Quarterlytics / Technology / Software - Application / Maple Leaf Foods / FY2010 Annual Report

Maple Leaf Foods
Annual Report 2010

MFI · TSX Technology
Claim this profile
Ticker MFI
Exchange TSX
Sector Technology
Industry Software - Application
Employees 10,000+
← All annual reports
FY2010 Annual Report · Maple Leaf Foods
Loading PDF…
MAPLE 
LEAF 
FOODS 

ANNUAL REPORT 2010

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   1

11-03-14   5:29 PM

2  Maple leaf foods Inc.

CONTENTS

  1  At a glance
Financial highlights
  2 
  3 
Segmented operating results
  4  Message from the chairman
  5  Message to shareholders
  15  Management’s discussion and analysis
  54 
Independent auditors’ report
  55  Consolidated balance sheets
  56  Consolidated statements of earnings
  57  Consolidated statements of comprehensive income
  57  Consolidated statements of retained earnings
  58  Consolidated statements of cash flows
  59  Notes to the consolidated financial statements
  89  Corporate governance and board of directors
  92 
  93  Corporate information

Senior management and officers

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   2

11-03-08   4:47 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc. 

1

at a 
Glance

Maple leaf foods is one of canada’s leading consumer 
packaged food companies, specializing in fresh and 
prepared meats, meals and bakery products. We have three 
of the top 20 canadian retail brands as well as leading 
market positions in north american frozen par-baked bread 
and specialty bakery products in the united Kingdom. 

Maple leaf foods operates three core businesses:

Our Meat Products Group comprises the 
two leading Canadian brands in fresh 
and prepared meats, Maple Leaf and 
Schneiders, as well as Maple Leaf Prime 
Naturally fresh, seasoned and prepared 
chicken and a number of leading sub-
brands. Products include prepared meats 
such as bacon, ham, sausages, and sliced 
and deli meats including a new Natural 
Selections sliced meats line, containing 
no added preservatives and simple 
ingredients. We also make ready-to-cook 
and ready-to-serve meals, and value-
added fresh pork, poultry and turkey. 
These products are marketed primarily  
in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Japan.

Our Bakery Products Group operates in 
Canada, the United States and the United 
Kingdom. The Canadian fresh bakery 
business owns Dempster’s, the #1 national 
brand of fresh bread, and produces 
nutritious fresh bakery products such 
as whole wheat, organic and multi-grain 
breads, rolls and artisan breads. We also 
own Olivieri Foods, which is the leading 
brand of fresh pasta and sauce products. 
The frozen bakery business is a major 
North American producer and distributor 
of frozen unbaked, par-baked and fully-
baked bread products for retail and 
foodservice customers. Our U.K. business 
is a leading producer of specialty 
products, producing bagels, croissants, 
and crusty and artisan breads.

Our Agribusiness Group provides raw 
material and essential services to Maple 
Leaf’s fresh and prepared meats facilities. 
This includes raising hogs to provide 
approximately 16% of the supply required 
for our primary processing. Maple Leaf  
is also Canada’s largest recycler of animal 
by-products, converting waste into  
value-added products such as feed 
supplements and fertilizers and is a 
significant producer of clean-burning 
commercial biofuels.

Maple Leaf Foods has 21,000 employees 
worldwide and operates approximately 
85 plants across North America and the 
United Kingdom.

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   1

11-03-08   4:53 PM

 
2  Maple leaf foods Inc.

financial highlights

for years ended december 31
(In millions of Canadian dollars, except share information) 

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS 

sales 

adjusted operating earnings(i) 

net earnings (loss) from continuing operations 

net earnings, as reported(ii) 

Return on assets employed(iii) 

FINANCIAL pOSITION

net assets employed(iv) 

shareholders’ equity 

net borrowings 

pER ShARE

net earnings (loss) from continuing operations 

adjusted net earnings from continuing operations (i) 

net earnings, as reported(ii) 

dividends 

Book value 

NUmbER OF ShARES (mILLIONS)

Weighted average 

outstanding at december 31 

2010 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006

4,968 

222  

26  

26 

6.8% 

2,347  

1,217  

902  

0.19 

0.76 

0.19 

0.16 

8.69 

5,222  

196  

52  

52  

5.9% 

2,416 

1,189 

1,016  

0.40 

0.57 

0.40 

0.16 

8.69 

5,243  

 5,210  

 5,325

128  

(37) 

(37) 

3.4% 

2,348  

1,143  

1,023  

(0.29) 

0.29  

(0.29) 

0.16  

8.84  

 199  

 (23) 

195  

6.7% 

 173

 (20)

 5

5.6%

2,267  

1,149  

 855  

 2,479

 994

 1,213

(0.18) 

(0.16)

0.51 

1.53 

0.16 

8.87 

135.6 

140.0 

129.8 

136.8  

126.7 

129.3  

127.3 

129.6 

0.38

0.04

0.16

7.82

127.5

127.1

40.4%

 Refer to non-GAAP measures on page 49 of Management’s Discussion & Analysis for definition.

(i) 
(ii)   Includes results of discontinued operations.
(iii)   After tax, but before interest, calculated on average month-end net assets employed. Excludes one-time direct product recall costs, restructuring and  

other related costs.

(iv)   Total assets, less cash, future tax assets and non-interest bearing liabilities.

4%

32%

11.8%

14.1%

64%

74.1%

5.7%

9.2%

52.5%

32.6%

22.9%

42%

SALES  
bY GROUp 
  64.0% 
  32.0% 
4.0% 

meat PRODUCtS

bakeRy PRODUCtS

aGRIbUSINeSS

DOmESTIC VS.  
INTERNATIONAL SALES

TOTAL ASSETS  
bY GROUp

ADjUSTED OpERATING  
EARNINGS(i) 

74.1% 
14.1% 
11.8% 

DOmeStIC

U.S.

OtHeR

INteRNatIONal

52.5% 
  32.6% 
9.2% 
5.7% 

meat PRODUCtS

bakeRy PRODUCtS

aGRIbUSINeSS

NON-allOCateD

  40.4% 
  42.0% 
  22.9% 
(5.3)% 

meat PRODUCtS

bakeRy PRODUCtS

aGRIbUSINeSS

NON-allOCateD

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   2

11-03-06   5:03 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc. 

3

segmented operating results

Protein Group
(In millions of Canadian dollars) 

MEAT PRODUCTS GROUP

sales 

earnings from operations before restructuring and other related costs 

Total assets 

AGRibUSinESS GROUP

sales 

earnings from operations before restructuring and other related costs 

Total assets 

TOTAL PROTEin GROUP

sales 

earnings from operations before restructuring and other related costs 

Total assets 

2010 

2009 

% change

3,181 

90 

1,573 

199 

51 

277 

3,381 

141 

1,850 

3,310  

55  

1,653  

206 

48  

287  

3,516  

103  

1,940 

(4)%

62%

(5)%

(3)%

6%

(4)%

(4)%

36%

(5)%

Operating Groups 
Protein Group: The Meat Products Group comprises value-added prepared meats; chilled meal entrees and lunch kits; and value-added fresh pork, poultry and turkey 
products. The Agribusiness Group includes hog production and animal by-products recycling.

Bakery Products Group
(In millions of Canadian dollars) 

TOTAL bAkERy PRODUCTS GROUP

sales 

earnings from operations before restructuring and other related costs 

Total assets 

2010 

2009 

% change

1,587 

93 

977 

1,705  

102 

955  

(7)%

(9)%

2%

The Bakery Products Group is comprised of Maple Leaf’s 90.0% ownership in Canada Bread Company, Limited (“Canada Bread”), a producer of fresh and frozen  
value-added bakery products, and specialty pasta and sauces.

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   3

11-03-06   5:03 PM

 
 
 
 
4  Maple leaf foods Inc.

message
from
the chairman

Dear fellow shareholders:  
In September 2010 the Board of 
Directors of Maple Leaf Foods approved 
a comprehensive plan that we believe 
will create significant near- and longer-
term value. This plan is the culmination 
of two years of thorough planning  
and analysis. It builds on Maple Leaf’s 
success over the past decade in 
consolidating leading market positions 
in the Canadian value-added meat and 
bakery industries and is designed to 
ensure we are competitive with a parity 
Canadian dollar. In short, it defines the 
Company’s long-term success and 
maximizes sustainable return to 
shareholders. 

It’s still early days, but so far all signs 
are positive. Management has delivered 
seven consecutive quarters of improving 
financial results since the tragic events 
of 2008 and the plan’s early-stage 
initiatives are well underway and  
on track. 

The Board will continue to monitor 
Management’s execution against the 
plan and will consider each major 
capital investment on its merits and 
according to the progress made against 
our targets as we move through the plan.

Strong governance is an important 
factor in ensuring the Company 
delivers on its earnings targets and 
commitments to shareholders. In 2010, 
there were a number of substantive 
changes to the composition of our 
shareholder base and of our Board of 
Directors. As a result, the Board initiated 
a review of governance processes and 
structure to ensure the Board reflects 
these changes. 

As part of this process, James Hankinson 
and Claude Lamoureux of the Corporate 
Governance Committee, met with many 
of our large shareholders to hear their 
views on our value creation plan and 
governance process. In early January, we 
retained a global search firm to identify 
a strong candidate for independent 
director to stand for nomination at the 
2010 Annual General Meeting. 

More recently, we also appointed 
Gregory Boland, CEO of West Face 
Capital, which currently holds an  
11.4% ownership position in Maple Leaf, 
to the Board of Directors. Mr. Boland’s 
appointment helps ensure Maple Leaf 
will continue to benefit from the 
perspective and experience of a 
significant shareholder.

This type of positive renewal has 
been active and ongoing at the 
Maple Leaf Board for the past several 
years. Since 2007, we have recruited 
three new independent directors – 
including Geoffrey Beattie, John Bragg 
and Claude Lamoureux – bringing 
considerable new skills and perspectives 
to the Board. 

The directors also have direct access 
and involvement with leaders in 
the business, both through their 
participation at Board meetings and 
through an innovative program called 
Board Connect, with each director 
spending a day a year in one of the 
Company’s businesses, where they 
get direct insights into our Company 
and engagement with our people. 
This initiative has been recognized as 
a pioneering effort to give directors 
greater understanding of the business at 
a deeper level, and unfettered access to 
operating management and their teams.

I would like to thank our Board of 
Directors, who in the past year have 
demonstrated continued passion and 
conviction to do what is right for Maple 
Leaf Foods. Our Board faced its most 
active year in 2010 in managing the 
changes to the shareholder base and 
in approving the strategy that sets the 
course for the foreseeable future. As 
a result, we entered 2011 with a clear 
and united focus on the path to deliver 
sustained value for shareholders. 

The directors and officers of Maple 
Leaf Foods hold approximately 2.4% of 
the Company’s shares, not including 
either McCain Capital Corporation’s 
31.3% ownership stake or West Face 
Capital’s 11.4%. Taken together, 
approximately 45% of the Company’s 
shares are held by members of the 
Board and/or Management and their 
affiliates. This is a significant ownership 
stake that ties our interests to those 
of our shareholders and solidifies our 
commitment to realize the full earnings 
potential of this Company.

Sincerely, 

g. Wallace f . m ccain, c. c. 
CHAIrMAn

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   4

11-03-08   4:55 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc. 

5

MeSSage TO
SHaReHOLDeRS

Maple Leaf Foods reported increased margins and earnings in fiscal 2010, despite rapid 
rises in costs of both grains and meat proteins. These results reflect the significant 
positive momentum that is building in our Company. 

To Our Fellow Shareholders: 
We enter 2011 with one of the strongest 
portfolios of food brands and products 
in Canada, a clear and compelling 
plan for future success, and seven 
consecutive quarters of improving 
results behind us. This plan will see us 
significantly improve profitability and 
competitiveness by eliminating costs 
and investing in scale and technology. 
It is achievable, measureable and 
affordable. It includes cost reduction 
initiatives that are well within our 
control and ability to execute, and is 
already showing results.

Our entire Management team is 
committed to executing on this plan and 
delivering on the promise of creating 
value for Maple Leaf Foods and its 
shareholders. Specifically, we expect  
the plan to deliver 75% margin growth 
by 2015. 

Across our organization, we are 
continuing to set global standards of 
excellence in food safety. We have been 
recognized as one of Canada’s leading 
corporate cultures. We are investing 
in product innovation and marketing 
to grow market share and build on our 
brand leadership. And we hold fast to 
our Maple Leaf Leadership Values as the 
touchstone for everything we do. 

SUMMaRY FinanCiaL HigHLigHTS 

2010 

2009

sales 
Return on net assets (Rona) 
adjusted operating earnings(i) 
adjusted net earnings per share from continuing operations(i) 
operating cash flow from continuing operations 
capital expenditures 
debt to eBITda ratio 

share price performance relative to s&p food Index 

$5.0b 

6.8% 

$5.2b 
5.9%

$222.0m 
$0.76 
$283.7m 
$162m 
2.5× 
(16.4)%  

$196.1m
$0.57
$89.2m
$163m
2.9×
(10.4)%

(i) 

 Refer to non-GAAP measures on page 49 of Management’s Discussion & Analysis for definition.

2010 FinanCiaL HigHLigHTS 
Adjusted Earnings Per Share increased 
33% in 2010 compared to 2009 due to 
continued better performance in the 
Meat Products Group. We benefited from 
robust poultry and pork markets and 
improved manufacturing efficiencies. 
While margins increased in the 
prepared meats business due to the 
success of many initiatives to reduce 
costs and increase net pricing, earnings 
were affected by lower volumes as 
consumers adjusted to higher price 
levels. In the Bakery Products Group, 
stronger results in the fresh bakery 
business were more than offset by lower 
earnings in the frozen and U.K. bakery 
operations. A number of initiatives are 
underway in both these businesses to 
increase earnings and are expected to 
contribute positively in 2011. 

We completed several debt refinancings, 
on competitive rates and terms, 
including a US$355 million private 
placement refinancing, a $170 million 
committed three-year accounts 
receivable securitization, and a Canadian 
private debt financing for $90 million,  
all of which increased the average 
maturity of the Company’s debt to  
4.2 years. Maple Leaf’s ability to finance 
on favourable terms is a reflection of the 
investment community’s confidence in 
our business and Maple Leaf’s value 
creation plan. With the existing 
revolving credit facility maturing on  
May 31, 2011, the Company is currently 
negotiating a longer-term replacement 
facility.

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   5

11-03-09   12:22 PM

 
 
6  Maple leaf foods Inc.

1.

ExECuting on 
a ClEar and 
ComprEhEnsivE plan 
for CrEating valuE

The culmination of this 
effort is a detailed strategic 
blueprint for delivering 
significant and sustainable 
value to our shareholders, 
now and over the next 
five years, by significantly 
reducing our cost structure. 

We have built leading brands and market shares 
through over 30 acquisitions in the past decade. 
While the challenges of the past few years, most 
notably the rise in the Canadian dollar, have 
impeded our ability to realize the earnings potential 
that comes with these competitive strengths, the 
underlying value of the investments is enduring.  

Adjusting our business model and our 
performance to a new normal of parity 
currency with the United States is a 
journey – a challenging one; but an 
exciting and rewarding one. Our Board 
and Management have spent the past 
two years evaluating a wide range of 
strategic alternatives for maximizing 
shareholder value and plotting the best 
course forward for Maple Leaf Foods. 
This process saw us visit over 20 leading 
plants around the world; perform a 
detailed, line-by-line assessment of 
potential savings by individual product 
category; engage over 60 internal 
and external experts; conduct over 
20 different reviews by our senior 
Management team; and undertake six 
separate Board reviews of our strategic 
direction. We have done our homework! 

The culmination of this effort is 
a detailed strategic blueprint for 
delivering significant and sustainable 
value to our shareholders, now and 
over the next five years, by significantly 
reducing our cost structure. It is a plan 
that was built from the bottom up and 
evaluated in the context of our peers’ 
performance in the food industry, which 
typically deliver EBITDA margins in the 
10% to 15% range. It is a plan rooted in 
specific cost reductions, not aspirational 
growth targets. Our plan will see  
Maple Leaf deliver margins of 9.5% 
by 2012 and 12.5% margins by 2015, 
compared to 7.3% in 2010, and returns  
on assets well in excess of the 
Company’s cost of capital. 

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   6

11-03-06   5:03 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc. 

7

TremendoUs 
GroWTh in  
shareholder 
valUe

> 75% eBiTda margin increase – based  
largely on cost take-out

Protein eBitDA

Benefits from growth/innovation  
are incremental

BAkery eBitDA

totAl eBitDA

2010 actual

2012

2015

6.8%
9.2%
7.3%

8.5%
11.5%
9.5%

12.5%
12.5%
12.5%

The plan is clear and comprehensive  
We will drive profitability and increase 
our long-term competitiveness and 
lower our cost structure by reducing the 
complexity of our supply chains and by 
investing in scale and technology.

Scale and technology investments 
were neither necessary nor affordable 
when the Canadian dollar was at $0.65 
compared to the U.S. dollar. Today, they 
are achievable and mandatory. This 
requires fully integrating our current 
manufacturing base of over 85 plants, 
and consolidating production at fewer, 
larger, dedicated plants.

Scale is essential to competing and 
winning in the North American  
food industry. We are seeing the 
advantages flowing to our North 
American competitors that have made 
this investment. Through our analysis 
and planning, we know precisely what 
scale will mean for Maple Leaf – a 15% to 
25% reduction in manufacturing costs 
and a 60% improvement in productivity. 
Aggregating our category volumes 
into large, single, high-technology sites 
using the latest in materials handling, 
robotics and packaging will create real 
and lasting change in the profitability 
and competitiveness of our business.

While the magnitude of the task is 
significant, the scope of initiatives is 
not new to the Maple Leaf management 
team. We have a deep and successful 
track record of executing complex 
initiatives, including those of similar 
size and nature as planned in our five- 
year blueprint. Of course, we are also 
mindful of risks – mostly centred on 
the demands of completing this work 
all concurrently and in relatively short 
time frames. This is where our well-
seasoned execution disciplines will  
pay dividends. 

We are making excellent progress –  
ahead of schedule and under budget – on 
the construction of our new “mega-scale” 
bakery in southern Ontario. Once 
completed in mid-2011, it will be the 
largest and most efficient bakery of its 
kind in North America. This new bakery 
will reduce overhead costs, increase 
productivity and advance our capacity 
to support new product innovation. 

The benefit of these capital investments 
will be further enhanced by the work 
already underway to simplify our 
product lines and reduce complexity. 
In our prepared meats business, we 
have launched a major initiative to 
substantially reduce the over 4,000 
different types of prepared meat 

We are making excellent 
progress – ahead of schedule 
and under budget – on the 
construction of our new 
“mega-scale” bakery in 
southern Ontario. 

Once completed in mid-2011, 
it will be the largest and most 
efficient bakery of its kind in 
North America. 

products in our system, a legacy of our 
numerous acquisitions and a regional 
supply chain network. In many cases 
the differences are minor – a slight 
difference in product size or packaging 
specifications. In some cases there will 
be a reduction in overlapping regional 
brands. We began to realize early 
benefits from this work late in 2010 
and simplification across other major 
categories will continue through 2011. 
Making fewer, higher volume products 
is also a prerequisite to ensuring we 
gain cost efficiencies from scale plants. 

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   7

11-03-08   5:12 PM

 
 
8  Maple leaf foods Inc.

INCREMENTAL  
INVESTMENT

Five-year historical average  
annual expenditures approximately  
$185 million

Base

Strategic

5-year average 
(2005–2009)

500

400

300

200

100

(In millions of Canadian dollars)

PrePAred meAtS network 
SAP

PrePAred meAtS network 
HAmilton BAkery  
SAP

$355

$145

$175

SAP 
HAmilton BAkery

$62
$100

$130

PrePAred meAtS 
network

$195

$100

2010

2011

2012

2013

The plan targets a 75% 
improvement in EBITDA 
margins by 2015. More 
specifically, we are 
targeting margins of 9.5% 
by 2012 and 12.5% by 2015.

The plan is measurable 
The plan targets a 75% improvement 
in EBITDA margins by 2015. More 
specifically, we are targeting margins 
of 9.5% by 2012 and 12.5% by 2015. This 
includes taking margins in our business 
from 7.3% in 2010 to 12.5% over the next 
five years. The EBITDA metric is not our 
primary measure of success; rather it is 
our measure of comparative operating 
performance. Ultimately this strategy 
will deliver the return on net assets 
shareholders require, well above our cost 
of capital, to create value. 

The plan is affordable 
We are adhering to a very disciplined 
approach. In the first two years of the 
plan, we expect to achieve significant 
cost savings through complexity 
reduction and the early benefits of  
near-term plant consolidations without 
major capital investments. We have 
committed to maintaining an 
investment-grade credit rating through 
the life of the plan, with a target of  
3.0× debt to EBITDA or lower. At year-
end 2010 this ratio was 2.5×. 

It’s also important to view the costs 
and benefits of this plan against the 
alternative. That’s because if we weren’t 
investing in new scale and technology, 
we would have to invest more money  
in older plants to keep them running. 
The result is an incremental new  
spend of roughly $550 million from  
2010 through 2013 to achieve a state-
of-the-art manufacturing network over 
what it would cost just to maintain the 
status quo.

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   8

11-03-08   5:17 PM

 
Maple leaf foods Inc. 

9

2.

creAting vAlue 
nOw And Over 
the lOnger term

One of the most important characteristics of our journey 
is its balance of near- and longer-term initiatives. Between 
now and 2012, we will focus on reducing product and 
manufacturing complexity, specific cost-saving initiatives, 
optimizing our pricing, and continuing the successful 
implementation of our new SAP system.

From 2012 to the end of 2013, we 
will concentrate on the more capital 
intensive phase of the plan including 
building scale in our facilities and 
investing in modern, cost-saving 
technology, in addition to implementing 
a shared services structure to reduce 
overhead costs. 

We are seeing positive results now. In 
November, we completed the sale of 
our pork processing facility in Ontario 
and announced the closure of our 
prepared meats facility in Nova Scotia. 
Early in 2011 we announced the closure 
of a small frozen bakery in Quebec, a 
small bakery in the U.K. and a prepared 
meats plant in British Columbia. These 
closures allow us to aggregate volumes 
at other plants and reduce costs. We 
are on track to commission our new 
Ontario bakery later this year, and begin 
consolidating production from three 
smaller facilities. We also completed 

the sale of our fresh sandwich business, 
which allows us to focus on growth in 
our core bakery businesses. 

We are making excellent progress on 
the implementation of our new SAP 
system that will integrate our operations 
into one world-class systems platform. 
We completed 37 installations by the 
end of January 2011, including our 
corporate functions, our frozen bakery, 
the poultry business and the first in 
fresh bakery. We have a very disciplined 
approach to implementing SAP, 
designed to minimize risk through 
starting in our smaller operations and 
the non customer-facing side of our 
business first, allowing us to gain 
experience and insights from ongoing 
implementations. So far it’s been a 
winning strategy. The entire conversion 
is expected to be substantially complete 
in 2013. 

“ This is one of the 
most aggressive and 
successful enterprise-wide 
implementations of SAP we 
have seen for a company 
of the size and complexity 
of Maple Leaf Foods. The 
implementation has been 
planned and executed 
with precision and careful 
assessment and support of 
business requirements.”  
SAP  

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   9

11-03-08   5:19 PM

 
10  Maple leaf foods Inc.

3.

DELIVERING 
STRONG 
AND IMPROVED
PERFORMANCE

BAKERY PRODUCTS GROUP

Over the past 15 years, we have  
built Canada’s largest fresh bakery 
business, the leading specialty bakery 
business in the U.K., one of the largest 
frozen bakery businesses in North 
America, and a growing fresh pasta  
and sauce business. 

Today, our bakery business is an integral 
part of our overall operations and has 
enabled us to respond to growing 
demand from Canadian food retailers 
and foodservice providers for a broader 
range of integrated product solutions.

2010 was a year of challenges in our 
frozen and U.K. bakery operations that 
impacted our overall performance. Our 
frozen bakery operations provide frozen, 
partially or fully-baked artisan and 
premium breads and rolls to retail and 
food service customers across North 
America. Sales volumes and earnings 
declined due to some transitory changes 
by some key customers. Performance in 
this business began to improve toward 
the end of the year and we expect 
improved results in 2011. 

Our operations in the United Kingdom 
produce premium specialty products, 
and the deeper impact of the recession 

Here is a summary of our financial performance in the Bakery Products Group:

TOTAL BAKERY PRODUCTS GROUP 
(In millions of Canadian dollars) 

2010 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006

sales 
adjusted operating earnings(i) 
Total assets 

$ 1,587.5  $ 1,705.1  $ 1,705.9  $ 1,510.6  $ 1,333.7
100.9
810.9

83.0 
1,003.7 

102.2 
955.5 

93.2 
976.9 

119.3 
823.1 

(i) 

 Refer to non-GAAP measures on page 49 of Management’s Discussion & Analysis for definition.

in the U.K. has challenged this business. 
We are responding by lowering costs 
through consolidating volumes, 
manufacturing and SG&A cost 
reductions. We are also increasing our 
marketing through increased promotion 
of the New York Bakery brand in 
the U.K. to drive growth in the bagel 
category. Through a relatively small 
investment we have built this business 
from a start-up to a market leader over 
the past decade. Prior to the financial 
recession of 2008, the business was very 
profitable and it will be successful again. 
For Maple Leaf in total, the U.K. bakery 
is a footprint for future growth outside 
North America, which is essential,  
long term. 

Our fresh bakery business, the largest 
segment of the Bakery Products Group, 
increased its earnings in 2010. This is an 
excellent business and Canada’s leading 

provider of nutritious, value-added 
products under marquee brand names 
including Dempster’s, POM and Ben’s. 
The focus in this business is an identical 
blueprint as our strategic plan for the 
protein operations – realize efficiency 
gains through simplification, build scale 
in our bakery network, and increase 
top-line performance through growth in 
current and new categories. Last year we 
launched a project to standardize the 
sizes of pans used for baking breads  
and rolls…again numerous acquisitions 
had created a lot of variability, resulting 
in complexity and added costs. By early 
2012 we will reduce pan sizes from 33 
today to 10, with 80% of our volume in 
three sizes. The new bakery facility in 
Ontario will significantly reduce overhead 
costs and provide additional capacity  
to support new product innovation.

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   10

11-03-08   5:37 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc. 

11

PREPaREd MEaTs FacIlITIEs

sHIFTING VOlUME  
INTO MORE 
PROdUcTIVE PlaNTs

average Plant size:

2.2×

(millions of kgs/annum)

2.2×

+

lEVERaGING NEw 
TEcHNOlOGy aNd 
PROcEssEs

such as:
•  high speed automated 

lines

•  improved food safety 

technology

•  superior support 
functions via saP

=

IMPROVEd 
PROdUcTIVITy aNd 
HIGHER skIll lEVEl

Production per person: 

1.6×

(kgs/person)

1.6×

EXISTING END-STATE

EXISTING END-STATE

PROTEIN GROUP

since 2005 our Protein Group has 
withstood considerable adversity. 

In our pork operations, we undertook 
a major restructuring to consolidate 
operations, improve efficiency, 
reduce currency risk and increase our 
competitiveness on a global level. 
This was the first focus of effort in the 
journey of adjusting to the new currency 
environment because of the immediate 
impact of the stronger currency on this 
segment of our business. Our team has 
done an excellent job and we are now 
seeing increased earnings that flow 
directly from the success of this initiative. 

In our prepared meats business, where 
restructuring efforts were put on hold 
during the product recall in 2008, we 
have a similar opportunity to 
substantially increase earnings by 
consolidating our operations and 
investing in fewer large-scale, modern 
plants. Scale and efficiency are some of 
the biggest determinants of profitability 
in the prepared meats business. 

Here is a summary of our financial performance in our Protein Group: 

TOTal PROTEIN GROUP 
(In millions of Canadian dollars) 

sales 
adjusted operating earnings(i) 
Total assets 

2010 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006

$ 3,380.6  $ 3,516.5  $ 3,536.7 $ 3,699.0  $ 3,991.6
71.9
2,254.0

103.5 
1,940.4 

87.5 
1,863.2 

140.5 
1,849.9 

59.6 
1,976.7 

(i) 

 Refer to non-GAAP measures on page 49 of Management’s Discussion & Analysis for definition.

In 2010, our Protein Group, which 
includes both the Meat Products 
Group and Agribusiness Group results, 
delivered significantly higher earnings, 
benefiting from strong performance in 
our fresh pork and poultry operations. 
In our prepared meats business, we 
implemented price increases that 
increased margins, but lower volumes 
reduced earnings compared to the 
prior year. Our Management team is 
focused on improving results through a 
combination of price increases to offset 

raw material costs, manufacturing cost 
reductions, and sales and marketing 
strategies that strengthen category 
management and build consumer 
demand. 

Our Agribusiness Group provides 
essential services to our meat facilities, 
including a supply of high-quality 
hogs and recycling of by-products into 
commercial agricultural and biodiesel 
products. These operations benefited 
from higher hog prices and reduced feed 
costs in 2010.  

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   11

11-03-08   9:15 PM

 
12  Maple leaf foods Inc.

4.

GROWING  
THE TOP LINE

Great food companies need to stay in front of consumer 
trends, innovate constantly, and drive market share growth 
through ongoing investment in brands and marketing. These 
activities are essential to maintaining our leading position in 
the market and rewarding our shareholders longer term. 

In 2010 we invested in growing the 
Maple Leaf brand, launching a series  
of advertisements that focused on our 
commitment to quality and fresh, trusted 
ingredients. In addition, we introduced 
breakthrough new products like Maple 
Leaf Natural Selections, which was 
recently chosen by consumers as one of 
Canada’s best new products of the year, 
and Prime Chicken Strips that address 
consumers’ increasing need for healthier, 
more nutritious products that are simple 
to prepare. 

In fresh bakery we extended our 
leadership in whole grain products and 
extended our brand strength into new 
segments like pitas, naans and rye 
bread. In frozen bakery we introduced 
big winners like cheese bagels. Under 
the Olivieri brand we continued to  
build our fresh pasta leadership with 
new forms and flavours. In the U.K. we 

successfully re-launched our New York 
Bakery bagel brand with new improved 
products, packaging and a highly 
effective marketing campaign that drove 
significant volume and margin growth 
in this category.

We believe in the need to strongly 
invest in consumer marketing and  
new product innovation across our 
businesses that is fuelled by deep 
consumer insights. Done well, it will 
further build consumer and customer 
preference for our products and strong 
and enduring consumer relationships 
with each of our leading brands. Maple 
Leaf Foods has three of Canada’s top 
brands. Building on this well-earned 
position with new products that taste 
great, deliver good nutrition and value is 
a pact we have with consumers, 
customers and ultimately our 
shareholders. 

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   12

11-03-08   5:44 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc. 

13

We also made good progress in 2010 in 
reducing the environmental impact of 
our operations. In Ontario, where most 
of our plants are located, we achieved a 
93% waste diversion rate. In the United 
Kingdom, our operations achieved a 
remarkable increase in landfill diversion 
from 62% in 2009 to 93% in 2010.  
We completed the full clean-up and 
recycling of all our electronic wastes  
in Ontario, sending more than 10 tonnes 
of electronic wastes to an ISO 14001 
certified recycler. We will expand  
this initiative nationally in 2011. We 
implemented additional heat recovery  
at our three plants that consume the 
most fuel. We are proud that our new 
Hamilton bakery is being constructed  
to LEED standards and our office 
building in Mississauga was awarded 
LEED Gold Certification, one of only a 
few commercial buildings to achieve this 
standard in Ontario.  

Looking FoRWaRD
As	always,	we	are	grateful	to	our	people	
for their hard work and dedication, and 
to the millions of consumers that put 
their loyalty and faith in our products 
every	day.	And	we	place	enormous	
importance on the relationships we have 
and earn every day with our customers.

Our business must be cost competitive 
if we are to deliver maximum value  
to our shareholders. That is a strategic 
imperative at Maple Leaf. We have a 
clear and comprehensive plan in place 
to realize this, a plan that is achievable, 
affordable and already producing 
improvements in our profitability  
and competitiveness. We have the 
foundation in our brands, market shares 
and people to deliver strong return to 
shareholders. We are implementing  
the plan – with discipline and focus – to 
deliver on this promise. 

Sincerely, 

Michael h. Mccain 
PReSIdent	And	
chIeF	executIve	OFFIceR	

Michael h. Vels 
executIve	vIce-PReSIdent 
And	chIeF	FInAncIAL	OFFIceR

RichaRd a . lan  
chIeF	OPeRAtInG	OFFIceR	
FOOd	GROuP	

J. scott Mccain 
PReSIdent	And	  
chIeF	OPeRAtInG	OFFIceR 
AGRIbuSIneSS	GROuP

Doing What’s Right  
Keeping our people and food safe  
is a fundamental part of our culture.  
We made excellent progress last year  
in implementing our new food safety 
strategy, including:

•	 	Further	enhanced	our	plant	sanitation	

programs, including sanitation 
effectiveness audits and weekly 
sanitation talks

•	 	Reduced	Listeria risk in all our 

ready-to-eat meat products through 
reformulation with bacterial growth 
inhibitors approved by Health Canada 
in late 2008

•	 	Attained	“A”	rating	with	certification	

to	Global	Food	Safety	Initiative	
standard at all 19 facilities audited; 
with a goal to have all facilities 
certified by the end of 2012

•	 	Implemented	training	programs	to	

increase knowledge and responsibility 
for food safety excellence across 
Maple	Leaf	Foods	

2010 marked our ninth consecutive  
year of continuous improvement in 
reportable injury frequency and an 
overall improvement of 20% across all 
Maple Leaf operations, an achievement 
that is among the best in the industry. 
We track and communicate our 
workplace safety record monthly, and we 
are proud that we have built a culture that 
prioritizes the health and safety of our 
people with continued excellent results. 

Recognizing	our	responsibility	as	a	
major food company to respond to 
issues of food security and hunger, we 
distributed thousands of pounds of meat 
and bakery products to people in need 
last year. We also invested to support 
grassroots initiatives globally in 
countries devastated by extreme 
poverty, food shortages and resulting 
health issues. Our annual Community 
Day raised funds to support youth 
leadership involved in community-based 
food security projects. The passion of 
our people for reaching out and using 
their talents to achieve positive social 
change is simply inspiring!  

CJ22144 Front_E.indd   13

11-03-08   5:45 PM

 
	
	
FINANCIAL 
REVIEW
2010

February 24, 2011

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) provides 
management’s perspective on the results of operations and 
financial condition for Maple Leaf Foods Inc. 

It should be read in conjunction with the audited annual financial 
statements and notes presented in this report.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   14

11-03-10   2:10 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc. 

15

management’s discussion and analysis

february 24, 2011

The Business

Maple leaf foods Inc. (“Maple leaf foods” or the “company”) is a leading canadian-based value-added meat, meals and 
bakery company committed to delivering quality food products to consumers around the world. Headquartered in Toronto, 
canada, the company employs approximately 21,000 people at its operations across canada and in the United states,  
europe and asia. 

OperaTing s egmenTs

The company’s results are organized into three segments: Meat products Group, agribusiness Group and Bakery products Group. 

The Meat products Group includes value-added prepared meats, chilled meal entrees and lunch kits; and value-added fresh 
pork, poultry and turkey products.

The agribusiness Group includes hog production and animal by-products recycling. 

The combination of the company’s Meat products Group and agribusiness Group comprises the protein Group, which 
reflects the results of producing and marketing animal protein-based products.

The Bakery products Group is comprised of Maple leaf’s 90.0% ownership in canada Bread company, limited (“canada 
Bread”), a producer of fresh and frozen value-added bakery products, and specialty pasta and sauces.

Financial Overview

In 2010, adjusted operating earnings increased to $222.0 million from $196.1 million in 2009, and adjusted earnings per 
share increased to $0.76 compared to $0.57 in the prior year. net earnings decreased to $25.8 million in 2010 from $52.1 million 
in 2009. net earnings in 2010 included $81.1 million of costs related to restructuring activities (2009: $31.1 million) and a 
charge of $24.9 million (2009: $nil) related to changes in fair value of interest rate swaps not designated in a formal hedging 
relationship. Basic earnings per share decreased to $0.19 per share from $0.40 per share in the prior year. all amounts are 
reported in canadian dollars except as otherwise specified.

Note: Adjusted Operating Earnings measures are defined as earnings from operations before restructuring and other related costs, other income and the impact  
of the change in fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps. Adjusted Earnings per Share (“Adjusted EPS”) measures are defined as basic earnings per  
share adjusted for the impact of restructuring and other related costs and the impact of the change in fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps, net of  
tax and non-controlling interest. Please refer to the section entitled Non-GAAP Financial Measures starting on page 49 of this Management’s Discussion and  
Analysis for description and reconciliation of all non-GAAP measures. 

The company’s adjusted operating earnings increased in 2010 compared to 2009 due to improved performance in the Meat 
products Group, primarily resulting from stronger markets and lower operating costs in the company’s poultry operations. 
Meat products Group earnings also benefited from robust north american pork markets towards the end of the year that 
generated strong results from the company’s scale pork processing facility in Brandon, Manitoba. Higher poultry and pork 
results were partly offset by rapidly rising input costs and lower sales volumes that impacted results from the company’s 
prepared meats business. In the Bakery products Group, lower sales volumes in the U.K. and north american frozen 
businesses resulted in reduced earnings; however, lower commodity costs and a stronger canadian dollar partly offset the 
impact of lower volume. 

CJ22144 MDA_EP15.indd   15

11-03-11   9:34 AM

 
16  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

Selected Financial inFormation

The following table summarizes selected financial information for the three years ended december 31:

(millions of dollars except Earnings per Share (“EPS”) figures) 

2010 

2009 

2008

sales 

adjusted operating earnings (i) 

eBITda(i) 

eBITda %(i) 

net earnings (loss) 

adjusted earnings per share (eps)(i) 

Basic eps 

diluted eps 

Total assets 

net debt(i) 

Return on net assets (Rona)(i) 

cash provided by operating activities 

cash dividends per share 

$  4,968.1 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

222.0 

364.0 

7.3% 

25.8 

0.76 

0.19 

0.19 

$  2,996.8 

$ 

$ 

$ 

902 

6.8% 

283.7 

0.16 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

5,221.6 

$  5,242.6

196.1 

349.2 

6.7% 

52.1 

0.57 

0.40 

0.39 

3,057 

1,016 

5.9% 

89.2 

0.16 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

128.4

302.5

5.8%

(36.9)

0.29

(0.29)

(0.29)

3,452

1,023

3.4%

195.5

0.16

(i)  Refer to the section entitled Non-GAAP Financial Measures starting on page 49  of this document.

diScuSSion oF FactorS impacting the company’S operationS and reSultS

Fluctuating input prices
changes in input prices across the food business were a significant driver of business performance for both the company and 
the food industry in 2010. average prices of several key commodities used in the company’s products, including fresh pork, 
hogs and crude oil, increased substantially. In order to maintain margins in its consumer packaged goods businesses, 
Management increased the prices of the company’s products, focused on operational improvements and cost management 
and in certain instances purchased commodities on a forward fixed price basis. 

Increases in the fresh pork complex were significant as the average prices of bellies, hams and trims rose more than 50% 
during 2010. These increases in fresh raw material costs placed pressure on margins in the prepared meats business, and 
increased pricing was effected to mitigate the impact.

during 2010, the company’s fresh pork processing operations benefited from higher commodity prices and demand for 
protein. as the price of live hogs did not increase at the same rate as fresh meat, primary pork processing margins were on 
average higher than last year. 

Hog producers in north america benefited from significantly higher market prices in 2010. However, the benefit of higher  
market prices was partly offset by a stronger canadian dollar compared to the average rate of 2009, which reduced the value  
of canadian hogs. 

Wheat, dairy and fuel constitute significant input costs to the company’s bakery operations. Wheat prices remained flat in  
the first six months of 2010 but increased by approximately 75% in the second half of the year. The impact of higher wheat costs 
was managed through forward contracts that provided some protection against the increases. The stronger canadian dollar  
in 2010 compared to 2009 somewhat reduced prices paid for U.s. dollar-denominated flour. dairy costs, butter in particular, 
increased significantly in 2010 and required higher prices in the U.K. and canada to offset the effect of the higher costs.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   16

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc. 

17

management’s discussion and analysis

The following table outlines the change in key commodity indicators that have impacted the company’s business and  
financial results:

pork cutout (Usd per cwt)(ii) 

composite primal values (Usd per cwt)(ii)

Belly 

Ham 

Trim 

Market price per hog (cad per hog)(ii) 

Market price per hog (Usd per hog)(ii) 

poultry market price (Usd per kg)(iii) 

poultry live cost (Usd per kg)(iii)   

Wheat (Usd per bushel)(iv) 

corn (Usd per bushel)(iv) 

soybeans (Usd per bushel)(iv) 

oil (Usd per barrel)(iv) 

At December 31(i) 

Annual Averages

2010 

2010 

77.78 

$ 

81.10 

$ 

93.94 

65.79 

70.08 

130.76 

130.44 

3.30 

1.41 

8.82 

6.29 

13.94 

91.38 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

106.38 

73.00 

77.94 

140.36 

136.27 

3.32 

1.39 

6.23 

4.27 

12.87 

79.48 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2009 

58.04 

76.61 

46.28 

42.61 

119.58 

104.42 

3.28 

1.45 

6.06 

3.76 

10.20 

61.95 

change 

39.7%  $ 

50.7%  $ 

57.7%  $ 

82.9%  $ 

17.4%  $ 

30.5%  $ 

1.3%  $ 

(4.0)%  $ 

2.8%  $ 

13.6%  $ 

26.2%  $ 

28.3%  $ 

2008

69.24

77.06

59.37

57.50

123.51

116.17

3.01

1.42

10.37

5.31

12.35

99.67

(i)  Spot prices for the week ended January 1, 2011 based on CME (Ontario hogs) or WCB (Western Canada hogs) (Source: USDA)

(ii)  Five-day average of CME or WCB (Source: USDA)

(iii) Market price (Source: Express Market Inc.) and Live Cost (Source: Chicken Farmers of Ontario)

(iv) Daily close prices (Sources: Bloomberg, CBOT, Minneapolis Wheat Exchange)

Impact of Currency
The canadian dollar strengthened 10.4% on average in 2010 compared to 2009. In general, a stronger canadian dollar 
compresses margins in the company’s primary pork processing operations, and to a lesser extent in the rendering operations, 
to the extent that revenues from export products are reduced. conversely, it decreases the cost of raw materials and ingredients 
in the domestic branded and private label prepared meats and fresh bakery businesses. The branded packaged goods 
businesses have an ability over time to react to changes in input costs through price management, cost reduction or 
investment in value-added products. However, over the medium term, a stronger canadian dollar also reduces the relative 
competitiveness of the domestic canadian packaged goods operation as imports of goods from the United states become 
more competitive and impact the margins in the company’s domestic markets. The company is not able to mitigate these 
impacts through price changes, and must seek to reduce its costs and improve productivity at least to the level of its 
competitors in the United states.

fluctuations in fresh meat prices, and in particular higher fresh pork values, result in higher input costs for the company’s 
prepared meats business. The extent of these increases in 2010 was partially offset by a stronger canadian dollar as it 
decreased the cost of ingredients priced in U.s. dollars; but on an overall basis, the canadian packaged meats operations were 
impacted by higher costs that had to be passed on to the market in higher prices.

The stronger canadian dollar in 2010 reduced earnings from the company’s primary pork processing export sales. With the 
completion of the sale of the primary processing facility in Burlington, ontario, and the consequent reduction in the number 
of hogs processed, the company’s ongoing exposure to currency-affected exports has been reduced, but not eliminated. 

Hog production operations are exposed to the U.s. dollar, as the sales value of hogs is pegged to the U.s. dollar. a stronger 
canadian dollar in 2010 decreased the selling price of canadian hogs compared to the prior year; however as almost all of the 
company’s hogs are transferred to its pork operations in Brandon, Manitoba, this resulted in an offsetting reduction to the  
price of hogs in Brandon.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   17

11-03-08   5:48 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

The following table outlines the change in currency rates that have affected the company’s business and financial results:

U.s. dollar / canadian dollar 

Japanese yen / canadian dollar 

(i)  Source: Bank of Canada daily closing rates

At December 31(i) 

Annual Averages

2010 

1.01 

81.57 

$ 

$ 

2010 

0.97 

85.24 

$ 

$ 

2009 

change 

$ 

$ 

0.88 

82.24 

10.4%  $ 

3.6%  $ 

2008

0.94

97.96

Value Creation Plan
In the fall of 2010 the Board of directors approved a comprehensive plan aimed at building significant and sustainable 
shareholder value both in the near and long-term. The plan includes specific and executable steps that have been developed 
through a comprehensive assessment of the company’s operational strengths and competitive gaps. 

Management has determined that a productivity gap exists between Maple leaf foods and larger, U.s. consumer packaged  
goods companies. furthermore, the productivity gap is primarily due to the number of sub-scale plants within the prepared  
meats network that lack the efficiency and improved technology that can be employed in larger facilities. Management has 
concluded that there is significant opportunity to capitalize on the scale of the company in the domestic canadian market 
place by producing its volume in a smaller number of larger facilities, allowing the company to earn margins consistent with 
larger U.s. processors. These changes will also protect the company from a long-term erosion of competitiveness as compared 
to U.s. competitors who may seek to enter the canadian market.

Executing a Clear Plan to Create Value
Management has a clear and comprehensive strategy to build significant and sustainable value by:

•	

•	

•	

	Significantly	reducing	costs	and	improving	productivity	and	competitiveness	by	consolidating	existing	plants	and	
investing in new technologies

	Funding	capital	requirements	from	operating	cash	flows,	maintaining	an	investment-grade	balance	sheet	and	improving	
the company’s leverage ratio

	Executing	against	a	manageable	risk	profile	–	the	cost	reduction	opportunities	result	from	investment	in	scale	and	
technologies that are widely used today in U.s. and european food companies.

The	plan	is	segmented	into	near-	and	longer-term	initiatives	–	both	of	which	will	contribute	to	the	achievement	of	a	more	
competitive cost structure, significant margin expansion and higher levels of growth. 

In	the	near	term	(2010–2012),	the	Company	is:

•	 Implementing	price	increases	and	normalizing	promotional	spending

•	 Taking	significant	costs	out	of	the	supply	chain	by	reducing	the	number	of	product	formulations	and	sizes

•	 Executing	disciplined	category	management	that	leverages	the	Company’s	deep	customer	relationships

•	 Consolidating	legacy	information	systems	into	one	integrated	SAP	platform.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   18

11-03-08   5:48 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc. 

19

management’s discussion and analysis

over the longer-term (2012–2015), the company plans to:

•	

	Invest	in	scale	and	technology	to	establish	a	low	cost	competitive	plant	network	and	close	the	gap	to	U.S.	peers	in	the	
consumer	packaged	goods	sector

•	 Realize	the	benefits	of	scale	from	a	new	fresh	bakery	facility	in	Hamilton,	Ontario,	which	will	be	commissioned	in	July	2011

•	 Construct	a	world-class	prepared	meats	facility,	commencing	in	2012

•	

	Fully	realize	the	benefits	of	SAP,	by	reducing	selling,	general	and	administrative	costs,	and	providing	better	business	
insight and increased efficiencies

•	 Accelerate	growth	through	product	innovation	and	brand	leadership.

Substantial Productivity Improvements Expected
The	plan	is	expected	to	drive	substantial	improvements	in	productivity	as	volume	will	be	moved	into	more	efficient	plants	
and	new	technologies	and	processes	will	be	leveraged.	Management	intends	to	invest	in	technologies	that	increase	
throughput,	automate	processes	that	are	currently	manual,	convert	batch	processes	into	continuous	flows	and	decrease	
movement	and	handling	of	product,	energy	use	and	water	consumption.	As	production	is	consolidated,	the	Company’s	
average	plant	will	more	than	double	in	size.	

Driving Growth through Innovation
Along	with	cost	reduction,	the	Company	is	also	increasing	its	focus	on	innovation	and	sales	growth.	Innovation	and	
marketing	will	target	higher	growth	consumer	trends	such	as	health	and	wellness,	convenience	and	changing	demographics.	
For	example,	Natural	Selections	deli	meats	was	launched	in	early	2010	and	represented	the	first	national	brand	to	deliver	all	
natural	sliced	meats.	Since	it	was	launched,	Natural	Selections	has	grown	the	Company’s	market	share	in	deli	meats	by	more	
than	35%,	and	all	products	rank	in	the	top	5%	of	the	category.	Management	will	build	on	this	success	in	other	prepared	meat	
categories.	Management	is	equally	committed	to	driving	ongoing	top-line	and	bottom-line	growth	through	both	cost	
reduction and product innovation.

Disciplined Approach to Investment
The	strategic	capital	expenditures	required	to	deliver	the	plan	are	expected	to	occur	from	2010	through	2013.	The	pace	of	the	
program	and	ongoing	investments	are	being	balanced	with	margin	improvement.	The	plan	involves	several	initiatives,	many	
overlapping,	yielding	benefits	in	the	near	and	longer	term.	Management	has	developed	significant	expertise	in	sequencing	
plant	expansions	and	start-ups,	most	recently	the	double-shifting	of	the	Brandon	pork	processing	facility	and	the	expansion	
of	the	Winnipeg	ham	processing	plant.	Management	has	planned	this	capital	program	such	that	certain	portions	may	be	
accelerated	to	take	advantage	of	opportunities	or	divided	into	smaller	segments	to	reduce	complexity	and	risk.	Management	
intends	to	fund	the	investments	in	this	plan	from	internal	cash	flow	and	existing	debt	capacity	without	issuing	equity,	and	is	
committed	to	maintaining	an	investment-grade	balance	sheet.

Several	significant,	strategic	capital	projects	have	been	identified	as	part	of	this	plan.	The	remainder	of	the	base	capital	
includes	profit	enhancing	investment	as	well	as	maintenance	capital.	The	most	significant	elements	of	strategic	capital	in	the	
plan include:

•	

•	

•	

	$62	million	spent	in	2010,	primarily	to	support	the	new	fresh	bakery	construction,	SAP	implementation	and	network	
improvements	in	prepared	meats.	This	figure	is	approximately	$18	million	less	than	previously	estimated	for	2010	mostly	
due	to	timing	of	investment	in	the	new	fresh	bakery.	Management	anticipates	that	the	majority	of	these	deferred	
expenditures	will	occur	in	2011.

	Approximately	$145	million	planned	for	2011	will	complete	the	new	bakery,	support	SAP	implementation	and	several	near-term	
efficiency	improvements	in	both	prepared	meats	and	bakery.

	Approximately	$355	million	is	expected	to	be	invested	in	2012,	a	large	component	of	which	supports	construction	of	a	new	
scale	prepared	meats	plant,	as	well	as	capacity	and	efficiency	improvements.	The	SAP-related	expenditures	in	2012	are	
expected	to	be	significantly	smaller	as	the	program	nears	completion.

•	 Approximately	$195	million	in	2013	relates	primarily	to	the	construction	of	the	prepared	meats	plant.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   19

11-03-08   5:49 PM

 
20  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

The company’s base capital expenditures are expected to range from $100 million to $175 million through this period, but 
may vary significantly depending on the pace of strategic capital expenditures. specific capital investments and returns 
continue to be analyzed and remain subject to confirmation of engineering configurations and return on investment. 
Management is committed to continuously seeking opportunities to reduce capital and increase returns. The following table 
summarizes actual and estimated base and strategic capital for 2010 to 2013 as described above:

($ millions) 

Base 

strategic 

Total 

2010 actual 

2011 

2012 

2013

$ 

$ 

$ 

100 

62 

162 

$ 

$ 

$ 

175 

145 

320 

$ 

$ 

$ 

130 

355 

485 

$ 

$ 

$ 

100

195

295

Key Financial Milestones
Management has estimated that the company will earn a consolidated eBITda margin of 9.5% in 2012 and 12.5% in 2015, 
following completion of the components of the strategic plan. as a result of these improvements, the company’s return on  
net assets (“Rona”) is expected to be in excess of 11.5% by 2015. 

following are eBITda margin targets that the company has set for its operating groups for each of 2012 and 2015.

protein Group 

Bakery products Group 

Total 

2010 actual 

2012 

2015

6.8% 

9.2% 

7.3% 

8.5% 

11.5% 

9.5% 

12.5%

12.5%

12.5%

Value Creation Plan – 2010 Progress

The company made progress in a number of areas of its value creation plan in 2010 including:

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

	Construction	of	a	scale	bakery	facility	in	Hamilton,	Ontario	commenced	in	August	2010,	and	by	the	end	of	2010	the	building	
was mostly enclosed and equipment installation had begun.  The project is on target to begin production of bakery products 
in July 2011, and Management expects to have completed the transfer of production from and closure of one of its three 
bakeries by the end of 2011, with the remaining products transitioning from the two other bakeries through 2012, with 
completion in 2013.

	Prices	were	increased	across	the	prepared	meats	and	bakery	businesses	to	protect	margins,	with	substantially	all	2010	cost	
increases covered by increases in prices by the end of the year.

	The	closure	of	the	prepared	meats	facilities	in	Berwick,	Nova	Scotia	and	in	Surrey,	British	Columbia	were	announced	in	
november 2010 and february 2011, with planned closures at the end of april 2011 and september 2011, respectively. These 
closures represent initial milestones in the transformation of the company’s prepared meats manufacturing network as 
they reduce production in small, sub-scale facilities.

	A	croissant	production	line	was	transferred	to	consolidate	production	in	an	existing	low	cost	facility	in	Maidstone,	U.K.,	
and	the	Company	plans	to	close	a	bakery	facility	in	Cumbria,	U.K.	in	the	first	quarter	of	2011.	In	early	2011	the	Company	
also announced plans to close a sub-scale frozen bakery facility in laval, Quebec and transfer production to other bakeries 
where there is available capacity.

	Early	benefits	from	product	and	formulation	simplification	in	the	prepared	meats	business	were	realized.	Management’s	
aim is to reduce complexity and costs by standardizing product formulations, sizes and specifications as well as 
rationalizing low volume products. These efforts to simplify production are a critical step in the company’s network 
optimization plans as they will allow the company to achieve the full benefits from a scale facility.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   20

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  21

management’s discussion and analysis

The company also completed the sale of the Burlington pork processing facility in november 2010. This sale of this facility 
represents the final major milestone in the transformation of the company’s primary pork processing operations. 

Systems Conversion
In January 2009, the company began an initiative to consolidate all of its information technology systems onto a single 
platform, in order to standardize processes, reduce costs and enable a shared services platform. Management selected sap 
software as its new platform and has since taken a rapid, yet carefully designed, approach to implementation. since the first 
installation in March 2009, the company has completed 37 sap installations with two business units fully deployed by the 
end of 2010. successful execution has been enabled by changing existing businesses to standardized sap processes, 
significant limitation of any software modifications, and rigorous master data controls. although Management is satisfied 
with progress to date and the performance of the installed programs, the entire program will take longer than initially 
forecasted, and now expects that the sap installation should be substantially completed in 2013, as opposed to the original 
estimate of the first quarter of 2012. This estimate continues to presume an aggressive pace of implementations, and may 
change depending on actual expense and risk profiles of individual implementations.

The following table summarizes the implementation schedule of the entire project:

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013

Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4  Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4  Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4  Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4

corporate office

U.s. frozen Bakery

fresh Bakery

Meat products Group

agribusiness Group

U.K. frozen Bakery Group

OPERATING REVIEW

The following table summarizes sales by business segment for the three years ended december 31:

sales ($ millions) 

Meat products Group 

agribusiness Group 

Protein Group 

Bakery Products Group 

Total sales 

2010 

2009 

change 

2008

$ 

3,181.1  

$ 

3,310.4 

(3.9)%  $ 

3,303.7

199.5 

206.1 

(3.2)%   

233.0

$  3,380.6 

$ 

3,516.5 

(3.9)%  $ 

3,536.7

1,587.5  

1,705.1 

(6.9)%   

1,705.9

$  4,968.1  

$ 

5,221.6 

(4.9)%  $ 

5,242.6

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   21

11-03-08   5:51 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

The following table summarizes adjusted operating earnings by business segment for the three years ended december 31:

($ millions) 

Meat products Group 

agribusiness Group 

Protein Group 

Bakery Products Group 

non-allocated costs(i) 

$ 

$ 

2010 

89.7  

$ 

50.8  

140.5   

$ 

93.2  

(11.7) 

2009 

55.4 

48.0 

103.4 

102.2 

(9.5) 

adjusted operating earnings 

$ 

222.0  

$ 

196.1 

change 

 2008

61.9%  $ 

5.9% 

35.9%  $ 

(8.8)%   

23.2% 

13.2%  $ 

29.5

30.1

59.6

83.0

(14.2)

128.4

(i) 

 Non-allocated costs comprise costs related to systems conversion and certain consulting fees. Management believes that not allocating these costs provides  
a more comparable assessment of segmented operating results. 

Meat Products Group
Includes value-added prepared meats, chilled meal entrees and lunch kits; and fresh pork, poultry and turkey products sold to 
retail, foodservice, industrial and convenience channels. Includes leading Canadian brands such as Maple Leaf ®, Schneiders®  
and many leading sub-brands.

Meat products Group sales decreased 3.9% to $3,181.1 million in 2010 from $3,310.4 million in the prior year. The most 
significant effects on sales from the prior year were the sale of the company’s Burlington, ontario primary pork processing 
operation in november 2010 and the exit of a non-core business line in 2009, which combined to reduce sales by 3.1%. 2010 
sales related to the Burlington facility were approximately $270.0 million. excluding these exited businesses and an extra  
week in the fourth quarter of 2009, sales of the underlying business increased by 1.0%. Improved pricing, due to higher  
market prices in fresh pork, increased net pricing in prepared meats, and improved sales mix combined to increase sales  
by approximately 6.4%, partly offset by volume declines that reduced sales by approximately 4.0%. The balance of the  
decrease in sales was due to the impact of a stronger canadian dollar on fresh pork prices. 

adjusted operating earnings in the Meat products Group for the year increased 61.9% to $89.7 million in 2010 compared to  
$55.4 million last year due to strong performance in primary poultry and pork processing operations and higher margins in 
prepared meats, partly offset by lower volumes. Higher earnings in the company’s fresh poultry operations were driven by 
improved market conditions and lower costs due to productivity improvements. In 2010, reduced prepared meats earnings 
resulting from rising raw materials and lower volumes were partly offset by the mitigating impact of improved processing 
margins in primary pork processing. The results of the company’s pork operations improved due to higher meat values, but  
were partly offset by higher hog prices and weaker export margins.

prepared meats earnings declined due to significant increases in raw material meat costs and timing lags in passing these 
cost increases on through increased pricing. Volumes were impacted in the short-term as consumers continued to adjust to 
new price points. However, improved net pricing, favourable foreign exchange impacts on purchases, cost containment 
initiatives and lower plant costs all contributed to offset raw material impacts and increase margins.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   22

11-03-08   5:53 PM

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  23

management’s discussion and analysis

Agribusiness Group
Consists of Canadian hog production and animal by-product recycling operations.

sales in the agribusiness Group decreased 3.2% to $199.5 million in 2010 from $206.1 million last year. lower volumes, 
predominantly in core rendering, and the impact of an extra week in the fourth quarter of 2009 more than offset higher  
sales values.

adjusted operating earnings in 2010 for the agribusiness Group increased by 5.9% to $50.8 million from $48.0 million last 
year, driven by stronger performance in hog production that was only partly offset by lower results in by-product recycling.

Hog production results increased compared to last year due to significantly higher north american hog prices and lower feed 
costs, combined with favourable forward purchases of feed grains. These improvements were partly offset by the unfavourable 
impact of a stronger canadian dollar on the sales value of hogs, lower gains on hedging activity and lower government 
support compared to the prior year. 2010 earnings included $2.7 million of government support to compensate hog producers 
for losses in prior years compared to $9.2 million in 2009. The company raised 815,000 hogs in 2010, compared to 897,000 
hogs in 2009. 

Results in by-products recycling were lower than last year due to higher raw material costs and lower volumes in core 
rendering, the impact of a stronger canadian dollar on prices and reduced eco-energy credits received from the canadian 
government. Improved biodiesel pricing and operational efficiencies partly offset these results. 

Bakery Products Group
Includes fresh and frozen bakery products, including breads, rolls, bagels, specialty and artisan breads, sweet goods, prepared 
sandwiches, and fresh pasta and sauces sold to retail, foodservice and convenience channels. It includes national brands such  
as Dempster’s®, Tenderflake®, Olivieri® and New York Bakery Co®, and many leading regional brands.

sales in the Bakery products Group decreased 6.9% to $1,587.5 million in 2010, compared to $1,705.1 million in the prior year. 
excluding the impacts of an extra week in the fourth quarter of 2009 and currency translation on U.K. and U.s. sales from a 
stronger canadian dollar, sales decreased 2.7%, predominantly as a result of lower volumes in the U.K. and U.s. operations.  
In the U.K., sales volumes continued to be impacted by lower demand for specialty bakery products and reduced promotional 
activity. In the first quarter of 2011, a significant promotion of the company’s bagel brand in the U.K. was launched to 
strengthen growth in the bagel category. In north america, lower frozen bakery sales volumes resulted from changes 
implemented by certain retail customers earlier in 2010. some progress was made in the fourth quarter of 2010 in securing 
new business and strengthening volumes. 

adjusted operating earnings in the Bakery products Group decreased to $93.2 million compared to $102.2 million in the prior 
year. Reduced earnings were primarily due to lower sales volumes. partially offsetting the impact of the volume decline was 
margin expansion, driven by lower commodity costs and the favourable impacts of a stronger canadian dollar on U.s. 
dollar-based wheat and ingredient purchases. Increased distribution costs and labour inflation mitigated growth in margins. 
Benefits from pricing activity were offset by increased promotional investment to protect market shares in a competitive 
canadian retail environment.

Management continues to focus on reducing costs and consolidating volumes into fewer bakeries. In 2010, a croissant 
production line was transferred to an existing low cost scale facility in Maidstone, U.K., a move that consolidates the majority 
of croissant production into one site and reduces manufacturing costs. The company also announced in early 2011 it will 
close a sub-scale plant in laval, Quebec and transfer production to its other bakeries where there is available capacity and 
divest a small bakery facility in cumbria, U.K.

on february 18, 2011, the company announced that it had completed the sale of its fresh sandwich business for $8.0 million, 
subject to post-closing adjustments.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   23

11-03-08   5:53 PM

 
24  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

Non-allocated Costs
non-allocated costs were $11.7 million in 2010 compared to $9.5 million last year. 2010 costs were comprised of fees related to 
research and benchmarking studies that formed the basis of the company’s value creation plan, consulting fees related to the 
implementation of sap and legal and consulting fees relating to the company’s board renewal program and the change in its 
shareholder base. Management believes that not allocating these costs provides a more comparable assessment of the 
company’s operating results. 

GROSS MARGIN

overall, gross margin increased to $739.2 million from $734.2 million in the prior year primarily driven by improvement in the  
Meat products and agribusiness segments. as a percentage of sales, gross margin increased to 14.9% from 14.1% in 2009. 
Improved gross margin in the protein Group reflected strong results in primary poultry and pork operations and hog 
production. lower sales volumes, increased distribution costs and labour inflation reduced total gross margin in the Bakery 
products Group; however, the combination of lower prices for commodities and the impact of a stronger canadian dollar 
partly offset these impacts.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 

selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 3.9% to $517.2 million in 2010 from $538.1 million in the prior year. 
as a percentage of sales, 2010 and 2009 were largely consistent, at 10.4% and 10.3%, respectively. The decrease in total 
expenses was driven by administrative cost control and lower pension expenses. partly offsetting these lower costs were 
higher expenses in the Bakery products Group in 2010, driven by increased advertising and promotional spending to support 
brands and product innovation including the launch of a significant promotional campaign in fresh bakery with hockey 
player sidney crosby as the brand ambassador of dempster’s® to promote the benefits of breads, healthy eating and good 
nutrition, and the launch of dempster’s® rye bread line in ontario. 

OTHER INCOME 

other income for 2010 was $0.2 million. other income in the prior year was $3.6 million, mostly related to insurance proceeds 
received for business interruption losses in the U.K. bakery operations.

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER RELATED COSTS

details of restructuring and other related costs for the years ended december 2010 are as follows:

($ millions) 

Impairment / sale of Burlington facility 

protein Group restructuring 

Impairment / disposal of hog genetic business 

Impairment / disposal of ontario & alberta hog production assets   

 and impairment of long-lived hog production assets 

Retention payments 

Bakery products Group restructuring and plant closures 

systems conversion 

Total restructuring and other related costs 

cash incurred and to be incurred 

non-cash 

2010 

35.7 

28.3 

– 

– 

– 

15.5 

1.7 

81.1 

34.7 

46.4 

81.1 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2009 

– 

22.3 

– 

2.1 

– 

4.3 

2.4 

31.1 

26.5 

4.6 

31.1 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2008

–

25.1

5.0

6.8

2.7

10.5

15.2

65.3

20.1

45.2

65.3

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   24

11-03-08   5:54 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  25

management’s discussion and analysis

during 2010, the company recorded restructuring and other related costs of $81.1 million ($61.2 million after-tax). of this,  
$32.9 million was an asset impairment charge related to the company’s Burlington facility and $2.8 million of severance and  
other cash costs related to the sale of the facility. $28.3 million was recorded for restructuring charges in the Meat products  
Group, including severance and asset write-downs related to the closure of the Berwick facility in nova scotia and costs  
related to the optimization of the prepared meats manufacturing network. The company’s bakery business incurred  
$15.5 million in restructuring costs, which included $10.4 million in asset write-downs, severance and retention costs related  
to plans to replace three current bakeries in the Toronto area with one facility in Hamilton. The balance of the restructuring 
costs was ongoing costs incurred in connection with previously announced restructuring initiatives of the company.

during 2009, the company recorded restructuring and other related costs of $31.1 million ($22.8 million after-tax). of these 
costs, $22.1 million related to severance and lease termination costs in the company’s further processed protein operations. 
The company’s bakery business announced the consolidation of its pasta and sandwich operations and recorded $3.5 million 
which included severances and a write-down of $1.2 million related to the discontinuance of the Martel brand name. The 
balance of the restructuring costs was ongoing costs incurred in connection with previously announced restructuring initiatives 
of the company.

during 2010, the company announced a value creation plan that includes rationalization of its supply chains and manufacturing 
facilities in the protein and Bakery packaged goods businesses. These plans will result in facility closures and related severance, 
asset write-down and decommissioning charges. Management estimated that total cash restructuring costs associated with the 
plan will approximate $100.0 million. Management anticipates there will also be non-cash restructuring charges associated with 
this rationalization which have not been quantified at this stage. 

CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF NON-DESIGNATED INTEREST RATE SWAPS

during the year, the company recorded a loss of $24.9 million ($18.2 million after-tax) due to the change in the fair value of 
non-designated interest rate swaps. In the second quarter of 2010, the company entered into $590.0 million of interest rate 
swaps. swaps totalling $330.0 million started on april 28, 2010 and have an expiry date of april 28, 2015 with an average 
interest rate of 3.34%. swaps totalling $260.0 million will start on december 8, 2011 and have an expiry date of december 8, 
2015 with an average interest rate of 4.18%. These swaps effectively fix the interest rates for five years at an average rate of 
3.71% on $590.0 million of the company’s outstanding debt. The structure of the company’s outstanding debt does not allow  
for these swaps to be accounted for using hedge accounting, therefore the swaps cannot be designated in a formal hedging 
relationship for accounting purposes. accordingly, the company is required to mark these swaps to market at each 
accounting period end, and such mark-to-market gains or losses flow through net earnings. These short-term non-cash 
earnings impacts do not reflect the economic effect of the swaps, which is to fix interest rates over the next five years. 
Management expects that future earnings will be impacted by these adjustments until the expiry of the swaps, or until they 
can be designated in a hedging relationship at a future time. 

The effect on the fair value of the interest rate swaps of a parallel shift in the yield curve is as follows:

($ thousands) 

change in fair value 

 50 bps Increase 

$ 

11,414 

 50 bps decrease

$ 

(11,693)

subsequent to year-end, the company entered into swaps to offset $330.0 million of existing interest rate swaps with an 
expiry date of april 28, 2015. The offsetting interest rate swaps were executed as new fixed rate private placement debt, 
finalized in the fourth quarter, reduced the company’s expected floating rate debt requirements by $355.0 million dollars. 
Under the offsetting interest rate swaps, the company receives an average fixed rate of 2.52% and pays a floating rate of 
interest on a notional amount of $330.0 million. These offsetting interest rate swaps effectively neutralize the mark-to-market 
income volatility on the notional amount of $330.0 million created by the existing interest rate swaps. details of the fixed  
rate private placement debt are provided in note 10 of the consolidated financial statements. 

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   25

11-03-08   5:54 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
26  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

The effect on the fair value of the interest rate swaps of a parallel shift in the yield curve which includes the impact of the  
$330.0 million swaps entered subsequent to year-end is as follows:

($ thousands) 

change in fair value 

INTEREST EXPENSE

 50 bps Increase 

$ 

4,829 

 50 bps decrease

$ 

(5,070)

Interest expense for the year decreased to $66.4 million compared to $81.2 million last year due to lower short-term interest 
rates and lower average debt balances throughout the year. The company’s average borrowing rate for 2010 was 4.8%  
(2009: 5.1%). as at december 31, 2010, 89.0% of indebtedness was fixed and not exposed to interest fluctuations (2009: 57.0%). 

INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense decreased to $17.8 million from $27.3 million in 2009 and the company’s effective tax rate increased from 
31.3% in 2009 to 35.7% in 2010. 

a reconciliation between statutory tax rates and the company’s effective tax rate is provided in note 20 of the consolidated 
financial statements. following is a discussion of certain reconciling amounts:

•	

•	

•	

	During	the	year,	the	Company	recorded	restructuring	and	other	related	costs	of	$81.1	million	(2009:	$31.1	million)	that	had	a	
tax effect of $19.9 million (2009: $8.3 million), at an effective tax rate of 24.6%. The lower tax rate was primarily driven by 
lower tax rates applied to deductions expected to be claimed in future years.

	During	the	third	quarter	of	2006,	the	Company	recorded	a	tax	expense	of	$21.2	million	to	write	down	future	tax	assets	
related to its U.s. frozen bakery business. The total valuation allowance recorded on the losses related to the U.s. frozen 
bakery business is $22.5 million as of the end of 2010.

	During	the	year,	the	Company	recorded	an	income	tax	reduction	of	$1.5	million	relating	to	a	prior	acquisition	in	its	fresh	
bakery business.

The company’s income tax rate varies and could increase or decrease based on the amounts of taxable income derived and 
from which source, any amendments to tax laws and income tax rates, and changes in assumptions and estimates used for tax 
assets or liabilities.

PENSION EXPENSE

pension expense for the year was $15.8 million compared to $17.8 million in 2009. components of pension expense are 
provided in note 21 of the consolidated financial statements.

The company operates both defined contribution and defined benefit plans. The assets of the defined benefit plans are 
invested primarily in foreign and domestic fixed income and equity securities that are subject to fluctuations in market prices. 
discount rates used to measure plan liabilities are based on long-term market interest rates. fluctuations in these market 
prices and rates can impact pension expense and funding requirements. In 2010, the company’s defined benefit pension 
plans averaged a gain of approximately 9.9% compared to 17.4% in 2009. long-term market interest rates decreased impacting 
the discount rate used to measure the plan liabilities. 

The company’s contributions are funded through cash flows generated from operations. Management anticipates that future 
cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fund expected future contributions. contributions to defined benefit plans 
during 2010 were $12.8 million (2009: $11.0 million). 

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   26

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  27

management’s discussion and analysis

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

during the year, the company recorded sales to Mccain foods limited of $3.6 million (2009: $3.3 million) in the normal 
course of business and at market prices. Mccain foods limited is partly owned by Mccain capital corporation, a 31.3% 
shareholder in Maple leaf foods Inc.

The company paid $4.9 million (2009: $4.6 million) for services in the normal course of business to day & Ross 
Transportation Group, a subsidiary of Mccain foods limited.

GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES

during the year, the company recorded incentive payments from the canadian government of $2.7 million (2009: $9.1 million)  
to compensate hog producers for losses in prior periods, and $7.3 million (2009: $12.6 million) from the canadian government 
as part of its policy to support the development of renewable energies. These incentives were recorded as reductions of cost of 
goods sold in the consolidated statement of earnings. furthermore, the company received an interest free loan of $2.0 million 
from the canadian government related to the construction of a new bakery in Hamilton, ontario. The loan is repayable over a 
period of five years beginning in 2012.

ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES 

In the fourth quarter of 2010, assets held for sale at december 31, 2009 that related to the company’s Burlington, ontario pork 
processing facility were sold. details of the assets held for sale are provided in note 6 of the consolidated financial statements.

on January 29, 2008, the company acquired the shares of aliments Martel Inc. (“Martel”), a manufacturer and distributor of 
sandwiches, meals and sweet goods based in Quebec for an initial purchase price of $44.6 million plus contingent consideration 
of up to $22.6 million, based on financial performance over three years post-acquisition. during the first quarter of 2009, the 
company finalized the purchase equation, allocating $15.4 million to the identifiable net tangible assets of Martel at the 
acquisition date and $29.2 million to goodwill and intangible assets. The acquired intangible assets included $1.5 million 
allocated to trademarks that are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years and $1.7 million allocated to customer 
relationships that are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 20 years. no amounts have been paid to the vendors in 
respect of contingent consideration.

on January 14, 2008, the company purchased the assets of central By-products (“cBp”), a rendering business located near 
london, ontario for $18.1 million. during the first quarter of 2009, the company finalized the purchase price equation and 
allocated $6.0 million to the net identifiable assets of cBp at the acquisition date and $12.1 million to goodwill.

subsequent to december 31, 2010 the company announced the following events:

•	

	The	closure	of	a	prepared	meats	facility	located	in	Surrey,	British	Columbia,	to	be	closed	on	September	30,	2011.	The	
company expects that closure costs, including severance, decommissioning and accelerated depreciation, will amount to 
approximately $12.1 million before tax, $4.6 million of which will be cash expenditures.

•	 The	completion	of	the	sale	of	its	fresh	bakery’s	sandwich	business	on	February	18,	2011.

INVESTMENTS IN CANADA BREAD COMPANY, LIMITED 

during the second quarter of 2010, the company purchased 56,700 shares of canada Bread company, limited (“canada 
Bread”) for cash consideration of $2.7 million. This purchase increases the company’s ownership interest in canada Bread 
from 89.8% to 90.0%. The company allocated $1.7 million of the purchase price to the net identifiable assets of canada Bread at 
the acquisition date and $1.0 million to goodwill. The company has not yet finalized the purchase equation for this acquisition.

on July 17, 2008, the company purchased 458,000 shares of canada Bread for cash consideration of $32.6 million, increasing 
the company’s ownership interest in canada Bread from 88.0% to 89.8%. during the second quarter of 2009, the company 
finalized the purchase equation for these purchases, allocating $11.4 million of the purchase price to the net tangible assets of 
canada Bread at the acquisition date, $1.1 million to intangible assets and $20.1 million to goodwill.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   27

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
28  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

OTHER MATTERS

on february 23, 2011 Maple leaf foods Inc. declared a dividend of $0.04 per share payable on March 31, 2011 to shareholders 
of record at the close of business on March 10, 2011. Unless indicated otherwise by the company in writing at or before the 
time the dividend is paid, these dividends will not be considered an eligible dividend for the purposes of the “enhanced 
dividend Tax credit system”.

It is currently anticipated that the full amount of the dividends to be paid in the first and second quarters of 2011 and a 
portion of the dividends to be paid in the third quarter will not be considered an eligible dividend for the purposes of the 
“enhanced dividend Tax credit system”. a portion of the dividend in the third quarter and the dividend for the fourth 
quarter are expected to be considered an eligible dividend for the purposes of the “enhanced dividend Tax credit system”. 

CAPITAL RESOURCES

The food industry segments in which the company operates are generally characterized by high sales volume and rapid 
turnover of inventories and accounts receivable. In general, accounts receivable and inventories are readily convertible  
into cash. Investment in working capital is affected by fluctuations in the prices of raw materials, seasonal and other 
market-related fluctuations. for example, although an increase or decrease in pork or grain commodity prices may not affect 
margins, they can have a material effect on investment in working capital, primarily inventory and accounts receivable. due 
to its diversity of operations, the company has in the past consistently generated a strong base level of operating cash flow, 
even in periods of higher commodity prices and restructuring of its operations. These operating cash flows provide a base of 
underlying liquidity that the company supplements with credit facilities to provide longer-term funding and to finance 
fluctuations in working capital levels.

during 2010, the company completed an agreement with a syndicate of banks, including the majority of the banks in its 
existing revolving credit facility, to augment the company’s primary revolving credit facility with a $250.0 million short-term 
bank lending facility. The short-term bank facility matures concurrently with the company’s primary revolving credit facility, 
on May 31, 2011. 

subsequent to year-end, following the issuance of new long-term debt in december 2010, the company terminated the  
$250.0 million short-term lending facility. There were no drawings on the facility on termination.

The company has $551.4 million of debt, including related cross-currency swaps, maturing in 2011. The maturities include the 
company’s main revolving debt facility in May 2011 and a bond repayment in december 2011. negotiations regarding the 
replacement of the credit facility are currently underway and the company expects the refinancing to be complete by May 2011.

The following table summarizes available and drawn debt facilities at december 31:

($ millions) 

credit facilities

Maple leaf foods Inc. 

subsidiaries 

Total Available 

drawn amount

Maple leaf foods Inc. 

subsidiaries 

letters of credit 

Total Drawn 

% drawn 

 2010 

2009

$ 

1,702.9 

$ 

1,539.1

78.6 

85.6

$ 

1,781.5 

$ 

1,624.7

$ 

903.4 

$ 

994.1

48.6  

124.9 

50.9

140.5

$ 

1,076.9 

$ 

1,185.5

60.4% 

73.0%

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   28

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  29

management’s discussion and analysis

To access competitively priced financing, and to further diversify its funding sources, the company operates two accounts 
receivable financing facilities under which it sells certain accounts receivable to an entity owned by a financial institution. 

during 2010, the company entered into a three-year, committed accounts receivable securitization facility to access 
competitively priced financing, and to further diversify its funding sources. This program replaced the existing accounts 
receivable financing facilities. Under the new facility, the company sells certain accounts receivable, with limited recourse,  
to an entity owned by an international financial institution with a long-term debt rating of aaa. The receivables are sold  
at a discount to face value based on prevailing money market rates. at year-end, the company had $292.9 million (2009:  
$174.8 million under the former facilities) of trade accounts receivable serviced under this facility. In return for the sale of  
its trade receivables, the company received cash of $156.2 million and notes receivable in the amount of $136.7 million.

The program is subject to certain restrictions and requires the maintenance of certain debt ratios. The company was in 
compliance with all of the requirements of the program during 2010. These facilities are accounted for as an off-balance sheet 
transaction under canadian Gaap and will continue to be accounted for in the same manner under IfRs effective January 1, 2011. 

Where cost effective to do so, the company may finance automobiles, manufacturing equipment, computers and office 
equipment with operating lease facilities. 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

capital expenditures for 2010 were $162.3 million, consistent with 2009 spend of $162.9 million. 

a significant portion of the strategic investment made by the company in 2010 was related to the implementation of  
sap, which is replacing and harmonizing the company’s systems across all its businesses. since beginning this 
enterprise-wide implementation, the company has completed 37 sap installations across the company, with two business 
units now fully deployed.

The second major contributor to strategic spend in 2010 was the company’s investment in the construction of its new 
large-scale fresh bakery facility in Hamilton, ontario. construction of a scale bakery facility in Hamilton, ontario commenced 
in august 2010, and by the end of 2010 the building was mostly closed in and equipment installation had begun. The project 
is on target to begin production of bakery product in July 2011, and Management expects to have completed the transfer of 
production from and closure of one of its three bakeries near Toronto, ontario, by the end of 2011, with the remaining 
products from the two other bakeries by early 2013.

other projects were undertaken by the company during 2010 related to profit enhancement and supply chain optimization. 

overall, the company’s investment in property and equipment in 2010 was lower than originally planned, largely driven by 
timing shifts in spend related to strategic initiatives, mostly due to timing of investment in the new fresh bakery. 
Management anticipates that the majority of  these deferred expenditures will occur in 2011.

CASH FLOW AND FINANCING

Total debt, net of cash balances, as at december 31, 2010 was $901.8 million, compared to $1,015.6 million as at december 31, 
2009. The decrease in debt for the year is due to cash flow from operations and the impact of changes in foreign exchange 
rates on U.s. dollar-denominated debt, offset by investment in property and equipment.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities
cash flow from continuing operations for the year was $283.7 million compared to $89.2 million last year. cash generated  
from operating activities was higher mainly due to lower working capital levels in 2010 as the company continues to manage 
the working capital balances, negative changes to the fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps and an increase in 
impairments and accelerated depreciation charges included in restructuring and other related costs.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   29

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
30  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

Cash Flow from Financing Activities
cash flow from financing activities was an outflow of $164.5 million for the year ended december 31, 2010 compared to an 
outflow of $283.0 million in the prior year. The change is mainly due to the repayment of maturing debt in 2009 that was not 
refinanced during the same year. The company refinanced the 2009 and 2010 maturities throughout 2010.

In april 2010 and May 2010, the company issued notes payable of $75.0 million, bearing interest at 6.08% per annum and 
notes payable of $15.0 million, bearing interest at 5.76% per annum, respectively. The notes payable are due in april 2015. 

during the fourth quarter of 2010, the company issued or agreed to issue notes payable in tranches of canadian and  
U.s. dollar denominations totalling approximately $355.0 million. proceeds totalling $37.0 million were received on  
december 16, 2010 and the remaining proceeds were received on January 4, 2011. Maturities of the notes range from 2015  
to 2021. 

The notes are unsecured and were issued to institutional investors in canada and the United states. The company effectively 
converted the U.s. dollar-denominated notes (Us$213 million) into canadian dollar-denominated debt of cad$215 million 
through the use of cross-currency interest rate swaps. The average canadian interest rate for the entire financing after taking 
account of the cross-currency swaps is 5.99%.

The company’s debt facilities are subject to certain restrictions and require the maintenance of certain debt and cash flow 
ratios. The company was in compliance with all of the requirements of its lending agreements during 2010. at the end of the 
year, net debt to eBITda excluding the change in fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps was 2.5x (2009: 2.9x) and 
net debt to eBITda including the change in fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps was 2.7x (2009: 2.9x). 

Cash Flow from Investing Activities
cash flow from investing activities was an outflow of $160.1 million compared to an outflow of $137.8 million in the prior 
period, principally due to investments in property and equipment of $162.3 million (2009: $162.9 million), partly offset by 
proceeds on the sale of property and equipment in 2009 that did not occur in 2010.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table provides information about certain of the company’s significant contractual obligations as at  
december 31, 2010:

payments due by fiscal year:

($ millions) 

long-term debt 

cross-currency swaps related to  

Total 

2011 

2012 

 2013 

  2014 

  2015 

after
2015  

$ 885.9 

$  496.8 

$ 

6.0 

$ 

5.7 

$  208.6 

$ 

103.5 

$ 

65.3

 long-term debt 

  96.1 

54.6 

– 

– 

37.6 

– 

3.9 

contractual obligations including leases 

  344.1 

68.6 

$ 1,326.1 

$  620.0 

$ 

55.1 

61.1 

$ 

45.7 

51.4 

36.8 

29.3 

108.6

$  283.0 

$ 

132.8 

$ 

177.8

 $ 982.0 

$  551.4 

$ 

6.0 

$ 

5.7 

$  246.2 

$ 

103.5 

$ 

69.2

Management is of the opinion that its cash flow and sources of financing provide the company with sufficient resources  
to finance ongoing business requirements and its planned capital expenditure program for at least the next 12 months. 
additional details concerning financing are set out in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. 

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   30

11-03-08   5:56 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc. 

31

management’s discussion and analysis

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES(i)

Through the normal course of business the company is exposed to financial and market risks that have the potential to affect 
its operating results. In order to manage these risks the company operates under risk management policies and guidelines 
which govern the hedging of price and market risk in the foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity markets as well as 
funding and investing activities. 

The company engages in hedging to manage price and market risk associated with core operating exposures, and does not 
engage in significant trading activity of a speculative nature.

The company’s Risk Management committee meets frequently to discuss current market conditions, review current hedging 
programs and trading activity, and approve any new hedging or trading strategies. 

In order to limit the impact of market price fluctuations on operating results, the majority of core hedging programs are 
designated as hedging relationships and managed as part of the company’s hedging accounting portfolio.

Capital
The company’s objective is to maintain a cost effective capital structure that supports its long-term growth strategy and 
maximizes operating flexibility. In allocating capital to investments to support its earnings goals, the company establishes 
internal hurdle return rates for capital initiatives. capital projects are generally financed with senior debt and internal cash flows.

The company uses leverage in its capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The company’s goal is to maintain its 
primary credit ratios and leverage at levels that are designed to provide continued access to investment-grade credit pricing 
and terms. The company measures its credit profile using a number of metrics, primarily net debt to eBITda and eBITda to 
interest expense. 

In addition to senior debt and equity, the company may use operating leases and limited recourse accounts receivable 
securitization programs as additional sources of financing. 

The company has maintained a stable dividend distribution that is based on the sustainable net earnings base. from time to 
time, the company has purchased shares for cancellation pursuant to normal course issuer bids and to satisfy awards under 
its Restricted share Unit plan, an equity compensation program established in 2006. The company did not purchase any 
shares in 2010.

for the year ended december 31, 2010, total equity increased by $28.3 million to $1,217.4 million. during the same period, total 
debt net of cash and cash equivalents decreased by $113.9 million to $901.8 million.

Credit Risk
credit risk refers to the risk of losses due to failure of the company’s customers and counterparties to meet their  
payment obligations. 

In the normal course of business, the company is exposed to credit risk from its customers, substantially all of which are in the 
grocery and foodservice markets. The company performs ongoing credit evaluations of new and existing customers’ financial 
condition and reviews the collectability of its trade accounts receivable and other receivables in order to mitigate any possible 
credit losses. as at december 31, 2010 approximately $8.2 million (2009: $12.5 million) of the company’s accounts receivable 
were greater than 60 days past due. The company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts that represents its estimate  
of uncollectible amounts. The components of this allowance include a provision related to specific losses estimated on 
individually significant exposures and a provision based on historical trends of collections. as at december 31, 2010, the 
company has recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $6.8 million (2009: $10.2 million). average accounts receivable days 
sales outstanding for the year is consistent with historic trends. There are no significant impaired accounts receivable that have 
not been provided for in the allowance for doubtful accounts. The company believes that the allowance for uncollectible 
accounts sufficiently covers any credit risk related to past due or impaired accounts receivable balances.

Management believes concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the credit quality of 
the company’s major customers, as well as the large number and geographic dispersion of smaller customers. The company 
does, however, conduct a significant amount of business with a small number of large grocery retailers. The company’s five 
largest customers comprise approximately 39.8% of consolidated pre-securitized accounts receivable at december 31, 2010 
(2009: 42.7%) and the two largest customers comprise approximately 20.4% (2009: 21.2%) of consolidated sales.

(i) 

 For a comprehensive discussion on the Company’s risk management practices and derivative exposures, please refer to the Financial Instruments note in  
the Financial Statements.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   31

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
32  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

The company is exposed to credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents (comprising primarily deposits and short-term 
placements with canadian chartered banks) and non-exchange-traded derivatives contracts. The company mitigates this 
credit risk by only dealing with counterparties that are major international financial institutions with long-term debt ratings  
of single a or better.

The company’s maximum exposure to credit risk at the balance sheet date consists primarily of the carrying value of 
non-derivative financial assets and non-exchange-traded derivatives with positive fair values.

Liquidity Risk
liquidity risk is the risk that the company will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. 

The company manages liquidity risk by monitoring forecasted and actual cash flows, reducing reliance on any single source 
of credit, maintaining sufficient undrawn committed credit facilities and managing the maturity profiles of financial assets 
and financial liabilities to minimize re-financing risk.

as at december 31, 2010, the company had available undrawn committed credit of $683.7 million under the terms of its  
principal banking arrangements. These banking arrangements, which mature in May 2011, are subject to certain covenants  
and other restrictions. 

Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk refers to the risk that the value of a financial instrument or cash flows associated with the instrument will 
fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. The company does from time to time enter into interest rate swaps to 
manage its current and anticipated market exposure, and to achieve an overall desired borrowing rate.

The company’s interest rate risk arises from short- and long-term borrowings issued at fixed rates that create fair value 
interest rate risk, and variable rate borrowings that create cash flow interest rate risk. The company actively monitors  
the market to ensure that the desired overall funding rate, as well as the targeted proportionate fixed to variable debt  
mix is achieved.

as at december 31, 2010, 89% of the company’s outstanding debt was not exposed to interest rate movements (2009: 57%).

Foreign Exchange Risk
foreign exchange risk refers to the risk that the value of financial instruments or cash flows associated with the instruments 
will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The company enters into currency derivative agreements to manage 
its current and anticipated exposures in the foreign exchange markets.

The company’s foreign exchange risk arises primarily from transactions in currencies other than canadian dollars. The 
primary currencies that the company is exposed to are the U.s. dollar through U.s.-denominated sales and borrowings, and 
the British pound and Japanese yen.

The company uses cross-currency interest rate swaps to mitigate its exposure to changes in exchange rates related to  
U.s. dollar-denominated debt. These swaps are used primarily to effectively convert fixed-rate U.s. dollar-denominated notes 
payable to fixed-rate notes denominated in canadian dollars, and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. 

The company uses foreign exchange forward contracts to manage exposures arising from product sales in the U.s. and Japan.  
all forward contracts in U.s. dollars and Japanese yen that are designated as hedges within the company’s hedge accounting 
portfolio are accounted for as cash flow hedges.

Commodity Price Risk
The company is directly exposed to price fluctuations in commodities such as wheat, live hogs, fuel costs and the purchase of 
other agricultural commodities used as raw materials such as feed grains and wheat. In order to minimize the impact of these 
price fluctuations on the company’s operating results, the company may use fixed price contracts with suppliers, 
exchange-traded futures and options, and over the counter derivatives products.

derivatives designated as a hedge of an anticipated or forecasted transaction are accounted for either as cash flow or fair 
value hedges, and managed within the company’s hedge accounting portfolio.

The company applies the “normal purchase” classification in canadian Gaap to certain contracts that are entered into for 
the purpose of procuring commodities to be used in production.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   32

11-03-06   5:09 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  33

management’s discussion and analysis

SEASONALITY

The company is sufficiently large and diversified that seasonal factors within each operation and business tend to offset each 
other and in isolation do not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated earnings. for example, pork processing 
margins tend to be higher in the last half of the year when hog prices historically decline, and as a result, earnings from hog 
production operations tend to be lower. strong demand for grilled meat products positively affects the fresh and processed 
meats operations in the summer, while back-to-school promotions support increased sales of bakery, sliced meats and lunch 
items in the fall. Higher demand for turkey and ham products occurs in the spring and fourth quarter holiday seasons.

SHARE CAPITAL AND DIVIDENDS

during the second quarter of 2009, the company amended its articles to change its authorized capital by creating an 
unlimited number of preference shares issuable in one or more series. no preference shares have been issued.

during 2010, a major shareholder converted 22,000,000 non-voting common shares to common shares, and in the fourth 
quarter of 2010, 2,947,367 common share purchase warrants were exercised resulting in the issuance of 2,947,367 common 
shares. as at december 31, 2010, there were 140,044,089 voting common shares issued and outstanding (2009: 114,774,802) 
and no non-voting common shares issued and outstanding (2009: 22,000,000). following the exercise of warrants in the 
fourth quarter, there are no further warrants outstanding and unexercised.

In each of the quarters of 2010, the company declared and paid cash dividends of $0.04 per common share (voting and 
non-voting). This represents a total dividend of $0.16 per common share (voting and non-voting) and aggregate dividend 
payments of $21.7 million (2009: $20.9 million).

PRIVATE EQUITY UNIT PLACEMENT 

on december 16, 2008 the company completed the issuance, on a private placement basis, of 7,368,421 units at a price of 
$9.50 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $70 million. each unit consisted of one subscription receipt for common shares 
and 0.4 common share purchase warrant. each subscription receipt entitled the holder to receive one common share of the 
company on august 4, 2009 or, at the election of the company, the return in cash of $9.50 per subscription receipt. each 
whole common share purchase warrant is exercisable into one common share of the company until december 16, 2010 at a 
price of $9.50 per common share. The net proceeds after issuance costs were used for general corporate purposes. 

on august 4, 2009, the company issued 7,368,421 common shares in satisfaction of the subscription receipts that were issued 
on december 16, 2008. This decision, made by an independent committee of the Board of directors, reflected the company’s 
approach to ensuring that it maintains an appropriate mix of equity and debt in its capital structure and that these levels are 
maintained over time.

on december 14, 2010, the above common share purchase warrants were exercised into common shares of the company.  
The company received net proceeds of $28.0 million on the exercise of the warrants.

ENVIRONMENT

Maple leaf is committed to maintaining high standards of environmental responsibility and positive relationships in the 
communities where it operates. each of its businesses operates within the framework of an environmental policy entitled 
“our environmental commitment” that is approved by the Board of directors’ environment, Health and safety committee. 
The company’s environmental program is monitored on a regular basis by the committee, including compliance with 
regulatory requirements, the use of internal environmental specialists and independent, external environmental experts. In 
2010, the company completed deployment of its environmental excellence program at more than 90% of its manufacturing 
facilities. This program establishes a standard environmental management system across the company’s various business 
interests. The company continues to invest in environmental infrastructure related to water, waste and air emissions to 
ensure that environmental standards continue to be met or exceeded, while implementing procedures to reduce the impact of 
operations on the environment. expenditures related to current environmental requirements are not expected to have a 
material effect on the financial position or earnings of the company. However, there can be no assurance that certain events 
will not occur that will cause expenditures related to the environment to be significant and have a material adverse effect on 
the company’s financial condition or results of operations. such events could include, but not be limited to additional 
environmental regulation or the occurrence of an adverse event at one of the company’s locations. 

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   33

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
34  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

as a large food company there are health, environmental and social issues that go beyond short-term profitability that 
Management believes must shape its business if the company is to realize a sustainable future. on the environmental front, 
the company is undertaking multiple initiatives in conjunction with key customers to reduce packaging, track greenhouse gas 
emissions and the mileage it takes to produce and deliver food products. Increasingly sound environmental practices are 
becoming a key component of maintaining a competitive advantage. In 2009, the company completed a comprehensive 
planning process to establish its environmental sustainability priorities and develop longer-term environmental objectives. 
While this process was briefly delayed due to product recall activities, priorities such as greenhouse gas and energy 
management, water conservation, waste reduction, packaging and supply chain environmental sustainability were established. 

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

following is a summary of unaudited quarterly financial information (in thousands of dollars except per share information):

first  
Quarter 

second 
Quarter 

Third 
Quarter 

fourth
Quarter 

Total

2010  $ 
2009 
2008 

1,191,507  $ 
1,279,299 
1,203,263 

1,271,366  $ 
1,320,803 
1,355,301 

1,293,211  $  1,212,035  $  4,968,119
5,221,602
1,324,903 
 1,296,597 
  5,242,602
1,339,704 
1,344,334 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2010 
2009 
2008 

2010 
2009 
2008 

2010 
2009 
2008 

2010 
2009 
2008 

2010 
2009 
2008 

2010 
2009 
2008 

2010 
2009 
2008 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

8,754 
2,871 
(10) 

8,754 
2,871 
(10) 

0.06 
0.02 
0.00 

0.09 
0.05 
0.04 

0.06 
0.02 
0.00 

0.06 
0.02 
0.00 

0.06 
0.02 
0.00 

2,967 
4,899 
(9,353) 

2,967 
4,899 
(9,353) 

$ 

(16,078)  $ 

22,457 
(12,919) 

$ 

(16,078)  $ 

22,457 
(12,919) 

30,179  $ 
21,920 
(14,575)   

30,179  $ 
21,920 
(14,575)   

25,822
52,147
(36,857)

25,822
52,147
(36,857)

0.02 
0.04 
(0.07) 

0.17 
0.12 
(0.01) 

0.02 
0.04 
(0.07) 

0.02 
0.04 
(0.07) 

0.02 
0.04 
(0.07) 

$ 

(0.12)  $ 

0.17 
(0.10) 

$ 

0.23 
0.21 
0.13 

$ 

$ 

(0.12)  $ 

$ 

$ 

0.17 
(0.10) 

(0.12)  $ 

0.17 
(0.10) 

(0.12)  $ 

0.17 
(0.10) 

0.22  $ 
0.16 
(0.12)   

0.27  $ 
0.19 
0.12 

0.22  $ 
0.16 
(0.12)   

0.21  $ 
0.16 
(0.12)   

0.21  $ 
0.16 
(0.12)   

0.19
0.40
(0.29)

0.76
0.57
0.29

0.19
0.40
(0.29)

0.19
0.39
(0.29)

0.19
0.39
(0.29)

sales 

net earnings (loss) from continuing  
 operations 

net earnings (loss) 

earnings per share
 Basic from continuing operations(i) 

 adjusted eps from continuing
  operations(i)(ii) 

 Total Basic(i) 

 diluted from continuing operations(i) 

 Total diluted(i) 

(i)  May not add due to rounding.

(ii)  Refer to Non-GAAP Measures starting on page 49.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   34

11-03-08   5:59 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  35

management’s discussion and analysis

Quarterly sales and net earnings in 2010 were impacted by the following significant items:

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

	the	appreciation	of	the	Canadian	dollar	relative	to	the	U.S.	dollar	and	the	British	pound	reduced	the	sales	value	of	fresh	
pork	and	frozen	bakery	products	sold	in	the	U.S.	and	the	U.K.

	lower	sales	volumes	in	prepared	meats	as	consumers	adjust	to	new	price	levels	following	price	adjustments	implemented	 
in the second and third quarters of 2010 

	the	exit	of	a	non-core	business	line	in	prepared	meats	at	the	end	of	2009

	lower	sales	volumes	of	frozen	bakery	products	in	the	U.S.	and	the	U.K.

	better	poultry	results	due	to	higher	market	prices	and	improved	operations	although	market	impacts	were	less	favourable	
in the fourth quarter

	improved	results	in	hog	production	operations	reflecting	stronger	hog	market	prices	and	better	feed	costs

	lower	earnings	in	primary	pork	processing	operations	due	to	the	unfavourable	impact	of	a	stronger	Canadian	dollar	and	
weaker	export	markets

	a	pre-tax	loss	of	$24.9	million	($18.2	million	after-tax)	due	to	the	change	in	fair	value	of	non-designated	interest	rate	swaps

	pre-tax	charges	of	$81.1	million	($61.2	million	after-tax)	due	to	restructuring	and	other	related	costs.	The	majority	of	these	
costs	related	to	the	write-down	of	Burlington	pork	plant	assets	and	severances	related	to	the	prospective	closure	of	three	
Ontario	bakeries	or	incurred	with	respect	to	the	Company’s	network	optimization	initiatives.

Quarterly	sales	and	net	earnings	in	2009	were	impacted	by	the	following	significant	items:

•	

•	

•	

•	

•	

	strategic	divestiture	of	hog	production	operations	in	2008

	price	increases	implemented	in	2008	in	response	to	escalating	input	costs	in	the	Bakery	Products	Group

	a	product	recall	that	occurred	in	the	prepared	meats	business	in	August	2008	and	the	progress	made	in	the	recovery	
throughout	2009

	normalization	of	bakery	margins	in	2009	due	mostly	to	the	combination	of	prior	year	price	increases	and	the	decline	in	
commodity costs

	the	benefits	realized	from	the	restructure	of	hog	production	and	primary	pork	processing	as	the	Company	largely	
completed	its	three-year	strategy	to	refocus	its	operations	on	value-added	meat,	meals	and	bakery	businesses

•	

	increased	earnings	in	the	poultry	operations	due	to	better	markets	and	lower	operating	costs

For	an	explanation	and	analysis	of	quarterly	results,	refer	to	Management’s	Discussion	&	Analysis	for	each	of	the	respective	
quarterly	periods	filed	on	SEDAR	and	also	available	on	the	Company’s	website	at	www.mapleleaf.ca.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   35

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
36  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

Summary of 2010 Fourth Quarter Results
following is a summary of sales by business segment:

($ thousands) 

Meat products Group 

agribusiness Group 

Protein Group 

Bakery Products Group 

sales 

following is a summary of adjusted operating earnings by business segment:

($ thousands) 

Meat products Group 

agribusiness Group 

Protein Group 

Bakery Products Group 

non-allocated costs(i) 

adjusted operating earnings 

fourth Quarter

2010 

2009

$  762,561 

$  842,175

56,167 

$  818,728 

393,307 

$  1,212,035 

50,686

$  892,861

  432,042

$ 1,324,903

fourth Quarter

2010 

2009

$ 

39,513 

$ 

24,244

14,731 

14,505

$ 

54,244 

$ 

38,749

22,296 

(5,097) 

21,896

(2,805)

$ 

71,443 

$ 

57,840

(i)  Non-allocated costs comprise costs related to systems conversion and consulting fees. Management believes that not allocating these costs provides a more  

comparable assessment of segmented operating results. 

sales for the fourth quarter decreased 8.5% to $1,212.0 million compared to $1,324.9 million last year. excluding the impacts of an 
extra week in the fourth quarter of 2009, the divestiture of the Burlington pork facility and the exit of a non-core business line, 
sales increased by approximately 2.6% in the quarter. favourable pricing, largely in primary pork processing, and improved sales 
mix driven by prepared meats and U.K. bakery operations, had the combined effect of increasing total sales by approximately 
6.0%, however this was offset by lower volumes and unfavourable currency translation on sales in the U.s. and U.K. due to the 
strong canadian dollar. Volumes in prepared meats declined in the quarter as consumers continue to adjust to new points that 
resulted from feature price increases taken in 2010. 

adjusted operating earnings in the quarter increased by 23.5% to $71.4 million compared to $57.8 million last year, due to 
material earnings growth in the Meat products Group. performance in the Bakery products Group was slightly ahead of last 
year, while the earnings in the agribusiness Group were consistent with prior year. 

strong earnings performance in primary pork processing operations contributed to the positive results of the Meat products 
Group, despite substantial raw material increases and lower volumes in prepared meats. favourable hog market conditions in 
north america and improved pricing contributed to the strong performance in pork processing. Margins in the prepared 
meats business continued to be pressured by further increases in raw material meat costs; however, improved net pricing and 
lower plant costs mitigated this impact. 

net earnings increased by 37.7% to $30.2 million or $0.22 basic earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to 
net earnings of $21.9 million or $0.16 basic earnings per share last year.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   36

11-03-08   6:05 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  37

management’s discussion and analysis

RISK FACTORS

The company operates in the food processing and agricultural business, and is therefore subject to risks and uncertainties 
related to this business that may have adverse effects on the company’s results of operations and financial condition. The 
following risk factors should be considered carefully. These risk factors and other risks and uncertainties not currently known 
to the company, or that the company currently considers immaterial, could materially and adversely affect the company’s 
future operating results and could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information 
(including any financial outlooks) relating to the company. 

Risks Related to the Business of Maple Leaf
Implementing the Company’s Comprehensive Value Creation Plan
The company’s value creation plan announced in october 2010 is complex, lengthy and transformational. although the 
company has experience implementing complex projects and plans, there can be no assurance that the company will be 
successful in executing the value creation plan and achieving its expected benefits. as with any complex project or plan, 
events will transpire outside the company’s control that were not anticipated or expected when the value creation plan was 
launched such as changes in the competitive landscape, changes in foreign exchange rates and other unforeseen events. If the 
value creation plan is unsuccessful or implemented or executed incorrectly or if the benefits of the plan are not fully achieved, 
it could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

In particular, the value creation plan entails the construction of two large-scale facilities, one of which is currently in progress.  
The construction and start-up of new plants presents a number of risks including: errors in the assessment of labour rates and 
other operating costs, cost overruns in construction, delays in completion of the project, disruptions to service levels during 
the construction period, loss of reputation with customers and adverse impacts on the quality of the company’s products. as 
a result of the construction of these two facilities, the company’s operations will be more concentrated in a fewer number  
of facilities resulting in the risk that any unforeseen disruption in such facilities could have a greater effect on the operations 
of the company as whole. In addition, as part of the value creation plan, the company has announced the closure of some 
existing plants. It is likely that additional existing plants will also be closed. The closure of existing plants carries risks such as 
inaccurate assessments of the costs of decommissioning, disruptions in service during closure and errors in the estimates of 
residual value of the assets. In addition, to facilitate the plan, the company may decide to divest portions of its business. There 
is no guarantee that any such divestiture will not result in a material impact to the company’s operations. altogether, these 
risks could result in a material adverse impact to the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The value creation plan requires strategic capital expenditures (over and above base or maintenance capital) which are 
currently estimated to be approximately $775 million between 2010 and 2013 inclusive. While the pace of spending will be 
balanced with margin improvement, with interim margin targets achieved before committing to new levels of capital 
investment, and while the company believes it has the underlying cash flow and balance sheet strength required to support 
the capital investments with no incremental requirement for new capital from shareholders, there can be no assurance that 
the capital required to implement the plan will be available as and when required or on commercially reasonable or 
acceptable terms.

Systems Conversion and Standardization
The company regularly implements process improvement initiatives to simplify and harmonize its systems and processes to 
optimize performance. The company is currently undertaking an initiative to replace its information systems with sap, an 
integrated enterprise-wide computing system. The company has dedicated considerable resources to the implementation of  
sap and carefully designed an implementation plan to reduce operational disruptions. However, there can be no guarantee that 
the implementation will not disrupt the company’s operations, or be completed within the identified period of time and budget. 
In addition, there cannot be any guarantee that the implementation will improve current processes or operating results. any of 
these failures could have a material adverse impact on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   37

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
38  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

Food Safety and Consumer Health

The company is subject to risks that affect the food industry in general, including risks posed by food spoilage, accidental 
contamination, product tampering, consumer product liability, and the potential costs and disruptions of a product recall.  
The company’s products are susceptible to contamination by disease-producing organisms, or pathogens, such as E. Coli, 
Salmonella and Listeria. There is a risk that these pathogens, as a result of food processing, could be present in the company’s 
products. The company actively manages these risks by maintaining strict and rigorous controls and processes in its 
manufacturing facilities and distribution systems and by maintaining prudent levels of insurance. However, the company 
cannot assure that such systems, even when working effectively, will eliminate the risks related to food safety. The company 
could be required to recall certain of its products in the event of contamination or adverse test results, similar to the recall in 
2008, or as precautionary measures, similar to the recalls in 2009. any product contamination could subject the company to 
product liability claims, adverse publicity and government scrutiny, investigation or intervention, resulting in increased costs 
and decreased sales. any of these events could have a material adverse impact on the company’s financial condition and 
results of operations. 

Leverage and Availability of Capital
The ability of the company to secure short- and long-term financing on terms acceptable to the company is critical to grow 
and fund its business and manage its liquidity. In particular, at various stages in the implementation of the value creation  
plan, the company may require significant amounts of capital. The ability to secure such additional capital on commercially 
reasonable and acceptable terms will in part determine the success or failure of the company’s value creation plan. as a result, 
the failure or inability of the company to secure short- and long-term financing in the future on terms that are commercially 
reasonable and acceptable to the company could have a significant impact on the company’s financial condition and results 
of operations. In addition, a downgrade in the company’s credit quality would likely increase the company’s borrowing costs 
for both short-term and long-term debt, which could have a material adverse impact on the company’s financial condition and 
results of operations. even if the company does successfully raise additional capital when needed, if it issues equity securities, 
investors will be diluted, and if it raises additional debt, it will be further leveraged and could be subject to restrictive 
covenants such as restrictions on paying dividends.

Business Acquisitions and Capital Expansion Projects
While the company’s focus has shifted from acquisitions to integration of existing operations and supply chain optimization, 
the company may continue to review opportunities for strategic growth through acquisitions in the future. These acquisitions 
may involve large transactions or realignment of existing investments, and present financial, managerial and operational 
challenges, which if not successfully overcome may reduce the company’s profitability. These risks include the diversion of 
Management attention from existing core businesses, difficulties integrating or separating personnel and financial and other 
systems, adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers, inaccurate estimates of fair value 
made in the accounting for acquisitions and amortization of acquired intangible assets which would reduce future reported 
earnings, potential loss of customers or key employees of acquired businesses, and indemnities and potential disputes with 
the buyers or sellers. any of these activities could materially adversely affect the company’s financial condition and results  
of operations.

Pension Plan Assets and Liabilities
In the normal course of business, the company provides post-retirement pension benefits to its employees under both 
defined contribution and defined benefit pension plan arrangements. The funded status of the plans significantly affects the 
net periodic benefit costs of the company’s pension plans and the ongoing funding requirements of those plans. among 
other factors, changes in interest rates, mortality rates, early retirement rates, investment returns and the market value of 
plan assets can affect the level of plan funding, cause volatility in the net periodic pension cost and increase the company’s 
future funding requirements. furthermore, the company has merged and is in the process of merging a number of its defined 
benefit pension plans. The funding status of the individual plans depends in part on whether the mergers are approved. 
failure by the regulators to approve the mergers could also result in an increase to the company’s funding requirements. any 
increase in pension expense or funding requirements could have a material adverse impact on the company’s financial 
condition and results of operations.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   38

11-03-06   5:09 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  39

management’s discussion and analysis

Hog and Pork Market Cyclicality
The company’s results of operations and financial condition are partially dependent upon the cost and supply of hogs and 
the selling prices for fresh meat products, both of which are influenced by constantly changing market forces of supply and 
demand over which the company has little or no control. These prices for the most part are denominated in or related to U.s. 
dollars which add further variability due to fluctuations in exchange rates. The north american primary pork processing 
markets are highly competitive, with major and regional companies competing in each market. The market prices for pork 
products regularly experience periods of supply and demand imbalance, and are sensitive to changes in industry processing 
capacity. other factors that can influence the supply and market price of live hogs include fluctuations in the size of herds 
maintained by north american hog suppliers, environmental and conservation regulations, economic conditions, the relative 
cost of feed for hogs, weather and livestock diseases. There can be no assurance that all or part of any such increased costs 
experienced by the company from time to time can be passed along to consumers of the company’s products directly or in a 
timely manner. as a result, there is no assurance that the occurrence of these events will not have a material adverse effect on 
the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Livestock
The company’s operations and the demand for the company’s products can be significantly affected by outbreaks of disease 
among livestock, or attributed to livestock whether it occurs within the company’s production operations or in the operations  
of third parties.

The company monitors herd health status and has strict bio-security procedures and employee training programs 
throughout its hog production system. However, there is no guarantee these processes will not fail. In addition, not all 
livestock procured by the company may be subject to these processes, as the majority of hog and poultry livestock processed 
by the company is purchased from independent third parties. In addition to risks associated with maintaining the health of 
the company’s livestock, any outbreak of disease elsewhere in the world could reduce consumer confidence in the meat 
products affected by the particular disease and generate adverse publicity. accordingly, there can be no assurance that an 
outbreak of animal disease in canada will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results 
of operations.

Maple leaf has developed a comprehensive internal contingency plan for dealing with animal disease occurrences or a more 
broad-based pandemic and has taken steps to support the canadian government in enhancing both the country’s prevention 
measures and preparedness plans. There can be no assurance, however, that these prevention measures or plans will be 
successful in minimizing or containing the impact of an outbreak of animal disease and that such outbreak will not have a 
material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations. 

Foreign Currencies
a significant amount of the company’s revenues and costs are either denominated in or directly linked to other currencies 
(primarily U.s. dollars and Japanese yen). In periods when the canadian dollar has appreciated both rapidly and materially 
against these foreign currencies, revenues linked to U.s. dollars or Japanese yen are immediately reduced while the company’s 
ability to change prices or realize natural hedges may lag the immediate currency change. The effect of such sudden changes in 
exchange rates can have a significant immediate impact on the company’s earnings. due to the diversity of the company’s 
operations, normal fluctuations in other currencies do not generally have a material impact on the company’s profitability in 
the short-term due to either natural hedges and offsetting currency exposures (for example, when revenues and costs are both 
linked to other currencies) or the ability in the near-term to change prices of its products to offset adverse currency movements. 
However, as the company competes in international markets, and faces competition in its domestic markets from U.s. 
competitors, significant changes in the canadian to U.s. dollar exchange rate can have, and have had, significant effects on the 
company’s relative competitiveness in its domestic and international markets which can have, and have had, significant effects 
on the company’s financial condition and results of operations. financial results from operations in the United Kingdom are 
recorded in the British pound, however, consolidated financial results are reported in canadian dollars. as a result, earnings and 
financial position are affected by foreign exchange fluctuations through translation risk. Translation risk is the risk that 
financial statements for a particular period, or at a certain date, depend on the prevailing exchange rate of the British pound 
against the canadian dollar.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   39

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
40  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

Commodities
The company is a purchaser of, and its business is dependent on, certain commodities such as wheat, feed grains, livestock  
and energy (oil-based fuel, natural gas and electricity), in the course of normal operations. commodity prices are subject to 
fluctuation and such fluctuations are sometimes severe. The company may use commodity futures and options for hedging 
purposes to reduce the effect of changing prices in the short-term but such hedges may not be successful in mitigating this 
commodity price risk. on a longer-term basis, the company attempts to manage the risk of increases in commodities and 
other input costs by increasing the prices it charges to its customers, however, no assurance can be given that customers will 
continue to purchase the company’s products if prices rise. any fluctuations in commodity prices that the company is unable 
to properly hedge or mitigate could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of 
operations.

International Trade
The company exports significant amounts of its products to customers outside canada and certain of its inputs are affected 
by global commodity prices. The company’s international operations are subject to inherent risks, including change in the 
free flow of food products between countries, fluctuations in currency values, discriminatory fiscal policies, unexpected 
changes in local regulations and laws and the uncertainty of enforcement of remedies in foreign jurisdictions. In addition, 
foreign jurisdictions could impose tariffs, quotas, trade barriers and other similar restrictions on the company’s international 
sales and subsidize competing agricultural products. all of these risks could result in increased costs or decreased revenues, 
either of which could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Regulation
The company’s operations are subject to extensive regulation by government agencies in the countries in which it operates, 
including the canadian food Inspection agency, the Ministry of agriculture in canada, provincial Ministries of the environment 
in canada and the United states department of agriculture. These agencies regulate the processing, packaging, storage, 
distribution, advertising and labelling of the company’s products, including food safety standards. The company’s 
manufacturing facilities and products are subject to inspection by federal, provincial and local authorities. The company strives 
to maintain material compliance with all laws and regulations and maintains all material permits and licenses relating to its 
operations. nevertheless, there can be no assurance that the company is in compliance with such laws and regulations or that 
it will be able to comply with such laws and regulations in the future. failure by the company to comply with applicable laws 
and regulations could subject the company to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as 
potential criminal sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of 
operations. Various governments throughout the world are considering regulatory proposals relating to genetically modified 
organisms, drug residues or food ingredients, food safety and market and environmental regulation that, if adopted, may 
increase the company’s costs. There can be no assurance that additional regulation will not be enacted. In fact, new 
regulations and standards were enacted to address the risks associated with certain pathogens in response to the company’s 
august 2008 recall of ready-to-eat meat products. If any of these or other proposals or regulations are enacted, the company 
could experience a disruption in the supply or distribution of its products, increased operating costs and significant additional 
cost for capital improvements. The company may be unable to pass on the cost increases associated with such increased 
regulatory burden to its customers without incurring volume loss as a result of higher prices. any of these events could have a 
material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Legal Matters
In the normal course of its operations, the company becomes involved in various legal actions relating to its commercial 
relationships, employment matters and product liabilities. The company believes that the resolution of these claims will not have 
a material effect on the company, based in part on the availability of insurance. However, the final outcome with respect to actions 
outstanding, pending or with respect to future claims cannot be predicted with certainty. furthermore, even if any action is settled 
within insurance limits, this can result in increases to the company’s insurance premiums. Therefore there can be no assurance 
that their resolution will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition or results of operations.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   40

11-03-06   5:09 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  41

management’s discussion and analysis

Consumer Trends
success of the company depends in part on the company’s ability to respond to market trends and produce innovative 
products that anticipate and respond to the changing tastes and dietary habits of consumers. from time to time, certain 
products are deemed more or less healthy and this can impact consumer buying patterns. The company’s failure to 
anticipate, identify or react to these changes or to innovate could result in declining demand and prices for the company’s 
products, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Environmental Regulation
The company’s operations are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of 
materials into the environment and the handling and disposition of wastes (including solid and hazardous wastes) or 
otherwise relating to protection of the environment. failure to comply could have serious consequences, such as criminal as 
well as civil penalties, liability for damages, and negative publicity for the company. no assurances can be given that 
additional environmental issues relating to presently known matters or identified sites or to other matters or sites will not 
require additional expenditures, or that requirements applicable to the company will not be altered in ways that will require 
the company to incur significant additional costs. In addition, certain of the company’s facilities have been in operation for 
many years and, over time, the company and other prior operators of such facilities may have generated and disposed of 
waste which is or may be considered to be hazardous. future discovery of previously unknown contamination of property 
underlying or in the vicinity of the company’s present or former properties or manufacturing facilities and/or waste disposal 
sites could require the company to incur material unforeseen expenses. occurrences of any such events could have a 
material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Consolidating Customer Environment
as the retail grocery and foodservice trades continue to consolidate and customers grow larger and more sophisticated,  
the company is required to adjust to changes in purchasing practices and changing customer requirements, as failure to  
do so could result in losing sales volumes and market share. The company’s net sales and profitability could also be affected 
by deterioration in the financial condition of, or other adverse developments in the relationship with, one or more of its  
major customers. any of these events could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results  
of operations.

Competitive Industry Environment
The food industry is intensely competitive. competition is based on product availability, product quality, price, effective 
promotions and the ability to target changing consumer preferences. The company experiences price pressure from time to  
time as a result of competitors’ promotional efforts. Increased competition could result in reduced sales, margins, profits and 
market share, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Employment Matters
The company and its subsidiaries have approximately 21,000 full- and part-time employees, which include salaried and union 
employees, many of whom are covered by collective agreements. These employees are located in various jurisdictions around 
the world, each such jurisdiction having differing employment laws and practices and differing liabilities for employment 
violations, which may result in punitive or extraordinary damages. While the company maintains systems and procedures  
to comply with the applicable requirements, there is a risk that failures or lapses by individual managers could result in a 
violation or cause of action that could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of 
operations. furthermore, if a collective agreement covering a significant number of employees or involving certain key 
employees were to expire leading to a work stoppage, there can be no assurance that such work stoppage would not have a 
material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Direct Store Delivery Disruptions
a significant portion of the company’s fresh bakery products are distributed through direct store delivery systems using 
independent distributors. although appropriate contractual arrangements are in place with these distributors, a negative 
change in the company’s relations with them, changes in regulations or an adverse ruling by regulatory agencies regarding 
the company’s independent distributorship program or claims against the company for the actions of the independent 
distributors could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations. 

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   41

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
42  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the company’s consolidated financial statements requires Management to make certain estimates and 
assumptions. The estimates and assumptions are based on the company’s experience combined with Management’s 
understanding of facts and circumstances at the time. These estimates may differ from actual results, and certain estimates are 
considered critical as they are both important to reflect the company’s financial position and results of operations and require 
significant or complex judgement on the part of Management. The following is a summary of certain accounting estimates or 
policies considered to be critical and that require significant or complex judgement by the Management of the company.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Valuation 
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually in the second quarter and otherwise as required if events occur that indicate that  
it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit has been impaired. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the 
reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount to its fair value. The company determines the fair 
value of its reporting units for accounting purposes based on a capitalization of earnings approach, corroborated by other 
techniques such as comparison to market values. The estimates of earnings used in the evaluation of goodwill are consistent 
with plans and estimates that are presented annually to the Board of directors. Indefinite life intangibles are tested for 
impairment annually in the fourth quarter and, also as required, if events occur that indicate it is more likely than not that the 
carrying value has been impaired. The fair value of indefinite life intangibles is determined based on a “royalty savings 
approach”, that is a discounted cash flow method. The estimates of fair value include projected future sales, terminal growth 
rates, royalty rates and discount rates. The impairment tests for indefinite life intangible assets and goodwill were performed 
in 2010 and no impairment was identified. 

Reserve for Doubtful Accounts 
The company establishes an appropriate provision for uncollectible or doubtful accounts. estimates of recoverable amounts  
are based on Management’s best estimate of a customer’s ability to settle its obligations, and actual amounts received may be 
affected by various factors, including industry conditions and changes in individual customer financial condition. To the 
extent that actual losses on uncollectible accounts differ from those estimated in the company’s provision, both accounts 
receivable and operating earnings will be affected.

Provisions for Inventory 
Management makes estimates as to the future customer demand for our products when establishing the appropriate 
provisions for inventory. In making these estimates, Management considers product life of inventory and the profitability  
of recent sales of inventory. In many cases, product sold by the company turns quickly and inventory values are lower, thus 
reducing the risk of material misstatement in realizable value. However, in the fresh and prepared meats businesses, code 
dates are very important in the determination of realizable value, and inventory values are significant. Management ensures 
that systems are in place to highlight and properly value inventory that may be approaching best before code dates. To the 
extent that actual losses on inventory differ from those estimated, both inventory and operating earnings will be affected.

Trade Merchandise Allowances and Other Trade Discounts 
The company provides for estimated payments to customers based on various trade programs and contracts that in many 
cases include payments that are contingent upon attainment of specified sales volumes. significant estimates used to 
determine these liabilities include the projected level of volume sales for the relevant period and the historical promotional 
expenditure rate compared to contracted rates. as such arrangements are complex and there are a significant number of 
customers and products affected, Management has systems and processes in place to estimate and value provisions incurred 
to value these obligations. To the extent that payments on trade discounts differ from estimates of the related liability, both 
accrued liabilities and operating earnings will be affected.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   42

11-03-06   5:09 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  43

management’s discussion and analysis

Employee Benefit Plans 
The cost of pensions and other retirement benefits earned by employees is actuarially determined using the projected benefit 
method prorated on service and Management’s best estimate of expected plan investment performance, salary escalation, 
retirement ages of employees and expected heath care costs. discount rates used in actuarial calculations are based on 
long-term interest rates and can have a material effect on the amount of plan liabilities. Management employs external 
experts to advise them when deciding upon the appropriate estimates to use to value employee benefit plan obligations and 
expenses. significant actuarial assumptions adopted in measuring the company’s accrued benefit obligations and benefit 
plan expenses are as follows:

discount rate used to calculate net benefit plan expense 

discount rate used to calculate year-end benefit obligation 

expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 

Rate of compensation increase 

2010 

2009

5.75% 

5.00% 

7.25% 

3.50% 

6.50%

5.75%

7.25%

3.50%

The effect on the following items of a 1% increase and decrease in health care costs, assuming no change in benefit levels, is  
as follows: 

($ millions) 

end-of-year obligation 

aggregate of 2010 current service cost and interest cost 

1% Increase 

1% decrease

$ 3.5 

$ 0.2 

$ (3.9)

$ (0.3)

Taxes 
provisions for income taxes are based on domestic and international statutory income tax rates and tax planning opportunities 
available to the company in the jurisdictions in which it operates. significant judgement is required in determining income 
tax provisions and evaluating the need for valuation allowances, if applicable. The calculation of current and future income  
tax balances, as well as any related valuation allowances as applicable, requires Management to make estimates regarding the 
carrying values of assets and liabilities that include estimates of future cash flows and earnings related to such assets and 
liabilities, the interpretation of income tax legislation in the jurisdictions in which the company operates, and the timing of 
reversal of temporary differences. The company establishes additional provisions for income taxes when, despite Management’s 
opinion that tax positions are fully supportable, there is sufficient complexity or uncertainty in the application of legislation 
that certain tax positions may be reassessed by tax authorities. The company adjusts these additional accruals in light of 
changing facts and circumstances. 

Reserves for Restructuring and Other Related Costs 
The company evaluates accruals related to restructuring and other related costs at each reporting date to ensure these  
accruals are still appropriate. as the company has been involved in a significant amount of transformation and restructuring  
of businesses and assets in the past several years, these provisions and accruals can be significant and are prepared using 
estimates of the costs of future activities. In certain instances, Management may determine that these accruals are no longer 
required because of efficiencies in carrying out restructuring and other related activities. In certain circumstances, Management 
may determine that certain accruals are insufficient as new events occur or as additional information is obtained. These costs 
and provisions are separately identified and disclosed in the company’s financial statements.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   43

11-03-09   12:24 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
44  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

effective January 1, 2009, the company adopted emerging Issues committee abstract 173, “credit Risk and the fair Value of 
financial assets and financial liabilities” (“eIc 173”). eIc 173 requires the company to consider its own credit risk and the 
credit risk of the counterparty in determining the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including derivative 
instruments. The adoption of eIc 173, which was adopted on a retrospective basis without restatement of prior periods did 
not have a material impact on the company’s financial statements.

In 2008, the canadian Institute of chartered accountants (“cIca”) issued Handbook section 3064, “Goodwill and Intangible 
assets” (“cIca 3064”). cIca 3064, which replaces section 3062, “Goodwill and other Intangible assets”, and section 3450, 
“Research and development costs”, establishes standards for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of goodwill and 
intangible assets. The company adopted this standard on a retrospective basis on January 1, 2009. The adoption of the new 
standard did not have a material impact on the company’s financial statements.

In June 2009, the cIca amended section 3862, “financial Instruments – disclosures”, to include additional disclosure 
requirements about fair value measurement for financial instruments and liquidity risk disclosures. These amendments require 
a three-level hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the fair value measurements. each level is 
based on the transparency of the inputs used to measure the fair values of assets and liabilities: 

level 1 – inputs are unadjusted quoted prices of identical instruments in active markets. 

 level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly  
or indirectly.

level 3 – one or more significant inputs used in a valuation technique are unobservable in determining fair values of  
the instruments. 

determination of fair value and the resulting hierarchy requires the use of observable market data whenever available. The 
classification of a financial instrument in the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the 
measurement of fair value. The company has complied with the new disclosure requirements beginning in 2009 and this 
disclosure is presented in note 12 of the consolidated financial statements.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2009, the cIca issued Handbook section 1582, “Business combinations” (“cIca 1582”). cIca 1582 requires  
that all assets and liabilities of an acquired business will be recorded at fair value on the acquisition date and is consistent 
with International financial Reporting standards (“IfRs”). obligations for contingent considerations and contingencies will 
also be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The standard also states that acquisition-related costs will be expensed 
as incurred and that restructuring charges will be expensed in the periods after the acquisition date. The section applies 
prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual 
reporting period on or after January 1, 2011.

In January 2009, the cIca issued Handbook section 1601, “consolidations” (“cIca 1601”), and section 1602, “non-controlling 
Interests” (“cIca 1602”). cIca 1601 establishes standards for the preparation of consolidated financial statements. cIca 1602 
establishes standards for accounting for a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary in consolidated financial statements 
subsequent to a business combination. These standards apply to interim and annual consolidated financial statements relating 
to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.

In february 2008, the cIca announced that canadian public companies will be required to prepare their financial statements 
in accordance with International financial Reporting standards (“IfRs”) for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. 
The company will issue its financial statements in the first quarter of 2011 in accordance with IfRs including comparative 
data for 2010.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   44

11-03-06   5:09 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  45

management’s discussion and analysis

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

The company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information 
relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to Management in a timely manner so that 
information required to be disclosed by the company under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and 
reported within the time periods specified in applicable securities legislation.

The company’s Management, under the direction and supervision of the company’s chief executive officer and chief 
financial officer, are also responsible for establishing and maintaining internal control over financial reporting. These 
controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation  
of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with canadian Gaap.

The company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have evaluated, or caused to be evaluated under their 
supervision, the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures 
as at december 31, 2010 and have concluded that such controls and procedures are effective. 

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS

for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, canadian public companies will be required to prepare their financial 
statements in accordance with International financial Reporting standards (“IfRs”). While IfRs uses a conceptual 
framework similar to canadian Gaap, there are significant differences in accounting policies that must be evaluated. IfRs 
will also require more disclosures than canadian Gaap. The company will issue its financial statements in the first quarter  
of 2011 in accordance with IfRs including comparative data for 2010.

In order to meet the requirement of transition to IfRs, in 2008, the company established an enterprise-wide project team and 
project plan. The IfRs project philosophy is to align with current accounting practices and policies, where possible, and to 
minimize the impact of any changes to the business or reporting to shareholders. Regular reporting of the progress on the 
IfRs conversion project is provided to senior Management and the audit committee of the Board of directors. 

The company’s IfRs conversion project plan is comprised of three main phases: initial diagnostic assessment, design and 
implementation. The company has completed the initial assessment and design phases of the plan and has identified and 
documented the key accounting and disclosure differences between canadian Gaap and IfRs. The implementation phase  
of the project is ongoing and will continue until the company issues its first IfRs financial statements for the quarter ended 
March 31, 2011. substantial progress has been made in the implementation phase of the project as described below and in the 
company’s Md&a for prior periods. The IfRs conversion project is on schedule and Management expects that the project 
will be completed in time to enable the company to issue IfRs-compliant financial statements for the first quarter of 2011  
as required.

a summary of key accounting differences and IfRs 1 elections was provided in the company’s annual Md&a for the year 
ended december 31, 2009 as well as policy alternatives under IfRs, including certain exemptions and elections available on 
transition under IfRs 1. outlined below are the IfRs 1 elections that the company expects to make on transition to IfRs and 
the impact of these elections.

IFRS 1 Optional Exemptions
Business Combinations 
IfRs 1 provides an exemption that allows an entity to elect not to retrospectively restate business combinations prior to 
January 1, 2010 (the “Transition date”) in accordance with IfRs 3, “Business combinations”. The company elected not to 
retrospectively restate those business combinations that occurred prior to the Transition date.

Fair Value as Deemed Cost 
IfRs 1 allows an entity to elect to measure property and equipment at fair value in the opening IfRs balance sheet. fair value 
would then become the deemed cost of the item. alternatively, an entity can retrospectively apply the historical cost model  
in Ias 16, “property, plant and equipment”, to arrive at the carrying value of property, plant and equipment on the Transition 
date. The company has elected to retroactively apply the historical cost model for property and equipment for IfRs purposes 
on the Transition date. 

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   45

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
46  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

Employee Benefits
In accordance with Ias 19, “employee Benefits”, an entity may elect to use a “corridor” approach that leaves some actuarial 
gains and losses unrecognized. Retrospective application of this approach requires an entity to split the cumulative actuarial 
gains and losses from the inception of the plan until the date of transition to IfRs into a recognized portion and an unrecognized 
portion. alternatively, an entity may elect to recognize all cumulative actuarial gains and losses at the date of transition to IfRs, 
even if it uses the corridor approach for later actuarial gains and losses, recognized after the Transition date. The company 
elected to recognize all cumulative actuarial gains and losses that existed at the Transition date in retained earnings for all  
of the company’s employee benefit plans. This will result in a decrease in total shareholders’ equity.

Cumulative Translation Differences 
Retrospective application of IfRs would require the company to determine cumulative currency translation differences in 
accordance with Ias 21, “The effects of changes in foreign exchange Rates”, from the date a foreign subsidiary or associate 
was formed or acquired. IfRs 1 allows an entity to elect not to calculate the translation difference retrospectively. Where this 
election is made, the cumulative translation balance for all foreign operations is set to zero at the Transition date. The 
company elected not to retrospectively calculate the cumulative translation balances and all of these balances will be reset to 
zero on the Transition date. There is no impact to total shareholders’ equity as a result of this election.

Share-Based Payment Transactions 
IfRs 1 allows an entity to elect to be exempt from retrospectively applying the requirements of IfRs 2, “share-Based  
payments” for awards that are vested or settled prior to the Transition date. There are several differences between IfRs 2  
and canadian Gaap. for example, when a share-based award vests in installments over the vesting period (graded vesting), 
IfRs 2 requires each installment to be accounted for as a separate arrangement. canadian Gaap allows an entity to treat the 
entire award as a pool, determine fair value using the average life of the instruments and then recognize the compensation 
expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. since the company recorded share-based payment transactions in 
this manner, retrospective application of IfRs 2 would require the company to revalue all of its prior share-based payment 
transactions. Therefore, the company elected to apply this exemption. There is no impact to total shareholders’ equity as a 
result of this exemption.

Decommissioning Liabilities Included in the Cost of Property, Plant and Equipment 
IfRs 1 allows an entity to elect not to retrospectively apply the requirements of IfRIc 1, “changes in existing decommissioning, 
Restoration and similar liabilities”. The company elected not to retrospectively recognize changes to these liabilities under 
IfRIc 1 that may have occurred prior to the Transition date.

Borrowing Costs 
Ias 23, “Borrowing costs”, requires an entity to capitalize borrowing costs relating to qualifying assets. Under IfRs 1, an entity  
may elect to apply the transitional provisions of Ias 23, which allow an entity to choose the date to apply the capitalization  
of borrowing costs relating to all qualifying assets as either the Transition date or an earlier date. The company elected to 
apply the transitional provisions of Ias 23 and will choose the Transition date as the date to commence the capitalization of 
borrowing costs to all qualifying assets.

IFRS 1 Mandatory Exemptions
Hedge Accounting 
Hedge accounting may only be applied prospectively from the Transition date to transactions that meet the hedge 
accounting criteria in Ias 39, “financial Instruments – Recognition and Measurement”, at that date. Hedging relationships 
cannot be designated retrospectively and the supporting documentation cannot be created retrospectively. The company 
designated all hedges appropriately under IfRs on the Transition date.

The company has determined that some of its commodity hedging activities will not qualify for hedge accounting under 
IfRs. on the Transition date, this will result in a debit to retained earnings and a credit to accumulated other comprehensive 
loss of $0.7 million with no impact to total shareholders’ equity.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   46

11-03-06   5:09 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  47

management’s discussion and analysis

Non-controlling Interests 
an entity must apply the requirements of Ias 27, “consolidated and separate financial statements”, which relate to 
non-controlling interests prospectively from the Transition date. The company does not expect an impact related  
to this exemption. 

Estimates 
estimates previously determined under canadian Gaap cannot be revised due to the application of IfRs except where 
necessary to reflect differences in accounting policies. 

Key Accounting Differences between Canadian GAAP and IFRS
changes in accounting policies upon adoption of IfRs are likely, but at this time the company cannot quantify the total or 
net impact that the future adoption of IfRs will have on its consolidated financial statements and operating performance 
measures. The International accounting standards Board has significant ongoing projects that could affect the ultimate 
differences between canadian Gaap and IfRs and the impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements. outlined 
below are the key areas where changes in accounting policy are expected that may affect the company’s consolidated 
financial statements. 

Securitization Programs 
IfRs has different requirements than canadian Gaap to allow off-balance sheet treatment of accounts receivable 
securitization programs. on october 27, 2010, the company finalized new accounts receivable securitization agreements that 
do qualify for de-recognition under IfRs and is effective as of that date. accounts receivable that were sold under previous 
securitization agreements will be recorded on the balance sheet for the restated 2010 comparative periods.

Biological Assets 
Under IfRs, livestock is considered a separate asset class called biological assets, which must be carried at fair value, less 
costs to sell. The company has finalized the transitional impact as of the Transition date, which results in a decrease in 
inventory of $52.0 million, an increase in biological assets of $42.9 million, an increase in deferred tax assets of $2.3 million  
and a decrease in retained earnings of $6.8 million. This change will result in periodic revaluation of the company’s biological 
assets to fair value less costs to sell. The company is not able to estimate the impact of this change on future financial results.

Employee Benefits 
Ias 19, “employee Benefits”, requires past service costs of defined benefit pension plans to be expensed on an accelerated 
basis, with vested past service costs expensed immediately and unvested past service costs recognized on a straight-line 
basis until the benefits become vested. Under canadian Gaap, past service costs are generally amortized on a straight-line 
basis over the average remaining service period of employees active at the date of the amendment.

Ias 19 also requires an entity to make an accounting policy choice regarding the recognition of actuarial gains and losses. 
The three options that are available are as follows: delayed recognition using a “corridor” approach; immediate recognition 
through the income statement; and, immediate recognition through other comprehensive income. 

Under IfRs 1, the company elected to recognize all cumulative actuarial gains and losses that existed at the Transition date  
in opening retained earnings for all of its employee benefit plans. The expected transitional impact of this adjustment is a 
decrease in other long-term assets of $161.1 million, a decrease in deferred tax liabilities of $41.2 million and a decrease in 
retained earnings of $119.9 million. The company also finalized its accounting policy for pensions and post-retirement benefits 
and the impact of IfRIc 14, “The limit on a defined Benefit asset, Minimum funding Requirements and their Interaction”. 
The company’s chosen accounting policy will recognize gains and losses immediately through other comprehensive income. 
The impact of IfRIc 14, is that $36.3 million of pension plan assets will not be recognized due to the asset ceiling requirements 
of the interpretation and there is an additional liability of $20.6 million due to the minimum funding requirements under the 
interpretation. These two adjustments result in a pre-tax charge to retained earnings on transition of $56.9 million. The 
company is not able to estimate the impact of this change on future financial results.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   47

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
48  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

Borrowing Costs 
Ias 23, “Borrowing costs”, requires the capitalization of borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction  
or production of a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset. Under canadian Gaap, the company’s accounting policy is 
to expense these borrowing costs as incurred. The impact of this change will be a periodic reduction in interest expense during 
periods where significant capital projects are underway. The company has determined there will not be an adjustment on 
transition to IfRs. The company is not able to estimate the impact of this change on future financial results.

Business Combinations 
IfRs 3, “Business combinations”, does not allow the accrual of restructuring provisions pursuant to an acquisition. on the 
Transition date any existing restructuring accruals that were the result of an acquisition will be written off through retained 
earnings. The company has finalized the transitional impact as of the Transition date which results in a decrease in accrued 
liabilities of $0.9 million, a decrease in deferred tax asset of $0.2 million and an increase in retained earnings of $0.7 million.

Income Taxes 
Ias 12, “Income Taxes”, requires a balance sheet liability approach in assessing future income taxes very similar to cIca 
Handbook section 3465 with some noticeable differences. Under Ias 12, deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognized for 
the differences in tax bases on inter-company transfers. deferred taxes are calculated using the purchaser’s tax rate and any 
current taxes payable/recoverable of the seller are recognized and not deferred. other than recording the tax effect of the 
various other transitional adjustments and the reclassification of certain tax balances, the company does not expect to record 
any significant tax-related adjustments on the transition to IfRs. The company is not able to estimate the impact of this 
change on future financial results.

Cumulative Translation Differences
Under IfRs 1, the company will elect not to retrospectively calculate its cumulative translation balances, and all of these 
balances will be reset to zero on the Transition date. The company has finalized the transitional impact as of the Transition 
date, which results in an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $48.1 million and a corresponding decrease in 
retained earnings with no impact on total shareholders’ equity.

Share-Based Payment Transactions
When a share-based award vests in installments over the vesting period (graded vesting), IfRs requires each installment to 
be accounted for as a separate arrangement. canadian Gaap allows an entity to treat the entire award as a pool, determine 
fair value using the average life of the instruments and then recognize the compensation expense on a straight-line basis  
over the vesting period. certain of the company’s historical share-based awards would have had a different quantification  
and amortization of compensation expense related to this difference. The company has finalized the transitional impact  
of this difference, which resulted in an increase in contributed surplus of $4.1 million and a decrease in retained earnings of 
$4.1 million resulting in no impact on total shareholders’ equity.

Property and Equipment
IfRs has more specific guidance than canadian Gaap on the capitalization and componentization of assets, requiring that 
significant asset components with different useful lives than the main asset be recorded and depreciated separately. as a 
result of this difference, the company determined that certain assets should have separately capitalized components under 
IfRs. The retrospective application of this standard resulted in a pre-tax decrease of $6.9 million in total shareholders’ equity 
due to revised depreciation rates. 

Impairment of Assets 
canadian Gaap generally uses a two-step approach to impairment testing, first comparing asset carrying values with 
undiscounted future cash flows to determine whether impairment exists, and then measuring any impairment by comparing 
asset carrying values with their fair values. Ias 36, “Impairment of assets”, uses a one-step approach to determine if impairment 
exists and for measuring that impairment, by comparing asset carrying values to the higher of fair value less costs to sell and 
value in use (determined using discounted future cash flows). This can potentially result in asset impairments, where the 
carrying values of assets were previously supported under canadian Gaap on an undiscounted cash flow basis, but would not 
be supported on a discounted cash flow basis.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   48

11-03-06   5:09 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  49

management’s discussion and analysis

additionally, for the purposes of asset impairment testing, canadian Gaap requires assets to be grouped at the lowest level 
for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. IfRs requires that 
assets be tested for impairment at the level of the cash generating unit (or groups of cash generating units for the purposes of 
testing goodwill impairment), which is the lowest level of assets that generate largely independent cash inflows. In many 
cases, this requirement will result in a lower level grouping of assets, which could result in the identification of impairment 
under IfRs for assets that were not considered impaired under canadian Gaap. The company has estimated that an 
impairment adjustment on certain assets will decrease retained earnings by $80.0 million to $100.0 million before taxes on 
the Transition date subject to finalization of the determination of cash generating units.

This summary of expected areas of significance should not be regarded as a complete list of adjustments that will result from 
the transition to IfRs. It is intended to highlight those areas that have been completed and are most significant. The 
company has completed the determination of the accounting adjustments necessary on the transition to IfRs based on 
current IfRs pronouncements in existence at december 31, 2010.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The company uses the following non-Gaap measures: adjusted operating earnings, adjusted eps, eBITda, net debt  
and Return on net assets (“Rona”). Management believes that these non-Gaap measures provide useful information to 
investors in measuring the financial performance of the company for the reasons outlined below. These measures do not  
have a standardized meaning prescribed by canadian Gaap and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled 
measures presented by other publicly traded companies and should not be construed as an alternative to other financial 
measures determined in accordance with canadian Gaap.

Adjusted Operating Earnings
The following table reconciles adjusted operating earnings to net earnings as reported under canadian Gaap in the audited 
consolidated statements of earnings for the three years ended december 31, 2010. Management believes this is the most 
appropriate basis upon which to evaluate operating results, as restructuring and other related costs, other income (expense)  
and the change in fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps are not representative of operating results. 

Meat  

Products   Agribusiness 
Group 

Group 

2010

Bakery 
Products 
Group 

net earnings 

non-controlling interest 

Income tax 

earnings from operations before income taxes 

Interest expense 

change in the fair value of non-designated interest  

 rate swaps 

earnings from operations before income taxes,  

 interest expense and the change in fair value of  

Non-
allocated

Costs  Consolidated

$ 

25,822

6,193

17,766

49,781

66,386

24,922

 non-designated interest rate swaps 

$ 

26,692 

$ 

50,158 

$ 

77,715 

$ 

(13,476)  $ 

141,089

Restructuring and other related costs 

other income (loss) 

64,001 

(992) 

(22) 

698 

15,548 

(57) 

1,581 

189 

81,108

(162)

adjusted operating earnings 

$ 

89,701 

$ 

50,834 

$ 

93,206 

$ 

(11,706)  $  222,035

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   49

11-03-08   6:08 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
50  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

Meat  

products   agribusiness 
Group 

Group 

2009

Bakery 
products 
Group 

non-
allocated

costs  consolidated

$ 

52,147

net earnings 

non-controlling interest 

Income tax 

earnings from operations before income taxes 

Interest expense 

change in the fair value of non-designated interest  

 rate swaps 

earnings from operations before income taxes,  

 interest expense and the change in fair value of  

net earnings 

non-controlling interest 

Income tax 

earnings from operations before income taxes 

Interest expense 

change in the fair value of non-designated interest  

 rate swaps 

earnings from operations before income taxes,  

 interest expense and the change in fair value of  

 non-designated interest rate swaps 

$ 

33,159 

$ 

46,891 

$ 

99,399 

$ 

(10,870) 

$ 

168,579

Restructuring and other related costs 

other income (loss) 

22,298 

(69) 

2,026 

(894) 

4,908 

(2,152) 

1,913 

(498) 

31,145

(3,613)

adjusted operating earnings 

$ 

55,388 

$ 

48,023 

$ 

102,155 

$ 

(9,455) 

$ 

196,111

Meat  

products   agribusiness 
Group 

Group 

2008

Bakery 
products 
Group 

non-
allocated

costs  consolidated

$ 

(36,857)

7,902

27,296

87,345

81,234

–

7,211

(8,538)

(38,184)

88,651

–

 non-designated interest rate swaps 

$ 

(25,166) 

$ 

20,523 

$ 

87,192 

$ 

(32,082) 

$ 

50,467

product recall, restructuring and other related costs 

59,832 

other income (loss) 

(5,211) 

14,286 

(4,677) 

10,491 

(14,704) 

18,203 

(272) 

102,812

(24,864)

adjusted operating earnings 

$ 

29,455 

$ 

30,132 

$ 

82,979 

$ 

(14,151) 

$ 

128,415

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   50

11-03-08   6:09 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc. 

51

management’s discussion and analysis

Adjusted Earnings per Share
The following table reconciles adjusted earnings per share to basic earnings per share as reported under canadian Gaap in 
the audited consolidated statements of earnings for the three years ended december 31, 2010. Management believes this is 
the most appropriate basis on which to evaluate financial results as restructuring and other related costs and the change in 
the fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps are not representative of operational results. 

($ per share) 

2010 

2009 

2008

Basic earnings per share 

one-time direct product recall costs (i) 

Restructuring and other related costs(ii) 

change in the fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps (iii) 

adjusted earnings per share 

$ 

0.19 

$ 

– 

0.45 

0.12 

0.76 

$ 

$ 

0.40 

– 

0.17 

– 

0.57 

$ 

(0.29)

0.22

0.36

–

$ 

0.29

(i)  Includes per share impact of one-time direct product recall costs incurred in 2008, net of tax and non-controlling interest.

(ii)  Includes per share impact of restructuring and other related costs, net of tax and non-controlling interest.

(iii) Includes per share impact of the change in fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps, net of tax.  

Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization
The following table reconciles earnings from operations before restructuring and other related costs, change in the fair value 
of non-designated interest rate swaps, interest, income taxes, and depreciation and intangible asset amortization (“eBITda”) 
to net earnings as reported under canadian Gaap in the audited consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended as 
indicated below. Management believes eBITda is useful in assessing the performance of the company’s ongoing operations 
and its ability to generate cash flows to fund its cash requirements, including the company’s capital investment program.

($ thousands) 

net earnings 

non-controlling interest 

Income taxes 

earnings from operations before income taxes 

Interest expense 

Restructuring and other related costs 

change in the fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps 

depreciation and amortization 

eBITda 

2010 

2009 

2008

$ 

25,822 

$ 

52,147 

$ 

(36,857)

6,193 

17,766 

49,781 

66,386 

81,108 

24,922 

141,785 

7,902 

27,296 

87,345 

81,234 

31,145 

– 

149,489 

7,211

(8,538)

(38,184)

88,651

102,812

–

149,219

$  363,982 

$ 

349,213 

$  302,498

Net Debt
The following table reconciles net debt used in net debt to eBITda ratios reflected on page 30 to amounts reported under 
Gaap in the consolidated balance sheet as at each of the three years ended december 31, 2010.

The company calculates net debt as long-term debt and bank indebtedness, less cash and cash equivalents. Management 
believes this measure is useful in assessing the amount of financial leverage employed. 

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   51

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52  Maple leaf foods Inc.

management’s discussion and analysis

($ thousands) 

Bank indebtedness 

current portion of long-term debt 

long-term debt 

sub-total 

cash and cash equivalents 

Net debt 

2010 

2009 

2008

$ 

15,858 

$ 

4,247 

$ 

8,894

496,835 

389,078 

206,147 

834,557 

$  901,771 

$  1,044,951 

179,244

  1,200,244

$ 1,388,382

– 

(29,316) 

(365,518)

$  901,771 

$  1,015,635 

$ 1,022,864

Return on Net Assets
Return on net assets (“Rona”) is calculated by dividing tax-effected earnings from operations before restructuring and 
other related costs, the change in fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps and interest by average monthly net assets. 
net assets are defined as total assets less cash, future tax assets and non-interest bearing liabilities. Management believes 
that Rona is an appropriate basis upon which to evaluate long-term financial performance.

Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains, and the company’s oral and written public communications often contain, forward-looking 
statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which the 
company operates and beliefs and assumptions made by the Management of the company. such statements include, but are 
not limited to, statements with respect to objectives and goals, as well as statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, 
expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions. specific forward-looking statements in this document include, but are 
not limited to, statements with respect to improving business trends in 2011, expectations regarding actions to reduce costs, 
restore and/or promote volumes and/or increase prices, improve efficiencies, the expected use of cash balances, source of 
funds for ongoing business requirements, capital investments and debt repayment, expectations regarding sufficiency of the 
allowance for uncollectible accounts and the potential impact of the adoption of IfRs. Words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, 
“intend”, “attempt”, “may”, “will”, “plan”, “believe”, “seek”, “estimate”, and variations of such words and similar expressions are 
intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and 
involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.

In addition, these statements and expectations concerning the performance of the company’s business in general are based 
on a number of factors and assumptions including, but not limited to: the condition of the canadian, United states, United 
Kingdom and Japanese economies; the rate of exchange of the canadian dollar to the U.s. dollar, British pound and the 
Japanese yen; the availability and prices of raw materials, energy and supplies; product pricing; the availability of insurance; 
the competitive environment and related market conditions; improvement of operating efficiencies whether as a result of the 
protein business transformation or otherwise; continued access to capital; the cost of compliance with environmental and 
health standards; no adverse results from ongoing litigation; no unexpected actions of domestic and foreign governments; and 
the general assumption that none of the risks identified below or elsewhere in this document will materialize. all of these 
assumptions have been derived from information currently available to the company including information obtained by the 
company from third-party sources. These assumptions may prove to be incorrect in whole or in part. In addition, actual 
results may differ materially from those expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements, which reflect 
the company’s expectations only as of the date hereof.

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   52

11-03-08   6:11 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  53

management’s discussion and analysis

factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by 
forward-looking statements include, among other things: 

•	 the	risks	associated	with	implementing	and	executing	the	protein	business	transformation;

•	 the	risks	associated	with	changes	in	the	Company’s	shared	systems	and	processes;

•	 the	risks	posed	by	food	contamination,	consumer	liability	and	product	recalls;	

•	 the	risks	associated	with	the	Company’s	outstanding	indebtedness;	

•	

	the	impact	on	pension	expense	and	funding	requirements	of	fluctuations	in	the	market	prices	of	fixed	income	and	equity	
securities	and	changes	in	interest	rates;

•	 the	risks	associated	with	acquisitions	and	capital	expansion	projects;

•	 the	cyclical	nature	of	the	cost	and	supply	of	hogs	and	the	competitive	nature	of	the	pork	market	generally;	

•	 the	risks	related	to	the	health	status	of	livestock;	

•	 the	impact	of	a	pandemic	on	the	Company’s	operations;

•	 the	Company’s	exposure	to	currency	exchange	risks;	

•	

	the	ability	of	the	Company	to	hedge	against	the	effect	of	commodity	price	changes	through	the	use	of	commodity	futures	 
and	options;

•	 the	impact	of	international	events	on	commodity	prices	and	the	free	flow	of	goods;	

•	 the	risks	associated	with	a	consolidating	retail	environment;	

•	 the	risks	posed	by	compliance	with	extensive	government	regulation;	

•	 the	risks	posed	by	the	adoption	of	the	International	Financial	Reporting	Standards;

•	 the	risks	posed	by	litigation;

•	 the	impact	of	changes	in	consumer	tastes	and	buying	patterns;

•	 the	impact	of	extensive	environmental	regulation	and	potential	environmental	liabilities;	

•	

	the	risks	associated	with	complying	with	differing	employment	laws	and	practices	globally	and	the	potential	for	work	
stoppages	due	to	non-renewal	of	collective	agreements;

•	 the	risks	associated	with	the	Company’s	independent	distributors;	and	

•	 the	risks	posed	by	competition.

The	Company	cautions	the	reader	that	the	foregoing	list	of	factors	is	not	exhaustive.	These	factors	are	discussed	in	more	detail	
under	the	heading	“Risk	Factors”	presented	previously	in	this	document.	The	reader	should	review	such	section	in	detail.	The	
company does not intend to, and the company disclaims any obligation to, update any forward-looking statements, whether 
written	or	oral,	or	whether	as	a	result	of	new	information,	future	events	or	otherwise	except	as	required	by	law.	

Additional	information	concerning	the	Company,	including	the	Company’s	Annual	Information	Form,	is	available	on	SEDAR	
at www.sedar.com.

Maple	Leaf	Foods	Inc.	(“Maple	Leaf”	or	the	“Company”)	is	a	leading	Canadian	value-added	meat,	meals	and	bakery	company	
committed	to	delivering	quality	food	products	to	consumers	around	the	world.	Headquartered	in	Toronto,	Canada,	the	
company employs approximately 21,000 people at its operations across canada and in the United states, europe and asia. 

CJ22144 MDA_E.indd   53

11-03-06   5:09 PM

 
independent auditors’ report

To the Shareholders

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., which comprise the 
consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the consolidated statements of earnings, 
comprehensive income, retained earnings, and cash flows for the years then ended, and notes, comprising 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 Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, 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 an 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 our 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, we 
consider internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation 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  
overall 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 opinions.

Opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position 
of Maple Leaf Foods Inc. as at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and its consolidated results of its operations and its 
consolidated cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

Chartered Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants 
Toronto, Canada 
February 24, 2011

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   54

11-03-08   6:14 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  55

2010 

2009

$ 

– 

$ 

29,316

84,117 

136,663 

319,263 

29,957 

6,229 

14,766 

– 

$  590,995 

  1,037,428 

333,833 

20,737 

850,382 

163,420 

– 

189,221

–

331,781

18,067

4,301

15,328

29,224

$  617,238

  1,059,694

  328,063

22,116

857,278

137,239

35,836

$ 2,996,795 

$ 3,057,464

$ 

15,858 

$ 

4,247

521,746 

496,835 

63,465 

– 

477,071

206,147

37,837

12,111

$ 1,097,904 

$  737,413

389,078 

15,289 

192,311 

84,836 

834,557

27,851

187,523

81,070

  1,217,377 

$ 2,996,795 

  1,189,050

$ 3,057,464

consolidated Balance sheets

as at december 31
(In thousands of Canadian dollars) 

ASSETS

Current assets

cash and cash equivalents 

accounts receivable (note 3) 

notes receivable (note 3) 

Inventories (note 4) 

Income and other taxes recoverable 

future tax asset (note 20) 

prepaid expenses and other assets 

assets held for sale (note 6) 

property and equipment (note 5) 

other long-term assets (note 7) 

future tax asset (note 20) 

Goodwill (note 8) 

other intangible assets (note 9) 

assets held for sale (note 6) 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities

Bank indebtedness 

accounts payable and accrued charges 

current portion of long-term debt (note 10) 

other current liabilities 

liabilities held for sale (note 6) 

long-term debt (note 10) 

future tax liability (note 20) 

other long-term liabilities (note 11) 

non-controlling interest 

shareholders’ equity (note 14) 

contingencies and commitments (note 23)

see accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

on behalf of the Board:

MiChael h. M CCain 
dIrector 

Diane M CGarry 
 dIrector

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   55

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
56  Maple leaf foods Inc.

consolidated statements of earnings 

Years ended december 31

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts) 

sales 

cost of goods sold 

Gross margin 

selling, general and administrative expenses 

earnings from operations before the following: 

Restructuring and other related costs (note 13) 

change in fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps 

other income (note 18) 

earnings from operations before interest and income taxes 

Interest expense (note 19) 

earnings from operations before income taxes 

Income taxes (note 20) 

earnings from operations before non-controlling interest 

non-controlling interest 

net earnings 

Basic earnings per share (note 17) 

diluted earnings per share (note 17) 

Weighted average number of shares (millions) 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

2010 

2009

$ 4,968,119 

  4,228,928 

$  739,191 

517,156 

$ 5,221,602

  4,487,378

$  734,224

538,113

$  222,035 

$  196,111

(81,108) 

(24,922) 

162 

(31,145)

–

3,613

$ 

116,167 

$  168,579

66,386 

81,234

$ 

49,781 

$ 

87,345

17,766 

27,296

$ 

32,015 

$  60,049

$ 

$ 

$ 

6,193 

25,822 

0.19 

0.19 

135.6 

$ 

$ 

$ 

7,902

52,147

0.40

0.39

129.8

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   56

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  57

consolidated statements of comprehensive Income

Years ended december 31 
(In thousands of Canadian dollars) 

net earnings for the year 

other comprehensive loss (note 15)

change in accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment 

change in unrealized loss on cash flow hedges 

comprehensive income 

2010 

2009

$ 

25,822 

$ 

52,147

(20,310) 

(4,026) 

(24,336) 

1,486 

$ 

$ 

(15,644)

12,871

(2,773)

49,374

$ 

$ 

consolidated statements of Retained earnings

Years ended december 31 
(In thousands of Canadian dollars) 

Retained earnings, beginning of year 

net earnings for the year 

adoption of new accounting standard (note 2(p)(i)) 

dividends declared ($0.16 per share; 2009: $0.16 per share) 

premium on shares issued from Restricted share Unit Trust 

Retained earnings, end of year 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

2010 

2009

$  344,839 

$  314,649

25,822 

– 

(21,677) 

(2,665) 

52,147

(207)

(20,913)

(837)

$  346,319 

$  344,839

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   57

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
58  Maple leaf foods Inc.

consolidated statements of cash flows

Years ended december 31
(In thousands of Canadian dollars) 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)

Operating activities
net earnings  
add (deduct) items not affecting cash
depreciation and amortization 
stock-based compensation (note 16) 
non-controlling interest 
future income taxes 
loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment 
Gain on sale of investments 
amortization of terminated interest rate swaps 
change in fair value of non-designated interest rate swaps 
change in fair value of derivative financial instruments 

change in other long-term receivables 
decrease (increase) in net pension asset 
change in provision for restructuring and other related costs 
other 
change in non-cash operating working capital  

cash provided by operating activities 
Financing activities
dividends paid 
dividends paid to non-controlling interest 
Increase in long-term debt  
decrease in long-term debt 
proceeds on issuance of share capital (note 14) 
purchase of treasury stock (note 14) 
Increase in financing costs 
other 

cash used in financing activities 
Investing activities

additions to property and equipment 
proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 
proceeds from sale of investments 
purchase of canada Bread shares (note 22) 
other 

cash used in investing activities 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 
cash and cash equivalents (bank indebtedness), end of year 
Net cash and cash equivalents is comprised of:
cash and cash equivalents 
Bank indebtedness 
net cash and cash equivalents (bank indebtedness), end of year 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 

2010 

2009

$ 

25,822 

$ 

52,147

141,785 
17,725 
6,193 
(12,264) 
(217) 
– 
2,010 
24,922 
1,372 
– 
(1,077) 
60,823 
(2,729) 
19,303 
$  283,668 

(21,677) 
(747) 
129,078 
(297,842) 
31,287 
(496) 
(2,656) 
(1,437) 
$  (164,490) 

(162,304) 
4,610 
140 
(2,690) 
139 
$  (160,105) 
(40,927) 
25,069 
(15,858) 

$ 

– 
(15,858) 
(15,858) 

$ 

149,489
18,400
7,902
(7,390)
1,137
(501)
2,106
–
(13,373)
90
962
15,046
(7,828)
(128,981)
$  89,206

(20,913)
(672)
–
  (262,795)
1,480
(3,190)
–
3,110
$ (282,980)

  (162,893)
23,717
1,540
–
(145)
$  (137,781)
(331,555)
  356,624
$  25,069

29,316
(4,247)
 25,069

$ 

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   58

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaf foods Inc.  59

notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Tabular amounts in thousands of canadian dollars, except share amounts) 
Years ended december 31, 2010 and 2009

1.  THE COMPANY

Maple leaf foods Inc. (“Maple leaf foods” or the “company”) is a leading canadian-based value-added meat, meals and 
bakery company, serving wholesale, retail and foodservice customers across north america and internationally. The 
company’s results are organized into three segments: Meat products Group, agribusiness Group and Bakery products Group.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following are the significant accounting policies of the company, which are in accordance with canadian Generally 
accepted accounting principles (“Gaap”).

(a) Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its subsidiaries. Investments in associated 
companies over which the company exercises significant influence, are accounted for by the equity method. Variable Interest 
entities (“VIes”), as defined by accounting Guideline 15 – “consolidation of Variable Interest entities” are consolidated by the 
company when it is determined that the company will, as the primary beneficiary, absorb the majority of the VIes’ expected 
losses and/or expected residual returns. Investments in equity securities of entities over which the company does not exert 
significant influence are accounted for at cost or at fair value depending on whether such investments are publicly traded.

(b) Use of estimates
The preparation of periodic financial statements necessarily involves the use of estimates. estimates are used when 
accounting for items and matters such as allowances for uncollectible accounts, sales of receivables, inventory obsolescence, 
depreciation and amortization, asset valuations, impairment assessments, fair value determinations, employee benefits, 
pensions, taxes and any corresponding valuation allowances, restructuring and other related costs, stock-based compensation 
and contingencies. should the underlying assumptions change, the actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

(c) Translation of foreign currencies
The accounts of the company are presented in canadian dollars. The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries whose unit  
of measure is not the canadian dollar are translated into canadian dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the year-end 
for assets and liabilities and the average exchange rates for the period for revenue, expenses and cash flows. exchange gains 
or losses on translation of foreign subsidiaries are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of 
shareholders’ equity until realized. 

(d) Revenue recognition
The majority of the company’s revenue is derived from the sale of product to retail and foodservice customers as well as the  
sale of rendering products and by-products. The company recognizes revenues from product sales at the fair value of the 
consideration received or receivable, net of estimated returns and an estimate of sales incentives provided to customers. 
Revenue is recognized when the customer takes ownership of the product, title has transferred, all the risks and rewards  
of ownership have transferred to the customer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the company has satisfied its 
performance obligations under the arrangement, and has no ongoing involvement with the sold product. The value of sales 
incentives provided to customers is estimated using historical trends and is recognized at the time of sale as a reduction  
of revenue. sales incentives include various rebate and promotional programs provided to the company’s customers.  
These rebates are primarily based on achievement of specified volume or growth in volume levels. In subsequent periods,  
the company monitors the progress of customers related to sales incentive programs and makes any required adjustments  
to both revenue and sales incentive accruals.

except for fresh bread, the company generally does not accept returns of spoiled products from customers. To account for 
spoiled products, in certain cases customers are provided with allowances to cover any damage or spoilage, and such 
allowances are deducted from sales at the time of revenue recognition. In the case of fresh bread, customer returns are 
deducted from sales to that customer. 

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   59

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
60  Maple leaF FoodS INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(e) Financial instruments
The Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities are classified as held-for-trading, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity, 
loans and receivables or other financial liabilities. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial 
instruments were acquired and their characteristics. Held-for-trading is the required classification for all derivative financial 
instruments unless they are specifically designated within an effective hedge relationship. Held-for-trading financial 
instruments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings in the period in which they arise. 
available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in other comprehensive 
income in the period in which they arise. Held-to-maturity financial assets, loans and receivables and other financial liabilities 
are initially recorded at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortized cost.

(f) Hedge accounting
The Company uses derivatives and other non-derivative financial instruments to manage exposures to fluctuations in interest 
rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices.

at the inception of a hedging relationship, the Company designates and formally documents the relationship between the 
hedging instrument and the hedged item, the risk management objective and the strategy for undertaking the hedge. The 
documentation identifies the specific asset, liability or anticipated cash flows being hedged, the risk that is being hedged, the  
type of hedging instrument used and how effectiveness will be assessed. 

The Company also formally assesses, both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter, whether or not the derivatives that 
are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting the changes attributable to the hedged risks in the fair 
values or cash flows of the hedged items. If a hedge relationship becomes ineffective, it no longer qualifies for hedge 
accounting and any subsequent change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is recognized in earnings.

When hedge accounting is appropriate, the hedging relationship is designated as a cash flow hedge, a fair value hedge or a 
hedge of foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a self-sustaining foreign operation. 

In a cash flow hedge, the change in fair value of the hedging instrument is recorded, to the extent it is effective, in other 
comprehensive income until the hedged item affects net earnings. The Company uses cash flow hedges primarily to convert 
fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated notes payable to fixed-rate notes denominated in Canadian dollars. The Company also 
uses cash flow hedges to mitigate the risk from variable cash flows associated with forecasted foreign currency-denominated 
cash flows and forecasted purchases and sales of various commodities.

In a fair value hedge, the change in fair value of the hedging derivative is offset in the consolidated statement of earnings by 
the change in fair value of the hedged item relating to the hedged risk.

In a net investment hedge, the change in fair value of the hedging instruments is recorded, to the extent effective, directly in 
other comprehensive income. These amounts are recognized in income when the corresponding cumulative translation 
adjustments from self-sustaining foreign operations are recognized in income. The Company has designated certain U.S. 
dollar-denominated notes payable as net investment hedges of U.S. operations.

Hedge ineffectiveness is measured and recorded in current period earnings in the consolidated statement of earnings. When 
either a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge is discontinued, any cumulative adjustment to either the hedged item or other 
comprehensive income is recognized in earnings as the hedged item affects earnings, or when the hedged item is derecognized. 
If a designated hedge is no longer effective, the associated derivative instrument is subsequently carried at fair value, with any 
gains or losses recorded in earnings, without any offset from the hedged item.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are carried at fair value in the consolidated 
balance sheets, and subsequent changes in their fair value are recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings.

(g) Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost being determined substantially on a first-in, 
first-out basis. Included in the cost of inventory are direct product costs, direct labour and an allocation of variable and fixed 
manufacturing overhead including depreciation.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   60

11-03-06   5:17 PM

Maple leaF FoodS INC.  61

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(h) Impairment or disposal of long-lived assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets or asset groups held and used including property and equipment and other 
intangible assets subject to amortization for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their 
carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying 
amount of the asset to the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposal of the 
asset or asset group.  an impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds the fair 
value of the asset or asset group. long-lived assets are classified as held-for-sale when certain criteria are met and a sale is 
expected to be completed within one year. The assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheet and 
reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated.

(i) Property and equipment
property and equipment are recorded at cost including, where applicable, interest capitalized during the construction or 
development period. Construction in process assets are capitalized during construction and depreciation commences when 
the asset is available for use. depreciation is calculated using the straight-line basis, which is based on the expected useful  
life of the assets as follows:

Buildings 
Machinery and equipment 

15 – 40 years
3 – 10 years

(j) Financing costs
Costs incurred to obtain long-term debt financing are amortized over the term of such debt and the amount amortized is 
included in interest expense for the year.

(k) Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill is the residual amount that results when the purchase price of an acquired business exceeds the sum of the amounts 
allocated to identifiable assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, based on their fair values. Goodwill is allocated as of the date 
of the business combination to the Company’s reporting units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business 
combination. The Company assigns value to certain acquired identifiable intangible assets, primarily brands, customer 
relationships, poultry production quota and delivery routes. 

The Company has both definite life and indefinite life intangible assets. definite life intangibles are amortized on a 
straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. 

Trademarks 
Customer relationship intangibles 
Software 

10 years
20 – 25 years
3 – 10 years

Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment annually in the second quarter and otherwise as required if events 
occur that indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit has been impaired. Impairment of 
goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount to its fair value. Indefinite life 
intangibles are tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter and, as required, if events occur that indicate it is more 
likely than not the carrying value has been impaired. The impairment tests for indefinite life intangible assets and goodwill 
were performed in 2010 and 2009 and no impairments were identified. 

(l) Income taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. accordingly, future tax assets and liabilities 
are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts 
of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Future tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or 
substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are 
expected to be recovered or settled. In addition, the effect on future tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is 
recognized in income in the year that includes the enactment or substantive enactment date. a valuation allowance is 
recognized against future tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or some part of the asset will not be realized.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   61

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
62  Maple leaF FoodS INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(m) Employee benefit plans
The Company accrues obligations and costs in respect of employee benefit plans. The cost of pensions and other retirement 
benefits earned by employees is actuarially determined using the projected benefit method prorated on service and 
Management’s best estimate of expected plan investment performance, salary escalation, retirement ages of employees and 
expected health care costs. Changes in these assumptions could affect future pension expense. For the purpose of calculating 
the expected return on plan assets, those assets are valued at fair value. past service costs arising from plan amendments are 
amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of employees active at the date of amendment. 

actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the actuarial liabilities and the fair value of assets at the 
beginning of the year and all gains and losses due to changes in plan provisions are amortized on a straight-line basis over 
the expected average remaining service period of the active plan members. When a restructuring of a benefit plan gives rise 
to both a curtailment and settlement of obligations, the curtailment is accounted for prior to the settlement.

(n) Stock-based compensation
The Company applies the fair value method of accounting for its stock-based compensation. The fair value at grant date of 
stock options (“options”) is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock units 
(“RSUs”) is measured based on the fair value of the underlying shares on the grant date. Compensation cost is recognized on 
a straight-line basis over the expected vesting period of the stock-based compensation. The Company estimates forfeitures at 
the grant date and revises the estimate as necessary if subsequent information indicates that actual forfeitures differ 
significantly from the original estimate.

(o) Statement of cash flows
Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash and short-term securities with maturities less than 90 days at the date of 
acquisition, less bank indebtedness.

(p) Accounting changes
(i) 

 effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted emerging Issues Committee abstract 173, “Credit Risk and the Fair 
Value of Financial assets and Financial liabilities” (“eIC 173”). eIC 173 requires the Company to consider its own credit 
risk and the credit risk of the counterparty in determining the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, 
including derivative instruments. The adoption of eIC 173, which was adopted on a retrospective basis without 
restatement of prior periods, did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

(ii)   In 2008, the Canadian Institute of Chartered accountants (“CICa”) issued Handbook Section 3064, “Goodwill and 

Intangible assets” (“CICa 3064”). CICa 3064, which replaces Section 3062, “Goodwill and other Intangible assets”, and 
Section 3450, “Research and development Costs”, establishes standards for the recognition, measurement and disclosure 
of goodwill and intangible assets. The Company adopted this standard on a retrospective basis on January 1, 2009. The 
adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

(iii)  In June 2009, the CICa amended Section 3862, “Financial Instruments – disclosures”, to include additional disclosure 
requirements about fair value measurement for financial instruments and liquidity risk disclosures. These amendments 
require a three-level hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the fair value measurements.  
each level is based on the transparency of the inputs used to measure the fair values of assets and liabilities: 

  level 1 – inputs are unadjusted quoted prices of identical instruments in active markets. 

 level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly  
or indirectly.

 level 3 – one or more significant inputs used in a valuation technique are unobservable in determining fair values of  
the instruments. 

determination of fair value and the resulting hierarchy requires the use of observable market data whenever available.  
The classification of a financial instrument in the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to 
the measurement of fair value. The Company has complied with the new disclosure requirements beginning in 2009 and 
this disclosure is presented in Note 12.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   62

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC.  63

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(q) Recent accounting pronouncements
In January 2009, the CICa issued Handbook Section 1582, “Business Combinations” (“CICa 1582”). CICa 1582 requires that 
all assets and liabilities of an acquired business be recorded at fair value on the acquisition date and is consistent with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). obligations for contingent considerations and contingencies will also 
be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The standard also requires that acquisition-related costs be expensed as 
incurred and that restructuring charges be expensed in the periods in which they are incurred after the acquisition date. The 
Section applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first 
annual reporting period on or after January 1, 2011.

In January 2009, the CICa issued Handbook Section 1601, “Consolidations” (“CICa 1601”), and Section 1602, “Non-
controlling Interests” (“CICa 1602”). CICa 1601 establishes standards for the preparation of consolidated financial 
statements. CICa 1602 establishes standards for accounting for a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary in consolidated 
financial statements subsequent to a business combination. These standards apply to interim and annual consolidated 
financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.

In February 2008, the CICa announced that Canadian public companies will be required to prepare their financial statements  
in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.  
The Company will issue its financial statements in the first quarter of 2011 in accordance with IFRS including comparative 
data for 2010.

(r) Comparative figures
Certain 2009 comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the financial statement presentation adopted in 2010.

3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Trade receivables (a)  

less: allowance for bad debts 

Net trade receivables 

other receivables  

2010 

2009

$ 

37,433 

$  166,422

(6,764) 

(10,204)

$ 

30,669 

$  156,218

53,448 

33,003

$ 

84,117 

$  189,221

(a)   during 2010, the Company entered into a new revolving securitization program that replaced the existing accounts 

receivable financing facilities. at december 31, 2010, the Company has sold certain of its trade accounts receivable to  
an entity owned by a financial institution. The Company retains servicing responsibilities and retains a limited recourse 
obligation for delinquent receivables. at december 31, 2010, trade accounts receivable being serviced under this program 
amounted to $292.9 million (2009: $174.8 million under the former facilities). In return for the sale of its trade receivables, 
the Company received cash of $156.2 million (2009: $174.8 million under former facilities) and notes receivable in the 
amount of $136.7 million (2009: nil). The notes receivable are non-interest bearing and are due on the monthly accounts 
receivable settlement dates.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   63

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
64  Maple leaF Food S INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

4. INVENTORIES

Raw materials 

Work in process 

Finished goods 

packaging 

Spare parts 

5.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

land 

Building  

Machinery and equipment 

Construction in progress 

Total property and equipment 

land 

Building  

Machinery and equipment 

Construction in progress 

Total property and equipment 

2010 

2009

$ 

45,872 

$   49,617

50,662 

158,074 

25,380 

39,275 

52,836

166,988

25,067

37,273

$  319,263 

$  331,781

2010 

Cost 

Accumulated 
Depreciation 

$ 

59,507 

$ 

– 

704,385 

(299,182) 

  1,581,643 

  (1,103,456) 

94,531 

– 

Net Book 
Value

$  59,507

  405,203

  478,187

94,531

$ 2,440,066 

$ (1,402,638) 

$ 1,037,428

2009  

Cost 

accumulated 
depreciation 

Net Book 
Value

$ 

60,501 

$ 

– 

$  60,501

672,956 

(255,378) 

417,578

1,532,193 

  (1,045,185) 

  487,008

94,607 

– 

94,607

$  2,360,257 

$ (1,300,563) 

$ 1,059,694

depreciation expense included in earnings for the current year was $139.5 million (2009: $147.2 million). details of asset 
impairments are discussed in Note 13. 

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   64

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC.  65

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

6. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE  

assets and related liabilities held for sale in 2009 are those relating to the Company’s Burlington, ontario pork processing 
facility, which was sold in the fourth quarter of 2010. The facility’s assets held for sale, and liabilities related thereto, are 
comprised of the following:

as at december 31 

Assets held for sale

accounts receivable 

Inventories 

property and equipment 

Classified as:

Current 

long-term 

Liabilities related to assets held for sale

accounts payable and accrued charges 

7.  OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

deferred pension asset (Note 21) 

other 

8. GOODWILL

Balance, beginning of period 

acquisitions 

Finalization of prior purchase equations 

Reversal of acquisition-related accruals (net of tax) 

effect of changes in foreign exchange rates 

Balance, end of period 

2009

$ 

11,096

18,128

35,836

$  65,060

$ 

29,224

35,836

$  65,060

$ 

12,111

2010 

2009

$  327,407 

$  322,656

6,426 

5,407

$  333,833 

$  328,063

2010 

2009

$  857,278 

$  876,261

1,010 

– 

– 

(7,906) 

–

(689)

(8,112)

(10,182)

$  850,382 

$  857,278

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   65

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
66  Maple leaF Food S INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

9. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Brands 

Poultry 

Customer
Quota  Relationships 

Software 

Other 

Total

2010

Cost

Balance december 31, 2009  $ 

59,591 

$ 

28,567 

$ 

14,440 

$ 

40,230 

$ 

1,545 

$ 

144,373

additions 

disposals 

effect of changes in foreign 
 exchange rates 

– 

– 

(25) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(1,074) 

30,389 

– 

30,389

– 

– 

(254) 

(254)

– 

(1,099)

Balance December 31, 2010 

$ 

59,566 

$ 

28,567 

$ 

13,366 

$ 

70,619 

$ 

1,291 

$ 

173,409

Amortization and impairment

Balance december 31, 2009  $ 

4,933 

$ 

amortization 

Impairments 

effect of changes in foreign
 exchange rates 

639 

– 

(2) 

Balance December 31, 2010 

$ 

5,570 

$ 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

$ 

1,497 

$ 

704 

$ 

545 

623 

(106) 

1,156 

– 

– 

$ 

2,559 

$ 

1,860 

$ 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

$ 

7,134

2,340

623

(108)

$ 

9,989

Net carrying value 

 December 31, 2010 

Cost

$ 

53,996 

$ 

28,567 

$ 

10,807 

$ 

68,759 

$ 

1,291 

$ 

163,420

Brands 

poultry 
Customer
Quota  Relationships 

Software 

other 

Total

2009

Balance december 31, 2008 

$ 

57,053 

$ 

28,567 

$ 

13,341 

$ 

– 

$ 

2,047 

$ 

101,008

additions 

disposals 

effect of changes in foreign
 exchange rates 

2,629 

– 

(91) 

– 

– 

– 

1,700 

– 

(601) 

40,230 

– 

– 

– 

(502) 

44,559

(502)

– 

(692)

Balance december 31, 2009 

$ 

59,591 

$ 

28,567 

$ 

14,440 

$ 

40,230 

$ 

1,545 

$ 

144,373

Amortization and impairment

Balance december 31, 2008 

$ 

2,788 

$ 

amortization 

Impairments 

effect of changes in foreign 
 exchange rates 

933 

1,212 

– 

Balance december 31, 2009 

$ 

4,933 

$ 

Net carrying value 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

$ 

863 

673 

– 

(39) 

$ 

– 

$ 

704 

– 

– 

$ 

1,497 

$ 

704 

$ 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

$ 

3,651

2,310

1,212

(39)

$ 

7,134

 december 31, 2009 

$ 

54,658 

$ 

28,567 

$ 

12,943 

$ 

39,526 

$ 

1,545 

$ 

137,239

Intangible asset impairments relate to restructuring in the Bakery Products Group (Note 13).

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   66

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC.  67

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

10. LONG-TERM DEBT

Notes payable:

– due 2010 (US$75.0 million and Cad$115.0 million) (a) 

$ 

– due 2010 (Cad$2.6 million) (d) 

– due 2011 (US$207.0 million) (b) 

– due 2011 to 2016 (Cad$34.8 million) (d) 

– due 2014 (US$98.0 million and Cad$105.0 million) (b) 

– due 2015 (Cad$90.0 million) (c) 

– due 2015 (Cad$7.0 million) (e) 

– due 2016 (US$7.0 million and Cad$20.0 million) (b) 

– due 2020 (Cad$30.0 million) (e) 

Revolving term facility (f) 

other (g) 

less: Current portion 

2010 

2009

– 

– 

205,892 

37,684 

201,549 

89,067 

7,000 

26,775 

29,823 

$  193,810

2,704

216,775

43,078

  206,610

–

–

27,122

–

285,000 

  345,000

3,123 

5,605

$  885,913 

$ 1,040,704

496,835 

206,147

$  389,078 

$  834,557

(a)   In april 2000, the Company issued notes payable due april 2010. The notes payable include a Canadian dollar-denominated 
tranche for Cad$115.0 million, bearing interest at 7.7% per annum, and a U.S. dollar-denominated tranche for US$75.0 million, 
bearing interest at 8.5% per annum. Through the use of cross-currency interest rate swaps, the Company hedged the U.S. dollar 
tranche into Canadian dollar-denominated debt, at an effective fixed interest rate of 7.7% per annum. In april 2010, the 
Company repaid the notes payable in full and settled the related cross-currency interest rate swap. at december 31, 2009, fair 
value of the swap liability was $32.4 million.

(b)  In december 2004, the Company issued $500.0 million of notes payable. The notes were issued in tranches of U.S. and 
Canadian dollar-denominations, with maturity dates from seven to 12 years and bearing interest at fixed annual  
coupon rates. 

details of the five tranches are as follows:

principal 

US$207.0 million 

US$98.0 million 

Cad$105.0 million 

US$7.0 million 

Cad$20.0 million 

Maturity date 

annual Coupon

2011 

2014 

2014 

2016 

2016 

5.2%

5.6%

6.1%

5.8%

6.2%

Interest is payable semi-annually. Through the use of cross-currency interest rate swaps, the Company hedged: US$177.0 million 
of debt maturing in 2011 into Canadian dollar-denominated debt bearing interest at an annual fixed rate of 5.4%, US$98.0 million 
of debt maturing in 2014 into Canadian dollar-denominated debt bearing interest at an annual fixed rate of 6.0%, and US$2.0 million 
of debt maturing in 2016 into Canadian dollar-denominated debt bearing interest at an annual fixed rate of 6.1%. at december 31, 
2010, the fair value of the swap liabilities were $94.6 million based on year-end exchange rates (2009: $86.7 million).

(c)   In april 2010 and May 2010, the Company issued Cad$75.0 million of notes payable, bearing interest at 6.08% per annum 
and Cad$15.0 million of notes payable, bearing interest at 5.76% per annum, respectively. The notes payable are due in 
april 2015. 

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   67

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
68  Maple leaF FoodS INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(d)   With the acquisition of Schneider Corporation in april 2004, the Company assumed liabilities outstanding in respect of 
debentures previously issued by Schneider Corporation. In april 2004, the debentures provided for principal payments 
totalling $13.1 million and $60.0 million, bearing interest at fixed annual rates of 10.0% and 7.5%, respectively. The 
debentures require annual principal repayments over the term of the bonds that have final maturity dates of September 
2010 and october 2016, respectively. These debentures were recorded at their fair value on the acquisition closing date. 
The difference between the acquisition date fair value and the face value of the bonds is amortized over the remaining life 
of the debentures on an effective yield basis. In September 2010, the Company repaid the 2010 debenture in full. on 
december 31, 2010, the remaining book value was $37.7 million for the 2016 debenture (2009: $43.1 million) and the 
remaining principal payments outstanding was $34.8 million (2009: $39.3 million).

(e)   In december 2010, the Company issued or agreed to issue notes payable in tranches of U.S. and Canadian dollar-

denominations, with maturity dates from five to 11 years and bearing interest at fixed annual coupon rates. The Company 
received proceeds of Cad$37.0 million in december 2010 and the remaining proceeds in January 2011. 

details of the five tranches are as follows:

principal 

Cad$7.0 million 

Cad$30.0 million 

Cad$102.5 million 

US$213.0 million 

Maturity date 

annual Coupon

2015 

2020 

2021 

2021 

4.9%

5.9%

5.9%

5.2%

Interest is payable semi-annually. Through the use of cross-currency interest rate swaps, the Company hedged US$213.0 
million of debt maturing in 2021 into Canadian dollar-denominated debt bearing interest at an annual fixed rate of 6.1%. at 
december 31, 2010, the fair value of the swap liabilities were $12.2 million based on year-end exchange rates.

(f)   The Company has an unsecured revolving debt facility with a principal amount of $870.0 million. The maturity date of the 
facility is May 31, 2011. This facility can be drawn in Canadian dollars, U.S. dollars, or British pounds, and bears interest 
based on bankers’ acceptance rates for Canadian dollar loans and lIBoR for U.S. dollar and British pound loans. as at 
december 31, 2010, $400.8 million of the revolving facility was utilized (2009: $476.6 million), of which $115.8 million was 
in respect of letters of credit and trade finance (2009: $131.6 million). 

(g)   during 2010, the Company completed an agreement with a syndicate of banks, including the majority of the banks in  
its existing revolving credit facility, to augment the Company’s primary revolving credit facility with a $250.0 million 
short-term bank lending facility maturing May 31, 2011. The facility was terminated subsequent to year-end (Note 27).

(h)  The Company has other various lending facilities, with interest rates ranging from non-interest bearing to 7.1% per 
annum. These facilities are repayable over various terms from 2011 to 2016. as at december 31, 2010, $12.2 million  
(2009: $14.5 million) was outstanding, of which $9.1 million (2009: $8.9 million) was in respect of letters of credit.

The Company’s estimated blended average effective cost of borrowing for 2010 was approximately 4.8% (2009: 5.1%) after 
taking into account the impact of interest rate hedges.

Required repayments of long-term debt are as follows:

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

Thereafter 

Total long-term debt 

$  496,835

5,945

5,735

  208,597

103,518

65,283

$  885,913

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   68

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC.  69

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

11. OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

derivative instruments (Note 12) 

pension liabilities (Note 21) 

post-retirement benefits (Note 21) 

other 

2010 

2009

$ 

71,676 

$ 

77,328

34,275 

66,706 

19,654 

31,067

65,062

14,066

$ 

192,311 

$  187,523

12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Capital 
The Company’s objective is to maintain a cost effective capital structure that supports its long-term growth strategy and 
maximizes operating flexibility. In allocating capital to investments to support its earnings goals, the Company establishes 
internal hurdle return rates for capital initiatives. Capital projects are generally financed with senior debt and internal  
cash flows.

The Company uses leverage in its capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Company’s goal is to maintain its 
primary credit ratios and leverage at levels that are designed to provide continued access to investment-grade credit pricing 
and terms. The Company measures its credit profile using a number of metrics, primarily net debt to earnings before interest, 
income taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring and other related costs. The Company’s various credit facilities, all of 
which are unsecured, are subject to certain financial covenants. as at december 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with 
all of these covenants.

In addition to senior debt and equity, the Company may use operating leases and limited recourse accounts receivable 
securitization programs as additional sources of financing. 

The Company has maintained a stable dividend distribution that is based on a sustainable net earnings base. From time to 
time, the Company has purchased shares for cancellation pursuant to normal course issuer bids and to satisfy awards under 
its Restricted Share Unit plan.

For the year ended december 31, 2010, total equity increased by $28.3 million to $1,217.4 million. during the same period, total 
debt net of cash and cash equivalents decreased by $113.9 million to $901.8 million.

Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are classified into the following categories:

Cash and cash equivalents 

accounts receivable 

Notes receivable 

Bank indebtedness 

accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

long-term debt 

derivative instruments(i)  

Held-for-trading 

loans and receivables 

loans and receivables

other financial liabilities

other financial liabilities 

other financial liabilities

Held-for-trading

(i)   These derivative instruments may be designated as cash flow hedges or as fair value hedges as appropriate.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   69

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
70  Maple leaF FoodS INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities classified as loans and receivables and other financial liabilities (excluding 
long-term debt) approximate their carrying value due to their short-term nature. Financial assets and liabilities classified as 
held-for-trading and all derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value. The fair value of long-term debt as at 
december 31, 2010 was $924.9 million as compared to its carrying value of $885.9 million on the consolidated balance sheet.

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was estimated based on discounted future cash flows using current rates for 
similar financial instruments subject to similar risks and maturities. The fair values of the Company’s interest rate and foreign 
exchange derivative financial instruments were estimated using current market measures for interest rates and foreign 
exchange rates. Commodity futures and options contracts are exchange-traded and fair value is determined based on 
exchange prices.

The risks associated with the Company’s financial instruments and policies for managing these risks are detailed below.

Credit Risk
Credit risk refers to the risk of losses due to failure of the Company’s customers or other counterparties to meet their  
payment obligations. 

In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to credit risk from its customers. The Company performs  
ongoing credit evaluations of new and existing customers’ financial condition and reviews the collectibility of its trade  
and other receivables in order to mitigate any possible credit losses. as at december 31, 2010 approximately $8.2 million 
(2009: $12.5 million) of the Company’s accounts receivable were greater than 60 days past due. The Company maintains an 
allowance for doubtful accounts that represents its estimate of uncollectible amounts. The components of this allowance 
include a provision related to specific losses estimated on individually significant exposures and a general provision based 
on historical trends of collections. as at december 31, 2010, the Company has recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of 
$6.8 million (2009: $10.2 million). average accounts receivable days sales outstanding for the year is consistent with historic 
trends. There are no significant impaired accounts receivable that have not been provided for in the allowance for doubtful 
accounts. The Company believes that the allowance for doubtful accounts sufficiently covers any credit risk related to past 
due or impaired accounts receivable balances.

Management believes concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the generally high 
credit quality of the Company’s major customers, as well as the large number and geographic dispersion of smaller 
customers. The Company does, however, conduct a significant amount of business with a small number of large grocery 
retailers. The Company’s five largest customers comprise approximately 39.8% (2009: 42.7%) of consolidated pre-securitized 
accounts receivable at december 31, 2010 and the two largest customers comprise approximately 20.4% (2009: 21.2%) of 
consolidated sales.

The Company is exposed to credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents (comprising primarily deposits and short-term 
placements with Canadian chartered banks) and non-exchange-traded derivatives contracts. The Company mitigates this 
credit risk by only dealing with counterparties that are major international financial institutions with long-term debt ratings 
of single a or better.

The Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk at the balance sheet date consisted primarily of the carrying value of 
non-derivative financial assets and non-exchange-traded derivatives with positive fair values.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   70

11-03-06   5:17 PM

Maple leaF FoodS INC. 

71

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Liquidity Risk 
liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. 

The contractual undiscounted principal cash flows payable in respect of financial liabilities as at the balance sheet date were  
as follows: 

as at december 31, 2010 

Financial liabilities 

  Bank indebtedness 

  accounts payable and accrued charges 

  long-term debt 

  Cross-currency interest rate swaps 

Total 

  due within  due between   due between  due after
3 years 

1 year  1 and 2 years  2 and 3 years 

Total

$ 

15,858 

$ 

521,746 

  496,835  

54,645 

– 

– 

5,945 

– 

$ 

$ 

– 

– 

– 

– 

$  15,858

  521,746

5,735 

  377,398 

  885,913

– 

41,461 

96,106

$ 1,089,084 

$ 

5,945 

$ 

5,735 

$  418,859 

$ 1,519,623

The Company manages liquidity risk by monitoring forecasted and actual cash flows, minimizing reliance on any single 
source of credit, maintaining sufficient undrawn committed credit facilities and managing the maturity profiles of financial 
assets and financial liabilities to minimize re-financing risk.

as at december 31, 2010, the Company had available undrawn committed credit of $683.7 million under the terms of its 
principal banking arrangements. These banking arrangements, which mature in 2011, are subject to certain covenants and 
other restrictions.

Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk refers to the risk that the value of a financial instrument or cash flows associated with the instrument will 
fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. 

The Company’s interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings issued at fixed rates that create fair value interest rate risk 
and variable rate borrowings that create cash flow interest rate risk. In addition, the Company’s cash balances are typically 
invested in short-term interest bearing assets.

at december 31, 2010, the Company had variable rate debt of $294.3 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.0% 
(2009: $350.1 million with a weighted average of 1.5%). In addition, the Company is exposed to floating interest rates on its 
accounts receivable securitization programs. as at december 31, 2010, the amount sold pursuant to these programs was  
$155.5 million at a weighted average interest rate of 2.4% (2009: $174.8 million with a weighted average rate of 2.4%). 

The Company manages its interest rate risk exposure by using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt and periodically using 
interest rate derivatives to achieve the desired proportion of variable to fixed-rate debt. 

as at december 31, 2010, 89% of the Company’s outstanding debt and revolving accounts receivable securitization program 
were not exposed to interest rate movements (2009: 57%).

Foreign Exchange Risk
Foreign exchange risk refers to the risk that the value of financial instruments or cash flows associated with the instruments  
will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. 

The Company’s foreign exchange risk arises primarily from transactions in currencies other than Canadian dollars, U.S. 
dollar-denominated borrowings and investments in foreign operations. 

The Company uses cross-currency interest rate swaps to mitigate its exposure to changes in exchange rates related to U.S. 
dollar-denominated debt. These swaps are used primarily to effectively convert fixed-rate U.S. dollar-denominated notes 
payable to fixed-rate notes denominated in Canadian dollars and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. 

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   71

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72  Maple leaF FoodS INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes the notional amounts and interest rates of the Company’s interest rate swaps and 
cross-currency interest rate swaps, all of which are designated as a hedging instrument in a hedging relationship:

(In thousands of currency units)

Maturity 

2011 

2014  

2021 

Notional 
amount 

 Receive 

rate(i) 

Notional 
amount 

US$ 

177,000 

100,000 

213,000 

Cad$

231,025 

138,000 

215,366 

5.2% 

5.6% 

5.2% 

pay
rate(i)

5.4%

6.0%

6.1%

(i) 

 The Receive rate is the annualized rate that is applied to the notional amount of the derivative and paid by the counterparty to the Company. The Pay rate 
is the annualized rate that is applied to the notional amount of the derivative and paid by the Company to the counterparty.

a portion of the Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated notes payable is not swapped into Canadian dollars and is designated as 
a net investment hedge of its U.S. operations. at december 31, 2010, this amount of notes payable designated as a hedge of 
the Company’s net investment in U.S. operations was US$35.0 million (december 31, 2009: US$35.0 million). Foreign 
exchange gains and losses on the designated notes payable are recorded in shareholders’ equity in the foreign currency 
translation component of accumulated other comprehensive income and offset translation adjustments on the underlying net 
assets of the U.S. operations, which are also recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The gain on the net 
investment hedge recorded in other comprehensive loss for the year ended december 31, 2010 was $1.9 million before taxes 
(2009: gain of $24.8 million).

The Company uses foreign exchange forward contracts to manage foreign exchange transaction exposures. The primary 
currencies to which the Company is exposed are the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen. Qualifying foreign currency forward 
contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges. as of december 31, 2010, $142.8 million of anticipated foreign currency-
denominated sales have been hedged with underlying foreign exchange forward contracts settling at various dates beginning 
January 2011. The aggregate fair value of these forward contracts was a gain of $2.2 million at december 31, 2010 (2009: gain 
of $2.9 million) and was recorded in other current assets.

at december 31, 2010, the Company had fixed-rate debt of $599.4 million with a weighted average interest rate of 5.7%. Changes 
in market interest rates cause the fair value of long-term debt with fixed interest rates to fluctuate but do not affect net earnings, 
as the Company’s debt is carried at amortized cost and the carrying value does not change as interest rates change.

Similar to fixed-rate debt, the fair value of the Company’s fixed-pay cross-currency interest rate swaps fluctuates with changes 
in market interest rates but the associated cash flows do not change and earnings are not affected. The fair value of the 
Company’s cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges are primarily driven by changes in foreign 
exchange rates rather than changes in interest rates. 

For cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as cash flow or fair value hedges of foreign exchange risk, changes in  
the fair values of the hedged item and the hedging instruments attributable to foreign exchange rate movements offset 
completely in the income statement in the same period. as a consequence, these financial instruments are not exposed to 
foreign exchange risks and do not affect net earnings.

It is estimated that, all else constant, a hypothetical 10% change in the value of the Canadian dollar against all relevant currencies 
would result in a change in the fair value of the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts of $18.7 million, an offsetting 
change in net earnings of $3.2 million and a corresponding change in other comprehensive income of $9.6 million.

Commodity Price Risk
The Company is exposed to price risk related to commodities such as live hogs, fuel costs and purchases of certain other 
agricultural commodities used as raw materials including feed grains and wheat. The Company may use fixed price contracts 
with suppliers as well as exchange-traded futures and options to manage its exposure to price fluctuations.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   72

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC. 

73

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

derivatives designated as a hedge of an anticipated or forecasted transaction are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Changes 
in the fair value of the hedging derivatives are recorded in other comprehensive income to the extent the hedge is effective in 
mitigating the exposure to the related anticipated transaction, and subsequently reclassified to earnings to offset the impact 
of the hedged items when they affect earnings. 

The Company also uses futures to minimize the price risk assumed under forward priced contracts with suppliers. The futures 
contracts are designated and accounted for as fair value hedges. 

The Company applies the normal purchases classification to certain contracts that are entered into for the purpose of procuring 
commodities to be used in production.

It is estimated that, all else constant, a hypothetical 10% change in market prices of the underlying commodities would result 
in a change in the fair value of underlying outstanding derivative contracts of $9.2 million, a corresponding change in net 
earnings of $0.7 million and a corresponding change in other comprehensive income of $5.6 million. These amounts exclude 
the offsetting impact of the commodity price risk inherent in the transactions being hedged.

The fair values and notional amounts of derivative financial instruments are shown below:

2010 

2009

Notional 
Amount 

Fair Value 
Asset  Liability  

Notional 
amount 

Fair Value  

asset 

liability

Cash flow hedges

Cross-currency interest rate swaps 

US $ 490,000  $ 

–  $ 106,761  US $ 352,000   $ 

–  $  114,012

Foreign exchange forward contracts(i) 

  142,750 

2,215 

  119,033  

2,905   

Commodity futures contracts(i) 

  18,528 

460 

21,538  

–

736

Fair value hedges

Commodity futures contracts(i) 

$  60,437  $ 

–  $  2,869 

    $  18,903   $ 

–  $ 

417

Derivatives not designated in a formal  

 hedging relationship

Interest rate swaps 

Foreign exchange forward contracts(i) 

Commodity futures contracts(i) 

Total 

Current 

Non-current 

Total 

$ 590,000  $ 

–  $  24,922 

    $ 

–   $ 

–  $ 

  87,100    

620 

  42,408 

– 

– 

129 

  119,306    

10,985  

845   

36   

–

–

–

  $  2,835   $ 135,141 

  $  2,835  $  63,465 

– 

  71,676 

   $ 

   $ 

3,786   $  115,165

3,786  $  37,837

–   

77,328

  $  2,835  $  135,141 

   $ 

3,786  $  115,165

(i)  Notional amounts are stated at the contractual Canadian dollar equivalent.

derivatives not designated in a formal hedging relationship are classified as held-for-trading. Net gains or losses on financial 
instruments held-for-trading consist of realized and unrealized gains or losses on derivatives which were de-designated or 
were otherwise not in a formal hedge relationship. 

For the years ended december 31, 2010 and 2009, the amount of hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings was not material.

Non-designated Interest Rate Swaps
during the second quarter, the Company executed $590.0 million of interest rate swaps. Swaps totalling $330.0 million  
started on april 28, 2010 and have an expiry date of april 28, 2015 with an average interest rate of 3.34%. Swaps totalling 
$260.0 million start on december 8, 2011 and have an expiry date of december 8, 2015 with an average interest rate of 4.18%. 
These swaps are not currently designated in a formal hedging relationship. For the year ended december 31, 2010, the change 
in fair value recorded in net earnings was a loss of $24.9 million.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   73

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
74  Maple leaF FoodS INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Fair Value Hierarchy
assets and liabilities carried at fair value must be classified using a three-level hierarchy that reflects the significance and 
transparency of the inputs used in making the fair value measurements. The table below sets out fair value measurements of 
financial instruments using the fair value hierarchy (Note 2(p)(ii)).

assets:

Foreign exchange forward contracts 

liabilities:

Commodity futures contracts 

Interest rate swaps 

  level 1  

  level 2 

  level 3 

  Total

$ 

$ 

– 

– 

$ 

$ 

2,835 

2,835 

$  3,458 

$ 

– 

– 

  131,683 

$  3,458 

$  131,683 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

$  2,835

$  2,835

$  3,458

  131,683

$ 135,141

There were no transfers between levels during the year ended december 31, 2010.

13. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER RELATED COSTS

during 2010, the Company recorded restructuring and other related costs of $81.1 million ($61.2 million after-tax). of this 
pre-tax amount, $32.9 million related to an asset impairment charge on the Company’s Burlington, ontario pork processing 
facility. a further $13.1 million related to severances and asset write-downs due to the planned closure of a prepared meats 
facility in Berwick, Nova Scotia. The Company’s bakery business also incurred $9.6 million in severance and retention costs 
related to the planned replacement of three bakeries in the Toronto area with one facility in Hamilton, ontario. The balance 
of the restructuring costs comprises ongoing costs incurred in connection with previously announced restructuring 
initiatives of the Company.

during 2009, the Company recorded restructuring and other related costs of $31.1 million ($22.8 million after-tax). of these 
amounts, $22.1 million related to severance and lease termination costs in the Company’s further processed protein operations. 
The Company’s bakery business announced the consolidation of its pasta and sandwich operations and recorded $3.5 million 
that included severances and a write-down of $1.2 million related to the discontinuance of a brand name. The balance of the 
restructuring costs was incurred in connection with the ongoing restructuring initiatives of the Company.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   74

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC. 

75

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table provides a summary of costs recognized and cash payments made in respect of the above-mentioned 
restructuring and other related costs and the corresponding liability as at december 31, 2010, all on a pre-tax basis: 

asset
impairment 
and
accelerated 

Severance 

Site closing 

depreciation   Retention 

pension 

Total

Balance at december 31, 2008 

$ 

4,737 

$ 

5,252 

$ 

– 

$ 

225 

$ 

  Charges  

  Cash payments 

  Non-cash items 

15,399 

(8,722) 

– 

11,098 

(7,237) 

– 

4,648 

– 

(4,648) 

– 

(140) 

– 

Balance at december 31, 2009 

$ 

11,414 

$ 

9,113 

$ 

– 

$ 

85 

$ 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

$  10,214

  31,145

  (16,099)

(4,648)

$  20,612

  Charges  

  Cash payments 

  Non-cash items 

25,808 

(10,462) 

– 

8,543 

(9,799) 

45,575 

– 

– 

(45,575) 

384 

(24) 

– 

798 

  81,108

– 

  (20,285)

(798) 

  (46,373)

Balance at December 31, 2010 

$  26,760 

$ 

7,857 

$ 

– 

$ 

445 

$ 

– 

$  35,062

14. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Shareholders’ equity consists of the following:

Share capital(i), (ii) 

Retained earnings  

Contributed surplus(i) 

accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 15) 

Treasury stock(iii) 

2010 

2009

$  902,942 

346,319 

56,734 

(78,540) 

(10,078) 

$   869,485

  344,839

53,429

(54,204)

(24,499)

$  1,217,377 

$ 1,189,050

(i) 

 On December 16, 2008, the Company issued 7,368,421 units, each unit consisting of one subscription receipt and 0.4 of a common share purchase warrant for   
net proceeds of $69.1 million. Each whole warrant entitled the holder to purchase one common share at any time until December 16, 2010 at a price of $9.50  
per common share. For each subscription receipt, the holder was entitled to receive one common share of the Company on August 4, 2009, or, at the Com-
pany’s election, $9.50 in cash. The Company allocated $66.9 million of the proceeds to the subscription receipts and $2.2 million was recorded in contributed  
surplus related to the warrants.

 On August 4, 2009, the Company settled the subscription receipts through the issuance of 7,368,421 shares of the Company. As a result, the $66.9 million  
recorded as subscription receipts was added to share capital.

 The 2,947,367 common share purchase warrants issued on December 16, 2008 were exercised on December 14, 2010. As a result, the net proceeds of $28.0  
million ($9.50 per share) and the $2.2 million value of the warrants which had been recorded in contributed surplus were added to share capital.

(ii)   On June 30, 2010 and August 23, 2010, a shareholder converted 11,700,000 and 10,300,000 non-voting common shares to common shares, respectively. On   

December 31, 2010 there were 140,044,089 (2009: 114,774,802) voting common shares issued and outstanding and nil (2009: 22,000,000) non-voting common  
shares issued and outstanding.

(iii)  Treasury stock consists of shares held in a trust established for the purpose of settling future grants under the Restricted Share Unit Plan. During the year,  
1,173,647 common shares (2009: 1,063,810) were issued from the trust. In the current year, the Company also repurchased 55,100 common shares (2009:  
358,000) through the trust for cash consideration of $0.5 million (2009: $3.2 million).

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   75

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76  Maple leaF Food S INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

on June 2, 2009, the Company filed articles of amendment to increase its authorized capital by creating an unlimited 
number of preference shares issuable in one or more series. No preference shares have been issued.

details of share transactions relating to both voting and non-voting shares during the years are as follows: 

Balance, december 31, 2008 

Issued for settlement on exercise of subscription receipts 

Issued for settlement of RSUs and exercise of options (Note 16) 

Balance, december 31, 2009 

Issued for settlement of RSUs and exercise of options (Note 16) 

Issued for settlement on exercise of warrants 

Balance, December 31, 2010 

15. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of the following:

Years ended december 31, 

Balance at the beginning of the year – net (i) 

adoption of new accounting standard(ii) 

adjusted balance at the beginning of the year 

Change in accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment – net (i) 

Change in unrealized loss on cash flow hedges – net (iii) 

other comprehensive loss for the year 

Balance at end of year 

Number of 
shares 

Share
capital

129,258,681 

$  800,734

7,368,421 

147,700 

66,936

1,815

136,774,802 

$  869,485

321,920 

2,947,367 

3,301

30,156

  140,044,089 

$ 902,942

2010 

2009

$ 

(54,204) 

$ 

(52,331)

– 

900

$ 

(54,204) 

$ 

(51,431)

(20,310) 

(4,026) 

$ 

$ 

(24,336) 

(78,540) 

(15,644)

12,871

$ 

(2,773)

$   (54,204)

(i) 

 Balance at the beginning of the current year is net of tax of $0.8 million (2009: net of tax of $7.3 million). The change in accumulated foreign currency  
translation adjustment is net of tax of $0.2 million for 2010 (2009: $6.5 million).

(ii)   Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted Emerging Issues Committee Abstract 173, “Credit Risk and the Fair Value of Financial Assets and  

Financial Liabilities” (“EIC 173”). EIC 173 requires the Company to consider its own credit risk and the credit risk of the counterparty in determining the fair  
value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including derivative instruments.

(iii) Change in unrealized derivative loss on cash flow hedges is net of tax of $1.1 million for 2010 (2009: $6.8 million).

The Company estimates that $0.5 million of net unrealized derivative losses included in other comprehensive loss will be 
reclassified into net earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amount of this reclassification will be impacted by future 
changes in the fair value of financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges and the actual amount reclassified could 
differ from this estimated amount. during the year, a loss of approximately $1.8 million, net of tax of $0.8 million (2009: $0.3 
million, net of tax of $0.1 million) was released to net earnings from accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is included 
in the net change for the year.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   76

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC. 

77

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The ending balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss comprises accumulated unrealized foreign currency translation 
losses of $68.4 million, net of tax of $0.6 million (2009: $48.1 million, net of tax of $0.8 million) and unrealized losses on cash 
flow hedges of $10.1 million, net of tax of $3.6 million (2009: $6.1 million, net of tax of $2.5 million).

16. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Under the Maple leaf Foods Share Incentive plan as at december 31, 2010, the Company may grant options to its employees 
and employees of its subsidiaries to purchase up to 7,487,514 shares of common stock and may grant Restricted Share Units 
(RSUs) entitling employees to receive up to 1,597,980 common shares. options and RSUs are granted from time to time by the 
Board of directors on the recommendation of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. The vesting conditions 
are specified by the Board of directors and may include continued service of the employee with the Company and/or other 
criteria based on measures of the Company’s performance. 

Stock Options
a summary of the status of the Company’s outstanding stock options as at december 31, 2010 and 2009, and changes during 
these years are presented below:

outstanding, beginning of year 

exercised 

expired and terminated 

outstanding, end of year 

options currently exercisable 

2010 

2009

  Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

  options 
outstanding 

  Weighted
average
exercise
price

  Options 
outstanding 

  2,805,250 

$ 

13.02 

  4,449,450 

$ 

  (321,000) 

  (1,501,150) 

983,100 

  900,100 

$ 

$ 

 10.30 

(141,500) 

12.73 

14.13 

14.21 

    (1,502,700) 

  2,805,250 

  2,190,950 

$ 

$ 

13.29

10.46

14.06

13.02

12.12

all outstanding share options vest and become exercisable over a period not exceeding six years (time vesting) from the date 
of grant and/or upon the achievement of specified performance targets (based on return on net assets, earnings, share price 
or total stock return relative to an index). The options have a term of between seven and 10 years.

The number of options outstanding at december 31, 2010, including details on time and performance vesting conditions of 
the options, is as follows:

options outstanding 

  options currently 
exercisable 

options subject to
time vesting

Range of 
exercise 
prices 

Number 
outstanding 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

Weighted
average 
remaining 
term 

Number 
(in years)  exercisable 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 

Number 
outstanding 

Weighted
average
exercise 
price

$11.64 to $13.50 

$14.56 to $16.88 

$11.64 to $16.88 

667,000 

316,100 

983,100 

$ 

$ 

13.07 

16.36 

14.13 

0.9 

1.7 

1.1 

584,000 

316,100 

900,100 

$ 

$ 

13.05 

16.36 

14.21 

83,000 

– 

83,000 

$ 

$ 

13.24

–

13.24

The fair value of options issued was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and is being amortized to income 
over the vesting period of the related options. as at december 31, 2009, the fair value of options has been fully amortized.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   77

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
78  Maple leaF FoodS INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Restricted Stock Units
The Company has two plans under which RSUs may be granted to employees. The awards under the Share Incentive plan 
(adopted in 2004) are satisfied by the issuance of treasury shares on maturity, while the awards granted under the Restricted Share 
Unit plan (adopted in 2006) are satisfied by shares to be purchased on the open market by a trust established for that purpose.

In both plans, RSUs are subject to time vesting and performance vesting based on the achievement of specified stock 
performance targets relative to a North american index of food stocks. Under the 2004 plan, one common share in the capital 
of the Company will be issued to the holder on vesting. all outstanding RSUs under the 2004 plan vest over a period of 
between three and five years from the date of grant. Under the 2006 plan, between 0.5 and 1.5 common shares in the capital of 
the Company can be distributed for each RSU as a result of the performance of the Company against the target levels required 
for vesting. all outstanding RSUs under the 2006 plan vest over a period of three years from the date of grant.

a summary of the status of the Company’s RSU plan as at december 31, 2010 and 2009, and changes during these years, are 
presented below:

outstanding, beginning of year 

Granted 

Issued 

expired and terminated 

outstanding, end of year 

2010 

2009

  Weighted 
average 
fair value at 
grant 

  Weighted
average
   fair value at
grant

RSUs 
 outstanding 

RSUs 

outstanding 

  6,357,430 

$ 

  2,131,272 

  (1,174,317) 

  (928,950) 

10.11 

11.39 

11.58 

  5,983,990 

$ 

  2,509,400 

  (1,070,010) 

14.80 

  (1,065,950) 

  6,385,435 

$ 

9.58 

  6,357,430 

$ 

11.51

8.91

13.01

12.19

10.11

The fair value of RSUs granted in 2010 on the date of grant was $19.1 million (2009: $17.1 million), after taking account of 
forfeiture due to performance, and is amortized to income on a pro rata basis over the vesting periods of the related RSUs. 
The amortization of the fair value of all RSUs in 2010 is $17.7 million (2009: $18.4 million).

The fair value of the total RSUs granted in the year is based on the following weighted average assumptions: 

expected RSU life (in years) 

Forfeiture rate 

discount rate 

dividend yield 

2010 

3.0 

15.0% 

1.4% 

1.7% 

2009

3.0

15.0%

1.3%

1.6%

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   78

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC.  79

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

17. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“epS”):

Years ended december 31  

Basic 

Stock options(i)  

diluted 

2010 

  Weighted   
  Average   

Net  Number of 

2009

  Weighted
average
Net  Number of

  Earnings 

Shares(ii)   

EPS  earnings 

Shares(ii)   

epS

  $ 25,822 

135.6 

  $ 0.19  $ 

 52,147 

129.8  $ 

0.40

– 

25,822 

3.5 

139.1 

– 

– 

0.19 

52,147 

2.5 

132.3 

(0.01)

0.39

(i)  Excludes the effect of approximately 3.8 million options, restricted share units and warrants (2009: 9.6 million) to purchase common shares that are anti-dilutive.

(ii)  In millions.

18. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Gain (loss) on sale of property and equipment 

Recovery from insurance claims  

Rental income 

other 

19. INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest expense on long-term debt 

other interest expense, net 

2010 

217 

–  

509 

(564) 

162 

$ 

$ 

2009

$ 

(1,137)

3,328 

475

947

$ 

3,613

2010 

2009

$ 

61,293 

$ 

75,779

5,093 

5,455

$ 

66,386 

$ 

81,234

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   79

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
80  Maple leaF Food S INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

20. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense varies from the amount that would be computed by applying the combined federal and provincial 
statutory income tax rates as a result of the following:

2010 

2009

Income tax expense according to combined statutory rate of 30.2% (2009: 31.4%) 

$ 

15,038 

$ 

27,423

Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:

Statutory rate changes 

difference between current rates and future enacted rates 

Tax benefits related to prior acquisitions 

Rate differences in other jurisdictions 

Manufacturing and processing credit 

Non-taxable (gains) losses 

Stock-based compensation 

dividends not taxable 

Non-deductible expenses 

Valuation allowance on U.S. tax losses 

other 

131 

3,065 

(1,500) 

(562) 

(500) 

710 

– 

– 

158 

2,405 

(1,179) 

(2,135)

430

–

(930)

(450)

(121)

35

(2)

1,384

896

766

$ 

17,766 

$ 

27,296

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   80

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC. 

81

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the future tax assets and future tax liabilities 
at december 31 are presented below:

Future tax assets:

losses carried forward 

accrued liabilities 

Tax on intra-subsidiary asset transfer 

other 

Valuation allowance 

Cash basis farming 

Future tax liabilities:

property and equipment 

pension asset 

Goodwill and other intangible assets 

Unrealized foreign exchange gain on long-term debt 

other 

Cash basis farming 

Classified in the consolidated financial statements as:

Future tax asset – current  

Future tax asset – non-current 

Future tax liability – non-current 

Net future tax asset (liability) 

2010 

2009

$ 

122,283 

$  122,892

22,546 

18,588 

15,315 

(29,309) 

– 

20,970

19,552

12,221

(32,537)

381

$  149,423 

$  143,479

$ 

32,268 

$  38,799

69,668 

24,428 

606 

10,552 

224 

68,737

22,219

875

14,283

–

$ 

137,746 

$  144,913

$ 

6,229 

$ 

4,301

20,737 

(15,289) 

22,116

(27,851)

$ 

11,677 

$ 

(1,434)

In accordance with CICa Handbook Section 3465, “accounting for Income Taxes”, the Company reviews all available positive 
and negative evidence to evaluate the recoverability of future tax assets. This includes a review of the Company’s cumulative 
losses in recent years, the carry forward period related to the tax losses, and the tax planning strategies available to the 
Company. Upon applying these accounting rules to the Company’s accumulated tax losses in the U.S. frozen bakery business, 
there continues to be sufficient uncertainty surrounding the timing and amount of losses that will be utilized. accordingly, the 
Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $22.5 million (US$22.6 million) as at december 31, 2010 (2009: $24.1 million 
(US$23.0 million)) with respect to accumulated tax losses in the U.S.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   81

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
82  Maple leaF Food S INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

21. PENSIONS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Information about the Company’s defined benefit plans as at december 31, in aggregate, is as follows:

other post- 
retirement 
benefits 

Total 
pensions 

  other post- 
retirement 
benefits 

2010 
Total 

Total 
pensions 

2009
Total

accrued benefit obligation:

Balance, beginning of year  

$ 

76,310 

$  1,023,068  

$ 1,099,378 

$ 

67,733 

$ 

933,863 

$  1,001,596 

Current service cost 

Interest cost  

Benefits paid 

actuarial (gains) losses 

employee contributions 

plan amendments 

Special termination benefits 

Curtailments 

664 

4,321 

(3,347) 

(3,930) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

17,809 

57,794 

(71,589) 

106,152 

4,184 

1,733 

350 

(50) 

18,473 

62,115 

(74,936) 

102,222 

4,184 

1,733 

350 

(50) 

533 

4,328 

(3,176) 

6,892 

– 

 – 

– 

12,412 

59,200 

12,945

63,528

(79,357) 

 (82,533)

92,900 

4,050 

99,792

4,050

– 

– 

–

–

Balance, end of year 

$ 

74,018 

$    1,139,451 

$ 1,213,469 

$ 

76,310 

$   1,023,068  

$  1,099,378

plan assets:

Fair value, beginning of year  $ 

actual return on plan assets 

employer contributions 

employee contributions 

– 

– 

3,347 

- 

$   1,159,730 

$ 1,159,730  

$ 

97,746 

9,496 

4,184 

97,746 

12,843 

4,184 

– 

– 

3,176 

– 

$  1,077,892  

$ 

 1,077,892

167,443 

7,806 

4,050 

167,443

10,982

4,050

Benefits paid 

(3,347) 

(71,589) 

(74,936) 

(3,176) 

(79,357) 

(82,533)

asset transfer to Company 

 defined contribution plan 

Fair value, end of year 

$ 

Funded status – plan  

– 

– 

(18,859) 

(18,859) 

$  1,180,708 

$ 1,180,708 

$ 

– 

– 

(18,104) 

(18,104)

$  1,159,730 

$  1,159,730

 surplus (deficit) 

$ 

(74,018) 

$ 

41,257 

$ 

(32,761) 

$ 

(76,310) 

$ 

136,662  

$ 

 60,352 

Unamortized transition amount 

– 

(78,686) 

(78,686) 

Unamortized actuarial losses   

3,965 

Unamortized prior service costs 

other 

– 

– 

316,920 

12,358 

320,885 

12,358 

(238) 

(238) 

– 

8,072 

– 

– 

(96,216) 

237,408 

11,852 

(191) 

 (96,216)

245,480

11,852

(191)

accrued benefit asset (liability),

 end of year  

$ 

(70,053) 

$ 

 291,611(i)   $  221,558 

$ 

(68,238) 

$ 

 289,515(i)   $ 

221,277

(i)   Includes three defined benefit plans with accrued benefit liabilities of $22.9 million (2009: $21.5 million).

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   82

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC.  83

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet consist of:

other long-term assets 

accounts payable and accrued charges 

other long-term liabilities 

pension benefit expense:

Current service cost – defined benefit 

Current service cost – defined contribution 

Interest cost 

actual return on plan assets 

difference between actual and expected return 

actuarial losses recognized 

difference between actual and recognized actuarial gains in the year 

amortization of transitional amount 

difference between amortization of prior service costs and actual plan amendments  

 in the year 

plan amendments 

Curtailment loss 

Contractual termination benefits 

Net benefit plan expense 

2010 

2009

$  327,407 

$  322,656

4,868 

100,981 

5,250

96,129

2010 

2009

$ 

17,809 

$ 

12,412

27,275 

57,794 

(97,746) 

16,864 

106,152 

(96,732) 

(17,530) 

(648) 

1,733 

448 

350 

28,185

59,200

(167,443)

92,175

92,900

(82,233)

(18,398)

984

–

–

–

$ 

15,769 

$ 

17,782

The significant actuarial assumptions adopted in measuring the Company’s accrued benefit obligations and net benefit plan 
expense are as follows:

discount rate used to calculate net benefit plan expense 

discount rate used to calculate year-end benefit obligation 

expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 

Rate of compensation increase 

2010 

2009

5.75% 

5.00% 

7.25% 

3.50% 

6.50%

5.75%

7.25%

3.50%

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   83

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
84  Maple leaF Food S INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

other post-retirement benefits expense:

Current service cost 

Interest cost 

actuarial losses (gains) recognized 

difference between actual and expected actuarial (gains) losses 

Impact of 1% change in health care cost trend:

effect on end-of-year obligation 

aggregate of 2010 current service cost and interest cost 

Measurement dates:

2010 expense 

Balance sheet 

2010 

664 

4,321 

(3,930) 

4,107 

5,162 

$ 

$ 

2009

$ 

533

4,328

6,892

(6,967)

$ 

4,786

1% Increase 

1% decrease

$ 

3,510 

$ 

(3,879)

241 

(271)

december 31, 2009

december 31, 2010

The pension assets were invested in the following asset categories at december 31, 2010 and december 31, 2009:

asset category: 

equity securities 

debt securities 

2010 

2009

59% 

41% 

100% 

56%

44%

100%

22. ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

(a)   during the second quarter of 2010, the Company purchased 56,700 shares of Canada Bread Company, limited (“Canada 

Bread”) for cash consideration of $2.7 million. This purchase increased the Company’s ownership interest in Canada Bread 
from 89.8% to 90.0%. The Company allocated $1.0 million to goodwill and $1.7 million of the purchase price to the net 
identifiable assets of Canada Bread at the acquisition date by reducing its non-controlling interest. The Company has not  
yet finalized the purchase equation for this acquisition.

 on July 17, 2008, the Company purchased 458,000 shares in Canada Bread Company, limited (“Canada Bread”) for cash 
consideration of $32.6 million, increasing the Company’s ownership interest in Canada Bread from 88.0% to 89.8%. during  
the second quarter of 2009, the Company finalized the purchase equation for these purchases, allocating $11.4 million of  
the purchase price to the net tangible assets of Canada Bread at the acquisition date, $1.1 million to intangible assets and  
$20.1 million to goodwill.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   84

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC.  85

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(b)  on January 29, 2008, the Company acquired the shares of aliments Martel Inc. (“Martel”), a manufacturer and distributor  
of sandwiches, meals and sweet goods based in Quebec for an initial purchase price of $44.6 million plus contingent 
consideration of up to $22.6 million, based on financial performance over three years post-acquisition. during the first 
quarter of 2009, the Company finalized the purchase equation, allocating $15.4 million to the identifiable net tangible 
assets of Martel at the acquisition date and $29.2 million to goodwill and intangible assets. The acquired intangible  
assets included $1.5 million allocated to trademarks that were being amortized on a straight-line basis over 10 years and 
$1.7 million allocated to customer relationships that are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 20 years. No amounts 
have been paid to the vendors in respect of contingent consideration.

(c)   on January 14, 2008, the Company purchased the assets of Central By-products (“CBp”), a rendering business located near 

london, ontario for $18.1 million. during the first quarter of 2009, the Company finalized the purchase price equation and 
allocated $6.0 million to the net identifiable assets of CBp at the acquisition date and $12.1 million to goodwill.

details of net assets acquired and purchase adjustments made in 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

2010 

2009

Net working capital 

Future taxes 

property and equipment 

Intangible assets 

Goodwill 

other long-term liabilities 

Non-controlling interest 

Total purchase cost 

$ 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1,010 

– 

1,680 

$ 

2,690 

$ 

$ 

(624)

233

(2,445)

4,329

(689)

(481)

–

323

23. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

(a)   The Company has been named as defendant in several legal actions and is subject to various risks and contingencies 

arising in the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that the outcome of these uncertainties will not 
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.

(b)  In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries enter into sales commitments with customers, and 
purchase commitments with suppliers. These commitments are for varying terms and can provide for fixed or variable 
prices. With respect to certain of its contracts, the Company has the right to acquire at fair value, and the suppliers have  
the right to sell back to the Company, certain assets that have an estimated fair value of $12.1 million (2009: $12.3 million). 
The Company believes that these contracts serve to reduce risk, and does not anticipate that losses will be incurred on 
these contracts.

(c)  The Company has operating lease, rent and other commitments that require minimum annual payments as follows:

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

Thereafter 

$  68,650

55,145

45,677

36,800

29,257

108,615

$  344,144

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   85

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
86  Maple leaF Food S INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

24. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Net interest paid 

Net income taxes paid 

25. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

2010 

2009

$ 

63,384 

$ 

76,841

39,298 

28,037

on december 16, 2008, the Company issued 7,368,421 equity units each consisting of one subscription receipt and 0.4 common 
share purchase warrants for net proceeds of $69.1 million. ontario Teachers pension plan Board, a related shareholder, 
subscribed for 5,484,784 units and McCain Capital Corporation, a related shareholder, subscribed for 1,694,737 units. The 
subscription receipts were settled on august 4, 2009, and the warrants were exercised on december 14, 2010 (Note 14).

during the year, the Company recorded sales to McCain Foods limited of $3.6 million (2009: $3.3 million) in the normal 
course of business and at market prices. McCain Foods limited is partly owned by McCain Capital Corporation; a 31.3% 
shareholder in Maple leaf Foods Inc.

The Company paid $4.9 million (2009: $4.6 million) for services in the normal course of business and at market prices to  
day & Ross Transportation Group, a subsidiary of McCain Foods limited.

26. GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES

during the year, the Company recorded incentive payments from the Canadian government of $2.7 million (2009: $9.1 million)  
to compensate hog producers for losses in prior periods, and $7.3 million (2009: $12.6 million) from the Canadian government 
as part of its policy to support the development of renewable energies. The Company received other incentives totalling  
$0.4 million (2009: $0.1 million). These incentives were recorded as reductions of cost of goods sold in the consolidated 
statement of earnings. Furthermore, the Company received an interest-free loan of $2.0 million from the Canadian government 
related to the construction of a new bakery in Hamilton, ontario. The loan is repayable over a period of five years beginning 2012.

27. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Subsequent to year-end, the Company terminated a $250.0 million short-term lending facility. There were no drawings on the 
facility on termination.

Subsequent to year-end, the Company entered into interest rate swaps to offset $330.0 million of existing interest rate swaps 
with an expiry date of april 28, 2015. The offsetting swaps were executed as the fixed rate private placement debt, which 
closed in the fourth quarter, reduced the Company’s expected floating rate debt requirements by $355.0 million dollars. Under 
the offsetting interest rate swaps, the Company receives an average fixed rate of 2.52% and pays a floating rate of interest on a 
notional amount of $330.0 million. These offsetting interest rate swaps effectively neutralize the mark-to-market income 
volatility on the notional amount of $330.0 million created by the original interest rate swaps.

on January 4, 2011, the Company received proceeds of Cad$102.5 million and US$213.0 million pursuant to the issuance of 
notes payable that were finalized in december 2010.

on February 18, 2011, the Company completed the sale of its fresh bakery sandwich business for $8.0 million, subject to post 
closing adjustments.

on February 23, 2011, the Company declared a dividend of $0.04 per share, payable on March 31, 2011 to shareholders of 
record as of March 10, 2011.

28. SEGMENTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Company’s operations are classified into the following three primary business segments which have been used for the 
operating segment disclosures for all years presented:

(a)   The Meat products Group comprises value-added processed packaged meats; chilled meal entrees and lunch kits; 

value-added pork, poultry and turkey products.

(b)  The agribusiness Group includes the Company’s swine production and animal by-products recycling operations.

(c)   The Bakery products Group comprises the Company’s 90.0% ownership in Canada Bread, a producer of fresh and frozen 

par-baked bakery products including breads, rolls, bagels, artisan and sweet goods, sandwiches and fresh pasta and sauces.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   86

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
Maple leaF FoodS INC.  87

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Sales

Meat products Group 

agribusiness Group 

Bakery products Group 

earnings from operations before restructuring and other related costs, change in fair 

 value of non-designated interest rate swaps and other income

 Meat products Group 

 agribusiness Group 

 Bakery products Group 

 Non-allocated costs 

Capital expenditures

Meat products Group 

agribusiness Group  

Bakery products Group 

depreciation and amortization

Meat products Group 

agribusiness Group  

Bakery products Group 

Total assets 

Meat products Group 

agribusiness Group  

Bakery products Group 

Non-allocated assets 

Goodwill

Meat products Group 

agribusiness Group  

Bakery products Group 

2010 

2009

$  3,181,134 

199,498 

  1,587,487 

$ 4,968,119 

$ 3,310,393

  206,064

  1,705,145

$ 5,221,602

$ 

89,701 

$ 

55,388

50,834 

93,206 

(11,706) 

48,023

102,155

(9,455)

$  222,035 

$  196,111

$ 

66,423 

$ 

86,770

16,978 

78,903 

13,048

63,075

$  162,304 

$  162,893

$ 

71,933 

$ 

76,077

16,447 

53,405 

16,508

56,904

$ 

141,785 

$  149,489

$ 1,572,940 

$ 1,653,389

276,913 

976,897 

170,045 

287,057

  955,469

161,549

$ 2,996,795 

$ 3,057,464

$  442,123 

$  442,943

14,142 

394,117 

$  850,382 

14,136

  400,199

$  857,278

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   87

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
88  Maple leaF FoodS INC.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Information about geographic areas
during the year, total revenues from customers outside Canada were $1,284.9 million (2009: $1,308.6 million). of this amount 
$700.5 million (2009: $667.6 million) was attributed to sales made in the United States and $153.2 million (2009: $196.2 million) 
attributed to sales made in the United Kingdom.

property and equipment located outside of Canada were $127.0 million (2009: $134.8 million). of this amount $72.3 million  
(2009: $74.0 million) was related to property and equipment located in the United States and $31.8 million (2009: $32.3 million) 
related to property and equipment located in the United Kingdom.

Goodwill attributed to operations located outside Canada is $122.8 million (2009: $130.8 million). of this amount $55.1 million 
(2009: $57.4 million) is goodwill attributed to operations in the United States and $67.7 million (2009: $73.4 million) is goodwill 
attributed to operations located in the United Kingdom.

Information about major customers
during the year, the Company reported sales to one customer representing 11.7% (2009: 11.6%) of total sales. These sales are 
reported in both the Meat products and Bakery products Groups. No other sales were made to any one customer in excess of 
10.0% of total sales.  

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   88

11-03-06   5:17 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  89

corporate governance and board of directors

Corporate GovernanCe

board of dire Ctors

The Board of directors and Management of the company 
are committed to maintaining a high standard of corporate 
governance. The Board has responsibility for the overall 
stewardship of the company and discharges such 
responsibility by reviewing, discussing and approving the 
company’s strategic planning and organizational structure 
and supervising management with a view to preserving 
and enhancing the underlying value of the company. 
Management of the business within this process and 
structure is the responsibility of the chief executive officer 
and senior Management.

The Board has adopted guidelines to assist it in meeting 
its corporate governance responsibilities. The role of 
the Board, the chief executive officer, the chairman, 
lead director and the individual committees are clearly 
delineated. Together with the chairman, lead director 
and the corporate Governance committee, the Board 
assesses its processes and practices regularly to ensure its 
governance objectives are met.

Composition of the board of dire Ctors

The Board is comprised of experienced directors with a 
diversity of relevant skills and competencies. The Board 
of directors has assessed each of the company’s 10 non-
management directors to be independent. 

a more comprehensive analysis of the company’s 
approach to corporate governance matters is included 
in the Management proxy circular for the april 28, 2011 
annual meeting of shareholders. 

W. Geoffrey beattie 
President and CEO, The Woodbridge Company 
(Investment company)

Mr. Beattie, 51, is the chief executive officer of The 
Woodbridge company limited (1998), the Thomson 
family’s principal holding company, deputy chairman of 
Thomson Reuters and chairman of cTVglobemedia Inc. 
Mr. Beattie is a director of The Royal Bank of canada and 
General electric company. Mr. Beattie is also a trustee of 
the University Health network.

dIRecToR sInce: 2008

Gregory a. boland 
President & CEO, West Face Capital Inc. 
(Investment manager)

Mr. Boland, 47, is the president and chief executive officer 
of West face capital Inc., a Toronto based investment 
manager, a position he has held since 2007. previously, he 
managed portfolios for enterprise capital Management. 
prior to joining enterprise capital Management in 1998, he 
was Vice-president and partner in proprietary investments  
at RBc dominion securities. Mr. Boland is a director of  
ace aviation Inc. and silverBirch energy corporation.

dIRecToR sInce: 2011

John L. bragg, o.C. 
Chairman, President and Co-CEO, Oxford Frozen Foods 
(Food manufacturing)

Mr. Bragg, 70, founded oxford frozen foods, an 
international frozen foods supplier, in 1968 and Bragg 
communications, canada’s fifth largest cable television 
provider and a major Maritimes Internet and wireline 
telephone service provider, in 1970. Mr. Bragg is an 
officer of the order of canada. Mr. Bragg was appointed a 
canadian Business Hall of fame laureate in 2003, and was 
one of the original four members inducted into the nova 
scotia Business Hall of fame in 1993.

dIRecToR sInce: 2008

purdy Crawford, C.C. 
Counsel, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt  
(Law firm)

Mr. crawford, 79, is a director of several canadian 
companies. from 1986 to 1995 he was ceo of Imasco, and 
from 1995 to 2000 he was the non-executive chairman of 
Imasco limited and cT financial services. Mr. crawford is 
a companion of the order of canada and a member of the 
canadian Business Hall of fame.

dIRecToR sInce: 1995

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   89

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
90  Maple leaf foods Inc.

corporate governance and board of directors

Jeffrey Gandz 
Professor, Managing Director – Program Design, Richard 
Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario

dr. Gandz, 66, has been a consultant for many canadian 
and multinational corporations and government ministries 
and is the author of several books, many articles and 
government reports on a variety of subjects, including 
leadership and organizational effectiveness.

dIrector sInce: 1999

James F. Hankinson 
Corporate Director

Mr. Hankinson, 67, is a director of several canadian 
companies. Mr. Hankinson served as president and chief 
executive officer of ontario power Generation from 
2005 until his retirement in 2009. He was president and 
chief operating officer of canadian pacific limited until 
1995, and president and chief executive officer of new 
Brunswick power corporation until 2002.

dIrector sInce: 1995

Chaviva M. Hošek, O.C. 
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Canadian 
Institute for Advanced Research (Research Institute)

dr. Hošek, 64, received her ph.d. from Harvard University 
in 1973 and spent 13 years at the University of toronto as 
professor of english literature. she was appointed an 
officer of the order of canada in 2006. Her career included 
being director of policy and research for prime Minister  
Jean chretien and ontario’s Minister of Housing. she is 
trustee of the central european University, director of 
Great-West lifeco Inc. and numerous volunteer boards of 
charitable organizations, including Mount sinai Hospital 
and the trudeau foundation.

dIrector sInce: 2002

Claude R. Lamoureux, O.C. 
Corporate Director

Mr. lamoureux, 68, was chief executive officer of the 
ontario teachers’ pension plan until his retirement in 2007. 
He was appointed to the position in 1990, when the ontario 
government established the new independent corporation 
to replace the ontario teachers’ superannuation fund. 
an actuary by profession, Mr. lamoureux joined teachers’ 
from Metropolitan life, where he had a successful career 
in their new York and ottawa offices. Mr. lamoureux is an 
officer of the order of canada.

dIrector sInce: 2008

G. Wallace F. McCain, C.C. 
Chairman, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Mr. Mccain, 80, was appointed chairman following the 
acquisition of the company in april 1995. Mr. Mccain co-
founded Mccain foods limited in 1956 which has grown 
to become one of the largest frozen food companies in the 
world. Mr. Mccain was president and co-chief executive 
officer of Mccain foods limited until 1994 and is currently 
its Vice-chairman and director of other associated 
companies within the Mccain foods Group. Mr. Mccain is 
a companion of the order of canada.

dIrector sInce: 1995

J. Scott McCain 
President and Chief Operating Officer, Agribusiness Group, 
Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Before joining Maple leaf foods Inc. in april 1995, Mr. 
Mccain was Vice-president for production of Mccain 
foods limited in canada, a company he joined in 1978 
and where he held progressively senior positions in 
manufacturing and operations. He is a director of canada 
Bread company, limited and Mccain capital corporation. 
Mr. Mccain, 54, is a director of Mccain foods Group.

dIrector sInce: 1995 

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   90

11-03-09   12:56 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  91

corporate governance and board of directors

Michael H. McCain 
President and Chief Executive Officer,  
Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Mr. Mccain, 52, joined Maple leaf foods Inc. in april 
1995 as president and chief operating officer and was 
appointed its chief executive officer in 1999. prior to 
joining Maple leaf foods, Mr. Mccain spent 16 years 
with Mccain foods limited in canada and the United 
states. He is the chairman and director of canada Bread 
company, limited, a director of Mccain foods Group ltd., 
the american Meat Institute, and Royal Bank of canada.  
He is a past director of american frozen food Institute  
and Bombardier Inc.

dIRectoR sInce: 1995

Diane E. McGarry 
Corporate Director

Ms. McGarry, 61, has over 30 years’ experience with Xerox 
including five years in canada as chairman, president and 
chief executive officer of Xerox canada from 1993 to 1998. 
prior to retiring in 2005, Ms. McGarry held the position of 
chief Marketing officer, Xerox corporation.

dIRectoR sInce: 2005

Gordon Ritchie 
Principal Advisor, Hill & Knowlton Canada (Government 
and public relations company)

Mr. Ritchie, 67, is chief executive officer of strategico Inc. 
and has been a director of a number of leading canadian 
corporations. Mr. Ritchie had 22 years of distinguished 
public service. as ambassador for trade negotiations,     
Mr. Ritchie was one of the principal architects of the 
canada/United states free trade agreement.

dIRectoR sInce: 1995

Note: Ages of the Board of Directors provided as at March 2011.

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   91

11-03-09   12:11 PM

 
92  Maple leaf foods Inc.

senior management and officers

COMMITTEES OF THE  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STANDING COMMITTEES: 
AuDIT COMMITTEE

d.e. McGarry, chair 

J.l. Bragg

J.f. Hankinson

c.R. lamoureux

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
COMMITTEE

J.f. Hankinson, chairman

W.G. Beattie

G.a. Boland

p. crawford

c.M. Hošek

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH  

AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

J. Gandz, chairman

J.l. Bragg

c.M. Hošek

d.e. McGarry

G. Ritchie

HuMAN RESOuRCES AND 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

G. Ritchie, chairman

W.G. Beattie

G.a. Boland

p. crawford

J. Gandz

c.R. lamoureux

CORPORATE COuNCIL

G. Wallace F. McCain 
Chairman

Michael H. McCain 
President and Chief Executive Officer

J. Scott McCain 
President and Chief Operating 
Officer, Agribusiness Group

Richard A. Lan 
Chief Operating Officer,  
Food Group

Michael H. Vels 
Executive Vice-President  
and Chief Financial Officer

Douglas W. Dodds 
Chief Strategy Officer

Les Dakens 
Senior Vice-President and  
Chief Human Resources Officer

Gary Maksymetz 
President, Maple Leaf  
Consumer Foods

Rory A. McAlpine 
Vice-President, Government and 
Industry Relations

Barry McLean 
President, Fresh Bakery

Réal Ménard 
President, Frozen Bakery

Bruce Y. Miyashita 
Vice-President, Six Sigma

Deborah K. Simpson 
senior Vice-President, Finance

Peter C. Smith 
Vice-President, Corporate 
Engineering

Simon Wookey 
President, Fresh Prepared Foods

Rocco Cappuccitti 
Senior Vice-President, Transactions & 
Administration 
and Corporate Secretary

Richard Young 
Executive Vice-President, 
Transformation, Maple Leaf 
Consumer Foods

OTHER CORPORATE OFFICERS

J. Nicholas Boland 
Vice-President, Finance Projects

Catherine Brennan 
Vice-President and Treasurer

Glen L. Gratton 
Vice-President, Maple Leaf  
Agri-Farms

Jeffrey W. McDowell 
Vice-President, Cold Springs Farm

Dianne Singer 
Assistant Corporate Secretary

Lynda J. Kuhn 
Senior Vice-President, 
Communications

ExECuTIVE COuNCIL

(Includes members of the Corporate 
Council and Senior Operating 
Management as follows)

Peter Baker 
President, Maple Leaf Bakery UK

Kevin P. Golding 
President, Rothsay and Maple Leaf 
Agri-Farms

Stephen Graham 
Chief Marketing Officer

Randall D. Huffman 
Chief Food Safety Officer 

E. Jeffrey Hutchinson 
Chief Information Officer

Bill Kaldis 
Vice-President, Logistics

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   92

11-03-08   6:17 PM

Maple leaf foods Inc.  93

corporate information

Capital StoCk

ShareholDer inquirie S

The company’s authorized capital consists of an 
unlimited number of voting common and an unlimited 
number of non-voting common shares. at december 31, 
2010, 140,044,089 voting common shares were issued and 
outstanding, for a total of 140,044,089 outstanding shares. 
There were 767 shareholders of record of which 725 were 
registered in canada, holding 87.52% of the issued  
voting shares.

ownerShip

The company’s major shareholder is Mccain capital 
corporation holding 43,890,784 voting shares 
representing 31.34% of the total issued and outstanding 
shares. The remainder of the issued and outstanding 
shares are publicly held.

Corporate offiCe

Maple leaf foods Inc. 
30 st. clair avenue West 
suite 1500 
Toronto, ontario, canada M4V 3a2 
Tel: (416) 926-2000 
fax: (416) 926-2018 
Website: www.mapleleaf.com

annual Meeting

The annual meeting of shareholders of Maple leaf foods 
Inc. will be held on Thursday, april 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.  
at the Metro Toronto convention centre, north Building,  
255 front street West, Toronto, ontario.

DiviDenDS

The declaration and payment of quarterly dividends 
are made at the discretion of the Board of directors.  
anticipated payment dates in 2011: March 31, June 30, 
september 30 and december 30.

Inquiries regarding dividends, change of address, transfer 
requirements or lost certificates should be directed to the 
company’s transfer agent:

computershare Investor services Inc. 
100 University avenue, 9th floor 
Toronto, ontario, canada M5J 2Y1 
Tel: (514) 982-7555 
or 1-800-564-6253 (Toll-free north america) 
or service@computershare.com

CoMpany inforM ation

for public and investment analysis inquiries, please  
contact our senior Vice-president, communications at  
(416) 926-2000.

for copies of annual and quarterly reports, annual 
information form and other disclosure documents,  
please contact our senior Vice-president, Transactions  
& administration and corporate secretary at  
(416) 926-2000.

tranSfer a gent anD regiS trar

computershare Investor services Inc. 
100 University avenue, 9th floor 
Toronto, ontario, canada M5J 2Y1

Tel: (514) 982-7555 
or 1-800-564-6253 (Toll-free north america) 
or service@computershare.com

auDitorS

KpMG llp 
Toronto, ontario

StoCk e xChange liS tingS anD StoCk Sy Mbol

The company’s voting common shares are listed on  
The Toronto stock exchange and trade under the   
symbol “MfI”.

rapport annuel

si vous désirez recevoir un exemplaire de la version 
française de ce rapport, veuillez écrire à l’adresse 
suivante : secrétaire de la société, les aliments  
Maple leaf Inc., 30 st. clair avenue West, Bureau 1500, 
Toronto, ontario M4V 3a2. 

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   93

11-03-06   5:17 PM

 
Maple leaf foods Inc. 
30 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 1500
Toronto, Ontario, Canada m4v 3A2
www.mapleleaf.com

CJ22144 Financl_E.indd   94

11-03-14   5:31 PM