVTPL  are 
measured  at  fair  value  with  gains  and  losses  recognized  in  the  consolidated  statements  of  income  (loss)  and 
comprehensive  income (loss). Financial instruments classified as held-to-maturity, loans and receivables or other 
financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost, using the effective interest method. Available-for-sale financial 
instruments  are  measured  at  fair  value  and  any  unrealized  gains  and  losses  will  be  recognized  in  other 
comprehensive income (loss). 

The following summarizes the REIT’s classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities: 

Financial assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Accounts receivable  

Classification  Measurement

FVTPL 
Loans and receivables 

Fair value
Amortized cost

Financial liabilities 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  
Credit facilities payable 
Class B LP Units, Deferred Units and Income Deferred Units 

Other financial liabilities 
Other financial liabilities 
FVTPL 

Amortized cost
Amortized cost
Fair value

Interest rate swaps 

FVTPL 

Fair value

Acquisition  costs  other  than  those  related  to  financial  instruments  classified  as  FVTPL,  which  are  expensed  as 
incurred, are capitalized to the carrying amount of the instrument and amortized using the effective interest method. 
These costs primarily include interest and finance fees that are incurred in connection with borrowings. 

(k)  Unit-Based Compensation 

Deferred Units (“DUs”) may be granted to members of the Board (“Trustees”), officers and employees of the REIT 
(each, a “Participant”). Each Deferred Unit shall receive a distribution of additional Income Deferred Units (“IDUs”) 
equal to the amount of distributions paid per Unit by the REIT on its Units. Liability in respect of the DUs and IDUs is 
adjusted to reflect the change in their fair value at each reporting period with the changes in fair value recognized in 
the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss). The holder of such DUs and IDUs 
cannot settle their DUs or IDUs for cash. 

3.  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements and estimates 
in applying the REIT’s accounting policies that affect the reported amounts and disclosures made in the consolidated 
financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes.  Within  the  context  of  these  consolidated  financial  statements,  a 
judgment is a decision made by management in respect of the application of an accounting policy; a recognized or 
unrecognized financial statement amount and/or note disclosure, following an analysis of relevant information that 
may  include  estimates  and  assumptions.  Estimates  and  assumptions  are  used  mainly  in  determining  the 
measurement of balances recognized or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and are based on a set 
of underlying data that may include management’s historical experience, knowledge of current events and conditions 
and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management continually evaluates 
the estimates and judgments it uses. 

The following are the accounting policies subject to judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty that the 
REIT  believes  could  have  the  most  significant  impact  on  the  amounts  recognized  in  the  consolidated  financial 
statements. The REIT’s significant accounting policies are described in note 2. 

Page 10 of 23 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment Properties 

The  REIT  assesses  whether  the  properties  it  acquires  are  considered  to  be  asset  acquisitions  or  business 
combinations. The REIT considers all the properties it has acquired to date to be asset acquisitions.  

Investment properties are valued by management. Valuations are completed by undertaking a discounted cash flow 
approach,  whereby  a  current  discount  rate  is  applied  to  the  projected  net  operating  income  that  a  property  can 
reasonably be expected to produce in the future. These assumptions may not ultimately be achieved. 

Leases 

The REIT is required to make judgments in determining whether certain leases are operating or finance leases, in 
particular long-term leases. All tenant leases entered into or assumed to date have been determined to be operating 
leases. 

Income Taxes 

The REIT is a mutual fund trust and a real estate investment trust as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act 
(Canada). The REIT is not liable to pay Canadian income taxes provided that its taxable income is fully distributed 
to Unitholders each year. The REIT is a real estate investment trust if it meets the prescribed conditions under the 
Income Tax Act (Canada) relating to the nature of its assets and revenue. The REIT uses judgment in reviewing 
these prescribed conditions and assessing its interpretation and application to the REIT’s assets and revenue. The 
REIT has determined that it qualifies as a real estate investment trust in respect of the current period. 

The REIT expects to continue to qualify as a mutual fund trust and real estate investment trust under the Income Tax 
Act (Canada), however, should it no longer qualify, the REIT would not be able to flow through its taxable income to 
Unitholders and would, therefore, be subject to tax. 

4.  FUTURE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS 

In July 2014, the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9 — Financial Instruments (‘‘IFRS 9’’) which brings together 
the classification and measurement, impairment and hedge accounting phases of the IASB’s project to replace IAS 
39 — Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. The key elements of the final standard are as follows: 
Classification and measurement — introduces a logical approach for the classification of financial assets, which is 
driven by cash flow characteristics and the business model in which an asset is held. Impairment — introduces a 
new, expected-loss impairment model that will require more timely recognition of expected credit losses. IFRS 9 also 
includes new disclosure requirements about expected credit losses and credit risk. Hedge accounting — introduces 
a  substantially  reformed  model  for  hedge  accounting  that  more  closely  aligns  with  risk  management  activities 
undertaken  by  entities  when  hedging  their  financial  and  non-financial  risk  exposures.  Own credit  —  removes the 
volatility in profit or loss that was caused by changes in the credit risk of liabilities elected to be measured at fair 
value. This change in accounting means that gains caused by the deterioration of an entity’s own credit risk on such 
liabilities are no longer recognized in profit or loss and are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) instead. 
IFRS 9 will be applied retrospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Early adoption is 
permitted. The REIT is assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. 

In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers (‘‘IFRS 15’’), which replaces IAS 
11 — Construction Contracts and IAS 18 — Revenue, as well as various other interpretations regarding revenue. 
IFRS 15 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts 
with customers, except for contracts that are within the scope of the standards on leases, insurance contracts and 
financial instruments. IFRS 15 also contains enhanced disclosure requirements. It will be applied retrospectively for 
annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  January  1,  2018,  with  early  adoption  permitted.  The  REIT  is  assessing  the 
impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.  

In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16 — Leases (‘‘IFRS 16’’) which replaces IAS 17 — Leases and its associated 
interpretative  guidance.  IFRS  16  applies  a  control  model  to  the  identification  of  leases,  distinguishing  between  a 
lease and a service contract on the basis of whether the customer controls the asset being leased. For those assets 
determined to meet the definition of a lease, IFRS 16 introduces significant changes to the accounting by lessees, 
introducing  a  single,  on-balance  sheet  accounting  model  that  is  similar  to  current  finance  lease  accounting,  with 
limited exceptions for short-term leases or leases of low value assets. Lessor accounting remains similar to current 
accounting practice. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with early 
application permitted for entities that apply IFRS 15. The REIT does not expect this standard to have a significant 
impact on its combined financial statements. 

Page 11 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.  PUBLIC OFFERING AND ACQUISITION OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES 

(a)  Initial Public Offering 

On July 22, 2015, the REIT completed the IPO and indirectly acquired the Initial Properties from certain members of 
the Dilawri Group for the consideration outlined in Note 5(b) below. The IPO, through the issuance of 7,500,000 Units 
at a price of $10.00 per Unit  (the “IPO price”), resulted in net proceeds to the REIT of $66,966, after payment of 
transaction costs of $8,034.  

On August 14, 2015, pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters in connection 
with  the  IPO,  the  REIT  issued  a  further  620,000  Units  at  the  IPO  price,  resulting  in  net  proceeds  to  the  REIT  of 
$5,828, after payment of the underwriters’ fees of $372. 

(b)  Acquisition of the Initial Properties  

In connection with the IPO, the REIT indirectly acquired the Initial Properties from certain members of the Dilawri 
Group, through an investment in the Partnership. 

In consideration for the Initial Properties, the REIT issued Class B LP Units (accompanied by an equivalent number 
of  Special  Voting  Units)  and  the  remainder  was  paid  in  cash.  The  purchase  of  the  Initial  Properties  has  been 
accounted for as an asset acquisition.  

Allocation of the identifiable net assets acquired is as follows: 

Investment properties(i)   

Consideration provided for the acquisition and related acquisition costs was as follows: 

Class B LP Units ................................................................................................................................  

Cash consideration for Initial Properties(ii) ..........................................................................................  

$357,742 

$99,333

258,409

Total cost of the acquisition ................................................................................................................  

$357,742

(i) 

Initial Properties were initially recorded at $357,742 which includes the purchase price of $354,181 representing fair 
value at the time of acquisition, and acquisition costs of $3,561. 

(ii)  Total cash consideration for the Initial Properties consisted of: 

Acquisition of Initial Properties ...........................................................................................................  

254,848

Acquisition costs ................................................................................................................................  

3,561

Total ...................................................................................................................................................  

$258,409

The REIT paid an indemnity fee to Dilawri of $1,000 for the applicable Dilawri Tenants leasing the entirety of two 
Initial Properties with third party tenants (and thereby bearing occupancy, rental and other risks associated with the 
portions of these properties which are subleased to third party tenants for the initial lease terms of 12 and 15 years).  

In addition, the REIT paid Dilawri $1,800 in respect of recoverable land transfer taxes associated with the acquisition 
that may become payable by Dilawri over the 3 years following the IPO. Subsequently this amount was adjusted to 
$896 (Note 8) and the remaining balance of $904 was paid back to the REIT from Dilawri. 

Page 12 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.  ACQUISITIONS 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the REIT completed the following acquisitions: 

Property 

Location 

Date of 
Acquisition 

Total 
Investment 
Properties(1)

Debt 
Assumed 

Payables 

Cash 

Consideration 

Audi Barrie (i) 

Barrie, ON 

January 14 

$11,455 

$ -  

                       $ -   

$11,455 

Pfaff Audi (ii) 

Vaughan, ON 

September 20

17,485 

-  

                       -  

17,485 

St. Bruno Audi & 
VW (iii) 

St. Bruno, QC 

December 8 

14,573 

11,250 

             273 

3,050 

MB West Island (iv)  West Island, QC  December 22 

20,616 

20,250

353

13

Total Acquisitions 

(1) 

Includes acquisition costs. 

$64,129 

$31,500 

             $626 

$32,003 

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

On  January  14,  2016,  the  REIT  acquired the  real  estate  underlying  the Audi  Barrie  dealership  located in 
Innisfil, Ontario (the “Audi Barrie Property”), for approximately $11,130 net of acquisition costs of $325, from 
a member of the Dilawri Group and leased it to a Dilawri Tenant. Audi Barrie is newly constructed and is a 
24,982  square  foot  automotive  dealership  property.  The  Audi  Barrie  Property  was  one  of  the  three 
development properties owned by the Dilawri Group at the time of the IPO. Pursuant to the Strategic Alliance 
Agreement, the Audi Barrie Property was offered for purchase to the REIT by the Dilawri Group.  

On September 20, 2016, the REIT acquired the real  estate underling the Pfaff Audi dealership located in 
Vaughan, Ontario (the “Pfaff Audi Property”), for $17,150 net of acquisition costs of $335 from a third party. 
The Pfaff Audi Property is a 68,874 square foot automotive dealership property. 

On  December  8,  2016,  the  REIT  acquired  the  real  estate  underlying  the  automotive  dealership  property 
located  at  1905  and  1917  Boulevard  Sir Wilfrid  Laurier in St.  Bruno,  Quebec  (“St.  Bruno  Audi  &  VW 
Property”)  from  a  third  party  for  $14,280  net  of  acquisition  costs  of  $293.  St.  Bruno Audi  &  VW  Property 
includes a Volkswagen and an Audi dealerships and have a combined total gross leasable area of 62,705 
square feet. Pursuant to the Strategic Alliance Agreement, the St. Bruno Audi & VW Property is leased to a 
Dilawri Tenant. 

On December 22, 2016, the REIT acquired automotive dealership property at 4525 Boulevard Saint-Jean in 
suburban Montreal, Quebec (“MB West Island Property”) for $20,250 net of acquisition costs of $366. The 
MB West Island Property has a total gross leasable area of 60,850 square feet. Pursuant to the Strategic 
Alliance Agreement, the MB West Island Property was offered for purchase to the REIT by the Dilawri Group 
and is leased to a Dilawri Tenant. 

The table below summarizes the acquisitions made in 2015 beginning with the IPO: 

Date of 
Acquisition 

Total Investment 
Properties (2) 

Non-cash (1)

Debt 
Assumed 

Consideration 

Initial Properties  
Subsequent Acquisitions (i) 
Total Acquisitions 

July 22 
4th quarter 2015 

$357,742
    30,846
$388,588

$99,333 
           - 
$99,333

$ - 
  25,200 
$25,200 

(1) 
(2) 

Non-cash consideration on the Initial Properties consisted of Class B LP Units valued at $99,333. 
Includes acquisition costs. 

Cash 

$258,409
5,646 
$264,055

Page 13 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(i) 

On December 23, 2015, the REIT acquired from a third party the real estate underlying Toyota Woodland 
(the “Toyota Woodland Property”), located in Montréal, Québec for approximately $7,200 net of acquisition 
costs of $524. The Toyota Woodland Property has a total leasable area of 49,737 square feet. This was the 
first acquisition undertaken by the REIT with the Dilawri Group pursuant to the Strategic Alliance Agreement 
entered into with Dilawri at the closing of REIT’s IPO. 

On December 30, 2015, the REIT acquired from a third party the real estate underlying the Porsche Centre 
Edmonton  and  Jaguar  Land  Rover  Edmonton  dealerships  (the  “Porsche  Edmonton  Property”)  located  in 
Edmonton, Alberta,  for  approximately  $23,000  net  of  acquisition  costs  of  $122.  The  Porsche  Edmonton 
Property has a total leasable area of 44,779 square feet and is leased to two automotive dealerships.  

7. 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES 

Balance, beginning of period 
Acquisition of Initial Properties (i) 
Acquisitions during the period  
Fair value adjustment on investment properties 
Straight-line rent  

Balance, end of period 

As at December 
31, 2016 

As at December 
31, 2015

$389,650     
—    
64,129    
5,316    
2,714    

$461,809    

$—
357,742
30,846
(94)
1,156

$389,650

(i) 

The purchase price of the Initial Properties includes acquisition costs of $3,562 and an initial portfolio premium of $480. Subsequent to 
the acquisition, these amounts were not included in the determination of the fair value of investment properties and were charged to 
net income, as part of the net change in fair value of investment properties. 

Valuation of Investment Properties 

The REIT valued the investment properties using a discounted cash flow approach whereby a current discount rate 
was applied to the projected net operating income which a property can reasonably be expected to produce in the 
future.  The REIT’s valuation inputs are supported by quarterly market reports from an independent appraiser which 
indicate a decrease in capitalization rates in the Vancouver and Toronto markets which were offset by a capitalization 
rate increase in the Regina market. The overall implied capitalization rate applicable to the entire portfolio remained 
at 6.5%, which is equivalent to the REIT’s overall assessment as at December 31, 2015.  

In  accordance  with  the  REIT’s  valuation  policy,  an  independent  appraiser  is  engaged  to  prepare  valuations  on  a 
portion of the portfolio annually, such that the entire portfolio is appraised at least once every three years. In addition, 
any investment property which represents greater than 15% of the overall portfolio value is appraised annually. 

A 25 basis point decrease or increase in capitalization rates would result in an increase or decrease in the fair value 
of investment properties of approximately $18,500 or ($17,100), respectively.  

Rental Commitments 

       Minimum rental commitments on non-cancellable tenant operating leases are as follows: 

Within 1 year ...........................................................................................................................................
After 1 year, but not more than 5 years ...................................................................................................
More than 5 years ....................................................................................................................................

$30,904
159,177
281,734
$471,815

One of the Initial Properties includes an industrial property with approximately 53,000 square feet of gross leasable 
area which was not included as part of the Initial Properties as it is not an asset over which the REIT has control or 
beneficial interest. This property was acquired by the REIT for nominal consideration on July 22, 2015. This property 
has  been  leased  to  a  Dilawri Tenant for  nominal  consideration,  severance  approvals  have  been  granted  and  the 
property will be transferred to that Dilawri Tenant for the same nominal consideration that the REIT originally paid 
and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2017. 

Page 14 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.  PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER  

Prepaid indemnity fee(i) 
Recoverable land transfer taxes(ii) 
Prepaid other 

December 
31, 2016

$894
896
482

$2,272

December 
31, 2015

$967
896

557

$2,420

(i) 

(ii) 

The unamortized balance of the indemnity fee of $894 (December 31, 2015 - $967); the initial balance was $1,000 at the time of the 
IPO.  

This amount was paid to Dilawri as part of the purchase price with respect to the recoverable land transfer taxes associated with the 
acquisition of the Initial Properties. 

9.  CREDIT FACILITIES 

(a)  Credit Facilities payable consists of:

Facility 1(i) 

Facility 2(ii) 

Facility 3(iii) 

Facility 4(iv) 

Facility 5(v) 

Total Facilities 

Financing fees(vi) 

December 
31, 2016 

$141,485

64,436

13,415

6,913

12,950

$239,199

(658)

$238,541

December 
31, 2015

$143,515

59,074

13,874

-

-

$216,463

(585)

$215,878

(i) 

Facility 1 includes: 

A non-revolving loan in the amount $113,535 (December 31, 2015 - $118,315) bearing interest at the bankers’ 
acceptance (“BA”) rate plus 150 basis points (bps) or Canadian prime rate (“Prime”) plus 25 bps, maturing 
in July 2020, repayable in equal quarterly principal  payments which commenced on December 31, 2015, 
based on a 25 year amortization. The REIT entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps on August 7, 
2015 for terms of 3 to 10 years which resulted in a weighted average effective interest rate of 3.1%.  

A non-revolving loan in the amount of $14,400 (December 31, 2015 - $15,000) bearing interest at the BA 
rate plus 150 bps or Prime plus 25 bps, maturing in December 2020, repayable in equal quarterly principal 
payments which commenced on March 31, 2016, based on a 25 year amortization. The REIT entered into a 
floating-to-fixed interest rate swap on December 30, 2015 for a term of 7 years which resulted in a weighted 
average effective interest rate of 3.17%. 

A $15,000 revolving credit facility bearing interest at Prime plus 25 bps or CDOR plus 1.00%, maturing in 
July  2018, of which $13,550 was drawn as at December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 - $10,200). 

(ii) 

Facility 2 includes: 

A non-revolving loan in the amount of $56,936 (December 31, 2015 - $59,074) bearing interest at the BA 
rate plus 150 bps or Prime plus 25 bps, maturing in July 2020, repayable in monthly blended payments based 
on a 20 year amortization. The REIT entered into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps on August 7, 2015 for 
terms of 3 to 10 years which resulted in a weighted average effective interest rate of 3.1%. 

Page 15 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
A $7,500 revolving credit facility bearing interest at Prime plus 25 bps maturing in July 2020, of which $7,500 
was drawn as at December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 – $nil).  

(iii) 

Facility 3 includes:  

A  non-revolving  loan  in  the  amount  of  $13,415  (December  31,  2015  -  $13,874)  bearing  interest  at  3.5% 
maturing in February 2019, repayable in monthly blended payments based on a 20 year amortization. 

(iv) 

Facility 4 includes:  

A non-revolving loan in the amount of $6,913 bearing interest at 3.22% maturing in January 2021, repayable 
in monthly blended payments based on a 20 year amortization (December 31, 2015 – $nil). 

(v) 

Facility 5 includes: 

A $14,600 revolving credit facility bearing interest at the BA rate plus 150 bps or Prime plus 50 bps maturing 
in October 2019, of which $12,950 was drawn as at December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 – $nil). 

(vi) 

During  2016  the  REIT  incurred  financing  fees  of  $273  (December  31,  2015  –  $641).  The  amounts  are 
accounted  for  using  the  effective  interest  method,  $658  remains  unamortized  at  December  31,  2016 
(December 31, 2015 - $585). 

The credit facilities described above (the “Credit Facilities”) are secured by the REIT’s investment properties except 
for the MB West Island Property and St. Bruno Audi & VW Property.  

   Principal repayments are as follows: 

2017 ....................................................................................................................................................  

2018 ....................................................................................................................................................  

2019 ....................................................................................................................................................  

8,577

22,330

33,622

2020 ....................................................................................................................................................  

168,903

Thereafter ...........................................................................................................................................  

5,767

Total ....................................................................................................................................................  

$239,199

(b)  Interest Rate Swaps 

The REIT entered into interest rate derivative contracts to limit its exposure to fluctuations in the interest rates payable 
on variable rate financings for Facility 1 and Facility 2. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of the 
interest  rate  derivative  contracts  are  recognized  in  the  consolidated  statements  of  net  income  (loss)  and 
comprehensive income (loss) (terms described in Note 9(a)(i) and (ii) above). 

As at December 31, 2016, the notional principal amount of the interest rate swaps was $184,871 (December 31, 
2015 - $192,389) and the fair value adjustment of the interest rate swaps was $1,522 (December 31, 2015 - $4,172) 
resulting in a liability balance of $2,650 (December 31, 2015 - $4,172). 

10.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of: 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Accrued interest  

Distributions payable (Note 11) 

December 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

$2,508

225

1,467

$4,200

$2,914

196

1,209

$4,319

Page 16 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
11.  DISTRIBUTIONS  

December 31, 2016   

December 31, 2015   

Paid in Cash 
Declared 
Payable as at period end 

$7,301 
7,558 
801 

Units  Class B LP Units

Total
$7,986 $15,287
15,544

7,986
666

1,467   

Units
$2,355
2,899
543

Class B LP Units

Total
$2,881 $5,236
6,445
1,209

3,546
666

12.  UNITHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND CLASS B LP UNITS 

Units 

The REIT is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Units.  

Each Unit is transferable and represents an equal, undivided beneficial interest in the REIT and any distributions 
from the REIT, whether of net income, net realized capital gains (other than such gains allocated and distributed to 
redeeming holders of Units) or other amounts and, in the event of the termination or winding-up of the REIT, in the 
net assets of the REIT remaining after satisfaction of all liabilities. All Units rank equally among themselves without 
discrimination, preference or priority and entitle the holder thereof to receive notice of, to attend and to one vote at 
all  meetings  of  holders  of  Units  (“Unitholders”)  and  holders  of  Special  Voting  Units  or  in  respect  of  any  written 
resolution thereof. 

Unitholders are entitled to receive distributions from the REIT (whether of net income, net realized capital gains or 
other amounts) if, as and when declared by the Board. Upon the termination or winding-up of the REIT, Unitholders 
will participate equally with respect to the distribution of the remaining assets of the REIT after payment of all liabilities. 
Such distribution may be made in cash, as a distribution in kind, or both, all as the Board in its sole discretion may 
determine. Units have no associated conversion or retraction rights. No person is entitled, as a matter of right, to any 
pre-emptive  right  to  subscribe  for  or  acquire  any  Unit,  except  for  Dilawri  as  set  out  in  the  Exchange Agreement 
entered into on closing of the IPO between the REIT and certain members of the Dilawri Group, pursuant to which 
such members of the Dilawri Group have been granted, among other things, certain rights to participate in future 
offerings of the REIT. 

On September 19, 2016, the REIT issued an aggregate of 3,841,000 Units at a price of $10.50 per Unit in connection 
with a public offering of Units for gross proceeds of $40,330, which included the exercise in full of the over-allotment 
option granted to the underwriters, whereby an additional 501,000 Units were issued at a price of $10.50 per Unit 
(the  “September  2016  Equity  Offering”).  Issuance  costs  of  $2,124  were  netted  against  the  gross  proceeds.  The 
Dilawri Group waved its pre-emptive right to acquire Units in connection with the September 2016 Equity Offering.    

Class B LP Units 

In conjunction with the IPO, and as partial consideration for the Initial Properties, the REIT, through the Partnership, 
issued Class B LP Units to certain members of the Dilawri Group. Each Class B LP Unit is exchangeable at the option 
of  the  holder  for  one  Unit  (subject  to  certain  anti-dilution  adjustments),  is  accompanied  by  a  Special  Voting  Unit 
(which provides the holder with that number of votes at any meeting of Unitholders to which a holder of the number 
of Units that may be obtained upon the exchange of the Class B LP Unit to which such Special Voting Unit is attached 
would be entitled), and will receive distributions of cash from the Partnership equal to the distributions to which a 
holder of the number of Units that may be obtained upon the exchange of the Class B LP Unit would be entitled.  

Page 17 of 23 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016 

Units, beginning of year 
Units issued, net of costs 
Over-allotment option, net of costs 

Total Units, end of year 

Class B LP Units, beginning of year 
Fair value adjustment on Class B LP Units  

Total Class B LP Units, end of year 

Total Units and Class B LP Units, end of year 

For the period ended December 31, 2015 

Units, beginning of period 
Units issued, net of costs 

Overallotment, net of costs 

Total Units, end of period 

Class B LP Units, beginning of period 
Class B LP Units issued 
Fair value adjustment on Class B LP Units 

Total Class B LP Units, end of period 

Units
8,120,000
3,340,000
501,000

11,961,000

9,933,253
—

9,933,253

21,894,253

Units

—
7,500,000

620,000

8,120,000

—
9,933,253
—

9,933,253

Amount
$72,794
33,156
5,050

$111,000

$81,950
24,137

$106,087

$217,087

Amount

$—
66,966

5,828

$72,794

$—
99,333
(17,383)

$81,950

Total Units and Class B LP Units, end of period 

18,053,253

$154,744

13.  UNIT BASED-COMPENSATION 

On June 8, 2016, the Unitholders approved the adoption of the Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) whereby DUs may 
be granted to a Participant on a discretionary basis by the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee. 
The maximum number of Units available for issuance under the Plan is 500,000. Each DU is economically equivalent 
to one Unit, however, under no circumstances shall DUs be considered Units nor entitle a Participant to any rights 
as a Unitholder, including, without limitation, voting rights or rights on liquidation. Each DU shall receive a distribution 
of additional IDUs equal to the amount of distributions paid per Unit by the REIT on it Units. Upon vesting of the DUs 
and IDUs, a Participant may elect, prior to the expiry of such DU or IDU, to exchange such vested DUs and IDUs 
(subject to satisfaction of any applicable withholding taxes) for an equal number of Units. The holder of such DUs 
and IDUs cannot settle the DUs and IDUs for cash. 

Under  the  Plan,  the  fair  value  of  the  DUs  and  IDUs  is  recognized  as  compensation  expense  over  the  vesting 
period. Fair value is determined with reference to the market price of the Units.   

The Units are redeemable at the option of the holder and are considered puttable instruments in accordance with 
IAS 32, “Financial instruments: presentation”. As the exemption under IAS 32, “Financial instruments: presentation”, 
does not apply to IFRS 2, “Share based payments”, the DUs and IDUs are accounted for as a liability. The deferred 
unit liability is adjusted to reflect the change in their fair value at each reporting period with the changes in fair value 
recognized as compensation expense.  

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the REIT accrued for short-term incentive awards in the amount of $360 
which will be settled by the granting of DUs. 

Page 18 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
                 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Certain independent Trustees elected to receive board and committee fees in the form of DUs. The fair value of each 
DU granted is measured based on the volume-weighted average trading price of the Units for the five trading days 
immediately preceding the grant date. A summary of DUs and IDUs grants under the Plan is outlined below: 

Outstanding DUs and IDUs, beginning of period 

DUs Granted 

IDUs Granted 

Outstanding DUs and IDUs, end of period 

14.  RENTAL REVENUE AND PROPERTY COSTS 

Rental Revenue 

Base rent 

Property tax recoveries 
Straight line rent adjustment 

Rental revenue 

Property Costs 

Property tax recoveries 
Land lease 

Straight line land lease adjustment 

Property cost 

As at  December 31, 2016

  Units

Amount

-

7,359

69

7,428

$ -  

79  

-

$79 

2016 

2015

$27,348 

$10,657

4,110 
 2,816 

1,442
 1,201

 $34,274 

 $13,300

2016 

$4,110 
576 

 102 

2015

$1,442
247

45

 $4,788 

 $1,734

Two of the Initial Properties are subject to land leases. Land lease expense includes straight line rent on the land leases 
over the expected lease term and recoverable realty taxes that have been paid by the REIT. 

15.  SEGMENT INFORMATION  

All of the REIT’s assets and liabilities are in, and its revenues are derived from, the Canadian real estate industry 
segment. The  REIT’s  investment  properties  are, therefore,  considered  by  management  to  have  similar  economic 
characteristics.  

16.  CAPITAL MANAGEMENT  

The REIT defines its capital as the aggregate of Unitholders’ equity, Class B LP Units and Credit Facilities. The REIT 
is free to determine the appropriate level of capital in context with its cash flow requirements, overall business risks 
and potential business opportunities. As a result of this, the REIT will make adjustments to its capital based on its 
investment strategies and changes to economic conditions. 

Page 19 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In order to maintain or adjust its capital structure, the REIT may increase or decrease the amount of distributions 
paid to Unitholders, issue new Units and debt, or repay debt. The REIT manages its capital structure with the objective 
of: 

• complying with the guidelines set out in its Declaration of Trust; 

• complying with debt covenants; 

• ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to support its financial obligations and to execute its operating and strategic 

plans; 

• maintaining financial capacity and flexibility through access to capital to support future development; and 

• minimizing its cost of capital while taking into consideration current and future industry, market and economic risks 
and conditions. 

The REIT has certain key financial covenants in its Credit Facilities, including debt service ratios and leverage ratios, 
as defined in the respective agreements. These ratios are measured by the REIT on an ongoing basis to ensure 
compliance with the agreements. As at December 31, 2016, the REIT was in compliance with each of the covenants 
under these agreements.  

17.  FAIR VALUES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT RISK MANAGEMENT   

(a)  The fair value of the REIT’s financial assets and financial liabilities, except as noted below, approximate their 

carrying values due to their short-term nature.  

The following table provides the classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities as at December 
31, 2016: 

Fair value
through profit 
or loss 

Loans and receivables / 
other financial liabilities 

Total 

Total 

(Fair value) 

(Amortized 
cost) 

(Fair value) 

(Carrying 
value) 

(Fair value) 

Measurement basis 

Financial Liabilities 

Credit Facilities 
Interest rate swaps 
Class B LP Units 
Deferred Units and Income Deferred Units 

$—  
2,650  
106,087  
79  

$238,541  
—  
—  
—  

$108,816  

$238,541  

$239,199  
—  
—  
—  
$239,199  

$238,541  
2,650  
106,087  
79  
$347,357  

$239,199
2,650
106,087
79

$348,015

The following table provides the classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities as at December 
31, 2015: 

Measurement basis 

Financial Liabilities 

Credit Facilities 
Interest rate swaps 
Class B LP Units 
Deferred Units and Income Deferred Units 

Fair value
through profit 
or loss 

Loans and receivables / 
other financial liabilities 

Total 

Total 

(Fair value) 

(Amortized 
cost) 

(Fair value) 

(Carrying 
value) 

(Fair value) 

$—  
4,172  
81,950  
—  

$215,878  
—  
—  
—  

$86,122  

$215,878  

$216,643  
—  
—  
—  
$216,643  

$215,878
4,172
81,950
—

$216,643
4,172
81,950
—

$302,000

$302,765

Page 20 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
The REIT uses various methods to estimate the fair values of assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value 
on a recurring or non-recurring  basis in the statement of financial position after initial recognition. The fair value 
hierarchy reflects the significance of inputs used in determining the fair values. 

- Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; 

- Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices in active markets or valuation techniques where significant inputs are 

based on observable market data; and 

- Level 3 – valuation technique for which significant inputs are not based on observable market data. 

The  following  summarizes  the  significant  methods  and  assumptions  used  in  estimating  the  fair  value  of  the 
REIT’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value: 

(i) 

Investment Properties 

The REIT assessed the valuation of the investment properties using a discounted cash flow approach 
whereby a current discount rate was applied to the projected net operating income which a property can 
reasonably be expected to produce in the future. The fair value of investment properties as at December 
31, 2016 is $461,809 (December 31, 2015 - $389,650) (Level 3).  

(ii) 

Credit Facilities  

The fair value of the REIT’s Credit Facilities is determined based on the present value of future payments, 
discounted at the yield on Government of Canada bonds, plus an estimated credit spread at the reporting 
date for a comparable loan (Level 2). 

(iii) 

Interest rate swaps 

The fair value of the REIT’s interest rate swaps which represents a liability as at December 31, 2016 is 
$2,650 (December 31, 2015 - $4,172). The fair value of an interest rate swap is determined using rates 
unobservable in the market (Level 2). 

(iv) 

Class B LP Units 

The  fair  value  of  the  Class  B  LP  Units  as  at  December  31,  2016  is  $106,087  (December  31,  2015  - 
$81,950).  The  fair  values  of  the  Class  B  LP  Units  are  based  on  the  traded  value  of  the  Units  as  at 
December 31, 2016 (Level 1). 

(v) 

Deferred Units and Income Deferred Units 

The  fair  value  of  the  Deferred  Units  and  Income  Deferred  Units  as  at  December  31,  2016  is  $79 
(December 31, 2015 - $nil). The fair values of the Deferred Units and Income Deferred Units are based 
on the traded value of the Units as at December 31, 2016 (Level 1). 

Financial Risk Management 

The  REIT’s activities expose it to  a  variety  of financial risks. The main  risks arising  from the REIT’s financial 
instruments are market and liquidity risks. The following is a description of those risks and how the exposures 
are managed: 

Market Risk  

The REIT is exposed to market risk as a result of changes in factors such as interest rates and the market price 
of the Units. 

Interest  Rate Risk - The majority  of the REIT’s debt is financed with floating rates.  Interest rate  swaps (with 
maturities  staggered  over  10  years)  have  been  entered  into  to  mitigate  interest  rate  fluctuations,  thereby 
mitigating the exposure to changes in interest rates.  

Unit Price Risk - The REIT is exposed to Unit price risk as a result of the issuance of Class B LP Units. Class B 
LP Units are recorded at their fair value based on market trading prices. Class B LP Units negatively impact net 
income when the Unit price rises and positively impact net income when the Unit price declines.  

Liquidity Risk  

Liquidity risk arises from the possibility of not having sufficient capital available to the REIT. Mitigation of liquidity 
risk is discussed above in Note 16 - Capital Management. A significant portion of the REIT’s assets have been 
pledged as security under the related Credit Facilities.  

Page 21 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  

In conjunction with the IPO, the REIT and Dilawri entered into an Administration Agreement which covers various 
operational  and  administrative  services  to  be  provided  to  the  REIT  by  Dilawri  on  a  cost-recovery  basis.  The 
Administration Agreement has a term of 5 years from the closing of the IPO and will be automatically renewed for 
successive one year terms, subject to termination rights.  

The REIT, as lessee, is committed under long-term land leases that are classified as operating leases with expiry 
dates to 2033 with minimum annual rentals as follows: 

Within 1 year .........................................................................................................................................  

After 1 year, but not more than 5 years .................................................................................................  

More than 5 years .................................................................................................................................  

$576

3,115

8,356

Total ......................................................................................................................................................   $12,047

19.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS  

The REIT was formed primarily to own income-producing automotive dealership properties located in Canada. In 
connection with the closing of the IPO on July 22, 2015, the REIT indirectly acquired the Initial Properties from certain 
members of Dilawri Group, for use as automotive dealerships, an automotive repair facility, or complementary uses, 
including restaurants, and leased these properties to Dilawri Tenants. The REIT’s independent Trustees approve all 
related party transactions in accordance with the Related Party Transaction Policy adopted by the Board. The Dilawri 
Tenants are the REIT’s major tenant and provide approximately 93.2% (2015 – 100%) of the REIT’s rental income. 

Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, Dilawri will provide, or cause to be provided, if and as requested by the 
REIT, subject to the overriding supervision and direction of the Board, management consisting of the REIT’s President 
and  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  Corporate  Secretary  and  operating  and  administrative 
support  functions.  The  Administration  Agreement  has  a  term  of  5  years  and  will  be  automatically  renewed  for 
successive one year terms, subject to termination rights. Services are provided under the Administration Agreement 
on a cost-recovery basis.   

General and administrative expenses include $771 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2016 paid by 
the REIT to Dilawri pursuant to the Administration Agreement (December 31, 2015 - $311). 

In  consideration  of  the  applicable  Dilawri Tenants  leasing  the  entirety  of  the  two  Initial  Properties  with  third  party 
tenants  (and thereby  bearing  occupancy,  rental  and  other  risks  associated  with  the  portions  of  those  properties 
subleased to third party tenants for the initial lease terms of 12 and 15 years), the REIT paid to such Dilawri Tenants 
an indemnity fee in the aggregate amount of $1,000 at time of closing of the IPO (amortizable over the term of the 
leases).  

In addition, the REIT paid Dilawri $1,800 in respect of recoverable land transfer taxes associated with the acquisition 
of  the  Initial  Properties  that  may  become  payable  by  Dilawri  over  the  3 years  following  closing  of  the  IPO. 
Subsequently this amount was adjusted to $896 (Note 8) and the remaining balance of $904 was paid back to the 
REIT from Dilawri. 

In connection with the IPO, the REIT and Dilawri entered into the Strategic Alliance Agreement which established a 
preferential and mutually beneficial business and operating relationship between the REIT and Dilawri. The Strategic 
Alliance Agreement will  be in effect so long as Dilawri  and  certain other entities related to Dilawri own, control or 
direct,  in  the  aggregate,  an  effective  interest  of  at  least  10%  (on a  fully-diluted  basis)  in  the  REIT. The  Strategic 
Alliance Agreement  provides  the REIT with the  first right to purchase  REIT-Suitable  Properties (as defined in the 
Strategic Alliance Agreement)  in  Canada  or  the  United  States  acquired  or  developed  by  the  Dilawri  Group.  The 
purchase  price  in  respect  of  a  REIT-Suitable  Property  will  be  mutually  agreed  by  the  REIT  and  Dilawri  at  the 
applicable time. Pursuant to the Strategic Alliance Agreement, the REIT acquired the following investment properties: 

  On December 23, 2015, the REIT acquired the Toyota Woodland Property from a third party and leased it to 

a Dilawri Tenant.  

  On January 14, 2016 the REIT acquired the Audi Barrie Property from a member of the Dilawri Group and 

leased it to a Dilawri Tenant.  

  On December 8, 2016 the REIT acquired the St. Bruno Audi & VW Property from a third party and leased it 

to a Dilawri Tenant. 

Page 22 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  On December 22, 2016 the REIT acquired the MB West Island Property from a member of the Dilawri Group 

and leased it to a Dilawri Tenant. 

20.  SUPPLEMENTRY INFORMATION 

Changes in non-cash operating accounts 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Prepaid expenses and other assets 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Change in non-cash operating accounts 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars) 
Interest paid on Credit Facilities 

Total interest and financing charges $7,177 (December 31, 2015 - $2,732) 

21.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 

2016 
$74 
(845) 

2015  
($557)  
3,020

$(771) 

$2,463

2016 
$6,936 

2015  
$2,480

On February 7, 2017, the REIT issued an aggregate of 4,255,000 Units at a price of $10.85 per Unit in connection 
with a public offering of Units for gross proceeds of $46,167, which included the exercise in full of the over-allotment 
option granted to the underwriters, whereby an additional 555,000 Units were issued at a price of $10.85 per Unit 
(the “February 2017 Equity Offering”). Issuance costs of $2,248 were netted against the gross proceeds. The Dilawri 
Group waived its pre-emptive right to acquire Units in connection with the February 2017 Equity Offering. 

On March 17, 2017, the REIT entered into an agreement to purchase the Go Mazda dealership property (“Go Mazda 
Property”) located in Edmonton, Alberta, for approximately $8,000 from a third party. The Go Mazda Property has a 
gross leasable area of 17,150 square-foot, full-service dealership facility located on 2.27 acres at 9704 and 9710 
35th Avenue NW in Edmonton, Alberta.  

Page 23 of 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Notes

Auditors
BDO Canada LLP
TD Bank Tower
66 Wellington Street West, Suite 3600
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1H1

Legal Counsel
Torys LLP
TD South Tower
79 Wellington Street West, 30th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1N2

Stock Exchange Listing
Automotive Properties Real Estate Investment Trust  
is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the 
symbol APR.UN. Units issued and outstanding as at  
March 20, 2017: 26,149,253 (including Class B LP Units).

Investor Contact
Bruce Wigle
Bay Street Communications
Tel: (647) 496-7856

Annual General Meeting
10:00 am, Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Toronto Region Board of Trade
First Canadian Place
77 Adelaide St. West, Suite 350
Toronto, Ontario 

Unitholder Information

Head Office
133 King Street East
Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1G6

Board of Trustees
Kapil Dilawri, Chair of the Board
Co-founder, Vice President and  
Secretary of the Dilawri Group

John Morrison, Lead Independent Trustee¹ ²
President and Chief Executive Officer of  
Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

Janet Graham² ³
Managing Director of IQ Alliance Incorporated

Stuart Lazier¹ ⁴
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer  
of Fiera Properties Limited

James Matthews
Chief Financial Officer of the Dilawri Group

Officers
Milton Lamb
President and Chief Executive Officer

Andrew Kalra
Chief Financial Officer

Registrar and Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust Company
100 University Avenue, 8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1
Tel: 1 (800) 564-6253

Notes:
(1) Member of the Audit Committee

(2) Member of the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee

(3) Chair of the Audit Committee

(4) Chair of the Governance, Compensation and Nominating Committee

I N V E S T M EN T   H I G H L I GH T S

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

 Solid platform to consolidate Canadian automotive dealership properties

 The REIT provides a unique monetization opportunity for automotive dealership owners, which is 

expected to continue to generate accretive acquisition opportunities

 Right of first refusal on proprietary property pipeline from the Dilawri Group 

 Average lease term to maturity of 14 years, based on Cash NOI of properties 

 Long-term, triple-net leases with fixed annual rent increases provide stable, predictable cash flows 

 The REIT’s properties are located in prime, high-traffic locations in strategic markets across Canada

 Portfolio properties represent 29 automotive manufacturers, providing strong brand diversification 

Automotive Properties REIT 
133 King Street East
Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1G6
T: 647.789.2440
automotivepropertiesreit.ca