Here is a timeline of the main events that led to the legal battle of the Canadian telecommunications and media company, based on various affidavits submitted to the Supreme Court of British Columbia and on public statements.
September 15 – Former Rogers Chairman Edward Rogers and Senior Independent Director John MacDonald speak on the phone. Edward says he has lost faith in CEO Joe Natale and sees former CFO Tony Staffieri as his replacement.
September 18 – Natale tells MacDonald that he (the CEO) inadvertently overheard a conversation in which Staffieri discusses a secret plan devised by Edward to shake up the board and senior management of the company. Shortly thereafter, Natale met the independent directors and demanded that Staffieri be removed from his post. Staffieri leaves the company on September 29.
September 19 – Edward meets Natale and is joined by MacDonald. During this meeting, Edward tells Natale that he has lost confidence and that he wants to fire the CEO.
September 24 – Rogers’ board of directors meets to discuss the terms of Natale’s dismissal, but the decision to find a successor is postponed. Thereafter, the independent directors headed by Mr. MacDonald speak to Mr. Natale and obtain his consent to remain CEO.
September 26 – The Rogers Board of Directors meets again to discuss a resolution that includes keeping Natale and firing Staffieri.
September 29 – Another council meeting takes place, which Edward does not attend. The resolution to withdraw Natale’s resignation is accepted and the decision to fire Staffieri is taken. Staffieri resigned the same day.
October 21 – Rogers’ board of directors meets to review quarterly results. The Board announces that Edward is stepping down as Chairman and that Independent Senior Director MacDonald has been appointed as the new Chairman. Edward uses his position as chairman of the family-owned Rogers Control Trust, which owns the majority of the voting shares of the company, to form a new board, which recognizes him as chairman.
October 22 – Rogers Communication issues statement declaring Edward’s decision to constitute a council invalid.
October 23 – Edward holds a first meeting of the rival council and says he will ask the BC Supreme Court to validate the new council.
October 26 – Edward files a request at https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/edward-rogers-files-petition-canadian-court-validate-new-board-rogers-2021-10- 26 to the Supreme Court of British Columbia. In his affidavit, he claims that his mother, Loretta Rogers, a board member, was in favor of Natale’s dismissal and that she gave a speech on the subject to the board in late September. Loretta Rogers disputes this claim, claiming that Edward Rogers and Alan Horn, a board member, provided her with inaccurate information about Natale’s performance as CEO.
November 5 – Rogers reinstates Edward Rogers after the British Columbia Supreme Court upheld his request for a new council.
Nov 8 – Rogers says she will not appeal the Supreme Court ruling that ruled in favor of Edward Rogers to form a new council.
November 16 – Rogers appoints Staffieri as interim CEO, replacing Natale. The company said Natale had left the company and the search for a permanent CEO was underway.
January 10 – Rogers appoints Staffieri as Chief Executive Officer.