form11k.htm



_________________________________________________________________

Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 11-K


ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2014
  _________________

Commission file number: 333-163862 and 333-53420
 _________________

CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
(Full title of the plan)


CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
(Name of issuer of securities)


935 de La Gauchetiere St. West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3B 2M9
(Address of issuer’s principal executive offices)


_________________________________________________________________







 
 
 




 


CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS



Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013
(With Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Thereon)
 
 





 
 
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS




INDEX


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
1
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of  December 31, 2014 and 2013
2
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2014
3
Notes to Financial Statements
4
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) – December 31, 2014
15
 
   
   
   


All other schedules required by 29 CFR 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 have been omitted because they are not applicable or required.
 
 




 
 
 

 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Plan Administrator
Canadian National Railway Company
Union Savings Plan for U.S. Operations:
 
 
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Canadian National Railway Company Union Savings Plan for U.S. Operations (the Plan) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
 
The supplemental information in the accompanying schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2014 has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan’s 2014 financial statements. The supplemental information is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but includes supplemental information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental information is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental information reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental information. In forming our opinion on the supplemental information, we evaluated whether the supplemental information, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  In our opinion, the supplemental information in the accompanying schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2014 is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the 2014 financial statements as a whole.
 

 (signed)
 
KPMG LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
June 23, 2015
 
 
 

 
1
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014


       
2014
  
2013
             
             
Plan interest in Canadian National Railway Master Trust,
        
 
at fair value (note 6)
  
 $      283,047,409
  
 $     259,646,708
             
Receivables:
        
 
Participants' loan reimbursement
  
                201,160
  
               187,892
 
Participants' contributions
  
                989,906
  
               807,658
 
Employer's contribution
  
                139,752
  
               112,313
 
Notes receivable from participants
  
           11,264,130
  
          10,555,132
             
   
Total receivables
  
           12,594,948
  
          11,662,995
             
Net assets available for benefits at fair value
  
         295,642,357
  
        271,309,703
             
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for interest in
        
 
Canadian National Railway Master Trust relating to
        
 
fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
  
               (221,862)
  
              (237,159)
             
Net assets available for benefits
  
 $      295,420,495
  
 $     271,072,544
         

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
 

 
2
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014

 
 
             
2014
Plan interest in investment income of the Canadian
        
 
National Railway Master Trust (note 6)
      
 $        24,792,795
               
Interest income on notes receivable from participants
      
                511,427
               
Contributions:
        
 
Participants'
      
           19,688,229
 
Employer's
      
             2,669,355
 
Rollovers
      
                588,778
               
   
Total contributions
      
           22,946,362
               
Transfer in of plan assets (note 4)
      
             2,897,901
               
Deductions from net assets:
        
 
Participants’ distributions
      
           26,228,724
 
Transfer out of plan assets (note 4)
      
                489,823
 
Administrative expenses
      
                  81,987
               
     
Total deductions
      
           26,800,534
               
Net increase
      
           24,347,951
               
Net assets available for benefits, beginning of year
      
         271,072,544
               
Net assets available for benefits, end of year
      
 $      295,420,495
               

 
 See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.


 






 


 
3
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013


1.      DESCRIPTION OF PLAN

Canadian National Railway Company (CN or the Company), directly and through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the rail and related transportation business.

The following description of the Canadian National Railway Company Union Savings Plan for U.S. Operations (the Plan or the Union Plan) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the plan document for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

General
The Plan covers eligible union employees of Illinois Central Railroad Company, Grand Trunk Western Railroad Incorporated, Chicago, Central and Pacific Railroad Company, Wisconsin Central Limited (WC), Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Company, Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Company and the Pittsburgh and Conneaut Dock Company. Grand Trunk Corporation, which owns directly or indirectly all of the above U.S. affiliates of CN, is the Plan’s sponsor.  Grand Trunk Corporation is a holding company owned by CN.  The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended.

The Plan is a defined contribution plan, offering all eligible employees an opportunity to defer annually from 1% to 100% of their eligible earnings, subject to the legal limits allowed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), for contribution to various investment funds.   Eligible employees may participate in the Plan any time on or after their date of hire.

Administration of the Plan
The Grand Trunk Corporation Board of Directors has delegated responsibility for the general operation and administration of the Plan and for carrying out and interpreting the Plan’s provisions to the Investment Committee of Savings Plans of U.S. Operations (Investment Committee).

Trustee and Record Keeper
The Investment Committee has appointed Fidelity Management Trust Company (FMTC) as trustee and Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. as transfer agent and record keeper of the Plan.  Other affiliated Fidelity companies provide certain ministerial recordkeeping and administrative services to the Plan pursuant to an agreement entered into with the Plan Sponsor.

Contributions
Eligible participants may elect to make contributions to the Plan in amounts ranging from 1% to 100% of their annual eligible earnings on a before-tax basis subject to certain limitations.  Such contributions are withheld from each participant’s compensation and deposited in the appropriate fund in accordance with the participant’s directives. Consistent with provisions established by the IRS, the Plan’s limit on pre-tax contributions by a participant was $17,500 for 2014.  Participants who are at least age 50 by the end of a particular plan year and have contributed the maximum 401(k) deferral amount allowed under the Plan for that year are eligible to contribute an additional portion of their annual eligible earnings on a before-tax basis as “catch-up” contributions, up to the annual IRS limit of $5,500 for 2014.

For employees who are members of participating unions, the Company generally contributes to the account balance of the Plan participants a “matching contribution” equal to 25% of the first 4% of annual eligible earnings the participant defers (a maximum Company match of 1% of eligible earnings) in accordance with such unions’ respective collective bargaining agreements. The Company does not match the participants’ “catch-up” contributions.
 
 
 
 
4
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013


Participants may elect to rollover amounts from other qualified plans or individual retirement account into the Plan provided that certain conditions are met.

Participant Accounts
Participants direct the investment of their account balance into a broad range of investment funds offered by the Plan. The Plan record keeper maintains an account balance in the name of each participant to which each participant’s pre-tax contributions, the Company’s contributions, and share of net earnings, losses and expenses, if any, of the various investment funds, are recorded.  Interest, dividends, and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment of the funds are allocated directly to each participant’s account.  The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.

Vesting
Participants are fully vested in their account balance at the time of contribution, including the Company’s matching contribution and related earnings from such contributions.

Distributions
Participants are eligible for a distribution of the Plan benefits upon termination of service, whether by disability, retirement, death, or termination of employment from the Company.In the event of financial hardship, as defined in the Plan, participants may withdraw amounts from their Plan accounts while they are still employed.  Participants who have attained age 59½ may request a distribution of all or a portion of the value in the account. Withdrawals by the participant before attaining age 59½ generally are subject to a penalty of 10%.

Notes Receivable from Participants
Participants may borrow from their accounts by taking one loan with a minimum amount of $1,000, and a maximum amount of $50,000, reduced by the participant’s highest outstanding loan balance in the prior one-year period (if any) or 50% of their vested account balance.  General purpose loans must be repaid within 5 years; if the funds are used to construct or purchase a primary residence, funds must be repaid within 10 years.  The interest rate on the loans is equal to the prevailing prime rate as of the beginning of the calendar quarter in which the participant applies for the loan plus 1%, which ranged from 4.0% to 10.5% for loans outstanding at December 31, 2014.  Principal and interest are paid in equal installments through employee payroll deductions.  Participants may prepay the entire outstanding loan balance at any time without penalty.  Loans deemed to be in default are recorded as distributions.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, loans outstanding were $11,264,130 and $10,555,132, respectively, net of deemed defaulted loans of $876,886 and $792,116, respectively, with maturity dates through December 2024.

Termination of Service
Upon termination of service, a participant may leave their account in the Plan, or may elect to receive the value of their account in a lump-sum payment or as a direct transfer to another qualified retirement plan subject to certain conditions.  However, a participant with an account balance of $5,000 or less may select from the latter two options only.

Expenses
All administrative expenses are paid from Plan assets.  The Investment Committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, employs an independent investment consultant to evaluate investment options, conduct fund searches, and monitor fund manager activity, of which the fees incurred are paid from Plan assets.  In addition, certain investment related expenses reduced investment income presented in the accompanying statement of changes in net assets available for benefits.
 
 
 
 
5
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013



2.      SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting
The financial statements of the Plan are prepared under the accrual method of accounting.

Investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.  The statement of net assets available for benefits presents the fair value of the investment contracts as well as the adjustment of the fully benefit-responsive investment contracts from fair value to contract value. The statement of changes in net assets available for benefits is prepared on a contract value basis.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires the Plan Administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investment Valuation
The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value.  The fair value of the Plan’s interest in the Canadian National Railway Master Trust (Master Trust) is based on the specific interest that each plan has in the underlying participant directed investment options. Investments in mutual funds and money market funds are valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value (NAV) and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the Plan are deemed to be actively traded.  Common stocks are valued at the last reported sales price or closing price by the national securities exchange on which it trades.  The CN Stock Fund is tracked on a unitized basis, whereby the value of a unit reflects the combined market value of CN common stock and the cash investments held by the fund. The Master Trust’s interest in the Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio II (FMIP II), which is fully benefit-responsive, is presented at fair value, which represents NAV, of units held by the Master Trust, with separate disclosure of the adjustment from fair value to contract value, which is equal to principal balance plus accrued interest.  The NAV, as reported by the Trustee, is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The fair value of the FMIP II is calculated by the issuer utilizing quoted market prices, most recent bid prices in the principal market in which securities are normally traded, pricing services and dealer quotes.  The fair value of underlying wrapper contracts is calculated by the issuer using a discounted cash flow model which considers (i) recent fee bids as determined by recognized dealers, (ii) discount rate and (iii) the duration of the underlying portfolio securities.
 
The statements of net assets available for benefits includes the fair value of the underlying assets and wrap contracts of the FMIP II based on the proportionate ownership of the Plan.
 
As of December 31, 2014, there were no reserves against the wrap contracts’ carrying values due to credit risks of the issuers. Interest rates are reviewed on a monthly basis for resetting. Certain events could limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuers of the contracts held by the FMIP II. Such events could include, but are not limited to, the following: the establishment of a defined contribution plan that competes with the Plan for contributions, substantive modification to the FMIP II or the administration of the FMIP II, change in law, regulation or administrative ruling applicable to the Plan that could have a material adverse effect on cash flow, transfer to a competing investment option, and failure of the Plan to qualify under the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Withdrawals initiated by the Plan Sponsor will normally be provided at contract value as soon as practicable following the required twelve months written notice. Withdrawals initiated by Plan participants may be made on any business day and are processed on the same business day. Transfers made by
 
 
 
6
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013


Plan participants from the FMIP II cannot be reinvested into competing investments,  for ninety days from the date of the transfer. Competing investments are investment options offered by the Plan which may be deemed by the Contract issuer to “compete” with the FMIP II fund. Transfers from FMIP II must first be exchanged to a non-competing fund,  for ninety days.  The Plan does not believe that  the occurrence of any of these events, which could limit the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with participants, is probable.
 
The average yields earned by the FMIP II were approximately 1.70% and1.59% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The average yields earned by the FMIP II based on the actual interest rates credited to participants were approximately 1.38% and 1.14% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net asset value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Plan’s valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Notes Receivable from Participants
Notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus accrued but unpaid interest. Delinquent participant loans are reclassified as a distribution based upon the terms of the Plan document.

Security Transactions and Related Investment Income
Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis.  Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date, and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.

Net appreciation (depreciation) of investments includes the realized gains and losses on the sale of securities and the unrealized appreciation and depreciation in the fair value of investments.

Distributions
Distributions to participants or beneficiaries are recorded upon payment.

Contributions Receivable
Contributions receivable are the amounts due, as of the date of the financial statements, to the Plan from the Company and participants.  Participant contributions from employee payroll deductions made subsequent to the Plan’s year-end attributable to the preceding Plan year are accrued, as are Company contributions coinciding with these salary deferrals, if any.


3.      DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT FUNDS

Participants direct the investment of their account balance into a broad range of investment funds offered by the Plan, within the Master Trust. The Investment Committee may add, remove or replace any investment funds as appropriate and as allowed by the Plan document and the Statement of Investment Policy.


4.      TRANSFER OF PLAN ASSETS

In 2014, transfers of plan assets to/from a CN-related employee plan, the Canadian National Railway Company Management Savings Plan for U.S. Operations, relate to employees who changed participation between plans.
 

 
7
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013




5.      PLAN TERMINATION

Although the Company has not expressed any intent to do so, it has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA.  In the event the Plan is terminated, participants would become 100 percent vested.


6.      INTEREST IN MASTER TRUST

The Master Trust was created pursuant to a trust agreement between the Plan Sponsor and FMTC, as trustee of the funds, for investment and administrative purposes.  The Master Trust includes all of the investment assets of the following plans:

·  
Canadian National Railway Company Union Savings Plan for U.S. Operations (Union Plan)
·  
Canadian National Railway Company Management Savings Plan for U.S. Operations (Management Plan)

The Plan’s record-keeper maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating net gains or losses to each of the plans and to each participant’s accounts.  The net investment income or loss of the investment assets is allocated to each plan and to each participant’s account based on the investments held in their account.

The Master Trust applies the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements (“FASB ASC 820”), for its financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the financial statements. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires assets and liabilities measured at fair value to be categorized into one of three levels based on the inputs used in the valuation. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Observable inputs based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 – Observable inputs, other than those included in Level 1, based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in inactive markets

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about what inputs a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances

Certain investments included in the Mater Trust are reported at fair value on a recurring basis.  The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values:

Money market funds, mutual funds and common stocks – These investments consist of various publicly-traded money market funds, mutual funds and CN common stock. Money market funds and mutual funds are valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value (NAV) and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the Plan are deemed to be actively traded. Common stocks are valued at the last reported sales price or closing price by the national securities exchange on which it trades.
 

 
 
8
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013




Common collective trust funds – Valued at NAV of the units of the fund. The NAV, as provided by the Trustee is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The NAV is based on the underlying investments less liabilities. The fair value of the underlying investments, is determined by the  Trustee utilizing quoted market prices, most recent bid prices in the principal market in which the securities are normally traded, pricing services and dealer quotes. The fair value of the underlying wrapper contracts is calculated using a discounted cash flow model which considers recent fee bids as determined by recognized dealers, discount rate and the duration of the underlying portfolio securities. The dealers may consider the following in the bid process: size of the portfolio, performance of the underlying portfolio, plan cash flow and the fair value of the contract value ratio. The MIP’s investment contracts provide for benefit responsive withdrawals at contract value. The Master Trust’s fair value is based on the Master Trust’s proportionate ownership of the underlying investments.




 
9
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013



The following table summarizes the Master Trust’s investment assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Total Fair Value
               
December 31, 2014
              
   Mutual funds:
              
      Large cap funds
 $   117,413,766
  
 $                     -
 
 $                   -
  
 $   117,413,766
      Mid cap funds
        20,984,000
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        20,984,000
      Small cap funds
        20,710,766
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        20,710,766
      International funds
        23,166,913
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        23,166,913
      Fixed income funds
        28,407,674
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        28,407,674
      Balanced funds
        18,555,164
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        18,555,164
      Lifestyle funds
        83,982,838
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        83,982,838
         Total mutual funds
      313,221,121
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
      313,221,121
   CN common stock
        84,893,766
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        84,893,766
   Money market fund
        10,631,365
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        10,631,365
   Common collective trust fund
                      -
  
        32,379,970
  
                      -
  
        32,379,970
   Cash
          2,708,889
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
          2,708,889
 
 $   411,455,141
  
 $     32,379,970
  
 $                   -
  
 $   443,835,111
December 31, 2013
              
   Mutual funds:
              
      Large cap funds
 $   113,752,428
  
 $                     -
 
 $                   -
  
 $   113,752,428
      Mid cap funds
        18,590,259
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        18,590,259
      Small cap funds
        21,849,616
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        21,849,616
      International funds
        26,010,121
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        26,010,121
      Fixed income funds
        31,667,847
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        31,667,847
      Balanced funds
        17,902,627
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        17,902,627
      Lifestyle funds
        68,002,463
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        68,002,463
         Total mutual funds
      297,775,361
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
      297,775,361
   CN common stock
        66,376,608
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        66,376,608
   Money market fund
        13,127,988
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
        13,127,988
   Common collective trust fund
                      -
  
        37,619,264
  
                      -
  
        37,619,264
   Cash
          2,463,872
  
                      -
  
                      -
  
          2,463,872
 
 $   379,743,829
  
 $     37,619,264
  
 $                   -
  
 $   417,363,093
               
               
 
CN common stock represents CN stock held directly by participants as well as in the CN Stock Fund. During 2014, there were no transfers between level 1 and 2 investments.
 
 

 
10
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013



The fair value of investments, by significant investment type, in the Master Trust at December 31 is as follows:
 
   
2014
  
2013
         
Investments in Master Trust, at fair value:
        
   Mutual funds
  
 $ 313,221,121
  
 $ 297,775,361
   CN common stock
  
      84,893,766
  
      66,376,608
   Money market fund
  
      10,631,365
  
      13,127,988
   Common collective trust fund
  
      32,379,970
  
      37,619,264
   Cash
  
        2,708,889
  
        2,463,872
Total investments in Master Trust
  
    443,835,111
  
    417,363,093
Pending trades receivable and other
  
          (26,200)
  
         (401,302)
Total assets in Master Trust
  
 $ 443,808,911
  
 $ 416,961,791
         
Union Plan, interest in Master Trust
  
 $ 283,047,409
  
 $ 259,646,708
Percentage interest
  
63.8%
  
62.3%
         
Management Plan, interest in Master Trust
  
 $ 160,761,502
  
 $ 157,315,083
Percentage interest
  
36.2%
  
37.7%


Investment income for the Master Trust for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:


       
2014
         
Dividends and interest
      
 $             22,709,303
         
Net appreciation of investments:
        
   Mutual funds
      
                  1,011,511
   CN common stock
      
                14,257,124
       
                15,268,635
         
Net investment income
      
 $             37,977,938
         
Plan interest in investment income of the Master Trust:
        
   Union Plan
      
 $             24,792,795
         
   Management Plan
      
 $             13,185,143
 
 

 
11
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013



Investments that represent 5% or more of the Master Trust’s net assets as of December 31 are as follows:

   
2014
  
2013
         
CN Common Stock
  
 $  84,893,766
  
 $  66,376,608
Fidelity Spartan 500 Index - Institutional Class
  
     45,666,662
  
     42,439,337
American Funds Investment Company of America
  
     41,781,051
  
     41,372,607
Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio II
  
     31,913,941
  
     37,619,264
Fidelity Capital Appreciation
  
     29,966,053
  
     29,940,485
PIMCO Total Return
  
     28,407,674
  
     31,667,847
American Funds EuroPacific Growth
  
 *
  
     23,328,425
         
* Not greater than 5% at respective date
        


7.      FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The Plan has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS, dated February 17, 2012, indicating that it is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, as amended, and therefore, the Plan and related trust are exempt from taxation.  Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, the Plan Administrator continues to believe the Plan and related trust are designed to be in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code.

U.S. GAAP requires Plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the IRS.  The Plan Administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2014, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability (or asset) or disclosure in the financial statements.  The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress.  The Plan Administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2011.


8.    RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A significant portion of the Master Trust’s assets was invested in funds managed by affiliates of FMTC, amounting to $205,127,756 and $193,811,233 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  FMTC also acts as the trustee for the Plan, and therefore, these investments qualify as party-in-interest transactions.
 
The Master Trust held shares of CN common stock valued at $84,893,766 and $66,376,608 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.


 
12
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013



9.    RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FORM 5500

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500 as of December 31:
 
     
2014
  
2013
           
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
 $      295,420,495
  
 $       271,072,544
Add: Adjustment from contract value to fair value for
      
   interest in Master Trust relating to fully
          
   benefit-responsive investment contracts
    
              221,862
  
                237,159
Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500
  
 $      295,642,357
  
 $       271,309,703

 
 
The following is a reconciliation of investment income from the Master Trust per the financial statements to Form 5500 for the year ended December 31:

         
2014
           
Total investment income from the Master Trust per
        
   the financial statements
        
 $         24,792,795
Less : Change in contract value to fair value for
          
   interest in Master Trust relating to fully
          
   benefit-responsive investment contracts
        
                (15,297)
Total investment income per the Form 5500
        
 $         24,777,498


  10.  RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Plan provides for various investment options in any combination of CN common stock, mutual funds, and other investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit risks.  Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in values of investment securities will occur in the near term could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statement of net assets available for benefits and the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits.

Certain of the funds available for investment by participants may contain securities with contractual cash flows, such as asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and commercial mortgage-backed securities, including securities backed by subprime mortgage loans. The value, liquidity, and related income of those securities are sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including real estate value, delinquencies or defaults, or both, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates.





 
13
 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
 
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013



11.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through June 23, 2015, the date the financial statements were issued, and determined that there were no material subsequent events affecting any conditions that existed at the date of the financial statements, except as listed below.

Effective June 29, 2015, the CN Stock Fund investment option offered through the Plan will be frozen. Amounts in the Plan as of that date will remain until cashed out or transferred out.


 
14
 
 

 
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY
UNION SAVINGS PLAN FOR U.S. OPERATIONS
EIN: 13-2673944 Plan #003
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
DECEMBER 31, 2014

 
 
Identity of issue, borrower,
lessor, or similar party
Description of investment,
including maturity date,
rate of interest, collateral,
par, or maturity value
 
 
Current
value
     
* Notes receivable from participants
4.0% to 10.5%, maturing
through December 2024
 
$11,264,130
 
 
 
 
                         $11,264,130
     
     
* Party-in-interest transaction

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.







 
15
 


 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employees benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.




Canadian National Railway Company
Union Savings Plan for U.S. Operations
Name of Plan




               /s/ Karyne L’Ecuyer
Dated: 6/23/2015

              Plan Administrator