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Jack Nathan Medical Corp. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2022
Nov 10, 2022
47473_rns_2022-11-10_b7f9bd01-3a42-4fbd-a07d-4e8411294b99.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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This Management Information Circular and the accompanying materials require your immediate attention. If you are in doubt as to how to deal with these documents or the matters to which they refer, please consult a professional advisor.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
AND
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
FOR THE
ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS
OF
JACK NATHAN MEDICAL CORP.
To be held at 1:30 p.m. (Toronto time) on Friday, December 2, 2022
Dated as of November 2, 2022
No securities regulatory authority has in any way passed upon the merits of anything described in this Management Information Circular and any representation to the contrary is an offence.
JACK NATHAN MEDICAL CORP.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual and Special Meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of shareholders (the “ Shareholders ”) of Jack Nathan Medical Corp. (the “ Corporation ”) will be held via zoom and teleconference (further details provided below) on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) for the following purposes:
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to receive and consider the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as at and for the years ended January 31, 2022 and 2021, together with the auditors’ report thereon;
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to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, a resolution to re-appoint MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants and Licensed Public Accountants, as auditors of the Corporation and to authorize the directors of the Corporation to fix the auditors’ remuneration and the terms of their engagement;
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to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, a resolution to fix the current number of directors of the Corporation between the minimum number and maximum number at five (5);
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to consider and, if deemed advisable, to elect as directors of the Corporation for the forthcoming year the nominees proposed by the management of the Corporation in the management information circular of the Corporation (the “Circular ”) accompanying and forming part of this Notice;
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to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, a resolution (a) approving a certain amendment to the Corporation's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), as such amendment is described in the Circular, (b) approving the Plan as amended by such amendment, as required pursuant to the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange;
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to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, a resolution approving the grant of certain restricted stock units of the Corporation pursuant to the Plan, as described in the Circular;
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to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, a resolution confirming the making of a by-law of the Corporation providing advance notice requirements for the nomination of directors of the Corporation, as described in the Circular; and
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to transact such further or other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The details of the matters proposed to be put before the Meeting are set forth in the Circular, which is supplemental to and expressly made a part of this Notice. Shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 28, 2022 (the record date) will be entitled to vote at the Meeting and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof. A form of proxy solicited by management of the Corporation in respect of the Meeting is enclosed herewith.
After taking into account Provincial and Federal guidance regarding public gatherings and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation has elected to hold the Meeting by zoom and teleconference, allowing shareholders to attend and participate at the Meeting by accessing the link below or dialling into the Meeting as detailed below, although, for the purposes of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and the by-laws of the Corporation, the Meeting will be deemed to be held at the offices of the Corporation’s legal counsel, Dickinson Wright LLP, Suite 2200, 199 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, who are coordinating the zoom and telephone conference. Unless the Corporation announces otherwise by means of a news release, the Meeting will be conducted by zoom and teleconference only. This serves to proactively protect the health and wellbeing of the Corporation's shareholders, management, directors and service partners, while permitting and encouraging shareholder participation at the Meeting. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and issues related to the verification of shareholder identity via teleconference, in person voting will not be permitted at the Meeting. Shareholders wishing to vote must do so in advance of the Meeting using the voting instruction form or the form of proxy mailed or otherwise sent to shareholders with the Meeting materials and submitting such voting instruction form or form of proxy in accordance with the instructions provided by no later than 1:30 p.m. (Toronto Time) on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the cut-off time for deposit of proxies prior to the Meeting. Shareholders wishing to attend the Meeting are encouraged to do so by accessing the link below or calling the number below.
Details of the Meeting
Date: December 2, 2022 Time: 1:30 p.m. (Toronto Time)
Join by Zoom
Meeting URL:
https://dickinsonwright.zoom.us/j/89894951323?pwd=STFaTEYvRUg4NC9WOXhIWkMwWGFmdz09 Meeting ID: 898 9495 1323 Passcode: 093634
Join by Telephone
Telephone Access: +1 386 347 5053 or +1 564 217 2000 or +1 646 931 3860 or 833 548 0282 (Toll Free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0276 (Toll Free)
Meeting ID: 898 9495 1323
SHAREHOLDERS AND PROXYHOLDERS WILL HAVE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AT THE MEETING REGARDLESS OF THEIR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD DIAL IN 5 TO 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED START TIME AND ASK TO JOIN THE CALL.
SHAREHOLDERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THE ZOOM AND CONFERENCE CALL. VOTING WILL BE CONDUCTED EXCLUSIVELY BY PROXY.
DATED at the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, as of the 2nd day of November, 2022.
By Order of the Board of Directors of JACK NATHAN MEDICAL CORP. (signed) “Neil J. Labatte”
______ Neil J. Labatte Chairman of the Board of Directors
SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY OR OTHER APPROPRIATE FORM OF PROXY AND RETURN IT TO THE TRANSFER AGENT, TSX TRUST COMPANY, 100 ADELAIDE STREET WEST, SUITE 301, TORONTO, ONTARIO M5H 4H1, BY NOT LATER THAN 1:30 P.M. (EASTERN TIME) ON NOVEMBER 30, 2022 OR, IF THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED, NOT LATER THAN 48 HOURS, EXCLUDING SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS OR HOLIDAYS, PRECEDING THE TIME OF SUCH ADJOURNED MEETING, IN DEFAULT OF WHICH IT MAY BE TREATED AS INVALID, ALTHOUGH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING HAS THE DISCRETION TO ACCEPT PROXIES FILED LESS THAN 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEETING, OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF. IN ORDER TO BE REPRESENTED BY PROXY, SHAREHOLDERS MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY OR OTHER APPROPRIATE FORM OF PROXY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GLOSSARY OF TERMS............................................................................................................................................ v SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................................. 1 PROXY SOLICITATION .......................................................................................................................................... 2 PART ONE ................................................................................................................................................................... 3 VOTING INFORMATION AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS APPOINTMENT AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES .................................................................................................................................................................. 3 PART TWO ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE AND RELATED MATTERS .......................................................................... 8 SUMMARY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (Form 51-102F6V) ................................................................ 8 STOCK OPTIONS AND OTHER COMPENSATION SECURITIES .................................................................... 9 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN ............................................................................................................. 12 EMPLOYMENT, CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS ....................................................... 16 OVERSIGHT AND DESCRIPTION OF DIRECTOR AND NEO COMPENSATION ........................................ 16 PENSION PLAN BENEFITS ................................................................................................................................. 18 PART THREE ........................................................................................................................................................... 18 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND OTHER MATTERS ................................................................................. 18 INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON AND INTERESTS OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS .................................................... 22 PART FOUR .............................................................................................................................................................. 23 PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON AT THE MEETING .................................................... 23 OTHER BUSINESS ................................................................................................................................................ 28 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................... 28 BOARD APPROVAL ............................................................................................................................................. 28
SCHEDULES
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“A” Statement of Corporate Governance Practices
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“B” Audit Committee Charter
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“C” By-law no. 3 of the Corporation (A by-law relating to the nomination of directors)
ENCLOSURES
Notice of Meeting Form of Proxy Relating to Meeting
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following is a glossary of terms used frequently throughout this Management Information Circular:
“ beneficial shareholders ” has the meaning ascribed thereto under Part One “Voting Information and Principal Shareholders Appointment and Revocability of Proxies − Non-registered or Beneficial Shareholders”;
“ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation in office at any particular time;
“ CEO ” means Chief Executive Officer;
“ CFO ” means Chief Financial Officer;
“ Circular ” means this Management Information Circular;
“ Common Shares ” means the common shares in the capital of the Corporation, as currently constituted;
“ Corporation ” means Jack Nathan Medical Corp., a corporation existing under the OBCA;
“ Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as at and for the years ended January 31, 2022 and 2021 together with the auditor’s report thereon;
“ Insider ” for the purposes of the Stock Option Plan means: (i) an “insider” as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario), other than a person who falls within that definition solely by virtue of being a director or senior officer of a subsidiary; and (ii) an associate, as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario), of any person who is an insider by virtue of clause (i) above;
“ Meeting Date ” means Friday, December 2, 2022;
“ Meeting ” means the annual and special meeting of Shareholders to be held on the Meeting Date, including any adjournment, adjournments, postponement or postponements thereof;
“ Meeting Materials ” means the Circular and the accompanying Notice and form of proxy;
“ Notice ” means the Notice of the Meeting accompanying this Circular;
“ OBCA ” means the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), as amended;
“ Omnibus Plan ” means the omnibus equity incentive plan of the Corporation which was approved by the Shareholders on August 9, 2021, as amended from time to time;
“ Option ” means an option to acquire one Common Share issued pursuant to the Omnibus Plan;
“ Optionee ” means a holder of an Option;
“ Person ” includes any individual, partnership, association, limited or unlimited liability company, joint venture, body corporate, trustee, trust, executor, administrator, legal representative, government or any other entity, whether or not having legal status;
“ Record Date ” in respect of the Meeting means October 28, 2022;
“ Related Party ” in relation to a corporation, means a promoter, director, officer, other insider or any control person of the corporation or associates or affiliates of any such person;
“ Shareholder ” means a holder of Common Shares;
“ TSXV ” means the TSX Venture Exchange; and
words importing the singular number only include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender or the neuter includes all genders and the neuter.
CURRENCY
As the Corporation's financial statements are prepared in Canadian dollars, all dollar amounts referred to in this Circular are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. References in this Circular to “$” or “Cdn$” are to Canadian dollars.
SUMMARY
The following is a summary of the matters to be considered and, in some cases, voted upon by the Shareholders at the Meeting and certain other information contained in this Circular. This summary is provided for convenience only and the information in this summary should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in the Circular. Certain capitalized terms used in this summary are defined in the Glossary of Terms in this Circular.
Meeting Date and Location
After taking into account Provincial and Federal guidance regarding public gatherings and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation has elected to hold the Meeting by zoom and teleconference, allowing shareholders to attend and participate at the Meeting by accessing the link below or dialling into the Meeting as detailed below, although, for the purposes of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and the by-laws of the Corporation, the Meeting will be deemed to be held at the offices of the Corporation’s legal counsel, Dickinson Wright LLP, Suite 2200, 199 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, who are coordinating the zoom and telephone conference. Unless the Corporation announces otherwise by means of a news release, the Meeting will be conducted by zoom and teleconference only. This serves to proactively protect the health and wellbeing of the Corporation's shareholders, management, directors and service partners, while permitting and encouraging shareholder participation at the Meeting.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and issues related to the verification of shareholder identity via teleconference, in person voting will not be permitted at the Meeting. Shareholders wishing to vote must do so in advance of the Meeting using the voting instruction form or the form of proxy mailed or otherwise sent to shareholders with the Meeting materials and submitting such voting instruction form or form of proxy in accordance with the instructions provided by no later than 1:30 p.m. (Toronto Time) on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the cut-off time for deposit of proxies prior to the Meeting. Shareholders wishing to attend the Meeting are encouraged to do so by accessing the link below or calling the number below.
SHAREHOLDERS AND PROXYHOLDERS WILL HAVE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AT THE MEETING REGARDLESS OF THEIR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD DIAL IN 5 TO 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED START TIME AND ASK TO JOIN THE CALL. SHAREHOLDERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THE ZOOM AND CONFERENCE CALL. VOTING WILL BE CONDUCTED EXCLUSIVELY BY PROXY.
Details of the Meeting
The Meeting will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. (Toronto Time).
Join by Zoom
Meeting URL: https://dickinsonwright.zoom.us/j/89894951323?pwd=STFaTEYvRUg4NC9WOXhIWkMwWGFmdz09 Meeting ID: 898 9495 1323 Passcode: 093634
Join by Telephone
Telephone Access: +1 386 347 5053 or +1 564 217 2000 or +1 646 931 3860 or 833 548 0282 (Toll Free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0276 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 898 9495 1323
Record Date
The Record Date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting is the close of business on October 28, 2022.
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Purposes of the Meeting
The purposes of the Meeting are as follows:
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to receive and consider the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as at and for the years ended January 31, 2022 and 2021;
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to appoint auditors of the Corporation and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration and terms of engagement of such auditors;
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to fix the current number of directors of the Corporation between the minimum number and maximum number at five (5);
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to elect directors of the Corporation;
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to approve (i) a certain amendment to the Omnibus Plan, as such amendment is described in the Circular, and (ii) the Omnibus Plan as amended by such amendment, as required pursuant to the rules of the TSXV;
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to approve the grant of certain restricted stock units of the Corporation pursuant to the Omnibus Plan, as described in the Circular;
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to confirm the making of a by-law of the Corporation providing advance notice requirements for the nomination of directors of the Corporation, as described in the Circular; and
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to consider such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
Shareholder Approvals Required
Unless otherwise noted under “ Particulars Of Matters To Be Acted Upon At The Meeting ”, and unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange rule, every question and every resolution coming before the Meeting will be determined by a majority of votes duly cast on the matter.
PROXY SOLICITATION
This Management Information Circular (the “Circular”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the management of Jack Nathan Medical Corp. (the “Corporation”) for use at the annual and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the holders of Common Shares of the Corporation to be held on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. (Toronto time) and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, for the purposes set forth in the notice (the “Notice”) of Meeting accompanying this Circular.
All costs of this solicitation of proxies by management will be borne by the Corporation. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, directors and officers and certain employees of the Corporation may solicit proxies personally by telephone or other telecommunication but will not receive additional compensation for doing so.
The information contained herein is given as of October 28, 2022, unless otherwise noted.
This Circular describes the matters to be acted on at the Meeting and the procedures for attending or appointing proxies to vote at the Meeting.
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PART ONE
VOTING INFORMATION AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS APPOINTMENT AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
If you are a registered shareholder, you can vote your shares at the Meeting exclusively by completing the form of proxy included with this Circular and returning the completed proxy in accordance with the instructions given below. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and issues related to the verification of the shareholder identity via zoom or teleconference, in person voting will not be permitted at the Meeting.
Appointment of Proxy
A form of proxy is enclosed and you are asked to sign, date and return the form of proxy in the envelope provided. The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy are directors, officers or other individuals appointed by the Corporation. If you are a shareholder entitled to vote at the Meeting, you have the right to appoint a person (who need not be a shareholder of the Corporation), other than the persons designated in the enclosed form of proxy, to vote for you and to attend and speak on your behalf at the Meeting Such right may be exercised by striking out the names of the persons designated in the enclosed form of proxy and by inserting in the blank space provided for that purpose the name of the person to be appointed or by completing another proper form of proxy. It is important to ensure that any other person you appoint will be attending the Meeting by accessing the zoom meeting or calling in to the teleconference and will represent you to the Meeting. Proxyholders should, upon arrival at the Meeting, present themselves to a representative of the scrutineers at the Meeting.
The proxy must be executed by the shareholder or his attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a corporation, by instrument in writing executed by a duly authorized signatory of such corporation (under corporate seal if so required by the rules and laws governing the corporation). If the proxy is executed by a duly authorized attorney or authorized signatory of the shareholder, the proxy should reflect such person’s capacity following his or her signature. At the request of the Corporation, an appropriate instrument evidencing such person's qualifications and authority to act may be required.
Depositing Proxy
As in person voting will not be permitted by zoom or teleconference at the Meeting, if you want to vote your shares, you must do so by proxy.
A proxy to be exercised at the Meeting must be mailed to or deposited with the Corporation’s registrar and transfer agent, TSX Trust Company, 100 Adelaide Street West, Suite 301, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4H1 Attention: Proxy Department, such that it is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in the Province of Ontario) prior to the commencement of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, in default of which it may be treated as invalid, although the Chairman of the Meeting has the discretion to accept proxies filed less than 48 hours prior to the commencement of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof.
A proxy is valid only at the meeting in respect of which it is given or any adjournment of that meeting.
NON-REGISTERED OR BENEFICIAL SHAREHOLDERS
Your shares may not be registered in your name but in the name of an intermediary (which is usually a bank, trust company, securities dealer or stock broker, or trustees or administrators of self-administered registered savings plans, registered retirement savings funds, registered education savings plans and similar plans, or a clearing agency in which an intermediary participates). If your shares are listed in an account statement provided to you by a broker, then it is likely that those shares are not registered in your name but under the broker’s name or under the name of an agent of the broker. In Canada, the vast majority of such shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited which acts as the nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms) and, in the United States, under the name of Cede & Co. (the registration name for The Depository Trust Company, which acts as depository for many U.S. brokerage firms and custodian banks).
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If your shares are registered in the name of an intermediary or a nominee, you are a non-registered or beneficial shareholder (a “ beneficial shareholder ”). Beneficial shareholders should be aware that only registered shareholders whose names appear on the share register of the Corporation, or the persons they appoint as their proxies, are entitled to vote at the Meeting. The purpose of the procedures described below is to permit non-registered shareholders to direct the voting of the shares they beneficially own. There are two categories of beneficial shareholders. Beneficial shareholders who have provided instructions to an intermediary that they do not object to the intermediary disclosing ownership information about them are considered to be Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners (“ NOBOs ”). Beneficial shareholders who have objected to an intermediary providing ownership information are Objecting Beneficial Owners (“ OBOs ”).
The Corporation has distributed copies of this Circular, the accompanying form of proxy and the Notice, (collectively, the “ Meeting Materials ”) directly to registered shareholders and either directly to the NOBOs or to intermediaries for distribution to NOBOs together with the intermediary’s form of proxy or voting instruction form. The Corporation has not distributed copies of the Meeting Materials to intermediaries for distribution to the OBOs. Unless you have waived your rights to receive the Meeting Materials, the Corporation is required to deliver them to you as a beneficial shareholder of the Corporation and to seek your instructions as to how to vote your shares.
These Meeting Materials are being sent to both registered and beneficial shareholders of the securities. If you are a non-registered owner, and if the Corporation or its transfer 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 shares on your behalf.
If the Corporation or its transfer agent has sent these materials directly to you, as a beneficial shareholder, the Corporation (and not the intermediary holding shares on your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these materials to the beneficial shareholder, and (ii) executing the beneficial shareholder’s proper voting instructions.
If you are a beneficial shareholder who has received these proxy-related materials directly from the Corporation or transfer agent, please return your voting instructions as specified in the request for voting instructions.
Notice and Access
Applicable securities legislation allows electronic delivery of the Meeting Materials and/or delivery of the Meeting Materials only to those who request them (“ Notice and Access ”). The Corporation will not be sending the Meeting Materials to registered shareholders or beneficial shareholders using notice and access for the meeting.
VOTING PROCEDURE FOR BENEFICIAL SHAREHOLDERS
Brokers or agents can only vote the shares of the Corporation if instructed to do so by the beneficial shareholder.
Every broker or agent has its own mailing procedure and provides its own instructions. Typically, a beneficial shareholder will be given a voting instruction form which must be completed and signed by the beneficial shareholder in accordance with the instructions provided by the intermediary. The purpose of this form is to seek instructions from the beneficial shareholder on how to vote on behalf of or otherwise represent the beneficial shareholder. A beneficial shareholder cannot use this form to vote or otherwise represent shares in person at the Meeting. If you are a beneficial shareholder, you must follow the instructions provided by the intermediary in order to ensure that your shares are voted or otherwise represented at the Meeting.
The majority of brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“ Broadridge ”) in Canada and in the United States. Broadridge mails a voting instruction form in lieu of the proxy provided by the Corporation. The voting instruction form will name the same persons as the Corporation’s proxy to vote your shares and to represent you at the Meeting. You have the right to appoint a person (who need not be a beneficial shareholder of the Corporation) other than the persons designated in the voting instruction form to vote your shares and to represent you at the Meeting. To exercise this right, you should insert the name of your desired representative in the blank space provided in the voting instruction form. The completed voting instruction form must then be returned to Broadridge by mail or facsimile or be given to Broadridge by phone or over the internet, in accordance with Broadridge’s instructions. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of shares to be represented at the Meeting. If you receive a voting instruction form from Broadridge, you cannot use it to vote shares directly at the Meeting – the
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instruction form must be returned to Broadridge, in accordance with its instructions, well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the shares voted or otherwise represented at the Meeting.
Occasionally, a beneficial shareholder may be given a proxy that has already been signed by the intermediary. This form of proxy is restricted to the number of shares owned by the beneficial shareholder but is otherwise not completed. This form of proxy does not need to be signed by you. In this case, you can complete and deliver the proxy as described above under the heading “ Registered Shareholders ”.
Beneficial shareholders should carefully follow the instructions of their intermediary on the forms they receive, including those regarding when and where the form of proxy or voting instruction form is to be delivered, and contact their intermediaries promptly if they need assistance.
OBJECTING BENEFICIAL OWNERS – OBOS
If you are an OBO, you cannot use the mechanisms described above for registered shareholders and must follow the instructions provided by the intermediary in order to ensure that your shares are voted or you are otherwise represented at the Meeting.
NON-OBJECTING BENEFICIAL OWNERS – NOBOS
If you, as a NOBO, receive the Corporation’s form of proxy, you may complete and deliver the proxy as described above under the heading “ Registered Shareholders ”. If you, as a NOBO, receive the intermediary’s voting instruction form, follow the instructions provided by the intermediary with respect to completing the form in order to ensure that your shares are voted or you are otherwise represented at the Meeting.
Beneficial Shareholders – Attendance at Meeting
Although as a beneficial shareholder you may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting shares registered in the name of your broker or other intermediary, you may vote your shares as proxyholder for your broker or other intermediary and you may attend the Meeting in that capacity. If you wish to attend at the Meeting and indirectly vote your shares as proxyholder for your broker or other intermediary, you should enter your own name in the blank space on the voting instruction form provided to you, complete the voting instructions and return the voting instruction form to your broker or other intermediary in accordance with the instructions provided by your broker or other intermediary, well in advance of the Meeting.
Alternatively, you can request in writing that your broker send you a legal proxy which would enable you, or a person designated by you, to attend at the Meeting. However, as in person voting will not be permitted at the Meeting, in order to vote your shares you must complete the voting instruction form with your voting instructions and return it to your broker or other intermediary in accordance with the instructions provided by your broker or other intermediary, well in advance of the Meeting.
Revocation of Proxies and Voting Instruction Forms
A registered shareholder who executes and returns a proxy may revoke it (to the extent it has not been exercised) by depositing a written statement to that effect executed by the shareholder or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing or by electronic signature or by transmitting by telephonic or electronic means, a revocation that is signed by electronic signature, or, if the shareholder is a corporation, by written instrument executed (under corporate seal if so required by the rules and laws governing the corporation) by a duly authorized signatory of such corporation:
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with the Corporation’s registrar and transfer agent, TSX Trust Company, 100 Adelaide Street West, Suite 301, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4H1, Attention: Proxy Department, at any time such that it is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in the Province of Ontario) prior to the commencement of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, in default of which it may be treated as invalid, although the Chairman of the Meeting has the discretion to accept proxies filed less than 48 hours prior to the commencement of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof or at any time prior to a vote being taken in reliance on such proxy;
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with the Chairman of the Meeting provided that that it is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in the Province of Ontario) prior to the commencement of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, in default of which it may be treated as invalid, although the Chairman of the Meeting has the discretion to accept proxies filed less than 48 hours prior to the commencement of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or at any time prior to a vote being taken in reliance on such proxy; or
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in any other manner permitted by law.
A registered shareholder who has revoked a proxy may submit another proxy by delivering another properly executed form of proxy bearing a later date and depositing it as described above and under the heading “ Depositing Proxy ”.
A beneficial shareholder may revoke a voting instruction or may revoke a waiver of the right to receive the Meeting Materials or a waiver of the right to vote given to an intermediary at any time by written notice to the intermediary, except that an intermediary is not required to act on any such revocation that is not received by the intermediary well in advance of the Meeting.
VOTING OF SHARES BY PROXY
The proxyholders named in the accompanying form of proxy shall and will vote the shares represented thereby on any ballot in accordance with the shareholder’s direction set forth in the proxy. IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH DIRECTION, THE SHARES REPRESENTED THEREBY WILL BE VOTED:
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FOR THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF MNP LLP, CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS AND LICENSED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, AS THE AUDITORS OF THE CORPORATION AND FOR THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE DIRECTORS TO FIX THE REMUNERATION AND TERMS OF ENGAGEMENT OF THE AUDITORS;
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FOR THE RESOLUTION TO FIX THE CURRENT NUMBER OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION BETWEEN THE MINIMUM NUMBER AND MAXIMUM NUMBER AT FIVE (5);
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FOR THE ELECTION OF THE MANAGEMENT NOMINEE DIRECTORS NAMED IN THIS CIRCULAR;
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FOR THE APPROVAL OF (I) A CERTAIN AMENDMENT TO THE OMNIBUS PLAN, AS SUCH AMENDMENT IS DESCRIBED IN THIS CIRCULAR, AND (II) THE OMNIBUS PLAN AS AMENDED BY SUCH AMENDMENT, AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF THE TSXV;
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FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE GRANT OF CERTAIN RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS OF THE CORPORATION PURSUANT TO THE OMNIBUS PLAN, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS CIRCULAR; AND
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FOR THE RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE MAKING OF A BY-LAW OF THE CORPORATION PROVIDING ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS CIRCULAR;
all as discussed below.
The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote, or withhold from voting, the shares in respect of which they are appointed in accordance with the direction of the shareholders appointing them. In the absence of such directions, such shares will be voted in favour of the matters specified in the Notice.
An intermediary may not vote, or give a proxy authorizing another person to vote, except in accordance with voting instructions received from the non-registered shareholder who beneficially owns the shares.
Given the fact that voting will only be permitted by proxy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation and its representatives do not intend to allow new matters not contemplated in the Notice to be considered at the Meeting. However, if any such new matters come before the Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof, the Chair of the Meeting or of the applicable adjournment will determine whether or not such matter or matters is properly before the Meeting or applicable adjournment and the Meeting or applicable adjournment will proceed accordingly.
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As there will be no in person voting at the Meeting, votes received by no later than 1:30 p.m. (Toronto Time) on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the cut-off time for deposit of proxies prior to the Meeting, for each matter set out in the Notice will be tabulated in advance of the Meeting by TSX Trust Company and compiled in the proxy report (the “ Proxy Report ”). The determination as to whether a particular matter has been approved, a particular individual has been elected or a particular resolution has been passed will be made solely on the basis of the voting results set out in the Proxy Report. Since no in person voting will be permitted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and voting results respecting matters set out in the Notice will be determined solely on the basis of the voting results set out in the Proxy Report, no ballots will be permitted at the Meeting in respect of matters set out in the Notice of the Meeting. Management will announce at the Meeting the voting results for each matter set out in the Proxy Results and the shareholders will be entitled to request a copy of the Proxy Report from management of the Meeting. For any matter or matters which properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof, the determination of whether or not the particular matter has been approved will be made solely on the basis of the voting results set out in the Proxy Report as determined by the Chair of the Meeting.
EXERCISE OF DISCRETION BY PROXY
The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein with respect to amendments or variations to the matters identified in the Notice and with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof. At the date of this Circular, management of the Corporation knows of no amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting other than the matters referred to in the Notice. If amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice or if other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
RECORD DATE
The Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined that the holders of Common Shares at the close of business on October 28, 2022 (the “ Record Date ”) shall be entitled to receive notice of the Meeting and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournment thereof. Accordingly, only shareholders of record on such Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting.
OUTSTANDING VOTING SHARES, VOTING AT MEETINGS AND QUORUM
The authorized share capital of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares. As of the date of this Circular, 83,979,547 Common Shares of the Corporation are outstanding. Holders of Common Shares as of the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote per Common Share at the Meeting.
Unless otherwise required by law or detailed below, the matters, resolutions and nominees for election coming before the Meeting will be determined by a majority of votes duly cast by proxy on each such matter, resolution or nominee.
Proxies returned by intermediaries as “non-votes” because the intermediary has not received instructions from the non-registered shareholder with respect to the voting of certain shares or, under applicable regulatory rules, the intermediary does not have the discretion to vote those shares on one or more of the matters, resolutions or nominees that come before the Meeting, will be treated as not entitled to vote on any such matter, resolution or nominee and will not be counted as having been voted in respect of any such matter, resolution or nominee. Shares represented by such intermediary “non-votes” will, however, be counted in determining whether there is a quorum.
A quorum for the Meeting and any adjournments thereof is two persons present in person or represented by proxy holding or representing 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Corporation entitled to vote thereat.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SHARES
The following table sets forth the names of each person who, or corporation which, to the knowledge of the directors and officers of the Corporation, beneficially owns or exercises control over, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, as well as the number and percentage of outstanding voting securities so owned, controlled or directed by each such person or corporation, as of October 28, 2022.
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| Name | Number of Voting Securities | Type of Ownership |
Percentage of Outstanding Common Shares 15.97% 25.27% |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Barakat Michael Marchelletta |
13,413,180 Common Shares | Direct and Indirect(1) |
|
| 21,218,280 Common Shares | Direct and Indirect(2) |
Notes:
(1) 208,900 Common Shares are held directly by George Barakat and 13,204,280 Common Shares are held by GKAT Inc., a company over which George Barakat has control or direction.
(2) 75,000 Common Shares are held directly by Michael Marchelletta and 21,143,280 Common Shares are held indirectly through First Wellington Securities Inc. Mr. Marchelletta is Vice Chairman and a director of the Corporation.
The directors and officers of the Corporation own or control, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate 21,248,280 Common Shares representing approximately 25.30% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Corporation as of October 28, 2022.
PART TWO
COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE AND RELATED MATTERS
This Part Two explains, among other things, the material elements of the Corporation’s compensation arrangements for its “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs” (as defined below) and directors. The NEO and director compensation tables and related tables and narrative disclosures provide insight into executive compensation as a key aspect of the overall stewardship and governance of a corporation and help investors understand how decisions about executive compensation are made. In this respect, reference is made to the section entitled “ Oversight and Description of Director and NEO Compensation ”.
SUMMARY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (FORM 51-102F6V)
The table below details all of the compensation paid, payable, awarded, granted, given or otherwise provided, directly or indirectly, for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2022 and 2021, to each director of the Corporation and to the officers or former officers of the Corporation named in the table below (collectively, the “ Named Executive Officers ” or the “ NEOs ). There were no other individuals whose total compensation from the Corporation and its subsidiaries exceeded $150,000 in the Corporation’s most recently completed financial year. Total compensation encompasses, as applicable, regular salary, dollar amount of option awards, non-equity incentive plan compensation including discretionary and non-discretionary bonuses, pension value with compensatory amounts for both defined and non-defined contribution retirement plans, and all other compensation which including perquisites, tax gross-ups, premiums for certain insurance policies, payments resulting from termination, resignation, retirement or a change in control and all other amounts not reported in another column of the table below.
TABLE OF COMPENSATION EXCLUDING COMPENSATION SECURITIES
| Name and principal position |
Year | Salary, Consulting fee, retainer or commission ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Committee or meeting fees ($) |
Value of perquisites ($) |
Value of all other compensat ion ($) |
Total compensation ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Copeland, Chief Executive Officer and President(1) |
2022 | $229,170 | $93,333 | Nil | Nil | $7,500 | $330,003 |
| 2021 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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| Name and principal position |
Year | Salary, Consulting fee, retainer or commission ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Committee or meeting fees ($) |
Value of perquisites ($) |
Value of all other compensat ion ($) |
Total compensation ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Marchelletta, Former President and Interim Chief Executive Officer(2), and a director |
2022 | $83,333 | $37,500 | Nil | Nil | $12,000 | $132,833 |
| 2021 | $371,333 | $67,500 | Nil | Nil | $12,000 | $450,833 | |
| George Barakat, Former Chief Executive Officer(3) |
2022 | $300,000 | $75,000 | Nil | Nil | $21,000 | $396,000 |
| 2021 | $570,000 | $67,500 | Nil | Nil | $12,000 | $649,500 | |
| David Berman, Former Chief Financial Officer(4) |
2022 | $191,250 | $5,000 | Nil | Nil | $6,000 | $202,250 |
| 2021 | $103,000 | $10,000 | Nil | Nil | $500 | $113,500 | |
| Michael Di Cesare Former Chief Operating Officer |
2022 | $166,400 | $48,000 | Nil | Nil | $4,400 | $218,800 |
| 2021 | $116,033 | $43,413 | Nil | Nil | Nil | $159,446 | |
| Anthony DeCristofaro, director |
2022 | $20,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | $20,000 |
| 2021 | Nil | $5,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | $5,000 | |
| Blake D. Lyon, director |
2022 | $20,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | $20,000 |
| 2021 | Nil | $5,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | $5,000 | |
| Neil J. Labatte, director |
2022 | $20,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | $20,000 |
| 2021 | Nil | $5,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | $5,000 |
Notes:
(1) Glenn Copeland was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation in September 2021.
(2) Michael Marchelletta acted as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation from May 2021 to September 2021 and ceased to be President of the Corporation in September 2021. He currently services as Executive Vice Chairman and a director of the Corporation.
(3) George Barakat ceased to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in May 2021.
(4) David Berman ceased to be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation in September 2022 when Spence Walker was appointed as the Interim Chief Financial Officer.
STOCK OPTIONS AND OTHER COMPENSATION SECURITIES
The table below discloses all the compensation securities granted or issued to each director and NEO by the Corporation in the financial year ended January 31, 2022 for services provided, or to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Corporation.
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TABLE OF COMPENSATION SECURITIES GRANTED DURING FISCAL YEAR
ENDED JANUARY 31, 2022
| Name and position |
Type of compensati on security |
Number of compensation securities, number of underlying securities, and percentage of class |
Date of issuance or grant |
Issue, conversion or exercise price ($) |
Closing price of security or underlying security on date of grant ($) |
Closing price of security or underlying security at year end ($) |
Expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Copeland, Chief Executive Officer and President(1) |
Stock Options(2) RSU(2) |
2,000,000 (25.08%) 3,000,000 (92.30%) |
September 3, 2021 September 3, 2021 |
$0.38 $0.38 |
$0.38 $0.38 |
$0.20 $0.20 |
September 3, 2026 September 3, 2026 |
| Michael Marchelletta, Former President and Interim Chief Executive Officer(3), and a director |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| George Barakat, Former Chief Executive Officer(4) |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| David Berman, Former Chief Financial Officer(5) |
Stock Options |
150,000 (1.88%) |
November 16, 2021 |
$0.205 | $0.205 | $0.20 | November 16, 2028 |
| Michael Di Cesare, Former Chief Operating Officer |
Stock Options |
100,000 (1.25%) |
October 1, 2021 |
$0.35 | $0.35 | $0.20 | October 1, 2028 |
| Anthony DeCristofaro, director |
DSU | 167,502 (33.33%) |
November 16, 2021 |
$0.205 | $0.205 | $0.20 | N/A |
| Blake D. Lyon, director |
DSU | 167,502 (33.33%) |
November 16, 2021 |
$0.205 | $0.205 | $0.20 | N/A |
| Neil J. Labatte, director |
DSU | 167,502 (33.33%) |
November 16, 2021 |
$0.205 | $0.205 | $0.20 | N/A |
Notes:
-
(1) Glenn Copeland was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation in September 2021.
-
(2) 2,000,000 Options were granted to Glenn Copeland on September 3, 2021. These Option vest as follows: (i) 1,000,000 Options vesting over a two-year period, quarterly vesting schedule (i.e. 12.5% vest per quarter), with vesting beginning on September 3, 2021 through September 3, 2023; and (ii) 1,000,000 Options vesting over a two-year period, quarterly vesting schedule (i.e. 12.5% vest per quarter), with vesting beginning on September 3, 2022 through September 3, 2024. 3,000,000 RSUs were awarded to Glenn Copeland on September 3, 2021, with 1,000,000 vesting immediately, 1,000,000 vesting each quarter over the next 12 months following grant date and 1,000,000 vesting tied to performance achievements over the next four (4) years from the grant date.
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(3) Michael Marchelletta acted as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation from May 2021 to September 2021 and ceased to be President of the Corporation in September 2021. He currently services as Executive Vice Chairman and a director of the Corporation.
-
(4) George Barakat ceased to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in May 2021.
-
(5) David Berman ceased to be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation in September 2022 when Spence Walker was appointed as the Interim Chief Financial Officer.
-
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The following table sets out all of the exercises by NEOs or directors of the Corporation of compensation securities during the financial year ended January 31, 2022.
EXERCISE OF COMPENSATION SECURITIES BY DIRECTORS AND NEOs[(1) ]
| Name and position |
Type of compensati on security |
Number of underlying securities exercised |
Exercise price per security ($) |
Date of exercise |
Closing price of security on date of exercise ($) |
Difference between exercise price and closing price on date of exercise ($) |
Total value on exercise date ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Copeland, Chief Executive Officer and President |
N/A | NIL | NIL | N/A | NIL | NIL | NIL |
| Michael Marchelletta, Former President and Interim Chief Executive Officer, and a director |
N/A | NIL | NIL | N/A | NIL | NIL | NIL |
| George Barakat, Former Chief Executive Officer |
N/A | NIL | NIL | N/A | NIL | NIL | NIL |
| David Berman, Former Chief Financial Officer |
N/A | NIL | NIL | N/A | NIL | NIL | NIL |
| Michael Di Cesare, Former Chief Operating Officer |
N/A | NIL | NIL | N/A | NIL | NIL | NIL |
| Anthony DeCristofaro, director |
N/A | NIL | NIL | N/A | NIL | NIL | NIL |
| Blake D. Lyon, director |
N/A | NIL | NIL | N/A | NIL | NIL | NIL |
| Neil J. Labatte, director |
N/A | NIL | NIL | N/A | NIL | NIL | NIL |
Note:
(1) No compensation securities were exercised by any of the directors or NEOs in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2022 or to the date of this Circular in 2022.
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OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The Corporation has no long-term incentive plans, other than stock options (the “ Options ”), restricted stock units (“ RSU ”) and deferred stock units (“ DSU ” and together with the RSU and Options, “ Awards ”) granted from time to time by the Board under the provisions of the Corporation’s omnibus equity incentive plan (the “ Omnibus Plan ”).
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The Omnibus Plan was adopted by the shareholders on August 9, 2021. Under the Omnibus Plan the total number of Common Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to Options shall not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares and, for so long as the Corporation is listed on the TSXV or on another exchange that requires the Corporation to fix the number of Common Shares to be issued in settlement of Awards that are not Options, the maximum number of Common Shares available for issuance pursuant to the settlement of RSUs and DSUs together shall be an aggregate of 4,000,000 Common Shares (provided, however, that Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to approve an amendment to the Omnibus Plan to amend these provisions of the Omnibus Plan and to increase the number of Common Shares available for issuance pursuant to the Omnibus Plan; see “ Amendment to Omnibus Plan and Approval of Omnibus Plan as Amended ” below). The aggregate number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to any one participant in any 12-month period shall not exceed 5% of the outstanding Common Shares, unless the Corporation obtains disinterested shareholder approval as required by the policies of the TSXV. The aggregate number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to any one consultant within any 12-month period shall not exceed 2% of the outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the date an Award is granted to the consultant. The aggregate number of Common Shares for which Options may be issued to any persons retained to provide Investor Relations Activities (as defined by the TSXV) within any 12-month period shall not exceed 2% of the outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the date an Option is granted to such persons.
Further, unless disinterested shareholder approval as required by the policies of the TSXV is obtained: (i) the maximum number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to insiders of the Corporation (as a group) at any point in time shall not exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares; and (ii) the aggregate number of Awards granted to insiders of the Corporation (as a group), within any 12-month period, shall not exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares, calculated at the date an Award is granted to any insider.
The Board may provide the circumstances in which Awards shall be exercised, vested, paid or forfeited in the event a participant ceases to provide service to the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation prior to the end of a performance period or exercise or settlement of such Award. On the occurrence of a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Omnibus Plan) and unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement (as such term is defined in the Omnibus Plan) or a written employment contract between the Corporation and a participant and except as otherwise set out as follows, the Board, may provide that: (1) the successor corporation or entity will assume each Award or replace it with a substitute Award on terms substantially similar to the existing Award; (2) the Awards will be surrendered for a cash payment made by the successor corporation or entity equal to the fair market value thereof; or (3) any combination of the foregoing will occur, provided that the replacement of any Option with a substitute Option shall comply with the provisions of subsection 7(1.4) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the replacement of any Award with a substitute Option, DSU or RSU shall be such that the substitute Award shall continuously be governed by section 7 of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
If within 12 months following a Change of Control (unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or a written employment contract between the Corporation and a participant), a participant or a participant’s service, consulting relationship, or employment with the Corporation, or continuing entity is terminated without cause, or the participant resigns from his or her employment as a result of either (i) the Corporation requiring the participant to be based at a location in excess of one hundred (100) kilometers from the location of the participant's principal job location or office immediately prior to a Change of Control; or (ii) a reduction in the participant’s base salary, or a substantial reduction in the participant's target compensation under any incentive compensation plan, as in effect as of the date of a Change of Control, then all Awards then held by such participant (and, if applicable, the time during which such Awards may be exercised) shall immediately vest. In the event that an Award is subject to vesting upon the attainment of Performance Criteria (as defined in the Omnibus Plan), then the number of Options or Restricted Share Units that shall immediately vest will be determined by multiplying the Award Agreement by the pro rata Performance Criteria achieved by the Termination Date (as defined in the Omnibus Plan).
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The Board may amend the Omnibus Plan or any Award at any time without the consent of a participant provided that such amendment shall (i) not adversely alter or impair any Award previously granted except as permitted by the terms of the Omnibus Plan, (ii) be in compliance with applicable law and subject to any regulatory approvals including, where required, the approval of the TSXV, and (iii) be subject to shareholder approval, where required by law, the requirements of the TSXV or the Omnibus Plan, provided however that shareholder approval shall not be required for the following amendments and the Board may make any changes which may include but are not limited to: (A) amendments of a general housekeeping or clerical nature that, among others, clarify, correct or rectify any ambiguity, defective provision, error or omission in the Omnibus Plan; and (B) changes that alter, extend or accelerate the terms of vesting or settlement applicable to any Award provided that for Options it does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date.
As described in the Omnibus Plan, the following amendments require the approval of Shareholders: (i) a change to the maximum number of Common Shares that may be made the subject of Awards under the Omnibus Plan; (ii) any amendment which reduces the exercise price of any Award, as applicable, after such Awards have been granted or any cancellation of an Award and the substitution of that Award by a new Award with a reduced price; (iii) any amendment which extends the expiry date of any Award, or the restriction period of any RSU beyond the original expiry date; (iv) any amendment which would have the potential of broadening or increasing participation by insiders; (v) any amendment which would permit any Award granted under the Omnibus Plan to be transferable or assignable by any participant other than for normal estate settlement purposes; (vi) any amendment which increases the maximum number of Common Shares that may be (a) issuable to insiders, associates of such insiders, consultants or persons retained to provide Investor Relations Activities at any time; or (b) issued to insiders, associates of such insiders, consultants or persons retained to provide Investor Relations Activities under the Omnibus Plan and any other proposed or established share compensation arrangement in a one-year period; (vii) increase limits imposed on the participation of non-employee directors that are not officers or employees of the Corporation; (viii) otherwise cause the Omnibus Plan to cease to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement, including for these purposes any approval or other requirement; or (ix) any amendment to the amendment provisions of the Omnibus Plan. Common Shares held directly or indirectly by insiders benefiting from the amendments in sections (ii) and (iii) above shall be excluded when obtaining such shareholder approval.
The Board may, subject to regulatory approval, discontinue the Omnibus Plan at any time without the consent of the participants provided that such discontinuance shall not materially and adversely affect any Awards previously granted to a participant under the Omnibus Plan.
The Board (or the designate committee of the Board) may, by resolution, but subject to applicable regulatory approvals, decide that any of the provisions of the Omnibus Plan concerning the effect of termination of the participant's employment shall not apply for any reason acceptable to the Board (or a committee thereof).
All Awards granted under the Omnibus Plan are non-transferable in any manner, including assignment, except as may be permitted by the Board (or the designate committee of the Board), or as specifically provided in the agreement for an Award granted under the Omnibus Plan.
Options
The Board shall determine, at the time of granting the particular Option, the period during which the Option is exercisable, commencing on the date such Option is granted to the participant and ending as specified in the Omnibus Plan or in the underlying option agreement, but in no event shall an Option expire on a date which is later than ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, all unexercised Options shall be cancelled at the expiry of such Options. The exercise price for Common Shares that are the subject of any Option shall be fixed by the Board when such Option is granted, but shall not be less than the “Market Value” (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) of such Common Shares at the time of the grant. Unless otherwise set forth in the option agreement or outlined in the Omnibus Plan, the vesting of Options will not commence before the 1st anniversary from when they are granted.
Should the expiration date for an Option fall within a “Black-Out Period” (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) or within ten (10) business days following the expiration of a Black-Out Period, such expiration date shall be automatically extended without any further act or formality to that date which is the tenth business day after the end of the BlackOut Period, such tenth business day to be considered the expiration date for such Option for all purposes under the Omnibus Plan. The ten (10) business day period may not be extended by the Board.
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DSUs
The Omnibus Plan also provides the Board with the authority to grant DSUs to participants. DSUs represent a contractual right to receive a payment in cash or in Common Shares that is only made after the termination, retirement, or death of the holder of the DSU. Under the Omnibus Plan, DSUs may only be granted to an "Eligible Director", defined as any Board member who, at the time of execution of a grant agreement, and at all times thereafter while they continue to serve as a member of the Board, are not officers, senior executives or other employees of the Corporation or consultants or service providers providing ongoing services to the Corporation and its affiliates. Each Eligible Director may receive all or a portion of his or her annual retainer fee in the form of a grant of DSUs in each fiscal year. The number of DSUs shall be calculated as the applicable portion of the Eligible Director's annual retainer fee divided by the Market Value (as defined in the Omnibus Plan). At the discretion of the Board, fractional DSUs will not be issued and any fractional entitlements will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
Subject to the vesting and other conditions and provisions set forth in the Omnibus Plan and in the DSU Agreement (as defined in the Omnibus Plan), the Board shall determine whether each DSU awarded to a participant shall entitle the participant: (i) to receive one Common Share issued from treasury; (ii) to receive the cash equivalent of one Common Share; or (iii) to elect to receive either one Common Share from treasury, the cash equivalent of one Common Share or a combination of cash and Common Shares.
Each Eligible Director shall be entitled to redeem his or her DSUs during the period commencing on the business day immediately following the date on which he or she ceases to be an eligible participant (the “ Termination Date ”) and ending on the date that is two years following such termination date, or a shorter such redemption period set out in the relevant DSU Agreement, by providing a written notice of settlement to the Corporation setting out the number of DSUs to be settled and the particulars regarding the registration of the Common Shares issuable upon settlement (the “ DSU Redemption Notice ”).
If a DSU Redemption Notice is not received by the Corporation on or before the 90th day following the Termination Date, the Eligible Director shall be deemed to have delivered a DSU Redemption Notice and the Corporation shall redeem all of the Eligible Director's DSUs in exchange for Common Shares to be delivered to the Eligible Director, administrator or liquidator of the estate of the Eligible Director or the cash equivalent of the shares, as applicable.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Omnibus Plan, in the event that (i) a DSU Redemption Notice is received during a Black-Out Period or other trading restriction imposed by the Corporation; or (ii) the Eligible Director has not delivered a DSU Redemption Notice and the 90th day following the Termination Date falls during a Black-Out Period or other trading restriction imposed by the Corporation, then settlement of the applicable DSUs shall be automatically extended to the tenth (10th) business day following the date that such Black-Out Period or other trading restriction is lifted, terminated or removed.
RSUs
The Omnibus Plan also authorizes the Board to grant RSUs, which provide a contractual right to receive Common Shares, vesting over a three-year period. RSUs add a medium-term incentive option to the Corporation's compensation program. RSUs are considered "medium-term" incentives because they vest from one to three years from the date of grant. The RSUs are subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Board may determine at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of preestablished performance goals and objectives.
For each award of RSUs, the Board shall establish the period in which any Performance Criteria and other vesting conditions must be met in order for a participant to be entitled to receive Common Shares in exchange for all or a portion of the RSUs held by such participant (the “ Performance Period ”), provided that such Performance Period may be no longer than three (3) years after the calendar year in which the Award was granted.
Unless otherwise set forth in an underlying RSU Agreement (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) or Article 6.2 of the Omnibus Plan, the vesting of RSUs will not commence before the 1st anniversary of the date of grant. Subject to the vesting and other conditions and provisions set forth in the Omnibus Plan and in an underlying RSU Agreement, the Board shall determine whether each RSU awarded to a Participant shall entitle the Participant: (i) to receive one Common Share issued from treasury; (ii) to receive the "Cash Equivalent" of one Common Share; or (iii) to elect to
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receive either one Common Share from treasury, the Cash Equivalent of one Common Share or a combination of cash and Common Shares.
The vesting determination date means the date on which the Board determines if the Performance Criteria and/or other vesting conditions with respect to a RSU have been met (the “ RSU Vesting Determination Date ”), and as a result, establishes the number of RSUs that become vested, if any.
Except as otherwise provided in an underlying RSU Agreement, all of the vested RSUs covered by a particular grant shall be settled as soon as practicable and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following their RSU Vesting Determination Date and, subject to Article 5.2 of the Omnibus Plan, no later than the end of the restriction period determined by the Board (the “ RSU Settlement Date ”).
Settlement of RSUs shall take place promptly following the RSU Settlement Date and take the form set out in an RSU settlement notice through: (a) in the case of settlement of RSUs for their Cash Equivalent, delivery of a cheque to the participant representing the Cash Equivalent; (b) in the case of settlement of RSUs for Common Shares, delivery of a share certificate to the participant or the entry of the participant's name on the share register for the Common Shares; or (c) in the case of settlement of the RSUs for a combination of Common Shares and the Cash Equivalent, a combination of (a) and (b).
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Omnibus Plan, in the event that an RSU Settlement Date falls during a Black-Out Period or other trading restriction imposed by the Corporation and the participant has not delivered an RSU settlement notice, then such RSU Settlement Date shall be automatically extended to the tenth (10th) business day following the date that such Black-Out Period or other trading restriction is lifted, terminated or removed.
Conclusion
The Omnibus Plan serves several purposes for the Corporation. One purpose is to develop the interests of “Eligible Participants” (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) in the growth and development of the Corporation by providing such persons with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Corporation. All Eligible Participants are considered eligible to be selected to receive an Award under the Omnibus Plan. Another purpose is to attract and retain key talent and valuable Eligible participants, who are necessary to the Corporation's success and reputation, with a competitive compensation mechanism. Finally, the Omnibus Plan aligns the interests of the participants with those of the Corporation's shareholders by devising a compensation mechanism which encourages the prudent maximization of distributions to shareholders and long-term growth.
As at the date hereof, (a) Options to purchase 7,375,000 Common Shares under the Omnibus Plan are outstanding and unexercised and 1,022,954 Options are currently available for future grants, and (b) an aggregate of 3,250,000 RSUs and 502,506 DSUs are currently awarded under the Omnibus Plan with an aggregate of 247,494 Common Shares available for future issuance pursuant to the settlement of RSUs and DSUs. The Omnibus Plan information in the following table is given as of January 31, 2022 (the Corporation’s most recent fiscal year end).
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN TABLE
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights(1) (a) |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders |
7,975,000 (upon exercise of Options) |
$0.58 | 613,487 |
| 3,250,000 (upon settlement of RSUs) |
$0.38 | ||
| 502,506 (upon settlement of DSUs) |
$0.205 |
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| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights(1) (a) |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 11,727,506 | $0.388 | 613,487 |
EMPLOYMENT, CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
No individual who is or, at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year, was a director, senior officer or employee of the Corporation, and no person who is a proposed nominee for election as a director of the Corporation, and no associate of any such director, senior officer, employee or proposed nominee is or, at any time since the beginning of the last completed financial year, was indebted to the Corporation.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
As of the date of this Circular, the Corporation does not have any contracts that provide for payments to a NEO at, following, or in connection with any termination (whether voluntary, involuntary or constructive), resignation, retirement, a change in control of the Corporation or a change in a NEO's responsibilities, other than as set out below.
The agreement with the Corporation pursuant to which Glenn Copeland performs the services of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of the Corporation, was entered into in September 2021, has a term of 60 months and provides for aggregate fees payable for services of $750,000 per annum. The agreement also provides that in the event Mr. Copeland is terminated without cause, the Corporation is obligated to pay the equivalent to 12 months of the fees payable for services under the agreement ($750,000 plus HST).
Michael Marchelletta currently serves as Executive Vice Chairman and a director of the Corporation. The agreement pursuant to which he acts as Executive Vice Chairman provides for an annual salary of $50,000 for services. The agreement also provides that in the event Mr. Marchelletta is terminated without cause, the Corporation is obligated to pay the equivalent to 24 months of the salary under the agreement ($100,000) and 24 months of continuation of benefits.
The Omnibus Plan includes detailed termination provisions for Options, RSUs and DSUs and detailed provisions in the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) (see “ Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan” above).
OVERSIGHT AND DESCRIPTION OF DIRECTOR AND NEO COMPENSATION
OVERVIEW
The compensation of the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers and its directors is determined by the Corporation’s Board of Directors as a whole, relying in part upon recommendations of the Board’s Compensation Committee. The Corporation’s compensation program is designed to provide its executives and directors with a competitive compensation package having regard to responsibilities and performance. Performance is defined to include achievement of the Corporation’s strategic objective of growth and enhancement of shareholder value through increases in stock price.
The Corporation’s compensation philosophy for NEOs is designed to attract well-qualified individuals. In making its determinations regarding the various elements of executive compensation, the Compensation Committee will utilize published studies of compensation paid in comparable businesses. These studies may be used to help ensure that compensation will be in line with industry standards.
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The duties and responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer are typical of other entities comparable in size and in a similar business to the Corporation, and include direct reporting responsibility to the Board, overseeing the activities of all other executives of the Corporation, representing the Corporation, providing leadership and responsibility for achieving corporate goals and implementing corporate policies and initiatives.
Compensation Objectives and Principles
The primary goal of the Corporation’s executive compensation program is to attract and retain the key executives necessary for the Corporation’s long-term success, to encourage executives to further the development of the Corporation and its operations, to align the interests of the Corporation’s executives with the interests of the Shareholders, and to motivate top quality and experienced executives by providing competitive compensation to that paid by other companies of comparable size engaged in similar business in appropriate regions.
Overall, the executive compensation program aims to design executive compensation packages that meet the expectations of executives with similar talents, qualifications and responsibilities at companies with similar financial, operating and industrial characteristics. The Corporation expects to undergo significant growth and is committed to retaining its key executives for the next several critical years, but at the same time ensuring that executive compensation is tied to specific corporate goals and objectives.
The key elements of the executive compensation program are: (i) base salary or consulting fees; (ii) potential annual incentive award or bonuses; and (iii) equity-based compensation in the form of Awards.
Compensation Process
The Corporation relies solely on its Board and the Board’s Compensation Committee, through discussion without any formal objectives, criteria or analysis, in determining the compensation of its executive officers. The Compensation Committee focuses on developing recommendations concerning the award of annual bonuses and the allocation of Awards to its executives and directors.
Elements of Compensation
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Base Salary or Consulting Fees
In determining the base level of compensation for its executives, the Board begins its analysis with a recommendation from the Compensation Committee and also places weight on the following factors: the particular responsibilities related to the position; salaries or fees paid by comparable businesses; the experience level of the executive and overall performance; and the time which the executive is required to devote to the Corporation in fulfilling his or her responsibilities. The base salary of an executive officer is intended to attract and retain executives by providing a reasonable amount of non-contingent remuneration.
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Bonus
In addition to a base salary, NEOs are eligible to receive a performance-based bonuses meant to motivate the executive officers to achieve shorter-term goals. The pre-established, targets used to determine performance bonuses may be set by the Board or a committee thereof each fiscal year. Each executive officer is measured against the number of new clinics, acquisitions and revenue.
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Equity-Based Awards
The Corporation believes that equity-based compensation in the form of Awards can align the interests of the Corporation’s directors and its executive officers with the long-term interests of the Shareholders. Equity based compensation awarded (if any) to executive officers and directors will typically be subject to time-based vesting provisions. The Corporation believes that such awards encourage its executive officers and directors to focus on longterm company performance and increasing long-term shareholder value, and serve as a useful retention mechanism by encouraging its executive officers to remain employed with the Corporation. The Corporation does not have any formal policy regarding when equity based compensation is to be granted or the size of any given grant. The Compensation Committee, however, considers and evaluates the total compensation package, including base salary and cash bonuses, received or to be received by a particular executive officer, and seeks to ensure that such total
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compensation package is fair, reasonable and competitive. When considering equity or equity-linked awards to an executive officer, consideration of the number of Awards previously granted to the executive may be taken into account, however, the extent to which such prior awards remain subject to resale restrictions will generally not be a factor.
PENSION PLAN BENEFITS
There are no pension plan benefits or other retirement benefits in place for any of the Named Executive Officers or directors of the Corporation.
PART THREE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND OTHER MATTERS
The Corporation’s Board of Directors and senior management consider good corporate governance to be central to the effective and efficient operation of the Corporation. The Corporation has adopted a series of guidelines, policies and procedures that comprise its corporate governance framework. The Corporation’s corporate governance practices are regulated by various statutes, rules and regulations, and are influenced by emerging concepts of best practices.
National Instrument 58-101 − Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices , which came into effect June 30, 2005, requires each reporting issuer to disclose on an annual basis its approach to corporate governance. Attached hereto as Schedule “A” is the Corporation’s Statement of Corporate Governance Practices. Shareholders are advised to consult Schedule “A” for more detailed information on the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Practices.
The Corporation understands that corporate governance standards and requirements are continually evolving. The Corporate Governance Committee has been charged with monitoring pending corporate governance regulatory developments, in particular the best practices recommended by the Canadian Securities Administrators, as set out in National Instrument 58-201 − Corporate Governance Guidelines , and with reviewing the Corporation’s corporate governance policies and procedures in light of these developments.
THE BOARD
The Board and its senior management believe that the Corporation has established and operates in an environment of effective internal control with strong corporate governance structures and procedures in place.
Mandate of the Board
The Board has assumed the responsibility for, among other things, enhancing shareholder value, reviewing and approving strategic plans and priorities, operating plans and capital budgets, senior management planning and succession, annual corporate performance and dividend policy. The Board is also responsible for reviewing its size and the compensation paid to its members to ensure that the Board can fulfill its duties effectively and that its members are adequately compensated for assuming the risks and carrying out the responsibilities of their positions. Some of these duties are delegated to committees as set out below. The Board has delegated the authority to manage the dayto-day operations of the Corporation to senior management. All significant decisions that might affect the Corporation are brought before the Board for review and approval before they are implemented.
Size of the Board
The articles of the Corporation provide for a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of ten (10) directors. The Board has been authorized to increase or reduce the number of directors on the Board within the parameters set out in the articles. The Board is currently comprised of four (4) directors, of whom three (3) are independent and one is an executive officer of the Corporation. The size and experience of the Board facilitates effective decision-making and provides open and effective dialogue. The full Board is responsible for recommending candidates for nomination for election to the Board.
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Chairman
The Chairman of the Board is currently Neil J. Labatte.
Communication Policy
The Corporation has put policies in place to ensure effective communication between itself and its shareholders. The Board reviews the Corporation’s annual and quarterly statements and other continuous disclosure documents including this Circular. The Corporation is committed to a full, true and plain public disclosure of all material information in a timely manner in order to keep securityholders and the investing public informed about the Corporation’s activities. The objective is to ensure that communications to the investing public about the Corporation are timely, factual, accurate and broadly disseminated in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Audit Committee:
Audit Committee Charter
The text of the Audit Committee’s charter is attached as Schedule “B” hereto.
Composition and Independence of Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is currently composed of three (3) members, Neil J. Labatte, Anthony DeCristofaro and Blake D. Lyon (Chairman of the Audit Committee), all of whom are independent within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
Financial Literacy
National Instrument 52-110 (“ NI 51-102 ”) provides that an individual is “financially literate” if he or she has 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 reasonably be expected to be raised by the Corporation’s financial statements.
All of the members of the Audit Committee are financially literate.
Relevant Education and Experience
Each Audit Committee member possesses certain education and experience which is relevant to the performance of his or her responsibilities as an Audit Committee member and, in particular, education or experience which provides the member with one or more of the following: an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Corporation to prepare its financial statements; the ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves; experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Corporation’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more individuals engaged in such activities; and an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.
Neil J Labatte currently serves on the boards of NexPoint Hospitality Trust (as Lead Director), BSR REIT (as Chair), Skyline Investments Inc., and Triovest Inc. He was also previously a Director of HealthLease Properties REIT (June 2012 - December 2014), Alpha Peak Leisure Inc. (June 2012 – December 2014) and Holloway Lodging Corporation (May 2014 – June 2014), all current or former TSX-listed entities. Mr. Labatte was also the President, Chief Executive Officer and trustee of the Legacy Hotels REIT (April 2003 – September 2007). Mr. Labatte possesses over 35 years of experience within the real estate sector. Mr. Labatte received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Finance from the University of Utah.
Anthony DeCristofaro is the Chief Executive Officer of Qnext Corp. and brings over 25 years of computer industry experience. Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of iseemedia Inc. which merged with
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Synchronica in 2010. He was also the President and Chief Executive Officer of MGI Software Corp., which he cofounded and was subsequently sold to Roxio in 2002. Prior to MGI Software Corp., Mr. DeCristofaro was a founding board member of Delrina and vice president/general manager of AST Canada and founded NEC Corporation in Canada.
Blake D. Lyon has extensive experience in hotel and resort asset management in Canada and internationally. Before joining Skyline Investments Inc. as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lyon served as the Chief Executive Officer of some of the largest family offices in Canada and was responsible for the management of assets totaling $9B. He was also VP Finance and CFO at Brookfield Asset Management, a position he held for five (5) years
Mandate
The mandate of the Audit Committee is to oversee the Corporation’s financial reporting processes and to liaise with the external auditors. In addition to reviewing the financial controls of the Corporation which are its ongoing responsibility, the Audit Committee reviews the annual financial statements, quarterly financial statements, management’s discussion and analyses and any other significant financial issues. The Audit Committee is projected to meet at least four (4) times a year and otherwise as frequently and at such intervals as it determines is necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities, including meeting separately with the external auditors.
Audit Fees
The following table sets forth the fees billed (excluding HST) to the Corporation and its subsidiaries by MNP LLP (the Corporation’s auditors), for services rendered in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2022 and January 31, 2021:
| MNP LLP | 2022 ($) |
2021(1) ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Audit fees | $328,755 | $130,000 |
| Audit-related fees | Nil | Nil |
| Tax fees | Nil | $22,000(2) |
| All other fees | Nil | $62,832(3) |
| Total: | $328,755 | $214,832 |
Notes:
(1) The January 31, 2021 amounts refer to the total fees incurred by the Corporation during the period relating to Jack Nathan Medical Inc. and its subsidiaries and Jack Nathan Medical Corp. (formerly Woodbridge Ventures Inc.).
(2) Tax fees relate to professional services with respect to income tax filings, indirect tax compliance and general tax consulting.
(3) Includes fees for the review of unaudited interim quarterly financial statements and preparation of unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements included in the filing statement in respect of the Corporation’s reverse takeover transaction.
Reliance on Exemption
The Corporation is a venture issuer as defined in NI 52-110 and is relying on the exemption in section 6.1 relating to Part 5 “ Reporting Obligations ” of NI 52-110.
Governance Committee:
The Governance Committee is a committee of the Board and is to consist of at least three (3) members, a majority of whom should be independent and free from any interest and any business or other relationship which could materially interfere with the director’s ability to act with a view to the best interests of the Corporation, other than interests and relationships arising from shareholdings (hereafter an “ independent director ”).
The Governance Committee’s principal responsibilities include:
-
developing and recommending to the Board criteria for selecting Board and committee members;
-
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establishing procedures for identifying and evaluating director candidates, including nominees recommended by Shareholders;
-
identifying individuals qualified to become Board members;
-
recommending to the Board the persons to be nominated for election as directors and to each of the Board's committees;
-
reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the appointment and succession of the Corporation's directors and officers;
-
developing and recommending to the Board a code of business conduct and ethics and a set of corporate governance guidelines; and
-
overseeing the evaluation of the Board, its committees and management. The Governance Committee regularly reviews the current profile of the Board, including the representation of various areas of expertise, experience and diversity, to ensure that the Board has a sufficient range of skills, expertise and experience to enable it to carry out its duties and responsibilities effectively.
The current members of the Governance Committee are Neil J. Labatte (Chairman of the Governance Committee), Anthony DeCristofaro, Blake D. Lyon and Michael Marchelletta. Michael Marchelletta (who is Executive Vice Chairman of the Corporation) is not considered to be an independent member of the Compensation Committee; however, the other three members of the Compensation Committee are considered to be independent within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
Compensation Committee:
The Compensation Committee is a committee of the Board and is to consist of at least three (3) members, all of whom should be (but are not required to be) independent. The Compensation Committee’s principal responsibilities include:
-
acting in an advisory capacity to the Board;
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reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer in light of those corporate goals and objectives and determining (or making recommendations to the Board with respect to) the compensation level of the Chief Executive Officer based on this evaluation;
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making recommendations to the Board with respect to compensation, incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans of the officers, other than the directors;
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reviewing and approving, prior to public disclosure, all public disclosure on executive compensation and producing a report on executive officer compensation for inclusion in the Corporation's management information circular;
-
in conjunction with the Governance Committee, overseeing the evaluation of, and report to the Board on, the performance of the management of the Company; and
-
conducting an annual performance evaluation of the Compensation Committee.
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Michael Marchelletta (who is Executive Vice Chairman of the Corporation), Neil J. Labatte, Anthony DeCristofaro (Chairman of the Compensation Committee) and Blake D. Lyon. Michael Marchelletta is not considered to be an independent member of the Compensation Committee; however, the other three members of the Compensation Committee are considered to be independent within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
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INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON AND INTERESTS OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Management is not aware of any material interest, direct or indirect, of any “informed person” of the Corporation, insider of the Corporation, proposed director, or any associate or affiliate of any informed person or proposed director, in any transaction since the commencement of the Corporation’s most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Corporation. An “informed person” means (i) a director or executive officer of the Corporation or of a subsidiary of the Corporation, (ii) any person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Corporation or who exercises control or direction over voting securities of the Corporation carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, (iii) a director or officer of a company that is itself an informed person of the Corporation or of a subsidiary of the Corporation, and (iv) any person who has been a director or officer of the Corporation at any time since the beginning the Corporation’s last fiscal year. Information relating to management companies has been supplied by the applicable officers and directors.
REGULATORY MATTERS, BANKRUPTCIES AND INSOLVENCIES
Exempt as described below, to the knowledge of the Corporation, no nominee for director of the Corporation is, at the date of this Circular, or has been, within ten years before the date of this Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Corporation), that: (a) was the subject of 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 as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; (b) was subject to a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under the securities legislation for a period of more than 30 consecutive days that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and that resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; (c) while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer 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.
Mr. Labatte served as a director and/or officer of Talon International Inc. and several affiliated entities, including Talon International Development Inc., TFB Inc., 2263847 Ontario Limited and 2270039 Ontario Limited. On November 1, 2016, such corporations became parties to a receivership order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) and a court-appointed receiver was designated for certain assets used in relation to the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Toronto, Ontario. The sale of certain assets was facilitated through this receivership process.
PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES, ETC.
To the knowledge of the Corporation, no nominee for director, nor any personal holding company of any such nominee, has, within the ten years before the date of this Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or became subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director.
PENALTIES UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION
To the knowledge of the Corporation, no nominee for director, nor any personal holding company of any such nominee, (a) has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation, or by a securities regulatory authority; or (b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable security holder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director, nor has any nominee for director entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority.
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PART FOUR
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON AT THE MEETING
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Financial Statements will be presented to the shareholders at the Meeting for their consideration. These documents are available upon request and under the Corporation’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
Shareholders will be requested to re-appoint MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants and Licensed Public Accountants, as auditors of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration and the terms of the auditors’ engagement.
Proxies received in favour of management will be voted in favour of the re-appointment of MNP LLP as auditors of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and the authorization of the directors to fix the terms of engagement and remuneration of the auditors, unless the shareholder has specified in a proxy that his, her or its shares are to be withheld from voting in respect thereof .
FIXING THE CURRENT NUMBERS OF DIRECTORS AT FIVE (5)
The articles of the Corporation provide that the Corporation shall have a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of ten (10) directors. The number of directors of the Corporation has been fixed at four (4) as at the date of this Circular. It is proposed that at the Meeting the Shareholders fix the current number of directors between the minimum number and the maximum number at five (5).
In this regard the following special resolution will be proposed at the Meeting:
“ BE IT RESOLVED THAT the current number of directors of the Corporation within the minimum and maximum as provided in the articles of the Corporation is hereby fixed at five (5) unless and until changed by the shareholders or by the directors of the Corporation in accordance with the articles of the Corporation and the Business Corporations Act (Ontario).”
The Board is recommending that Shareholders vote FOR the approval of fixing the current number of directors of the Corporation at five (5). To be approved, the special resolution requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by proxy on the resolution. Unless otherwise directed, proxies received in favour of management will be voted in favour of the special resolution to fix the number of directors to five (5).
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Directors of the Corporation are elected annually by the Shareholders and will hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders, or until his/her successor is duly elected or appointed, unless: (i) his/her office is earlier vacated in accordance with the articles and by-laws of the Corporation; or (ii) he/she becomes disqualified to act as a director. The articles of the Corporation provide that the Corporation shall have a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of ten (10) directors. At the Meeting, the Shareholders will be asked to fix the number of directors of the Corporation at five (5). The current directors of the Corporation are Michael Marchelletta, Neil J. Labatte, Anthony DeCristofaro and Bake D. Lyon. The term of office of each director will expire on the date of the Meeting when the new Board is elected. All four current directors of the Corporation will be standing for re-election at the Meeting. In addition it is proposed to nominate Glenn Copeland, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, as a director of the Corporation.
The Board has unanimously adopted a majority voting policy in director elections that will apply at any meeting of Shareholders where an uncontested election of directors is held. Pursuant to this policy, if the number of proxy votes withheld for a particular director nominee is greater than the votes for such director, the director nominee will be required to submit his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board promptly following the applicable Shareholders’ meeting.
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Following receipt of the resignation, the Board will consider whether or not to accept the offer of resignation. In considering whether or not to accept the resignation, the Board will consider all factors deemed relevant by its members.
The Board will be expected to accept the resignation except in situations where the considerations would warrant the applicable director to continue to serve on the Board. The Board will publicly disclose its final decision within 90 days following the Meeting. A director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this policy will not participate in any meeting of the Board at which the resignation is considered.
In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the Common Shares represented by a properly executed form of proxy in favour of the persons designated by management of the Corporation will be voted FOR the election as directors of the nominees whose names are set forth below.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning management’s nominees for election as directors, including the approximate number of Common Shares of the Corporation beneficially owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by each of them, based upon information furnished by them to management of the Corporation.
| Name, province and country of residence |
Office or position held and year first elected a director |
Present Principal Occupation(s)(4) | Number of Common Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised(5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Marchelletta(1)(3) Ontario, Canada |
Director since September 30, 2020 and Executive Vice Chairman |
Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman of the Corporation |
21,218,280 Common Shares |
| Neil J. Labatte(1) (2) (3) Ontario, Canada |
Director since February 8, 2019 and Chairman of the Board |
Director of Skyline Investments Inc., a Canadian company specializing in hospitality real estate investment in Canada and the United States |
30,000 Common Shares |
| Anthony DeCristofaro(1)(2) (3) Ontario, Canada |
Director since September 30, 2020 |
Chief Executive Officer of Qnext Corp. |
Nil |
| Blake D. Lyon(1)(2(3) Ontario, Canada |
Director since September 30, 2020 |
Chief Executive Officer of Skyline Investments Inc. |
Nil |
| Glenn Copeland Ontario, Canada |
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Medical Officer since September 2021 Nominee director |
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Medical Officer of the Corporation. |
Nil |
Notes:
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Member of the Compensation Committee.
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Member of the Audit Committee.
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Member of the Governance Committee.
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Applicable securities law requires that the Corporation also disclose the principal occupations of each proposed director during the last five years, unless the proposed director is now a director and was elected to his present term of office by a vote of shareholders at a meeting, the notice of which was accompanied by an information circular. Based on these requirements, the principal occupations during the last five years of Mr. Copeland must be disclosed. Mr. Copeland’s principal occupations during the last five years have been as follows: Chief Executive Officer and President of the Corporation from September 2021 to present; Chief Medical Officer of Jack Nathan Medical Inc. since 2020; and Clinic Director and Founder of Rehab and Well-being Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, Ontario), from 2008 to 2019.
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The information as to Common Shares beneficially owned or over which control or direction is exercised, not being within the knowledge of the Corporation, has been furnished by the directors individually.
Each of the directors will be elected on an individual basis. If there are more than five nominees for director, the five nominees obtaining the most votes cast on the resolution will be elected and will hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until the directors’ respective successors are duly elected or appointed. The persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend to vote the shares represented thereby for the election of the nominees named above as directors of the Corporation, unless the shareholder has specified in the proxy that the shares represented thereby are to be withheld from voting in respect thereof. Management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees named above will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director, but if that
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should occur for any reason prior to the Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy shall have the right to vote for another nominee in such proxyholder’s discretion, unless the proxy withholds authority to vote for the election of directors.
AMENDMENT TO OMNIBUS PLAN AND APPROVAL OF OMNIBUS PLAN AS AMENDED
The Common Shares are listed on the TSXV. The rules of the TSXV require that the Omnibus Plan, which was first approved by Shareholders on August 9, 2021, be reapproved annually by Shareholders. Details of the Corporation’s Omnibus Plan are found in Part Two of this Circular, “ Compensation Disclosure and Related Matters – Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan ”. A copy of the Omnibus Plan was attached as Appendix A to the management information circular of the Corporation dated July 2, 2021, which circular may be obtained under the Corporation’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Corporation will also promptly provide, upon request, a copy of the Omnibus Plan free of charge to a securityholder of the Corporation. The Omnibus Plan is incorporated by reference into, and forms part of, this Circular.
As of the date of this Circular, Options to purchase 7,375,000 Common Shares are outstanding under the Omnibus Plan, and an aggregate of 3,250,000 RSUs and 502,506 DSUs are awarded under the Omnibus Plan.
Sections 2.4(a) and 2.4(b) of the Omnibus Plan currently state as follows:
“(a) Subject to adjustment pursuant to provisions of Article 7 hereof, the total number of Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to Options shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares.
(b) For so long as the Corporation is listed on the TSXV or on another exchange that requires the Corporation to fix the number of Shares to be issued in settlement of DSUs and RSUs, the maximum number of Shares available for issuance pursuant to the settlement of DSUs and RSUs shall be 4,000,000 Shares.”
The Board wishes to amend the said sections of the Omnibus Plan so they read as follows (such amendment referred to herein as the “ Plan Amendment ”):
“(a) The number of Shares available for issuance pursuant to Options and pursuant to the settlement of DSUs and RSUs shall be a total of 16,795,000 Shares.”.
(b) [intentionally deleted]”
The Board therefore, by resolution dated November 1, 2022, amended the Omnibus Plan as per the Plan Amendment above, with such Plan Amendment to be effective upon receipt of shareholder approval for the Plan Amendment in accordance with the rules of the TSXV and subject to receipt of any necessary TSXV acceptance.
Shareholder Approval
Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, a resolution approving (a) the Plan Amendment, and (b) the Omnibus Plan as amended by the Plan Amendment. The resolution Shareholders will be asked to approve at the Meeting is as follows:
“ BE IT RESOLVED THAT :
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The “Plan Amendment” (as defined in the management information circular of the Corporation dated November 2, 2022 sent to shareholders of the Corporation in respect of the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on December 2, 2022), be and is hereby approved; and
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the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan of the Corporation, as amended by the Plan Amendment, and the granting of options, restricted stock units and deferred stock units from time to time thereunder, be and are hereby approved, and any one director or officer of the Corporation be and is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver on behalf of the Corporation all such documents and instruments and to do all such other acts and things as in his or her opinion may be necessary or desirable in connection with the foregoing.”
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To be approved, the above resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on such resolution. Proxies received in favour of management will be voted in favour of such resolution, unless the shareholder has specified in the proxy that his, her or its shares are to be voted against such resolution.
APPROVAL OF THE GRANT OF CERTAIN RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
The Board has passed resolutions authorization the Corporation, subject to receipt of Shareholders’ approval in accordance with the rules of the TSXV and subject to receipt of any necessary TSXV acceptance, to grant to the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (“ CEO ”) as of the “date of grant” (such date of grant being the next business day following such Shareholders’ approval) the following RSUs pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Plan:
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- 2,250,000 RSUs, such RSUs vesting 12 months from such date of grant and subject to the terms and conditions of the Omnibus Plan; and
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- 2,500,000 RSUs, with the vesting of such RSUs tied to certain performance achievements over the next three years from the grant date.
The Board has also passed resolutions authorization the Corporation, subject to receipt of Shareholders’ approval in accordance with the rules of the TSXV and subject to receipt of any necessary TSXV acceptance, to grant to another officer of the Corporation (the “ Other Officer ) as of the “date of grant” (such date of grant being the next business day following such Shareholders’ approval) a total of 750,000 RSUs pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Plan, with the vesting of 250,000 of the RSUs to be the same as the vesting condition set out in item (a) above, and the vesting of 500,000 of the RSUs to be the same as the vesting condition set out in item (b) above.
The 4,750,000 RSUs for the CEO referred to above and the 750,000 RSUs for the Other Officer referred to above are collectively referred to herein as the “ Proposed RSUs ”.
As the grant of the Proposed RSUs requires Shareholders’ approval as per the terms of the Board resolutions referred to above and as such grant would exceed certain limits in the Omnibus Plan (in particular, the 10% limit in aggregate regarding Common Shares issuable to insiders of the Corporation at any time pursuant to security based compensation, and, in the case of the CEO, the 5% limit regarding the total number of Common Shares issuable to any one person pursuant to security based compensation granted in any 12 month period; see “ Compensation Disclosure and Related Matters – Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan ” above with respect to these limits).
Shareholders will therefore be asked at the Meeting to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, a resolution approving the grants of the Proposed RSUs. The resolution Shareholders will be asked to approve at the Meeting is as follows:
“ BE IT RESOLVED THAT :
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The grants of the “Proposed RSUs” (as defined in the management information circular of the Corporation dated November 2, 2022 sent to shareholders of the Corporation in respect of the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on December 2, 2022), be and are hereby approved; and
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any one director or officer of the Corporation be and is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver on behalf of the Corporation all such documents and instruments and to do all such other acts and things as in his or her opinion may be necessary or desirable in connection with the grants of the Proposed RSUs.”
To be approved, the above resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of disinterested shareholders cast on such resolution. The CEO and the Other Officer who are to receive the Proposed RSUs, and their respective associates and affiliates, are excluded from voting on this resolution. As of the date hereof, the Corporation has advised that neither the CEO nor the employee referred to above hold any Common Shares.
Proxies received in favour of management will be voted in favour of such resolution, unless the shareholder has specified in the proxy that his, her or its shares are to be voted against such resolution.
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CONFIRMATION OF ADOPTION OF ADVANCE NOTICE BY-LAW
In order to provide Shareholders, the Board and management with guidance on the nomination of directors, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Corporation to adopt an Advance Notice By-Law to require advance notice to the Corporation in circumstances where nominations of persons for election to the Board are made by Shareholders. Consequently, on November 2, 2022, the Board enacted and made a by-law of the Corporation providing advance notice requirements for the nomination of directors of the Corporation (the “ Advance Notice ByLaw ”). The Advance Notice By-Law is in effect until it is confirmed, confirmed as amended or rejected by Shareholders at the Meeting, and if confirmed or confirmed as amended, the Advance Notice By-Law will continue in effect in the form in which it is so confirmed. If Shareholders reject the confirmation of the Advance Notice ByLaw, it will cease to have effect as of the date of the Meeting (and not retroactively). For greater certainty, the Corporation's existing by-laws are not impacted by the Advance Notice By-Law and will continue in effect, unamended.
The provisions of the Advance Notice By-Law require advance notice to the Corporation in circumstances where nominations of persons for election to the Board are made by Shareholders other than pursuant to (a) a requisition of a meeting made pursuant to the provisions of the OBCA, or (b) a shareholder proposal made pursuant to the provisions of the OBCA.
The provisions of the Advance Notice By-Law facilitate an orderly and efficient director nomination process and ensure that all Shareholders, including those participating in a meeting by proxy, receive adequate notice of director nominations with sufficient information with respect to all nominees so that the proposed nominees' qualifications and suitability as directors can be evaluated and an informed vote can be cast for the election of directors.
The Advance Notice By-Law fixes a deadline by which holders of record of Common Shares must submit director nominations to the Corporation prior to any annual or special meeting of Shareholders where directors are to be elected and sets forth the information that a Shareholder must include in the notice to the Corporation for the notice to be valid. In the case of an annual meeting of Shareholders, the deadline for notice of a Shareholder's director nomination is not less than 30 days and not more than 65 days prior to the meeting; provided, however, if notice of an annual Shareholders' meeting is given less than 50 days prior to the meeting date, Shareholders must provide notice of their director nominations by close of business on the 10th day following the first public announcement of the meeting. In the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) called for the purpose of electing directors, Shareholders must provide notice of their director nominations by the close of business on the 15th day following the first public announcement of the special Shareholders' meeting.
Shareholders are urged to review the Advance Notice By-Law in its entirety, a copy of which is attached as Schedule “C” to this Circular. Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, a resolution confirming the making of the Advance Notice By-Law. The resolution Shareholders will be asked to approve at the Meeting is as follows:
“ BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
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The advance notice by-law of the Corporation (a copy of which by-law is attached as Schedule “C” to the management information circular of the Corporation dated November 2, 2022 sent to shareholders of the Corporation in respect of the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on December 2, 2022), as enacted and made by the board of directors of the Corporation by resolution dated November 2, 2022, be and is hereby confirmed without variation or amendment as a by-law of the Corporation; and
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Any one officer or director of the Corporation be and is hereby authorized to execute and deliver all such documents and to do all such acts as may be deemed advisable in such individual's discretion for the purpose of giving effect to this resolution.”
To be approved, the above resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on such resolution. Proxies received in favour of management will be voted in favour of such resolution, unless the shareholder has specified in the proxy that his, her or its shares are to be voted against such resolution.
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OTHER BUSINESS
While management of the Corporation is not aware of any business other than that mentioned in the Notice to be brought before the Meeting for action by the Shareholders, it is intended that the proxies hereby solicited will be exercised upon any other matter or proposal that may properly come before the Meeting, or any adjournments thereof, in accordance with the discretion of the persons authorized to act thereunder.
Given the fact that voting will only be permitted by proxy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Corporation and its representatives do not intend to allow new matters not contemplated in the Notice to be considered at the Meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Corporation may be obtained by accessing the Corporation’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Corporation’s comparative financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis for its most recently completed financial year is available under the Corporation’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
BOARD APPROVAL
The contents and the sending of this Circular have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
DATED at Toronto, Ontario, as of the 2nd day of November, 2022.
By Order of the Board of Directors
(signed) “Neil J. Labatte”
___________ Neil J. Labatte Chairman of the Board of Directors
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SCHEDULE “A”
JACK NATHAN MEDICAL CORP.
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
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Board of Directors
Disclose how the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) facilitates its exercise of independent supervision over management, including:
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the identity of directors that are independent, and
the identity of directors who are not independent, and the basis for that determination.
Three of the four current directors on the Board are independent within the meaning of independence as defined under section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 − Audit Committees . The independent directors are Neil J. Labatte, Anthony DeCristoforo and Blake D. Lyon. Michael Marchelletta is currently Executive Vice Chairman of the Corporation and therefore not independent.
The Corporation believes that the current combination of independent and non-independent directors is an acceptable balance, for a venture issuer of the size and nature of the Corporation, between the objective of independent supervision of management, the insight drawn from outside members of the business and professional community, and the in-depth knowledge of the operations of the Corporation afforded by the participation of its current and former executive officers on the Board.
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Directorships
If a director is presently a director of any other issuer that is a reporting issuer (or the equivalent) in a jurisdiction or a foreign jurisdiction, identify both the director and the other issuer.
Currently, the following director of the Corporation serves on the boards of directors of other public companies, as listed below:
| Director | Public Company Board Member/Trustee |
|---|---|
| Neil J. Labatte | NexPoint Hospitality Trust (TSXV) BSR Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX) Skyline Investments Inc.(Tel Aviv Stock Exchange) |
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Orientation and Continuing Education
Describe what steps, if any, the Board takes to orient new Board members, and describe any measures the Board takes to provide continuing education for directors.
The Board does not have a formal orientation policy. New directors, when appointed or elected, are provided with access to information, including sufficient historical data, to become familiar with the Corporation and its operating facilities and assets, and to familiarize themselves with the procedures of the Board. All directors are given the opportunity to visit the Corporation’s offices with management and to interact with and request briefings from management in order to familiarize themselves with the business of the Corporation.
The Board does not have a formal continuing education program. All directors are encouraged to become members of the Institute of Corporate Directors. All members of the Board are experienced directors. Members of the Board may also engage outside consultants at the expense of the Corporation to review matters on which they feel they require independent advice.
Management generally provides meeting materials in advance of meetings and encourages openness. Minutes of meetings are circulated and reviewed subsequent to each meeting.
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Ethical Business Conduct
Describe what steps, if any, the Board takes to encourage and promote a culture of ethical business conduct.
The Board expects management to comply with all statutes, regulations and administrative policies applicable to the Corporation, to supervise employees and consultants in such a manner as to be informed of their activities, to promote the free flow of information, and allow employees, consultants and others to anonymously report to the Corporation on concerns involving accounting and other issues (protection of “whistleblowers”). Corporate policies include, but are not limited to, matters of corporate disclosure on a timely basis, confidentiality and insider trading restrictions. The Board has not yet instituted written policies with respect to all of the above nor adopted written codes of conduct for directors, officers and employees. The Board expects management to report to the Board regarding any breaches or concerns with respect to the foregoing, which are of a material nature, whether or not a satisfactory resolution was already implemented by management, or of which management is aware that are reasonably likely to arise in the foreseeable future and which would be of a material nature.
The Corporation’s governing statute and its by-laws state that every director of the Corporation who is in any way directly or indirectly interested in a contract or a proposed contract with the Corporation shall declare his interest at a meeting of the directors of the Corporation. Such a declaration should be made at the meeting of directors at which the question of entering into the contract is first considered, if his interest then exists, or in any other case at the first meeting of the directors after the acquisition of his interest and no director shall as a director vote in respect of any contract or arrangement in which he is interested as aforesaid and, if he does so vote, his vote shall not be counted. Any Board materials referencing the contract in question will generally be redacted for the director concerned and he will absent himself from all Board discussion relating to the contract in question.
In order to avoid the potential for disclosure, or the perception or appearance of disclosure of confidential insider information, the Corporation observes a quiet period as well as a blackout period during which informed persons are prohibited from discussing non-public material information or trading in securities of the Corporation.
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Nomination of Directors
Disclose what steps, if any, are taken to identify new candidates for Board nomination, including:
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who identifies new candidates, and
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the process of identifying new candidates.
The Board periodically and at least annually considers the composition of the Board, including the appropriate skills and characteristics required of the directors in the context of the business experience and specific areas of expertise of each current director. The Board is also responsible for recruiting and recommending candidates for election as directors when necessary. Whenever possible, candidates are interviewed by members of the Board individually and in small groups prior to their nomination for election as a director.
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Compensation
Disclose what steps, if any, are taken to determine compensation for the directors and CEO, including:
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who determines compensation, and
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the process of determining compensation.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing the compensation of the executive officers of the Corporation on an “as required basis”, and reporting their findings and recommendations to the full Board. The Compensation Committee has determined that the current compensation is appropriate for the risks and responsibilities assumed by the officers. The total compensation from all sources, including salary, bonus, and equity-based compensation in the form of Awards, is considered in comparison to current market rates offered by similar venture issuers in the similar sector of the Canadian economy, and is intended to remain competitive in order to attract and retain talented and motivated individuals. Reference is made to Part Two of the Circular for further discussion in respect of executive compensation.
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The Compensation Committee is to consist of at least three (3) members, all of whom should be independent. Reference is made to Part Three of the Circular under “Corporate Governance and Other Matters” which sets out principal responsibilities of the Compensation Committee.
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Other Board Committees
If the Board has standing committees other than the audit, compensation and nominating committees, identify the committees and describe their function.
In addition to the Board’s Audit Committee and Compensation Committee, the Board has also established a Governance Committee. Reference is made to Part Three of the Circular under “Corporate Governance and Other Matters” which sets out principal responsibilities of the Governance Committee.
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Assessments
Disclose what steps, if any, that the Board takes to satisfy itself that the Board, its committees, and its individual directors are performing effectively.
The Board annually reviews the performance of nominees for re-election to the Board, with the objectives of ensuring comprehensive and independent oversight of the management of the Corporation, maintaining its working relationship with management, and promoting open communication and disclosure by management of material information to the Board with respect to the operations of the Corporation. Each of the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee is expected to regularly report to the Board with respect to its activities, and make its minutes of meetings and supporting information available to the Board. This is intended to allow the Board to evaluate the effectiveness of each such committee on an ongoing basis. The responsibilities of the Governance Committee include overseeing the evaluation of the Board, its committees and management.
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SCHEDULE “B”
JACK NATHAN MEDICAL CORP.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
1 Purpose
The committee will assist the board of directors of the Corporation (the " Board ") in fulfilling its responsibilities. The committee will review the financial reporting process, the system of internal control and management of financial risks, the audit process, and the Corporation's process for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations and its own code of business conduct as it relates to financial reporting and disclosure. In performing its duties, the committee will maintain effective working relationships with the Board, management, and the external auditors and monitor the independence of those auditors. The committee will also be responsible for reviewing the Corporation's financial strategies, its financing plans and its use of the equity and debt markets.
To perform his or her role effectively, each committee member will obtain an understanding of the responsibilities of committee membership as well as the Corporation's business, operations and risks.
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Committee Membership
The Committee shall consist of no fewer than three members, a majority of whom shall not be officers or employees of the Corporation or any of its affiliates and who shall meet the independence requirements of Canadian securities laws and the TSX Venture Exchange. The members and chair of the Committee shall be appointed and removed by the Board in accordance with the rules of the Corporate Governance and Directors Nominating Committee.
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Committee Meetings
The Committee shall meet quarterly each year. The Chairman will schedule regular meetings, and additional meetings may be held at the request of two or more members of the Committee, the CEO, or the Chairman of the Board. External auditors may convene a special meeting if they consider that it is necessary.
The committee may invite such other persons (e.g. the CEO and/or CFO) to its meetings, as it deems appropriate. The external auditors should be present at each quarterly audit committee meeting and should be expected to comment on the financial statements in accordance with best practices.
The Committee shall keep adequate minutes of all its proceedings, and the Committee Chairman will report its actions to the next meeting of the Board. Committee members will be furnished with copies of the minutes of each Committee meeting and any action taken by unanimous consent.
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Committee Authority and Responsibilities
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee will:
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4.1 Gain an understanding of whether internal control recommendations made by external auditors have been implemented by management.
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4.2 Gain an understanding of the current areas of greatest financial risk and whether management is managing these effectively.
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4.3 Review the Corporation's strategic and financing plans to assist the Board's understanding of the underlying financial risks and the financing alternatives.
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4.4 Review management's plans to access the equity and debt markets and to provide the Board with advice and commentary.
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4.5 Review significant accounting and reporting issues, including recent professional and regulatory pronouncements, and understand their impact on the financial statements.
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4.6 Review any legal matters which could significantly impact the financial statements as reported on by the general counsel and meet with outside counsel whenever deemed appropriate.
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4.7 Review the annual and quarterly financial statements including Management's Discussion and Analysis and determine whether they are complete and consistent with the information known to committee members; determine that the auditors are satisfied that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, stock exchange requirements and governmental regulations.
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4.8 Pay particular attention to complex and/or unusual transactions such as those involving derivative instruments and consider the adequacy of disclosure thereof.
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4.9 Focus on judgmental areas, for example those involving valuation of assets and liabilities and other commitments and contingencies.
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4.10 Review audit issues related to the Corporation's material associated and affiliated companies that may have a significant impact on the Corporation's equity investment.
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4.11 Meet with management and the external auditors to review the annual financial statements and the results of the audit.
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4.12 Assess the fairness of the interim financial statements and disclosures, and obtain explanations from management on whether:
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a. actual financial results for the interim period varied significantly from budgeted or projected results;
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b. generally accepted accounting principles have been consistently applied;
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c. there are any actual or proposed changes in accounting or financial reporting practices; and
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d. there are any significant or unusual events or transactions which require disclosure and, if so, consider the adequacy of that disclosure.
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4.13 Review the external auditors' proposed audit scope and approach and ensure no unjustifiable restriction or limitations have been placed on the scope.
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4.14 Review the performance of the external auditors and approve in advance provision of services other than auditing.
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4.15 Consider the independence of the external auditors, including reviewing the range of services provided in the context of all consulting services bought by the Corporation.
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4.16
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Make recommendations to the Board regarding the reappointment of the external auditors.
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4.17 Meet separately with the external auditors to discuss any matters that the committee or auditors believe should be discussed privately.
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4.18 Endeavour to cause the receipt and discussion on a timely basis of any significant findings and recommendations made by the external auditors.
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4.19 Obtain regular updates from management and the Corporation's legal counsel regarding compliance matters, as well as certificates from the Financial Officer as to required statutory payments and bank covenant compliance and from senior operating personnel as to permit compliance.
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4.20 Ensure that the Board is aware of matters which may significantly impact the financial condition or affairs of the business.
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4.21 Perform other functions as requested by the full Board.
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4.22 If necessary, institute special investigations and, if appropriate, hire special counsel or experts to assist.
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4.23 Review and update the charter; receive approval of changes from the Board.
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SCHEDULE “C”
BY-LAW NO. 3
A by-law relating to the nomination of directors
JACK NATHAN MEDICAL CORP. (the "Corporation")
INTRODUCTION
The Corporation is committed to: (i) facilitating an orderly and efficient annual or, where the need arises, special meeting, process; (ii) ensuring that all shareholders receive adequate notice of director nominations and sufficient information with respect to all nominees; (iii) allowing the Corporation and shareholders to evaluate all nominees’ qualifications and suitability as a director of the Corporation; and (iv) allowing shareholders to cast an informed vote.
The purpose of this By-law No. 3 (the " By-law ") is to provide shareholders, directors and management of the Corporation with guidance on the nomination of directors. This By-law is the framework by which the Corporation seeks to fix a deadline by which holders of record of common shares of the Corporation must submit director nominations to the Corporation prior to any annual or special meeting of shareholders and sets forth the information that a shareholder must include in the notice to the Corporation for the notice to be in proper written form.
It is the position of the Corporation that this By-law is beneficial to shareholders and other stakeholders. This By-law will be subject to an annual review, and will reflect changes as required by securities regulatory agencies or stock exchanges, or so as to meet industry standards.
NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS
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Nomination Procedures - Subject only to the Ontario Business Corporations Act (the " Act ") and the articles of the Corporation (the " Articles "), only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the Corporation (the " Board ") may be made at any annual meeting of shareholders, or at any special meeting of shareholders if one of the purposes for which the special meeting was called is the election of directors:
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a. by or at the direction of the Board, 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 proposal made in accordance with the provisions of the Act, or a requisition of the shareholders made in accordance with the provisions of the Act; or
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c. by any person (a " Nominating Shareholder "): (A) who, at the close of business on the date of the giving of the notice provided for below in this By-law and on the record date for notice of such meeting, is entered in the securities register 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 (B) who complies with the notice procedures set forth below in this By-law.
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Timely Notice - In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a Nominating Shareholder, the Nominating Shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation.
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Manner of Timely Notice - To be timely, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation must be made:
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a. in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than 30 nor more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting of shareholders is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the date (the " Notice Date ") on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be made not later than the close of business on the tenth (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 the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes), not later than the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting of shareholders was made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a meeting of shareholders or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a Nominating Shareholder’s notice as described above.
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Proper Form of Timely Notice - To be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation must set forth:
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a. as to each person whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residential address of the person; (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person; (C) the class or series and number of shares in the capital of the Corporation which are controlled or which are owned beneficially or of record by the person 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; and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act and Applicable Securities Laws (as defined below); and
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b. as to the Nominating Shareholder giving the notice, any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Nominating Shareholder has a right to vote any shares of the Corporation and any other information relating to such Nominating Shareholder that would be required to be made in a dissident’s proxy circular in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act and Applicable Securities Laws (as defined below).
The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information, including a written consent to act, as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable shareholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.
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Eligibility for Nomination as a Director - No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of this By-law; provided, however, that nothing in this By-law shall be deemed to preclude discussion by a shareholder (as distinct from the nomination of directors) at a meeting of shareholders of any matter in respect of which it would have been entitled to submit a proposal pursuant to the provisions of the Act. The Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the foregoing provisions and, if any proposed nomination is not in
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compliance with such foregoing provisions, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Terms - For purposes of this By-law:
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a. “ public announcement ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service in Canada, or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation under its profile on the System of Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com; and
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b. “ Applicable Securities Laws ” means the applicable securities legislation of each of the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, as amended from time to time, the rules, regulations and forms made or promulgated under any such statute and the published national instruments, multilateral instruments, policies, bulletins and notices of the securities commission and similar regulatory authority of each of the said provinces.
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Delivery of Notice - Notwithstanding any other provision of this By-law, notice given to the Secretary of the Corporation pursuant to this By-law may only be given by personal delivery, facsimile transmission or by email (at such email address as stipulated from time to time by the Secretary of the Corporation for purposes of this notice), and shall be deemed to have been given and made only at the time it is served by personal delivery, email (at the aforesaid address) or sent by facsimile transmission (provided that receipt of confirmation of such transmission has been received) to the Secretary at the address of the principal executive offices of the Corporation; provided that if such delivery or electronic communication is made on a day which is a not a business day or later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on a day which is a business day, then such delivery or electronic communication shall be deemed to have been made on the subsequent day that is a business day.
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Board Discretion - Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement in this By-law.
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