| Dec'17 | Dec'16 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities: | ||||||
Net earnings | ||||||
362,334 | 346,638 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from operating activities (note 21(a)) | ||||||
175,199 | 158,447 | |||||
Cash flows from (used in) operations before changes in working capital | ||||||
537,533 | 505,085 | |||||
Changes in non-cash working capital balances: | ||||||
Trade accounts receivable | ||||||
38,924 | 57,097 | |||||
Income taxes | ||||||
-5,424 | -1,716 | |||||
Inventories | ||||||
27,102 | -15,188 | |||||
Prepaid expenses, deposits and other current assets | ||||||
-5,227 | 7,070 | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ||||||
20,452 | -14,450 | |||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
613,360 | 537,898 | |||||
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities: | ||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | ||||||
91,951 | 129,408 | |||||
Purchase of intangible assets | ||||||
2,845 | 10,833 | |||||
Business acquisitions (note 5) | ||||||
115,776 | 163,947 | |||||
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment | ||||||
542 | 833 | |||||
Cash flows used in investing activities | ||||||
-210,030 | -303,355 | |||||
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities: | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in amounts drawn under revolving long-term bank credit facility | ||||||
30,000 | -375,000 | |||||
Dividends paid | ||||||
84,822 | 74,382 | |||||
Withholding taxes paid pursuant to the settlement of non-Treasury RSUs | ||||||
4,520 | 4,696 | |||||
Proceeds from the issuance of shares | ||||||
4,900 | 2,209 | |||||
Repurchase and cancellation of shares (note 13(d)) | ||||||
328,616 | 394,451 | |||||
Share repurchases for settlement of non-Treasury RSUs (note 13(e)) | ||||||
6,280 | 0 | |||||
Cash flows used in financing activities | ||||||
-389,338 | -246,320 | |||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents denominated in foreign currencies | ||||||
606 | -701 | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the fiscal year | ||||||
14,598 | -12,478 | |||||
Cash paid (included in cash flows from operating activities): | ||||||
Interest | ||||||
16,658 | 10,670 | |||||
Income taxes, net of refunds | ||||||
15,209 | 9,349 | |||||