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Contingencies | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2016
Contingencies |
Contingencies | 15. Contingencies Shareholder class action lawsuits On March 19, 2013, April 2, 2013 and May 10, 2013, three notices of action relating to Canadian securities class action claims against the Proposed Defendants were also issued by alleged investors in Atlantic Power common shares, and in one of the actions, holders of Atlantic Power convertible debentures, with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in the Province of Ontario. On April 8, 2013, a similar claim issued by alleged investors in Atlantic Power common shares seeking to initiate a class action against the Proposed Defendants was filed with the Superior Court of Quebec in the Province of Quebec (the “Canadian Actions”). On August 30, 2013, the three Ontario actions were succeeded by one action with an amended claim being issued on behalf of Jacqeline Coffin and Sandra Lowry. This claim named the Company, Barry E. Welch and Terrence Ronan as Defendants. The Plaintiffs sought leave to commence an action for statutory misrepresentation under the Ontario Securities Act and asserted common law claims for misrepresentation. The Plaintiffs’ motions for leave and certification were heard on May 20-21, 2015. On July 24, 2015, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued a decision denying the Plaintiffs’ motion for leave and certification. The Superior Court granted leave to reconstitute a claim for debenture holders but required that there be a debenture holder as plaintiff, that the claim be amended and that the Plaintiffs pay the Defendants partial indemnity costs of responding to the Plaintiffs’ motion. The Plaintiffs appealed the July 24 decision on leave and certification to the Ontario Court of Appeal. The appeal was subsequently abandoned by the Plaintiffs, and the Ontario action was dismissed by Order dated December 2, 2015, the Defendants agreeing not to claim costs from the Plaintiffs. The proposed Quebec class action was suspended by the Superior Court of Quebec pending the outcome of the motions for leave and certification of the Ontario action as a class proceeding. On April 19, 2016, the Superior Court of Quebec authorized the discontinuance of the action. Other In addition to the matters listed above, from time to time, Atlantic Power, its subsidiaries and the projects are parties to disputes and litigation that arise in the normal course of business. We assess our exposure to these matters and record estimated loss contingencies when a loss is likely and can be reasonably estimated. There are no matters pending which are expected to have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations or have been reserved for as of March 31, 2016.

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