BCE moves to take Bell Aliant private

MONTREAL and HALIFAX – BCE is buying the stake in Bell Aliant that it doesn’t already own and will take the regional telco private, the company announced Wednesday.The deal, valued at approximately $3.95 billion, has already been recommended by independent Bell Aliant directors. BCE already controls Bell Aliant and is acquiring the remaining approximately 127.5 million common shares that are owned by the public minority shareholders.Bringing Bell Aliant wholly into BCE simplifies the company's structure, eliminates redundant public company costs and will increase overall operational efficiency, the company said. BCE expects annual run-rate free cash flow accretion after common dividends...