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In a report filed by the court-appointed monitor in the case on Wednesday, the company agreed to extend benefit payments, as well as pension payments, until Sept. 30. The extension will “provide a helpful extended transition period for beneficiaries under the… plan before their benefits are suspended and potentially terminated,” the monitor said in a report filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

On Thursday, dozens of former employees packed a downtown Toronto courtroom to hear the proceedings.

Lawyers spent most of the afternoon making amendments to the sales and investment solicitation process, which is intended to “solicit a broad range of potential transactions,” according to the monitor’s report.

According to the decision approved by Hainey, Sears and its court-ordered monitor, FTI Consulting Inc., can select one or more successful bids by Oct. 25.

The monitor’s report also said that more than 20 parties have signed non-disclosure agreements with Sears Canada in connection with a potential sale process.

The retailer is still negotiating non-disclosure agreements with its two biggest shareholders, ESL and Fairholme Capital Management, LLC. On Monday, ESL issued a press release saying ESL and Fairholme were “evaluating, discussing and considering a potential negotiated transaction with (Sears Canada) and its subsidiaries.”

In separate documents filed by Sears Canada’s lawyers prior to Thursday’s hearing, Billy Wong, the chief financial officer, said it is “crucial” to begin liquidation sales of inventory no later than July 21 and to complete them by Oct. 12. Hainey is expected to hear that motion on Tuesday.