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GSP Resource Corp. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2020
Oct 27, 2020
47657_rns_2020-10-27_2413f877-795f-4317-aac6-ebddff4cb2fd.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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GSP RESOURCE CORP.
Suite 1610-777 Dunsmuir St Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K4
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
as at October 27, 2020
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
This management information circular (“Circular”) is provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by management of Defense Metals Corp. (the “Company”) for use at an annual general and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the holders (“Shareholders”) of common shares (“Common Shares”) in the capital of the Company. The Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 11:00 AM (Vancouver Time) at 605-815 Hornby Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6Z 2E6 or at such other time or place to which the Meeting may be adjourned, for the purposes set forth in the notice of annual general and special meeting accompanying this Circular (the “ Notice ”).
Although it is expected that the solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail, proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone, facsimile or other means of electronic communication. In accordance with National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (“ NI 54-101 ”), arrangements have been made with brokerage houses and other intermediaries, clearing agencies, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the Common Shares held of record by such persons and the Company may reimburse such persons for reasonable fees and disbursements incurred by them in doing so. The costs thereof will be borne by the Company.
These securityholder materials are being sent to both registered and non-registered owners of Common Shares. If you are a non-registered owner of Common Shares, and the Company or its agent has sent these materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of Common Shares have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the intermediary holding Common Shares on your behalf.
Accompanying this Circular (and filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities) is a form of proxy for use at the Meeting (a “ Proxy ”). Each Shareholder who is entitled to attend at meetings of Shareholders is encouraged to participate in the Meeting and all Shareholders are urged to vote on matters to be considered in person or by proxy.
All time references in this Circular are references to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada time.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
Appointment of a Proxy
Those Shareholders who wish to be represented at the Meeting by proxy must complete and deliver a proper Proxy to Computershare Investor Services Ltd. (the “Transfer Agent”), at 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5J 2Y1.
The persons named as proxyholders in the Proxy accompanying this Circular are directors or officers of the Company, or persons designated by management of the Company, and are representatives of the Company’s management for the Meeting. A Shareholder who wishes to appoint some other person (who need not be a Shareholder) to attend and act for him, her or it and on his, her or its behalf at the Meeting other than the management nominee designated in the Proxy may do so by either: (i) crossing out the names of the management nominees AND legibly printing the other person’s name in the blank space provided in the accompanying Proxy; or (ii) completing another valid form of proxy. In either case, the completed form of proxy must be delivered to the Transfer Agent, at the place and within the time specified herein for the deposit of proxies. A Shareholder who appoints a proxy who is someone other than the management representatives named in the Proxy should notify such alternative nominee of the appointment, obtain the nominee’s consent to act as proxy, and provide instructions on how the Common Shares are to be voted. The nominee should bring personal identification to the Meeting. In any case, the Proxy should be dated and executed by the Shareholder or an attorney authorized in writing, with proof of such authorization attached (where an attorney executed the Proxy).
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In order to validly appoint a proxy, Proxies must be received by the Transfer Agent, at 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5J 2Y1, at least 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, prior to the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. After such time, the chairman of the Meeting may accept or reject a Proxy delivered to him in his discretion but is under no obligation to accept or reject any particular late Proxy.
Revoking a Proxy
A Shareholder who has validly given a proxy may revoke it for any matter upon which a vote has not already been cast by the proxyholder appointed therein. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a proxy may be revoked with an instrument in writing signed and delivered to either the registered office of the Company or the Transfer Agent at 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5J 2Y1, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the date of the Meeting, or any postponement or adjournment thereof at which the proxy is to be used, or deposited with the chairman of such Meeting on the day of the Meeting, or any postponement or adjournment thereof. The document used to revoke a proxy must be in writing and completed and signed by the Shareholder or his or her attorney authorized in writing or, if the Shareholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized.
Also, a Shareholder who has given a proxy may attend the Meeting in person (or where the Shareholder is a corporation, its authorized representative may attend), revoke the proxy (by indicating such intention to the chairman before the proxy is exercised) and vote in person (or withhold from voting).
Signature on Proxies
The Proxy must be executed by the Shareholder or his or her duly appointed attorney authorized in writing or, if the Shareholder is a corporation, by a duly authorized officer whose title must be indicated. A Proxy signed by a person acting as attorney or in some other representative capacity should indicate that person’s capacity (following his or her signature) and should be accompanied by the appropriate instrument evidencing qualification and authority to act (unless such instrument has been previously filed with the Company).
Voting of Proxies
Each Shareholder may instruct his, her or its proxy how to vote his, her or its Common Shares by completing the blanks on the Proxy.
The Common Shares represented by the enclosed Proxy will be voted or withheld from voting on any motion, by ballot or otherwise, in accordance with any indicated instructions. If a Shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the Common Shares will be voted accordingly. In the absence of such direction, such Common Shares will be voted FOR THE RESOLUTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY AND BELOW. If any amendment or variation to the matters identified in the Notice is proposed at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or if any other matters properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the accompanying Proxy confers discretionary authority to vote on such amendments or variations or such other matters according to the best judgment of the appointed proxyholder. Unless otherwise stated, the Common Shares represented by a valid Proxy will be voted in favour of the election of nominees set forth in this Circular except where a vacancy among such nominees occurs prior to the Meeting, in which case, such Common Shares may be voted in favour of another nominee in the proxyholder’s discretion. As at the date of this Circular, management of the Company knows of no such amendments or variations or other matters to come before the Meeting.
Advice to Beneficial Shareholders
The information set forth in this section is of significant importance to a substantial number of the Shareholders who do not hold their Common Shares in their own names. Shareholders who do not hold their Common Shares in their own names (referred to in this Circular as “ Beneficial Shareholders ”) should note that only proxies deposited by Shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of Common Shares can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting. If Common Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a Shareholder by a broker, then in almost all cases those shares will not be registered in the Shareholder’s name on the records of the Company. Such Common Shares will more likely be registered under the name of the Shareholder’s broker or an agent of that broker. In Canada, the vast majority of such Common Shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for The Canadian Depositary for Securities Limited, which acts as nominees for
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many Canadian brokerage firms). Common Shares held by brokers or their nominees can only be voted (for or against resolutions) upon the instructions of the Beneficial Shareholder. Without specific instructions, the broker/nominees are prohibited from voting shares for their clients. The Company does not know for whose benefit the Common Shares registered in the name of CDS & Co. or other brokers/agents are held. Therefore, Beneficial Shareholders should ensure that instructions respecting the voting of their Common Shares are communicated to the appropriate person well in advance of the Meeting.
Non-registered holders who have not objected to their Intermediary disclosing certain ownership information about themselves to the Company are referred to as “non-objecting beneficial owners (“ NOBOs ”). Those non-registered holders who have objected to their Intermediary disclosing ownership information about themselves to the Company are referred to as “objecting beneficial owners” (“ OBOs ”).
The Company does not intend to pay for Intermediaries to deliver the Meeting materials and Form 54-101F7 – Request for Voting Instructions Made by Intermediary to OBOs. As a result, OBOs will not receive the Meeting materials unless their Intermediary assumes the costs of delivery.
Applicable regulatory policy requires 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, which should be carefully followed by Beneficial Shareholders in order to ensure that their Common Shares are voted at the Meeting. The majority of brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“ Broadridge ”). Broadridge typically provides a scannable voting instruction form in lieu of the Instrument of Proxy, mails those forms to the Beneficial Shareholders and asks Beneficial Shareholders to return the voting instruction forms to Broadridge. Alternatively, Beneficial Shareholders sometimes are provided with a toll-free telephone number or website information to deliver the Beneficial Shareholder’s voting instructions. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of Common Shares to be represented at the Meeting. A Beneficial Shareholder receiving a voting instruction form cannot use that voting instruction form to vote Common Shares directly at the Meeting as the voting instruction form must be returned as directed by Broadridge well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the Common Shares voted. Accordingly, it is strongly suggested that Beneficial Shareholders return their completed voting instruction form as directed by Broadridge well in advance of the Meeting.
All references to Shareholders in this Circular, the Instrument of Proxy and the Notice are to Shareholders of record unless specifically stated otherwise. Where documents are stated to be available for review or inspection, such items will be made available upon request to registered Shareholders who produce proof of their identity.
NOTICE-AND-ACCESS
The Company is not sending the Meeting materials to Shareholders using “notice-and-access”, as defined under NI 54-101— Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer .
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Except as disclosed herein, no person has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in matters to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors and as set out herein. For the purpose of this paragraph, “person” shall include each person: (a) who has been a director, senior officer or insider of the Company at any time since the commencement of the Company’s last fiscal year; (b) who is a proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company; or (c) who is an associate or affiliate of a person included in subparagraphs (a) or (b). Certain of the directors and officers may be considered as having an interest in the affirmation, ratification and approval of the Stock Option Plan given their eligibility for stock options grants thereunder.
RECORD DATE AND QUORUM
The board of directors (the “ Board ”) of the Company has fixed the record date for the Meeting as the close of business on October 20, 2020 (the “ Record Date ”). Shareholders of record as at the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of the Meeting and to vote their Common Shares at the Meeting.
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Under the Company’s articles, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is one or more persons, present in person or by proxy, holding not less than one voting share of the Company entitled to be voted at the Meeting.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
On the Record Date, there were 16,917,341 Common Shares issued and outstanding, with each Common Share carrying the right to one vote. Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote in person or by Proxy at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The outstanding Common Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “GSPR”.
To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, as of the date of this Circular, there are no Shareholders who beneficially own, or exercise control or direction over, directly or indirectly, Common Shares carrying 10% or more of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company, except the following: Simon Dyakowski, President, Chief Executive Officer (“ CEO ”) and director, 1,815,000 (10.73%).
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
To the knowledge of the Company’s directors, the only matters to be placed before the Meeting are those set forth in the accompanying notice of Meeting and more particularly discussed below.
Presentation of Financial Statements
The annual financial statements of the Company for the financial years ended May 31, 2020 and 2019, together with the auditor’s report thereon, will be placed before the Meeting. The Company’s financial statements are available on the System of Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) website at www.sedar.com.
Election of Directors
The Company proposes to fix the number of directors of the Company at four (4) and to nominate the persons listed below for election as directors. Each director will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company or until his successor is elected or appointed, unless his office is earlier vacated. Management does not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director. If, prior to the Meeting, any vacancies occur in the slate of nominees herein listed, it is intended that discretionary authority shall be exercised by the person named in the Proxy as nominee to vote the Common Shares represented by Proxy for the election of any other person or persons as directors.
The following table sets out the names of the management nominees; their positions and offices in the Company; principal occupations; the period of time that they have been directors of the Company; and the number of Common Shares which each beneficially owns or over which control or direction is exercised.
| Number of Shares | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Beneficially Owned, | |||
| Name, Residence and | Director / | Directly or Indirectly, | Principal Occupation(1) |
| Present Position within the | or Over Which | ||
| Company | Officer Since | Control or | |
| Discretion is | |||
| Exercised(1) | |||
| Simon Dyakowski British Columbia, Canada President, CEO & Director |
February 19, 2018 |
1,815,000 | President, CEO and Director of the Company and CEO of Aztec Minerals Corp. |
| Jordan Trimble British Columbia, Canada Director |
February 19, 2018 |
900,000 | Director, President and CEO of Skyharbour Resources Ltd. and President and Director of Rockridge Resources Ltd. |
| Christopher Dyakowski British Columbia, Canada Director and Qualified Person |
February 19, 2018 |
900,000 | Self-Employed Professional Geoscientist (mining & exploration). |
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| Justin Kates British Columbia, Canada Director |
February 19, 2018 |
400,000 | Lawyer, Partner of DuMoulin Black LLP. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Notes:
- (1) The information as to principal occupation, business or employment, and Common Shares beneficially owned or controlled is not within the knowledge of the management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees.
The Company does not at present have an executive committee or any other committees, other than an audit committee (the “ Audit Committee ”) as required by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
Simon Dyakowski, Jordan Trimble and Christopher Dyakowski are the current members of the Audit Committee.
No proposed director of the Company is, or has been, within the 10 years prior to the date of this Circular, a director or executive officer of any company that:
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(a) was subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, that was issued while that person was acting in that capacity;
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(b) was subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, that was issued after the proposed director ceased to act in that capacity, and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in that capacity; or
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(c) while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets.
No proposed director of the Company is, or has been, within the 10 years prior to the date of this Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director.
No proposed director of the Company is, or has been, within the 10 years prior to the date of this Circular, has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or has been subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable security holder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
Appointment of Auditor
Management is recommending that Shareholders vote to appoint MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, of Vancouver, British Columbia, as auditors of the Company until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration. MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants was first appointed as auditor of the Company effective June 8, 2018.
Approval of Stock Option Plan
At the Meeting, Shareholders of the Company will be asked to approve the continuation of Company’s stock option plan (the “ Plan ”). The purpose of the Plan is to provide an incentive to employees, directors, officers, management companies and consultants who provide services to the Company, and to reduce the cash compensation the Company would otherwise have to pay. The Plan will also assist the Company in attracting, retaining and motivating employees, directors, officers, management companies and consultants.
The following summary of the Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan. A full copy of the Plan will be available at the Meeting for review by Shareholders. Shareholders may also obtain copies of the Plan from the Company prior to the Meeting on written request.
Eligible Participants. Options may be granted under the Plan to directors and senior officers of the Company or its subsidiaries, management company employees (collectively, the “ Directors ”), employees of the Company or its
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subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Employees ”) or consultants of the Company or its subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Consultants ”). The Board, in its discretion, determines which of the Directors, Employees or Consultants will be awarded options under the Plan.
Number of Shares Reserved. The number of Common Shares which may be issued pursuant to options granted under the Plan may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares at the date of granting of options.
Limitations. Under the Plan, the aggregate number of options granted to any one person (including companies whollyowned by that person) in a 12-month period must not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company, calculated on the date the option is granted. The aggregate number of options granted to any one Consultant in a 12-month period must not exceed 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company, calculated at the date the option is granted. The aggregate number of options granted to all persons retained to provide investor relations services to the Company (including Consultants and Employees or Directors whose role and duties primarily consist of providing investor relations services) must not exceed 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company in any 12-month period, calculated at the date an option is granted to any such person.
Exercise Price. The exercise price of options granted under the Plan is determined by the Board, provided that it is not less than the discounted market price, as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policy manual or such other minimum price as is permitted by the TSX Venture Exchange in accordance with the policies in effect at the time of the grant, or, if the Common Shares are no longer listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, then such other exchange or quotation system on which the Common Shares are listed or quoted for trading. The exercise price of stock options granted to insiders may not be decreased without disinterested Shareholder approval at the time of the proposed amendment.
Term of Options. Subject to the termination and change of control provisions noted below, the term of any options granted under the Plan is determined by the Board and may not exceed ten years from the date of grant.
Vesting. All options granted pursuant to the Plan will be subject to such vesting requirements as may be prescribed by the TSX Venture Exchange, if applicable, or as may be imposed by the Board. Options issued to persons retained to provide Investor Relations Activities must vest in stages over 12 months with no more than one-quarter of the options vesting in any three month period.
Termination. Any options granted pursuant to the Plan will terminate upon the earliest of:
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(a) the end of the term of the option;
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(b) on the date the holder ceases to be eligible to hold the option (the “ Cessation Date ”), if the Cessation Date is as a result of dismissal for cause;
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(c) one year from the date of death or disability, if the Cessation Date is as a result of death or disability;
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(d) 90 days from the Cessation Date, if the optionee was a Director, Employee, Consultant or Management Company Employee, if the Cessation Date is as a result of a reason other than death, disability or cause; or
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(e) 30 days from the Cessation Date, if the optionee was engaged in investor relations activities.
Disinterested Shareholder approval and the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange will be sought in respect of any material amendment to the Plan and approval of the TSX Venture Exchange will be sought in respect of any non-material amendment to the Plan.
Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to approve, with or without variation, the following ordinary resolution:
“BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
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(a) the Company’s Stock Option Plan be approved, and that in connection therewith a maximum of 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares at the time of each grant be approved for granting as options; and
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(b) any director or officer of the Company be authorized and directed to do all acts and things and to execute and deliver all documents required, as in the opinion of such director or officer may be necessary or appropriate in order to give effect to this resolution.”
-
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A copy of the Plan is available at the records office of the Company Suite 1610-777 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V7Y1K4 until the business day immediately preceding the date of the Meeting, and a copy will also be made available at the Meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
As of the date of this Circular, the management of the Company knows of no other matters to be acted upon at the Meeting. However, should any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the Common Shares represented by the Proxy solicited hereby will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons voting the Common Shares represented by the Proxy.
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Set out below are particulars of compensation paid to the directors and the named executive officers of the Company. “ Named Executive Officer ” or “ NEO ” means each of the following individuals:
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(a) the Company’s CEO;
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(b) the Company’s chief financial officer (“ CFO ”);
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(c) the Company’s most highly compensated executive officer other than the individuals identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was more than
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$150,000 for that financial year; and
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(d) each individual who would be a NEO under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was neither an executive officer of the Company or its subsidiaries, nor acting in a similar capacity, at the end of that financial year.
As at May 31, 2020, the end of the most recently completed financial year of the Company, the Company had two (2) NEOs, whose name and positions held within the Company are set out in the summary compensation table below.
Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation
The following table is a summary of compensation awarded to, earned by, paid to, or payable to the NEO and directors of the Company for the two most recently completed financial years.
| Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and | Year | Salary, | Bonus | Committee | Value of | Value of all | Total |
| position | Ended(1) | consulting |
($) | or meeting | perquisites | other | compensation |
| fee, retainer | fees | ($) | compensation | ($) | |||
| or | ($) | ($) | |||||
| commission | |||||||
| ($) | |||||||
| Simon Dyakowski President, CEO and Director |
2020 2019 |
40,000 18,000 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
40,000 18,000 |
| Kenneth Phillippe CFO & Corporate Secretary |
2020 2019 |
22,000 15,000 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
22,000 15,000 |
| Jordan Trimble Director |
2020 2019 |
5,000 Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
5,000 Nil |
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| Christopher Dyakowski Director |
2020 2019 |
24,000(4) 12,000(4) |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
24,000 12,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Kates Director |
2020 2019 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Notes:
(1) Year ended May 31.
(2) All compensation was awarded to, earned by, paid to, or payable for services as President and CEO of the Company.
(3) All compensation was awarded to, earned by, paid to, or payable for services as CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company. (4) Paid to Max Investments Inc., a company controlled by Chis Dyakowski, pursuant to a consulting agreement with the Corporation.
Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
| Compensation Securities | Compensation Securities | Compensation Securities | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and position | Type of | Number of | Date of issue | Issue, | Closing | Closing | Expiry |
| compens | compensation | or grant | conversi | price of | price of | Date | |
ation |
securities, |
on or | security or |
security or |
|||
| security | number of | exercise | underlying | underlying | |||
| underlying | price ($) | security on | security at | ||||
| securities and | date of | year end | |||||
| percentage of | grant | ($) (1) |
|||||
| class (1) |
($) | ||||||
| Simon Dyakowski President, CEO and Director |
Stock Options |
300,000 (2.88%) 200,000 (1.36%) |
November 29, 2018 August 17, 2020 |
$0.20 $0.32 |
N/A(2) $0.32 |
$0.16 $0.235 |
November 29, 2023 August 17, 2025 |
| Kenneth Phillippe CFO & Corporate Secretary |
Stock Options |
100,000 (0.96%) 50,000 (0.34%) |
November 29, 2018 August 17, 2020 |
$0.20 $0.32 |
N/A(2) $0.32 |
$0.16 $0.235 |
November 29, 2023 August 17, 2025 |
| Jordan Trimble Director |
Stock Options |
100,000 (0.96%) 50,000 (0.34%) |
November 29, 2018 August 17, 2020 |
$0.20 $0.32 |
N/A(2) $0.32 |
$0.16 $0.235 |
November 29, 2023 August 17, 2025 |
| Christopher Dyakowski Director |
Stock Options |
200,000 (1.92%) 100,000 (0.68%) |
November 29, 2018 August 17, 2020 |
$0.20 $0.32 |
N/A(2) $0.32 |
$0.16 $0.235 |
November 29, 2023 August 17, 2025 |
| Justin Kates Director |
Stock Options |
100,000 (0.96%) 50,000 (0.34%) |
November 29, 2018 August 17, 2020 |
$0.20 $0.32 |
N/A(2) $0.32 |
$0.16 $0.235 |
November 29, 2023 August 17, 2025 |
Notes:
(1) Year ended May 31, 2019 and May 31, 2020, respectively.
(2) These stock options were granted immediately after completion of the initial public offering and before trading in the Common Shares commenced.
During the most recently completed financial year, the Named Executive Officers and Directors did not exercise any Options under the Option Plan in respect of the Common Shares.
Stock Option Plans and Other Incentive Plans
See “Adoption of Stock Option Plan” above for the material terms of the Company’s Plan. The Company’s Plan was previously approved by Shareholders at the annual general meeting held on July 31, 2019, and will be placed before the Meeting for Shareholder approval.
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Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements
There are no written employment contracts between the Company and any Named Executive Officer or director. Pursuant to a consulting agreement with Simon Dyakowski, Simon Dyakowski is to be paid a base fee of $5,000 per month for services as CEO of the Company. Pursuant to a consulting agreement with Max Investments Inc., a private company owned and controlled by Chris Dyakowski, Max Investments Inc. is to be paid a base fee of $2,000 per month for services as Chairman of the Company.
There are no compensatory plans(s) or arrangements(s) with respect to the Named Executive Officers or directors resulting from the resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment of the officer or director’s employment or from a change of any Named Executive Officer or director’s responsibilities following a change in control.
Oversight and description of director and named executive officer compensation
The objective of the Company’s compensation program is to compensate the executive officers and directors for their services to the Company at a level that is both in line with the Company’s fiscal resources and competitive with companies at a similar stage of development.
The Company compensates its executive officers and directors based on their skill, qualifications, experience level, level of responsibility involved in their position, the existing stage of development of the Company, the Company’s resources, industry practice and regulatory guidelines regarding executive compensation levels.
The Board has implemented three levels of compensation to align the interests of the executive officers with those of the Shareholders. First, executive officers may be paid a monthly consulting fee or salary. Second, the Board may award executive officers long term incentives in the form of stock options. Finally, and only in special circumstances, the Board may award cash or share bonuses for exceptional performance that results in a significant increase in Shareholder value. The Company may provide medical and dental benefits but it does not provide pension or other benefits to the executive officers.
The base compensation of the executive officers is reviewed and set annually by the Board. The CEO has substantial input in setting annual compensation levels. The CEO is directly responsible for the financial resources and operations of the Company. In addition, the CEO and Board from time to time determine the stock option grants to be made pursuant to the Company’s stock option plan. Previous grants of stock options are taken into account when considering new grants. The Board awards bonuses at its sole discretion. The Board does not have pre-existing performance criteria or objectives.
Compensation for the most recently completed financial year should not be considered an indicator of expected compensation levels in future periods. All compensation is subject to and dependent on the Company’s financial resources and prospects.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company did not have an equity compensation plan in place at the end of its most recently completed financial year (May 31, 2020), or the year ended May 31, 2019.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year (May 31, 2020), or the beginning of the financial year ended May 31, 2019, none of the directors, executive officers, employees, proposed nominees for election as directors or their associates have been indebted to the Company.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Except as disclosed herein or above, no informed person (a director, officer or holder of 10% or more of the Common Shares) or nominee for election as a director of the Company or any associate or affiliate of any informed person or proposed director had any interest in any transaction since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
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MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
Management functions of the Company are not to any substantial degree performed by anyone other than by the directors or executive officers of the Company. See “Employment, consulting and management agreements” above.
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance
Corporate governance relates to the activities of the Board, the members of which are elected by and are accountable to the Shareholders, and takes into account the role of the individual members of management who are appointed by the Board and charged with the day to day management of the Company. The Canadian Securities Administrators (“ CSA ”) have adopted National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines, which provides non-prescriptive guidelines on corporate governance practices for reporting issuers such as the Company. In addition, the CSA have implemented National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“ NI 58-101 ”), which prescribes certain disclosure by the Company of its corporate governance practices. This disclosure is presented below.
Board of Directors
The composition of the Board currently consists of the following four members: Simon Dyakowski, Jordan Trimble, Christopher Dyakowski and Justin Kates. It is proposed that all four individuals will be nominated at the Meeting.
A director is independent if he or she has no direct or indirect “material relationship” with the Company. A “material relationship” is a relationship which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of the director’s independent judgment. Of the proposed nominees, Simon Dyakowski, President and CEO, is considered to be non-independent.
Other Directorships
The following table sets forth the directors of the Company who are directors of other reporting issuers as at the date of this Circular:
| Name | Name of other reporting issuer |
|---|---|
| Simon Dyakowski | Aztec Minerals Corp. Tri Capital Opportunities Corp. Jessy Ventures Corp. |
| Jordan Trimble | Skyharbour Resources Ltd. Rockridge Resources Ltd. Tri Capital Opportunities Corp. NewPlacer Dome Gold Corp. |
| Christopher Dyakowski | Jessy Ventures Corp. |
Orientation and Continuing Education
Orientation of new members of the Board is conducted informally by Management and members of the Board. The Company has not adopted formal policies respecting continuing education for Board members.
Ethical Business Conduct
Some of the directors of the Company also serve as directors and officers of other companies engaged in similar business activities. As such, the Board must comply with the conflict of interest provisions of the British Columbia Business Corporations Act , as well as the relevant securities regulatory instruments, in order to ensure that directors exercise independent judgment in considering transactions and agreements in respect of which a director or officer has a material interest. Any interested director is required to declare the nature and extent of his interest and is not entitled to vote at meetings of directors which evoke any such conflict.
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Nomination of Directors
The Board considers its size each year when it considers the number of directors to recommend to the shareholders for election at the annual general meeting. The Board takes into account the number of directors required to carry out the Board’s duties effectively and to maintain diversity of views and experience. The Board has not established a nominating committee and this function is currently performed by the Board as a whole.
Compensation
To determine compensation payable, the board will review compensation paid for directors and executive officers of companies of similar size and stage of development in the mineral exploration industry and determine an appropriate compensation reflecting the need to provide incentive and compensation for the time and effort expended by the directors and senior management while taking into account the financial and other resources of the Company. In setting the compensation, the board intends to annually review the performance of the senior officers in light of the Company’s objectives and consider other factors that may have impacted the success of the Company in achieving its objectives.
Board Committees
The Board currently has no standing committees other than the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist in monitoring: (i) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company; (ii) the compliance by the Company with the legal and regulatory requirements; and (iii) the qualification, appointment, independence and performance of the Company’s external auditors and senior financial executives.
Assessments
Neither the Company nor the Board has determined formal means or methods to regularly assess the Board, its Audit Committee, or the individual directors with respect to their effectiveness and contributions. Effectiveness is subjectively measured by comparing actual corporate results with stated objectives. The contributions of an individual director is informally monitored by the other Board members, having in mind the business strengths of the individual and the purpose of originally nominating the individual to the Board.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Audit Committee Disclosure
Pursuant to Section 224(1) of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and National Instrument 52-110 of the Canadian Securities Administrators (“ NI 52-110 ”) the Company is required to have an audit committee (the “ Committee ”) comprised of not less than three directors, a majority of whom are not officers, control persons or employees of the Company or an affiliate of the Company. NI 52-110 requires the Company, as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its Circular certain information concerning the constitution of its audit committee and its relationship with its independent auditor, as set forth below.
The primary function of the Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities by: (i) reviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to regulatory authorities and Shareholders; (ii) reviewing the systems for internal corporate controls which have been established by the Board and management; and (iii) overseeing the Company’s financial reporting processes generally. In meeting these responsibilities the Committee monitors the financial reporting process and internal control system; reviews and appraises the work of external auditors and provides an avenue of communication between the external auditors, senior management and the Board. The Committee is also mandated to review and approve all material related party transactions.
Composition of the Audit Committee
The Committee is comprised of the following members: Jordan Trimble and Christopher Dyakowski are independent and Simon Dyakowski is considered not to be independent. Each member of the Committee is considered to be financially literate, as defined by NI 52-110, in that they have the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can presumably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements.
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The members of the Committee are elected by the Board at its first meeting following the annual shareholders’ meeting. Unless a chair is elected by the full Board, the members of the Committee designate a chair by a majority vote of the full Committee membership.
Relevant Education and Experience
All three Committee members have the ability to read and understand financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements and are therefore considered “financially literate”.
| Name of Member | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Simon Dyakowski | MBA (Finance), CFA charterholder and Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies |
Professional experience is in equity research and equity sales coverage with previous positions held at Salman Partners and Leede Financial; director and officer of public companies |
| Chris Dyakowski | BSc (Geo) | 38 years’ experience as a director and/or officer of public companies |
| Jordan Trimble | BSc (Minor in Commerce), CFA charterholder |
6 years’ experience as a director and/officer of public companies |
The Audit Committee’s Charter
The Company has adopted a Charter of the Audit Committee, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule “A”.
Audit Committee Oversight
Since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, the Board has not failed to adopt a recommendation of the Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor.
Reliance on Certain Exemptions
Since the effective date of NI 52-110, the Company has not relied on the exemptions contained in sections 2.4, 6.1.1(4), 6.1.1(5), 6.1.1(6) or 8 of NI 52-110. Section 2.4 provides an exemption from the requirement that the audit committee must pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided by the auditor, where the total amount of fees related to the nonaudit services are not expected to exceed 5% of the total fees payable to the auditor in the fiscal year in which the nonaudit services were provided. Sections 6.1.1(4) to 6.1.1(6) relate to the composition of the Committee. Section 8 permits a company to apply to a securities regulatory authority for an exemption from the requirements of NI 52-110, in whole or in part.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Committee has not adopted specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services. Subject to the requirements of NI 52-110, the engagement of non-audit services is considered by the Board, and where applicable the Committee, on a case-by-case basis.
External Auditor Service Fees
In the following table, “audit fees” are fees billed by the Company’s external auditor for services provided in auditing the Company’s annual financial statements for the subject year. “Audit-related fees” are fees not included in audit fees that are billed by the auditor for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements. “Tax fees” are fees billed by the auditor for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. “All other fees” are fees billed by the auditor for products and services not included in the foregoing categories.
The fees paid by the Company to its auditor in the two most recently completed financial years, by category, are as follows:
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| Financial Year | Audit Fees | Audit Related Fees | Tax Fees | All Other Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ending | ||||
| May31,2020 | $21,400 | Nil | $1,284 | Nil |
| May31,2019 | $10,700 | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Exemption
The Company is relying on the exemption provided by section 6.1 of NI 52-110 which provides that the Company, as a venture issuer, is not required to comply with Part 3 (Composition of the Audit Committee) and Part 5 (Reporting Obligations) of NI 52-110.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Financial information is provided in the Company’s comparative annual audited financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis (“ MD&A ”) for its most recently completed financial year, and will be available online at www.sedar.com. Shareholders may request additional copies by mail to Suite 1610-777 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V7Y1K4.
DIRECTORS’ APPROVAL
The contents and the sending of the accompanying Notice of Meeting and this Circular have been approved by the Board.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, this 27[th] day of October, 2020.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Simon Dyakowski”
Simon Dyakowski President, CEO & Director
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SCHEDULE “A”
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
[SEE ATTACHED]
CORP.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
1. Mandate and Purpose of the Committee
Committee Board Corp. Company in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to:
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
==> picture [361 x 82] intentionally omitted <==
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(d) internal controls and disclosure controls;
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(e)
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(f) consideration and approval of certain related party transactions; and
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(g) performing the additional duties set out in this Charter or otherwise delegated to the Committee by the Board.
2. Authority
The Committee has the authority to:
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(i) engage and compensate independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary or advisable to carry out its duties; and
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(ii)
The Committee has the authority to delegate to individual members or subcommittees of the Committee.
3. Composition and Expertise
The Committee shall be composed of a minimum of three members, each of whom is a director of the such terms are defined in applicable securities legislation.
Committee members shall be appointed annually by the Board at the first meeting of the Board following each annual meeting of shareholders. Committee members hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until they are removed by the Board or cease to be directors of the Company.
The Board shall appoint one member of the Committee to act as Chair of the Committee. If the Chair of the Committee is absent from any meeting, the Committee shall select one of the other members of the Committee to preside at that meeting.
4. Meetings
Any member of the Committee or the auditor may call a meeting of the Committee. The Committee shall meet at least four times per year and as many additional times as the Committee deems necessary to carry of the Committee, the Board and senior management.
Notice of the time and place of every meeting shall be given in writing to each member of the Committee, shall be given notice of every meeting of the Committee and, at the expense of the Company, shall be entitled to attend and be heard therea
A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. No business may be transacted by the Committee except at a meeting of its members at which a quorum of the Committee is present in person or by means of such telephonic, electronic or other communications facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously. Business may also be transacted by the unanimous written consent resolutions of the members of the Committee, which when so approved shall be deemed to be resolutions passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of the Committee.
The Committee may invite such directors, officers and employees of the Company and advisors as it sees fit from time to time to attend meetings of the Committee.
The Committee shall meet without management present whenever the Committee deems it appropriate.
The Committee shall appoint a Secretary who need not be a director or officer of the Company. Minutes of the meetings of the Committee shall be recorded and maintained by the Secretary and shall be subsequently presented to the Committee for review and approval.
5. Committee and Charter Review
The Committee shall conduct an annual review and assessment of its performance, effectiveness and contribution, including a review of its compliance with this Charter. The Committee shall conduct such review and assessment in such manner as it deems appropriate and report the results thereof to the Board.
The Committee shall also review and assess the adequacy of this Charter on an annual basis, taking into account all legislative and regulatory requirements applicable to the Committee, as well as any guidelines recommended by regulators or the Toronto Stock Exchange and shall recommend changes to the Board thereon.
6. Reporting to the Board
The Committee shall report to the Board in a timely manner with respect to each of its meetings held. This report may take the form of circulating copies of the minutes of each meeting held.
7. Duties and Responsibilities
- (a) Financial Reporting
The Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending approval to the Board of nd interim financial statements, MD&A and related news releases, before they are released.
The Committee is also responsible for:
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(i) being satisfied that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the the preceding paragraph, and for periodically assessing the adequacy of those procedures;
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(ii)
- rim financial statements;
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(iii) accounting principles and financial reporting standards, not just the acceptability of thereof;
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(iv) discussing with management any significant variances between comparative reporting periods; and
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(v) identifying problems or areas of concern and ensuring such matters are satisfactorily resolved.
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(b) Auditor
The Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board:
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(i) the auditor to be nominated for the purpose of preparing or issuing an Company; and
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(ii) the compensation of the Comp
, review or attest services
for the Company, including the resolution of disagreements between management and the
- (c) Relationship with the Auditor
The Committee is responsible for reviewing the proposed audit plan and proposed audit fees. The Committee is also responsible for:
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(i) establishing effective communication processes with management and the or the quality and effectiveness
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(ii) receiving and reviewing regular feedback from the auditor on the progress against the approved audit plan, important findings, recommendations for improvements
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(iii) reviewing, at least annually, a report from the auditor on all relationships and engagements for non-audit services that may be reasonably thought to bear on the independence of the auditor; and
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(iv) meeting in camera with the auditor whenever the Committee deems it appropriate.
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(d) Accounting Policies
The Committee is responsible for:
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(i) acceptability with applicable accounting principles and financial reporting standards as part of the approval of the financial statements;
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(ii) discussing and reviewing the impact of proposed changes in accounting standards or securities policies or regulations;
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(iii) reviewing with management and the auditor any proposed changes in major accounting policies and key estimates and judgments that may be material to financial reporting;
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(iv) discussing with management and the auditor the acceptability, degree of aggressiveness/conservatism and quality of underlying accounting policies and key estimates and judgments; and
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(v) discussing with management and the auditor the clarity and completeness of the
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(e) Risk and Uncertainty
The Committee is responsible for reviewing, as part of its approval of the financial statements:
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(i) uncertainty notes and disclosures; and
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(ii) MD&A disclosures.
The Committee, in consultation with management, will identify the principal business risks reviewing related risk management policies and recommending such policies for approval by the Board. The Committee is then responsible for communicating and assigning to the applicable Board committee such policies for implementation and ongoing monitoring.
assessment of significant risks facing the Company and how effectively they are managed or controlled.
- (f) Controls and Control Deviations
The Committee is responsible for reviewing:
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(i) the plan and scope of the annual audit with respect to planned reliance and testing of controls; and
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(ii) evaluation and testing.
The Committee is also responsible for receiving reports from management when significant control deviations occur.
- (g) Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The Committee is responsible for reviewing regular reports from management and others regulations, such as:
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(i) tax and financial reporting laws and regulations;
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(ii) legal withholdings requirements;
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(iii) environmental protection laws; and
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(iv) other matters for which directors face liability exposure.
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(h) Related Party Transactions
be presented to the Committee for consideration.
udes (i) all directors, officers, employees, consultants and their associates (as that term is defined in the Securities Act (British Columbia)), as well as all part control or direction over, directly or indirectly securities of the Company carrying more g securities
Related party transactions involving general related parties which are not material to the Company require review and approval by the Committee. Related party transactions that are material to the Company or that involve 10% shareholders require approval by the Board, following review thereof by the Committee and the Committee providing its recommendation thereon to the Board.
8. Non-Audit Services
All nonmust be pre-approved by the Committee.
9. Submission Systems and Treatment of Complaints
The Committee is responsible for establishing procedures for:
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(a) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
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(b) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
The Committee is responsible for reviewing complaints and concerns that are brought to the attention of the Chair of the Audit Committee and for ensuring that any such complaints and concerns are appropriately addressed. The Committee shall report quarterly to the Board on the status of any complaints or concerns received by the Committee.
10. Procedure For Reporting Of Fraud Or Control Weaknesses
Each employee is expected to report situations in which he or she suspects fraud or is aware of any internal control weaknesses. An employee should treat suspected fraud seriously, and ensure that the situation is brought to the attention of the Committee. In addition, weaknesses in the internal control procedures of the Company that may result in errors or omissions in financial information, or that create a risk of potential management and the Committee.
To facilitate the reporting of suspected fraud, it is the policy of Company that the employee (the Chair be appointed prior to the updating of this document, current Chair will ensure that the whistleblower is able to reach the new Chair in a timely manner. In the event that the Chair of the Audit Committee cannot be reached, the whistleblower should contact the Chair of the Board of Directors. Access to the
In addition, it is the policy of the Company that employees concerned about reporting internal control weaknesses directly to management are able to report such weaknesses to the Committee anonymously. In this case, the employee should follow the same procedure detailed above for reporting suspected fraud.
11. Hiring Policies
partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and former auditor of the Company.