Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust Assisting Tenants Confronting Challenges from COVID-19

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TORONTO, April 6, 2020 /CNW/ - Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust ("Choice Properties" or the "Trust") (TSX: CHP.UN) today provided an update on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As one of Canada's largest landlords, Choice Properties understands that it has an important role to play in helping Canadians and their businesses during these unprecedented and challenging times. With many of the Trust's tenants being negatively impacted by the pandemic, the Trust is prepared to assist qualifying small businesses and independent tenants who have requested rent relief, on a case by case basis, with a temporary rent deferral for 60 days. "We understand and acknowledge the extraordinary financial pressures on parts of our tenant base, especially on independent and smaller businesses, and we want to do our part to help them. Many of these small businesses are facing extraordinary drops in revenues and are rightfully focused on taking care of their families and their communities. We intend to continue working with our tenants on an individual basis to find solutions in the short term," said Galen Weston, Chairman of Choice Properties. Mr. Weston added, "Our top priority remains ensuring the health and well-being of our employees and tenants and supporting the communities in which we and our tenants operate."

"With a diversified base of tenants and a high proportion of necessity-based retailers, including Loblaw which accounts for approximately 55% of our annual rental revenue, Choice Properties is well-positioned to weather this market volatility. Since the beginning of 2019, we have made significant progress in strengthening our balance sheet, including refinancing our unsecured debt maturities, lowering our leverage and improving overall liquidity," noted Rael Diamond, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trust.

Given the uncertainty about the duration and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trust is withdrawing its 2020 Outlook that is contained in its Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Trust intends on releasing its 2020 first quarter results on or about April 22, 2020.

About Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

Choice Properties, Canada's preeminent diversified real estate investment trust, is the owner, manager and developer of a high-quality portfolio comprising 724 properties totaling 65.6 million square feet of gross leasable area. Choice Properties owns a portfolio comprised of retail properties predominantly leased to necessity-based tenants; industrial, office and residential assets concentrated in attractive markets; and offers an impressive and substantial development pipeline. Choice Properties' strategic alliance with its principal tenant, Loblaw Companies Limited, the country's leading retailer, is a key competitive advantage providing long-term growth opportunities. For more information, visit Choice Properties' website at www.choicereit.ca and Choice Properties' issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including with respect to the announced rent deferrals and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which reflects Choice Properties' current expectations regarding future events. Given this unprecedented period of uncertainty, there can be no assurance regarding: (a) the impact of COVID-19 on Choice Properties' business, operations and performance, including its ability to meet or remain on track to meet or exceed its stated 2020 financial outlook, which has now been withdrawn; (b) Choice Properties' ability to mitigate such impacts; (c) credit, market, currency, operational, and liquidity risks generally; and (d) other risks inherent to Choice Properties' business and/or factors beyond its control which could have a material adverse effect on the Trust.

Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Choice Properties' control that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed in Choice Properties' current Annual Information Form and uncertainty related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Choice Properties does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and are qualified by these cautionary statements.

SOURCE Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

Mario Barrafato, Chief Financial Officer, Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, t [phone], e [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.choicereit.ca/