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Medaro Mining Corp. — AGM Information 2021
Nov 24, 2021
47987_rns_2021-11-24_08e53070-47a3-4090-bac3-e05f5f581e91.pdf
AGM Information
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MEDARO MINING CORP.
220 – 333 Terminal Avenue Vancouver, BC V6A 4C1
Tel: 604-256-5077
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on December 15, 2021
and
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
as at November 10, 2021
220 – 333 Terminal Avenue Vancouver, BC V6A 4C1 Tel: 604-256-5077
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General and Special Meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of the holders (the “ Shareholders ”) of common shares (the “ Shares ”) of Medaro Mining Corp. (the “ Company ”) will be held at 220 – 333 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C1, on December 15, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) for the following purposes:
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to receive and consider the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, including the accompanying report of the auditors;
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to determine and set the number of directors for the ensuing year at four (4);
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to elect directors to hold office until the close of the next Annual General Meeting;
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to appoint an auditor for the Company to hold office until the close of the next Annual General Meeting and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor of the Company;
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to consider, and if thought fit, to pass, with or without variation, an ordinary resolution of disinterested shareholders approving certain matters respecting the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan, as more particularly described and set forth in the Circular; and
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The accompanying Information Circular provides additional information relating to the matters to be dealt with at the Meeting and is deemed to form part of this Notice. Copies of any documents to be considered, approved, ratified and adopted or authorized at the Meeting will be available for inspection at the Company’s office at 220 - 333 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C1, during normal business hours up to December 15, 2021 being the date of the Meeting. The directors of the Company fixed the close of business on November 10, 2021 as the record date for determining holders of Shares who are entitled to vote at the Meeting.
A Shareholder entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in their stead. If you are unable to attend the Meeting in person, please complete, sign and date the enclosed Form of Proxy and return the same in the enclosed return envelope provided for that purpose within the time and to the location in accordance with the instructions set out in the Form of Proxy and Information Circular accompanying this Notice.
We remind Shareholders that in light of the ongoing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the limitations on public gatherings, the Company is encouraging Shareholders and guests not to attend the Meeting in person. Instead, Shareholders are encouraged to vote on the matters before the Meeting by proxy.
Please advise the Company of any change in your address.
DATED at Vancouver, B.C. this November 16, 2021.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
MEDARO MINING CORP.
“Faizaan Lalani”
Faizaan Lalani President
220 – 333 Terminal Avenue Vancouver, BC V6A 4C1 Tel : 604-256-5077
_
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
Containing information as at the Record Date, November 10, 2021 (unless otherwise noted)
Shareholders who do not hold their shares in their own name, as registered shareholders, should read "Advice to Beneficial Shareholders" within for an explanation of their rights.
PERSONS MAKING THE SOLICITATION
This Information Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by management of the Company for use at the Meeting to be held on December 15, 2021 at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. While it is expected the solicitation will be primarily by mail, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and employees of the Company. All costs of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. The contents and the sending of this Information Circular have been approved by the Directors of the Company.
PROXIES AND VOTING RIGHTS
Management Solicitation
The solicitation of proxies by the Company will be conducted by mail and may be supplemented by telephone or other personal contact to be made without special compensation by the directors, officers and employees of the Company. The Company does not reimburse shareholders, nominees or agents for costs incurred in obtaining from their principals authorization to execute forms of proxy, except that the Company has requested brokers and nominees who hold stock in their respective names to furnish this proxy material to their customers, and the Company will reimburse such brokers and nominees for their related out of pocket expenses. No solicitation will be made by specially engaged employees or soliciting agents. The cost of solicitation will be borne by the Company. No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than as contained in this Information Circular in connection with the solicitation of proxies. If given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company. The delivery of this Information Circular shall not create, under any circumstances, any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth herein since the date of this Information Circular. This Information Circular does not constitute the solicitation of a proxy by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such solicitation is not authorized, or in which the person making such solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer of solicitation.
Appointment of Proxy
Registered shareholders are entitled to vote at the Meeting. A shareholder is entitled to one vote for each common share that such shareholder holds on the record date of November 10, 2021 (the “ Record Date ”) on the resolutions to be voted upon at the Meeting, and any other matter to come before the Meeting. The persons named as proxyholders (the “ Designated Persons ”) in the enclosed form of proxy are directors and/or officers of the Company.
A SHAREHOLDER HAS THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A PERSON OR COMPANY (WHO NEED NOT BE A SHAREHOLDER) TO ATTEND AND ACT FOR OR ON BEHALF OF THAT SHAREHOLDER AT THE MEETING, OTHER THAN THE DESIGNATED PERSONS NAMED IN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY. TO EXERCISE THE RIGHT, THE SHAREHOLDER MAY DO SO BY STRIKING OUT THE PRINTED NAMES AND INSERTING THE NAME OF SUCH OTHER PERSON AND, IF DESIRED, AN ALTERNATE TO SUCH PERSON, IN THE BLANK SPACE PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF PROXY. SUCH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD NOTIFY THE NOMINEE OF THE APPOINTMENT, OBTAIN THE NOMINEE’S CONSENT TO ACT AS PROXY AND SHOULD PROVIDE INSTRUCTION TO
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THE NOMINEE ON HOW THE SHAREHOLDER’S SHARES SHOULD BE VOTED. THE NOMINEE SHOULD BRING PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION TO THE MEETING.
In order to be voted, the completed form of proxy must be received by the Company’s registrar and transfer agent, Odyssey Trust Company (the “ Transfer Agent ”) at their offices located at 350 – 409 Granville Street Vancouver BC V6C 1T2, Attention: Proxy Department, by mail or fax, at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays recognized in the Province of British Columbia) prior to the scheduled time of the Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof. A proxy may not be valid unless it is dated and signed by the shareholder who is giving it or by that shareholder’s attorneyin-fact duly authorized by that shareholder in writing or, in the case of a corporation, dated and executed by a duly authorized officer or attorney-in-fact for the corporation. If a form of proxy is executed by an attorney-in-fact for an individual shareholder or joint shareholders, or by an officer or attorney-in-fact for a corporate shareholder, the instrument so empowering the officer or attorney-in-fact, as the case may be, or a notarially certified copy thereof, must accompany the form of proxy.
Revocation of Proxies
A shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by an instrument in writing (a) executed by that shareholder or by that shareholder’s attorney-in-fact authorized in writing or, where the shareholder is a corporation, by a duly authorized officer of, or attorney-in-fact for, the corporation and (b) delivered either: (i) to the Company at the address set forth above, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or, if adjourned or postponed, any reconvening thereof, (ii) to the Chairman of the Meeting prior to the vote on matters covered by the proxy on the day of the Meeting or, if adjourned or postponed, any reconvening thereof, or (iii) in any other manner provided by law. Also, a proxy will automatically be revoked by either: (a) attendance at the Meeting and participation in a poll (ballot) by a shareholder, or (b) submission of a subsequent proxy in accordance with the foregoing procedures. A revocation of a proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken prior to any such revocation.
Voting of Shares and Proxies and Exercise of Discretion by Designated Persons
A shareholder may indicate the manner in which the Designated Persons are to vote with respect to a matter to be voted upon at the Meeting by marking the appropriate space. If the instructions as to voting indicated in the proxy are certain, the Shares represented by the proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions given in the proxy. If the shareholder specifies a choice in the proxy with respect to a matter to be acted upon, then the Shares represented will be voted or withheld from the vote on that matter accordingly. The Shares represented by a proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder on any ballot that may be called for and if the shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the Shares will be voted accordingly.
IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED IN THE PROXY WITH RESPECT TO A MATTER TO BE ACTED UPON, THE PROXY CONFERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO THAT MATTER UPON THE DESIGNATED PERSONS NAMED IN THE FORM OF PROXY. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DESIGNATED PERSONS WILL VOTE THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY IN FAVOUR OF EACH MATTER IDENTIFIED IN THE PROXY, INCLUDING THE BOARD SIZE RESOLUTION AND THE AMENDMENT RESOLUTION, AND FOR THE NOMINEES OF THE COMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR DIRECTORS AND AUDITOR.
The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting, including any amendments or variations to any matters identified in the Notice, and with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting. At the date of this Information Circular, management of the Company is not aware of any such amendments, variations, or other matters to come before the Meeting.
In the case of abstentions from, or withholding of, the voting of the Shares on any matter, the Shares that are the subject of the abstention or withholding will be counted for determination of a quorum, but will not be counted as affirmative or negative on the matter to be voted upon.
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ADVICE TO BENEFICIAL SHAREHOLDERS
The information set out in this section is of significant importance to those shareholders who do not hold shares in their own name. Shareholders who do not hold their shares in their own name (referred to in this Information Circular as “Beneficial Shareholders”) should note that only proxies deposited by shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of Shares can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting.
If Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a shareholder by a broker, then in almost all cases those Shares will not be registered in the shareholder’s name on the records of the Company. Such Shares will more likely be registered under the names of the shareholder’s broker or an agent of that broker. In the United States, the vast majority of such Shares are registered under the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (which acts as depositary for many U.S. brokerage firms and custodian banks), and in Canada, under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited, which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms). Beneficial Shareholders should ensure that instructions respecting the voting of their Shares are communicated to the appropriate person well in advance of the Meeting.
The Company does not have access to names of Beneficial Shareholders. Applicable regulatory policy requires intermediaries/brokers to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of shareholders’ meetings. Every intermediary/broker has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions to clients, which should be carefully followed by Beneficial Shareholders in order to ensure that their Shares are voted at the Meeting. The form of proxy supplied to a Beneficial Shareholder by its broker (or the agent of the broker) is similar to the Form of Proxy provided to registered shareholders by the Company. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the registered shareholder (the broker or agent of the broker) how to vote on behalf of the Beneficial Shareholder.
The majority of brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“ Broadridge ”) in the United States and in Canada. Broadridge typically prepares a special voting instruction form, mails this form to the Beneficial Shareholders and asks for appropriate instructions regarding the voting of Shares to be voted at the Meeting. Beneficial Shareholders are requested to complete and return the voting instructions to Broadridge by mail or facsimile. Alternatively, Beneficial Shareholders can call a toll-free number and access Broadridge’s dedicated voting website (each as noted on the voting instruction form) to deliver their voting instructions and to vote the Shares held by them. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of shares to be represented at the Meeting. A Beneficial Shareholder receiving a Broadridge voting instruction form cannot use that form as a proxy to vote Shares directly at the Meeting ‐ the voting instruction form must be returned to Broadridge well in advance of the Meeting in order to have its Shares voted at the Meeting.
Although a Beneficial Shareholder may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting Shares registered in the name of his broker (or agent of the broker), a Beneficial Shareholder may attend at the Meeting as proxyholder for the registered shareholder and vote the Shares in that capacity. Beneficial Shareholders who wish to attend at the Meeting and indirectly vote their Shares as proxyholder for the registered shareholder should enter their own names in the blank space on the instrument of proxy provided to them and return the same to their broker (or the broker’s agent) in accordance with the instructions provided by such broker (or agent), well in advance of the Meeting.
Alternatively, a Beneficial Shareholder may request in writing that his or her broker send to the Beneficial Shareholder a legal proxy which would enable the Beneficial Shareholder to attend at the Meeting and vote his or her Shares. All references to shareholders in this Information Circular are to registered shareholders, unless specifically stated otherwise.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares without par value, of which 41,806,808 Shares are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Information Circular. Persons who are registered shareholders at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting subject to the provisions described above.
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To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, there are no persons who, or corporations which, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or control or direct Shares carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all Shares of the Company.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Except as otherwise disclosed herein, no (a) director, proposed director or executive officer of the Company, (b) person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, common shares or who exercises control or direction of common shares, or a combination of both carrying more than ten percent of the voting rights attached to the common shares outstanding (an “ Insider ”), (c) director or executive officer of an Insider or (d) associate or affiliate of any of the directors, executive officers or Insiders, has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company, except with an interest arising from the ownership of common shares where such person or company will receive no extra or special benefit or advantage not shared on a pro rata basis by all holders of the same class of common shares.
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Unless otherwise noted, the following information is for the Company’s last completed financial year ended September 30, 2020.
Named Executive Officers
For the purposes of this Circular, a Named Executive Officer (“ NEO ”) of the Company means each of the following individuals:
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(a) a chief executive officer (“ CEO ”) of the Company;
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(b) a chief financial officer (“ CFO ”) of the Company; and
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(c) the Company’s most highly compensated executive officer, or individual acting in a similar capacity, other than the CEO and CFO, at the end of, or during, the most recently completed financial year if his or her individual total compensation was more than $150,000 for that financial year, including an individual who would have been an NEO under this paragraph but for the fact that he or she was not acting in such capacity at the end of the financial year.
Oversight and Description of Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation
The Company’s compensation program is intended to attract, motivate, reward and retain the management talent needed to achieve the Company’s business objectives of improving overall corporate performance and creating long-term value for the Company’s shareholders. The compensation program is intended to reward executive officers on the basis of individual performance and achievement of corporate objectives, including the advancement of the exploration and development goals of the Company. The Company’s current compensation program is comprised of base salary or fees, short term incentives such as discretionary bonuses and long term incentives such as stock options.
The Company’s board of directors (the “ Board ”) has not created or appointed a compensation committee given the Company’s current size and stage of development. All tasks related to developing and monitoring the Company’s approach to the compensation of the Company’s NEOs and directors are performed by the members of the Board. The compensation of the NEOs, directors and the Company’s employees or consultants, if any, is reviewed, recommended and approved by the Board without reference to any specific formula or criteria. NEOs that are also directors of the Company are involved in discussion relating to compensation, and disclose their interest in and abstain from voting on compensation decisions relating to them, as applicable, in accordance with the applicable corporate legislation.
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In making compensation decisions, the Board strives to find a balance between short-term and long-term compensation and cash versus equity incentive compensation. Base salaries or fees and discretionary cash bonuses primarily reward recent performance and incentive stock options encourage NEOs and directors to continue to deliver results over a longer period of time and serve as a retention tool. The annual salary or fee for each NEO, as applicable, is determined by the Board based on the level of responsibility and experience of the individual, the relative importance of the position to the Company, the professional qualifications of the individual and the performance of the individual over time. The NEOs’ performances and salaries or fees are to be reviewed periodically. Increases in salary or fees are to be evaluated on an individual basis and are performance and market-based. The amount and award of cash bonuses to key executives and senior management is discretionary, depending on, among other factors, the financial performance of the Company and the position of a participant.
Under the Company’s compensation policies and practices, NEOs and directors are not prevented from purchasing financial instruments, including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars or units of exchange funds that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by the NEO or Director.
Based on this review, the Board believes that the compensation policies and practices do not encourage executive officers to take unnecessary or excessive risk.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table contains a summary of the compensation paid to the Company’s directors and NEOs during the most recently completed financial year.
| Salary, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | |||||||
| Name and | consulting fee, | Committee | Value of | Value of all other | Total | ||
| Ended | Bonus | or meeting | |||||
| Position | Sept. |
retainer or | prerequisites | compensation | compensation | ||
| ($) | fees | ($) | ($) | ($) | |||
| 30 | commission | $ | |||||
| () | |||||||
| ($) | |||||||
| Charles Hugh Maddin(1) Chief Executive Officer and Director |
2020(2) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | $37,000 | $37,000 |
| Faizaan Lalani(3) President, CFO & Director |
2020(2) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Leonard De Melt(4) Director |
2020(2) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Uranbileg Yondon(5) Director |
2020(2) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
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(1) Appointed as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer on July 3, 2020. Ceased being President on August 5, 2021.
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(2) For the period beginning on the Company’s date of incorporation, June 19, 2020, and ended September 30, 2020.
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(3) Appointed as Director on June 19, 2020 and Chief Financial Officer on July 3, 2020. Ceased being Chief Financial Officer on August 5, 2021. Appointed as President on August 5, 2021.
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(4) Appointed as director on July 29, 2020. Ceased to be a director on October 29, 2020. (5) Appointed as director on August 10, 2020. Ceased to be a director on April 14, 2021.
No NEO of the Company has received, during the two most recently completed financial years, compensation pursuant to:
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(a) any standard arrangement for the compensation of NEOs for their services in their capacity as NEOs, including any additional amounts payable for committee participation or special assignments;
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(b) any other arrangement, in addition to, or in lieu of, any standard arrangement, for the compensation of NEOs in their capacity as NEOs; or
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(c) any arrangement for the compensation of NEOs for services as consultants or expert.
Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
The Company did not grant any options or compensation securities to its directors or NEOs during the Company’s most recent financial year ended September 30, 2020.
On August 5, 2021, the Company implemented an equity incentive plan (the “ Plan ”) in order to be able to offer incentives to attract and retain experienced and qualified individuals as directors, officers, senior management personnel and employees of the Company by allowing such individuals to participate in increases in shareholder value. The size of stock option grants and grants of other awards under the Plan will be dependent on each officer's level of responsibility, authority and importance to the Company and the degree to which such officer's long-term contribution to the Company will be key to its long-term success. The Company has no equity incentive plans other than the Plan.
A copy of the Plan is attached to this Information Circular as Schedule B. Although Shareholder approval of the Plan is not required pursuant to the policies of the CSE, the Board is seeking disinterested Shareholder approval of the Plan to obtain maximum flexibility with respect to the granting awards under the Plan. See “Particulars of Matters To Be Acted Upon – Approval of Equity Incentive Plan."
DISCLOSURE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICE
The Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that the Company identifies and implements effective corporate governance practices, which are both in the interest of its shareholders and contributes to effective and efficient decision making.
The Company’s approach to significant issues of corporate governance is designed to ensure that the business and affairs of the Company are effectively managed to enhance shareholder value. Management has been able to draw assistance from individual directors as well as seek advice from the Board of Directors as a whole, when circumstances require.
In accordance with National Instrument 58-101 - Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (the “ Disclosure Instrument ”) and National Policy 58-201 – Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “ Guidelines ”) the Company is required to disclose, on an annual basis, its approach to corporate governance. In addition, the Company is subject to National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“ NI 52-110 ”), which prescribes certain requirements in relation to audit committees and defines the meaning of independence with respect to directors. These reflect current regulatory guidelines of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
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The Company has established its own corporate governance practices in light of these guidelines, as set forth below. In certain cases, the Company’s practices will comply with the guidelines; however, the Board considers that some of the guidelines are not suitable for the Company at its current stage of development and therefore these guidelines have not been adopted. The Company is at an early stage of development, with a current four-person Board of Directors and limited financial resources. As a result, the Company’s corporate governance practices have not been extensively developed. The Board of Directors will continue to review with management the corporate governance practices of the Company to ensure that they are sound practices for effective and efficient decision making.
Board of Directors and Directorships
The Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) is responsible for the governance of the Company. It establishes the overall polices and standards of the Company. The Board meets on a regularly scheduled basis. In addition to these meetings the directors are kept informed of operations through regular reports and analyses by, and discussions with, management.
The Board is currently comprised of four directors, all of whom are proposed to be nominated for election as set out in this Circular. NI 52-110 defines an “independent” director as one who has no direct or indirect “material relationship” with the Company. A “material relationship” is defined as a relationship that could, in the view of the Board, reasonably be expected to interfere with the exercise of a director’s independent judgement. NI 52-110 also sets out certain situations where a director will automatically be considered to have a material relationship with the Company.
Applying the definition set out in NI 52-110, two of the four members of the Board are not independent. Charles Hugh Maddin is not independent as he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Faizaan Lalani is not independent as he is the President of the Company. Mark Ireton and Shaun Mann are independent.
Certain of the directors of the Company are also directors and/or officers of other reporting issuers (or equivalent) in a jurisdiction or a foreign jurisdiction as follows:
| Name of Director | Names of Other Reporting Issuers |
|---|---|
| Charles Hugh Maddin | Makara Mining Corp. (CSE) Doubleview Gold Corp.(TSXV) |
| Faizaan Lalani | AmmPower Corp. (CSE) United Lithium Corp. (CSE) Traction Uranium Corp. (CSE) Telecure Technologies Inc.(CSE) |
| Mark Ireton | Victory Resources Corp. (CSE) United Lithium Corp. (CSE) Global Wellness Strategies Inc.(CSE) |
| Shaun Mann | None |
Orientation and Continuing Education
Upon election or appointment of new directors, the Company will provide new directors with an information package respecting the Company, including, among other things, its policies, procedures and disclosures. Generally, the Company expects that the board members have a familiarity with the business of the Company. Professional advisors may be invited to attend Board meetings, as needed. The Company also relies on the relatively straightforward nature of its business and the established qualifications and expertise of its board members.
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Ethical Business Conduct
As required under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act (“ BCBCA ”) and the Company’s articles:
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a director or senior officer who holds any office or possesses any property, right or interest that could result, directly or indirectly, in the creation of a duty or interest that materially conflicts with that individual’s duty or interest as a director or executive officer of the Company must promptly disclose the nature and extent of that conflict; and
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a director who holds a disclosable interest (as that term is used in the BCBCA) in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter may not vote on any directors’ resolution to approve the contract or transaction, other than as permitted by the BCBCA and the Company’s articles.
Generally, as a matter of practice, directors or senior officers who have disclosed a material interest in any transaction or agreement that the Board is considering will not take part in any Board discussion respecting that contract or transaction, unless permitted by the BCBCA and the Company’s articles. If on occasion such directors do participate in the discussions, they will abstain from voting on any matters relating to matters in which they have disclosed a material interest.
Nomination of Directors & Assessments
Potential candidates for appointment to the Board will be considered by the entire Board of the Company. The Board has no specific procedures for regularly assessing the effectiveness and contribution of the Board, its committees or individual directors. As the business of the Company is relatively straightforward, it is expected that a significant lack of performance on the part of a committee or individual director would become readily apparent and could be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
With respect to the Board as a whole, the Board will monitor its performance on an ongoing basis and as part of that process, consider the overall performance of the Company and input from its shareholders. The Board as a whole is responsible for assessing its effectiveness, its members and each committee in consultation with the chair of the Board and the chair of each committee.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
NI 52-110 requires that certain information regarding the Audit Committee of an issuer be included in the management information circular sent to shareholders in connection with the issuer’s annual meeting and that the Audit Committee to meet certain requirements.
Overview
The overall purpose of the Audit Committee is to ensure that the Company’s management has designed and implemented an effective system of internal financial controls, to review and report on integrity of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and to review the Company’s compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements as they relate to financial statements, taxation matters and disclosure of material facts. The Board has adopted a Charter for the Audit Committee that sets out the Audit Committee’s mandate, organization, powers and responsibilities, a copy of which is attached as Schedule “A” to this Circular.
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Composition of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is comprised of Charles Hugh Maddin, Mark Ireton and Shaun Mann. Each member of the Audit Committee is considered to be “financially literate” and “independent” within the meaning of sections 1.4 and 1.5 of NI 52- 110, with the exception of Charles Hugh Maddin, who is not independent as he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The members of the Audit Committee, along with their relevant education and experience, are set out in the following table:
| Director | Relevant Education and Experience |
|---|---|
| Charles Hugh Maddin, Chair |
Mr. Maddin is the sole shareholder, President and CEO of Cambrian Capital Corp., a private investment holding company. He has also been the CEO of significant private companies with substantial holdings of mineral tenures in British Columbia. Mr. Maddin is a practicing lawyer in British Columbia with vast experience in corporate, commercial, mining finance, venture capital, real estate and mining projects. Additionally, Mr. Maddin has been a director of several publicly listed companies, including Doubleview Gold Corp., Mineral Hill Industries Ltd., Nass Valley Gateway Ltd., Karoo Exploration Corp. Magnum Goldcorp Inc., International Bethlehem Mining Corp., and Makara Mining Corp. |
| Mark Ireton | Mr. Ireton has over 30 years of experience in the financial service industry, being well versed in both public and private transactions, reorganizations, acquisitions and divestitures in a variety of sectors that include, but are not limited to, manufacturing, aviation, transportation, construction,excavation, post-production and oil service. |
| Sean Mann | Mr. Mann is a seasoned mining professional that has many years of experience in mining and oil and gas. In addition to acting as a director of Medaro Mining, Mr. Mann currently holds a senior position in the reporting function at one of the world's largest gold mining companies. Mr. Mann previously held senior roles in the controllership at Goldcorp and Newmont. Additionally, he has held senior roles in the supply & trading function of Canada’s largest O&G producer, Suncor, successfully transacting over $8 billion in US trading books. Mr. Mann is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelors in Business Administration with a major in Accountingand a minor in Economics. |
The Audit Committee has established policies and procedures that are intended to control the services that are provided by the Company’s auditors and to monitor their continuing independence. Under these policies, no services may be undertaken by the auditors unless the engagement is specifically approved by the Audit Committee or the services are included within a category which has been pre- approved by the Audit Committee. The maximum charge for services will be established by the Audit Committee when the specific engagement is approved, or the category of services preapproved. Management will be required to notify the Audit Committee of the nature and value of pre-approved services undertaken. The Audit Committee will not approve engagements relating to, or pre-approve categories of, nonaudit services to be provided by the auditors: (i) if such services are of a type the performance of which would cause the auditors to cease to be independent within the meaning of applicable securities law; and (ii) without consideration, among other things, of whether the auditors are best situated to provide the required services and whether the required services are consistent with their role as auditor.
Audit Committee Oversight
Since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, there has not been a recommendation of the Audit Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor that was not adopted by the Board.
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Reliance on Exemptions in NI 52‐110 regarding De Minimis Non‐audit Services or on a Regulatory Order Generally
In respect of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, the Company has not relied on the exemption in section 2.4 ( De Minimis Non‐audit Services ) of NI 52-110 or an exemption from NI 52-110, in whole or in part, granted by a securities regulator under Part 8 ( Exemptions ) of NI 52-110.
In respect of the most recently completed financial year, the Company is relying on the exemption set out in section 6.1 of NI 52-110 with respect to compliance with the requirements of Part 5 ( Reporting Obligations ) of NI 52-110.
Pre‐Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services as described in the Audit Committee Charter.
External Auditor Service Fees (By Category)
The following table discloses the fees billed to the Company by its external auditor during the two last financial years.
| Financial Year Ended | Audit Fees(1) | Audit Related Fees(2) | Tax Fees(3) | All Other Fees(4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2020 | $7,500 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
(1) The aggregate fees billed by the Company’s auditor for audit fees.
(2) The aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not disclosed in the “Audit Fees” column.
(3) The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the Company’s auditor for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.
(4) All other fees billed by the auditor for products and services not included in the foregoing categories.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
As at the end of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, being September 30, 2020, no equity securities of the company were authorized for issuance under any compensation plans.
On August 5, 2021, the Company implemented the Plan, a copy of which is attached to this Information Circular as Schedule B. Details of the Plan are described in the section “Particulars of Matters To Be Acted Upon – Approval of Equity Incentive Plan”.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
There is no indebtedness of any Director, executive officer, proposed nominee for election as a Director or associate of the foregoing to or guaranteed or supported by the Company either pursuant to an employee stock purchase program of the Company or otherwise, during the most recently completed financial year.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
Faizaan Lalan i – On August 6, 2021, the Company entered into a management consulting agreement (the “Lalani Consulting Agreement”) with 1196016 B.C. Ltd. (“119BC”) a company wholly owned by Faizaan Lalani, pursuant to which 119BC would provide the services of Faizaan Lalani to act as the Company’s President, for management and operation of the Company. Mr. Faizaan is entitled to a monthly consulting fee of $10,000 plus GST and participation in the Equity Incentive Plan. The
13
Lalani Consulting Agreement is for an indefinite term, subject to the termination provisions thereof.
Charles Hugh Maddin – On August 6, 2021, the Company entered into a management consulting agreement (the “Maddin Consulting Agreement”) with Cambrian Capital Corp. (“Cambrian”) an entity wholly owned by Charles Hugh Maddin, pursuant to which Cambrian would provide the services of Charles Hugh Maddin to act as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), for the management and operation of the Company. Mr. Maddin is entitled to a monthly consulting fee of $3,500 plus GST and participation in the Equity Incentive Plan. The Maddin Consulting Agreement is for an indefinite term, subject to the termination provisions thereof.
Alexander McAulay – On August 6, 2021, the Company entered into a management consulting agreement (the “McAulay Consulting Agreement”) with ACM Management Inc. (“ACM”) a company wholly owned and controlled by Alexander McAulay, pursuant to which ACM would provide the services of Alexander McAulay to act as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), for the management and operation of the Company. Mr. McAulay is entitled to a monthly consulting fee of $2,500 plus GST and participation in the Equity Incentive Plan. The McAulay Consulting Agreement is for an indefinite term, subject to the termination provisions thereof. ACM provides management and corporate secretarial services to the Company in consideration for the Company paying management fees on a per project basis, the amount of which depends on the nature of the services provided. Based on the six months proceeding the date of this Information Circular, the average monthly invoice paid by the Company to ACM was $7,602 (before GST). For the year ended September 30, 2020, the Company was not charged any fees by ACM.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Financial Statements
The financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 will be placed before shareholders at the Meeting.
Appointment and Remuneration of Auditors
Shareholders will be asked to vote for the re-appointment of Crowe MacKay LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the auditors of the Company to hold office until the next annual meeting of the Shareholders at a remuneration to be fixed by the board of directors. Crowe MacKay LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, has served as auditor since the incorporation of the Company on June 19, 2020.
Unless you give other instructions, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote FOR the appointment of Crowe MacKay LLP to act as the Company’s auditor until the close of the next annual general meeting and to authorize the Board to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor.
Determination of Number of Directors
The directors are elected at each annual general meeting to hold office until the next annual general meeting or until their successors are duly elected or appointed, unless such office is earlier vacated in accordance with the Articles of the Company or a director becomes disqualified to act as a director. The authority to determine the number of directors of the Company rests with the shareholders. The Articles of the Company provide that the number of directors, excluding additional directors, may be fixed or changed from time to time by ordinary resolution whether previous notice thereof has been given or not. It is intended to fix the number of directors at four for the ensuing year.
Management of the Company recommends that shareholders vote FOR the resolution to set the number of directors of the Company at four.
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Election of Directors
The Board of Directors presently consists of four directors. The term of office of each of the present directors expires at the Meeting. Each director elected will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company or until their successor is duly elected or appointed, unless the office is earlier vacated in accordance with the Articles of the Company or the BCBCA or they become disqualified to act as a director.
The persons named in the following table are proposed by management for election as directors of the Company. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the enclosed Proxy will be voted for the nominees listed herein.
MANAGEMENT DOES NOT CONTEMPLATE THAT ANY OF THE NOMINEES WILL BE UNABLE TO SERVE AS A DIRECTOR. THE COMPANY HAS NOT RECEIVED NOTICE OF, AND MANAGEMENT IS NOT AWARE OF ANY PROPOSED NOMINEE IN ADDITION TO, THE NAMED NOMINEES.
The following information concerning the respective nominees has been furnished by each of them:
| Principal Occupation or employment and, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name, Jurisdiction of Residence | Number and Percentage | ||
| if not previously elected Director, | Director Since | ||
| and Position | of Shares Owned (1) | ||
| occupation during the past 5 years | |||
| Charles Hugh Maddin(2) British Columbia, Canada Chief Executive Officer and Director |
President of Cambrian Capital Corp. since 1982; Director and CFO of International Bethlehem Mining Corp. since 2020; Director of Doubleview Gold Corp. since 2019; Director of Makara Mining Corp. since 2020 |
July 3, 2020 |
833,334 (1.99%) |
| Faizaan Lalani British Columbia, Canada President and Director |
Certified Professional Accountant; Director, Archer Exploration Corp. (March 2020– September 2021); Chief Financial Officer and Director, United Lithium Corp. (October 2019 -present); Chief Financial Officer and Director, AmmPower Corp. (Sept 2020– present); Director, Chemesis International Inc. (December 2020–August 2021); Director, Interra Copper Corp. (formerly IMC International Mining) (November 2019–May 2021); Chief Financial Officer and Director, Infuzed Brands, Inc. (2019–2020); Director, Lobe Sciences Ltd. (2019–2020); Senior Project Accountant, PortLiving, (2016–2019); Director, Traction Uranium Corp. (August 2021-present); Director, Telecure Technologies,Inc.(August 2021-present) |
June 19, 2020 |
3,666,667 (8.77%) |
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| Principal Occupation or employment and, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name, Jurisdiction of Residence | Number and Percentage | ||
| if not previously elected Director, | Director Since | ||
| and Position | of Shares Owned (1) | ||
| occupation during the past 5 years | |||
| Mark Ireton(2) British Columbia, Canada Director |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Victory Resources Corp. (March 2021–present); Director, United Lithium Corp. (February 2021– present); Director, Global Wellness Strategies Inc. (November 2017–present); President and Chief Executive Officer, Noram Ventures Inc. (November 2015–January 2019); CEO, President and Director, AmmPower Corp. (December 2019-October 2020); Vice President,PNCBank(2012–2015) |
October 29, 2020 |
Nil |
| Sean Mann(2) British Columbia, Canada Director |
SFA – Mining and Metals (2018 to Present); SFA Supply/Trading – Oil and Gas (2017) |
April 14, 2021 |
Nil |
(1) Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised, as at November 10, 2021. Based on 41,806,808 Shares issued and outstanding as of November 10, 2021.
- (2) Member of the Audit Committee.
No proposed director is to be elected under any arrangement or understanding between the proposed director and any other person or company, except the directors and executive officers of the company acting solely in such capacity.
To the knowledge of the Company, no proposed director:
-
(a) is, as at the date of the Information Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date of the Information Circular, a director, CEO or CFO of any company (including the Company) that:
-
(i) was the subject, while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, CEO or CFO of such company, of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days;
-
(ii) was subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, CEO or CFO but which resulted from an event that occurred while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, CEO or CFO of such company; or
-
(b) is, as at the date of this Information Circular, or has been within 10 years before the date of the information Circular, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or
-
(c) has, within the 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or
16
trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director; or
-
(d) has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or
-
(e) been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
Faizaan Lalani has served as a director and as chief financial officer of United Lithium Corp. (“ ULC ”) since October 2019 and Mark Ireton has served as a director of ULC since February 2021. On July 23, 2021, the BCSC issued a cease trade order against ULC (the “ ULC CTO ”) for failure to file a compliant material change report respecting the amalgamation of ULC’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 1263391 B.C. Ltd. with 1257590 B.C. Ltd. The ULC CTO was revoked on August 25, 2021.
Approval of Equity Incentive Plan
On August 5, 2021, the Board approved the Plan in order to be able to offer incentives to attract and retain experienced and qualified individuals as directors, officers, senior management personnel and employees of the Company by allowing such individuals to participate in increases in shareholder value.
The Board is seeking disinterested Shareholder approval of the Plan. Although Shareholder approval of the Plan is not required pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (“ CSE ”), the Board wishes to obtain maximum flexibility with respect to the granting of stock options under the Plan.
National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (“ NI 45‐106 ”) provides exemptions from the requirement to prepare and file a prospectus in connection with a distribution of securities. As the Company is listed on the CSE, the Company is classified as an “unlisted reporting issuer” for purposes of the exemption provided in Section 2.24 of NI 45-106 for distributions of securities to employees, executive officers, directors and consultants of the Company (the “ Exemption ”). NI 45-106 restricts the use of the Exemption by “unlisted reporting issuers” such as the Company, unless the Company obtains disinterested shareholder approval. Specifically, NI 45-106 provides that the Exemption does not apply to a distribution to an employee or consultant of the “unlisted reporting issuer” who is an investor relations person of the issuer, an associated consultant of the issuer, an executive officer of the issuer, a director of the issuer, or a permitted assign of those persons if, after the distribution,
-
(a) the number of securities, calculated on a fully diluted basis, reserved for issuance under options granted to
-
(i) related persons, exceeds 10% of the outstanding securities of the issuer, or
-
(ii) a related person, exceeds 5% of the outstanding securities of the issuer, or
-
(b) the number of securities, calculated on a fully diluted basis, issued within 12 months to
-
(i) related persons, exceeds 10% of the outstanding securities of the issuer, or
-
(ii) a related person and the associates of the related person, exceeds 5% of the outstanding securities of the issuer.
The term “related person” is defined in NI 45-106 and generally refers to a director or executive officer of the issuer or of a related entity of the issuer, an associate of a director or executive officer of the issuer or of a related entity of the issuer, or a permitted assign of a director or executive officer of the issuer or of a related entity of the issuer. The term “permitted assign” includes a spouse of the person.
In accordance with the requirements of NI 45-106, the Board wishes to provide the following information with respect
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to the Plan so that the disinterested Shareholders may form a reasoned judgment concerning the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain directors, officers, employees and consultants and to motivate them to advance the interests of the Company by affording them with the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the Company through Awards (as that term is defined in the Plan) granted under the Plan to purchase Shares. The Plan is a 20% “rolling” equity incentive plan pursuant to which the maximum number of Shares reserved under the Plan, together with all of the Company’s other previously established or proposed stock options, stock option plans, employee stock purchase plans or any other compensation or incentive mechanisms involving the issuance or potential issuance of Shares, shall not result in the number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Awards exceeding 20% of the issued and outstanding Shares as at the date of grant of any Award under the Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, in addition to the ability to award options (“ Options ”) to acquire shares of the Company to Participants, the Company has the availability to award restricted share rights (“ RSRs ”), deferred share units (“ DSUs ”), and performance share units (“ PSUs ”).
The Plan provides that:
-
All Employees and Directors are eligible to participate in the Plan. Eligibility to participate does not confer any Employee or Director any right to receive any grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. The extent to which any Employee or Director is entitled to receive a grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan will be determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board.
-
Awards of Options, RSRs, PSUs and DSUs, may be made under the Plan. All Awards are subject to the conditions, limitations, restrictions, exercise price, vesting, settlement and forfeiture provisions determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Board, subject to such limitations provided in the Plan, and will generally be evidenced by an award agreement. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law, the Board my accelerate or defer the vesting or payment of Awards, cancel or modify outstanding Awards, and waive any condition imposed with respect to Awards or Shares issued pursuant to Awards.
-
If an Employee or Director ceases to be so engaged by the Company for cause, any Option outstanding shall terminate and cease to be exercisable immediately upon termination. In the event an Employee or Director ceases to be so engaged by the Company during the Restricted Period, any RSRs held by the Participant shall immediately terminate and be of no further force or effect. Any RSRs held by the Participant following the Restricted Period and prior to a Deferred Payment Date, the Participant shall be entitled to receive, and the Company will issue forthwith, Shares in satisfaction of the RSRs held by the Participant. If a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Employee or Eligible Director, as applicable, during the Performance Period because of retirement or termination of the Participant, all Performance Share Units previously awarded to the Participant shall be forfeited and cease to be credited to the Participant on the date of the retirement or termination.
-
If a Participant ceases to be so engaged by the Company without cause for any reason other than death, such Participant shall have the right to exercise any vested stock option granted to him or her under the Plan and not exercised prior to such termination within a period of 12 months after the date of termination, or prior to the expiration of the Option Period, whichever is sooner. In the event an Employee or Director ceases to be so engaged by the Company during the Restricted Period, any RSRs held by the Participant shall immediately terminate and be of no further force or effect. Any RSRs held by the Participant following the Restricted Period and prior to a Deferred Payment Date, the Participant shall be entitled to receive, and the Company will issue forthwith, Shares in satisfaction of the RSRs held by the Participant. If a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Employee or Eligible Director, as applicable, during the Performance Period because of retirement or termination of the Participant, all Performance Share Units previously awarded to the Participant shall be forfeited and cease to be credited to the Participant on the date of the retirement or termination.
-
In the event of the death of a Participant, any vested Option may be exercised by the Participant’s beneficiary or legal representative (as applicable) at any time during the period that terminates on the earlier of: (a) the expiry date of such Option, and (b) 12 months after the date of the death of such Participant. In the event of the death or disability of a Participant any Shares representing RSRs held by the Participant will be immediately issued by the Company to the Participant or legal representative of the Participant. In the event of the death of an Eligible Director, the DSUs granted shall be redeemed automatically and with no further action on the 20[th] business day following the death of an Eligible Director. During the Performance Period, in the event of the
18
death or total disability of a Participant, the Performance Period shall be deemed to end at the end of the calendar quarter immediately before the date of death or total disability of the Participant and the amount payable to the Participant or its legal representatives, as the case may be, shall be calculated as of such date.
-
No Awards granted under the Plan or any right thereunder or in respect thereof shall be transferable or assignable (other than upon the death of the Participant).
-
The maximum number of common shares issuable under the Plan shall not exceed 20% of the number of common shares of the Company issued and outstanding as of each award date, inclusive of all common shares reserved for issuance pursuant to previously granted Awards.
-
Awards vest as the board of directors of the Company may determine.
-
The exercise price of the Awards granted under the Plan will be determined by the board of directors but will not be less than the greater of the closing market price of the Company’s common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange on (a) the trading day prior to the date of grant of the applicable Award; and (b) the date of grant of the applicable Award.
-
The term of Options shall be five years from the date such Option is granted, or such greater or lesser duration as the Board may determine at the date of grant.
-
Participants have the right to a cashless exercise, if a Participant exercises a cashless exercise in connection with an Option, it is exercisable only to the extent and on the same conditions that the related Option is exercisable under this Plan.
A copy of the Plan is attached to this Information Circular as Schedule B.
At the Meeting, disinterested Shareholders will be asked to approve the following ordinary resolution (the “ Plan Resolution ”), which must be approved by at least a majority of the votes cast by disinterested Shareholders represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting who vote in respect of the Plan Resolution The following directors and officers of the Company are considered interested parties to this transaction and excluded from voting:
| Name of Shareholder | Number of Common Shares Beneficially Owned, or Controlled or Directed, Directly or Indirectly |
Percentage of outstanding Shares |
|---|---|---|
| Faizaan Lalani | 3,666,667 | 8.77% |
| Charles Hugh Maddin | 833,334 | 1.99% |
| Mark Ireton | Nil | 0% |
| Shaun Mann | Nil | 0% |
| Alexander McAulay | Nil | 0% |
“RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION OF DISINTERESTED SHAREHOLDERS THAT:
-
The Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), as set forth in the Company’s Information Circular dated November 10, 2021 (the “ Information Circular ”), including the reservation for issuance under the Plan at any time of a maximum of 20% of the issued common shares of the Company, be and is hereby approved, in accordance with its terms and conditions and with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “ CSE ”).
-
The Company’s board of directors (the “ Board ”) be and is hereby authorized in its absolute discretion to administer the Plan and amend or modify the Plan in accordance with its terms and conditions and with the policies of the CSE.
-
The Board be and is hereby authorized in its absolute discretion to grant Awards under the Plan in reliance on the prospectus exemption provided in Section 2.24 [Employee, executive officer, director and consultant] of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (“ NI 45‐106 ”) notwithstanding the limitations imposed by
19
Section 2.25 [Unlisted reporting issuer exception] of NI 45-106.
- Any one director or officer of the Company be and is hereby authorized and directed to do all such acts and things and to execute and deliver, under the corporate seal of the Company or otherwise, all such deeds, documents, instruments and assurances as in his or her opinion may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the foregoing resolutions, including, without limitation, making any changes to the Plan required by the CSE or applicable securities regulatory authorities and to complete all transactions in connection with the administration of the Plan.”
The form of the Plan Resolution set forth above is subject to such amendments as management may propose at the Meeting but which do not materially affect the substance of the proposed resolution.
Management of the Company recommends that shareholders vote in favour and unless you give other instructions, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote FOR the Plan Resolution.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Shareholders may contact the Company at its office by mail at 220 – 333 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6A 4C1, by email at [email protected] or by calling 1-604256-5077 to request copies of the Company’s financial statements and related Management Discussion & Analysis (the “ MD&A ”). Financial information is provided in the Company’s audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended September 30, 2020, which are included in the Company’s final long form prospectus dated March 24, 2021, which is available, together with additional information relating to the Company, under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
OTHER BUSINESS
Unless otherwise specified, all matters referred to herein for approval by the Shareholders require a simple majority of the Shareholders voting, in person or by proxy, at the Meeting. Where information contained in this Information Circular, rests specifically within the knowledge of a person other than the Company, the Company has relied upon information furnished by such person.
The contents of this Information Circular have been approved and this mailing has been authorized by the Directors of the Company.
Dated this 16[th] day of November, 2021
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
MEDARO MINING CORP.
“Faizaan Lalani”
Faizaan Lalani President
SCHEDULE “A”
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
This Charter establishes the composition, the authority, roles and responsibilities and the general objectives of the Company’s audit committee, or its Board of Directors in lieu thereof (the “ Audit Committee ”). The roles and responsibilities described in this Charter must at all times be exercised in compliance with the legislation and regulations governing the Company and any subsidiaries.
Composition
-
(a) Number of Members . The Audit Committee must be comprised of a minimum of three directors of the Company, a majority of whom will be independent. Independence of the board members will be as defined by applicable legislation.
-
(b) The members of the Committee will be appointed by the board of directors of the Company (“Board”) annually at the first meeting of the Board following the annual meeting of the shareholders, to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly appointed.
-
(c) Chair . If there is more than one member of the Audit Committee, members will appoint a chair of the Audit Committee (the “Chair”) to serve for a term of one (1) year on an annual basis. The Chair may serve as the chair of the Audit Committee for any number of consecutive terms.
-
(d) Financially Literacy. All members of the audit committee will be financially literate as defined by applicable legislation. If upon appointment a member of the Audit Committee is not financially literate as required, the person will be provided with a period of three months to acquire the required level of financial literacy.
Meetings
-
(a) Quorum . The quorum required to constitute a meeting of the Audit Committee is set at a majority of members.
-
(b) Agenda . The Chair will set the agenda for each meeting, after consulting with management and the external auditor. Agenda materials such as draft financial statements must be circulated to all Audit Committee members for members to have a reasonable amount of time to review the materials prior to the meeting.
-
(c) Notice to Auditors . The Company’s auditors (the “Auditors”) will be provided with notice as necessary of any Audit Committee meeting, will be invited to attend each such meeting and will receive an opportunity to be heard at those meetings on matters related to the Auditor’s duties.
-
(d) Minutes . Minutes of the Audit Committee meetings will be accurately recorded, with such minutes recording the decisions reached by the committee.
Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the Audit Committee include the following:
External Auditor
The Audit Committee will:
- (a) Selection of the external auditor . Select, evaluate and recommend to the Board, for shareholder approval, the Auditor to examine the Company’s accounts, controls and financial statements.
Medaro Audit Committee Charter
Schedule A
-
(b) Scope of Work . Evaluate, prior to the annual audit by the Auditors, the scope and general extent of the Auditor’s review, including the Auditor’s engagement letter.
-
(c) Compensation . Recommend to the Board the compensation to be paid to the external auditors.
-
(d) Replacement of Auditor . If necessary, recommend the replacement of the Auditor to the Board of Directors.
-
(e) Approve Non‐Audit Related Services . Pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided by the Auditor to the Company or its subsidiaries.
-
(f) Direct Responsibility for Overseeing Work of Auditors . Must directly oversee the work of the Auditor. The Auditor must report directly to the Audit Committee.
-
(g) Resolution of Disputes . Assist with resolving any disputes between the Company’s management and the Auditors regarding financial reporting.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Information
The Audit Committee will:
-
(a) Review Audited Financial Statements . Review the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, discuss those statements with management and with the Auditor, and recommend their approval to the Board.
-
(b) Review of Interim Financial Statements . Review and discuss with management the quarterly consolidated financial statements, and if appropriate, recommend their approval by the Board.
-
(c) MD&A, Annual and Interim Earnings Press Releases, Audit Committee Reports . Review the Company’s management discussion and analysis, interim and annual press releases, and audit committee reports before the Company publicly discloses this information.
-
(d) Auditor Reports and Recommendations . Review and consider any significant reports and recommendations issued by the Auditor, together with management’s response, and the extent to which recommendations made by the Auditor have been implemented.
Risk Management, Internal Controls and Information Systems
The Audit Committee will:
-
(a) Internal Control . Review with the Auditors and with management, the general policies and procedures used by the Company with respect to internal accounting and financial controls. Remain informed, through communications with the Auditor, of any weaknesses in internal control that could cause errors or deficiencies in financial reporting or deviations from the accounting policies of the Company or from applicable laws or regulations.
-
(b) Financial Management . Periodically review the team in place to carry out financial reporting functions, circumstances surrounding the departure of any officers in charge of financial reporting, and the appointment of individuals in these functions.
-
(c) Accounting Policies and Practices . Review management plans regarding any changes in accounting practices or policies and the financial impact thereof.
Medaro Audit Committee Charter
Schedule A
-
(d) Litigation . Review with the Auditors and legal counsel any litigation, claim or contingency, including tax assessments, that could have a material effect upon the financial position of the Company and the manner in which these matters are being disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.
-
(e) Other. Discuss with management and the Auditors correspondence with regulators, employee complaints, or published reports that raise material issues regarding the Company’s financial statements or disclosure.
Complaints
-
(a) Accounting, Auditing and Internal Control Complaints . The Audit Committee must establish a procedure for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters.
-
(b) Employee Complaints . The Audit Committee must establish a procedure for the confidential transmittal on condition of anonymity by the Company’s employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Authority
-
(a) Auditor . The Auditor, and any internal auditors hired by the company, will report directly to the Audit Committee.
-
(b) To Retain Independent Advisors . The Audit Committee may, at the Company’s expense and without the approval of management, retain the services of independent legal counsels and any other advisors it deems necessary to carry out its duties and set and pay the monetary compensation of these individuals.
Reporting
The Audit Committee will report to the Board on:
-
(a) the Auditor’s independence;
-
(b) the performance of the Auditor and any recommendations of the Audit Committee in relation thereto;
-
(c) the reappointment and termination of the Auditor;
-
(d) the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and disclosure controls;
-
(e) the Audit Committee’s review of the annual and interim consolidated financial statements;
-
(f) the Audit Committee’s review of the annual and interim management discussion and analysis;
-
(g) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory matters to the extent they affect the financial statements of the Company; and
-
(h) all other material matters dealt with by the Audit Committee.
Medaro Audit Committee Charter
Schedule A
SCHEDULE “B”
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
[See attached]
Medaro Equity Incentive Plan
Schedule B
MEDARO MINING CORP.
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
AUGUST 5, 2021
PART 1 PURPOSE
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this Plan is to secure for the Company and its shareholders the benefits inherent in share ownership by the employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates who, in the judgment of the Board, will be largely responsible for its future growth and success. It is generally recognized that equity incentive plans of the nature provided for herein aid in retaining and encouraging employees and directors of exceptional ability because of the opportunity offered them to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.
1.2 Available Awards
Awards that may be granted under this Plan include:
-
(a) Options;
-
(b) Deferred Share Units;
-
(c) Restricted Share Rights; and
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(d) Performance Share Units.
PART 2 INTERPRETATION
2.1 Definitions
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(a) “ Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in the BCA.
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(b) “ Award ” means any right granted under this Plan, including Options, Deferred Share Units, Restricted Share Rights and Performance Share Units.
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(c) “ BCA ” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
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(d) “ Blackout Period ” means a period in which the trading of Shares or other securities of the Company is restricted under any policy of the Company then in effect.
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(e) “ Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.
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(f) “ Cashless Exercise Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5 of this Plan.
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(g) “ Change of Control ” means the occurrence and completion of any one or more of the following events:
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(A) the Company shall not be the surviving entity in a merger, amalgamation or other reorganization (or survives only as a subsidiary of an entity other than a previously wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company);
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(B) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer, including by way of the grant of a leasehold interest or joint venture interest (or one or more subsidiaries of the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer, including without limitation by way of the grant of a leasehold interest or joint venture interest) property or assets (i) aggregating more than 50% of the consolidated assets (measured by either book value or fair market value) of the Company and its subsidiaries as at the end of the most recently completed financial year of the Company or (ii) which during the most recently completed financial year of the Company generated, or during the then current financial year of the Company are expected to generate, more than 50% of the consolidated operating income or cash flow of the Company and its subsidiaries, to any other person or persons (other than one or more Designated Affiliates of the Company), in which case the Change of Control shall be deemed to occur on the date of transfer of the assets representing one dollar more than 50% of the consolidated assets in the case of clause (i) or 50% of the consolidated operating income or cash flow in the case of clause (ii), as the case may be;
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(C) the Company is to be dissolved and liquidated;
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(D) any person, entity or group of persons or entities acting jointly or in concert acquires or gains ownership or control (including, without limitation, the power to vote) more than 50% of the Company’s outstanding voting securities; or
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(E) as a result of or in connection with: (i) the contested election of directors, or; (ii) a transaction referred to in subparagraph (i) above, the persons who were directors of the Company before such election or transaction shall cease to constitute a majority of the directors.
For the purposes of the foregoing, “voting securities” means Shares and any other shares entitled to vote for the election of directors and shall include any securities, whether or not issued by the Company, which are not shares entitled to vote for the election of directors but are convertible into or exchangeable for shares which are entitled to vote for the election of directors, including any options or rights to purchase such shares or securities.
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(h) “ Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable United States Treasury Regulations and other binding guidance thereunder.
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(i) “ Company ” means Medaro Mining Corp., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia.
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(j) “ Deferred Payment Date ” for a Participant means the date after the Restricted Period which is the earlier of (i) the date which the Participant has elected to defer receipt of Restricted Shares in accordance with Section 4.4 of this Restricted Share Plan; and (ii) the Participant’s Separation Date.
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(k) “ Deferred Share Unit ” means the agreement by the Company to pay, and the right of the Participant to receive, a Deferred Share Unit Payment for each Deferred Share Unit held, evidenced by way of book-keeping entry in the books of the Company and administered pursuant to this Plan.
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(l) “ Deferred Share Unit Grant Letter ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.2 of this Plan.
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(m) “ Deferred Share Unit Payment ” means, subject to any adjustment in accordance with Section 5.5 of this Plan, the issuance to a Participant of one previously unissued Share for each whole Deferred Share Unit credited to such Participant.
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(n) “ Designated Affiliate ” means subsidiaries of the Company designated by the Board from time to time for purposes of this Plan.
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(o) “ Director Retirement ” in respect of a Participant, means the Participant ceasing to hold any directorships with the Company, any Designated Affiliate and any entity related to the Company for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) after attaining a stipulated age in accordance with the Company’s normal retirement policy, or earlier with the Company’s consent.
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(p) “ Director Separation Date ” means the date that a Participant ceases to hold any directorships with the Company and any Designated Affiliate due to a Director Retirement or Director Termination and also ceases to serve as an employee or consultant with the Company, any Designated Affiliate and any entity related to the Company for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
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(q) “ Director Termination ” means the removal of, resignation or failure to re-elect the Eligible Director (excluding a Director Retirement) as a director of the Company, a Designated Affiliate and any entity related to the Company for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
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(r) “ Effective Date ” means August 5 , 2021, being the date upon which this Plan was adopted by the Board.
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(s) “ Eligible Directors ” means the directors of the Company or any Designated Affiliate who are, as such, eligible for participation in this Plan.
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(t) “ Eligible Employees ” means employees (including employees who are officers and directors) of the Company or any Designated Affiliate thereof, whether or not they have a written employment contract with Company, determined by the Board, as employees eligible for participation in this Plan. Eligible Employees shall include Service Providers eligible for participation in this Plan as determined by the Board.
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(u) “ Exchange ” means the Canadian Securities Exchange, or any successor entity, which is the principal stock exchange on which the Shares are listed for trading.
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(v) “Fair Market Value” with respect to the Shares as of any date, means the closing market price of the Shares on the trading day prior to such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of establishing the exercise price per Share of any Option, or the value of any Share underlying a Restricted Share Right, Deferred Share Unit or Performance Share Unit on the grant date, the Fair Market Value means the greater of the closing market price of the Shares on (a) the trading day prior to the date of grant of the applicable Award; and (b) the date of grant of the applicable Award.
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(w) “Multiplier(s) ” means the factor(s) by which a Participant’s Performance Share Units will be multiplied, as determined by the Board and set out in the applicable Performance Share Unit Agreement;
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(x) “ Option ” means an option granted under the terms of this Plan.
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(y) “ Option Period ” means the period during which an Option is outstanding.
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(z) “ Option Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5 of this Plan.
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(aa) “ Optionee ” means an Eligible Employee or Eligible Director to whom an Option has been granted under the terms of this Plan.
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(bb) “ Participant ” means an Eligible Employee or Eligible Director who participates in this Plan.
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(cc) " Performance Period ” means the period provided for in Section 6.3;
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(dd) “ Performance Share Unit ” means a bookkeeping entry evidencing the right of a Participant to receive the value of one Share at the time of payment, multiplied by the applicable Multiplier(s), pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof and as evidenced by a Performance Share Unit Agreement;
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(ee) “ Performance Share Unit Agreement ” means an agreement evidencing a Performance Share Unit entered into by and between the Company and a Participant;
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(ff) “ Plan ” means this Equity Incentive Plan, as it may be amended and restated from time to time.
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(gg) “ Restricted Period ” means any period of time that a Restricted Share Right is not vested and the Participant holding such Restricted Share Right remains ineligible to receive the relevant Shares, determined by the Board in its absolute discretion, however, such period of time may be reduced or eliminated from time to time and at any time and for any reason as determined by the Board, including, but not limited to, circumstances involving death or disability of a Participant.
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(hh) “ Retirement ” in respect of an Eligible Employee, means the Eligible Employee ceasing to hold any employment with the Company or any Designated Affiliate after attaining a stipulated age in accordance with the Company’s normal retirement policy, or earlier with the Company’s consent.
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(ii) “ Restricted Share Right ” has such meaning as ascribed to such term at Section 4.1 of this Plan.
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(jj) “ Restricted Share Right Grant Letter ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.2 of this Plan.
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(kk) “ Separation Date ” means the date that a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Director or Eligible Employee.
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(ll) “ Service Provider ” means any person or company engaged by the Company or a Designated Affiliate to provide services for an initial, renewable or extended period of 12 months or more.
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(mm) “ Shares ” means the common shares of the Company.
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(nn) “ Specified Employee ” means a U.S. Taxpayer who meets the definition of “specified employee”, as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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(oo) “ Termination ” means the termination of the employment (or consulting services) of an Eligible Employee with or without cause by the Company or a Designated Affiliate or the cessation of employment (or consulting services) of the Eligible Employee with the Company or a Designated Affiliate as a result of resignation or otherwise, other than the Retirement of the Eligible Employee.
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(pp) “ US Taxpayer ” means a Participant who is a US citizen, US permanent resident or other person who is subject to taxation on their income under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
2.2 Interpretation
- (a) This Plan is created under and is to be governed, construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
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(b) Whenever the Board (or Board committee, as the case may be) is to exercise discretion in the administration of the terms and conditions of this Plan, the term “ discretion ” means the sole and absolute discretion of the Board (or Board committee, as the case may be).
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(c) As used herein, the terms “ Part ” or “ Section ” mean and refer to the specified Part or Section of this Plan, respectively.
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(d) Where the word “ including ” or “ includes ” is used in this Plan, it means “including (or includes) without limitation”.
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(e) Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender include any other gender.
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(f) Unless otherwise specified, all references to money amounts are to Canadian dollars.
PART 3 STOCK OPTIONS
3.1 Participation
The Company may from time to time grant Options to Participants pursuant to this Plan.
3.2 Price
The exercise price per Share of any Option shall be not less than one hundred per cent (100%) of the Fair Market Value.
3.3 Grant of Options
The Board may at any time authorize the granting of Options to such Participants as it may select for the number of Shares that it shall designate, subject to the provisions of this Plan. The date of grant of an Option shall be the date such grant was approved by the Board.
Each Option granted to a Participant shall be evidenced by a stock option agreement with terms and conditions consistent with this Plan and as approved by the Board (and in all cases which terms and conditions need not be the same in each case and may be changed from time to time, subject to Section 8.7 of this Plan, and any required approval of the Exchange or any other exchange or exchanges on which the Shares are then traded).
3.4 Terms of Options
The Option Period shall be five years from the date such Option is granted, or such greater or lesser duration as the Board may determine at the date of grant, and may thereafter be reduced with respect to any such Option as provided in Section 3.6 hereof covering termination of employment or death of the Optionee; provided, however, that at any time the expiry date of the Option Period in respect of any outstanding Option under this Plan should be determined to occur either during a Blackout Period or within ten business days following the expiry of the Blackout Period, the expiry date of such Option Period shall be deemed to be the date that is the tenth business day following the expiry of the Blackout Period.
Unless otherwise determined from time to time by the Board, Options shall vest and may be exercised (in each case to the nearest full Share) during the Option Period as follows:
- (a) at any time during the first six months of the Option Period, the Optionee may purchase up to 25% of the total number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to his or her Option; and
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- (b) at any time during each additional six - month period of the Option Period the Optionee may purchase an additional 25% of the total number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to his or her Option plus any Shares not purchased in accordance with the preceding subsection (a) and this subsection (b) until, after the 18[th] month of the Option Period, 100% of the Option will be exercisable.
Except as set forth in Section 3.6, no Option may be exercised unless the Optionee is at the time of such exercise:
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(a) in the case of an Eligible Employee, in the employ (or retained as a Service Provider) of the Company or a Designated Affiliate and shall have been continuously so employed or retained since the grant of the Option; or
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(b) in the case of an Eligible Director, a director of the Company or a Designated Affiliate and shall have been such a director continuously since the grant of the Option.
The exercise of any Option will be contingent upon the Optionee having entered into an Option agreement with the Company on such terms and conditions as have been approved by the Board and which incorporates by reference the terms of this Plan. The exercise of any Option will, subject to Section 3.5, also be contingent upon receipt by the Company of cash payment of the full purchase price of the Shares being purchased.
3.5 Cashless Exercise Right
Participants have the right (the “ Cashless Exercise Right ”), in lieu of the right to exercise an Option, to terminate such Option in whole or in part by notice in writing delivered by the Participant to the Company electing to exercise the Cashless Exercise Right and, in lieu of receiving the Shares (the “ Option Shares ”) to which such Terminated Option relates, to receive the number of Shares, disregarding fractions, which is equal to the quotient obtained by:
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(a) subtracting the applicable Option exercise price per Share from the Fair Market Value per Share on the business day immediately prior to the exercise of the Cashless Exercise Right and multiplying the remainder by the number of Option Shares; and
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(b) dividing the product obtained under subsection 3.5(a) by the Fair Market Value per Share on the business day immediately prior to the exercise of the Cashless Exercise Right.
If a Participant exercises a Cashless Exercise Right in connection with an Option, it is exercisable only to the extent and on the same conditions that the related Option is exercisable under this Plan.
3.6 Effect of Termination of Employment or Death
If an Optionee:
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(a) dies while employed by, a Service Provider to or while a director of the Company or a Designated Affiliate, any Option held by him or her at the date of death shall become exercisable in whole or in part, but only by the person or persons to whom the Optionee’s rights under the Option shall pass by the Optionee’s will or applicable laws of descent and distribution. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, all such Options shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of his or her death and only for 12 months after the date of death or prior to the expiration of the Option Period in respect thereof, whichever is sooner; and
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(b) ceases to be employed by, a Service Provider to, or act as a director of, the Company or a Designated Affiliate for cause, no Option held by such Optionee will, unless otherwise determined
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by the Board, be exercisable following the date on which such Optionee ceases to be so engaged; provided, however, that if an Optionee ceases to be employed by, a Service Provider to, or act as a director of, the Company or a Designated Affiliate for any reason other than cause then, unless otherwise determined by the Board, any Option held by such Optionee at the effective date thereof shall become exercisable for a period of up to 12 months thereafter or prior to the expiration of the Option Period in respect thereof, whichever is sooner.
3.7 Effect of Takeover Bid
In the event of a Change of Control, unless otherwise determined by the Board, (i) all Options outstanding shall immediately vest and be exercisable; and (ii) all Options that are not otherwise exercised contemporaneously with the completion of the Change of Control will terminate and expire immediately thereafter.
3.8 Effect of Amalgamation or Merger
Subject to Section 3.7, if the Company amalgamates or otherwise completes a plan of arrangement or merges with or into another corporation, any Shares receivable on the exercise of an Option shall be converted into the securities, property or cash which the Participant would have received upon such amalgamation, arrangement or merger if the Participant had exercised his or her Option immediately prior to the record date applicable to such amalgamation, arrangement or merger, and the option price shall be adjusted appropriately by the Board and such adjustment shall be binding for all purposes of this Plan.
PART 4 RESTRICTED SHARE RIGHTS
4.1 Participants
The Company has the right to grant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to any Participant, rights to receive any number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares (“ Restricted Share Rights ”) as a discretionary payment in consideration of past services to the Company or as an incentive for future services, subject to this Plan and with such additional provisions and restrictions as the Board may determine. For purposes of calculating the number of Restricted Share Rights to be granted, the Company shall be obligated to value the Shares underlying such Restricted Share Rights at not less than one hundred per cent (100%) of the Fair Market Value.
4.2 Restricted Share Right Grant Letter
Each grant of a Restricted Share Right under this Plan shall be evidenced by a grant letter (a “ Restricted Share Right Grant Letter ”) issued to the Participant by the Company. Such Restricted Share Right Grant Letter shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of this Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions (including without limitation any recoupment, reimbursement or claw-back compensation policy as may be adopted by the Board from time to time) which are not inconsistent with this Plan and which the Board deems appropriate for inclusion in a Restricted Share Right Grant Letter. The provisions of the various Restricted Share Right Grant Letters issued under this Plan need not be identical.
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4.3 Restricted Period
Concurrent with the determination to grant Restricted Share Rights to a Participant, the Board shall determine the Restricted Period applicable to such Restricted Share Rights. In addition, at the sole discretion of the Board, at the time of grant, the Restricted Share Rights may be subject to performance conditions to be achieved by the Company or a class of Participants or by a particular Participant on an individual basis, within a Restricted Period, for such Restricted Share Rights to entitle the holder thereof to receive the underlying Shares. Upon expiry of the applicable Restricted Period (or on the Deferred Payment Date, as applicable), a Restricted Share Right shall be automatically settled, and without the payment of additional consideration or any other further action on the part of the holder of the Restricted Share Right, the underlying Shares shall be issued to the holder of such Restricted Share Rights, which Restricted Share Rights shall then be cancelled.
4.4 Deferred Payment Date
Participants who are residents of Canada for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (and for greater certainty, who are not US Taxpayers), may elect to defer to receive all or any part of the Shares underlying Restricted Share Rights until one or more Deferred Payment Dates. Any other Participants may not elect a Deferred Payment Date.
4.5 Prior Notice of Deferred Payment Date
Participants who elect to set a Deferred Payment Date must, in respect of each such Deferred Payment Date, give the Company written notice of the Deferred Payment Date(s) not later than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period. For certainty, Participants shall not be permitted to give any such notice after the day which is thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period and a notice once given may not be changed or revoked. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not prevent a Participant from electing an additional Deferred Payment Date, provided, however that notice of such election is given by the Participant to the Company not later than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the subject Restricted Period.
4.6 Retirement or Termination during Restricted Period
In the event and to the extent of the Retirement or Termination and/or, as applicable, the Director Retirement or Director Termination of a Participant from all such roles with the Company during the Restricted Period, any Restricted Share Rights held by the Participant shall immediately terminate and be of no further force or effect; provided, however, that the Board shall have the absolute discretion to modify the grant of the Restricted Share Rights to provide that the Restricted Period shall terminate immediately prior to the date of such occurrence.
4.7 Retirement or Termination after Restricted Period
In the event and to the extent of the Retirement or Termination and/or, as applicable, the Director Retirement or Director Termination of the Participant from all such roles with the Company following the Restricted Period and prior to a Deferred Payment Date, the Participant shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall issue forthwith, Shares in satisfaction of the Restricted Share Rights then held by the Participant.
4.8 Death or Disability of Participant
In the event of the death or total disability of a Participant, any Shares represented by Restricted Share Rights held by the Participant shall be immediately issued by the Company to the Participant or legal representative of the Participant.
4.9 Payment of Dividends
Subject to the absolute discretion of the Board, in the event that a dividend (other than a stock dividend) is declared and paid by the Company on the Shares, a Participant may be credited with additional Restricted Share
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Rights. The number of such additional Restricted Share Rights, if any, will be calculated by dividing (a) the total amount of the dividends that would have been paid to the Participant if the Restricted Share Rights (including Restricted Share Rights in which the Restricted Period has expired but the Shares have not been issued due to a Deferred Payment Date) in the Participant’s account on the dividend record date had been outstanding Shares (and the Participant held no other Shares) by (b) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date on which such dividends were paid.
4.10 Change of Control
In the event of a Change of Control, all Restricted Share Rights outstanding shall vest immediately and be settled by the issuance of Shares notwithstanding the Restricted Period and any Deferred Payment Date.
PART 5 DEFERRED SHARE UNITS
5.1 Deferred Share Unit Grants
The Board may from time to time determine to grant Deferred Share Units to one or more Eligible Directors in a lump sum amount or on regular intervals, based on such formulas or criteria as the Board may from time to time determine. Deferred Share Units will be credited to the Eligible Director’s account when designated by the Board. For purposes of calculating the number of Deferred Share Units to be granted, the Company shall be obligated to value the Shares underlying such Deferred Share Units at not less than one hundred per cent (100%) of the Fair Market Value.
5.2 Deferred Share Unit Grant Letter
Each grant of a Deferred Share Unit under this Plan shall be evidenced by a grant letter (a “ Deferred Share Unit Grant Letter ”) issued to the Eligible Director by the Company. Such Deferred Share Unit Grant Letter shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of this Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions (including without limitation any recoupment, reimbursement or claw-back compensation policy as may be adopted by the Board from time to time) which are not inconsistent with this Plan and which the Board deems appropriate for inclusion in a Deferred Share Unit Grant Letter. The provisions of Deferred Share Unit Grant Letters issued under this Plan need not be identical.
5.3 Redemption of Deferred Share Units and Issuance of Deferred Shares
The Deferred Share Units held by each Eligible Director who is not a US Taxpayer shall be redeemed automatically and with no further action by the Eligible Director on the 20[th] business day following the Separation Date for that Eligible Director. For US Taxpayers, Deferred Share Units held by an Eligible Director who is a Specified Employee will be automatically redeemed with no further action by the Eligible Director on the date that is six months following the Separation Date for the Eligible Director, or if earlier, upon such Eligible Director’s death. Upon redemption, the former Eligible Director shall be entitled to receive and the Company shall issue, the number of Shares issued from treasury equal to the number of Deferred Share Units in the Eligible Director’s account, subject to any applicable deductions and withholdings. In the event a Separation Date occurs during a year and Deferred Share Units have been granted to such Eligible Director for that entire year, the Eligible Director will only be entitled to a pro-rated Deferred Share Unit Payment in respect of such Deferred Share Units based on the number of days that he or she was an Eligible Director in such year.
No amount will be paid to, or in respect of, an Eligible Director under this Plan or pursuant to any other arrangement, and no other additional Deferred Share Units will be granted to compensate for a downward fluctuation in the value of the Shares of the Company nor will any other benefit be conferred upon, or in respect of, an Eligible Director for such purpose.
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5.4 Death of Participant
In the event of the death of an Eligible Director, the Deferred Share Units shall be redeemed automatically and with no further action on the 20[th] business day following the death of an Eligible Director.
5.5 Payment of Dividends
Subject to the absolute discretion of the Board, in the event that a dividend (other than a stock dividend) is declared and paid by the Company on the Shares, an Eligible Director may be credited with additional Deferred Share Units. The number of such additional Deferred Share Units, if any, will be calculated by dividing (a) the total amount of the dividends that would have been paid to the Eligible Director if the Deferred Share Units in the Eligible Director’s account on the dividend record date had been outstanding Shares (and the Eligible Director held no other Shares), by (b) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date on which such dividends were paid.
PART 6 PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS
6.1 Performance Share Units
The Board may from time to time determine to grant Performance Share Units to one or more Eligible Directors with the specific terms and conditions thereof to be as provided in this Plan and in the Performance Share Unit Agreement entered into in respect of such grant. The Performance Share Unit Agreement in respect of the Performance Share Units granted will set out, at a minimum, the number of Performance Share Units granted, the Performance Period, the performance-based criteria and the Multiplier(s). Subject to the provisions of this Article 6, each Performance Share Unit awarded to a Participant for services performed during the year in which the Performance Share Unit is granted shall entitle the Participant to receive payment in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value on the day immediately prior to the last day of the applicable Performance Period multiplied by the applicable Multiplier(s), to be determined on the last day of the Performance Period.
6.2 Distributions.
The Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that if and when distributions are paid on any Shares, additional Performance Share Units shall be credited to the Participant as of such distribution payment date. The number of additional Performance Share Units (including fractional Performance Share Units) to be credited to the Participant shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the distribution payable in respect of the Shares underlying the Performance Share Units by the Fair Market Value on the date the distribution is paid. Fractional Performance Share Units to two decimal places shall be credited to the Participant. For greater certainty, the Performance Period and Multiplier(s), if any, shall be the same as the Performance Period and Multiplier(s), if any, for the Performance Share Units.
6.3 Performance Period
Subject to Sections 6.5, 6.6 and 6.7 (which could result in shortening any such period), the Performance Period in respect of a particular award shall be one year from the date of grant of the applicable Performance Share Unit, provided that the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine the Performance Period to be greater than one year, to a maximum of three years from the date of grant of the applicable Performance Share Unit.
6.4 Performance-Based Criteria and Multipliers
The Board may establish performance-based criteria which, if met by the Company, will entitle the Participant to be paid an amount in excess of or less than the Fair Market Value of one Share for each Performance Share Unit at the end of the applicable Performance Period. The Board, in its sole discretion, may waive the performance-based criteria if the Board determines there were material unusual circumstances that occurred during the Performance
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Period (as an example only, if take-over speculation significantly affects the Fair Market Value at the end of the Performance Period).
6.5 Retirement or Termination During Performance Period
If a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Employee or Eligible Director, as applicable, during the Performance Period because of retirement or Termination of the Participant, all Performance Share Units previously awarded to the Participant shall be forfeited and cease to be credited to the Participant on the date of the Retirement or Termination, as the case may be; however, the Board shall have the absolute discretion to modify the grant of the Performance Share Units to provide that the Performance Period would end at the end of the calendar quarter immediately before the date of the Retirement or Termination, as the case may be, and the amount payable to the Participant shall be calculated as of such date.
6.6 Death or Disability
During Performance Period, in the event of the death or total disability of a Participant during the Performance Period, the Performance Period shall be deemed to end at the end of the calendar quarter immediately before the date of death or total disability of the Participant and the amount payable to the Participant or its executors, as the case may be, shall be calculated as of such date.
6.7 Change of Control During Performance Period
In the event of a Change of Control, the Performance Period shall be deemed to end at the end of the calendar quarter immediately before the Change of Control and the amount payable to the Participant shall be calculated as of such date.
6.8 Payment to Participants
Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Board, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Share Units in the form of cash or in Shares issued from treasury (or in a combination thereof) equal to the value of the Performance Share Units at the end of the applicable Performance Period. The determination of the Board with respect to the form of payout of such Performance Share Units shall be set forth in the Performance Share Unit Agreement for the grant of the Performance Share Unit or reserved for later determination. In no event will delivery of such Shares or payment of any cash amounts be made later than two and a half months after the end of the year in which such conditions or restrictions were satisfied or lapsed.
6.9 Payment of Dividends
Subject to the absolute discretion of the Board, in the event that a dividend (other than a stock dividend) is declared and paid by the Company on the Shares, an Eligible Director may be credited with additional Performance Share Units. The number of such additional Performance Share Units, if any, will be calculated by dividing (a) the total amount of the dividends that would have been paid to the Eligible Director if the Performance Share Units in the Eligible Director’s account on the dividend record date had been outstanding Shares (and the Eligible Director held no other Shares), by (b) the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date on which such dividends were paid.
PART 7 WITHHOLDING TAXES
7.1 Withholding Taxes
The Company or any Designated Affiliate may take such steps as are considered necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes or other amounts which the Company or any Designated Affiliate is required by any law or regulation of any governmental authority whatsoever to withhold in connection with any Award including,
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without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the withholding of all or any portion of any payment or the withholding of the issue of any Shares to be issued under this Plan, until such time as the Participant has paid the Company or any Designated Affiliate for any amount which the Company or Designated Affiliate is required to withhold by law with respect to such taxes or other amounts. Without limitation to the foregoing, the Board may adopt administrative rules under this Plan, which provide for the automatic sale of Shares (or a portion thereof) in the market upon the issuance of such Shares under this Plan on behalf of the Participant to satisfy withholding obligations under an Award.
PART 8 GENERAL
8.1 Number of Shares
The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under this Plan shall not exceed 20% of the outstanding issue from time to time, such Shares to be allocated among Awards and Participants in amounts and at such times as may be determined by the Board from time to time.
For the purposes of this Section 8.1, “outstanding issue” means the total number of Shares, on a non-diluted basis, that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the date that any Shares are issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to an Award.
8.2 Lapsed Awards
If Awards are surrendered, terminated or expire without being exercised in whole or in part, new Awards may be granted covering the Shares not issued under such lapsed Awards, subject to any restrictions that may be imposed by the Exchange, including, without limitation, the restriction that if an Option is cancelled prior to its expiry date, the Company shall post notice of the cancellation and shall not grant new Options to the same Participant until 30 days have elapsed from the date of cancellation.
8.3 Adjustment in Shares Subject to this Plan
If there is any change in the Shares through the declaration of stock dividends of Shares, through any consolidations, subdivisions or reclassification of Shares, or otherwise, the number of Shares available under this Plan, the Shares subject to any Award, and the exercise price of any Option shall be adjusted as determined to be appropriate by the Board, and such adjustment shall be effective and binding for all purposes of this Plan.
8.4 Transferability
Any Awards accruing to any Participant in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Plan shall not be transferable unless specifically provided herein. During the lifetime of a Participant all Awards may only be exercised by the Participant. Awards are non-transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
8.5 Employment
Nothing contained in this Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to employment or continuance of employment with the Company or any Affiliate, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time. Participation in this Plan by a Participant is voluntary.
Medaro Equity Incentive Plan
Schedule B
8.6 Record Keeping
The Company shall maintain a register in which shall be recorded:
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(a) the name and address of each Participant;
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(b) the number of Awards granted to each Participant and relevant details regarding such Awards; and
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(c) such other information as the Board may determine.
8.7 Amendments to Plan
The Board shall have the power to, at any time and from time to time, either prospectively or retrospectively, amend, suspend or terminate this Plan or any Award granted under this Plan without shareholder approval, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing: changes of a clerical or grammatical nature, changes regarding the persons eligible to participate in this Plan, changes to the exercise price, vesting, term and termination provisions of the Award, changes to the cashless exercise right provisions, changes to the authority and role of the Board under this Plan, and any other matter relating to this Plan and the Awards that may be granted hereunder, provided however that:
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(a) such amendment, suspension or termination is in accordance with applicable laws and the rules of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed;
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(b) no amendment to this Plan or to an Award granted hereunder will have the effect of impairing, derogating from or otherwise adversely affecting the terms of an Award which is outstanding at the time of such amendment without the written consent of the holder of such Award;
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(c) the terms of an Option will not be amended once issued; and
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(d) the expiry date of an Option Period in respect of an Option shall not be more than ten years from the date of grant of an Option except as expressly provided in Section 3.4.
If this Plan is terminated, the provisions of this Plan and any administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations adopted by the Board and in force on the date of termination will continue in effect as long as any Award or any rights pursuant thereto remain outstanding and, notwithstanding the termination of this Plan, the Board shall remain able to make such amendments to this Plan or the Award as they would have been entitled to make if this Plan were still in effect.
8.8 No Representation or Warranty
The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of any Shares issued in accordance with the provisions of this Plan.
Medaro Equity Incentive Plan
Schedule B
8.9 Section 409A
It is intended that any payments under this Plan to US Taxpayers shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code, and all provisions of this Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code.
8.10 Compliance with Applicable Law, etc.
If any provision of this Plan or any agreement entered into pursuant to this Plan contravenes any law or any order, policy, by-law or regulation of any regulatory body or stock exchange having authority over the Company or this Plan, then such provision shall be deemed to be amended to the extent required to bring such provision into compliance therewith.
8.11 Term of the Plan
This Plan shall remain in effect until it is terminated by the Board.
PART 9 ADMINISTRATION OF THIS PLAN
9.1 Administration by the Board
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(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Board, this Plan shall be administered by the Board or a Board committee designated by the Board.
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(b) The Board (or Board committee, as the case may be) shall have the power, where consistent with the general purpose and intent of this Plan and subject to the specific provisions of this Plan, to:
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(i) adopt and amend rules and regulations relating to the administration of this Plan and make all other determinations necessary or desirable for the administration of this Plan. The interpretation and construction of the provisions of this Plan and related agreements by the Board (or Board committee, as the case may be) shall be final and conclusive. The Board (or Board committee, as the case may be) may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or in any related agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry this Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency;
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(ii) determine and designate from time to time the individuals to whom Awards shall be made, the amounts of the Awards and the other terms and conditions of the Awards;
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(iii) delegate any of its responsibilities or powers under this Plan to a Board committee; and
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(iv) otherwise exercise the powers under this Plan as set forth herein.
Medaro Equity Incentive Plan
Schedule B