Manulife Investments announces Proposal to wind up Markland AGF Precious Metals Corp. and Copernican World Financial Infrastructure Trust

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TORONTO, Aug. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Manulife Asset Management Limited, the manager (the "Manager") of Markland AGF Precious Metals Corp (the "Markland Corporation") today announced that the board of directors has approved a special meeting of securityholders of the Markland Corporation which will be held on or about November 15, 2013 (the "Special Meeting"). Securityholders of record of the Markland Corporation at the close of business on September 18, 2013 are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Special Meeting. Further details of the termination will be outlined in a management information circular that will be delivered to securityholders in connection with the Special Meeting.

Manulife Asset Management Limited, the manager of Copernican World Financial Infrastructure Trust (the "Trust") also announced today that it has decided to terminate the Trust on or about December 13, 2013 since it is no longer economically practical to continue the Trust. A special meeting of securityholders is not required in respect of the termination of the Trust.

These terminations remain subject to review by the funds independent review committee.

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions "expect", "intend", "will" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to Markland Corporation, the Trust and/or the Manager.  The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect Markland Corporation's, the Trust's and/or the Manager's current expectations regarding future results or events.  These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations.  Although Markland Corporation, the Trust and/or the Manager believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Markland Corporation, the Trust and/or the Manager undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

About Manulife Investments

Manulife Investments is the brand name describing certain Canadian subsidiaries and operating divisions of Manulife Financial Corporation that offer personal wealth management products and services in Canada. As one of Canada's leading integrated financial services providers, Manulife Investments offers a variety of products and services including segregated fund contracts, mutual funds, annuities, guaranteed interest contracts and structured products. Manulife Structured Products are managed by Manulife Asset Management Limited.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Clients look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$567 billion (US$539 billion) as at June 30, 2013. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

SOURCE: Manulife Financial Corporation

Media Contact: 
Brooke Tucker-Reid
Manulife Financial
416-434-0635
[email protected]