Expert: Steven Taylor - 2/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: My husband had shares in Red Barn Restaurant...which I understand became Bow Valley Industries Ltd. The shares were held by Guaranty Trust Company of Canada...which is no longer in existence.  We have lost all our certificates .. and don't know where to go from here.  Can you help us? p.s.  this was over 40 years ago.  Any information you can give us would be appreciated.
Maggie

ANSWER: Maggie, I don't have any information on Red Barn, but I do on Bow Valley. Assuming your information is correct, and they are the same company, there might be value there.

Bow Valley changed its name to Bow Valley Energy Inc, which was later acquired by Talisman Energy Inc. on the basis of 0.54982 of a Talisman share for each Bow Valley Share. Talisman is still around - it trades on the TSX for about $17.50 per share.

You need to contact Talisman's transfer agent, Computershare (www.computershare.com) to see if you are listed on the shareholder rolls. It should not matter that you lost the certificates - certificates are not bearer instruments and the issuance of them does not change your shareholder status. As long as you did not sell or otherwise legally transfer them, you should be listed as a shareholder.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Steve.  Unfortunately, Talisman did not acquire the Bow Valley shares.  It was an offering back in 2000 but Bow Valley did not accept (according to Computershare).
Maggie

Answer
Maggie, I suggest you call Computershare back and talk to someone else. Talisman acquired Bow Valley Energy Inc. in August 1994. No doubt about it - you can check the regulatory filings.

From the August 11, 1994 News Release:

"Talisman Energy and Bow Valley Energy announce that Talisman's acquisition of Bow Valley has been completed. Approximately 29.975 million common shares of Talisman were issued pursuant to the arrangement."

And From Talisman's Annual Information Form"

"Pursuant to a plan of arrangement and other transactions that became effective on August 11, 1994, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common and preferred shares of Bow Valley Energy Inc. ("Bow Valley"). On October 1, 1995, Bow Valley was amalgamated with Talisman."