The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that recently the royal charter for the Hudson's Bay Company was set to be auctioned off, offering a chance to raise funds and highlight Canada's history. A Globe editorial says the process, however, has devolved into a questionable backroom deal, rather than a transparent auction. The Weston family's Wittington Investments has struck a $12.5-million agreement to acquire the charter and then donate it to the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa. That agreement short-circuited an expected auction for the charter. The value of the offer is in question. A Hudson's Bay court filing claims that the $12.5-million offer is "substantially" higher than the 2022 charter appraisal. However, it raises the question of how much the price could have increased with more bidders. Ryan Markle stated on June 18 that Wittington believes an auction was not appropriate and warned that the offer may not remain if it is unsatisfied with the process. Wittington likely preferred to avoid a price rise at public auction, which benefits it but not creditors, who want the highest price. The arrangement will be reviewed by a judge to assess if the Wittington offer reflects full value for the charter.