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Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2020
Sep 29, 2020
46960_rns_2020-09-28_8a796e11-786c-423e-83e8-4a9c99d3f9d3.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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INFORMATION CIRCULAR
FOR THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC.
(this information is given as of September 18, 2020)
In view of the current and rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak, the Company asks that, in considering whether to attend the Meeting in person, shareholders follow the instructions of the Public Health Agency of Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html). The Company encourages Shareholders not to attend the Meeting in person if experiencing any of the described COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough or difficulty breathing. The Company may take additional precautionary measures in relation to the Meeting in response to further developments in the COVID-19 outbreak. As always, the Company encourages shareholders to vote prior to the Meeting. Shareholders are encouraged to vote on the matters before the Meeting by proxy and to join the Meeting by teleconference. To access the Meeting by teleconference, dial toll free at 1-800-319-7310, Participation Code: 77783, followed by the # sign.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc. (the "Company") is providing this Information Circular and a form of proxy in connection with management's solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual and Special Meeting of the Shareholders of the Company (the "Meeting"), to be held on October 23, 2020, at the place and time and for the purposes set forth in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting (the "Notice of Meeting") and at any adjournments thereof. This solicitation is being made primarily by mail, but proxies may also be solicited by directors, officers or employees of the Company. The cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company.
APPOINTMENT OF PROXYHOLDERS
The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy are directors and officers of the Company. A shareholder has the right to appoint a person other than the persons named in the enclosed forms of proxy to attend and vote for him or her at the Meeting. In order to do so, the shareholder may cross out the names printed in these forms of proxy and insert such person's name in the blank space provided thereon or complete another form of proxy. In either case, the duly completed forms of proxy must be delivered to the Company, c/o Endeavor Trust Corporation, Suite 702 – 777 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1S4, facsimile: (604) 559-8908, not later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays) prior to the commencement of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof or the Secretary of the Meeting, on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. It is not necessary to be a shareholder in order to act as a proxy.
REVOCATION OF PROXIES
A shareholder may revoke his proxy at any time, relating to any question for which the voting right granted by the proxy has not yet been exercised, by instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or by his attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a corporation, by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized. Such revocation must be deposited with the Company, c/o Endeavor Trust Corporation, Suite 702 – 777 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1S4, facsimile: (604) 5598908, at any time up to an including the day preceding the day of the Meeting, or with the Chairman or Secretary of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting, or in any other manner permitted by law.
EXERCISE OF PROXY
The voting rights attached to the common shares in the capital of the Company (the " Common Shares ") represented by proxies will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions indicated therein. If no instructions are given, the voting rights attached to said shares will be exercised by those persons designated in the form of proxy and will be voted IN FAVOUR of all the matters described therein.
The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary voting authority upon the persons named therein with respect to amendments to matters identified in the Notice of Meeting, and with respect to such matters as may properly come before the Meeting. As of the date hereof, management of the Company knows of no such amendments or other matters to come before the Meeting.
NON-REGISTERED HOLDERS
Only registered shareholders or duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Shareholders who do not hold their shares in their own name (the "Non-Registered Shareholders") are advised that only proxies from shareholders of record can be recognized and voted at the Meeting.
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Most shareholders are Non-Registered Shareholders because the Common Shares they own are not registered in their names but are instead registered in the name of the brokerage firm, bank or trust company through which they purchased the shares. Common Shares beneficially owned by a Non-Registered Shareholder are registered either: (i) in the name of an intermediary (an " Intermediary ") that the Non-Registered Shareholder deals with in respect of the shares (Intermediaries include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or administrators of self-administered RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs and similar plans); or (ii) in the name of a clearing agency (such as The CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc.) of which the Intermediary is a participant.
There are two kinds of Non-Registered Shareholders - those who object to their name being made known to the issuers of securities which they own (called " OBOs " for Objecting Beneficial Owners) and those who do not object to the issuers of the securities they own knowing who they are (called " NOBOs " for Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners).
The Notice of Meeting, this Information Circular and the instrument of proxy or a voting instruction form and the request form (collectively, the " Meeting Materials ") are being sent to both registered shareholders and Non-Registered Shareholders. If you are a Non-Registered Shareholder, and the Company or its agent has sent these materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of securities have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the Intermediary holding on your behalf. By choosing to send these materials to you directly, the Company (and not the Intermediary holding securities on your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these materials to you, and (ii) executing your proper voting instructions. Please return your voting instructions as specified in the request for voting instructions.
Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners
If you are a NOBO, the Company is sending the Meeting Materials to you directly. Please complete the voting instruction form and carefully follow the instructions therein for return of the executed form or other method of response. If you wish to vote in person at the Meeting (or to have another person attend and vote on your behalf), you must insert your own name (or such other person's name) in the space provided for the appointment of a proxyholder on the voting instruction form and carefully follow the instructions therein for return of the executed form or other method of response.
Objecting Beneficial Owners
In accordance with applicable securities law requirements, the Company will have distributed copies of the Meeting Materials to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries for distribution to OBOs.
Intermediaries are required to forward the Meeting Materials to OBOs unless an OBO has waived the right to receive them. Intermediaries often use service companies to forward the Meeting Materials to OBOs.
OBOs are not permitted to vote at the Meeting. Generally, OBOs who have not waived the right to receive Meeting Materials will either:
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(a) be given a voting instruction form which is not signed by the Intermediary and which, when properly completed and signed by the OBO and returned to the Intermediary or its service company , will constitute voting instructions (often called a " voting instruction form ") which the Intermediary must follow. Typically, the voting instruction form will consist of a one page pre-printed form. Sometimes, instead of a one page pre-printed form, the voting instruction form will consist of a regular printed proxy form accompanied by a page of instructions which contains a removable label with a bar-code and other information. In order for the form of proxy to validly constitute a voting instruction form, the OBO must remove the label from the instructions and affix it to the form of proxy, properly complete and sign the form of proxy and submit it to the Intermediary or its service company in accordance with the instructions of the Intermediary or its service company; or
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(b) be given a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature), which is restricted as to the number of shares beneficially owned by the OBO but which is otherwise not completed by the Intermediary. Because the Intermediary has already signed the form of proxy, this form of proxy is not required to be signed by the OBO when submitting the proxy. In this case, the OBO who wishes to submit a proxy should properly complete the form of proxy and deposit it with the Company, c/o Endeavor Trust Corporation, Suite 702 – 777 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1S4, facsimile: (604) 559-8908 .
In either case, the purpose of these procedures is to permit OBOs to direct the voting of the shares they beneficially own. Should an OBO who receives one of the above forms wish to vote at the Meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on behalf of the OBO), the OBO should strike out the persons named in the instrument of proxy and insert the OBO or such other person’s name in the blank space provided. In either case, OBOs should carefully follow the instructions of their
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Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the Instrument of Proxy or voting instruction form is to be delivered .
An OBO may revoke a voting instruction form or a waiver of the right to receive Meeting Materials and to vote which has been given to an Intermediary at any time by written notice to the Intermediary provided that an Intermediary is not required to act on a revocation of a voting instruction form or of a waiver of the right to receive Meeting Materials and to vote which is not received by the Intermediary at least seven (7) days prior to the Meeting.
Unless otherwise indicated in this Information Circular and in the form of proxy and Notice of Meeting attached hereto, shareholders shall mean registered shareholders.
VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
As at the date hereof, the Company had 93,604,603 Common Shares outstanding, representing the Company's only securities with respect to which a voting right may be exercised at the Meeting. Each Common Share carries the right to one vote at the Meeting. Two persons present in person or by proxy and each entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting.
The record date to determine a shareholder’s eligibility to receive the Notice of Meeting and vote at the Meeting was fixed at September 18, 2020 (the " Record Date ").
To the knowledge of the directors and senior officers of the Company as at the date hereof, based on information provided on the System for Disclosure by Insiders (SEDI) and on information filed by third parties on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR), no person beneficially owns, as of the date hereof, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, more than 10% of the Company's Common Shares.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the " OBCA "), the directors of the Company will place before the shareholders at the Meeting the audited financial statements of the Company for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and the auditors' report thereon, and the financial statements of the Company for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Shareholder approval is not required in relation to the financial statements.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) presently consists of four directors. All of the current directors have been directors since the dates indicated below and all will be standing for re-election. The Board recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of the four nominees of management listed in the following table.
Each director will hold office until his re-election or replacement at the next annual meeting of the shareholders unless he resigns his duties or his office becomes vacant following his death, dismissal or any other cause prior to such meeting.
The Board has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee, the members of each of which are set out below.
Unless otherwise instructed, proxies and voting instructions given pursuant to this solicitation by the management of the Company will be voted for the election of the proposed nominees. If any proposed nominee is unable to serve as a director, the individuals named in the enclosed form of proxy reserve the right to nominate and vote for another nominee in their discretion.
Advance Notice Provisions
The Company’s By-Law No. 1 provides for advance notice of nominations of directors of the Company which require that advance notice be provided to the Company in circumstances where nominations of persons for election to the Board are made by shareholders of the Company other than pursuant to: (i) a requisition of a meeting of shareholders made pursuant to the provisions of the OBCA; or (ii) a shareholder proposal made pursuant to the provisions of the OBCA. A copy of By-Law No. 1 is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Nominees to the Board of Directors
Management of the Company proposes to nominate each of the following persons for election as a director. Information concerning such persons, as furnished by the individual nominees, is as follows:
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| Name, Province and Country of Residence, and Position with the Company |
Principal Occupation or Employment | Served as Director Since | Number of Common Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed, Directly or Indirectly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Collinson(1) Ontario, Canada Chairman and Director |
Chairman and Director of the Company. Director of Chelsian Sales & Marketing Inc. |
June 30, 2015 | 3,020,923(4) |
| Jim Molyneux(1)(2)(3) Ontario, Canada Director |
Chartered Accountant and Regional Managing Partner for GTA West of MNP LLP(Toronto) |
June 30, 2015 | 1,676,159(5) |
| Claude Flueckiger(1)(3) Basel, Switzerland Director |
Consultant at Flueckiger Consulting | June 30, 2015 | Nil(6) |
| Brandon Boddy British Columbia, Canada Director |
Principal at Boddy and Co. Investments | April 25, 2018 | 521,000(7) |
Notes:
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(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
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(2) Chair of the Audit Committee.
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(3) Member of the Compensation Committee.
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(4) Of these shares, 1,326,794 are held through Chelsian Sales & Marketing Inc., a company controlled by Mr. Collinson and 140,000 are held in Mr. Collinson’s RRSP account. Mr. Collinson also holds options exercisable for 2,130,769 Common Shares and warrants exercisable for 1,356,006 Common Shares.
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(5) Of these shares, 112,500 are held through Pengally Bay Investments Inc., a company controlled by Mr. Molyneux. Mr. Molyneux also holds options exercisable for 1,170,000 Common Shares.
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(6) Mr. Flueckiger holds options exercisable for 1,403,031 Common Shares.
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(7) Mr. Boddy holds options exercisable for 850,000 Common Shares.
Corporate Cease Trade Orders or Bankruptcies
None of the proposed directors of the Company is, as at the date hereof, or has been, within the previous 10 years, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company) that, (i) was subject to an order that was issued while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer, or (ii) was subject to an order that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer.
None of the proposed directors of the Company is, as at the date hereof, or has been, within the previous 10 years, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets.
Penalties or Sanctions
None of the proposed directors of the Company has been subject to (a) any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or (b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
Personal Bankruptcies
None of the proposed directors of the Company has, within the 10 years before the date hereof, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director.
Management of the Company recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the recommended directors. You can vote for all of these directors, vote for some of them and withhold for others, or withhold for all of them. Unless you give other instructions, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote FOR the election of each of the proposed nominees set forth above as directors of the Company.
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STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Named Executive Officers
Securities legislation requires the disclosure of the compensation received by each "Named Executive Officer" (" Named Executive Officer " or " NEO ") of the Company for the most recently completed financial year. "Named Executive Officer" is defined by the legislation to mean: (i) the Chief Executive Officer of the Company; (ii) the Chief Financial Officer of the Company; (iii) each of the Company’s three most highly compensated executive officers or the three most highly compensated individuals acting in a similar capacity, other than the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, at the end of the most recently completed financial year and whose total compensation was, individually, more than $150,000 for that financial year; and (iv) each individual who would be a "Named Executive Officer" under paragraph (iii) but for the fact that the individual was neither an executive officer of the Company, nor acting in a similar capacity, at the end of the most recently completed financial year.
Summary Compensation Table for Named Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information concerning the total compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers of the Company for the financial years ended September 30, 2019, and 2018:
Table of compensation excluding compensation securities
| Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and | Year | Salary, | Bonus | Committee | Value of | Value of all | Total |
| position | consulting |
or meeting | perquisites | other | compensation | ||
| fee, retainer | ($) | fees | compensation | ||||
| or | ($) | ($) | |||||
| commission | ($) | ($) | |||||
| ($) | |||||||
| Ashish Malik California, USA CEO & President |
2019 2018 |
371,197 352,990 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
59,531 Nil |
430,728 352,990 |
| Kyle Appleby(1) Ontario, Canada CFO & Corporate Secretary |
2019 2018 |
30,000 30,000 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
5,370 Nil |
33,5370 30,000 |
| Michael Collinson(2) Ontario, Canada Chairman & Director |
2019 2018 |
60,000 56,000 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
50,258 38,000 |
110,258 4,000 |
| James Molyneux Ontario, Canada Director |
2019 2018 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
44,750 38,000 |
44,750 38,000 |
| Claude Flueckiger(3) Basel, Switzerland Director |
2019 2018 |
93,595 97,068 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
50,663 38,000 |
144,258 135,068 |
| Brandon Boddy British Columbia, Canada Director |
2019 2018 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
44,750 40,000 |
44,750 40,000 |
Notes:
(1) Fees for Mr. Appleby's services as CFO and Corporate Secretary are paid to him through CFO Advantage Inc., a company he controls.
(2) Mr. Collinson receives consulting fees through Chelsian Sales & Service, a company he controls.
(3) Mr. Flueckiger receives consulting fees through Flueckiger Consulting, a company he controls.
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Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
The following table sets forth information concerning all compensation securities of the Issuer granted or issued during the financial year ended September 30, 2019, to each of the NEOs and directors of the Issuer.
| Compensation Securities | Compensation Securities | Compensation Securities | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Type of | Number of | Date | Issue, | Closing | Closing | Expiry |
| and | compensation | compensation | of | conversion | price of | price of | date |
| position | security | securities, | issue | or exercise | security or | security or | |
| number of | or | price | underlying | underlying | |||
| underlying | grant | ($) | security | security at | |||
| securities, | on | year end | |||||
| and | date of | ($) | |||||
| percentage of | grant | ||||||
| class | ($) | ||||||
| Ashish Malik(3) CEO & President |
RSUs Stock Options |
275,255 (0.35%) 275,255 underlying common shares 332,577 (0.42%) 332,577 underlying common shares |
22-Mar- 19 22-Mar- 19 |
N/A 0.195 |
0.195 0.195 |
0.23 0.23 |
Note (1) 22-Mar-24 |
| Kyle Appleby(4) CFO & Corporate Secretary |
Stock Options | 30,000 (0.04%) 30,000 underlying common shares |
22-Mar- 19 |
0.195 | 0.195 | 0.23 | 22-Mar-24 |
| Michael Collinson(5) Chairman & Director |
RSUs Stock Options |
102,564 (0.13%) 102,564 underlying common shares 280,769 (0.35%) 280,769 underlying common shares |
22-Mar- 19 22-Mar- 19 |
N/A 0.195 |
0.195 0.195 |
0.23 0.23 |
Note (1) 22-Mar-24 |
| James Molyneux(6) Director |
Stock Options | 250,000 (0.32%) 250,000 underlying common shares |
22-Mar- 19 |
0.195 | 0.195 | 0.23 | 22-Mar-24 |
| Claude Flueckiger(7) Director |
RSUs Stock Options |
110,102 (0.14%) 100,102 underlying common shares 283,031 (0.36%) 283,031 underlying common shares |
22-Mar- 19 22-Mar- 19 |
N/A 0.195 |
0.195 0.195 |
0.23 0.23 |
Note (1) 22-Mar-24 |
| Brandon Boddy(8) Director |
Stock Options | 250,000 (0.32%) 250,000 underlying common shares |
22-Mar- 19 |
0.195 | 0.195 | 0.23 | 22-Mar-24 |
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Notes:
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(1) The RSUs expire of the earlier of (i) March 22, 2029, and (ii) five years from the date the EPA approves the Issuer’s Vectorite[TM] with CR-7 product.
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(2) Percentage is based on 78,327,329 issued and outstanding common shares as of September 30, 2019.
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(3) As at September 30, 2019, Mr. Malik held a total of 2,332,577 compensation securities that were exercisable into 2,332,577 common shares.
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(4) As at September 30, 2019, Mr. Appleby held a total of 180,000 compensation securities that were exercisable into 180,000 common shares.
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(5) As at September 30, 2019, Mr. Collinson held a total of 2,130,769 compensation securities that were exercisable into 2,130,769 common shares.
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(6) As at September 30, 2019, Mr. Molyneux held a total of 1,170,000 compensation securities that were exercisable into 1,170,000 common shares.
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(7) As at September 30, 2019, Mr. Flueckiger held a total of 1,403,031 compensation securities that were exercisable into 1,403,031common shares.
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(8) As at September 30, 2019, Mr. Boddy held a total of 850,000 compensation securities that were exercisable into 850,000 common shares.
| Exercise of Compensation Securities by Directors and NEOs | |||||||
| Name and position |
Type of compensation security |
Number of underlying securities exercised |
Exercise price per security ($) |
Date of exercise |
Closing price per security on date of exercise ($) |
Difference between exercise price and closing price on date of exercise ($) |
Total value on exercise date ($) |
| Ashish Malik CEO & President |
RSU | 275,255 Common Shares |
$0.195 | 04-Sept-19 | $0.24 | N/A | $66,061.2 0 |
| Michael Collinson Chairman & Director |
RSU | 102,564 Common Shares |
$0.195 | 04-Sept-19 | $0.24 | N/A | $24,615.3 6 |
| Claude Flueckiger Director |
RSU | 110,102 Common Shares |
$0.195 | 04-Sept-19 | $0.24 | $0.195 | $26,424.4 8 |
External Management Companies
None of the NEOs or directors of the Company have been retained or employed by an external management company which has entered into an understanding, arrangement or agreement with the Company to provide executive management services to the Company, directly or indirectly.
Stock option plans and other incentive plans
The Board approved a restricted share unit plan (the “ 2020 RSU Plan ”) and a 20% rolling stock option plan (the “ 2020 Option Plan ” and together with the 2020 RSU Plan, the “ 2020 Plans ”) to grant restricted share units (“ RSU’s ”) and incentive stock options (“ Options ”) to directors, officers, key employees and consultants of the Company. Pursuant to the 2020 RSU Plan and the 2020 Option Plan, the Company may reserve up to a maximum of 20% of the issued and outstanding Shares at the time of grant pursuant to awards granted under the 2020 Plans. Previously, the Board approved a restricted share unit plan (the " 2019 RSU Plan ") and a 20% fixed stock option plan (the " 2019 Option Plan "), collectively called the “2019 Plans” to grant restricted share units (" RSU's ") and incentive stock options ("Options") to directors, officers, key employees and consultants of the Company. Pursuant to the 2019 RSU Plan and the 2019 Option Plan, the Company reserved up to an aggregate of 15,519,854 common shares pursuant to awards granted under the 2019 Plans. The 2019 Plans were approved by the shareholders on May 10, 2019.
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2020 Option Plan
The 2020 Option Plan of the Company is designed to give each Option holder an interest in preserving and maximizing shareholder value in the longer term, to enable the Company to attract and retain individuals with experience and ability and to reward individuals for current performance and expected future performance. The Board considers Option grants when reviewing executive officer compensation packages as a whole.
The Board has sole discretion to determine the key employees to whom it recommends that grants be made and to determine the terms and conditions of the Options forming part of such grants. The Board approves ranges of Option grants for each level of executive officer. Individual grants are determined by an assessment of an individual’s current and expected future performance, level of responsibilities and the importance of the position to the Company.
The number of Options which may be issued under the Option Plan in the aggregate and in respect of any fiscal year is limited under the terms of the 2020 Option Plan and cannot be increased without shareholder approval.
2020 RSU Plan
The 2020 RSU Plan provides for granting of RSU’s for the purposes of advancing the interests of the Company through motivation, attraction and retention of employees, officers, consultants and directors by granting equity-based compensation incentives, in addition to the Company’s 2020 Option Plan.
RSUs granted pursuant to the 2020 RSU Plan will be used to compensate participants for their individual performance-based achievements and are intended to supplement stock option awards in this respect, the goal of such grants is to more closely tie awards to individual performance based on established performance criteria.
The 2020 Plans has been used to provide stock options and RSU’s which are granted in consideration of the level of responsibility of the executive as well as his or her impact or contribution to the longer-term operating performance of the Company. In determining the number of Options or RSU’s to be granted to the executive officers, the Compensation Committee with consultation of the Board takes into account the number of Options or RSU’s, if any, previously granted to each executive officer, and the exercise price of any outstanding Options to ensure that such grants are in accordance with the policies of the CSE and closely align the interests of the executive officers with the interests of shareholders.
The Compensation Committee with consultation of the Board has the responsibility to administer the compensation policies related to the executive management of the Company, including option-based and share-based awards.
At the Meeting, shareholders are being asked to approve the 2020 Option Plan and the 2020 RSU Plan. See “ APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF STOCK OPTION PLAN ” and “ APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT PLAN ”.
Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements
Except as disclosed herein, as at the end of the Issuer's most recently completed financial year, the Issuer had not entered into any contract, agreement, plan or arrangement that provides for payments to an NEO or director at, following or in connection with any termination (whether voluntary, involuntary or constructive), resignation, retirement, a change in control of the Issuer or a change in an NEO's or director’s responsibilities.
Effective September 1, 2016, the Issuer entered into an executive employment agreement with Ashish Malik for his services as President and CEO of the Issuer (the " Executive Agreement "). Pursuant to the Executive Agreement, Mr. Malik is entitled to a base salary of US$250,000 per year which shall increase to US$275,000 on the first anniversary of the Executive Agreement (the " Base Salary "). For each complete fiscal year of employment, Mr. Malik shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the " Annual Bonus "). As of the date of the Executive Agreement, Mr. Malik's annual target bonus opportunity shall be equal to 40% of his Base Salary (the " Target Bonus "), which shall be payable in Common Shares issued at the market price (based on the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the applicable stock exchange for the 20 days immediately prior to the grant). The Target Bonus shall be based on the achievement of both Mr. Malik and the Issuer with the actual amount of the Annual Bonus paid to Mr. Malik to be based on the percentage of the performance goals met for the year as determined by the Board of Directors. Mr. Malik is also entitled to receive one-time bonuses based on net revenues of the Issuer. Mr. Malik shall receive a bonus equal to $100,000 paid through the issuance of Common Shares at market price should the Issuer obtain net revenues of $1,000,000 within a 6-month period from the date of the Executive Agreement. Mr. Malik shall receive a bonus equal to $600,000 paid through the issuance of Common Shares at market price should the Issuer obtain net revenues equal to or greater than $8,000,000 in a full year from the date of the Executive Agreement. Mr. Malik shall receive a bonus equal to $1,500,000 paid through the issuance of Common Shares at market price should the Issuer receive a formal valuation from a recognized merchant bank or valuator at or above $250 million and for each business variation with an incremental increase of $50 million or more an additional bonus of $500,000 shall be paid through the issuance of Common Shares at the market price up to a maximum valuation of $400 million. The Executive Agreement also entitles Mr. Malik to receive a payment equal to 18
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months of his Base Salary upon termination of his position due to: a change of control of the Issuer and all accrued but unpaid Annual Bonuses or milestone bonuses.
Effective June 30, 2015, the Issuer entered into a consulting agreement with CFO Advantage Inc., a company controlled by Kyle Appleby (the “ CFO Agreement ”) to provide the services of a Chief Financial Officer to the Issuer in accordance with terms of the CFO Agreement for a monthly fee of $2,500 plus applicable taxes and reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Issuer. The Issuer shall give three months’ notice of termination of the CFO Agreement, if notice if not given, the Issuer shall pay the equivalent amount based on the monthly fee due under the CFO Agreement.
Effective September 1, 2016, the Issuer entered into a consulting agreement with Chelsian Sales and Marketing Inc. a company controlled by Michael Collinson (the “ Management Agreement ”) to provide business and strategic corporate advisory to the Issuer in accordance with the terms of the Management Agreement for a monthly fee of $5,000 plus applicable taxes and reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Issuer. The term of the Management Agreement is in place until August 31, 2021 and may be terminated at any time, for any reason, without cause or entitlement to any further compensation, upon 90 days written notice to the Issuer, by either party for cause, at any time without entitlement to any further compensation, in the event of a failure by the other party to comply with any of the provisions hereunder, by the Issuer, at any time, without cause or reason, by written notice. If the Management Agreement is terminated without cause, the Issuer will pay to the consultant for fees due to the consultant for the six months following the termination of the Management Agreement, or the remainder of the term of the Management Agreement, whichever is less.
Subsequent to the year ended September 30, 2019, the Issuer entered into a corporate management agreement dated October 1, 2019 (the “ Partum Agreement ”) with Partum Advisory Services Corp. (“ Partum ”) of Suite 810 – 789 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1H2 to provide management and administrative services to the Issuer in accordance with the terms of the Partum Agreement for a monthly fee of $2,500 plus applicable taxes and reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Issuer. The Partum Agreement is for an initial term of 12 months, to be automatically renewed for further 12 month periods, unless either party gives 90 days’ notice of non-renewal, in which case the Partum Agreement will terminate. The Partum Agreement can be terminated by either party on 90 days’ written notice. It can also be terminated by the Issuer for cause without prior notice or upon the mutual consent in writing of both parties. If there is a take-over or change of control of the Issuer resulting in the termination of the Partum Agreement, Partum is entitled to receive an amount equal to six (6) months of fees payable as a lump sum payment due on the day after the termination date.
Oversight and Description of Director and NEO Compensation
The objective of the Issuer's compensation program is to compensate the directors and NEOs for their services to the Issuer at a level that is both in line with the Issuer's fiscal resources and competitive with companies at a similar stage of development, although no formal benchmark group of companies or peer group has been established.
Pursuant to the Issuer's Compensation Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee determines the director and NEO compensation and reviews such compensation annually. The primary objectives of the Issuer's executive compensation program are to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified management and employees and align the compensation of executive office and other employees with the interests of the Issuer's Common Shareholders.
When determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee will review the compensation policies of companies engaged in the industry and of a similar size and development stage. Although the Issuer has not obtained any industry reports regarding compensation, at the appropriate time the Board of Directors will review publicly available information with respect to compensation paid to the executives of similar size and stage companies.
Compensation for the NEOs is comprised of three components: base salary, long-term incentives in the form of option based awards and cash bonuses. In setting the base compensation levels for NEOs, consideration is given to objective factors such as the level of responsibility, experience and expertise, as well as subjective factors such as leadership and contribution to corporate performance. Compensation is reviewed annually and adjustments may be made based upon corporate and personal performance, market conditions and the level of responsibility attributed to specific executives.
Base Salary
Salaries provide a fixed level of regularly paid cash compensation for performing day-to-day responsibilities. Base salaries are reviewed annually and take into account the market value of the role and the NEOs demonstration of capability. In reviewing base salaries factors such as the individual's experience and contribution, general market conditions and competition for qualified personnel are taken into account.
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Bonuses
From time to time the Issuer may award cash bonuses to reward exceptional service. Except for bonuses payable under the Executive Agreement, bonuses are paid at the discretion of the Compensation Committee based upon the achievement of individual and corporate performance, with those two criteria being weighted equally for the purpose of the assessment.
Perquisites and Personal Benefits
While the Issuer reimburses its NEOs for expenses incurred in the course of performing their duties as executive officers of the Issuer, the Issuer did not provide any compensation that would be considered a perquisite or personal benefit to its NEOs.
Group Benefits
The Issuer does not offer a group benefits plan of any kind.
Director and Officer Insurance
The Issuer maintains an executive and organization liability insurance policy that covers directors and officers for costs incurred to defend and settle claims against directors and officers of the Issuer to an annual limit of $2,000,000 with retention of $15,000 on securities and oppressive conduct claims and $15,000 on all other claims. The cost of coverage for 2019 was approximately $9,100. Directors and officers do not pay any portion of the premiums and no indemnity claims were made or became payable during 2019.
Pension Disclosure
The Issuer does not have a pension plan that provides for payments or benefits to the NEOs or directors at, following, or in connection with retirement.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As at the date hereof, there was no indebtedness outstanding of any current or former director, executive officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries which is owing to the Company or its subsidiaries, or which is owing to another entity and is the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or its subsidiaries, whether entered into in connection with a purchase of securities or otherwise.
No individual who is, or at any time during the most recently completed financial year was, a director or executive officer of the Company, no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company and no associate of such persons (i) is or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year has been, indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) is indebted to another entity, whose indebtedness is, or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year has been, the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or its subsidiaries.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Except as set out herein, no person who has been a director or executive officer of the Company at any time since the beginning of the Company's last financial year, no proposed nominee of management of the Company for election as a director of the Company, and no associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership or otherwise, in matters to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors or the appointment of auditors.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
None of the informed persons (as such term is defined in NI 51-102) of the Company, any proposed director of the Company, or any associate or affiliate of any informed person or proposed director, has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction of the Company since the commencement of the Company's most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
There are no management functions of the Company which are to any substantial degree performed by a person or a company other than the directors or executive officers of the Company.
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APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
Unless otherwise instructed, the proxies given pursuant to this solicitation will be voted for the re-appointment of RSM Canada LLP, 11 King Street West, Suite 700, Box 27, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4C7, as the auditors of the Company to hold office for the ensuing year at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors.
Management of the Company recommends that shareholders vote in favor of re-appointing RSM Canada LLP as auditors of the Company and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration. Unless you give other instructions, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote FOR the approval of the resolution to re-appoint RSM Canada LLP and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee's Charter
The Company’s Audit Committee is governed by an audit committee charter, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule “A”.
Composition of the Audit Committee
| Michael Collinson | Not Independent(1)(2) | Financially literate(1) |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Molyneux | Independent(1) | Financially literate(1) |
| Claude Flueckiger | Independent(1) | Financially literate(1) |
Notes:
(1) As defined by National Instrument 52-110 (“ NI 52-110 ”).
(2) Mr. Collinson is not independent because he has been, within the last three years, an executive officer (as such term is defined in NI 52-110) of the Company.
Relevant Education and Experience of Audit Committee
Michael Collinson
Mr. Collinson has over 35 years of experience managing companies in Canada, USA, and Europe and has extensive experience in manufacturing processes, marketing, design, engineering and development. As an experienced business person Mr. Collinson has the ability to read and understand financial statements and provide guidance on same.
Jim Molyneux
Mr. Molyneux has been a Chartered Accountant since 1983 and is currently the Regional managing Partner for GTA West or MNP LLP (Toronto), an accounting firm advising on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, taxation and related matters.
Claude Flueckiger
Claude Flueckiger has extensive experience in the agricultural industry where he has held global and technical leadership roles. He is an experienced business person who has developed and implemented innovative go-to market strategies for products and solutions in large scale crop management systems. Mr. Flueckiger obtained a Ph.D. in Entomology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in 1982, and a diploma in Agronomy in 1977. Mr. Flueckiger is financially literate and familiar with public company financial statements and the accounting principles used in reading and preparing financial statements.
Audit Committee Oversight
At no time since the commencement of the Company's most recently completed financial year was a recommendation of the Audit Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor not adopted by the Board.
Reliance on Certain Exemptions
The Company is a "venture issuer" as defined in NI 52-110 and is relying on the exemption contained in Section 6.1 of NI 52110, which exempts the Company from the requirements of Part 3 (Composition of the Audit Committee) and Part 5 (Reporting Obligations) of NI 52-110.
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Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has not adopted any specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services.
External Auditors Service Fees (By Category)
The aggregate fees billed by the Company's external auditors in each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees are as follows:
| Financial Year Ending | Audit Fees | Audit Related Fees | Tax Fees | All Other Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30,2019 | $42,000 | Nil | Nil | $2,100 |
| September 30,2018 | $40,000 | $2,000 | Nil | Nil |
Exemption in Section 6.1 of NI 52-110
The Company is relying on the exemption in Section 6.1 of NI 52-110 from the requirement of Parts 3 (Composition of the Audit Committee) and 5 (Reporting Obligations).
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE
A summary of the responsibilities and activities and the membership of each of the Committees is set out below.
National Policy 58-201 establishes corporate governance guidelines which apply to all public companies. The Company has reviewed its own corporate governance practices in light of these guidelines. In certain cases, the Company's practices comply with the guidelines, however, the Board considers that some of the guidelines are not suitable for the Company at its current stage of development and therefore these guidelines have not been adopted. National Instrument 58-101 mandates disclosure of corporate governance practices which disclosure is set out below.
Independence of Members of Board
The Board consists of three directors, two of whom are independent based upon the tests for independence set forth in NI 52-110. Claude Flueckiger and Jim Molyneux are independent Michael Collinson is not independent as he has been, within the last three years, an executive officer (as such term is defined in NI 52-110) of the Company.
Management Supervision by Board
The size of the Company is such that all the Company's operations are conducted by a small management team which is also represented on the Board. The Board considers that management is effectively supervised by the independent directors on an informal basis as the independent directors are actively and regularly involved in reviewing and supervising the operations of the Company and have regular and full access to management. The independent directors are however able to meet at any time without any members of management including the non-independent directors being present. Further supervision is performed through the Audit Committee which is composed of a majority of independent directors who meet with the Company's auditors without management being in attendance. The independent directors exercise their responsibilities for independent oversight of management through their majority control of the Board.
Participation of Directors in Other Reporting Issuers
The following directors and prospective directors of the Company are presently directors of other issuers that are reporting issuers (or the equivalent):
| Name of Director | Name of Other Reporting Issuers |
|---|---|
| Brandon Boddy | Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. Moovly Media Inc. AgraFlora Organics International Inc. |
Orientation and Continuing Education
While the Company does not have formal orientation and training programs, new members of the Board are provided with (i): information respecting the functioning of the Board, committees and copies of the Company's corporate governance policies, (ii) access to recent, publicly filed documents of the Company, technical reports and the Company's internal financial information, (iii) access to management and technical experts and consultants, and (iv) a summary of significant corporate and securities responsibilities.
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Members of the Board are encouraged to communicate with management, auditors and technical consultants; to keep themselves current with industry trends and developments and changes in legislation with management's assistance; and to attend related industry seminars and visit the Company's operations. Members of the board have full access to the Company's records.
Ethical Business Conduct
The Board views good corporate governance as an integral component to the success of the Company and to meet responsibilities to shareholders. The Board has adopted a Code of Conduct that is provided to all directors and officers and the Board has instructed its management and employees to abide by the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
Nomination of Directors
The Board has responsibility for identifying potential board candidates. The Board assesses potential candidates to fill perceived needs on the Board for required skills, expertise, independence and other factors.
Compensation
The Company has created the Compensation Committee and they are responsible for determining compensation including for the individual directors and officers of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer. Given the stage of development of the Company, it does not currently pay director's fees. Directors have been granted options to help ensure their continued interest in the ongoing business and affairs of the Company. The Compensation Committee determines compensation for the officers of the Company, and any consulting or other agreements, to which the Company is a party, will be reviewed by the Compensation Committee on an annual basis.
Board Committees
At this time, the Board does not have any standing committees other than the Audit Committee, described above, and the Compensation Committee.
Compensation Committee Composition and Relevant Experience
The Company's Compensation Committee is comprised of two (2) directors, Jim Molyneux and Claude Flueckiger. Both members of the Compensation Committee are independent, as such term is defined in NI 52-110 and in the OBCA. Both members of the Compensation Committee have direct experience that is relevant to their responsibilities as Compensation Committee members. All members are or have held senior executive roles within companies, and therefore have a good understanding of compensation programmes. They also have good financial understanding that allows them to assess the costs versus benefits of compensation plans. The members combined experience provides them with the understanding of the Company's success factors and risks, which is very important when determining metrics for measuring success.
Assessments
The Board, annually, and at such other times as it deems appropriate, reviews the performance and effectiveness of the Board, the directors and its committees to determine whether changes in size, personnel or responsibilities are warranted. To assist in its review, the Board conducts informal surveys of its directors, and reports from the audit committee respecting its own effectiveness. As part of the assessments, the Board or the individual committee may review their respective mandate or charter and conduct reviews of applicable corporate policies.
The Board does not consider that formal assessments would be useful at this stage of the Company's development. The Board conducts informal annual assessments of the Board's effectiveness, the individual directors and each of its committees. As part of the assessments, the Board or the individual committee may review their respective mandate or charter and conduct reviews of applicable corporate policies.
Nomination and Assessment
The Board determines new nominees to the Board, although a formal process has not been adopted. The nominees are generally the result of recruitment efforts by the Board members, including both formal and informal discussions among Board members and the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board monitors but does not formally assess the performance of individual Board members or committee members or their contributions.
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Expectations of Management
The Board expects management to operate the business of the Company in a manner that enhances shareholder value and is consistent with the highest level of integrity. Management is expected to execute the Company's business plan and to meet performance goals and objectives.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF 20% ROLLING STOCK OPTION INCENTIVE PLAN
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider, and if thought advisable, to approve by way of ordinary resolution, approval of the 2020 Option Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule “B”.
The Board has by resolution, adopted the 2020 Option Plan to replace the existing 2019 Option Plan and proposes to implement it upon receipt of approval of the 2020 Option Plan by the shareholders. The 2020 Option Plan is substantively similar to the 2019 Option Plan except that it increases the number of Shares reserved under it. The number of Shares proposed to be granted under the 2020 Plan is a maximum of 20% of the issued and outstanding Shares at the time of grant. Upon the 2020 Option Plan receiving shareholder approval, the 2020 Option Plan will be implemented and all of the options presently governed by the 2019 Option Plan will thereafter be governed by the 2020 Option Plan and the 2019 Option Plan will terminate.
Management believes the new 2020 Option Plan will provide the Company with a sufficient number of Shares issuable under the 2020 Option Plan to fulfill the purpose of the 2020 Option Plan, namely, to secure for the Company and its shareholders the benefits of incentive inherent in share ownership by the directors, officers, key employees and consultants of the Company who, in the judgment of the Board, will be largely responsible for its future growth and success.
Approval Requirements
As, in certain circumstances, approval of the 2020 Option Plan by Disinterested Shareholders (as hereafter defined) may be required, we believe it prudent to seek Disinterested Shareholder approval of the 2020 Option Plan at the Meeting.
Shareholders who are not Related Persons (as defined above) entitled to benefit under the 2020 Option Plan (the “ Disinterested Shareholders ”) will be asked at the Meeting to approve implementation of the 2020 Option Plan. As at the date of this Circular and based on the information available to us, votes attaching to an aggregate 5,218,082 Shares held by the directors and officers of the Company entitled to benefit under the 2020 Option Plan are not eligible to vote on the resolution to approve implementation of the 2020 Option Plan.
Accordingly, at the Meeting, Shareholders are being asked to consider and, if thought advisable, approve an ordinary resolution in the following form:
“BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
-
(1) the 2020 Option Plan of the Company, approved by the directors of the Company and substantially in the form attached at Schedule “B” to the Circular of the Company dated September 18, 2020, be and the same is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved;
-
(2) any director or officer be and is hereby authorized to amend the 2020 Option Plan should such amendments be required by applicable regulatory authorities; and
-
(3) any one director or officer of the Company be and is hereby authorized and directed to do all such things and to execute and deliver all documents and instruments as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of this resolution.”
Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the enclosed proxy or voting instruction form intend to vote such proxy or voting instruction form in favour of the approval of the 2020 Option Plan. The directors of the Company recommend that shareholders vote in favour of the approval of the 2020 Option Plan. To be adopted, this resolution is required to be passed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting.
Following approval of the 2020 Option Plan by the Company’s Disinterested Shareholders, further shareholder approval will not be required for option grants made under the 2020 Option Plan.
APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT
The Board has by resolution implemented and adopted the 2020 RSU Plan, reserving for issuance, combined with any equity securities granted under all other compensation arrangements adopted by the Company, including the 2020 Option Plan, a maximum of 20% of the issued and outstanding Shares at the time of grant.
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider, and if thought advisable, to ratify, confirm and approve by way of ordinary resolution, the 2020 RSU Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule “C”.
The Board has, by resolution, adopted the 2020 RSU Plan and proposes to implement it upon receipt of approval of the shareholders.
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The Company has reserved for issuance a maximum of 20% of the issued and outstanding Shares at the time of grant, combined with any equity securities granted under all other compensation arrangements adopted by the Company, including the 2020 Option Plan.
Approval Requirements
As, in certain circumstances, approval of the 2020 RSU Plan by Disinterested Shareholders (as hereafter defined) may be required, we believe it prudent to seek Disinterested Shareholder approval of the 2020 RSU Plan at the Meeting.
Shareholders who are not Related Persons (as defined above) entitled to benefit under the 2020 RSU Plan (the “ Disinterested Shareholders ”) will be asked at the Meeting to approve implementation of the 2020 RSU Plan. As at the date of this Circular and based on the information available to us, votes attaching to an aggregate 5,218,082 Shares held by the directors and officers of the Company entitled to benefit under the 2020 RSU Plan are not eligible to vote on the resolution to approve implementation of the 2020 RSU Plan.
At the Meeting, Disinterested Shareholders will be asked to pass a resolution approving the 2020 RSU Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule “C”.
Accordingly, at the Meeting, Disinterested Shareholders are being asked to consider and, if thought advisable, approve an ordinary resolution in the following form:
-
“BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
-
(1) the 2020 RSU Plan, approved by the directors of the Company and substantially in the form attached at Schedule “C” to the Circular of the Company dated September 18, 2020, be and the same is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved;
-
(2) any director or officer be and is hereby authorized to amend the 2020 RSU Plan of the Company should such amendments be required by applicable regulatory authorities; and
-
(3) any one director or officer of the Company be and is hereby authorized and directed to do all such things and to execute and deliver all documents and instruments as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of this resolution.”
Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the enclosed proxy or voting instruction form intend to vote such proxy or voting instruction form in favour of the approval of the 2020 RSU Plan. The directors of the Company recommend that shareholders vote in favour of the approval of the 2020 RSU Plan. To be adopted, this resolution is required to be passed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Disinterested Shareholders at the Meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company is on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Financial information is provided in the Company's comparative financial statements and MD&A for its most recently completed financial year, which have been provided to shareholders and are available on SEDAR.
PARTICULARS OF OTHER MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Management of the Company is not aware of any other matter to come before the Meeting other than as set forth in the notice of Meeting. If any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their best judgment on such matter.
BOARD APPROVAL
The contents of this Circular have been approved and its mailing authorized by the directors of the Company.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, the 5th day of August, 2020.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Signed: “Ashish Malik”
Ashish Malik Chief Executive Officer
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SCHEDULE “A”
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
General
The Audit Committee is a committee of the Board. Its primary function is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing the financial information to be provided to the shareholders and others, the systems of internal controls and management information systems that management has established under supervision of the Audit Committee, the Company’s internal and external audit process and monitoring compliance with the Company's legal and regulatory requirements with respect to its financial statements.
The Audit Committee is accountable to the Board. In the course of fulfilling its specific responsibilities hereunder, the Audit Committee is expected to attempt to maintain an open communication between the Company’s external auditors and the Board.
The responsibilities of a member of the Audit Committee are in addition to such member's duties as a member of the Board.
The Audit Committee does not plan or perform audits or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Company's financial statements or financial disclosure or compliance with generally accepted accounting procedures as these are the responsibility of management and the external auditors.
Membership
The Audit Committee consists of at least three directors who shall serve on behalf of the Board. The members are appointed annually by the Board and shall meet the independence, financial literacy and experience requirements of the CSE and other regulatory agencies as required.
Procedural Matters
The Audit Committee shall be governed by the Committee Terms of Reference adopted by the Board, save as modified by the following procedural requirements and powers. The Audit Committee:
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(c) Shall meet at least four times per year, either by telephone conference or in person.
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(d) May invite the Company’s external auditors, the Chief Financial Officer, and such other persons are deemed appropriate by the Audit Committee to attend meetings of the Audit Committee.
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(e) Shall report material decisions and actions of the Audit Committee to the Board, together with such recommendations as the Committee may deem appropriate, at the next Board meeting.
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(f) Shall review the performance of the Audit Committee on an annual basis and report to the Board.
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(g) Shall review and assess the Mandate for the Audit Committee at least annually and submit any proposed revisions to the Board for approval.
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(h) Has the power to conduct or authorize investigations into any matter within the scope of its responsibilities. It has the right to engage independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and the right to set the compensation for any advisors employed by the Audit Committee.
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(i) Has the right to communicate directly with the CFO and other members of management who have responsibility for the audit process (“internal audit management”), if applicable, and external auditors.
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(j) Has the right to pre-approve non-audit services (subject to ratification by the Board at its next meeting) to be performed by the external auditors. The Audit Committee may delegate certain pre-approval functions for non-audit services to one or more independent members of its Committee if it first adopts specific policies and procedures respecting same and provided such decisions are presented to the full Audit Committee for approval at its next meeting.
No business may be transacted by the Audit Committee except at a meeting of its members at which a quorum of the Committee is present or by resolution in writing signed by all the members of the Committee. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, provided that if the number of members of the Committee is an even number, one-half of the number of members plus one shall constitute a quorum.
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The Audit Committee shall have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors as the Audit Committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion and to set and pay the compensation for any advisors employed by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall not be required to obtain the approval of the Board in order to retain or compensate such consultants or advisors.
The Audit Committee shall have access to any and all books and records of the Company necessary for the execution of the Committee’s obligations and shall discuss with the CEO or CFO such records and other matters considered appropriate.
Responsibilities
The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for the selection, appointment, dismissal, compensation and oversight of the external auditors, subject to the overall approval of the Board. For this purpose, the Audit Committee may consult with management.
External Auditors
The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to:
-
(a) Recommend to the Board:
-
(i) whether the current external auditor should be reappointed for the ensuing year and the amount of compensation payable; and
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(ii) if the current external auditor is not to be reappointed, select and recommend a suitable alternative.
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(b) Oversee the work of the external auditors engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an auditors’ report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company.
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(c) Resolve disagreements, if any, between management and the external auditors regarding financial reporting. It accomplishes this by querying management and the external auditors. The Audit Committee provides the Board with such recommendations and reports with respect to the financial statements of the Company as it deems advisable.
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(d) Take reasonable steps to confirm the independence of the external auditors, including but not limited to pre-approving any non-audit related services provided by the external auditors to the Company or the Company’s subsidiaries, if any, with a view to ensuring independence of the auditors, and in accordance with any applicable regulatory requirements, including the requirements of the CSE with respect to approval of non-audit related services performed by the external auditors.
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(e) Obtain from the external auditors confirmation that the external auditors are a ‘participating audit’ firm for the purpose of National Instrument 52-108 (Auditor Oversight) and are in compliance with governing regulations.
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(f) Review and evaluate the performance of the external auditors including the external auditors’ internal quality-control procedures.
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(g) Review and approve the Company’s hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the Company's external auditors.
Internal Auditors
-
(h) The Audit Committee is to assist Board oversight of the performance of the Company’s internal audit function, if any. In connection with the Company’s internal audit function, if any, the Audit Committee shall:
-
(i) review the terms of reference of the internal auditor, if any, and meet with the internal auditor as the Audit Committee may consider appropriate to discuss any concerns or issues;
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(j) in consultation with the external auditor and the internal audit group, review the adequacy of the Company’s internal control structure and procedures designed to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and any special audit steps adopted in light of material deficiencies and controls;
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(k) review the internal control report prepared by management, including management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting; and
-
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(l) periodically review with the internal auditor, if any, any significant difficulties, disagreements with management or scope restrictions encountered in the course of the work of the internal auditor.
Audit and Review Process and Results
The Audit Committee has a duty to receive, review and make any inquiry regarding the completeness, accuracy and presentation of the Company’s financial statements to ensure that the financial statements fairly present the financial position and risks of the organization and that they are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. To accomplish this, the Audit Committee is required to:
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(a) Review annually the Company’s internal system of audit and financial controls, internal audit procedures and results of such audits.
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(b) Prior to the annual audit by external auditors, consider the scope and general extent of the external auditors’ review, including their engagement letter.
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(c) Ensure the external auditors have full, unrestricted access to required information and have the cooperation of management.
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(d) Review with the external auditors, in advance of the audit, the audit process and standards, as well as regulatory or Company-initiated changes in accounting practices and policies and the financial impact thereof, and selection or application of appropriate accounting principles.
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(e) Review with the external auditors and, if necessary, legal counsel, any litigation, claim or contingency, including tax assessments, that could have a material effect upon the financial position of the Company and the manner in which these matters are being disclosed in the financial statements. Review the appropriateness and disclosure of any offbalance sheet matters. Review disclosure of related-party transactions.
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(f) Receive and review with the external auditors, the external auditors' audit report and the audited financial statements. Make recommendations to the Board respecting approval of the audited financial statements.
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(g) Meet with the external auditors separately from management to review the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting, including the clarity of financial disclosure and the degree of conservatism or aggressiveness of the accounting policies and estimates, performance of internal audit management, any significant disagreements or difficulties in obtaining information, adequacy of internal controls over financial reporting and the degree of compliance of the Company with prior recommendations of the external auditors. The Audit Committee shall direct management to implement such changes as the Audit Committee considers appropriate, subject to any required approvals of the Board arising out of the review.
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(h) Meet at least annually with the external auditors, independent of management, and report to the Board on such meetings.
Interim Financial Statements and MD&A
The Board has delegated to the Audit Committee the power to approve the Company’s interim financial statements and management's discussion and analysis. The Audit Committee shall:
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(a) Review on an annual basis the Company’s practice with respect to review of interim financial statements by the external auditors.
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(b) Conduct all such reviews and discussions with the external auditors and management as it deems appropriate.
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(c) Review and, if appropriate approve the interim financial statements and management's discussion and analysis.
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(d) Review the interim financial statements with the external auditors if the external auditors conduct a review of the interim financial statements.
Involvement with Management
The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for overseeing the actions of management in all aspects of financial management and reporting. The Audit Committee:
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(a) Shall review all public disclosure of financial information extracted from the Company’s financial statements prior to such information being made public by the Company and for such purpose, the CEO assumes responsibility for providing the information to the Audit Committee for their review.
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(b) Review material financial risks with management, the plan that management has implemented to monitor and deal with such risks and the success of management in following the plan.
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(c) Consult annually and otherwise as required with the Company’s CEO and CFO respecting the adequacy of the internal controls and review any breaches or deficiencies.
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(d) Obtain such certifications by the CEO and CFO attesting to internal controls, disclosure and procedures as deemed advisable.
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(e) Review management’s response to significant written reports and recommendations issued by the external auditors and the extent to which such recommendations have been implemented by management.
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(f) Review as required with management annual financial statements, quarterly financial statements, management’s discussion & analysis, Annual Information Forms, future-oriented financial information or pro-forma information and other financial disclosure in continuous disclosure documents.
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(g) Review with management the Company’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations respecting financial matters.
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(h) Review with management proposed regulatory changes and their impact on the Company.
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(i) Review with management and approve public disclosure of the Audit Committee Mandate in the Company’s Annual Information Form, Information Circular and on the Company’s website.
Complaints
Complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters may be submitted to the Audit Committee, attention: The Chair. Complaints may be made anonymously and, if not made anonymously, the identity of the person submitting the complaint will be kept confidential. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Chair will conduct or designate a member of the Audit Committee to conduct an initial investigation. If the results of that initial investigation indicate there may be any merit to the complaint, the matter will be brought before the Audit Committee for a determination of further investigation and action. Records of complaints made and the resulting action or determination with respect to the complaint shall be documented and kept in the records of the Audit Committee for a period of three years.
Reporting
The Audit Committee shall report to the Board of Directors at its regularly scheduled meetings.
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SCHEDULE “B”
2020 OPTION PLAN
(see attached)
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STOCK OPTION PLAN OF BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC. (effective as of September 18, 2020)
PART 1 - INTRODUCTION
1.01 Purpose
The purpose of the Plan is to secure for the Corporation and its shareholders the benefits of incentive inherent in share ownership by the directors, officers, key employees and, subject to the terms and conditions herein, consultants of the Corporation and its Affiliates who, in the judgment of the Board, will be largely responsible for its future growth and success.
1.02 Definitions
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(a) "Affiliate" has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) as amended from time to time.
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(b) "Associate" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Securities Act (Ontario).
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(c) "Blackout Period" means a period during which the Corporation prohibits Optionees from exercising their Options.
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(d) "Board" means the board of directors of the Corporation.
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(e) "Code" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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(f) "Consultant" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Policy 4.4.
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(g) "Corporation" means BEE Vectoring Technologies International Inc., a corporation duly continued under the laws of the Province of Ontario, and its Affiliates, if any, and includes any successor or assignee entity or entities into which the Corporation may be merged, changed, or consolidated; any entity for whose securities the securities of the Corporation shall be exchanged; and any assignee of or successor to substantially all of the assets of the Corporation.
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(h) "Market Price" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Policy 1.1.
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(i) "Disability" or "Disabled" means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
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(j) "Eligible Person" shall mean an officer or director of the Corporation (" Executive ") or an employee of the Corporation (" Employee ") or a Management Company Employee or a Consultant.
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(k) "Exchange" means the Canadian Venture Exchange.
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(l) "Exercise Notice" means the U.S. Optionee Exercise Notice or the Non-U.S. Optionee Exercise Notice, as applicable.
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(m) "Exercise Price" means the price at which an Option may be exercised as determined in accordance with section 2.03.
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(n) "Fair Market Value" means, if the Shares are listed on any national securities exchange within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the closing sales price, if any, on the largest such exchange on the valuation date, or, if none, on the most recent trade date immediately prior to the valuation date provided such trade date is no more than thirty (30) days prior to the valuation date. If the
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Shares are not then listed on any such exchange, or there has been no trade date within such thirty (30) day period, the fair market value shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
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(o) "Section 422 Stock Option" means an Option which is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
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(p) "Insider" has the meaning ascribed to that term in Policy 1.1.
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(q) "Investor Relations Activities" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Policy 1.1.
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(r) "Management Company Employee" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Policy 4.4.
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(s) "Material Information" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Policy 1.1.
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(t) "Non-U.S. Optionee Exercise Notice" means the notice respecting the exercise of an Option, substantially in the form attached to the Option Certificate as Appendix I, duly executed by the Optionee.
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(u) "Option" shall mean an option granted under the terms of the Plan.
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(v) "Option Certificate" means the certificate, substantially in the form set out as Schedule “A” hereto, evidencing an Option.
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(w) "Option Period" shall mean the period during which an option may be exercised.
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(x) "Optionee" shall mean an Eligible Person to whom an Option has been granted under the terms of the Plan.
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(y) "Outstanding Issue" means the number of Shares outstanding on a non-diluted basis.
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(z) "Plan" means the stock option plan established and operated pursuant to Part 2 hereof.
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(aa) "Policy 1.1" means the Exchange’s Policy 1.1 entitled "Interpretation" as amended from time to time.
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(bb) "Policy 4.4" means the Exchange’s Policy 4.4 entitled "Incentive Stock Options" as amended from time to time.
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(cc) "Shares" shall mean the common shares of the Corporation.
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(dd) "U.S. Optionee Exercise Notice" means the notice respecting the exercise of an Option, substantially in the form attached to the Option Certificate as Appendix II, duly executed by the Optionee.
PART 2 - SHARE OPTION PLAN
2.01 Participation
Options shall be granted only to Eligible Persons.
2.02 Determination of Option Recipients
The Board shall make all necessary or desirable determinations regarding the granting of Options to Eligible Persons and may take into consideration the present and potential contributions of a particular Eligible Person to the success of the Corporation and any other factors which it may deem proper and relevant.
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2.03 Price
The price at which an Optionee may purchase a Share upon the exercise of an Option shall be determined from time to time by the Board and shall be as set forth in the Option Certificate issued in respect of such Option but, in any event, shall not be less than the Market Price, and in the case of an Eligible Person employed or performing services in the United States or otherwise subject to Section 409A of the Code, shall not be less than Fair Market Value on the date of grant. If the Optionee owns directly or by reason of the applicable attribution rules more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation, the Option price per share of the Shares covered by each Option which is intended to be a Section 422 Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of the grant.
2.04 Grant of Options
The Board may at any time authorize the granting of Options to such Eligible Persons as it may select for the number of Shares that it shall designate, subject to the provisions of the Plan. The date of each grant of Options shall be determined by the Board when the grant is authorized. Except for the setting of the Option price hereunder, no Option shall be granted and no purported grant of any Option shall be effective until such Option Certificate shall have been duly executed on behalf of the Corporation.
In the event that Options are granted to Employees, Management Company Employees or Consultants, the Corporation represents that such Optionees shall be bona fide Employees, Management Company Employees or Consultants, as the case may be.
The Corporation may at the time of granting options hereunder provide for additional terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with Part 2 hereof including, without limitation, terms and conditions deferring or delaying the date at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part. Such additional terms and conditions shall be as set forth in the Option Certificate issued in respect of such Option.
The Option Certificate of any Option which is intended to qualify as an Section 422 Stock Option shall contain such limitations and restrictions upon the exercise of the Option as shall be necessary in order that such Option qualifies as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. Further, the Option Certificate authorized under the Plan shall be subject to such other terms and conditions including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Option, as the Board shall deem advisable and which are not inconsistent with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, the Board may authorize the grant of an Option to a person not then in the employ of the Corporation or of an Affiliate, conditioned upon such person becoming eligible to become an Eligible Person at or prior to the execution of the Option Certificate evidencing the actual grant of such Option.
2.05 Term of Options
Unless otherwise expired pursuant to the terms of the Plan, all Options granted to an Optionee pursuant to this Plan shall expire at the close of business ten (10) years from the date of grant or such earlier date as the Board shall decide when the Option is granted, subject to earlier termination as herein provided; provided, however, that if the Option price is required under section 2.03 to be at least 110% of Fair Market Value, each such Option shall terminate not more than five (5) years from the date of the grant thereof, and shall be subject to earlier termination as herein provided.
Upon the expiration of the Option Period, the Options granted shall forthwith expire and terminate and be of no further force or effect whatsoever as to such of the Shares in respect of which the Option hereby granted has not then been exercised.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the expiration of the Option Period falls within a Blackout Period the expiration of the Option Period shall be automatically extended for ten (10) business days after the expiry of the Blackout Period on the condition that (i) the Blackout Period was formally imposed by the Corporation pursuant to its
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internal trading policies as a result of the bona fide existence of undisclosed Material Information, (ii) the Blackout Period must be deemed to have expired upon the general disclosure of the undisclosed Material Information, and (iii) the automatic extension of an Optionee’s options will not be permitted where the Optionee or the Corporation is subject to a cease trade order (or similar order under applicable securities laws) in respect of the Corporation’s securities.
No Optionee or his or her legal representative, legatees or distributees will be, or will be deemed to be, a holder of any Shares subject to an Option, unless and until certificates for such Shares are issued to him, her or them or a securities intermediary with whom the Optionee (or his or her legal representative, legatees or distributees) has an account, is recorded as the owner of such Shares in a book-entry system under the terms of the Plan.
2.06 Exercise of Options
Except as set forth in section 2.10, no Option may be exercised unless the Optionee is at the time of such exercise;
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(a) in the case of an Employee, in the employ of the Corporation or any Affiliate and shall have been continuously so employed since the grant of his or her Option, or have been a Consultant of the Corporation during such time thereafter, but absence on leave, having the approval of the Corporation or such Affiliate, shall not be considered an interruption of employment for any purpose of the Plan;
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(b) in the case of a Consultant, under contract with the Corporation or any Affiliate and shall have been continuously so contracted since the grant of the Option; or
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(c) in the case of an Executive, a director or officer of the Corporation or any Affiliate and shall have been such a director or officer continuously since the grant of his or her Option.
No Option may be exercised by an Optionee until the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Corporation.
The exercise of any Option will be contingent upon receipt by the Corporation of cash payment of the full Exercise Price of the Shares being purchased by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on the last day of the Option Period by delivering to the Corporation the applicable form of Exercise Notice, the applicable Option Certificate and a certified cheque or bank draft payable to the Corporation in an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option.
2.07 Vesting of Options
Executives, Employees, Management Company Employees and Consultants
All Options granted to an Eligible Person, other than Optionees performing Investor Relations Activities, pursuant to this Plan shall vest and become fully exercisable as determined by the Board when the Option is granted.
Optionees performing Investor Relations Activities
All Options granted to Optionees performing Investor Relations Activities, pursuant to this Plan shall vest and become full exercisable as follows or as determined by the Board when the Option is granted, but in any event such Options shall not vest any sooner:
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(a) one quarter (1/4) of the Options on the date which is three (3) months from the date said Options are granted;
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(b) one quarter (1/4) of the Options on the date which is six (6) months from the date said Options are granted;
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(c) one quarter (1/4) of the Options on the date which is nine (9) months from the date said Options are
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granted; and
- (d) the final one quarter (1/4) of the Options on the date which is twelve (12) months from the date said Options are granted.
2.08 Restrictions on Grant of Options
The granting of Options shall be subject to the following conditions:
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(a) not more than two (2%) percent of the Outstanding Issue may be granted to any one Consultant in any 12 month period, calculated at the date an Option is granted;
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(b) not more than an aggregate of two (2%) percent of the Outstanding Issue may be granted in aggregate to Eligible Persons conducting Investor Relations Activities in any 12 month period, calculated at the date an Option is granted;
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(c) unless the Corporation has obtained disinterested shareholder approval, not more than five (5%) percent of the Outstanding Issue may be issued to any one individual in any 12 month period, calculated at the date an Option is granted;
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(d) unless the Corporation has obtained disinterested shareholder approval, not more than an aggregate of ten (10%) percent of the Outstanding Issue may be issued to Insiders in any 12 month period, calculated at the date an Option is granted;
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(e) unless the Corporation has obtained disinterested shareholder approval, not more than an aggregate of ten (10%) percent of the Outstanding Issue may be issuable to Insiders at any time; and
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(f) unless the Corporation has obtained disinterested shareholder approval, the Corporation shall not decrease the Exercise Price of Options previously granted to Insiders.
No Options shall be granted after the expiration of ten (10) years from the earlier of the date of the adoption of the Plan by the Corporation or the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Corporation, and provided further, that the fair market value of the Shares (determined at the time the Option is granted) as to which Options designated as Section 422 Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Eligible Person during any single calendar year (under the Plan and under any other incentive stock option plan of the Corporation or an Affiliate) shall not exceed US$100,000.
If disinterested shareholder approval is required, the proposed grant(s) or plan must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders at the shareholders’ meeting excluding votes attaching to shares beneficially owned by (i) Insiders to whom options may be granted under the stock option plan; and (ii) Associates of such Insiders. Holders of non-voting and subordinate voting shares must be given full voting rights on a resolution that requires disinterested shareholder approval.
2.09 Lapsed Options
If Options are surrendered, terminated or expire without being exercised in whole or in part, new Options may be granted covering the Shares not purchased under such lapsed Options.
2.10 Effect of Termination of Employment, Death or Disability
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(a) If an Optionee shall die while employed or retained by the Corporation, or while an Executive, any Options held by the Optionee at the date of death, which have vested pursuant to section 2.07, shall become exercisable, in whole or in part, but only by the persons or persons to whom the Optionee's rights under the Option shall pass by the Optionee's will or the laws of descent and distribution (the " Successor Optionee "). All such Options shall be exercisable only to the extent
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that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of his or her death and only for one (1) year after the date of death or prior to the expiration of the Option Period in respect thereof, whichever is sooner, except that in the event the expiration of the Option Period is earlier than one (1) year after the date of death, with the consent of the Exchange, the Options shall be exercisable for up to one (1) year after the date of death of the Optionee as determined by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board, in its discretion, may resolve that up to all of the Options held by an Optionee at the date of death which have not yet vested shall vest immediately upon death.
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(b) If the employment or engagement of an Optionee shall terminate with the Corporation due to Disability while the Optionee is employed or retained by the Corporation, any Option held by the Optionee on the date the employment or engagement of the Optionee is terminated due to Disability, which have vested pursuant to section 2.07, shall become exercisable, in whole or in part. All such Options shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of his or her termination due to Disability and only for one (1) year after the date of termination or prior to the expiration of the Option Period in respect thereof, whichever is sooner, provided that Options that become exercisable due to Disability shall only be exercisable by the person or persons who have the legal authority to act on behalf of the Optionee in connection with the rights of the Optionee to the Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board, in its discretion, may resolve that up to all of the Options held by an Optionee on the date the employment or engagement of the Optionee is terminated due to Disability which have not yet vested shall vest immediately upon such date.
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(c) Subject to section 2.10 (d), if an Optionee ceases to be an Eligible Person (other than as provided in section 2.10 (a) or (b)), any Options held by the Optionee on the date such Optionee ceased to be an Eligible Person, which have vested pursuant to section 2.07, shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date such Optionee ceased to be an Eligible Person and only for [ninety (90)] days after the date such Optionee ceased to be an Eligible Person, subject to the Board’s discretion to extend such period for up to one (1) year, or prior to the expiration of the Option Period in respect thereof, whichever is sooner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board, in its discretion, may resolve that up to all of the Options held by an Optionee on the date the Optionee ceased to be an Eligible Person which have not yet vested shall vest immediately upon such date.
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(d) If the employment of an Employee or Consultant is terminated for cause (as determined by the Board) no Option held by such Optionee may be exercised following the date upon which Termination occurred.
To the extent required by law, the Company shall make adjustments to, and interpret, the Options as required by the U.S. Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
2.11 Effect of Offer or Sale
If at any time when the Option hereby granted remains unexercised with respect to any Shares, (a) a general offer to purchase all of the issued shares of the Corporation is made by a third party or (b) the Corporation proposes to sell all or substantially all of its assets and undertaking or to merge, amalgamate or be absorbed by or into any other company (save and except for a subsidiary or subsidiaries of the Corporation) under any circumstances which involve or may involve or require the liquidation of the Corporation, a distribution of its assets among its shareholders, or the termination of its corporate existence, the Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide notice of such offer or proposal to the Optionee as soon as practicable and (i) the Corporation may, at its option, permit the Option hereby granted to be exercised, as to all or any of the Optioned Shares in respect of which such Option has not previously been exercised by the Optionee at any time up to and including (but not after) a date twenty (20) days following the date of notice of such offer, sale or other similar transaction or prior to the close of business on the expiration date of the Option Period, whichever is the later; and (ii) the Corporation may, at its option, determine that upon the expiration of such twenty (20) day period, all rights to exercise the Option shall terminate and cease to have any further force or effect.
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The Corporation may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Optionees, provide for one or more of the following: (i) the assumption of the Plan and outstanding Options by the surviving entity or its parent; (ii) the substitution by the surviving entity or its parent of Options with substantially the same terms for such outstanding Options; (iii) immediate exercisability of such outstanding Options followed by cancellation of such Options; and (iv) settlement of the intrinsic value of the outstanding vested Options in cash or cash equivalents or equity followed by the cancellation of all Options (whether or not then vested or exercisable).
2.12 Effect of Amalgamation, Consolidation or Merger
If the Corporation amalgamates, consolidates with or merges with or into another corporation, upon the exercise of an Option following such amalgamation, consolidation or merger, the Optionee shall be entitled to receive, and shall accept, in lieu of Shares, the securities, property or cash which the Optionee would have received upon such amalgamation, consolidation or merger if the Optionee had exercised his Option and held Shares immediately prior to the effective date of such amalgamation, consolidation or merger, and the number of Shares and the option price shall be adjusted appropriately by the directors of the Corporation and such adjustment shall be binding for all purposes herein.
2.13 Adjustment in Shares Subject to the Plan
If there is any change in the Shares through or by means of a declaration of stock dividends of Shares or consolidations, subdivisions or reclassification of Shares, or otherwise, the number of Shares available under the Plan, the Shares subject to any Option, and the Exercise Price thereof shall be adjusted appropriately by the Board and such adjustment shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan. No such adjustment shall be made under the Plan which shall, within the meaning of Sections 424 and 409A of the Code, constitute such a modification, extension, or renewal of an Option as to cause the adjustment to be considered as the grant of a new Option.
2.14 Hold Period
All Options and any Shares issued on the exercise of Options may be subject to and legended with a four month hold period commencing on the date the Options were granted pursuant to the rules of the Exchange and applicable securities laws. Any Shares issued on the exercise of Options may be subject resale restrictions contained in National Instrument 45-102 – Resale of Securities which would apply to the first trade of the Shares.
2.15 Notification of Grant of Option
Following the granting of an Option by the Board, the Corporation shall notify the Optionee in writing of the Option and shall enclose with such notice the Option Certificate representing the Option so granted. Each Optionee, concurrently with the notice of the grant of an Option, shall be provided with a copy of the Plan.
2.16 Options Granted To Corporations
Except in relation to a Consultant that is a corporation, Options may only be granted to an individual or a corporation that is wholly-owned by an Eligible Person. If a corporation is an Optionee, it must provide the Exchange with a completed Form 4F – Certification and Undertaking Required from a Corporation Granted an Incentive Stock Option . The corporation must agree not to effect or permit any transfer of ownership or option of shares of the corporation nor to issue further shares of any class in the corporation to any other individual or entity as long as the Option remains outstanding, except with the written consent of the Exchange.
PART 3 - GENERAL
3.01 Number of Shares
The aggregate number of Shares that may be reserved for issuance, at any time, under the Plan and under any other share compensation arrangement adopted by the Corporation, including the Corporation’s Restricted Share Unit Plan, shall not exceed 20% of the total Outstanding Issue as at the date hereof.
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3.02 Transferability
All benefits, rights and options accruing to any Optionee in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan shall not be transferable or assignable unless specifically provided herein. During the lifetime of an Optionee, all benefits, rights and options may only be exercised by the Optionee.
3.03 Employment
Nothing contained in any Plan shall confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to employment or continuance of employment with the Corporation or any Affiliate, or interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or any Affiliate to terminate the Optionee's employment at any time. Participation in any Plan by an Optionee is voluntary.
3.04 Approval of Plan
Options issued under the Plan shall only become exercisable after the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Corporation; provided, however:
-
(a) unless consistent with the terms contained herein and approved by the Board, nothing contained herein shall in any way affect Options previously granted by the Corporation and currently outstanding;
-
(b) the Plan must receive shareholder approval yearly, at the Corporation's annual general meeting.
The obligation of the Corporation to sell and deliver Shares in accordance with the Plan is subject to the approval of any governmental authority having jurisdiction or any stock exchanges on which the Shares are listed for trading which may be required in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale of such Shares by the Corporation. If any Shares cannot be issued to any Optionee for any reason including, without limitation, the failure to obtain such approval, then the obligation of the Corporation to issue such Shares shall terminate and any Optionee's option price paid to the Corporation shall be returned to the Optionee.
3.05 Administration of the Plan
The Board is authorized to interpret the Plan from time to time and to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan. The interpretation and construction of any provision of the Plan by the Board shall be final and conclusive. Administration of the Plan shall be the responsibility of the appropriate officers of the Corporation and all costs in respect thereof shall be paid by the Corporation.
3.06 Income Taxes
As a condition of and prior to participation in the Plan, if requested by the Board, a Optionee shall authorize the Corporation in written form to withhold from any remuneration otherwise payable to such Optionee any amounts required by any taxing authority to be withheld for taxes of any kind as a consequence of such participation in the Plan.
In addition, if the Corporation is required under the Income Tax Act (Canada) or any other applicable law to make source deductions in respect of employee stock option benefits to the Optionee and to remit to the applicable governmental authority an amount on account of tax on the value of the taxable benefit associated with the issuance of Shares on exercise of Options, then the Optionee shall (i) pay to the Corporation, in addition to the Exercise Price for the Options, sufficient cash as is reasonably determined by the Corporation to be the amount necessary to permit the required tax remittance, (ii) authorize the Corporation, on behalf of the Optionee, to sell in the market on such terms and at such time or times as the Corporation determines a portion of the Shares being issued upon exercise of the Options to realize cash proceeds to be used to satisfy the required tax remittance, or (iii) make other arrangements acceptable to the Corporation to fund the required tax remittance.
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3.07 Amendments to the Plan
The Board reserves the right to amend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time if and when it is advisable in the absolute discretion of the Board. However, any amendments of the Plan which could result, at any time, in:
-
(a) a material increase in the benefits under the Plan; or
-
(b) an increase in the number of Shares which would be issued under the Plan (except any increase resulting automatically from an increase in the total Outstanding Issue); or
-
(c) a material modification in the requirement as to eligibility for participation in the Plan;
shall be effective only upon the approval of the shareholders of the Corporation. Any amendment to any provision of the Plan shall be subject to approval, if required, by any regulatory body having jurisdiction over the securities of the Corporation.
3.08 No Representation or Warranty
The Corporation makes no representation or warranty as the future market value of any Shares issued in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
3.09 Interpretation
The Plan will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
3.10 Savings Clause
This Plan is intended to comply in all respects with applicable law and regulations, including Section 409A of the Code. In case any one or more provisions of this Plan shall be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect under applicable law and regulation (including Section 409A of the Code), the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision shall be deemed null and void; however, to the extent permitted by law, any provision that could be deemed null and void shall first be construed, interpreted, or revised retroactively to permit this Plan to be construed in compliance with all applicable law (including Section 409A of the Code) so as to foster the intent of this Plan.
3.11 Compliance with Applicable Law, etc.
If any provision of the Plan or of any Option Certificate delivered pursuant to the Plan contravenes any law or any order, policy, by-law or regulation of any regulatory body or stock exchange having authority over the Corporation or the Plan then such provision shall be deemed to be amended to the extent required to bring such provision into compliance therewith.
SCHEDULE “A”
INSERT DATE THAT IS FOUR MONTHS AND A DAY FROM THE GRANT DATE.
Insert the following U.S. legend if the Option is being issued to an Optionee who is in the United States or who is a U.S. person:
[THE OPTION REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE COMMON SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE THEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY ACQUIRING SUCH SECURITIES, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS, (C) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER, IF AVAILABLE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (D) IN A TRANSACTION THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE OFFER AND SALE OF SECURITIES, AND IT HAS, IN THE CASE OF EACH OF (C) AND (D), PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER FURNISHED TO THE CORPORATION AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OF RECOGNIZED STANDING IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION TO SUCH EFFECT.]
BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC.
STOCK OPTION PLAN OPTION CERTIFICATE
This Certificate is issued pursuant to the provisions of the BEE Vectoring Technologies International Inc. (the “ Corporation ”) stock option plan (the “ Plan ”) and evidences that ______ is the holder (the “ Optionee ”) of an option (the “ Option ”) to purchase up to ____ common shares (the “ Shares ”) in the capital stock of the Corporation at a purchase price of CAD$______ per Share (the “ Exercise Price ”).
The Plan provides for the granting of stock options that either (i) are intended to qualify as “Incentive Stock Options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“ Section 422 Stock Options ”), as amended (the “ Code ”), or (ii) do not qualify as Section 422 Stock Options (“ Non-Qualified Stock Options ”). This Option is intended to be (select one):
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Subject to the provisions of the Plan:
(a) the effective date of the grant of the Option is _, 20_; (b) the Option expires at 5:00 p.m. (EST) on __, 20; and (c) the Options shall vest as follows:
| Date | Percent of Stock Options Vested |
Number of Stock Options Vested |
Aggregate Number of Stock Options Vested |
|---|---|---|---|
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The vested portion or portions of the Option may be exercised at any time and from time to time from and including the date of the grant of the Option through to 5:00 p.m. (EST) on the expiration date of the Option Period by delivering to the Corporation, in the case of a person other than a U.S. Person, the form of Exercise Notice attached as Appendix “I” hereto, and in the case of a U.S. Person, the form of Exercise Notice attached as Appendix “II” hereto, together with this Certificate and a certified cheque or bank draft payable to the Corporation in an amount equal to the aggregate of the Exercise Price of the Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised.
All Options and any Shares issued on the exercise of Options may be subject to resale restrictions and may be subject to and legended with a four month hold period commencing on the date the Options were granted pursuant to the rules of the Exchange and applicable securities laws. The Options hereby granted are subject to the approval of the Exchange.
This Certificate and the Option evidenced hereby is not assignable, transferable or negotiable and is subject to the detailed terms and conditions contained in the Plan, the terms and conditions of which the Optionee hereby expressly agrees with the Corporation to be bound by. This Certificate is issued for convenience only and in the case of any dispute with regard to any matter in respect hereof, the provisions of the Plan and the records of the Corporation shall prevail.
If the Optionee is a U.S. person or is located in the United States, the Optionee acknowledges and agrees as follows:
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(a) The Option and the Shares (collectively, the “ Securities ”) have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ U.S. Securities Act ”), or the securities laws of any state of the United States, and the Option is being granted to the Optionee in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
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(b) The Securities will be “restricted securities”, as defined in Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act, and the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission provide in substance that the Optionee may dispose of the Securities only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act or an exemption therefrom, and the Corporation has no obligation to register any of the Securities or to take action so as to permit sales pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act (including Rule 144 thereunder, if available).
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(c) If the Optionee decides to offer, sell or otherwise transfer any of the Shares, the Optionee will not offer, sell or otherwise transfer the Option directly or indirectly, unless:
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(i) the sale is to the Corporation;
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(ii) the sale is made outside the United States in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 904 of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”) and in compliance with applicable local laws and regulations;
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(iii) the sale is made pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder, if available, and in accordance with any applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws; or
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(iv) the Shares are sold in a transaction that does not require registration under the U.S. Securities Act or any applicable state laws and regulations governing the offer and sale of securities;
and, in the case of each of (iii) and (iv) it has prior to such sale furnished to the Corporation an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation stating that such transaction is exempt from registration under applicable securities laws.
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(d) The Option may not be exercised by or for the account or benefit of a person in the United States or a U.S. person unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration requirements is available.
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(e) The certificate(s) representing the Shares will be endorsed with the following or a similar legend until such time as it is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the U.S. Securities Act or applicable state securities laws:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (THE “U.S. SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING SUCH SECURITIES, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CORPORATION, THAT SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION; (B) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT; (C) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER, IF AVAILABLE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS; OR (D) IN A TRANSACTION THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND, IN THE CASE OF CLAUSE (C) OR (D), THE SELLER FURNISHES TO THE CORPORATION AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OF RECOGNIZED STANDING IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION TO SUCH EFFECT. THE PRESENCE OF THIS LEGEND MAY IMPAIR THE ABILITY OF THE HOLDER HEREOF TO EFFECT “GOOD DELIVERY” OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ON A CANADIAN STOCK EXCHANGE.”
provided, that if the Shares are being sold outside the United States in compliance with the requirements of Rule 904 of Regulation S and such Shares were issued at a time when the Corporation is a “foreign issuer” as defined in Regulation S, the legend set forth above may be removed by providing an executed declaration to the registrar and transfer agent of the Corporation, in substantially the form set forth in Appendix “III” hereto (or in such other form as the Corporation may prescribe from time to time) and, if requested by the Corporation or the transfer agent, an opinion of counsel of recognized standing in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation and the transfer agent to the effect that such sale is being made in compliance with Rule 904 of Regulation S; and provided, further, that, if any Shares are being sold otherwise than in accordance with Regulation S and other than to the Corporation, the legend may be removed by delivery to the registrar and transfer agent and the Corporation of an opinion of counsel, of recognized standing reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, that such legend is no longer required under applicable requirements of the U.S. Securities Act or state securities laws.
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(f) Rule 905 of Regulation S provides in substance that any “restricted securities” that are equity securities of a “domestic issuer” (including an issuer that no longer qualifies as a “foreign issuer”) will continue to be deemed to be restricted securities notwithstanding that they were acquired in a resale transaction pursuant to Rule 901 or 904 of Regulation S; that Rule 905 of Regulation S will apply in respect of Shares if the Corporation is not a “foreign issuer” at the time of exercise of the related Options; and that the Corporation is not obligated to remain a “foreign issuer”.
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(g) “ Domestic issuer ”, “ foreign issuer ”, “ United States ” and “ U.S. person ” are as defined in Regulation S.
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(h) If the Optionee is resident in the State of California on the effective date of the grant of the Option, then, in addition to the terms and conditions contained in the Plan and in this Certificate, the Optionee acknowledges that the Corporation, as a reporting issuer under the securities legislation in certain Provinces of Canada, is required to publicly file with the securities regulators in those jurisdictions continuous disclosure documents, including audited annual financial statements and unaudited quarterly financial statements (collectively, the “ Financial Statements ”). Such filings
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are available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR), and documents filed on SEDAR may be viewed under the Corporation’s profile at the following website address: www.sedar.com. Copies of Financial Statements will be made available to the undersigned by the Corporation upon the undersigned’s request. Copies of Financial Statements will be made available to the Optionee by the Corporation upon the Optionee’s request.
All terms not otherwise defined in this Certificate shall have the meanings given to them under the Plan.
Dated this _ day of _, 20.
BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC.
Per:
Authorized Signatory
APPENDIX “I”
STOCK OPTION PLAN EXERCISE NOTICE FOR NON-U.S. OPTIONEES
TO: BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC. (the “Corporation”)
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The undersigned (the “ Optionee ”), being the holder of options to purchase ____ common shares of the Corporation at the exercise price of __ per share, hereby irrevocably gives notice, pursuant to the stock option plan of the Corporation (the “ Plan ”), of the exercise of the Option to acquire and hereby subscribes for ____ of such common shares of the Corporation.
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The Optionee tenders herewith a certified cheque or bank draft payable to the Corporation in an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the aforesaid common shares exercised and directs the Corporation to issue a share certificate evidencing said common shares in the name of the Optionee to be mailed to the Optionee at the following address:
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By executing this Exercise Notice, the Optionee hereby confirms that the undersigned has read the Plan and agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Plan. All terms not otherwise defined in this Exercise Notice shall have the meanings given to them under the Plan or the attached Option Certificate.
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The Optionee is resident in ________ [name of country/province].
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The Optionee represents, warrants and certifies that the Optionee at the time of exercise of the Option is not in the United States, is not a “U.S. person” as defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) and is not exercising the Option on behalf of, or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person or a person in the United States and did not execute or deliver this exercise form in the United States.
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The undersigned Optionee hereby represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that there may be material tax consequences to the Optionee of an acquisition or disposition of any of the Shares. The Corporation gives no opinion and makes no representation with respect to the tax consequences to the Optionee under Canadian, Provincial, local or foreign tax law of the undersigned’s acquisition or disposition of such securities.
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The undersigned Optionee hereby represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that the certificate(s) representing the Shares may be subject to and legended with a four month hold period commencing on the date the Options were granted pursuant to the rules of the Exchange and applicable securities laws.
DATED the _ day of ____, _.
Signature of Optionee
APPENDIX “II”
STOCK OPTION PLAN EXERCISE NOTICE FOR U.S. OPTIONEES
TO: BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC. (the “Corporation”)
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The undersigned (the “ Optionee ”), being the holder of options to purchase ____ common shares of the Corporation at the exercise price of __ per share, hereby irrevocably gives notice, pursuant to the stock option plan of the Corporation (the “ Plan ”), of the exercise of the Option to acquire and hereby subscribes for ____ of such common shares of the Corporation.
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The Optionee tenders herewith a certified cheque or bank draft payable to the Corporation in an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the aforesaid common shares exercised and directs the Corporation to issue a share certificate evidencing said common shares in the name of the Optionee to be mailed to the Optionee at the following address:
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By executing this Exercise Notice, the Optionee hereby confirms that the undersigned has read the Plan and agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Plan. All terms not otherwise defined in this Exercise Notice shall have the meanings given to them under the Plan or the attached Option Certificate.
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The Optionee is resident in
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the State of ___________, or
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the District of Columbia, or
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______, a Territory of the United States of America.
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The Optionee represents, warrants and certifies as follows (please check the category that applies):
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(a) the Optionee is a natural person who is either: (i) a director, officer or employee of the Corporation or of a majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (each, an “ Eligible Company Optionee ”), (ii) a consultant who is providing bona fide services to the Corporation or a majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation that are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Corporation's securities (an “ Eligible Consultant ”), or (iii) a former Eligible Company Optionee or Eligible Consultant; OR
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(b) the Optionee has delivered to the Corporation and the Corporation’s transfer agent an opinion of counsel (which will not be sufficient unless it is in form and substance satisfactory to the Corporation) or such other evidence satisfactory to the Corporation to the effect that with respect to the securities to be delivered upon exercise of the Option, the issuance of such securities has been registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws is available;
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The undersigned Optionee further represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that:
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(a) funds representing the subscription price for the Shares which will be advanced by the undersigned to the Corporation upon exercise of the Options will not represent proceeds of crime for the purposes of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and
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Obstruct Terrorism Act (the “ PATRIOT Act ”), and the undersigned acknowledges that the Corporation may in the future be required by law to disclose the undersigned's name and other information relating to this exercise form and the undersigned's subscription hereunder, on a confidential basis, pursuant to the PATRIOT Act. No portion of the subscription price to be provided by the undersigned (i) has been or will be derived from or related to any activity that is deemed criminal under the laws of the United States of America, or any other jurisdiction, or (ii) is being tendered on behalf of a person or entity who has not been identified to or by the undersigned, and it shall promptly notify the Corporation if the undersigned discovers that any of such representations ceases to be true and provide the Corporation with appropriate information in connection therewith;
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(b) the financial statements of the Corporation have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles or International Financial Reporting Standards, which differ in some respects from United States generally accepted accounting principles, and thus may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies;
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(c) there may be material tax consequences to the Optionee of an acquisition or disposition of any of the Shares. The Corporation gives no opinion and makes no representation with respect to the tax consequences to the Optionee under United States, state, local or foreign tax law of the undersigned’s acquisition or disposition of such securities. In particular, no determination has been made whether the Corporation will be a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and
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(d) if the undersigned has marked Box 5(a) above, the Corporation may rely on the registration exemption in Rule 701 under the U.S. Securities Act and a state registration exemption, but only if such exemptions are available; in the event such exemptions are determined by the Corporation to be unavailable, the undersigned may be required to provide additional evidence of an available exemption, including, without limitation, the legal opinion contemplated by Box 5(b).
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If the undersigned has marked Box 5(a) above on the basis that the exercise of the Option is subject to the registration exemption in Rule 701 under the U.S. Securities Act and an available state registration exemption, the undersigned also acknowledges and agrees that:
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(a) the Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or the securities laws of any state of the United States, and the Shares will be issued as “restricted securities” (as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the U.S. Securities Act) and may not be offered, sold, pledged, or otherwise transferred, directly or indirectly, without prior registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws absent an exemption from such registration requirements; and
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(b) the certificate(s) representing the Shares will be endorsed with a U.S. restrictive legend substantially in the form set forth in the Option Certificate until such time as it is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the U.S. Securities Act or applicable state securities laws.
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The undersigned Optionee hereby represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that the certificate(s) representing the Shares may be subject to and legended with a four month hold period commencing on the date the Options were granted pursuant to the rules of the Exchange and applicable securities laws.
DATED the _ day of ____, _.
Signature of Optionee
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APPENDIX “III”
STOCK OPTION PLAN FORM OF DECLARATION FOR REMOVAL OF LEGEND
TO: BEE Vectoring Technologies International Inc. (the “ Company ”)
AND TO: Registrar and transfer agent for the common shares of the Company
The undersigned (a) acknowledges that the sale of ______ (the " Securities ") of the Company, represented by certificate number _________, to which this declaration relates is being made in reliance on Rule 904 of Regulation S (“ Regulation S ”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and (b) certifies that (1) the undersigned is not (A) an "affiliate" of the Company (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act), (B) a "distributor" as defined in Regulation S or (C) an affiliate of a distributor; (2) the offer of such securities was not made to a person in the United States and either (A) at the time the buy order was originated, the buyer was outside the United States, or the seller and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believed that the buyer was outside the United States, or (B) the transaction was executed on or through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the TSX Venture Exchange, the Canadian Securities Exchange or another "designated offshore securities market", and neither the seller nor any person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction has been prearranged with a buyer in the United States; (3) neither the seller nor any affiliate of the seller nor any person acting on any of their behalf has engaged or will engage in any "directed selling efforts" in the United States in connection with the offer and sale of such securities; (4) the sale is bona fide and not for the purpose of "washing off" the resale restrictions imposed because the securities are "restricted securities" (as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the U. S. Securities Act); (5) the seller does not intend to replace the securities sold in reliance on Rule 904 of Regulation S with fungible unrestricted securities; and (6) the contemplated sale is not a transaction, or part of a series of transactions, which, although in technical compliance with Regulation S, is part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration provisions of the U. S. Securities Act. Terms used herein have the meanings given to them by Regulation S.
Dated ___.
X Signature of individual (if Seller is an individual)
X
Authorized signatory (if Seller is not an individual)
Name of Seller ( please print )
Name of authorized signatory ( please print )
Official capacity of authorized signatory ( please print )
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Affirmation by Seller's Broker-Dealer (Required for sales pursuant to Section (b)(2)(B) above)
We have read the foregoing representations of our customer, ____ (the " Seller ") dated ____, with regard to the sale, for such Seller's account, of ___ common shares (the " Securities ") of the Company represented by certificate number __. We have executed sales of the Securities pursuant to Rule 904 of Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ U.S. Securities Act ”), on behalf of the Seller. In that connection, we hereby represent to you as follows:
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(1) no offer to sell Securities was made to a person in the United States;
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(2) the sale of the Securities was executed in, on or through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the TSX Venture Exchange, the Canadian Securities Exchange or another designated offshore securities market (as defined in Rule 902(b) of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act), and, to the best of our knowledge, the sale was not pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;
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(3) no “directed selling efforts” were made in the United States by the undersigned, any affiliate of the undersigned, or any person acting on behalf of the undersigned; and
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(4) we have done no more than execute the order or orders to sell the Securities as agent for the Seller and will receive no more than the usual and customary broker’s commission that would be received by a person executing such transaction as agent.
For purposes of these representations: “ affiliate ” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the undersigned; “ directed selling efforts ” means any activity undertaken for the purpose of, or that could reasonably be expected to have the effect of, conditioning the market in the United States for the Securities (including, but not be limited to, the solicitation of offers to purchase the Securities from persons in the United States); and “ United States ” means the United States of America, its territories or possessions, any State of the United States, and the District of Columbia.
Legal counsel to the Company shall be entitled to rely upon the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein to the same extent as if this affirmation had been addressed to them.
Dated: 20___.
Name of Firm
By:
Authorized Officer
SCHEDULE “C”
2020 RSU PLAN
(see attached)
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RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT PLAN OF
BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC.
(effective as of September 18, 2020)
PART 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Establishment and Purpose
1.1 The Company hereby establishes a Restricted Share Unit plan, in this document referred to as the “Plan”.
1.2 The purpose of the Plan is to secure for the Company and its shareholders the benefits of incentive inherent in share ownership by Eligible Persons who, in the judgment of the Board, will be responsible for its future growth and success. The Board also contemplates that through the Plan, the Company will be better able to compete for and retain the services of the individuals needed for the continued growth and success of the Company.
1.3 Restricted Share Units granted pursuant to this Plan will be used to compensate Eligible Persons who have forgone salary to assist the Company in cash management in exchange for the grant of Restricted Share Units and incentive stock options under the Company’s stock option plan.
Definitions
1.4 In this Plan:
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(a) “Applicable Withholding Tax” means any and all taxes and other source deductions or other amounts which the Company is required by Applicable Law to withhold from any amounts paid or credited to a Participant under the Plan, which the Company determines to withhold in order to fund remittance obligations;
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(b) “Award” means an award of Restricted Share Units under this Plan represented by a Restricted Share Unit Notice;
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(c) “Award Payout” means the applicable Share issuance in respect of a vested Restricted Share Unit pursuant and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award;
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(d) “Board” means the board of directors of the Company;
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(e) “Business Day” means means a day upon which the Canadian Securities Exchange is open for trading;;
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(f) “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
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(g) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or other committee of the Board, consisting of not less than three directors, to whom the authority of the Board is delegated in accordance with Section 1.8 hereof;
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(h) “Consultant” means an individual or Consultant Company other than an Employee or a Director of the Company, that (i) provides ongoing consulting, technical, management or other services to the Company or to an Affiliate of the Company; (ii) provides the services under a written contract between the Company or the Affiliate and the individual or the Consultant Company; (iii) spends or will spend a significant amount of time and attention on the affairs and business of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; and (iv) has a relationship with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company that enables the individual to be knowledgeable about the business and affairs of the Company;
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(i) “Company” means Bee Vectoring Technologies International Inc., and includes any successor Company thereto;
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(j) “Director” means a member of the Board;
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(k) “Eligible Person” means any person who is an Employee, Officer, Director or a Management Company Employee or a Consultant;
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(l) “Employee” means an employee of the Company or of a Related Entity;
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(m) “Expiry Date” means the earlier of (i) five (5) years from the date of vesting of a Restricted Share Unit, and (ii) ten (10) years from the Grant Date;
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(n) “Grant Date” means the date of grant of any Restricted Share Unit;
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(o) “Insider” means has the meaning ascribed to that term pursuant to the British Columbia Securities Act;
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(p) “Management Company Employee” means an individual employed by a corporation providing management services to the Company which are required for the ongoing successful operation of the business enterprise of the Company, but excluding a person engaged in Investor Relations Activities;
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(q) “Officer” means an individual who is an officer of the Company or of a Related Entity as an appointee of the Board or the board of directors of the Related Entity, as the case may be;
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(r) “Outstanding Issue” means the number of Shares outstanding on a non-diluted basis;
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(s) “Participant” means an Eligible Person who may be granted Restricted Share Units from time to time under this Plan;
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(t) “Plan” means this Restricted Share Unit Plan, as amended from time to time;
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(u) “Restricted Share Unit” means a right granted under this Plan to receive the Award Payout on the terms contained in this Plan as more particularly described in Section 4.1 hereof;
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(v) “Related Entity” means a person that is controlled by the Company. For the purposes of this Plan, a person (first person) is considered to control another person (second person) if the first person, directly or indirectly, has the power to direct the management and policies of the second person by virtue of
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(i) ownership of or direction over voting securities in the second person,
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(ii) a written agreement or indenture,
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(iii) being the general partner or controlling the general partner of the second person, or
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(iv) being a trustee of the second person;
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(w) “Required Approvals” has the meaning contained in Section 64.1 hereof;
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(x) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act (Ontario), as amended from time to time;
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(y) “Share” means a common share in the capital of the Company as from time to time constituted;
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(z) “Total Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, that, solely because of disease or injury, within the meaning of the long-term disability plan of the Company, the Participant, is deemed by a qualified physician selected by the Company to be unable to work at any occupation which the Participant, is reasonably qualified to perform;
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(aa) “Trigger Date” means the date a Participant requests the issuance of Shares, pursuant to a Trigger Notice, issuable upon vesting of an Award and prior to the Expiry Date;
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(bb) “Trigger Notice” means the notice respecting the issuance of Shares pursuant to vested Restricted Share Unit(s), substantially in the form attached to Restricted Share Unit Notice, duly executed by the Participant; and
Interpretation
1.5 For all purposes of this Plan, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
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(a) any reference to a statute shall include and shall, unless otherwise set out herein, be deemed to be a reference to such statute and to the regulations made pursuant thereto, with all amendments made thereto and in force from time to time, and to any statute or regulations that may be passed which has the effect of supplementing or superseding such statute or such regulations;
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(b) the singular includes the plural and vice-versa, and a reference to any of the feminine, masculine or neuter includes the other two;
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(c) any reference to “consent” or “discretion” of any person shall be construed as meaning that such person may withhold such consent arbitrarily or grant it, if at all, on such terms as the person sees fit, and may exercise all discretion fully and in unfettered manner; and
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(d) any reference to “including” or “inclusive” shall be construed as not restricting the generality of any foregoing or other provision.
Effective Date
1.6 This Plan will be effective on September 18, 2020. The Board may, in its discretion, at any time, and from time to time, issue Restricted Share Units to Eligible Persons as it determines appropriate under this Plan. However, any such issued Restricted Share Units may not be paid out until receipt of the necessary approvals from shareholders of the Company and any applicable regulatory bodies (the “ Required Approvals ”).
Administration
1.7 The Board is authorized to interpret this Plan from time to time and to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan. The interpretation and construction of any provision of this Plan by the Board shall be final and conclusive. Administration of this Plan shall be the responsibility of the appropriate officers of the Company and all costs in respect thereof shall be paid by the Company.
Delegation to Committee
1.8 All of the powers exercisable hereunder by the Board may, to the extent permitted by law and as determined by a resolution of the Board, be delegated to a Committee including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, those referred to under §1.7 and all actions taken and decisions made by the Committee or by such officers in this regard will be final, conclusive and binding on all parties concerned, including, but not limited to, the Company, the Eligible Person, and their legal representatives.
Incorporation of Terms of Plan
1.9 Subject to specific variations approved by the Board all terms and conditions set out herein will be incorporated into and form part of each Restricted Share Unit granted under this Plan.
Maximum Number of Shares
1.10 The aggregate number of Shares that may be reserved for issuance, at any time, under this Plan and under any other share compensation arrangement adopted by the Company, including the Company’s incentive stock option plan(s), shall not exceed up to a maximum of 20% of the issued and outstanding Shares at the time of grant pursuant to awards granted under the 2020 Plans;
1.11 Any Shares subject to a Restricted Share Unit which has been granted under the Plan and which is cancelled or terminated in accordance with the terms of the Plan without being paid out in Shares as provided for in this Plan shall again be available under the Plan.
PART 2
AWARDS UNDER THIS PLAN
Eligibility
2.1 Awards will be granted only to Eligible Persons. If any Eligible Person is (pursuant to the terms of his or her employment, engagement or otherwise) subject to a requirement that he or she not benefit personally from an Award, the Committee may (in its discretion, taking into account relevant corporate, securities and tax laws) grant any Award to which such Person would otherwise be entitled to the Person’s employer or to any other entity designated by them that directly or indirectly imposes such requirement on the Person. The Committee shall have the power to determine other eligibility requirements with respect to Awards or types of Awards.
Limitation on Issuance of Shares to Insiders
2.2 Notwithstanding anything in this Plan, the Company shall not issue Shares under this Plan to any Eligible Person who is an Insider of the Company where such issuance would result in:
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(a) the total number of Shares issuable at any time under this Plan to Insiders, or when combined with all other Shares issuable to Insiders under any other equity compensation arrangements then in
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place, exceeding 10% of the total number of issued and outstanding equity securities of the Company on a non-diluted basis; and
- (b) the total number of Shares that may be issued to Insiders during any one year period under this Plan, or when combined with all other Shares issued to Insiders under any other equity compensation arrangements then in place, exceeding 10% of the total number of issued and outstanding equity securities of the Company on a non diluted basis.
PART 3 RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
Participants
3.1 Restricted Share Units that may be granted hereunder to a particular Eligible Person in a calendar year will (subject to any applicable terms and conditions and the Board’s discretion) represent a right to a bonus or similar payment to be received for services rendered by such Eligible Person to the Company or a Related Entity, as the case may be, in the Company’s or the Related Entity’s fiscal year ending in, or coincident with, such calendar year.
Grant
3.2 The Board may, in its discretion, at any time, and from time to time, grant Restricted Share Units to Eligible Persons as it determines is appropriate, subject to the limitations set out in this Plan, and shall be as set forth in a Restricted Share Unit Notice delivered to such Participant. In making such grants the Board may, in its sole discretion but subject to Section 3.3 hereof, in addition to Performance Conditions set out below, impose such conditions on the vesting of the Awards as it sees fit, including imposing a vesting period on grants of Restricted Share Units.
Vesting
3.3 Except as provided in this Plan, Restricted Share Units issued under this Plan will vest and become subject to a Trigger Notice, only upon the date determined by the Board, or if applicable the Committee, which shall be as set forth in a Restricted Share Unit Notice delivered to such Participant.
Forfeiture and Cancellation Upon Expiry Date
3.4 Restricted Share Units which do not vest and have not been issued on or before the Expiry Date of such Restricted Share Unit will be automatically deemed cancelled, without further act or formality and without compensation.
Account
3.5 Restricted Share Units issued pursuant to this Plan (including fractional Restricted Share Units, computed to three digits) will be credited to a notional account maintained for each Participant by the Company for the purposes of facilitating the determination of amounts that may become payable hereunder. A written confirmation of the balance in each Participant’s account will be sent by the Company to the Participant upon request of the Participant.
Adjustments and Reorganizations
3.6 In the event of any dividend paid in shares, share subdivision, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, spin-off or other distribution of Company assets to shareholders, or any other change in the capital of the Company affecting Shares, the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, will make, with respect to the number of Restricted Share Units outstanding under this Plan, any proportionate adjustments as it considers appropriate to reflect that change.
Notice and Acknowledgement
3.7 No certificates will be issued with respect to the Restricted Share Units issued under this Plan. Each Participant will, prior to being granted any Restricted Share Units, deliver to the Company a signed acknowledgement substantially in the form of Schedule “A” to this Plan.
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PART 4 PAYMENTS UNDER THE RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
Payment of Restricted Share Units
4.1 Subject to the terms of this Plan and, without limitation, Section 3.3 hereof, the Company will pay out vested Restricted Share Units issued under this Plan and credited to the account of a Participant by issuing (net of any Applicable Withholding Tax) to such Participant, on or before the 10[th] Business Day following the Trigger Date but no later than the Expiry Date of such vested Restricted Share Unit, an Award Payout of, subject to receipt of the Required Approvals, one Share for such whole vested Restricted Share Unit. Fractional Shares shall not be issued and where a Participant would be entitled to receive a fractional Share in respect of any fractional vested Restricted Share Unit, the Company shall pay to such Participant, in lieu of such fractional Share, cash equal to the Vesting Date Value as at the Trigger Date of such fractional Share. Each Share issued by the Company pursuant to this Plan shall be issued as fully paid and non-assessable.
Award Payout
4.2 Upon the vesting of Restricted Share Units, no Shares will be issued by the Company to the Participant, until the receipt by the Company, on or before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on the Expiry Date of a Trigger Notice.
Effect of Termination of Employment or Engagement, Death or Disability
4.3 If a Participant shall die while employed or retained by the Company, or while an Officer or Director, the Expiry Date of any vested or unvested Restricted Share Units held by the Participant at the date of death, which have not yet been subject to a Trigger Notice and subsequent Award Payout, shall be amended to the earlier of (i) one (1) year after the date of death, and (ii) the Expiry Date of such Award, except that in the event the expiration of the Award is earlier than one (1) year after the date of death, with Required Approvals, the Expiry Date shall be up to one (1) year after the date of death as determined by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board, in its discretion, may resolve that up to all of the Restricted Share Units held by a Participant at the date of death which have not yet vested shall vest immediately upon death.
4.4 If the employment or engagement of a Participant shall terminate with the Company due to Total Disability while the Participant is employed or retained by the Company, the Expiry Date of any vested or unvested Restricted Share Units held by the Participant at the date of his or her termination due to Total Disability, which have not yet been subject to a Trigger Notice and subsequent Award Payout, shall be amended to the earlier of (i) one (1) year after the date of his or her termination due to Total Disability, and (ii) the Expiry Date of such Award, except that in the event the expiration of the Award is earlier than one (1) year after the date of his or her termination due to Total Disability, with Required Approvals, the Expiry Date shall be up to one (1) year after the date of his or her termination due to Total Disability as determined by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board, in its discretion, may resolve that up to all of the Restricted Share Units held by a Participant at the date of his or her termination due to Total Disability which have not yet vested shall vest immediately upon death.
4.5 Subject to Section 4.16 hereof, if a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person (other than as provided in Section 4.3 or 4.4), the Expiry Date of any vested or unvested Restricted Share Units held by the Participant at the date such Participant ceased to be an Eligible Person, which have not yet been subject to a Trigger Notice and subsequent Award Payout, shall be amended to the earlier of (i) one (1) year after the date such Participant ceased to be an Eligible Person, and (ii) the Expiry Date of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board, in its discretion, may resolve that up to all of the Restricted Share Units held by a Participant on the date the Participant ceased to be an Eligible Person which have not yet vested shall vest immediately upon such date.
4.6 If the employment of an Employee or Consultant is terminated for cause (as determined by the Board) no Restricted Share Units held by such Participant may be subject to a Trigger Notice following the date upon which termination occurred.
Tax Matters and Applicable Withholding Tax
4.7 The Company does not assume any responsibility for or in respect of the tax consequences of the grant to Participants of Restricted Share Units, or payments received by Participants pursuant to this Plan. The Company or relevant Related Entity, as applicable, is authorized to deduct any Applicable Withholding Tax, in such manner (including, without limitation, by selling Shares otherwise issuable to Participants, on such terms as the Company determines) as it determines so as to ensure that it will be able to comply with the applicable provisions of any
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federal, provincial, state or local law relating to the withholding of tax or other required deductions, or the remittance of tax or other obligations. The Company or relevant Related Entity, as applicable, may require Participants, as a condition of receiving amounts to be paid to them under this Plan, to deliver undertakings to, or indemnities in favour of, the Company or Related Entity, as applicable, respecting the payment by such Participant’s applicable income or other taxes.
4.8 To the extent required by law, the Company shall make adjustments to, and interpret, the Restricted Share Units as required by the U.S. Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
PART 5 MISCELLANEOUS
Compliance with Applicable Laws
5.1 The issuance by the Company of any Restricted Share Units and its obligation to make any payments hereunder is subject to compliance with all applicable laws. As a condition of participating in this Plan, each Participant agrees to comply with all such applicable laws and agrees to furnish to the Company all information and undertakings as may be required to permit compliance with such applicable laws. The Company will have no obligation under this Plan, or otherwise, to grant any Restricted Share Unit or make any payment under this Plan in violation of any applicable laws.
The Company intends that the Awards and payments provided for in this Plan either be exempt from Section 409A of the Code, or be provided in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any ambiguity herein shall be interpreted so as to be consistent with the intent of this Section 5.1. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the any person by Section 409A of the Code or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, all payments under this Plan to paid or provided at the time of a termination of employment or service will be paid at a termination of employment or service that constitutes a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (determined after applying the presumptions set forth in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h)(1)). Further, if at the time of a Participant’s termination of employment with the Company, the Participant is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code as determined by the Company in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, and the deferral of the commencement of any payments or benefits otherwise payable hereunder as a result of such termination of employment is necessary in order to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company will defer the payment hereunder until the date that is at least six (6) months following the Participant’s termination of employment with the Company (or the earliest date permitted under Section 409A of the Code).
Non-Transferability
5.2 Restricted Share Units and all other rights, benefits or interests in this Plan are non-transferable and may not be pledged or assigned or encumbered in any way and are not subject to attachment or garnishment, except that if a Participant dies the legal representatives of the Participant will be entitled to receive the amount of any payment otherwise payable to the Participant hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof.
No Right to Service
5.3 Neither participation in this Plan nor any action under this Plan will be construed to give any Eligible Person or Participant a right to be retained in the service or to continue in the employment of the Company or any Related Entity, or affect in any way the right of the Company or any Related Entity to terminate his or her employment at any time.
Applicable Trading Policies
5.4 The Board and each Participant will ensure that all actions taken and decisions made by the Board or the Participant, as the case may be, pursuant to this Plan comply with any applicable securities laws and policies of the Company relating to insider trading or “blackout” periods.
Successors and Assigns
5.5 This Plan will enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective legal representatives of the Eligible Person or Participants.
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Plan Amendment
5.6 The Board may amend this Plan as it deems necessary or appropriate, subject to the requirements of applicable laws, but no amendment will, without the consent of any Eligible Person or unless required by law (or for compliance with applicable corporate, securities or tax law requirements or related industry practice), adversely affect the rights of an Eligible Person or Participant with respect to Restricted Share Units to which the Eligible Person or Participant is then entitled under this Plan.
Plan Termination
5.7 The Board may terminate this Plan at any time, but no termination will, without the consent of the Participant or unless required by law, adversely affect the rights of a Participant respect to Restricted Share Units to which the Participant is then entitled under this Plan. In no event will a termination of this Plan accelerate the vesting of Restricted Share Units or the time at which a Participant would otherwise be entitled to receive any payment in respect of Restricted Share Units hereunder.
Governing Law
5.8 This Plan and all matters to which reference is made in this Plan will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
Reorganization of the Company
5.9 The existence of this Plan or Restricted Share Units will not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its shareholders to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, or to create or issue any bonds, debentures, Shares or other securities of the Company or to amend or modify the rights and conditions attaching thereto or to effect the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any amalgamation, combination, merger or consolidation involving the Company or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar nature or otherwise.
No Shareholder Rights
5.10 Restricted Share Units are not considered to be Shares or securities of the Company, and a Participant who is granted Restricted Share Units will not, as such, be entitled to receive notice of or to attend any shareholders’ meeting of the Company, nor entitled to exercise voting rights or any other rights attaching to the ownership of Shares or other securities of the Company, and will not be considered the owner of Shares by virtue of such issuance of Restricted Share Units.
No Other Benefit
5.11 No amount will be paid to, or in respect of, an Eligible Person under this Plan to compensate for a downward fluctuation in the fair market value or price of a Share, nor will any other form of benefit be conferred upon, or in respect of, an Eligible Person for such purpose.
Unfunded Plan
5.12 For greater certainty, the crediting of any Award to the notional accounts set out in this Plan for any Participant does not confer any entitlement, benefits, or any rights of a similar nature or otherwise, aside from the rights expressly set out in this Plan, and this Plan will be an unfunded plan, including for tax purposes and for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (United States). Any Participant to which Restricted Share Units are credited to his or her account or holding Restricted Share Units or related accruals under this Plan will have the status of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to any relevant rights that may arise thereunder.
SCHEDULE “A”
BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC.
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT PLAN
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT NOTICE
Red White & Bloom Brands Inc. (the “ Company ”) hereby confirms the grant to the undersigned (the “ Participant ”) of Restricted Share Units (“ Units ”) described in the table below pursuant to the Company’s Restricted Share Unit Plan (the “ Plan ”), a copy of which Plan has been provided to the undersigned Participant.
Capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Notice have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
Grant Date No. of Units Vesting Expiry Date
The Participant may elect to have Shares issued pursuant to the foregoing Units at any time and from time to time from and including the date Units vest through to 5:00 p.m. (PT) on the date that is the earlier of (i) five (5) years from the date of vesting, and (ii) ten (10) years from the Grant Date, by delivering to the Company the form of Trigger Notice attached as Appendix “I” hereto.
No Shares shall be issuable by the Company to the Participant in the event vesting does not occur prior to ten (10) years from the Grant Date.
DATED ____, 20__.
BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC.
Per:
Authorized Signatory
The undersigned hereby accepts such grant, acknowledges being a Participant under the Plan, agrees to be bound by the provisions thereof and agrees that the Plan will be effective as an agreement between the Company and the undersigned with respect to the Units granted or otherwise issued to it.
[If the Units are being issued to a U.S. Participant, include the following additional provisions:]
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that:
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The Units and any Shares that may be issued in respect of vested Units pursuant to the Plan have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ U.S. Securities Act ”), and will constitute “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act;
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The certificate(s) representing the Shares will be endorsed with the following or a similar legend until such time as it is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the U.S. Securities Act or applicable state securities laws:
“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (THE “U.S. SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING SUCH SECURITIES, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY, THAT SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY; (B) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT; (C) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
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EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER, IF AVAILABLE, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS; OR (D) IN A TRANSACTION THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND, IN THE CASE OF CLAUSE (C) OR (D), THE SELLER FURNISHES TO THE COMPANY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL OF RECOGNIZED STANDING IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY TO SUCH EFFECT. THE PRESENCE OF THIS LEGEND MAY IMPAIR THE ABILITY OF THE HOLDER HEREOF TO EFFECT “GOOD DELIVERY” OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ON A CANADIAN STOCK EXCHANGE.”
provided, that if the Shares are being sold outside the United States in compliance with the requirements of Rule 904 of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”) and the Shares were issued at a time when the Company is a “foreign issuer” as defined in Regulation S, the legend set forth above may be removed by providing an executed declaration to the registrar and transfer agent of the Company, in such form as the Company may prescribe from time to time and, if requested by the Company or the transfer agent, an opinion of counsel of recognized standing in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and the transfer agent to the effect that such sale is being made in compliance with Rule 904 of Regulation S; and provided, further, that, if any Shares are being sold otherwise than in accordance with Regulation S and other than to the Company, the legend may be removed by delivery to the registrar and transfer agent and the Company of an opinion of counsel, of recognized standing reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such legend is no longer required under applicable requirements of the U.S. Securities Act or state securities laws; and
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The Company may be deemed to be an issuer that at a previous time has been an issuer with no or nominal operations and no or nominal assets other than cash and cash equivalents (a “ Shell Company ”), and if the Company is deemed to have been a Shell Company at any time previously, Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act may not be available for resales of the Shares except in very limited circumstances, and the Company is not obligated to make Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act available for resales of the Shares.
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If the undersigned is resident in the State of California on the effective date of the grant of the Units, then, in addition to the terms and conditions contained in the Plan and in this Notice, the undersigned acknowledges that the Company, as a reporting issuer under the securities legislation in certain Provinces of Canada, is required to publicly file with the securities regulators in those jurisdictions continuous disclosure documents, including audited annual financial statements and unaudited quarterly financial statements (collectively, the “ Financial Statements ”). Such filings are available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR), and documents filed on SEDAR may be viewed under the Company’s profile at the following website address: www.sedar.com. Copies of Financial Statements will be made available to the undersigned by the Company upon the undersigned’s request.
DATED ____, 20__.
Witness (Signature) Name (please print) Participant’s Signature Address City, Province/State Name of Participant (print) Occupation
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APPENDIX “I”
BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC.
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT PLAN
TRIGGER NOTICE
TO: BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC. (the “Company”)
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The undersigned (the “ Participant ”), being the holder of vested Restricted Share Units to purchase ____ Shares, hereby irrevocably gives notice, pursuant to the Plan, of the request to issue to the Participant ______ Shares.
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By executing this Trigger Notice, the Participant hereby confirms that the undersigned has read the Plan and agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Plan. All terms not otherwise defined in this Trigger Notice shall have the meanings given to them under the Plan or the attached Restricted Share Unit Notice.
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The Participant is resident in ________ [name of country/province/state].
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The Participant hereby represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that there may be material tax consequences to the Participant of a request for Shares pursuant to vested Restricted Share Units. The Company gives no opinion and makes no representation with respect to the tax consequences to the Participant under applicable, federal, local or foreign tax law of the Participant’s acquisition or disposition of such securities.
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The Participant hereby represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees that the certificate(s) representing the Shares may be subject to applicable hold periods and legending pursuant to applicable securities laws.
DATED ____, 20__.
Witness (Signature) Name (please print) Address City, Province Occupation
Participant’s Signature
Name of Participant (print)