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Blackhawk Growth Corp. — Management Reports 2020
Jan 31, 2020
44110_rns_2020-01-31_7d89e91b-d91d-469b-bcf5-184e396b98a3.pdf
Management Reports
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BLACKHAWK RESOURCE CORP.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
Dated: January 20, 2020
Meeting Details
Date: February 21, 2020 Time: 11:00 a.m. (Calgary time) Place: Suite 3810, Bankers Hall West 888 – 3[rd] Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta
BLACKHAWK RESOURCE CORP.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the special meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of the holders of common shares (“ Shareholders ”) of Blackhawk Resource Corp. (the “ Company ”) will be held at Suite 3810, Bankers Hall West, 888 – 3[rd] Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada on the 21st day of February 2020, at 11:00 a.m. (Calgary time) for the following purposes:
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to consider, and if thought fit, to pass, with or without variation, a special resolution to approve the continuation of the Company from the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the " ABCA ") into British Columbia, under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the " BCBCA "), and the adoption of a new set of articles in accordance with the BCBCA; and
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to consider, and if thought fit, to pass, with or without variation, a special resolution authorizing the change of name of the Company to “Blackhawk Growth Corp.” or such other name as the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion and subject to applicable regulatory approval, determines to be appropriate.
The specific details of the foregoing matters to be put before the Meeting, as well as further information with respect to voting by proxy, are set forth in the Information Circular.
A shareholder who is unable to attend the Meeting in person and who wishes to ensure that such shareholder’s shares will be voted at the Meeting is requested to complete, date and sign the enclosed form of proxy and deliver it in accordance with the instructions set out in the form of proxy and in the Information Circular.
As set out in the notes, the enclosed proxy is solicited by management, but, you may amend it, if you so desire, by striking out the names listed therein and inserting in the space provided, the name of the person you wish to represent you at the Meeting.
DATED this 20[th] day of January, 2020.
By order of the Board of Directors.
BLACKHAWK RESOURCE CORP.
/s/ “Frederick Pels”
Frederick Pels President and Chief Executive Officer
Take notice pursuant to the ABCA that you may, at or prior to the Meeting at which the special resolution for continuation of the Company from the ABCA to the BCBCA is to be passed, give a notice of objection by registered mail addressed to: Frederick Pels, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blackhawk Resource Corp., c/o Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Attention: Sam Cole, 2200 HSBC Building, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3E8, with respect to the said special resolution for continuation. As a result of giving a notice of objection you may, on receiving from the Company a notice of resolution under subsection 191(5) of the ABCA, require the Company to purchase all your shares in respect of which the notice of objection was given. If the Company does not proceed with the proposed continuation, it will not be obliged to purchase any shares in respect of which a notice of dissent has been given. Dissenting shareholders should note that the exercise of objection rights can be complex, time-sensitive and an expensive procedure and may result in the Company abandoning the continuance. Dissenting shareholders should consult their legal advisors with respect to the legal rights available to them in relation to the proposed continuation.
BLACKHAWK RESOURCE CORP.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
(containing information as at January 20, 2020 unless otherwise stated)
For the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Friday, February 21, 2020
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
This Information Circular (this “ Circular ”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of Blackhawk Resource Corp. (the “ Company ”), for use at the special meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of the shareholders (“ Shareholders ”) of the Company to be held on Friday, February 21, 2020 , at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting and at any adjournment thereof.
The enclosed instrument of proxy (the “ Proxy ”) is solicited by the management of the Company. The solicitation will be primarily by mail however, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by the regular officers and employees of the Company. The cost of solicitation will be borne by the Company.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
The persons named in the Proxy are representatives of the Company.
A Shareholder entitled to vote at the Meeting has the right to appoint a person (who need not be a Shareholder) to attend and act on the Shareholder’s behalf at the Meeting other than the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy. To exercise this right, a Shareholder shall strike out the names of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy and insert the name of the Shareholder’s nominee in the blank space provided or complete another suitable form of proxy.
A proxy will not be valid unless it is duly completed, signed and deposited with the Company’s registrar and transfer agent, Odyssey Trust Company (“ Odyssey ”) by hand or mail at the Stock Exchange Tower, 1230 – 300 5[th] Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3C4, or by fax within North America at 1-800-517-4553 or via email to [email protected], not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. A proxy must be signed by the Shareholder or by his attorney in writing, or, if the Shareholder is a corporation, it must either be under its common seal or signed by a duly authorized officer.
A Shareholder who has given a Proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a Proxy may be revoked by instrument in writing executed by the Shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing, or, if the Shareholder is a corporation, it must either be under its common seal or signed by a duly authorized officer and deposited with Odyssey at the Stock Exchange Tower, 1230 – 300 5[th] Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3C4, or by fax to 1-800-517-4553, or via email to [email protected] at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment of it, at which the Proxy is to be used, or to the Chair of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment of it. A revocation of a Proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken prior to the revocation.
These security holder materials are being sent to both registered and non-registered owners of the securities. If you are a non-registered owner, and the issuer 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 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.
VOTING BY PROXYHOLDER
Manner of Voting
The common shares represented by the Proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the Shareholder on any ballot that may be called for and, if the Shareholder specifies a choice on the Proxy with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted accordingly. On any poll, the persons named in the Proxy (the “ Proxyholders ”) will vote the shares in respect of which they are appointed. Where directions are given by the Shareholder in respect of voting for or against any resolution, the Proxyholder will do so in accordance with such direction.
The Proxy, when properly signed, confers discretionary authority on the Proxyholder with respect to amendments or variations to the matters which may properly be brought before the Meeting. At the time of printing this Circular, Management is not aware that any such amendments, variations or other matters are to be presented for action at the Meeting. However, if any other matters which are not now known to Management should properly come before the Meeting, the proxies hereby solicited will be exercised on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the Proxyholder.
In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the Proxyholders intend to vote the common shares represented by each Proxy, properly executed, in favour of the motions proposed to be made at the Meeting as stated under the headings in this Circular.
Voting Thresholds Required for Approval
In order to approve a motion proposed at the Meeting, a majority of not less than one-half of the votes cast will be required (an “ Ordinary Resolution ”) unless the motion requires a special resolution (a “ Special Resolution ”), in which case a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast will be required. In the event a motion proposed at the Meeting requires disinterested Shareholder approval, common shares held by Shareholders of the Company who are also “insiders”, as such term is defined under applicable securities laws, will be excluded from the count of votes cast on such motion.
ADVICE TO REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
Shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of common shares in the capital of the Company (the “ Registered Shareholders ”) may choose to vote by proxy whether or not they are able to attend the Meeting in person.
Registered Holders who are unable to attend the Meeting in person are requested to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed form of proxy either in the addressed envelope enclosed to Odyssey, Attn: Proxy Department, Stock Exchange Tower, 1230 – 300 5th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3C4, or via fax to 1-800-517-4553, or via email to [email protected]. Alternatively, Registered Shareholders may vote by using the Internet at odysseytrust.com/Transfer-Agent/Login. In each case, proxies must be received not later than 11:00 a.m. (Calgary time) on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, or at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays), before the time for holding the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Returning your Proxy Form
To be effective, we must receive your completed proxy form or voting instruction no later than 11:00 a.m. (Calgary time) on Wednesday, February 19, 2020.
If the Meeting is postponed or adjourned, we must receive your completed form of proxy by 5:00 p.m. (Calgary time), two full business days before any adjourned or postponed Meeting at which the proxy is to be used. Late proxies may be accepted or rejected by the Chairman of the Meeting at his discretion and he is under no obligation to accept or reject a late proxy. The Chairman of the Meeting may waive or extend the proxy cut-off without notice.
ADVICE TO BENEFICIAL SHAREHOLDERS
The information set forth in this section is of significant importance to many Shareholders as a substantial number of Shareholders do not hold shares in their own name.
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Shareholders who do not hold their shares in their own name (referred to in this information circular as “ Beneficial Shareholders ”) should note that only proxies deposited by Registered Shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of shares can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting.
If shares are listed in an account statement provided to a Shareholder by an intermediary, such as a brokerage firm, then, in almost all cases, those shares will not be registered in the Shareholder’s name on the records of the Company. Such shares will more likely be registered under the name of the Shareholder’s intermediary or an agent of that intermediary, and consequently the Shareholder will be a Beneficial Shareholder. In Canada, the vast majority of such shares are registered under the name CDS & Co. (being the registration name for the Canadian Depositary for Securities, which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms). The shares held by intermediaries or their agents or nominees can only be voted (for or against resolutions) upon the instructions of the Beneficial Shareholder. Without specific instructions, an intermediary and its agents are prohibited from voting shares for the intermediary’s clients. Therefore, Beneficial Shareholders should ensure that instructions respecting the voting of their shares are communicated to the appropriate person.
Applicable regulatory rules require intermediaries/brokers to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of Shareholders’ meetings. Every intermediary/broker has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions to clients, which should be carefully followed by Beneficial Shareholders in order to ensure that their shares are voted at the Meeting. The purpose of the form of proxy or voting instruction form provided to a Beneficial Shareholder by its broker, agent or nominee is limited to instructing the registered holder of the shares on how to vote such shares on behalf of the Beneficial Shareholder.
The majority of brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Investor Communications (“ Broadridge ”). Broadridge typically supplies a voting instruction form, mails those forms to Beneficial Shareholders and asks those Beneficial Shareholders to return the forms to Broadridge or follow specific telephone or other voting procedures. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received by it and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of the shares to be represented at the Meeting. A Beneficial Shareholder receiving a voting instruction form from Broadridge cannot use that form to vote shares directly at the Meeting. Instead, the voting instruction form must be returned to Broadridge or the alternate voting procedures must be completed well in advance of the Meeting in order to ensure such shares are voted.
There are two kinds of Beneficial Shareholders, those who object to their name being made known to the issuers of securities which they own (“ OBOs ” for Objecting Beneficial Owners) and those who do not object to the issuers of the securities they own knowing who they are (“ NOBOs ” for Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners). Pursuant to National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (“ NI 54101 ”) issuers can obtain a list of their NOBOs from intermediaries for distribution of proxy related materials directly to NOBOs. This year, the Company has decided to take advantage of those provisions of NI 54-101 that permit it to directly deliver proxy-related materials to its NOBOs. As a result, NOBOs can expect to receive a scannable Voting Instruction Form (“ VIF ”) from our Transfer Agent, Odyssey. These VIFs are to be completed and returned to Odyssey in the envelope provided or by facsimile. In addition, Odyssey provides both telephone voting and internet voting as described on the VIF itself which contains complete instructions. Odyssey will tabulate the results of the VIFs received from NOBOs and will provide appropriate instructions at the Meeting with respect to the shares represented by the VIFs they receive. The Company does not intend to pay for intermediaries to deliver these securityholder materials to OBOs and, as a result, OBOs will not be sent paper copies unless their intermediary assumes the costs.
These proxy-related materials are being sent to both Registered Shareholders and Beneficial Shareholders of the Company. If you are a Beneficial 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. In this event, by choosing to send these materials to you directly, the Company (and not the intermediary holding 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.
Although Beneficial Shareholders may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purpose of voting shares registered in the name of their broker, agent or nominee, a Beneficial Shareholder may attend the Meeting as a Proxyholder for a Registered Shareholder and vote their shares in that capacity. Beneficial Shareholders who wish to attend the Meeting and indirectly vote their shares as Proxyholder for a Registered Shareholder should contact their
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broker, agent or nominee well in advance of the Meeting to determine the steps necessary to permit them to indirectly vote their shares as a Proxyholder.
Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners
Pursuant to National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (“ NI 54-101 ”), issuers can obtain a list of their NOBOs from intermediaries for distribution of proxy-related materials directly to NOBOs. This year, the Company will rely on those provisions of NI 54-101 that permit it to directly deliver proxy-related materials to its NOBOs. As a result, NOBOs can expect to receive a scannable voting instruction form (“ VIF ”) from the Company’s transfer agent, Odyssey. These VIFs are to be completed and returned to Odyssey in the envelope provided or by facsimile. In addition, Odyssey provides both telephone voting and internet voting as described on the VIF itself which contains complete instructions. Odyssey will tabulate the results of the VIFs received from NOBOs and will provide appropriate instructions at the Meeting with respect to the shares represented by the VIFs they receive.
If you are a Beneficial Shareholder and the Company or its agent has sent these proxy-related materials to you directly, please be advised that your name, address and information about your holdings of securities have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the intermediary holding your securities on your behalf. By choosing to send these proxy-related materials to you directly, the Company (and not the intermediaries holding securities your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering the proxy-related materials to you and (ii) executing your proper voting instructions as specified in the VIF.
Objecting Beneficial Owners
Beneficial Shareholders who are OBOs should follow the instructions of their intermediary carefully to ensure that their shares are voted at the Meeting.
Applicable regulatory rules require intermediaries to seek voting instructions from OBOs in advance of Shareholders’ meetings. Every intermediary has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions to clients, which should be carefully followed by OBOs in order to ensure that their shares are voted at the Meeting. The purpose of the form of proxy or voting instruction form provided to an OBO by its broker, agent or nominee is limited to instructing the registered holder of the shares on how to vote such shares on behalf of the OBO.
The form of proxy provided to OBOs by intermediaries will be similar to the Proxy provided to Registered Shareholders. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the intermediary on how to vote your shares on your behalf. The majority of intermediaries now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from OBOs to Broadridge Investor Communications (“ Broadridge ”). Broadridge typically supplies voting instruction forms, mails those forms to OBOs, and asks those OBOs to return the forms to Broadridge or follow specific telephonic or other voting procedures. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received by it and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of the shares to be represented at the meeting. An OBO receiving a voting instruction form from Broadridge cannot use that form to vote shares directly at the Meeting. Instead, the voting instruction form must be returned to Broadridge or the alternate voting procedures must be completed well in advance of the Meeting in order to ensure that such shares are voted.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Except as otherwise disclosed herein, none of the directors (“ Directors ”) or officers (“ Officers ”) of the Company, at any time since the beginning of the Company’s last financial year, nor any proposed nominee for election as a Director, or any associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matters to be acted upon at the Meeting exclusive of the election of directors or the appointment of auditors.
RECORD DATE, VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
A Shareholder of record at the close of business on January 20, 2020 (the “ Record Date ”) who either personally attends the Meeting or who has completed and delivered a Proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above, shall be entitled to vote or to have such shareholder's shares voted at the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof.
The Company's authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares (“ Common Shares ”) without par value and unlimited number of preferred shares (“ Preferred Shares ”). As at the Record Date, the Company has
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151,161,374 Common Shares issued and outstanding, each share carrying the right to one vote. There are no Preferred Shares outstanding.
Principal Holders of Voting Securities
To the best of knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, as of the date of the Circular, no persons or corporations beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, Common Shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Common Shares of the Company.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
For purposes of the following discussion, “ Informed Person ” means (a) a Director or executive officer of the Company; (b) a director or executive officer of a person or company that is itself an Informed Person or a subsidiary of the Company; (c) any person or company who beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Company or a combination of both carrying more than 10 percent of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting securities of the Company, other than the voting securities held by the person or company as underwriter in the course of a distribution; and (d) the Company itself if it has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its securities, for so long as it holds any of its securities.
Except as disclosed below, elsewhere herein or in the notes to the Company's financial statements for the financial year ended June 30, 2019, none of
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(a) the Informed Persons of the Company;
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(b) the proposed nominees for election as a Director; or
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(c) any associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons,
has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of the Company's most recently completed financial year or in a proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
1. The Continuance
The Company is currently governed by the ABCA. Management of the Company is proposing to move the Company’s governing jurisdiction to British Columbia. Accordingly, the Company intends to apply for the discontinuance of the Company from the Province of Alberta and for the continuance of the Company under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “ BCBCA ”) to the Province of British Columbia (the “ Continuance ”). At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to pass a special resolution, the text of which is set out below, authorizing the board of directors, in its sole discretion, to continue the Company from the Province of Alberta into the Province of British Columbia (the “ Continuance Resolution ”). The Continuance, if approved, will change the legal domicile of the Company and will affect certain rights of the Shareholders as they currently exist under the ABCA. Accordingly, Shareholders should consult their own independent legal advisors regarding implications of the Continuance which may be of particular importance to them.
The Board has determined it is in the best interest of the Company to be governed by the BCBCA. If the Continuance Resolution is approved at the Meeting, it would give the Board authority to implement the Continuance. Notwithstanding approval of the proposed Continuance by Shareholders, the Board, in its sole discretion, may revoke the special resolution and abandon the Continuance without further approval or action by or prior notice to Shareholders.
Procedure to Effect Continuance
In order to effect the Continuance, the following steps must be taken:
- (a) the Shareholders must approve the Continuance Resolution at the Meeting authorizing the Company to, among other things, file a continuation application with attached notice of articles
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(the “ Continuation Application ”) with the registrar appointed under the BCBCA (the “ BC Registrar ”) requesting that the Company be continued as if it had been incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
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(b) the Registrar of Corporations under the ABCA (the “ Alberta Registrar ”) must consent to the proposed Continuance under the BCBCA, upon being satisfied that the Continuance is effected in compliance with section 191 of the ABCA;
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(c) the Company must apply to the BC Registrar for a Certificate of Continuance under the BCBCA; and
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(d) the Company must file a notice of continuance with the Alberta Registrar, who will then issue a certificate of discontinuance.
Pursuant to the ABCA, the Company is deemed to cease to be a corporation within the meaning of the ABCA on and after the date on which it is deemed to be continued under the laws of the BCBCA pursuant to the issuance of the Certificate of Continuance from the BC Registrar.
Effect of the Continuance
Assuming that the Continuance Resolution is approved at the Meeting, it is expected that the Continuation Application will be filed with the BC Registrar and the procedures outlined above will begin as soon as practicable thereafter, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, in order to give effect to the Continuance.
If the Continuance is approved by Shareholders and implemented by the Board, the Company shall apply to and file all necessary documentation with the Alberta Registrar for an authorization to continue into the Province of British Columbia. Immediately following the receipt of the Alberta Registrar’s authorization, the Company shall file the Continuation Application under the BCBCA to continue the Company into British Columbia. The certificate of continuation issued by the BC Registrar will be deemed to be the certificate of incorporation of the continued Company.
In connection with the Continuance, the existing articles and by-laws of the Company will be repealed and the Company will adopt the notice of articles and articles which are suitable for a British Columbia corporation, but which in all material respects are similar to the current constating documents of the Company. The proposed articles of the Company have been attached hereto as Schedule “A”.
The Continuance, if approved, will effect a change in the legal domicile of the Company on the effective date thereof to the Province of British Columbia, but the Company will not change its business or operations as a result of the Continuance.
On the effective date of the Continuance, Shareholders will continue to hold one share of the Company domiciled in the new jurisdiction for each share of the Company currently held. The existing share certificates representing Common Shares will not be cancelled. Holders of convertible securities of the Company on the effective date of the Continuance will continue to hold convertible securities to purchase an identical number of Common Shares on substantially the same terms.
As of the effective date of the Continuance, the election, duties, resignations and removal of the Company’s directors and officers shall be governed by the BCBCA and the Company will no longer be subject to the corporate governance provisions of the ABCA.
By operation of law applicable under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, as of the effective date of the Continuance:
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(a) the property of Company prior to the Continuance continues to be the property of the Company;
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(b) the Company continues to be liable for its obligations prior to the Continuance;
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(c) an existing cause of action, claim or liability to prosecution is unaffected;
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(d) a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding pending by or against the Company prior to the Continuance may continue to be prosecuted by or against the Company; and
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(e) a conviction against, or ruling, order or judgment in favour of or against, the Company prior to the Continuance may be enforced by or against the Company.
Certain Corporate Differences Between the ABCA and the BCBCA
The following is a summary only of certain differences and similarities between the BCBCA, the statute that will govern the corporate affairs of the Company upon the Continuance, and the ABCA, the statute which currently governs the corporate affairs of the Company. In general terms, the BCBCA provides to shareholders substantively the same rights as are available to shareholders under the ABCA, including the right of dissent and appraisal and the right to bring derivative actions and oppression actions.
In approving the Continuance, Shareholders will be approving the adoption of the Continuation Application and all matters collateral thereto, including the notice of articles and the certificate of continuation, and will be agreeing to hold securities in a corporation governed by the BCBCA. In exercising their vote, Shareholders should consider the distinctions between the BCBCA and the ABCA, only some of which are outlined below.
Notwithstanding the alteration of Shareholders’ rights and obligations under the BCBCA and the proposed Continuance, the Company will still be bound by the rules and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Alberta Securities Commission and the Ontario Securities Commission, as well as any other applicable securities legislation.
This summary is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice to any particular Shareholder, all of whom are advised to consult their own legal advisors respecting all of the implications of the Continuance. The following is a summary only. Reference should be made to the full text of both statutes and the regulations thereunder for particulars of the differences between them.
Constating Documents
British Columbia corporate charter documents consist of notice of articles and articles, which, among other corporate organizational matters, set forth the name of the Company and the amount and type of authorized capital. Upon the completion of the Continuance, the Company will cease to be governed by the ABCA and will thereafter be deemed to have been formed under the BCBCA. As part of the Continuance Resolution, Shareholders will be asked to approve the notice of articles and articles which comply with the requirements of the BCBCA.
Amendments to the Constating Documents of the Company
The ABCA requires a two-thirds majority shareholder vote to make substantive changes to the Company’s constating documents. Under the BCBCA, a corporation must not alter its notice of articles or articles unless it is authorized to do so:
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(a) by the type of resolution specified in the BCBCA;
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(b) if the BCBCA does not specify a type of resolution, then by the type of resolution specified in a corporation’s articles; or
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(c) if neither the BCBCA nor the articles specify the type of resolution, then by special resolution requiring a majority of not less than two thirds (66.67%) of the votes on the resolution.
Other fundamental changes pursuant to both the BCBCA and ABCA, such as an alteration of the special rights and restrictions attached to issued shares or a proposed amalgamation or continuation of a corporation out of the jurisdiction, require a similar two-thirds majority vote passed by the holders of shares of each class entitled to vote at
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a meeting of the shareholders of the Company and the holders of all classes of shares adversely affected by an alteration of special rights and restrictions.
Sale of the Company’s Undertaking
Under the ABCA and the BCBCA, the sale, lease or disposition by a corporation of all or substantially all of its assets, outside the ordinary course of business, is permitted only if authorized by a two-thirds majority shareholder vote. Unlike the ABCA, however, the BCBCA exempts certain dispositions by way of security interest, certain limited leases and certain transactions involving affiliates.
Rights of Dissent and Appraisal
The ABCA provides that shareholders who dissent to certain actions being taken by a corporation may exercise a right of dissent and require the corporation to purchase the shares held by such shareholders at the fair value of such shares. This dissent right is available when a corporation proposes to: (a) amend its articles to add, change or remove any provisions restricting or constraining the issue or transfer of shares of that class; (b) amend its articles to add, change or remove any restrictions on the business or businesses that the corporation may carry on; (c) amend its articles to add or remove an express statement establishing the unlimited liability of shareholders; (d) amalgamate with another corporation pursuant to certain statutory provisions; (e) be continued under the laws of another jurisdiction; or (f) sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all its property.
The BCBCA provides a similar dissent remedy. Under the BCBCA a shareholder is entitled to dissent where the corporation proposes to: (a) amend the corporation’s articles to alter restrictions on the powers of the corporation or on the business the corporation is permitted to carry on; (b) adopt an amalgamation agreement; (c) approve an amalgamation under Division 4 Part 9 of the BCBCA; (d) approve an arrangement, where the terms of the arrangement permit dissent; (e) authorize the sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all the corporation’s undertaking; (f) authorize the continuation of the corporation into a jurisdiction other than British Columbia; (g) adopt any other resolution, if dissent is authorized by the resolution; and (h) in respect of any court order that permits dissent.
See “The Continuance - Rights of Dissent to the Continuance ” for a description of the Shareholders’ right to dissent to the Continuance.
Oppression Remedies
Pursuant to section 227 of the BCBCA, a shareholder (which term includes beneficial shareholders and any person whom the court considers to be an appropriate person to make an application under section 227) of a corporation has the right to apply to the court for an order on the grounds that the affairs of the corporation are being or have been conducted, or that the powers of the directors are being exercised, in a manner oppressive to one or more of the shareholders, including the applicant, or that some act of the corporation has been done or is threatened, or that some resolution of the shareholders holding shares of a class or series of shares has been passed or is proposed, that is unfairly prejudicial to one or more shareholders, including the applicant. In response to such application, the court may make such order as it considers appropriate, including an order to direct or prohibit any act proposed by the corporation.
The ABCA contains rights that are substantially broader than the BCBCA in that they are available to a larger class of complainants. Under the ABCA, a shareholder, former shareholder, director, former director, officer, former officer and certain creditors of a corporation or any of its affiliates, or any other person who, in the discretion of the court, is a proper person to seek an oppression remedy may apply to the court for an order to rectify the matters complained of where, in respect of a corporation or any of its affiliates, any act or omission of the corporation or its affiliates effects a result, the business or affairs of the corporation or any of its affiliates are or have been carried on or conducted in a manner, or the powers of the directors of the corporation or its affiliates are or have been exercised in a manner, that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to, or that unfairly disregards the interests of, any security holder, creditor, director, or officer.
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Shareholder Derivative Actions
Pursuant to section 232 of the BCBCA, a shareholder (which term includes beneficial shareholders and any person whom the court considers to be an appropriate person to make an application under section 232 of the BCBCA) or director of a corporation may, with leave of the court, and after having made reasonable efforts to cause the directors of the corporation to prosecute a legal proceeding, prosecute such proceeding in the name of and on behalf of the corporation to enforce a right, duty or obligation owed to the corporation that could be enforced by the corporation itself or to obtain damages for any breach of such right, duty or obligation. There is a similar right of a shareholder or director, with leave of the court, and in the name and on behalf of the corporation, to defend a legal proceeding brought against the corporation.
The ABCA contains similar provisions for derivative actions but the right to bring a derivative action is available to a broader group. In addition to shareholders and directors, the right under the ABCA is available to former shareholders, former directors, officers, former officers, any affiliate of the foregoing, and any person who, in the discretion of the court, is a proper person to make an application to the court to bring a derivative action.
Requisition of Meetings
The BCBCA provides that one (1) or more shareholders of a company holding not less than five (5%) percent of the issued voting shares of the company may give notice to the directors requiring them to call and hold a general meeting within four (4) months.
The ABCA permits the holders of not less than five (5%) percent of the issued shares that carry the right to vote at a meeting to require the directors to call and hold a meeting of shareholders of a company for the purposes stated in the requisition. If the directors do not call a meeting within 21 days of receiving the requisition, any shareholder who signed the requisition may call the meeting.
Indemnification
The ABCA allows a corporation to indemnify a director or former director or officer or former officer of a corporation or its affiliates against all liability and expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in a proceeding to which he or she is made party by reason of being or having been a director or officer if he or she acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation and, in cases where an action is or was substantially successful on the merits of his or her defence of the action or proceeding against him or her in his capacity as a director or officer.
Similar to the ABCA, the BCBCA also provides mechanism by which a corporation may indemnify a director or former director or officer or former officer of a corporation or its affiliates. The BCBCA permits the corporation to indemnify a director where the director has acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation, and the director has reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful.
Giving Financial Assistance
The ABCA provides that a corporation may give financial assistance to any person for any purpose, subject to certain disclosure obligations.
Under the BCBCA, a corporation may give financial assistance to any person for any purpose subject to disclosure obligations where the assistance is material and given to certain prescribed persons. The corporation is not, however, required to make a disclosure in respect of financial assistance that is given in its ordinary course of business or to prescribed affiliates.
Requisite Approvals
The ABCA does not provide flexibility with respect to the level of shareholder approval required for ordinary resolutions and special resolutions. Under the ABCA, an ordinary resolution must be passed by no less than a majority of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the resolution and a special resolution must be passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the resolution.
9
Under the BCBCA, a corporation can establish in its articles the levels for various shareholder approvals, other than those levels that are prescribed by the BCBCA. The percentage of votes required for a special resolution can be specified in the articles and may be no less than two-thirds and no more than three-quarters of the votes cast.
Shareholder Proposals
A shareholder of a corporation incorporated under the ABCA who is entitled to vote may submit notice of a shareholder proposal. To be eligible to make a proposal, a person must:
-
(a) be a registered holder or beneficial owner of a prescribed number of shares for a prescribed period. Under the regulations currently in effect, the prescribed number of shares is the number of voting shares (i) that is equal to at least 1% of all issued voting shares of the corporation as of the day on which the registered holder or beneficial owner of the shares submits a proposal, or (ii) whose fair market value as determined as of the close of business on the day before the registered holder or beneficial owner of the shares submits the proposal is at least $2,000. Under the regulations currently in effect, the prescribed period is the six (6) month period immediately before the day on which the registered holder or beneficial owner of the shares submits the proposal;
-
(b) have the prescribed level of support of other registered holders or beneficial owners of shares. Under the regulations currently in effect, the prescribed level of support for the proposal by other registered holders or beneficial owners of shares is at least five (5%) percent of the issued voting shares of the corporation;
-
(c) provide to the corporation his or her name and address and the names and addresses of those registered holders or beneficial owners of shares who support the proposal; and
-
(d) continue to hold or own the prescribed number of shares up to and including the day of the meeting at which the proposal is to be made.
In comparison, a person submitting a proposal under the BCBCA must have been a registered owner or beneficial owner of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at general meetings and must have owned such shares for an uninterrupted period of at least two (2) years before the date of signing the proposal. Similar to the requirements of the ABCA, the proposal must be signed by shareholders who, together with the submitter, are registered or beneficial owners of: (a) at least one (1%) percent of the issued shares of the corporation that carry the right to vote at general meetings; or (b) shares with a fair market value exceeding an amount prescribed by regulation (currently $2,000).
Place of Meetings
Under the ABCA, meetings of shareholders must be held at the place within Alberta provided in the bylaws or, in the absence of such provision, at the place within Alberta that the directors determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a meeting of shareholders may be held outside of Alberta if all of the shareholders entitled to vote at that meeting agree. The Company’s articles currently provide that meetings of the Company may be held outside of Alberta or electronically.
The BCBCA requires all meetings of shareholders to be held in British Columbia unless a location outside British Columbia is provided for in the articles, or the articles do not restrict the company from approving a location outside of British Columbia for the holding of a general meeting and a location outside of British Columbia is approved by the resolution required by the articles for that purpose or the location for the meeting is approved in writing by the BC Registrar.
Directors
The BCBCA provides that a reporting corporation must have a minimum of three (3) directors but there is no residency requirement for directors. The ABCA provides that a reporting corporation must have at least three (3) directors, at least two (2) of whom are not officers or employees of the corporation or its affiliates. The ABCA also requires that at least twenty-five (25%) percent of the directors of an Alberta corporation be resident Canadians.
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Under the ABCA, directors may be removed by ordinary resolution whereas under the BCBCA, directors may be removed by a special resolution or, if the articles of a corporation otherwise provide that a director may be removed by a resolution of the shareholders entitled to vote at general meetings passed by less than a special majority or may be removed by some other method, by the resolution or method specified.
Rights of Dissent to the Continuance
Shareholders are entitled to dissent in respect of the Continuance in accordance with section 191 of the ABCA. Strict compliance with the provisions of section 191 is required in order to exercise the right to dissent. Provided the Continuance becomes effective, each dissenting shareholder will be entitled to be paid the fair value of his, her or its Common Shares in respect of which such shareholder dissents in accordance with section 191 of the ABCA. Persons who are beneficial owners of Common Shares registered in the name of a broker, custodian, nominee or other Intermediary who wish to dissent should be aware that only the registered holders of such Common Shares are entitled to dissent.
Accordingly, a beneficial owner of Common Shares desiring to exercise his, her or its right to dissent must make arrangements for the Common Shares beneficially owned by such person to be registered in his, her or its name, or, alternatively, make arrangements for the registered holder of his, her or its Common Shares to dissent on his, her or its behalf. See Schedule “B” to this Information Circular for the full text of section 191 of the ABCA.
In order to be effective, a written notice of objection to the Continuance Resolution must be received by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company prior to the commencement of the Meeting, or at the Meeting. The registered address of the Company for such purpose is 888-3rd Street SW, Suite 3810, Bankers Hall West, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 5C5. The foregoing summary does not purport to provide a comprehensive statement of the procedures to be followed by a dissenting shareholder who seeks payment of the fair value of his or her Common Shares. The complete dissent provisions of the ABCA are set forth in Schedule “B” to this Information Circular. The ABCA requires strict adherence to the procedures established therein and failure to do so may result in the loss of all dissenters’ rights. Accordingly, each Shareholder who might desire to exercise the dissenters’ rights should carefully consider and comply with the provisions of the section and consult such Shareholder’s legal advisor.
The Board may elect not to proceed with the transactions contemplated in the Continuance Resolution if any notices of dissent are received.
Approval of the Continuance
At the Meeting, the Shareholders will be asked to pass, without or without variation, the Continuance Resolution, the text of which is set out below, authorizing the Board, in its sole discretion, to continue the Company into the Province of British Columbia under the provisions of the BCBCA. The text of the Continuance Resolution that management intends to present at the Meeting is as follows:
“ BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED as a special resolution of the shareholders of Blackhawk Resource Corp. (the “ Company ”) that:
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The board of directors of the Company be and is hereby authorized to: (a) make an application for the discontinuance of the Company from the Province of Alberta and obtain a certificate of discontinuance in respect thereof, (b) continue the Company into the Province of British Columbia under section 302 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (“ BCBCA ”), and (c) file a continuation application and obtain a certificate of continuation and all such other certificates and writings with the Registrar of Companies under the BCBCA as required in connection with such continuance resulting in the Company becoming incorporated under and subject to the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
-
Subject to the issuance of such certificate of discontinuance and without affecting the validity of the Company and the existence of the Company by or under its charter documents and of any act done thereunder, effective upon the issuance of the certificate of continuation, the Company adopt the notice of articles attached to the continuation application and the articles to be substantially in the form attached to the management information circular of the Company dated January 20, 2020 as Schedule “A”, is hereby adopted and approved.
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Any one director or officer of the Company be and is hereby authorized, on behalf of and in the name of the Company, to deliver, or cause to be delivered, in the name, and on behalf, of the Company, the application of discontinuance and articles of continuance to the applicable registrar of corporations, and to take any and all other necessary steps and proceedings, to execute, deliver and to file any and all declarations, agreements, documents and other instruments and to perform and do all such other acts and things as such director or officer in his discretion may consider necessary, advisable or useful for the purpose of giving effect to the Continuance, execution as aforesaid to be conclusive evidence of this and such director’s or officer’s approval.
-
Notwithstanding that this special resolution has been duly passed by the Shareholders of the Company, the directors of the Company be, and they hereby are, authorized and empowered to revoke this special resolution at any time before it is acted on and to determine not to proceed with the continuance of the Company under the BCBCA without further approval of the Shareholders of the Company.”
In order to be effective, the foregoing special resolution must be approved by not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at the Meeting by the Shareholders voting in person or by proxy. Unless otherwise directed, the Management Designees, if named as proxyholders, intend to vote proxies IN FAVOUR of the special resolution approving the Continuance .
2. Change of Name of the Company
In connection with the proposed Continuance and the Company’s desire to change the name of the Company, management of the Company has requested the Shareholders to consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve, with or without variation, a special resolution (being a resolution passed by not less than two thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by those Shareholders who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or by proxy at the Meeting) to change the name of the Company to “Blackhawk Growth Corp.” or such other name acceptable to the registrar, the Canadian Securities Exchange (“ CSE ”) and as the Board determines is appropriate (the “ Name Change ”).
As outlined in the resolution below, the new name of the Company will be determined by the Board. Even if approved by the Shareholders, the Board may determine not to proceed with the Name Change at its discretion.
The text of the special resolution which management intends to place before the Meeting for the approval of the Name Change is as follows:
“ BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED as a special resolution of the shareholders of Blackhawk Resource Corp. (the “ Company ”) that:
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The change of the name of the Company to “Blackhawk Growth Corp.” or such other name acceptable to the CSE and as the directors of the Company, in their sole discretion, determine is appropriate is authorized and approved.
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Any one director and officer of the Company be and is hereby authorized and directed for and on behalf of the Company, whether under its corporate seal or otherwise, to execute, deliver and file all such documents and to take all such other action(s) as may be deemed necessary or desirable for the implementation of this special resolution and any matters contemplated thereby.
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The directors of the Company are hereby authorized and granted with absolute discretion to abandon the change of name of the Company at any time without further approval, ratification or confirmation by the shareholders of the Company.”
The requisite regulatory approvals for the Name Change, including the approvals of the CSE, will not be sought by the Company until after the Board decides to implement the Name Change resolution. There can be no assurance that the applicable CSE approval will be obtained.
In order to be effective, the foregoing special resolution must be approved by not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at the Meeting by the Shareholders voting in person or by proxy. Unless otherwise directed, the
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Management Designees, if named as proxyholders, intend to vote proxies IN FAVOUR of the special resolution approving the Name Change .
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this circular, management knows of no other matters to be acted upon at this Special Meeting. However, should any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the shares represented by the proxy solicited hereby will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons voting the shares represented by the proxy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Copies of the Company's Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis may be obtained without charge upon request from the Company’s office located at 888-3rd Street SW, Suite 3810, Bankers Hall West, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 5C5.
DIRECTOR APPROVAL
The contents of this Circular and the sending thereof to the Shareholders of the Company have been approved by the Board of Directors.
DATED this 20[th] day of January, 2020
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BLACKHAWK RESOURCE CORP.
“Frederick Pels”
Frederick Pels President and Chief Executive Officer
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SCHEDULE “A”
ARTICLES
OF
Blackhawk Resource Corp.
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
BRITISH COLUMBIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1
INTERPRETATION
| 1.1 | Definitions | 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | _Business Corporations Act_and_Interpretation Act_Definitions Applicable | 2 |
| SHARES AND | SHARE CERTIFICATES | |
| 2.1 | Authorized Share Structure | 2 |
| 2.2 | Form of Share Certificate | 2 |
| 2.3 | Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgment | 2 |
| 2.4 | Delivery by Mail | 2 |
| 2.5 | Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement | 2 |
| 2.6 | Replacement of Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificate | 2 |
| 2.7 | Recovery of New Share Certificate | 3 |
| 2.8 | Splitting Share Certificates | 3 |
| 2.9 | Certificate Fee | 3 |
| 2.10 | Recognition of Trusts | 3 |
PART 2
PART 3
| ISSUE OF | SHARES | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Directors Authorized | 3 |
| 3.2 | Commissions and Discounts | 3 |
| 3.3 | Brokerage | 4 |
| 3.4 | Conditions of Issue | 4 |
| 3.5 | Share Purchase Warrants and Rights | 4 |
| SHARE REGISTERS | ||
| 4.1 | Central Securities Register | 4 |
| 4.2 | Appointment of Agent | 4 |
| 4.3 | Closing Register | 4 |
| SHARE TRANSFERS | ||
| 5.1 | Registering Transfers | 4 |
| 5.2 | Waivers of Requirements for Transfer | 5 |
| 5.3 | Form of Instrument of Transfer | 5 |
| 5.4 | Transferor Remains Shareholder | 5 |
| 5.5 | Signing of Instrument of Transfer | 5 |
| 5.6 | Enquiry as to Title Not Required | 5 |
| 5.7 | Transfer Fee | 6 |
PART 4
PART 5
| PART | 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| TRANSMISSION OF SHARES | |||
| 6.1 | Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death | 6 | |
| 6.2 | Rights of Legal Personal Representative | 6 | |
| PART | 7 | ||
| ACQUISITION OF COMPANY’S SHARES | |||
| 7.1 | Company Authorized to Purchase or Otherwise Acquire Shares | 6 | |
| 7.2 | No Purchase, Redemption or Other Acquisition When Insolvent | 6 | |
| 7.3 | Sale and Voting of Purchased, Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares | 6 | |
| PART | 8 | ||
| BORROWING POWERS | |||
| 8.1 | Borrowing Powers | 7 | |
| 8.2 | Additional Powers | 7 | |
| PART | 9 | ||
| ALTERATIONS | |||
| 9.1 | Alteration of Authorized Share Structure | 7 | |
| 9.2 | Special Rights or Restrictions | 8 | |
| 9.3 | No Interference with Class or Series Rights without Consent | 8 | |
| 9.4 | Change of Name | 8 | |
| 9.5 | Other Alterations | 8 | |
| PART | 10 | ||
| MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS | |||
| 10.1 | Annual General Meetings | 8 | |
| 10.2 | Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting | 8 | |
| 10.3 | Calling of Meetings of Shareholders | 9 | |
| 10.4 | Notice for Meetings of Shareholders | 9 | |
| 10.5 | Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice | 9 | |
| 10.6 | Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders | 9 | |
| 10.7 | Class Meetings and Series Meetings of Shareholders | 9 | |
| 10.8 | Notice of Dissent Rights | 9 | |
| 10.9 | Advance Notice Provisions | 10 | |
| PART | 11 | ||
| PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS | |||
| 11.1 | Special Business | 12 | |
| 11.2 | Special Majority | 13 | |
| 11.3 | Quorum | 13 | |
| 11.4 | One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum | 13 | |
| 11.5 | Persons Entitled to Attend Meeting | 13 | |
| 11.6 | Requirement of Quorum | 13 | |
| 11.7 | Lack of Quorum | 13 |
| 11.8 | Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting | 14 |
|---|---|---|
| 11.9 | Chair | 14 |
| 11.10 | Selection of Alternate Chair | 14 |
| 11.11 | Adjournments | 14 |
| 11.12 | Notice of Adjourned Meeting | 14 |
| 11.13 | Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll | 14 |
| 11.14 | Declaration of Result | 14 |
| 11.15 | Motion Need Not be Seconded | 14 |
| 11.16 | Casting Vote | 15 |
| 11.17 | Manner of Taking Poll | 15 |
| 11.18 | Demand for Poll on Adjournment | 15 |
| 11.19 | Chair Must Resolve Dispute | 15 |
| 11.20 | Casting of Votes | 15 |
| 11.21 | No Demand for Poll on Election of Chair | 15 |
| 11.22 | Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting | 15 |
| 11.23 | Retention of Ballots and Proxies | 15 |
PART 12
| VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS | VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS | |
|---|---|---|
| 12.1 | Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares | 15 |
| 12.2 | Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity | 16 |
| 12.3 | Votes by Joint Holders | 16 |
| 12.4 | Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders | 16 |
| 12.5 | Representative of a Corporate Shareholder | 16 |
| 12.6 | When Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder | 17 |
| 12.7 | When Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to the Company | 17 |
| 12.8 | Appointment of Proxy Holders | 17 |
| 12.9 | Alternate Proxy Holders | 17 |
| 12.10 | Deposit of Proxy | 17 |
| 12.11 | Validity of Proxy Vote | 17 |
| 12.12 | Form of Proxy | 18 |
| 12.13 | Revocation of Proxy | 18 |
| 12.14 | Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed | 18 |
| 12.15 | Chair May Determine Validity of Proxy. | 18 |
| 12.16 | Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote | 19 |
PART 13
| DIRECTORS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 13.1 | First Directors; Number of Directors | 19 |
| 13.2 | Change in Number of Directors | 19 |
| 13.3 | Directors’ Acts Valid Despite Vacancy | 19 |
| 13.4 | Qualifications of Directors | 19 |
| 13.5 | Remuneration of Directors | 19 |
| 13.6 | Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors | 20 |
| 13.7 | Special Remuneration for Directors | 20 |
| 13.8 | Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director | 20 |
PART 14
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
| 14.1 | Election at Annual General Meeting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.2 | Consent to be a Director | 20 | |
| 14.3 | Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors | 20 | |
| 14.4 | Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled | 21 | |
| 14.5 | Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies | 21 | |
| 14.6 | Remaining Directors’ Power to Act | 21 | |
| 14.7 | Shareholders May Fill Vacancies | 21 | |
| 14.8 | Additional Directors | 21 | |
| 14.9 | Ceasing to be a Director | 21 | |
| 14.10 | Removal of Director by Shareholders | 21 | |
| 14.11 | Removal of Director by Directors | 22 | |
| 5 | ALTERNATE DIRECTORS | ||
| 15.1 | Appointment of Alternate Director | 22 | |
| 15.2 | Notice of Meetings | 22 | |
| 15.3 | Alternate for More than One Director Attending Meetings | 22 | |
| 15.4 | Consent Resolutions | 22 | |
| 15.5 | Alternate Director an Agent | 22 | |
| 15.6 | Revocation or Amendment of Appointment of Alternate Director | 22 | |
| 15.7 | Ceasing to be an Alternate Director | 23 | |
| 15.8 | Remuneration and Expenses of Alternate Director | 23 | |
| 6 | |||
| POWERS AND | DUTIES OF DIRECTORS | ||
| 16.1 | Powers of Management | 23 | |
| 16.2 | Appointment of Attorney of Company | 23 |
PART 15 ALTERNATE DIRECTORS
PART 16
PART 17
INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
| 17.1 | Obligation to Account for Profits | 23 |
|---|---|---|
| 17.2 | Restrictions on Voting by Reason of Interest | 23 |
| 17.3 | Interested Director Counted in Quorum | 24 |
| 17.4 | Disclosure of Conflict of Interest or Property | 24 |
| 17.5 | Director Holding Other Office in the Company | 24 |
| 17.6 | No Disqualification | 24 |
| 17.7 | Professional Services by Director or Officer | 24 |
| 17.8 | Director or Officer in Other Corporations | 24 |
PART 18
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
| 18.1 | Meetings of Directors | 24 |
|---|---|---|
| 18.2 | Voting at Meetings | 24 |
| 18.3 | Chair of Meetings | 24 |
| 18.4 | Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium | 25 |
| 18.5 | Calling of Meetings | 25 |
|---|---|---|
| 18.6 | Notice of Meetings | 25 |
| 18.7 | When Notice Not Required | 25 |
| 18.8 | Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice | 25 |
| 18.9 | Waiver of Notice of Meetings | 25 |
| 18.10 | Quorum | 26 |
| 18.11 | Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective | 26 |
| 18.12 | Consent Resolutions in Writing | 26 |
PART 19
| BOARD COMMITTEES | BOARD COMMITTEES | |
|---|---|---|
| 19.1 | Appointment and Powers of Committees | 26 |
| 19.2 | Obligations of Committees | 27 |
| 19.3 | Powers of Board | 27 |
| 19.4 | Committee Meetings | 27 |
| 0 | ||
| OFFICERS | ||
| 20.1 | Directors May Appoint Officers | 27 |
| 20.2 | Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers | 27 |
| 20.3 | Qualifications | 27 |
| 20.4 | Remuneration and Terms of Appointment | 28 |
PART 20
PART 21
| INDEMNIFICATION | INDEMNIFICATION | |
|---|---|---|
| 21.1 | Definitions | 28 |
| 21.2 | Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Officers | 28 |
| 21.3 | Deemed Contract | 28 |
| 21.4 | Permitted Indemnification | 28 |
| 21.5 | Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act | 28 |
| 21.6 | Company May Purchase Insurance | 28 |
| 2 | ||
| DIVIDENDS | ||
| 22.1 | Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights | 29 |
| 22.2 | Declaration of Dividends | 29 |
| 22.3 | No Notice Required | 29 |
| 22.4 | Record Date | 29 |
| 22.5 | Manner of Paying Dividend | 29 |
| 22.6 | Settlement of Difficulties | 29 |
| 22.7 | When Dividend Payable | 29 |
| 22.8 | Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares | 30 |
| 22.9 | Receipt by Joint Shareholders | 30 |
| 22.10 | Dividend Bears No Interest | 30 |
| 22.11 | Fractional Dividends | 30 |
| 22.12 | Payment of Dividends | 30 |
| 22.13 | Capitalization of Retained Earnings or Surplus | 30 |
PART 22
| 22.14 | Unclaimed Dividends | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PART | 23 | ||
| ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND AUDITOR | |||
| 23.1 | Recording of Financial Affairs | 30 | |
| 23.2 | Inspection of Accounting Records | 31 | |
| 23.3 | Remuneration of Auditor | 31 | |
| PART | 24 | ||
| NOTICES | |||
| 24.1 | Method of Giving Notice | 31 | |
| 24.2 | Deemed Receipt | 31 | |
| 24.3 | Certificate of Sending | 32 | |
| 24.4 | Notice to Joint Shareholders | 32 | |
| 24.5 | Notice to Legal Personal Representatives and Trustees | 32 | |
| 24.6 | Undelivered Notices | 32 | |
| PART | 25 | ||
| SEAL | |||
| 25.1 | Who May Attest Seal | 32 | |
| 25.2 | Sealing Copies | 33 | |
| 25.3 | Mechanical Reproduction of Seal | 33 | |
| PART | 26 | ||
| PROHIBITIONS | |||
| 26.1 | Definitions | 33 | |
| 26.2 | Application | 33 | |
| 26.3 | Consent Required for Transfer of Shares or Transfer Restricted Securities | 33 | |
| PART | 27 | ||
| FORUM SELECTION | |||
| 27.1 | Forum for Adjudication of Certain Disputes | 33 | |
| PART | 28 | ||
| SPECIAL RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS ATTACHING TO THE PREFERRED SHARES | |||
| 28.1 | Special Rights and Restrictions attached to Preferred shares of the Company | 34 |
Incorporation Number: ____
ARTICLES
OF
Blackhawk Resource Corp. (the “ Company ”)
The Company will have as its Articles on Continuation the following Articles.
| Full name and signature of a Director of the Company |
Date of Signing |
|---|---|
| Name:Frederick Pels Signature: _____ |
________, 2020 |
PART 1 INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions
In these Articles (the “ Articles ”), unless the context otherwise requires:
-
(1) “ appropriate person ” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Transfer Act ;
-
(2) “ board of directors ”, “ directors ” and “ board ” mean the directors of the Company for the time being;
-
(3) “ Business Corporations Act ” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;
-
(4) “ Interpretation Act ” means the Interpretation Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;
-
(5) “ legal personal representative ” means the personal or other legal representative of a shareholder;
-
(6) “ protected purchaser ” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Transfer Act ;
-
(7) “ registered address ” of a shareholder means the shareholder’s address as recorded in the central securities register;
-
(8) “ seal ” means the seal of the Company, if any;
-
(9) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;
-
(10) “ securities legislation ” means statutes concerning the regulation of securities markets and trading in securities and the regulations, rules, forms and schedules under those statutes, all as amended from time to time, and the blanket rulings and orders, as amended from time to time, issued by the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities appointed under or pursuant to those statutes; and “ Canadian securities legislation ” means the securities legislation in any province or territory of Canada and includes the Securities Act ; and;
-
(11) “ Securities Transfer Act ” means the Securities Transfer Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act.
1.2 Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable
The definitions in the Business Corporations Act and the definitions and rules of construction in the Interpretation Act , with the necessary changes, so far as applicable, and unless the context requires otherwise, apply to these Articles as if they were an enactment. If there is a conflict between a definition in the Business Corporations Act and a definition or rule in the Interpretation Act relating to a term used in these Articles, the definition in the Business Corporations Act will prevail in relation to the use of the term in these Articles. If there is a conflict or inconsistency between these Articles and the Business Corporations Act , the Business Corporations Act will prevail.
PART 2 SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
2.1 Authorized Share Structure
The authorized share structure of the Company consists of shares of the class or classes and series, if any, described in the Notice of Articles of the Company.
2.2 Form of Share Certificate
Each share certificate issued by the Company must comply with, and be signed as required by, the Business Corporations Act .
2.3 Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgment
Unless the shares of which the shareholder is the registered owner are uncertificated shares within the meaning of the Business Corporations Act , each shareholder is entitled, without charge, to (a) one share certificate representing the shares of each class or series of shares registered in the shareholder’s name or (b) a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder’s right to obtain such a share certificate, provided that in respect of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company is not bound to issue more than one share certificate or acknowledgment and delivery of a share certificate or an acknowledgment to one of several joint shareholders or to a duly authorized agent of one of the joint shareholders will be sufficient delivery to all. If a shareholder is the registered owner of uncertificated shares, the Company must send to that holder a written notice containing the information required by the Act within a reasonable time after the issue or transfer of the shares.
2.4 Delivery by Mail
Any share certificate or non-transferable written acknowledgment of a shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate may be sent to the shareholder by mail at the shareholder’s registered address and neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company (including the Company’s legal counsel or transfer agent) is liable for any loss to the shareholder because the share certificate or acknowledgement is lost in the mail or stolen.
2.5 Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement
If the Company is satisfied that a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate is worn out or defaced, it must, on production to it of the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, and on such other terms, if any, as it thinks fit:
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(1) order the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, to be cancelled; and
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(2) issue a replacement share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be.
2.6 Replacement of Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificate
If a person entitled to a share certificate claims that the share certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company must issue a new share certificate, if that person:
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(1) so requests before the Company has notice that the share certificate has been acquired by a protected purchaser;
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(2) provides the Company with an indemnity bond sufficient in the Company’s judgement to protect the Company from any loss that the Company may suffer by issuing a new certificate; and
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(3) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Company.
A person entitled to a share certificate may not assert against the Company a claim for a new share certificate where a share certificate has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken if that person fails to notify the Company of that fact within a reasonable time after that person has notice of it and the Company registers a transfer of the shares represented by the certificate before receiving a notice of the loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking of the share certificate.
2.7 Recovery of New Share Certificate
If, after the issue of a new share certificate, a protected purchaser of the original share certificate presents the original share certificate for the registration of transfer, then in addition to any rights under any indemnity bond, the Company may recover the new share certificate from a person to whom it was issued or any person taking under that person other than a protected purchaser.
2.8 Splitting Share Certificates
If a shareholder surrenders a share certificate to the Company with a written request that the Company issue in the shareholder’s name two or more share certificates, each representing a specified number of shares and in the aggregate representing the same number of shares as represented by the share certificate so surrendered, the Company must cancel the surrendered share certificate and issue replacement share certificates in accordance with that request.
2.9 Certificate Fee
There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the issue of any share certificate under Articles 2.5, 2.6 or 2.8, the amount, if any and which must not exceed the amount prescribed under the Business Corporations Act , determined by the directors.
2.10 Recognition of Trusts
Except as required by law or statute or these Articles, no person will be recognized by the Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company is not bound by or compelled in any way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or fraction of a share or (except as required by law or statute or these Articles or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the shareholder.
PART 3 ISSUE OF SHARES
3.1 Directors Authorized
Subject to the Business Corporations Act and the rights, if any, of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Company may issue, allot, sell or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares, and issued shares held by the Company, at the times, to the persons, including directors, in the manner, on the terms and conditions and for the issue prices (including any premium at which shares with par value may be issued) that the directors may determine. The issue price for a share with par value must be equal to or greater than the par value of the share.
3.2 Commissions and Discounts
The Company may at any time pay a reasonable commission or allow a reasonable discount to any person in consideration of that person purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares of the Company from the Company or any other person or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for shares of the Company.
3.3 Brokerage
The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for or in connection with the sale or placement of its securities.
3.4 Conditions of Issue
Except as provided for by the Business Corporations Act , no share may be issued until it is fully paid. A share is fully paid when:
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(1) consideration is provided to the Company for the issue of the share by one or more of the following:
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(a) past services performed for the Company;
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(b) property;
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(c) money; and
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(2) the value of the consideration received by the Company equals or exceeds the issue price set for the share under Article 3.1.
3.5 Share Purchase Warrants and Rights
Subject to the Business Corporations Act , the Company may issue share purchase warrants, options and rights upon such terms and conditions as the directors determine, which share purchase warrants, options and rights may be issued alone or in conjunction with debentures, debenture stock, bonds, shares or any other securities issued or created by the Company from time to time.
PART 4 SHARE REGISTERS
4.1 Central Securities Register
As required by and subject to the Business Corporations Act , the Company must maintain a central securities register, which may be kept in electronic form.
4.2 Appointment of Agent
The directors may, subject to the Business Corporations Act , appoint an agent to maintain the central securities register. The directors may also appoint one or more agents, including the agent which keeps the central securities register, as transfer agent for its shares or any class or series of its shares, as the case may be, and the same or another agent as registrar for its shares or such class or series of its shares, as the case may be. The directors may terminate such appointment of any agent at any time and may appoint another agent in its place.
If the Company has appointed a transfer agent, references in Articles 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, and 5.7 to the Company include its transfer agent.
4.3 Closing Register
The Company must not at any time close its central securities register.
PART 5 SHARE TRANSFERS
5.1 Registering Transfers
The Company must register a transfer of a share of the Company if either:
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(1) the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the class or series of share to be transferred has received:
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(a) in the case where the Company has issued a share certificate in respect of the share to be transferred, that share certificate and a written instrument of transfer (which may be on a separate document or endorsed on the share certificate) made by the shareholder or other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person;
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(b) in the case of a share that is not represented by a share certificate (including an uncertificated share within the meaning of the Business Corporations Act and including the case where the Company has issued a non-transferable written acknowledgement of the shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate in respect of the share to be transferred), a written instrument of transfer, made by the shareholder or other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person; and
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(c) such other evidence, if any, as the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the class or series of share to be transferred may require to prove the title of the transferor or the transferor’s right to transfer the share, that the written instrument of transfer is genuine and authorized and that the transfer is rightful or to a protected purchaser; or
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(2) all the preconditions for a transfer of a share under the Securities Transfer Act have been met and the Company is required under the Securities Transfer Act to register the transfer.
5.2 Waivers of Requirements for Transfer
The Company may waive any of the requirements set out in Article 5.1(1) and any of the preconditions referred to in Article 5.1(2).
5.3 Form of Instrument of Transfer
The instrument of transfer in respect of any share of the Company must be either in the form, if any, on the back of the Company’s share certificates or in any other form that may be approved by the Company or the transfer agent for the class or series of shares to be transferred.
5.4 Transferor Remains Shareholder
Except to the extent that the Business Corporations Act otherwise provides, the transferor of shares is deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in a securities register of the Company in respect of the transfer.
5.5 Signing of Instrument of Transfer
If a shareholder or other appropriate person or an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person, signs an instrument of transfer in respect of shares registered in the name of the shareholder, the signed instrument of transfer constitutes a complete and sufficient authority to the Company and its directors, officers and agents to register the number of shares specified in the instrument of transfer or specified in any other manner, or, if no number is specified but share certificates are deposited with the instrument of transfer, all the shares represented by such share certificates:
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(1) in the name of the person named as transferee in that instrument of transfer; or
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(2) if no person is named as transferee in that instrument of transfer, in the name of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered.
5.6 Enquiry as to Title Not Required
Neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is bound to inquire into the title of the person named in the instrument of transfer as transferee or, if no person is named as transferee in the instrument of transfer, of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered or is liable for any claim related to registering the transfer by the shareholder or by any intermediate owner or holder of the shares, of any interest in the shares, of any share certificate representing such shares or of any written acknowledgment of a right to obtain a share certificate for such shares.
5.7 Transfer Fee
Subject to the applicable rules of any stock exchange on which the shares of the Company may be listed, there must be paid to the Company, in relation to the registration of any transfer, the amount, if any, determined by the directors.
PART 6 TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
6.1 Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death
In the case of the death of a shareholder, the legal personal representative of the shareholder, or in the case of shares registered in the shareholder’s name and the name of another person in joint tenancy, the surviving joint holder, will be the only person recognized by the Company as having any title to the shareholder’s interest in the shares. Before recognizing a person as a legal personal representative of a shareholder, the directors may require the original grant of probate or letters of administration or a court certified copy of them or the original or a court certified or authenticated copy of the grant of representation, will, order or other instrument or other evidence of the death under which title to the shares or securities is claimed to vest.
6.2 Rights of Legal Personal Representative
The legal personal representative of a shareholder has the rights, privileges and obligations that attach to the shares held by the shareholder, including the right to transfer the shares in accordance with these Articles and applicable securities legislation, if appropriate evidence of appointment or incumbency within the meaning of the Securities Transfer Act has been deposited with the Company. This Article 6.2 does not apply in the case of the death of a shareholder with respect to shares registered in the shareholder’s name and the name of another person in joint tenancy.
PART 7 ACQUISITION OF COMPANY’S SHARES
7.1 Company Authorized to Purchase or Otherwise Acquire Shares
Subject to Article 7.2, the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, the Business Corporations Act and applicable securities legislation, the Company may, if authorized by the directors, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares at the price and upon the terms determined by the directors.
7.2 No Purchase, Redemption or Other Acquisition When Insolvent
The Company must not make a payment or provide any other consideration to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:
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(1) the Company is insolvent; or
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(2) making the payment or providing the consideration would render the Company insolvent.
7.3 Sale and Voting of Purchased, Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares
If the Company retains a share redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by it, the Company may sell or otherwise dispose of the share, but, while such share is held by the Company, it:
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(1) is not entitled to vote the share at a meeting of its shareholders;
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(2) must not pay a dividend in respect of the share; and
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(3) must not make any other distribution in respect of the share.
PART 8 BORROWING POWERS
8.1 Borrowing Powers
The Company, if authorized by the directors, may:
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(1) borrow money in the manner and amount, on the security, from the sources and on the terms and conditions that the directors consider appropriate;
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(2) issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations either outright or as security for any liability or obligation of the Company or any other person and at such discounts or premiums and on such other terms as the directors consider appropriate;
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(3) guarantee the repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any obligation of any other person; and
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(4) mortgage, hypothecate, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, grant a security interest in, or give other security on, the whole or any part of the present and future assets and undertaking of the Company, including property that is movable or immovable, corporeal or incorporeal.
8.2 Additional Powers
The powers conferred under this Part 8 shall be deemed to include the powers conferred on a company by Division VII of the Act Respecting the Special Powers of Legal Persons being chapter P-16 of the Revised Statutes of Quebec, and every statutory provision that may be substituted therefor or for any provision therein.
PART 9 ALTERATIONS
9.1 Alteration of Authorized Share Structure
Subject to Articles 9.2 and 9.3, the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares and the Business Corporations Act , the Company may:
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(1) by ordinary resolution:
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(a) create one or more classes or series of shares or, if none of the shares of a class or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of shares;
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(b) increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or establish a maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is established;
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(c) if the Company is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par value:
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(i) decrease the par value of those shares; or
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(ii) if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued, increase the par value of those shares;
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(d) change all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares with par value into shares without par value or any of its unissued shares without par value into shares with par value; or
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(e) otherwise alter its shares or authorized share structure when required or permitted to do so by the Business Corporations Act ;
and, if applicable, alter its Notice of Articles and Articles accordingly; or
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(2) by resolution of the directors:
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(a) subdivide or consolidate all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares; or
(b) alter the identifying name of any of its shares;
and if applicable, alter its Notice of Articles and, if applicable, its Articles accordingly.
9.2 Special Rights or Restrictions
Subject to the special rights or restrictions attached to any class or series of shares and the Business Corporations Act , the Company may by ordinary resolution:
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(1) create special rights or restrictions for, and attach those special rights or restrictions to, the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued; or
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(2) vary or delete any special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued;
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and alter its Articles and Notice of Articles accordingly.
9.3 No Interference with Class or Series Rights without Consent
A right or special right attached to issued shares must not be prejudiced or interfered with under the Business Corporations Act , the Notice of Articles or these Articles unless the holders of shares of the class or series of shares to which the right or special right is attached consent by a special separate resolution of the holders of such class or series of shares.
9.4 Change of Name
The Company may by directors’ resolution or ordinary resolution authorize an alteration to its Notice of Articles in order to change its name.
9.5 Other Alterations
If the Business Corporations Act does not specify the type of resolution and these Articles do not specify another type of resolution, the Company may by ordinary resolution alter these Articles.
PART 10 MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
10.1 Annual General Meetings
Unless an annual general meeting is deferred or waived in accordance with the Business Corporations Act , the Company must hold an annual general meeting at least once in each calendar year and not more than 15 months after the last annual reference date at such time and place, whether in or outside of British Columbia, as may be determined by the directors.
10.2 Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting
If all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting consent by a unanimous resolution to all of the business that is required to be transacted at that annual general meeting, the annual general meeting is deemed to have been held on the date of the unanimous resolution. The shareholders must, in any unanimous resolution passed under this Article 10.2, select as the Company’s annual reference date a date that would be appropriate for the holding of the applicable annual general meeting.
10.3 Calling of Meetings of Shareholders
The directors may, at any time, call a meeting of shareholders, to be held at such time and place, whether in or outside of British Columbia, as may be determined by the directors.
10.4 Notice for Meetings of Shareholders
The Company must send notice of the date, time and location of any meeting of shareholders (including, without limitation, any notice specifying the intention to propose a resolution as an exceptional resolution, a special resolution or a special separate resolution, and any notice to consider approving an amalgamation into a foreign jurisdiction, an arrangement or the adoption of an amalgamation agreement, and any notice of a general meeting, class meeting or series meeting), in the manner provided in these Articles, or in such other manner, if any, as may be prescribed by ordinary resolution (whether previous notice of the resolution has been given or not), to each shareholder entitled to attend the meeting, to each director and to the auditor of the Company, unless these Articles otherwise provide, at least the following number of days before the meeting:
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(1) if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;
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(2) otherwise, 10 days.
10.5 Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice
The accidental omission to send notice of any meeting of shareholders to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any of the persons entitled to notice does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting. Any person entitled to notice of a meeting of shareholders may, in writing or otherwise, waive that entitlement or agree to reduce the period of that notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting of shareholders is a waiver of entitlement to notice of the meeting unless that person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
10.6 Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders
If a meeting of shareholders is to consider special business within the meaning of Article 11.1, the notice of meeting must:
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(1) state the general nature of the special business; and
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(2) if the special business includes considering, approving, ratifying, adopting or authorizing any document or the signing of or giving of effect to any document, have attached to it a copy of the document or state that a copy of the document will be available for inspection by shareholders:
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(a) at the Company’s records office, or at such other reasonably accessible location in British Columbia as is specified in the notice; and
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(b) during statutory business hours on any one or more specified days before the day set for the holding of the meeting.
10.7 Class Meetings and Series Meetings of Shareholders
Unless otherwise specified in these Articles, the provisions of these Articles relating to a meeting of shareholders will apply, with the necessary changes and so far as they are applicable, to a class meeting or series meeting of shareholders holding a particular class or series of shares.
10.8 Notice of Dissent Rights
The Company must send to each of its shareholders, whether or not their shares carry the right to vote, a notice of any meeting of shareholders at which a resolution entitling shareholders to dissent is to be considered specifying the date of the meeting and containing a statement advising of the right to send a notice of dissent together with a copy of the proposed resolution at least the following number of days before the meeting:
- (1) if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;
(2) otherwise, 10 days.
10.9 Advance Notice Provisions
(1) Nomination of Directors
Subject only to the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set out in this Article 10.9 shall be eligible for election as directors to the board of directors of the Company. Nominations of persons for election to the board may only be made at an annual meeting of shareholders, or at a special meeting of shareholders called for any purpose at which the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting, as follows:
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(a) by or at the direction of the board or an authorized officer of the Company, including pursuant to a notice of meeting;
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(b) by or at the direction or request of one or more shareholders pursuant to a valid proposal made in accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act or a valid requisition of shareholders made in accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act ; or
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(c) by any person entitled to vote at such meeting (a “ Nominating Shareholder ”), who:
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(i) is, at the close of business on the date of giving notice provided for in this Article 10.9 and on the record date for notice of such meeting, either entered in the securities register of the Company as a holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting or who beneficially owns shares that are entitled to be voted at such meeting and provides evidence of such beneficial ownership to the Company; and
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(ii) has given timely notice in proper written form as set forth in this Article 10.9.
(2) Exclusive Means
For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 10.9 shall be the exclusive means for any person to bring nominations for election to the board before any annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Company.
(3) Timely Notice
In order for a nomination made by a Nominating Shareholder to be timely notice (a “ Timely Notice ”), the Nominating Shareholder’s notice must be received by the corporate secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices or registered office of the Company:
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(a) in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders (including an annual and special meeting), not later than 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the 30[th] day before the date of the meeting; provided, however, if the first public announcement made by the Company of the date of the meeting (each such date being the “ Notice Date ”) is less than 50 days before the meeting date, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be given not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the Notice Date; and
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(b) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders called for any purpose which includes the election of directors to the board, not later than the close of business on the 15[th] day following the Notice Date;
provided that, in either instance, if notice-and-access (as defined in National Instrument 54-101 - Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer ) is used for delivery of proxy related materials in respect of a meeting described in Article 10.9(3)(a) or 10.9(3)(b), and the Notice Date in respect of the meeting is not less than 50 days before the date of the applicable meeting, the notice must be received not later than the close of business on the 40th day before the date of the applicable meeting.
(4) Proper Form of Notice
To be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the corporate secretary must comply with all the provisions of this Article 10.9 and disclose or include, as applicable:
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(a) as to each person whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (a “ Proposed Nominee ”):
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(i) the name, age, business and residential address of the Proposed Nominee;
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(ii) the principal occupation/business or employment of the Proposed Nominee, both presently and for the past five years;
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(iii) the number of securities of each class of securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by the Proposed Nominee, as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice;
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(iv) full particulars of any relationships, agreements, arrangements or understandings (including financial, compensation or indemnity related) between the Proposed Nominee and the Nominating Shareholder, or any affiliates or associates of, or any person or entity acting jointly or in concert with, the Proposed Nominee or the Nominating Shareholder;
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(v) any other information that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident proxy circular or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Business Corporations Act or applicable securities law; and
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(vi) a written consent of each Proposed Nominee to being named as nominee and certifying that such Proposed Nominee is not disqualified from acting as director under the provisions of subsection 124(2) of the Business Corporations Act ; and
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(b) as to each Nominating Shareholder giving the notice, and each beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made:
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(i) their name, business and residential address;
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(ii) the number of securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by the Nominating Shareholder or any other person with whom the Nominating Shareholder is acting jointly or in concert with respect to the Company or any of its securities, as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice;
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(iii) their interests in, or rights or obligations associated with, any agreement, arrangement or understanding, the purpose or effect of which is to alter, directly or indirectly, the person’s economic interest in a security of the Company or the person’s economic exposure to the Company;
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(iv) any relationships, agreements or arrangements, including financial, compensation and indemnity related relationships, agreements or arrangements, between the Nominating Shareholder or any affiliates or associates of, or any person or entity acting jointly or in concert with, the Nominating Shareholder and any Proposed Nominee;
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(v) full particulars of any proxy, contract, relationship arrangement, agreement or understanding pursuant to which such person, or any of its affiliates or associates, or any person acting jointly or in concert with such person, has any interests, rights or obligations relating to the voting of any securities of the Company or the nomination of directors to the board;
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(vi) a representation that the Nominating Shareholder is a holder of record of securities of the Company, or a beneficial owner, entitled to vote at such meeting, and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination;
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(vii) a representation as to whether such person intends to deliver a proxy circular and/or form of proxy to any shareholder of the Company in connection with such nomination or
otherwise solicit proxies or votes from shareholders of the Company in support of such nomination; and
- (viii) any other information relating to such person that would be required to be included in a dissident proxy circular or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Business Corporations Act or as required by applicable securities law.
Reference to “ Nominating Shareholder ” in this Article 10.9(4) shall be deemed to refer to each shareholder that nominated or seeks to nominate a person for election as director in the case of a nomination proposal where more than one shareholder is involved in making the nomination proposal.
(5) Currency of Nominee Information
All information to be provided in a Timely Notice pursuant to this Article 10.9 shall be provided as of the date of such notice. The Nominating Shareholder shall provide the Company with an update to such information forthwith so that it is true and correct in all material respects as of the date that is 10 business days before the date of the meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
(6) Delivery of Information
Notwithstanding Part 23 of these Articles, any notice, or other document or information required to be given to the corporate secretary pursuant to this Article 10.9 may only be given by personal delivery or courier (but not by fax or email) to the corporate secretary at the address of the principal executive offices or registered office of the Company and shall be deemed to have been given and made on the date of delivery if it is a business day and the delivery was made prior to 5:00 p.m. in the city where the Company’s principal executive offices are located and otherwise on the next business day.
(7) Defective Nomination Determination
The chair of any meeting of shareholders of the Company shall have the power to determine whether any proposed nomination is made in accordance with the provisions of this Article 10.9, and if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such provisions, must as soon as practicable following receipt of such nomination and prior to the meeting declare that such defective nomination shall not be considered at any meeting of shareholders.
(8) Failure to Appear
Despite any other provision of this Article 10.9, if the Nominating Shareholder (or a duly appointed proxy holder for the Nominating Shareholder or representative of the Nominating Shareholder appointed under Article 12.5) does not appear at the meeting of shareholders of the Company to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Company.
(9) Waiver
The board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement in this Article 10.9.
(10) Definitions
For the purposes of this Article 10.9, “ public announcement ” means disclosure in a news release disseminated by the Company through a national news service in Canada, or in a document filed by the Company for public access under its profile on the System of Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com.
PART 11 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
11.1 Special Business
At a meeting of shareholders, the following business is special business:
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(1) at a meeting of shareholders that is not an annual general meeting, all business is special business except business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;
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(2) at an annual general meeting, all business is special business except for the following:
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(a) business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;
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(b) consideration of any financial statements of the Company presented to the meeting;
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(c) consideration of any reports of the directors or auditor;
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(d) the election or appointment of directors;
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(e) the appointment of an auditor;
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(f) the setting of the remuneration of an auditor;
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(g) business arising out of a report of the directors not requiring the passing of a special resolution or an exceptional resolution; and
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(h) any non-binding advisory vote (i) proposed by the Company, (ii) required by the rules of any stock exchange on which securities of the Company are listed, or (iii) required by applicable Canadian securities legislation.
11.2 Special Majority
The majority of votes required for the Company to pass a special resolution at a general meeting of shareholders is two-thirds of the votes cast on the resolution.
11.3 Quorum
Subject to the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares and to Article 11.4, a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is present if at least two shareholders who are present in person or represented by proxy, irrespective of the number of persons actually present at the meeting.
11.4 One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum
If there is only one shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders:
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(1) the quorum is one person who is, or who represents by proxy, that shareholder, and
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(2) that shareholder, present in person or by proxy, may constitute the meeting.
11.5 Persons Entitled to Attend Meeting
In addition to those persons who are entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders, the only other persons entitled to be present at the meeting are the directors, the officers, any lawyer for the Company, the auditor of the Company, any persons invited to be present at the meeting by the directors or by the chair of the meeting and any persons entitled or required under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be present at the meeting; but if any of those persons does attend the meeting, that person is not to be counted in the quorum and is not entitled to vote at the meeting unless that person is a shareholder or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting.
11.6 Requirement of Quorum
No business, other than the election of a chair of the meeting and the adjournment of the meeting, may be transacted at any meeting of shareholders unless a quorum of shareholders entitled to vote is present at the commencement of the meeting, but such quorum need not be present throughout the meeting.
11.7 Lack of Quorum
If, within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, a quorum is not present:
-
(1) in the case of a meeting requisitioned by shareholders, the meeting is dissolved, and
-
(2) in the case of any other meeting of shareholders, the meeting stands adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place.
11.8 Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting
If, at the meeting to which the meeting referred to in Article 11.7(2) was adjourned, a quorum is not present within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of the meeting, the person or persons present and being, or representing by proxy, one or more shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting constitute a quorum.
11.9 Chair
The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of shareholders:
-
(1) the chair of the board, if any; or
-
(2) if the chair of the board is absent or unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, the president, if any.
11.10 Selection of Alternate Chair
If, at any meeting of shareholders, there is no chair of the board or president present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president are unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president have advised the corporate secretary, if any, or any director present at the meeting, that they will not be present at the meeting, the directors present must choose one of their number to be chair of the meeting or if all of the directors present decline to take the chair or fail to so choose or if no director is present, the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting who are present in person or by proxy may choose any person present at the meeting to chair the meeting.
11.11 Adjournments
The chair of a meeting of shareholders may, and if so directed by the meeting must, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.
11.12 Notice of Adjourned Meeting
It is not necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting of shareholders or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting of shareholders except that, when a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as in the case of the original meeting.
11.13 Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll
Subject to the Business Corporations Act , every motion put to a vote at a meeting of shareholders will be decided on a show of hands unless a poll, before or on the declaration of the result of the vote by show of hands, is directed by the chair or demanded by any shareholder entitled to vote who is present in person or by proxy.
11.14 Declaration of Result
The chair of a meeting of shareholders must declare to the meeting the decision on every question in accordance with the result of the show of hands or the poll, as the case may be, and that decision must be entered in the minutes of the meeting. A declaration of the chair that a resolution is carried by the necessary majority or is defeated is, unless a poll is directed by the chair or demanded under Article 11.13, conclusive evidence without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution.
11.15 Motion Need Not be Seconded
No motion proposed at a meeting of shareholders need be seconded unless the chair of the meeting rules otherwise, and the chair of any meeting of shareholders is entitled to propose or second a motion.
11.16 Casting Vote
In the case of an equality of votes, the chair of a meeting of shareholders does not, either on a show of hands or on a poll, have a second or casting vote in addition to the vote or votes to which the chair may be entitled as a shareholder.
11.17 Manner of Taking Poll
Subject to Article 11.18, if a poll is duly demanded at a meeting of shareholders:
-
(1) the poll must be taken:
-
(a) at the meeting, or within seven days after the date of the meeting, as the chair of the meeting directs; and
-
(b) in the manner, at the time and at the place that the chair of the meeting directs;
-
(2) the result of the poll is deemed to be the decision of the meeting at which the poll is demanded; and
-
(3) the demand for the poll may be withdrawn by the person who demanded it.
11.18 Demand for Poll on Adjournment
A poll demanded at a meeting of shareholders on a question of adjournment must be taken immediately at the meeting.
11.19 Chair Must Resolve Dispute
In the case of any dispute as to the admission or rejection of a vote given on a poll, the chair of the meeting must determine the dispute, and his or her determination made in good faith is final and conclusive.
11.20 Casting of Votes
On a poll, a shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not cast all the votes in the same way.
11.21 No Demand for Poll on Election of Chair
No poll may be demanded in respect of the vote by which a chair of a meeting of shareholders is elected.
11.22 Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting
The demand for a poll at a meeting of shareholders does not, unless the chair of the meeting so rules, prevent the continuation of the meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which a poll has been demanded.
11.23 Retention of Ballots and Proxies
The Company or its agent must, for at least three months after a meeting of shareholders, keep each ballot cast on a poll and each proxy voted at the meeting, and, during that period, make them available for inspection during normal business hours by any shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting. At the end of such three month period, the Company or its agent may destroy such ballots and proxies.
PART 12 VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
12.1 Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares
Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any shares and to the restrictions imposed on joint shareholders under Article 12.3:
-
(1) on a vote by show of hands, every person present who is a shareholder or proxy holder and entitled to vote on the matter has one vote; and
-
(2) on a poll, every shareholder entitled to vote on the matter is entitled, in respect of each share entitled to be voted on the matter and held by that shareholder, to one vote and may exercise that vote either in person or by proxy.
12.2 Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity
A person who is not a shareholder may vote at a meeting of shareholders, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, and may appoint a proxy holder to act at the meeting, if, before doing so, the person satisfies the chair of the meeting, or the directors, that the person is a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy for a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting.
12.3 Votes by Joint Holders
If there are joint shareholders registered in respect of any share:
-
(1) any one of the joint shareholders may vote at any meeting of shareholders, personally or by proxy, in respect of the share as if that joint shareholder were solely entitled to it; or
-
(2) if more than one of the joint shareholders is present at any meeting of shareholders, personally or by proxy, and more than one of them votes in respect of that share, then only the vote of the joint shareholder present whose name stands first on the central securities register in respect of the share will be counted.
12.4 Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders
Two or more legal personal representatives of a shareholder in whose sole name any share is registered are, for the purposes of Article 12.3, deemed to be joint shareholders registered in respect of that share.
12.5 Representative of a Corporate Shareholder
If a corporation that is not a subsidiary of the Company is a shareholder, that corporation may appoint a person to act as its representative at any meeting of shareholders of the Company, and:
-
(1) for that purpose, the instrument appointing a representative must be received:
-
(a) at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice for the receipt of proxies, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned or postponed meeting; or
-
(b) at the meeting or any adjourned or postponed meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned or postponed meeting or by a person designated by the chair of the meeting or adjourned or postponed meeting;
-
(2) if a representative is appointed under this Article 12.5:
-
(a) the representative is entitled to exercise in respect of and at that meeting the same rights on behalf of the corporation that the representative represents as that corporation could exercise if it were a shareholder who is an individual, including, without limitation, the right to appoint a proxy holder; and
-
(b) the representative, if present at the meeting, is to be counted for the purpose of forming a quorum and is deemed to be a shareholder present in person at the meeting.
Evidence of the appointment of any such representative may be sent to the Company or its transfer agent by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.
12.6 When Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder
A person must not be appointed as a proxy holder unless the person is a shareholder, although a person who is not a shareholder may be appointed as a proxy holder if:
-
(1) the person appointing the proxy holder is a corporation or a representative of a corporation appointed under Article 12.5;
-
(2) the Company has at the time of the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed only one shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting;
-
(3) the shareholders present in person or by proxy at and entitled to vote at the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed, by a resolution on which the proxy holder is not entitled to vote but in respect of which the proxy holder is to be counted in the quorum, permit the proxy holder to attend and vote at the meeting; or
-
(4) the Company is a public company.
12.7 When Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to the Company
If and for so long as the Company is a public company, Articles 12.8 to 12.14 apply only insofar as they are not inconsistent with any Canadian securities legislation applicable to the Company, or any rules of an exchange on which securities of the Company are listed.
12.8 Appointment of Proxy Holders
Every shareholder of the Company, including a corporation that is a shareholder but not a subsidiary of the Company, entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may, by proxy, appoint one or more proxy holders to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the powers conferred by the proxy.
12.9 Alternate Proxy Holders
A shareholder may appoint one or more alternate proxy holders to act in the place of an absent proxy holder.
12.10 Deposit of Proxy
A proxy for a meeting of shareholders must:
-
(1) be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting;
-
(2) unless the notice provides otherwise, be received, at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting or by a person designated by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting; or
-
(3) be received in any other manner determined by the board or the chair of the meeting.
A proxy may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages or by using such available internet or telephone voting services as may be approved by the directors.
12.11 Validity of Proxy Vote
A vote given in accordance with the terms of a proxy is valid notwithstanding the death or incapacity of the shareholder giving the proxy and despite the revocation of the proxy or the revocation of the authority under which the proxy is given, unless notice in writing of that death, incapacity or revocation is received:
-
(1) at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or
-
(2) at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting, before any vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been taken.
12.12 Form of Proxy
A proxy, whether for a specified meeting or otherwise, must be either in the following form or in any other form approved by the directors or the chair of the meeting:
[name of company]
(the “Company”)
The undersigned, being a shareholder of the Company, hereby appoints [name] or, failing that person, [name] , as proxy holder for the undersigned to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held on [month, day, year] and at any adjournment of that meeting.
Number of shares in respect of which this proxy is given (if no number is specified, then this proxy is given in respect of all shares registered in the name of the undersigned):
Signed [month, day, year]
[Signature of shareholder]
[Name of shareholder - printed]
12.13 Revocation of Proxy
Subject to Article 12.14, every proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing that is received:
-
(1) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or
-
(2) at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting, before any vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been taken.
12.14 Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed
An instrument referred to in Article 12.13 must be signed as follows:
-
(1) if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is an individual, the instrument must be signed by the shareholder or his or her legal personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy;
-
(2) if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is a corporation, the instrument must be signed by the corporation or by a representative appointed for the corporation under Article 12.5.
12.15 Chair May Determine Validity of Proxy.
The chair of any meeting of shareholders may determine whether or not a proxy deposited for use at the meeting, which may not strictly comply with the requirements of this Part 12 as to form, execution, accompanying documentation, time of filing or otherwise, shall be valid for use at the meeting, and any such determination made in good faith shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the meeting.
12.16 Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote
The board or the chair of any meeting of shareholders may, but need not, at any time (including before, at or subsequent to the meeting) inquire into the authority of any person to vote at the meeting and may, but need not, demand from that person production of evidence for the purposes of determining a person’s share ownership as at the relevant record date and the authority to vote.
PART 13 DIRECTORS
13.1 First Directors; Number of Directors
The first directors are the persons designated as directors of the Company in the Notice of Articles that applies to the Company when it is recognized under the Act. The number of directors, excluding additional directors appointed under Article 14.8, is set at:
-
(1) subject to Article 13.1(2) and Article 13.1(3), the number of directors that is equal to the number of the Company’s first directors;
-
(2) if the Company is a public company, the greater of three and the most recently set of:
-
(a) the number of directors set by a resolution of the directors (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and
-
(b) the number of directors in the office pursuant to Article 14.4.
-
(3) if the Company is not a public company, the most recently set of:
-
(a) the number of directors set by a resolution of the directors (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and
-
(b) the number of directors in office pursuant to Article 14.4.
13.2 Change in Number of Directors
If the number of directors is set under Article 13.1(2)(a) or Article 13.1(3)(a):
-
(1) the shareholders may elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number; or
-
(2) if the shareholders do not elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number then the directors, subject to Article 14.8, may appoint directors to fill those vacancies.
No decrease in the number of directors will shorten the term of an incumbent director.
13.3 Directors’ Acts Valid Despite Vacancy
An act or proceeding of the directors is not invalid merely because fewer than the number of directors set or otherwise required under these Articles is in office.
13.4 Qualifications of Directors
A director is not required to hold a share of the Company as qualification for his or her office but must be qualified as required by the Business Corporations Act to become, act or continue to act as a director.
13.5 Remuneration of Directors
The directors are entitled to the remuneration for acting as directors, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine.
13.6 Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors
The Company must reimburse each director for the reasonable expenses that he or she may incur in and about the business of the Company.
13.7 Special Remuneration for Directors
If any director performs any professional or other services for the Company that in the opinion of the directors are outside the ordinary duties of, or not in his or her capacity as, a director, or if any director is otherwise specially occupied in or about the Company’s business, he or she may be paid remuneration fixed by the directors, and such remuneration may be either in addition to, or in substitution for, any other remuneration that he or she may be entitled to receive.
13.8 Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director
Unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, the directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any director who has held any salaried office or place of profit with the Company or to his or her spouse or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance.
PART 14 ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
14.1 Election at Annual General Meeting
At every annual general meeting and in every unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2:
-
(1) the shareholders entitled to vote at the annual general meeting for the election of directors must elect, or in the unanimous resolution appoint, a board of directors consisting of the number of directors for the time being set by the directors under these Articles; and
-
(2) all the directors cease to hold office immediately before the election or appointment of directors under paragraph (1), but are eligible for re-election or re-appointment, subject to being nominated in accordance with Article 10.9.
14.2 Consent to be a Director
No election, appointment or designation of an individual as a director is valid unless:
-
(1) that individual consents to be a director in the manner provided for in the Business Corporations Act ; or
-
(2) that individual is elected or appointed at a meeting at which the individual is present and the individual does not refuse, at the meeting, to be a director.
14.3 Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors
If:
-
(1) the Company fails to hold an annual general meeting, and all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting fail to pass the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, on or before the date by which the annual general meeting is required to be held under the Business Corporations Act ; or
-
(2) the shareholders fail, at the annual general meeting or in the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, to elect or appoint any directors;
-
then each director then in office continues to hold office until the earlier of:
-
(3) when his or her successor is elected or appointed; and
-
(4) when he or she otherwise ceases to hold office under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles.
14.4 Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled
If, at any meeting of shareholders at which there should be an election of directors, the places of any of the retiring directors are not filled by that election, those retiring directors who are not re-elected and who are asked by the newly elected directors to continue in office will, if willing to do so, continue in office to complete the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles but their term of office shall expire when new directors are elected at a meeting of shareholders convened for that purpose. If any such election or continuance of directors does not result in the election or continuance of the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles, the number of directors of the Company is deemed to be set at the number of directors actually elected or continued in office.
14.5 Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies
Any casual vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the directors.
14.6 Remaining Directors’ Power to Act
The directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the board of directors, but if the Company has fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the directors may only act for the purpose of appointing directors up to that number or of calling a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of filling any vacancies on the board of directors or, subject to the Business Corporations Act , for any other purpose.
14.7 Shareholders May Fill Vacancies
If the Company has no directors or fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the shareholders may elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the board of directors.
14.8 Additional Directors
Notwithstanding Article 13.2, between annual general meetings or unanimous resolutions contemplated by Article 10.2, the directors may appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors appointed under this Article 14.8 must not at any time exceed one-third of the number of the current directors who were elected or appointed as directors other than under this Article 14.8.
Any director so appointed ceases to hold office immediately before the next election or appointment of directors under Article 14.1(1), but is eligible for re-election or reappointment, subject to being nominated in accordance with Article 10.9.
14.9 Ceasing to be a Director
A director ceases to be a director when:
-
(1) the term of office of the director expires;
-
(2) the director dies;
-
(3) the director resigns as a director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company; or
-
(4) the director is removed from office pursuant to Articles 14.10 or 14.11.
14.10 Removal of Director by Shareholders
The Company may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office by special resolution. In that event, the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill the resulting vacancy. If the shareholders do not elect or appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy contemporaneously with the removal, then the directors may appoint or the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill that vacancy.
14.11 Removal of Director by Directors
The directors may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office if the director is convicted of an indictable offence, or if the director ceases to be qualified to act as a director of a company in accordance with the Business Corporations Act and does not promptly resign, and the directors may appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy.
PART 15 ALTERNATE DIRECTORS
15.1 Appointment of Alternate Director
Any director (an “ appointor ”) may by notice in writing received by the Company appoint any person (an “ appointee ”) who is qualified to act as a director to be his or her alternate to act in his or her place at meetings of the directors or committees of the directors at which the appointor is not present unless (in the case of an appointee who is not a director) the directors have reasonably disapproved the appointment of such person as an alternate director and have given notice to that effect to his or her appointor within a reasonable time after the notice of appointment is received by the Company.
15.2 Notice of Meetings
Every alternate director so appointed is entitled to notice of meetings of the directors and of committees of the directors of which his or her appointor is a member and to attend and vote as a director at any such meetings at which his or her appointor is not present.
15.3 Alternate for More than One Director Attending Meetings
A person may be appointed as an alternate director by more than one director, and an alternate director:
-
(1) will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of directors once for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, once more in that capacity;
-
(2) has a separate vote at a meeting of directors for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, an additional vote in that capacity;
-
(3) will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of a committee of directors once for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a directors, once more in that capacity; and
-
(4) has a separate vote at a meeting of a committee of directors for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a director, an additional vote in that capacity.
15.4 Consent Resolutions
Every alternate director, if authorized by the notice appointing him or her, may sign in place of his or her appointor any resolutions to be consented to in writing.
15.5 Alternate Director an Agent
Every alternate director is deemed to be the agent of his or her appointor.
15.6 Revocation or Amendment of Appointment of Alternate Director
An appointor may at any time, by notice in writing received by the Company, revoke or amend the terms of the appointment of an alternate directors appointed by him or her.
15.7 Ceasing to be an Alternate Director
The appointment of an alternate directors ceases when:
-
(1) his or her appointor ceases to be a director and is not promptly re-elected or re-appointed;
-
(2) the alternate director dies;
-
(3) the alternate director resigns as an alternate director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company;
-
(4) the alternate director ceases to be qualified to act as a director; or
-
(5) the term of his appointment expires, or his or her appointor revokes the appointment of the alternate directors.
15.8 Remuneration and Expenses of Alternate Director
The Company may reimburse an alternate director for the reasonable expenses that would be properly reimbursed if he or she were a director, and the alternate directors is entitled to receive from the Company such proportion, if any, of the remuneration otherwise payable to the appointor as the appointor may from time to time direct.
PART 16 POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
16.1 Powers of Management
The directors must, subject to the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company and have the authority to exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Business Corporations Act or by these Articles, required to be exercised by the shareholders of the Company.
16.2 Appointment of Attorney of Company
The directors may from time to time, by power of attorney or other instrument, under seal if so required by law, appoint any person to be the attorney of the Company for such purposes, and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the directors under these Articles and excepting the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors, to remove a director, to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors, to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors and to declare dividends) and for such period, and with such remuneration and subject to such conditions as the directors may think fit. Any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection or convenience of persons dealing with such attorney as the directors think fit. Any such attorney may be authorized by the directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in him or her.
PART 17 INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
17.1 Obligation to Account for Profits
A director or senior officer who holds a disclosable interest (as that term is used in the Business Corporations Act ) in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is liable to account to the Company for any profit that accrues to the director or senior officer under or as a result of the contract or transaction only if and to the extent provided in the Business Corporations Act .
17.2 Restrictions on Voting by Reason of Interest
A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is not entitled to vote on any directors’ resolution to approve that contract or transaction, unless all the directors have a disclosable interest in that contract or transaction, in which case any or all of those directors may vote on such resolution.
17.3 Interested Director Counted in Quorum
A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter and who is present at the meeting of directors at which the contract or transaction is considered for approval may be counted in the quorum at the meeting whether or not the director votes on any or all of the resolutions considered at the meeting.
17.4 Disclosure of Conflict of Interest or Property
A director or senior officer who holds any office or possesses any property, right or interest that could result, directly or indirectly, in the creation of a duty or interest that materially conflicts with that individual’s duty or interest as a director or senior officer, must disclose the nature and extent of the conflict as required by the Business Corporations Act .
17.5 Director Holding Other Office in the Company
A director may hold any office or place of profit with the Company, other than the office of auditor of the Company, in addition to his or her office of director for the period and on the terms (as to remuneration or otherwise) that the directors may determine.
17.6 No Disqualification
No director or intended director is disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Company either with regard to the holding of any office or place of profit the director holds with the Company or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, and no contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which a director is in any way interested is liable to be voided for that reason.
17.7 Professional Services by Director or Officer
Subject to the Business Corporations Act , a director or officer, or any person in which a director or officer has an interest, may act in a professional capacity for the Company, except as auditor of the Company, and the director or officer or such person is entitled to remuneration for professional services as if that director or officer were not a director or officer.
17.8 Director or Officer in Other Corporations
A director or officer may be or become a director, officer or employee of, or otherwise interested in, any person in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder or otherwise, and, subject to the Business Corporations Act the director or officer is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him or her as director, officer or employee of, or from his or her interest in, such other person.
PART 18 PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
18.1 Meetings of Directors
The directors may meet together for the conduct of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit, and meetings of the directors held at regular intervals may be held at the place, at the time and on the notice, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine.
18.2 Voting at Meetings
Questions arising at any meeting of directors are to be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.
18.3 Chair of Meetings
The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of directors:
-
(1) the chair of the board, if any; or
-
(2) in the absence of the chair of the board, the president, if any, if the president is a director; or
-
(3) any other director chosen by the directors if:
-
(a) neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is present at the meeting within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting;
-
(b) neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is willing to chair the meeting; or
-
(c) the chair of the board and the president, if a director, has advised the corporate secretary, if any, or any other director, that he or she will not be present at the meeting.
18.4 Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium
A director may participate in a meeting of the directors or of any committee of the directors:
-
(1) in person;
-
(2) by telephone; or
-
(3) other communications medium;
if all directors participating in the meeting, whether in person, or by telephone or other communications medium, are able to communicate with each other. A director who participates in a meeting in a manner contemplated by this Article 18.4 is deemed for all purposes of the Business Corporations Act and these Articles to be present at the meeting and to have agreed to participate in that manner.
18.5 Calling of Meetings
A director may, and the corporate secretary or an assistant corporate secretary of the Company, if any, on the request of a director must, call a meeting of the directors at any time.
18.6 Notice of Meetings
Other than for meetings held at regular intervals as determined by the directors pursuant to Article 18.1 or as provided in Article 18.7, reasonable notice of each meeting of the directors, specifying the place, day and time of that meeting must be given to each of the directors by any method set out in Article 24.1 or orally or by telephone conversation with a director.
18.7 When Notice Not Required
It is not necessary to give notice of a meeting of the directors to a director if:
-
(1) the meeting is to be held immediately following a meeting of shareholders at which that director was elected or appointed, or is the meeting of the directors at which that director is appointed; or
-
(2) the director has waived notice of the meeting.
18.8 Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice
The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting of directors to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any director, does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.
18.9 Waiver of Notice of Meetings
Any director may send to the Company a document signed by him or her waiving notice of any past, present or future meeting or meetings of the directors and may at any time withdraw that waiver with respect to meetings held after that withdrawal. After sending a waiver with respect to all future meetings and until that waiver is withdrawn,
no notice of any meeting of the directors need be given to that director, and all meetings of the directors so held are deemed not to be improperly called or constituted by reason of notice not having been given to such director.
Attendance of a director or alternate director at a meeting of the directors is a waiver of notice of the meeting, unless that director or alternate director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
18.10 Quorum
The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the directors is a majority of the number of directors in office or such other number as the directors may determine from time to time.
18.11 Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective
Subject to the Business Corporations Act , an act of a director or officer is not invalid merely because of an irregularity in the election or appointment or a defect in the qualification of that director or officer.
18.12 Consent Resolutions in Writing
A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors may be passed without a meeting:
-
(1) in all cases, if each of the directors entitled to vote on the resolution consents to it in writing; or
-
(2) in the case of a resolution to approve a contract or transaction in respect of which a director has disclosed that he or she has or may have a disclosable interest, if each of the other directors who have not made such a disclosure consents in writing to the resolution.
A consent in writing under this Article 18.12 may be by any written instrument, e-mail or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages in which the consent of the director is evidenced, whether or not the signature of the director is included in the record. A consent in writing may be in two or more counterparts which together are deemed to constitute one consent in writing. A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors passed in accordance with this Article 18.12 is effective on the date stated in the consent in writing or on the latest date stated on any counterpart and is deemed to be a proceeding at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors and to be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors that satisfies all the requirements of the Business Corporations Act and all the requirements of these Articles relating to meetings of the directors or of a committee of the directors.
PART 19 BOARD COMMITTEES
19.1 Appointment and Powers of Committees
The directors may, by resolution:
-
(1) appoint one or more committees consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate;
-
(2) delegate to a committee appointed under paragraph (1) any of the directors’ powers, except:
-
(a) the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors;
-
(b) the power to remove a director or appoint additional directors;
-
(c) the power to set the number of directors;
-
(d) the power to create a committee of directors, create or modify the terms of reference for a committee of the directors, or change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors;
-
(e) the power to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors; and
-
(3) make any delegation permitted by paragraph (2) subject to the conditions set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors’ resolution.
19.2 Obligations of Committees
Any committee appointed under Article 19.1, in the exercise of the powers delegated to it, must:
-
(1) conform to any rules that may from time to time be imposed on it by the directors; and
-
(2) report every act or thing done in exercise of those powers at such times as the directors may require.
19.3 Powers of Board
The directors may, at any time, with respect to a committee appointed under Article 19.1:
-
(1) revoke or alter the authority given to the committee, or override a decision made by the committee, except as to acts done before such revocation, alteration or overriding;
-
(2) terminate the appointment of, or change the membership of, the committee; and
-
(3) fill vacancies in the committee.
19.4 Committee Meetings
Subject to Article 19.2(1) and unless the directors otherwise provide in the resolution appointing the committee or in any subsequent resolution, with respect to a committee appointed under Article 19.1:
-
(1) the committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper;
-
(2) the committee may elect a chair of its meetings but, if no chair of a meeting is elected, or if at a meeting the chair of the meeting is not present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, the directors present who are members of the committee may choose one of their number to chair the meeting;
-
(3) a majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum of the committee; and
-
(4) questions arising at any meeting of the committee are determined by a majority of votes of the members present, and in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.
PART 20 OFFICERS
20.1 Directors May Appoint Officers
The directors may, from time to time, appoint such officers, if any, as the directors determine and the directors may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.
20.2 Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers
The directors may, for each officer:
-
(1) determine the functions and duties of the officer;
-
(2) delegate to the officer any of the powers exercisable by the directors on such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as the directors think fit; and
-
(3) revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any of the functions, duties and powers of the officer.
20.3 Qualifications
No officer may be appointed unless that officer is qualified in accordance with the Business Corporations Act . One person may hold more than one position as an officer of the Company. Any person appointed as the chair of the board or as a managing director must be a director. Any other officer need not be a director.
20.4 Remuneration and Terms of Appointment
All appointments of officers are to be made on the terms and conditions and at the remuneration (whether by way of salary, fee, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) that the directors think fit and are subject to termination at the pleasure of the directors, and an officer may in addition to such remuneration be entitled to receive, after he or she ceases to hold such office or leaves the employment of the Company, a pension or gratuity.
PART 21 INDEMNIFICATION
21.1 Definitions
In this Part 21:
-
(1) “ eligible penalty ” means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding;
-
(2) “ eligible proceeding ” means a legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed, in which a director or former director or an officer or former officer of the Company (each, an “eligible party”) or any of the heirs and legal personal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of the Company:
-
(a) is or may be joined as a party; or
-
(b) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding;
-
(3) “ expenses ” has the meaning set out in the Business Corporations Act ;
-
(4) “ officer ” means an officer appointed by the board of directors.
21.2 Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Subject to the Business Corporations Act , the Company must indemnify an eligible party and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the Business Corporations Act .
21.3 Deemed Contract
Each director and officer is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in Article 21.2.
21.4 Permitted Indemnification
Subject to any restrictions in the Business Corporations Act , the Company may indemnify any person, including directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives of the Company.
21.5 Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act
The failure of a director or officer of the Company to comply with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under this Part 21.
21.6 Company May Purchase Insurance
The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:
-
(1) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company;
-
(2) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company;
-
(3) at the request of the Company, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;
-
(4) at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;
against any liability incurred by him or her as such director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.
PART 22 DIVIDENDS
22.1 Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights
The provisions of this Part 22 are subject to the rights, if any, of shareholders holding shares with special rights as to dividends.
22.2 Declaration of Dividends
Subject to the Business Corporations Act , the directors may from time to time declare and authorize payment of such dividends as they may consider appropriate.
22.3 No Notice Required
The directors need not give notice to any shareholder of any declaration under Article 22.2.
22.4 Record Date
The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend. The record date must not precede the date on which the dividend is to be paid by more than two months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the date on which the directors pass the resolution declaring the dividend.
22.5 Manner of Paying Dividend
A resolution declaring a dividend may direct payment of the dividend wholly or partly in money or by the distribution of specific assets or of fully paid shares or of bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company or any other corporation, or in any one or more of those ways.
22.6 Settlement of Difficulties
If any difficulty arises in regard to a distribution under Article 22.5, the directors may settle the difficulty as they deemed advisable, and, in particular, may:
-
(1) set the value for distribution of specific assets;
-
(2) determine that money in substitution for all or any part of the specific assets to which any shareholders are entitled may be paid to any shareholders on the basis of the value so fixe din order to adjust the rights of all parties; and
-
(3) vest any such specific assets in trustees for the persons entitled to the dividend.
22.7 When Dividend Payable
Any dividend may be made payable on such date as is fixed by the directors.
22.8 Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares
All dividends on shares of any class or series of shares must be declared and paid according to the number of such shares held.
22.9 Receipt by Joint Shareholders
If several persons are joint shareholders of any share, any one of them may give an effective receipt for any dividend, bonus or other money payable in respect of the share.
22.10 Dividend Bears No Interest
No dividend bears interest against the Company.
22.11 Fractional Dividends
If a dividend to which a shareholder is entitled includes a fraction of the smallest monetary unit of the currency of the dividend, that fraction may be disregarded in making payment of the dividend and that payment represents full payment of the dividend.
22.12 Payment of Dividends
Any dividend or other distribution payable in money in respect of shares may be paid;
-
(1) by cheque, made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, and mailed to the registered address of the shareholder, or in the case of joint shareholders, to the registered address of the joint shareholder who is first named on the central securities register, or to the person and to the address the shareholder or joint shareholders may direct in writing; or
-
(2) by electronic transfer, if so authorized by the shareholder.
The mailing of such cheque or the forwarding by electronic transfer will, to the extent of the sum represented by the cheque or transfer (plus the amount of the tax required by law to be deducted), discharge all liability for the dividend unless such cheque is not paid on presentation or the amount of tax so deducted is not paid to the appropriate taxing authority.
22.13 Capitalization of Retained Earnings or Surplus
Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, the directors may from time to time capitalize any retained earnings or surplus of the Company and may from time to time issue, as fully paid, shares or any bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as a dividend representing the retained earnings or surplus so capitalized or any part thereof.
22.14 Unclaimed Dividends
Any dividend unclaimed after a period of three years from the date on which the same has been declared to be payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. The Company shall not be liable to any person in respect of any dividend which is forfeited to the Company or delivered to any public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
PART 23 ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND AUDITOR
23.1 Recording of Financial Affairs
The directors must cause adequate accounting records to be kept to record properly the financial affairs and condition of the Company and to comply with the Business Corporations Act .
23.2 Inspection of Accounting Records
Unless the directors determine otherwise, or unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, no shareholder of the Company is entitled to inspect or obtain a copy of any accounting records of the Company.
23.3 Remuneration of Auditor
The directors may set the remuneration of the auditor of the Company.
PART 24 NOTICES
24.1 Method of Giving Notice
Unless the Business Corporations Act or these Articles provide otherwise, a notice, statement, report or other record required or permitted by the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be sent by or to a person may be sent by any one of the following methods:
-
(1) mail addressed to the person at the applicable address for that person as follows:
-
(a) for a record mailed to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address;
-
(b) for a record mailed to a director or officer, the prescribed address for mailing shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the mailing address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
-
(c) in any other case, the mailing address of the intended recipient;
-
(2) delivery at the applicable address for that person as follows, addressed to the person:
-
(a) for a record delivered to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address;
-
(b) for a record delivered to a director or officer, the prescribed address for delivery shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the delivery address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
-
(c) in any other case, the delivery address of the intended recipient;
-
(3) unless the intended recipient is the Company or the auditor of the Company, sending the record by fax to the fax number provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
-
(4) unless the intended recipient is the auditor of the Company, sending the record by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
-
(5) physical delivery to the intended recipient;
-
(6) creating and providing a record posted on or made available through a general accessible electronic source and providing written notice by any of the foregoing methods as to the availability of such record; or
-
(7) as otherwise permitted by applicable securities legislation.
24.2 Deemed Receipt
A notice, statement, report or other record that is:
-
(1) mailed to a person by ordinary mail to the applicable address for that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was mailed on the day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, following the date of mailing;
-
(2) faxed to a person to the fax number provided by that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was faxed on the day it was faxed;
-
(3) e-mailed to a person to the e-mail address provided by that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was e-mailed on the day it was e-mailed; and
-
(4) delivered in accordance with Section 24.1(6), is deemed to be received by the person on the day such written notice is sent.
24.3 Certificate of Sending
A certificate signed by the corporate secretary, if any, or other officer of the Company or of any other corporation acting in that capacity on behalf of the Company stating that a notice, statement, report or other record was sent in accordance with Article 24.1 is conclusive evidence of that fact.
24.4 Notice to Joint Shareholders
A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the joint shareholders of a share by providing such record to the joint shareholder first named in the central securities register in respect of the share.
24.5 Notice to Legal Personal Representatives and Trustees
A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death, bankruptcy or incapacity of a shareholder by:
-
(1) mailing the record, addressed to them:
-
(a) by name, by the title of the legal personal representative of the deceased or incapacitated shareholder, by the title of trustee of the bankrupt shareholder or by any similar description; and
-
(b) at the address, if any, supplied to the Company for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled; or
-
(2) if an address referred to in paragraph (1)(b) has not been supplied to the Company, by giving the notice in a manner in which it might have been given if the death, bankruptcy or incapacity had not occurred.
24.6 Undelivered Notices
If, on two consecutive occasions, a notice, statement, report or other record is sent to a shareholder pursuant to Article 24.1 and on each of those occasions any such record is returned because the shareholder cannot be located, the Company shall not be required to send any further records to the shareholder until the shareholder informs the Company in writing of his or her new address.
PART 25 SEAL
25.1 Who May Attest Seal
Except as provided in Articles 25.1(2) and 25.1(3), the Company’s seal, if any, must not be impressed on any record except when that impression is attested by the signatures of:
-
(1) any two directors;
-
(2) any officer, together with any director;
-
(3) if the Company only has one director, that director; or
-
(4) any one or more directors or officers or persons as may be determined by the directors.
25.2 Sealing Copies
For the purpose of certifying under seal a certificate of incumbency of the directors or officers of the Company or a true copy of any resolution or other document, despite Article 25.1, the impression of the seal may be attested by the signature of any director or officer or the signature of any other person as may be determined by the directors.
25.3 Mechanical Reproduction of Seal
The directors may authorize the seal to be impressed by third parties on share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as they may determine appropriate from time to time. To enable the seal to be impressed on any share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, whether in definitive or interim form, on which facsimiles of any of the signatures of the directors or officers of the Company are, in accordance with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles, printed or otherwise mechanically reproduced, there may be delivered to the person employed to engrave, lithograph or print such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities one or more unmounted dies reproducing the seal and such persons as are authorized under Article 25.1 to attest the Company’s seal may in writing authorize such person to cause the seal to be impressed on such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities by the use of such dies. Share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities to which the seal has been so impressed are for all purposes deemed to be under and to bear the seal impressed on them.
PART 26 PROHIBITIONS
26.1 Definitions
In this Part 26:
-
(1) “ security ” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Act ;
-
(2) “ transfer restricted security ” means
-
(a) a share of the Company;
-
(b) a security of the Company convertible into shares of the Company;
-
(c) any other security of the Company which must be subject to restrictions on transfer in order for the Company to satisfy the requirement for restrictions on transfer under the “ private issuer ” exemption of Canadian securities legislation or under any other exemption from prospectus or registration requirements of Canadian securities legislation similar in scope and purpose to the “ private issuer ” exemption.
26.2 Application
Article 26.3 does not apply to the Company if and for so long as it is a public company.
26.3 Consent Required for Transfer of Shares or Transfer Restricted Securities
No share or other transfer restricted security may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of without the consent of the directors and the directors are not required to give any reason for refusing to consent to any such sale, transfer or other disposition.
PART 27 FORUM SELECTION
27.1 Forum for Adjudication of Certain Disputes
Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Supreme Court of the Province of British Columbia, Canada and the appellate Courts therefrom, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; (ii) any
action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Company to the Company; (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Business Corporations Act or these Articles (as either may be amended from time to time); or (iv) any action or proceeding asserting a claim otherwise related to the relationships among the Company, its affiliates and their respective shareholders, directors and/or officers, but this paragraph (iv) does not include any action or proceeding related to the business carried on by the Company or such affiliates, which action or proceeding may be brought in another jurisdiction, as appropriate.
PART 28
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS ATTACHING TO THE PREFERRED SHARES
28.1 Special Rights and Restrictions attached to Preferred shares of the Company
-
(a) The Preferred Shares may from time to time be issued in one or more series, and the Directors may fix from time to time before such issue the number of Preferred Shares which is to comprise each series and the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to each series of Preferred Shares including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any voting rights, the rate or amount of dividends or the method of calculating dividends, the dates of payment thereof, the terms and conditions of redemption, purchase and conversion if any, and any sinking fund or other provisions;
-
(b) The Preferred Shares of each series shall, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets or return of capital in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether involuntary or voluntary, or any other return of capital or distribution of the assets of the Company amongst its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, be entitled to preference over the voting and non-voting Common shares and over any other shares of the Company ranking by their terms junior to the Preferred Shares of that series. The Preferred Shares of any series may also be given such other preferences, not inconsistent with these Articles or the Business Corporations Act , over the Common Shares and any other such Preferred Shares as may be fixed in accordance with Article 28(a); and
-
(c) If any cumulative dividends or amounts payable on the return of capital in respect of a series of Preferred Shares are not paid in full, all series of Preferred Shares shall participate rateably in respect of accumulated dividends and return of capital.
SCHEDULE “B”
SECTION 191 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT (ALBERTA)
Shareholder’s right to dissent
191(1) Subject to sections 192 and 242, a holder of shares of any class of a corporation may dissent if the corporation resolves to
-
(a) amend its articles under section 173 or 174 to add, change or remove any provisions restricting or constraining the issue or transfer of shares of that class,
-
(b) amend its articles under section 173 to add, change or remove any restrictions on the business or businesses that the corporation may carry on,
-
(b.1) amend its articles under section 173 to add or remove an express statement establishing the unlimited liability of shareholders as set out in section 15.2(1),
-
(c) amalgamate with another corporation, otherwise than under section 184 or 187,
-
(d) be continued under the laws of another jurisdiction under section 189, or
-
(e) sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all its property under section 190.
(2) A holder of shares of any class or series of shares entitled to vote under section 176, other than section 176(1)(a), may dissent if the corporation resolves to amend its articles in a manner described in that section.
(3) In addition to any other right the shareholder may have, but subject to subsection (20), a shareholder entitled to dissent under this section and who complies with this section is entitled to be paid by the corporation the fair value of the shares held by the shareholder in respect of which the shareholder dissents, determined as of the close of business on the last business day before the day on which the resolution from which the shareholder dissents was adopted.
(4) A dissenting shareholder may only claim under this section with respect to all the shares of a class held by the shareholder or on behalf of any one beneficial owner and registered in the name of the dissenting shareholder.
(5) A dissenting shareholder shall send to the corporation a written objection to a resolution referred to in subsection (1) or (2)
-
(a) at or before any meeting of shareholders at which the resolution is to be voted on, or
-
(b) if the corporation did not send notice to the shareholder of the purpose of the meeting or of the shareholder’s right to dissent, within a reasonable time after the shareholder learns that the resolution was adopted and of the shareholder’s right to dissent.
-
(6) An application may be made to the Court after the adoption of a resolution referred to in subsection (1) or (2),
-
(a) by the corporation, or
(b) by a shareholder if the shareholder has sent an objection to the corporation under subsection (5),
to fix the fair value in accordance with subsection (3) of the shares of a shareholder who dissents under this section, or to fix the time at which a shareholder of an unlimited liability corporation who dissents under this section ceases to become liable for any new liability, act or default of the unlimited liability corporation.
(7) If an application is made under subsection (6), the corporation shall, unless the Court otherwise orders, send to each dissenting shareholder a written offer to pay the shareholder an amount considered by the directors to be the fair value of the shares.
(8) Unless the Court otherwise orders, an offer referred to in subsection (7) shall be sent to each dissenting shareholder
-
(a) at least 10 days before the date on which the application is returnable, if the corporation is the applicant, or
-
(b) within 10 days after the corporation is served with a copy of the application, if a shareholder is the applicant.
-
(9) Every offer made under subsection (7) shall
-
(a) be made on the same terms, and
(b) contain or be accompanied with a statement showing how the fair value was determined.
(10) A dissenting shareholder may make an agreement with the corporation for the purchase of the shareholder’s shares by the corporation, in the amount of the corporation’s offer under subsection (7) or otherwise, at any time before the Court pronounces an order fixing the fair value of the shares.
-
(11) A dissenting shareholder
-
(a) is not required to give security for costs in respect of an application under subsection (6), and
-
(b) except in special circumstances must not be required to pay the costs of the application or appraisal.
(12) In connection with an application under subsection (6), the Court may give directions for
-
(a) joining as parties all dissenting shareholders whose shares have not been purchased by the corporation and for the representation of dissenting shareholders who, in the opinion of the Court, are in need of representation,
-
(b) the trial of issues and interlocutory matters, including pleadings and questioning under Part 5 of the Alberta Rules of Court ,
-
(c) the payment to the shareholder of all or part of the sum offered by the corporation for the shares,
-
(d) the deposit of the share certificates with the Court or with the corporation or its transfer agent,
-
(e) the appointment and payment of independent appraisers, and the procedures to be followed by them,
-
(f) the service of documents, and
-
(g) the burden of proof on the parties.
-
(13) On an application under subsection (6), the Court shall make an order
-
(a) fixing the fair value of the shares in accordance with subsection (3) of all dissenting shareholders who are parties to the application,
-
(b) giving judgment in that amount against the corporation and in favour of each of those dissenting shareholders,
-
(c) fixing the time within which the corporation must pay that amount to a shareholder, and
-
(d) fixing the time at which a dissenting shareholder of an unlimited liability corporation ceases to become liable for any new liability, act or default of the unlimited liability corporation.
-
(14) On
-
(a) the action approved by the resolution from which the shareholder dissents becoming effective,
-
(b) the making of an agreement under subsection (10) between the corporation and the dissenting shareholder as to the payment to be made by the corporation for the shareholder’s shares, whether by the acceptance of the corporation’s offer under subsection (7) or otherwise, or
-
(c) the pronouncement of an order under subsection (13),
whichever first occurs, the shareholder ceases to have any rights as a shareholder other than the right to be paid the fair value of the shareholder’s shares in the amount agreed to between the corporation and the shareholder or in the amount of the judgment, as the case may be.
-
(15) Subsection (14)(a) does not apply to a shareholder referred to in subsection (5)(b).
-
(16) Until one of the events mentioned in subsection (14) occurs,
-
(a) the shareholder may withdraw the shareholder’s dissent, or
-
(b) the corporation may rescind the resolution,
and in either event proceedings under this section shall be discontinued.
(17) The Court may in its discretion allow a reasonable rate of interest on the amount payable to each dissenting shareholder, from the date on which the shareholder ceases to have any rights as a shareholder by reason of subsection (14) until the date of payment.
(18) If subsection (20) applies, the corporation shall, within 10 days after
-
(a) the pronouncement of an order under subsection (13), or
-
(b) the making of an agreement between the shareholder and the corporation as to the payment to be made for the shareholder’s shares,
notify each dissenting shareholder that it is unable lawfully to pay dissenting shareholders for their shares.
(19) Notwithstanding that a judgment has been given in favour of a dissenting shareholder under subsection (13)(b), if subsection (20) applies, the dissenting shareholder, by written notice delivered to the corporation within 30 days after receiving the notice under subsection (18), may withdraw the shareholder’s notice of objection, in which case the corporation is deemed to consent to the withdrawal and the shareholder is reinstated to the shareholder’s full rights as a shareholder, failing which the shareholder retains a status as a claimant against the corporation, to be paid as soon as the corporation is lawfully able to do so or, in a liquidation, to be ranked subordinate to the rights of creditors of the corporation but in priority to its shareholders.
(20) A corporation shall not make a payment to a dissenting shareholder under this section if there are reasonable grounds for believing that
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(a) the corporation is or would after the payment be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due, or
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(b) the realizable value of the corporation’s assets would by reason of the payment be less than the aggregate of its liabilities.