Following court fight, Rogers chairman Edward Rogers says CEO Joe Natale has support of the company's board

Is this a sign that Corporate Canada's version of Family Feud may be coming to an end?

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      It was widely believed that Edward Rogers went to court against his family-controlled telecommunications company because he wanted to kick out the CEO.

      But after winning today in B.C. Supreme Court, Rogers has declared that the board continues to support Joe Natale as CEO.

      The company reinstated Rogers as chairman in the wake of the court victory that revolved around him chairing a family trust that controls Rogers.

      His mother, Loretta, and two sisters, Melinda Rogers-Hixon and Martha Rogers, were among a majority of directors who ousted Edward Rogers as chairman last month.

      That came after he initiated a resolution to remove five of the board members of Rogers Communications, Inc. who wanted to retain Natale as CEO.

      Edward Rogers responded by filing a petition in B.C. Supreme Court seeking a declaration that his original resolution was valid.

      "These family squabbles are an interesting backdrop to this dispute that would be more in keeping with a Shakespearean drama," Justice Shelley Fitzpatrick wrote in her decision. "They have no doubt added a voyeuristic element on the part of many into the lives of a very wealthy Canadian family and this aspect of the dispute has driven some media coverage.

      "However, in my view, the family issues are of little assistance in determining the narrow legal issue raised and certainly do not need to be addressed or resolved in this Court," she added. "At best, they are a distraction."

      According to Rogers chairman Edward Rogers, president and CEO Joe Natale (above) still has the confidence of the board.

      According to the ruling, "much of the controversy between the factions relates to Mr. Natale who was, in April 2017, appointed as RCI's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President".

      "Edward states that he has grown increasingly concerned with Mr. Natale’s performance over the last two years," Fitzpatrick wrote.

      She said that the court did not need to address Natale's past performance.

      In Edward Rogers' statement, he said that the focus "must be on the business, a return to stability, and closing our transformational merger with Shaw Communications".

      "The steps I have taken in the face of constant attacks in the media were difficult for me and my family," he acknowledged. "As Chair of the Rogers Control Trust, my responsibility is to ensure that the company is properly governed and effectively managed. I take that responsibility very seriously.

      "Our family has disagreements like every other family," he continued "I am hopeful we will resolve those differences privately, as any family would. I know every member of our family wants the brightest future for Rogers Communications."

      Meanwhile, his sister Martha tweeted the following statement:

      "We are very disappointed with the court's ruling, which represents a black eye for good governance and shareholder rights and sets a dangerous new precedent for Canada's capital markets by allowing the independent directors of a public company to be removed with the stroke of a pen.

      "We believe that today's ruling also ushers in a particularly dangerous time for RCI," the statement continued. "The company now faces a very real prospect of management upheaval and a prolonged period of uncertainty, at perhaps the worst possible time. While the appeal process unfolds, we plan to remain steadfast in our advocacy for good governance and responsible stewardship at Rogers on behalf of our employees, customers and all shareholders."

      In the past, Martha Rogers has claimed that her brother has been "a fan of specious claims", such as Donald Trump winning the 2020 election.

      The company has 24,000 employees.

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