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Nuclear Vision Limited — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2025
Feb 7, 2025
48373_rns_2025-02-07_c82ddeac-dc86-4f7f-b6d6-656be18009cb.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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NOTICE OF MEETING
AND
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
for the Annual General Meeting of the
Shareholders of
GOLD DIGGER RESOURCES INC.
Dated as of January 22, 2025
GOLD DIGGER RESOURCES INC.
15th Floor, 1111 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 2J3
Tel: (416) 427-4505
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual general meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of Gold Digger Resources Inc. (the "Company") will be held at 15th Floor, 1111 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2J3 on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) for the following purposes:
- to receive the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, together with the auditors' report thereon;
- to fix the number of directors at five (5) for the ensuing year;
- to elect directors for the ensuing year as described in the information circular accompanying this Notice;
- to appoint Stern & Lovrics LLP as the Company's auditors for the ensuing fiscal year at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors;
- to consider and, if thought fit, to pass an ordinary resolution, the full text of which is set forth in the information circular, approving the Company's long term incentive plan; and
- to transact such further or other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
The specific details of the foregoing matters to be put before the Meeting are set forth in the information circular accompanying this Notice. The audited consolidated financial statements and related MD&A for the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2023 have already been mailed to those shareholders who have previously requested to receive them. Otherwise, they are available upon request to the Company or they can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
The Board of Directors of the Company has by resolution fixed the close of business on January 22, 2025 as the record date for the Meeting, being the date for the determination of the registered holders of common shares of the Company entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.
Completed forms of proxy must be deposited at the office of the Company's registrar and transfer agent, Odyssey Trust Company, not later than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, prior to the time of the Meeting, unless the chairman of the Meeting elects to exercise his discretion to accept proxies received subsequently.
Completed forms of proxy may be deposited to the Company's registrar and transfer agent by:
- voting online by visiting: https://vote.odysseytrust.com and click on LOGIN. You will require the CONTROL NUMBER printed with your address to the right on your proxy form. If you vote by Internet, do not mail this proxy
- mail or personal delivery to Odyssey Trust Company, Attn: Proxy Department, Suite 702, 67 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M5E 1J8
- fax to Odyssey, to the attention of the Proxy Department at 1-800-517-4553 (toll-free within Canada and the U.S.) or 416-263-9524 (international)
Non-registered shareholders who receive these materials through their broker or other intermediary are requested to follow the instructions for voting provided by their broker or intermediary, which may include the completion and delivery of a voting instruction form.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, this 22nd day of January, 2025.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
"Allan Bezanson"
Allan Bezanson
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
GOLD DIGGER RESOURCES INC.
15th Floor, 1111 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 2J3
Tel: (416) 427-4505
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
(As at January 22, 2025, except as indicated)
Gold Digger Resources Inc. (the "Company") is providing this information circular (the "Information Circular") and a form of proxy in connection with management's solicitation of proxies for use at the annual general meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of the Company (the "Shareholders") to be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) and at any adjournments and postponements thereof. The Company will conduct its solicitation by mail and officers and employees of the Company may, without receiving special compensation, also telephone or make other personal contact. The Company will pay the cost of solicitation.
All dollar amounts referenced herein are expressed in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise stated.
APPOINTMENT OF PROXYHOLDER
The purpose of a proxy is to designate persons who will vote the proxy on a Shareholder's behalf in accordance with the instructions given by the Shareholder in the proxy. The persons whose names are printed in the enclosed form of proxy are officers or directors of the Company (the "Management Proxyholders").
A Shareholder has the right to appoint a person other than a Management Proxyholder, to represent the Shareholder at the Meeting by striking out the names of the Management Proxyholders and by inserting the desired person's name in the blank space provided or by executing a proxy in a form similar to the enclosed form. A proxyholder need not be a Shareholder.
VOTING BY PROXY
Only registered Shareholders or duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Common shares of the Company ("Shares") represented by a properly executed proxy will be voted or be withheld from voting on each matter referred to in the Notice of Meeting 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 a Shareholder does not specify a choice and the Shareholder has appointed one of the Management Proxyholders as proxyholder, the Management Proxyholder will vote in favour of the matters specified in the Notice of Meeting and in favour of all other matters proposed by management at the Meeting.
The enclosed form of proxy also gives discretionary authority to the person named therein as proxyholder with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of the Meeting and with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting. At the
date of this Information Circular, management of the Company knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting.
COMPLETION AND RETURN OF PROXY
Completed forms of proxy must be deposited at the office of the Company's registrar and transfer agent, Odyssey Trust Company, not later than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, prior to the time of the Meeting, unless the chairman of the Meeting elects to exercise his discretion to accept proxies received subsequently.
Completed forms of proxy may be deposited to the Company's registrar and transfer agent by:
- voting online by visiting: https://vote.odysseytrust.com and click on LOGIN. You will require the CONTROL NUMBER printed with your address to the right on your proxy form. If you vote by Internet, do not mail this proxy
- mail or personal delivery to Odyssey Trust Company, Attn: Proxy Department, Suite 702, 67 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M5E 1J8
- fax to Odyssey, to the attention of the Proxy Department at 1-800-517-4553 (toll-free within Canada and the U.S.) or 416-263-9524 (international)
NON-REGISTERED HOLDERS
Only registered Shareholders or persons they appoint as their proxies are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Registered Shareholders are holders of the Company whose names appear on the Share register of the Company and are not held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or trust company through which they purchased Shares. Whether or not you are able to attend the Meeting, Shareholders are requested to vote their proxy in accordance with the instructions on the proxy. Most Shareholders are "non-registered" Shareholders ("Non-Registered Shareholders") because the Shares they own are not registered in their names but instead registered in the name of a nominee (a "Nominee") such as a brokerage firm through which they purchased the Shares. The Company's Shares beneficially owned by a Non-Registered Shareholder are registered either: (i) in the name of an intermediary (an "Intermediary") that the Non-Registered Shareholder deals with in respect of their Shares of the Company (Intermediaries include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or administrators of self-administered RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs and similar plans); or (ii) in the name of a clearing agency (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited or The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation) of which the Intermediary is a participant.
There are two kinds of beneficial owners: those who object to their name being made known to the issuers of securities which they own (called "OBOs" for Objecting Beneficial Owners) and those who do not object (called "NOBOs" for Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners).
The Company is not sending the Meeting materials directly to NOBOs in connection with the Meeting, but rather has distributed copies of the Meeting materials to the Nominees for distribution to NOBOs. The Company does not intend to pay for Nominees to deliver the Meeting materials and Form 54-
101F7 – Request for Voting Instructions Made by Intermediary to OBOs. As a result, OBOs will not receive the Meeting materials unless their Nominee assumes the costs of delivery.
NOTICE-AND-ACCESS
The Company is not sending the Meeting materials to Shareholders using "notice-and-access", as defined under National Instrument 54-101 - Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXY
In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a Shareholder, his or her attorney authorized in writing or, if the Shareholder is a corporation, a corporation under its corporate seal or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized, may revoke a proxy by instrument in writing, including a proxy bearing a later date. The instrument revoking the proxy must be deposited at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the date of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or with the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The Company is authorized to issue unlimited Shares without par value, of which 35,232,078 Shares are issued and outstanding as at the record date of January 22, 2025 (the "Record Date"). 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 and will be entitled to one vote for each Share held.
To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, no person beneficially owns, controls or directs, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Company carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to any class of voting securities of the Company.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITORS' REPORT
The audited financial statements of the Company (the "Financial Statements") for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the auditors' report thereon will be tabled before the Shareholders at the Meeting. The audited financial statements have been approved by the audit committee and the board of directors (the "Board"). The Financial Statements can also be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. No vote by the Shareholders is required to be taken with respect to the Financial Statements.
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The Board presently consists of five (5) directors to be elected annually. At the Meeting, it is proposed to keep the number of directors elected at five (5) directors to hold office until the next annual general meeting. Shareholder approval will be sought to fix the number of directors of the Company at five (5). In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the enclosed proxy will be voted to set the number of directors of the Company at five (5)
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The directors of the Company are elected at each annual general meeting and hold office until the next annual general meeting or until their successors are appointed. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the enclosed proxy will be voted FOR the nominees herein listed.
The Company has an audit committee (the "Audit Committee") and a compensation committee (the "Compensation Committee"). Members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee are set out below.
Management of the Company proposes to nominate each of the following persons for election as a director. Information concerning such persons, as furnished by the individual nominees, is as follows:
| Name, Position and Residence | Principal Occupation or employment and, if not a previously elected Director, occupation during the past 5 years | Previous Service as a Director | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed, Directly or Indirectly^{(3)} |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allan Bezanson^{(1)(2)} | |||
| President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | |||
| Alberta, Canada | Mr. Bezanson is currently the Chair of BW Founders Holdings Ltd. (a company owned by his family trust) | ||
| Mr. Bezanson is an active investor, primarily in the oil and gas sector and technology. He has been a director of a number of private companies. Mr. Bezanson’s background includes hedge funds, corporate oil and gas, private equity and financial services executive, with experience and knowledge of capital markets from both the buy and sell perspectives. Mr. Bezanson’s early career was spent at Nowsco Well Service Ltd. financing and structuring the international operations in over a dozen counties. The late nineties was spent in the offshore hedge fund industry managing arbitrage assets. More recently he has spent time financing and advising a number of private and public entities notable success with Nowsco Well Service, Altus, Bluewave Energy, FCF Capital, and Voxtur. Through his career Mr. Bezanson has lived and worked in the Netherlands, Guernsey, Barbados, United States of America, and Canada. | July 16, 2021 | 550,000 |
| Name, Position and Residence | Principal Occupation or employment and, if not a previously elected Director, occupation during the past 5 years | Previous Service as a Director | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed, Directly or Indirectly^{(3)} |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lorne McLeod Warner^{(1)(2)} | |||
| Director | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | Mr. Warner is a registered professional geologist in NWT and Nunavut with over 30 years’ experience in underground and open pit mining mineral exploration. His experience includes working for senior mining companies, Noranda Exploration and Placer Dome Inc. as well as Vice President of several junior mining companies. Lorne’s team were the first to conduct exploration at Detour Lake after closure by Placer Dome and discovered the western extension of the Detour Lake Gold Deposit, now in production in Ontario. As well, the Falea North Zone – Uranium, Silver, Copper Deposit and the Fatou Main Gold Deposit both in Mali, West Africa. His career started in British Columbia but has now worked throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australia. Lorne is currently a director and VP Exploration of Tarachi Gold Corp. in Mexico, VP exploration of Targa Resources Corp in Canada, a director of Indigo Exploration Inc. working in West Africa, and President of Bathurst Metals Corp and Forges Resources Corp working in Canada and Colombia respectively. Lorne McLeod Warner graduated from the University of Alberta in 1986 with a BSc. in Geology. | July 16, 2021 | 400,000 |
| Jay Roberge^{(1)(2)} | |||
| Director | |||
| British Columbia, Canada | Mr. Roberge is Managing Director and founder of Tehama Capital Corp. a boutique merchant bank based in Vancouver, Canada. Mr. Roberge has served as C-Suite Management, and or Director of a number of publicly traded and private companies in natural resources (mining), energy and technology industries. Mr. Roberge is currently, President/CEO of Pantera Silver Corp. (TSXV. PNTR), Board Member of Copaur Minerals Inc. (TSXV. CPAU) and Board Member of Hong Kong Canada Business Association (“HKCBA”). | July 16, 2021 | 500,000^{(4)} |
| Name, Position and Residence | Principal Occupation or employment and, if not a previously elected Director, occupation during the past 5 years | Previous Service as a Director | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed, Directly or Indirectly^{(3)} |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory M. Camerson | |||
| Director | |||
| Ontario, Canada | Mr. Cameron has extensive experience and knowledge in business development, strategy, acquisitions and divestitures as well as corporate restructurings. He is a former Senior Investment Banker and held senior positions at leading Canadian and International Investment Banks including Canaccord Genuity, Orion Securities and Macquarie. He currently is the Managing Director of Colby Capital Limited, a private merchant bank in Toronto. Mr. Cameron has over two decades of high-level experience in the capital markets, serving on numerous public and private company boards from startups to seasoned public companies. | February 7, 2024 | Nil |
| Arnold Brand | |||
| Director | |||
| Ontario, Canada | Mr. Brand is a Namibian entrepreneur with 16 years of experience working on major construction and mining projects in Africa. As an experienced commodity Trader/Broker, Arno has been involved in numerous public transactions and company financings. |
Mr. Brand is currently President, Chief Executive Officer & Director at Gratomic, Inc., a resources company operating the Aukam Graphite Project in southern Namibia. He also holds positions at Gratomic Inc. Cayenne Copper, One Bullion Limited, Sumer Resource. He has served as a director and/or officer of several public and private companies. Arno attended Technical School with a qualifying trade in Fitting and turning and Basic Engineering. He also completed an apprenticeship in project management and site management in civil sub surface construction. | January 13, 2025 | 1,327,641 |
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
(2) Member of Compensation Committee.
(3) Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised, as at the Record Date, based upon information furnished to the Company by individual directors. Unless otherwise indicated, such Shares are held directly.
(4) These Shares are held in the name of Tehama Capital Corp., an entity controlled by Mr. Roberge.
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.
CEASE TRADE ORDERS, BANKRUPTCIES, PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS
To the knowledge of the Company, except as set out below in this Information Circular, 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, chief executive officer ("CEO") or chief financial officer ("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; or
(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 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) has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable security holder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
On January 10, 2018, the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a cease trade order against MX Gold Corp. for failing to file technical reports pursuant to section 4.2(1)(j)(i) of NI 43-101 to support certain information previously disclosed regarding its Magistral property and its Max Molybdenum property. Lorne McLeod Warner was a director and the Vice President, Exploration of MX Gold Corp. at the relevant time. The cease trade order against MX Gold Corp. was revoked on January 20, 2020.
On May 4, 2018, the Alberta Securities Commission issued a cease trade order against Montana Exploration Corp. for failing to file, for the year ended December 31, 2017, annual audited Financial Statements, annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis and certifications for the foregoing filings. Allan Bezanson was a director of Montana Exploration Corp. at the relevant time. The cease trade order against Montana Exploration Corp. is currently outstanding.
Kyle Appleby was a former Chief Financial Officer of Upsnap Inc. On January 18, 2024, Upsnap voluntarily filed an Assignment in Bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (the "BIA"). The Company was longer able to meet its financial obligations and appointed B. Riley Farber Inc. to act as its bankruptcy trustee to, among other things, seek settlement with its creditors.
On May 5, 2016, the Ontario Securities Commission issued a cease trade order against Nuinsco Resources Limited for failing to file, for the year ended December 31, 2015, annual audited Financial Statements, annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis and certifications for the foregoing filings. Kyle Appleby was the Chief Financial Officer of Nuinsco Resources Limited at the relevant time. The cease trade order against Nuinsco Resources Limited was revoked on August 4, 2016.
On August 6, 2019, the Ontario Securities Commission issued a cease trade order against Captor Capital Corp. for failing to file, for the year ended March 31, 2019, annual audited Financial Statements, annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis and certifications for the foregoing filings. Kyle Appleby was a director of Captor Capital Corp. at the relevant time. The cease trade order against Captor Capital Corp. was revoked on November 5, 2019.
On August 19, 2020, the Ontario Securities Commission issued a cease trade order against for Tantalex Resources Corp. for failing to file, for the ended February 29, 2020, annual audited Financial Statements, annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis and certifications for the foregoing filings. Kyle Appleby was the Chief Financial Officer of Tantalex Resources Corp. at the relevant time. The cease trade order against Tantalex Resources Corp. was revoked on November 13, 2020.
Kyle Appleby is a former Chief Financial Officer of Cadillac Ventures Inc. Cadillac was issued a failure-to-file cease trade order by the securities regulators as of October 4, 2021 as a result of a delay in filing the Company’s annual audited financial statements.
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following disclosure sets forth the compensation paid, awarded, granted, given or otherwise provided to each named executive officer and director for the most recently completed financial year.
"Named Executive Officer" (or "NEO") means each of the following individuals:
(a) the CEO;
(b) the CFO;
(c) the most highly compensated executive officer of the Company, including any of its subsidiaries, or the most highly compensated individual acting in a similar capacity, other than the CEO and CFO, at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was more than $150,000 for that financial year; and
(d) each individual who would be a NEO under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was not an executive officer of the Company, and was not acting in a similar capacity.
For the financial year ending December 31, 2023, the Company had the following Named Executive Officers: Allan Bezanson, CEO and Kyle Appleby, CFO.
Director and NEO Compensation, Excluding Compensation Securities
The following table of compensation, excluding options and compensation securities, provides a summary of the compensation paid by the Company to each NEO and director of the Company, current or former, for the completed financial years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
| Name and Position | Year | Salary, Consulting Fee, Retainer or Commission | Bonus | Committee or Meeting Fees | Value of Prerequisites | Value of All Other Compensation | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allan Bezanson (1) | |||||||
| CEO, President & Director | 2023 | $60,000 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $60,000 |
| 2022 | $20,000 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $20,000 | |
| Kyle Appleby (2) | |||||||
| CFO & Corporate Secretary | 2023 | $36,000 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $36,000 |
| 2022 | $36,000 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $36,000 | |
| Lorne McLeod Warner (3) | |||||||
| Director | 2023 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil |
| 2022 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | |
| Jay Roberge (3) | |||||||
| Director | 2023 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil |
| 2022 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | |
| Gregory M. Cameron | |||||||
| Director (5) | 2023 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Arnold Brand | |||||||
| Director (5) | 2023 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Malcolm Smith (3)(4) | |||||||
| Former Director | 2023 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil |
| 2022 | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil | $Nil |
(1) Allan Bezanson was appointed President and director on July 16, 2021 and was appointed CEO on April 29, 2022.
(2) Kyle Appleby was appointed CFO on July 16, 2021 and was appointed Corporate Secretary on April 29, 2022.
(3) Lorne McLeod Warner, Malcolm Smith and Jay Roberge were appointed directors on July 16, 2021.
(4) Malcom Smith resigned as a director on January 29, 2024.
(5) Gregory M. Cameron was appointed as a director on February 7, 2024. Arnold Brand was appointed director on January 13, 2025.
External Management Companies
As of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Company has not entered into any agreement with any external management company that employs or retains one or more of the NEOs or directors and, the Company has not entered into any understanding, arrangement or agreement with
any external management company to provide executive management services to the Company, directly or indirectly, in respect of which any compensation was paid by the Company.
Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
The following table discloses all compensation securities granted or issued to each director and NEO by the Company or one of its subsidiaries in the year ended December 31, 2023 for services provided or to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
| Compensation Securities | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and position | Type of compensation security^{(1)} | Number of compensation securities, number of underlying securities, and percentage of class | Date of issue or grant | Issue, conversion or exercise price ($) | Closing price of security or underlying security on date of grant ($) | Closing price of security or underlying security at year end ($) | Expiry Date |
| Allan Bezanson CEO, President & Director | Stock Options | 84,568 | April 29, 2022 | $0.35 | N/A | $0.265 | April 29, 2027 |
| Kyle Appleby^{1} CFO & Corporate Secretary | Stock Options | 50,000 | September 18, 2023 | $0.55 | N/A | $0.265 | September 18, 2028 |
| Lorne McLeod Warner^{(3)} Director | Stock Options | 84,568 | April 29, 2022 | $0.35 | N/A | $0.265 | April 29, 2027 |
| Jay Roberge Director | Stock Options | 84,568 | April 29, 2022 | $0.35 | N/A | $0.265 | April 29, 2027 |
| Gregory M. Cameron^{(2)} Director | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Malcolm Smith^{(3)} Former Director | Stock Options | 84,568 | April 29, 2022 | $0.35 | N/A | $0.265 | April 29, 2027 |
| Arnold Brand^{(4)} Director | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
(1) "Compensation Securities" includes stock options, convertible securities, exchangeable securities and similar instruments including stock appreciation rights, deferred share units and restricted stock units granted or issued by the Company or one of its subsidiaries for services provided or to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(2) Gregory M. Cameron was appointed as a director on February 7, 2024.
(3) Malcom Smith resigned as a director on January 29, 2024.
(4) Arnold Brand was appointed as a director on January 13, 2025.
There were no exercises of Compensation Securities by a director or NEO during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Stock Option Plans and Other Incentive Plan
For information about the material terms of the Company's stock option plan, please refer to the heading "Particulars of Other Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of Long Term Incentive Plan".
Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements
As of the date hereof, other than as set out below, the Company does not have any contract, agreement, plan or arrangement, that provides for payments to the NEOs at, following, or in connection with any termination (whether voluntary, involuntary or constructive), resignation, retirement, a change in control of the Company or a change in a director or NEO's responsibilities.
Kyle Appleby
The Corporation entered into a consulting agreement (the "CFO Agreement") with CFO Advantage Inc. ("CFOA"), a company controlled by Kyle Appleby to provide the services of a Chief Financial Officer to the Corporation for a monthly fee of $3,000 plus applicable taxes and reimbursement of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Corporation.
The CFO Agreement may be terminated by:
- CFOA, at any time, without cause, on the giving of three (3) month's written notice to the Corporation;
- the Corporation, in its absolute discretion, without any notice or pay in lieu thereof, in the event of any material breach of the CFO Agreement, any conduct of CFOA which tends to bring the Corporation into disrepute, the commission of an act of bankruptcy by CFOA, the conviction of CFOA of a criminal offence punishable by indictment, and any conduct or omissions which would constitute "cause" at law; and
- the Corporation in its absolute discretion and for any reason on giving CFOA three (3) month's written notice or paying to CFOA the equivalent pay in lieu of notice.
CFOA is not entitled to any payment upon a change of control of the Corporation.
Oversight and Description of Director and NEO Compensation
The Board is responsible for determining, by way of discussions at Board meetings, the compensation to be paid to the Company's executive officers and directors. In assessing the compensation of its directors and executive officers, including the NEOs, the Company does not have in place any formal objectives, criteria or analysis; however, the performance of each individual is considered along with the Company's ability to pay compensation and its results of operation for the period.
Compensation payable to executive officers and directors will be approved by the full Board, on an annual basis. The Company has not established any specific performance criteria or goals to which total compensation or any significant element of total compensation to be paid to any NEO is dependent. NEOs' performance is reviewed in light of the Company's objectives from time to time and such officers' compensation is also compared to that of executive officers of companies of similar
size and stage of development.
Future compensation to be awarded or paid to the Company's directors and/or executive officers, including NEOs, is expected to consist primarily of management fees or salary, stock options and bonuses. In the meantime, payments may be made from time to time to executive officers, including NEOs, or companies they control for the provision of consulting or management services. Such services will be paid for by the Company at competitive industry rates for work of a similar nature by reputable arm's length services providers. In addition, it is anticipated that the Board may award bonuses, in its sole discretion, to executive officers, including NEOs, from time to time. Any compensation paid to the Company's NEOs is dependent upon the Company's finances as well as the performance of each of the NEOs.
The Company does not have a compensation committee or any formal compensation policies at this time.
Pension Disclosure
The Company does not have a pension plan that provides for payments or benefits to the NEOs at, following, or in connection with retirement.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets out equity compensation plan information as at the end of the financial year ended December 31, 2023:
| Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (1) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Category | (a) | (b) | (c) |
| Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders | 388,632 | $0.38 | 1,047,268 |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders | Nil | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 388,632 | $0.38 | 1,047,268 |
(1) Options issued pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan (defined below). See Particulars of Other Matters to be Acted Upon - Approval of Long Term Incentive Plan.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As at the Record Date, there was no indebtedness outstanding of any current or former director, executive officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries which is owing to the Company or its subsidiaries, which is owing to another entity which indebtedness is the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or its subsidiaries, entered into in connection with a purchase of securities or otherwise.
No individual who is, or at any time during the most recently completed financial year was, a director or executive officer of the Company, no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company and no associate of such persons:
(i) is or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year has been, indebted to the Company or its subsidiaries; or
(ii) is indebted to another entity, which indebtedness is, or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year has been, the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or its subsidiaries, in relation to a securities purchase program or other program.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Except as set out herein, no person who has been a director or executive officer of the Company at any time since the beginning of the Company's last financial year, no proposed nominee of management of the Company for election as a director of the Company and no associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership or otherwise, in matters to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors or the appointment of auditors.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
No informed person (as defined in National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations) or proposed director of the Company and no associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons has or 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 in either such case has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or its subsidiaries.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to pass an ordinary resolution to appoint Stern & Lovics LLP as auditors of the Company and to authorize the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration to be to be paid to the auditors. An ordinary resolution needs to be passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by the Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting.
Management of the Company recommends that Shareholders vote for the appointment of Stern & Lovics LLP, as the Company's auditors and to authorize the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditors.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
No management functions of the Company are performed to any substantial degree by a person other than the directors or executive officers of the Company.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Under National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees ("NI 52-110"), a reporting issuer is required to provide disclosure annually with respect to its audit committee, including the text of its audit committee charter, information regarding the composition of the audit committee, and information regarding fees paid to its external auditor. The Company provides the following disclosure with respect to its Audit Committee.
Audit Committee Charter
The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee (the "Charter"), a copy of which is attached as Schedule "A" hereto.
The mandate of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its financial oversight obligations, including the responsibility: (1) to identify and monitor the management of the principal risks that could impact the financial reporting of the Company; (2) to monitor the integrity of the Company's financial reporting process and the Company's internal accounting controls regarding financial reporting and accounting compliance; (3) to oversee the qualifications and independences of the Company's external auditor; (4) to oversee the work of the Company's financial management and external auditor; and (5) to provide an open avenue of communication between the external auditors, the Board and management.
Composition of Audit Committee
As at the date of this Information Circular, the following individuals are the current members of the Audit Committee and will hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders of the Company:
| Jay Roberge (Chair) | Independent(1) | Financially Literate(1) |
|---|---|---|
| Allan Bezanson | Not Independent(1) | Financially Literate(1) |
| Lorne McLeod Warner | Independent(1) | Financially Literate(1) |
(1) For the purposes of the requirements established by NI 52-110 applicable to venture issuers.
The members of the Audit Committee are appointed by the Board at its first meeting following the annual shareholders' meeting. Unless a chair is elected by the full Board, the members of the Audit Committee designate a chair by a majority vote of the full Audit Committee membership.
Relevant Education and Experience
The education and experience of each member of the Audit Committee that is relevant to the performance of his or her responsibilities as an Audit Committee member and, in particular, any education or experience that would provide the member with:
- an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements;
- the ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;
- experience preparing, auditing, analysing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more individuals engaged in such activities; and
- an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting,
are as follows:
| Name of Member | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Jay Roberge^{(1)} | Business Admin, NAIT | 25+ years as C-Level Executive and/or Director to numerous private and public companies in natural resources (mining) energy and technology. |
| Lorne McLeod Warner | Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta | 20+ years as Executive and/or Director to numerous private and public companies in natural resources (mining), during which he has been a member of various audit committees. |
| Allan Bezanson | Bachelor of Commerce, Dalhousie University | 20+ years as Executive and/or Director to numerous private and public companies in natural resources (mining), during which he has been a member of various audit committees. |
Notes:
(1) Chairperson
Audit Committee Oversight
At no time since incorporation was a recommendation of the Audit Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor not adopted by the Board.
Reliance on Certain Exemptions
The Company has not relied on exemption any exemptions in NI 52-110, except for those in section 6.1 of NI 52-110, which exempts the Company from the requirements of Part 3 (Composition of the Audit Committee) and Part 5 (Reporting Obligations) of NI 52-110.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Under the Charter, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the external auditor, together with approval of the engagement letter for all non-audit services and estimated fees thereof. The pre-approval process for non-audit services will also involve a consideration of the potential impact of such services on the independence of the external auditor.
External Auditors Service Fees (By Category)
The following table sets out the audit fees billed by the Company's independent auditors, Stern and Lovrics LLP, for external audit and other services performed during the period indicated:
| Financial Year Ending | Audit Fees^{(1)} | Audit Related Fees^{(2)} | Tax Fees^{(3)} | All Other Fees^{(4)} |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 | $9,000 | $Nil | $1,500 | $Nil |
| December 31, 2022 | $7,500 | $2,500 | $Nil | $Nil |
(1) "Audit Fees" include the aggregate fees billed in each financial year for audit fees.
(2) "Audit Related Fees" include the aggregate fees billed in each financial year for assurance and related services to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements not already disclosed under "Audit Fees".
(3) "Tax Fees" are the aggregate fees billed by the auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(4) "All Other Fees" include aggregate fees billed for products or services not already reported in the above table.
Exemption in Section 6.1 of NI 52-110
The Company is relying on the exemption provided by Section 6.1 of NI 52-110, which provides that the Company is not required to comply with Part 3 (Composition of the Audit Committee) and Part 5 (Reporting Obligations) of NI 52-110.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE
National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices ("NI 58-101") requires that the Company annually disclose its corporate governance practices with reference to a series of corporate governance practices outlined in National Policy 58-201 – Corporate Governance Guidelines (the "Guidelines"). The following is a discussion of each of the Company's corporate governance practices for which disclosure is required by NI 58-101. Unless otherwise indicated, the Board believes that its corporate governance practices are consistent with those recommended by the Guidelines.
Board of Directors
The Board consists of five individuals, three of whom are "independent", for the purposes of the NI 58-101. The current independent directors are: Lorne McLeod Warner, Jay Roberge, Gregory M. Cameron and Arnold Brand. Allan Bezanson is not considered "independent" for the purposes of the NI 58-101 on the basis that he is Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company.
Directorships
The following table sets out information regarding other directorships presently held by directors of the Company with other reporting issuers (or the equivalent) in Canada or any foreign jurisdiction:
| Name of Director | Name of Other Reporting Issuer | Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Allan Bezanson | EnviroGold Global Limited | |
| Voxtur Analytics Corp. | CSE | |
| TSXV | ||
| Lorne McLeod Warner | Indigo Exploration Inc. | |
| Tarachi Gold Corp. | TSX | |
| CSE | ||
| Jay Roberge | Pantera Silver Corp. | |
| CopAur Minerals Corp. | TSXV | |
| TSXV | ||
| Gregory M. Cameron | Tera Clean Energy Corp. | CSE |
| Arnold Brand | Gratomic Inc. | TSXV |
Orientation and Continuing Education
At present, the Company does not provide a formal orientation and education program for new directors. To the extent new directors are appointed to the Board, they will be encouraged to meet with management and inform themselves regarding management and the Company's affairs. The Company currently has no specific policy regarding continuing education for directors, however requests for education will be encouraged, and dealt with on an ad hoc basis.
Ethical Business Conduct
As part of its responsibility for the stewardship of the Company, the Board seeks to foster a culture of ethical conduct by requiring the Company to carry out its business in accordance with high business and moral standards and applicable legal and financial requirements. Compliance with these standards and applicable legal and financial requirements is maintained primarily through the reporting process within the Company's organizational structure. The Audit Committee monitors overall compliance and the CFO reports any issues to the Audit Committee. The Company's CFO and Audit Committee Chair then reports to the Board at regular quarterly meetings of the Board on any issues or concerns that have been raised.
Nomination of Directors
The full Board is currently responsible for all matters related to director recruitment, orientation, compensation and continuing education and evaluations of the Board, its committees and its members including periodically assessing the skills present on the Board, making recommendations as to whether and how those skills ought to, or could be, enhanced, and implementing a process for the identification of suitable candidates for appointment to the Board. Given the size of the Company, the Board has not yet adopted a formal process for identifying new candidates for nomination.
Compensation of Directors and the CEO
The Compensation Committee has responsibility for recommending compensation for the directors and officers, which recommendations are then considered by the Board. To make its recommendation on directors' compensation, the Compensation Committee takes into account the types of compensation and the amounts paid to directors of comparable publicly traded Canadian companies and aligns the interests of Directors with the return to shareholders. The Compensation Committee then decides the compensation of the Company's officers, based on industry standards and the Company's financial situation.
Other Board Committees
The Board delegates certain responsibilities to the Audit Committee. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. As the directors are actively involved in the operations of the Company and the size of the Company's operations does not warrant a larger board of directors, the Board has determined that committees other than the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee are not necessary at this stage of the Company's development.
Assessments
At present, the Board does not have a formal process for assessing the effectiveness of the Board, the effectiveness of Board committees and whether individual directors are performing effectively. The Board is of the view that the Company's shareholders provide the most effective and objective assessment of the Board's performance.
PARTICULARS OF OTHER MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Approval of the Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Board has approved the adoption of a new "rolling up to 15%" long-term incentive plan (the "Long-Term Incentive Plan") to replace the Company's existing "rolling up to 10%" stock option plan (the "Current Plan"). The Current Plan became effective on April 29, 2022. The Company is now seeking shareholder approval to approve the Long-Term Incentive Plan in accordance with Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") Policy 6 – Distributions and Corporate Finance.
The Company believes it would be prudent to adopt the Long-Term Incentive Plan in order to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of shareholder value by: (a) encouraging the attraction and retention of Eligible Persons; (b) encouraging such Eligible Persons to focus on critical long-term objectives; and (c) promoting greater alignment of the interests of such Eligible Persons with the interests of the Company, in each case as applicable to the type of Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted.
Summary of the Long-Term Incentive Plan
The following is a summary of the key provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The following summary is qualified in all respects by the full text of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule "B".
All capitalized terms used but not defined in this section have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
The Long-Term Incentive Plan shall provide for the award of Restricted Share Units ("RSUs"), Performance Share Units ("PSUs"), Deferred Share Units ("DSUs") and options to purchase Shares ("Options" and together with RSUs, PSUs, and DSUs, "Awards") to Directors, Officers, Employees, Management Company Employees, Consultants (as such terms are defined by the Long-Term Incentive Plan) of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company and Eligible Charitable Organizations (as such term is defined by the Long-Term Incentive Plan and collectively, the "Eligible Persons"), as further described in the following summary. The RSUs, PSUs, DSUs and Options issuable to any Participant under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, or in the case of Options, any pre-existing stock option plan of the Company, shall be hereinafter referred to as "Incentive Securities".
Plan Administration
The Long-Term Incentive Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Board or, if the Board by resolution so decides, by a committee appointed by the Board. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made or approved by the Board in good faith shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding on any Participants of the Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Company, subject to any required approval of the Exchange.
Shares Available for Awards
The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under the Company's Security Based Compensation Plans, at any point, shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis at such point in time.
For greater certainty, this limitation applies to all Incentive Securities granted or issued under the Company's Security Based Compensation Plans at any point in time, including those held by Related Persons (as a group) at any point in time.
For the purposes of calculating the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, each Option shall be counted as reserving one Share under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, and notwithstanding that the settlement and/or exercise of any RSU, DSU and PSU may be completed in cash, each RSU, DSU and PSU shall, in each case, be counted as reserving one Share under the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
As Long-Term Incentive Plan is an evergreen plan, the number of Incentive Securities issuable under thereunder will replenish in an amount equal to the number of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise or vesting, as applicable, of such Incentive Securities at any point in time. Any Shares related to Awards which have been settled in cash, cancelled, surrendered, forfeited, expired or otherwise terminated without the issuance of such Shares shall be available again for granting Awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Participation Limits
The Long-Term Incentive Plan provides the following limitations on grants:
(a) The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to any one Related Person at any point in time in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, calculated at the date an Award is granted to the Related Person, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval;
(b) The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Related Persons at any point in time in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, calculated on the date an Award is granted to a Related Person, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval;
(c) The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to any one Related Person and the Associates of the Related Person in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans in any twelve (12) month period, shall not exceed five (5%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, calculated on the date an Award is granted to such Related Person, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval;
(d) The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Related Persons in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans in any twelve (12) month period, shall not exceed ten (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, calculated on the date an Award is granted to a Related Person, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval; and
(e) The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Investor Relations Service Providers in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans in any twelve (12) month period, shall not exceed two (2%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, calculated on the date an Award is granted to an Investor Relations Service Provider.
Eligibility and Participation
Subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan (including, without limitation, restrictions on grants to Investor Relations Service Providers) and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of RSUs, PSUs, DSUs and Options to all categories of Eligible Persons, except that Eligible Charitable Organizations shall only be entitled to receive Options.
Description of RSUs
A RSU is a right awarded to a Participant to receive payment in Shares in accordance with the Long-Term Incentive Plan. Upon settlement, contingent upon the lapse of any restrictions, each RSU entitles the recipient Participant to receive a number of Shares equal to the number of RSUs credited to a Participant's Account on vesting dates.
RSUs shall be subject to such restrictions as the Board, in its discretion, may establish or determine in the applicable Award Agreement or at the time an Award is granted. Unless otherwise provided for in an Award Agreement, all RSUs will vest and become payable by the issuance of Shares at the end of the restricted period as specified by the Board in the applicable Award Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, all restrictions upon any RSUs shall lapse immediately and all such RSUs shall become fully vested.
Effect of Termination on RSUs
Except as otherwise set forth in an applicable Award Agreement and subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, RSUs shall be subject to the following conditions:
Death: Upon death of a Participant, any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, had not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. Any RSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to the Participant's death, had vested, will accrue to the Participant's estate in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, all RSUs granted to such Participant will immediately terminate without payment and be automatically forfeited and cancelled.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause, Voluntary Termination, or Retirement: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination, or due to Retirement, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to termination, had not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. Any RSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to termination, had vested, will accrue to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Disability: Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all RSUs granted to the Participant under the Long-Term Incentive Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such RSUs, provided, however, that no RSUs may be redeemed during a leave of absence. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company is terminated due to Disability, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, all RSUs granted to the Participant under the Long-Term Incentive Plan that had not vested will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the date of termination determined by the Board, provided, however, that any RSUs granted to such Participant that, prior to the Participant's termination due to Disability, had vested pursuant to term of the applicable Award Agreement will accrue to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Directorships: Where a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to cessation, have not vested, will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled. Any RSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to cessation, have vested, will accrue to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Description of PSUs
A PSU is an Award that is awarded based on the attainment of performance criteria within a certain period, which criteria and period shall be selected, settled and determined by the Board. An Award Agreement may provide the Board with the right during a Performance Cycle or after it has ended, to revise Performance Criteria and Award amounts if unforeseen events occur.
All PSUs will vest and become payable to the extent that the Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement are satisfied for a Performance Cycle, as determined by the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control event, all PSUs shall become fully vested.
Effect of Termination on PSUs
Except as otherwise set forth in an applicable Award Agreement and subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, PSUs shall be subject to the following conditions:
Death: Upon death of a Participant, any PSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, had not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. However, the Board may determine that certain PSUs have vested based on the extent which Performance Criteria have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. Any PSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to the Participant's death, had vested, will accrue to the Participant's estate in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, all PSUs granted to such Participant will immediately terminate without payment and be automatically forfeited and cancelled.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause, Voluntary Termination or Retirement: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination, or due to Retirement, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, any PSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to termination, had not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled. However, the Board may determine that certain PSUs have vested based on the extent which Performance Criteria have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. Any PSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to termination, had vested, will accrue to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Disability: Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all PSUs granted to the Participant under the Long-Term Incentive Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such PSUs, provided, however, that no PSUs may be redeemed during a leave of absence. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company is terminated due to Disability, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, all PSUs granted to the Participant under the Long-Term Incentive Plan that have not vested will immediately and automatically be forfeited and cancelled without further action and without any cost or payment, and the Participant shall have no right, title or interest therein whatsoever as of the date of termination determined by the Board,
provided, however, that the Board may determine, in its sole discretion, the number of the Participant's PSUs that will vest based on the extent to which the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. The PSUs that the Board determines to have vested shall become payable in accordance with the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Directorships: Where a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any PSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to cessation, had not vested, will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled. However, the Board may determine that certain PSUs have vested based on the extent which Performance Criteria have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. Any PSUs granted to such Participant, which prior to cessation, had vested, will accrue to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Description of DSUs
A DSU is an Award that is payable after the effective date that a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, subject to certain vesting criteria. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control event, all DSUs shall become fully vested.
The payment of DSUs will occur on the date that is designated by the Participant and communicated to the Company by the Participant in writing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the designated day, or such earlier date as the Participant and Company may agree. If no notice is given by the Participant for a designated day, the DSUs shall be payable on the first anniversary of the date on which the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person for any reason or any earlier period on which the DSUs vested, as the case may be, at the sole discretion of the Participant.
Election by Directors – DSUs
Under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, Directors may elect to receive directorship fees in the form of DSUs, which election must be made within certain timeframes as specified in the Long-Term Incentive Plan. In case of an election by a Director, the number of DSUs to be credited shall be determined by dividing applicable directorship fees with the Market Price on the Grant Date of the DSUs or if more appropriate, another trading range that best represents the period for which the DSUs were earned (subject to minimum pricing requirements under Exchange policies). No fractional DSUs shall be credited to any Director.
Description of Options
An Option is an Award that gives a Participant the right to purchase one Share at a specified price in accordance with the terms of the Option and the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The exercise price of the Options shall be determined by the Board at the time the Option is granted but in no event shall such exercise price be lower than the Market Price permitted by the Exchange.
The Board shall determine the vesting, performance and other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control event, all Options shall become fully vested.
Options will be exercised pursuant to their applicable Award Agreement, which exercise shall be contingent upon receipt by the Company of a written notice of exercise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and of a form of cash payment acceptable to the Company for the full purchase price of the Shares to be issued. In the event that the expiry date of an Option falls during a Blackout Period, the expiry date of such Option shall automatically be extended to a date which is ten (10) Trading Days following the end of such Blackout Period, subject to no cease trade order being in place under applicable securities laws; provided that if an additional Blackout Period is subsequently imposed by the Company during the Extension Period, then such Extension Period shall be deemed to commence following the end of such additional Blackout Period to enable the exercise of such Option within ten (10) Trading Days following the end of the last imposed Blackout Period.
Effect of Termination on Options
Except as otherwise set forth in an applicable Award Agreement and subject to the provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, Options shall be subject to the following conditions:
Death: Upon death of a Participant, any Options held by such Participant at the date of death shall be exercisable (by an inheritor or the Participant's estate) for a period of 120 days after the date of death or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death of such Participant.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, no Option shall be exercisable from the date of termination as determined by the Board.
Termination of Employment or Service for Cause, Voluntary Termination or Retirement: Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination, due to Retirement, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, any Options held by such Participant at the date of termination shall be exercisable for a period of 90 days after the date of termination determined by the Board or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination.
Disability: Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all Options granted to the Participant under the Long-Term Incentive Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such Options. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company due to disability, any Options held by such Participant at the date of termination shall be exercisable for a period of 120 days after the date of termination determined by the Board or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination.
Directorships: Where a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any Options held by such Participant on the Cessation Date shall be exercisable for a period of 90 days (120 days in the event the Participant is afflicted with a Disability) after the Cessation Date or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Director was entitled to exercise the Option at the Cessation Date.
Eligible Charitable Organizations: Where, in the case of Eligible Charitable Organizations, a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person due to no longer being an Eligible Charitable Organization, any Options held by such Participant on the Cessation Date shall be exercisable for a period of 90 days after the Cessation Date or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, only to the extent the Eligible Charitable Organization was entitled to exercise the Option at the Cessation Date.
Non-Transferability of Awards
No Award and no right under any such Award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable, or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No Award and no right under any such Award, may be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment, or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company.
Shareholder Approval of the Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Company must obtain shareholder approval of the Long-Term Incentive Plan: (i) within three years after institution; and (ii) within every three years thereafter.
Amendment and Termination of the Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Board may at any time or from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion, amend, suspend, terminate or discontinue the Long-Term Incentive Plan and may amend the terms and conditions of any Awards granted thereunder, subject to (a) any required approval of any applicable regulatory authority or Exchange, and (b) any required approval of shareholders in accordance with the rules and policies of the Exchange or applicable law. Without limitation, shareholder approval shall not be required for the following amendments:
(a) amendments to fix typographical errors;
(b) amendments to clarify existing provisions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan that do not have the effect of altering the scope, nature and intent of such provisions; and
(c) amendments that are necessary to comply with applicable law or the requirements of the Exchange.
If the Long-Term Incentive Plan is terminated, Awards granted or issued prior to the date of termination shall remain outstanding and in effect in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions.
Amendments and Cancellation of Awards
In accordance with the policies of the Exchange, the terms of an Award may not be amended once issued, unless otherwise approved by the Exchange and subject to compliance with applicable laws. In the event Exchange approval is received for the amendment of an Award, no amendment shall be made which would impair the rights of any Participant, without such Participant's consent, provided that no such consent shall be required if the amendment is: (a) either required or advisable in respect of compliance with any law, regulation or requirement of any accounting standard; or (b) not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award. In accordance with
the policies of the Exchange, if an Award is cancelled prior to its expiry date, the Company shall not grant new Awards to the same Participant until 30 days have elapsed from the date of cancellation.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Resolution
At the Meeting, the following resolution (the "Long-Term Incentive Plan Resolution"), with or without variation, will be placed before the shareholders:
BE IT RESOLVED, as an ordinary resolution of the Company's shareholders, that
(a) the rolling up to 15% long-term incentive plan of the Company (the "Long-Term Incentive Plan"), substantially in the form attached to the Information Circular of the Company dated January 22, 2025 (the "Information Circular") as Schedule "B" is hereby approved and confirmed as the long-term incentive plan of the Company to replace the Company's existing "rolling up to 10%" stock option plan;
(b) in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("Exchange"), the Company will seek shareholder approval of the Long-Term Incentive Plan within three years from the date this resolution is approved;
(c) the Board or any director or officer is authorized to make amendments to the Long-Term Incentive Plan from time to time as required or deemed necessary by the Exchange or as the Board, or director or officer may, in its sole discretion, deem to be necessary, advisable or desirable, provided that such amendments are in compliance with the policies of the Exchange and applicable laws and will be subject to the approval of all applicable regulatory authorities; and
(d) any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized and directed, acting for, in the name of and on behalf of the Company, to execute or cause to be executed, and to deliver or cause to be delivered, all such other deeds, documents, instruments and assurances and to do or cause to be done all such other acts as in the opinion of such director or officer of the Company may be necessary, advisable or desirable to carry out the terms of the foregoing resolutions.
Management recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the Long-Term Incentive Plan Resolution. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the enclosed form of proxy will be voted FOR the Long-Term Incentive Plan Resolution.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Shareholders may contact the Company at its office at 15th Floor, 1111 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2J3, to request copies of the Company's financial statements and the related Management's Discussion and Analysis (the "MD&A"). Financial information is provided in the Company's comparative annual financial statements and MD&A for its most recently completed financial year and in the financial statements and MD&A for subsequent financial periods, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
OTHER MATTERS
Other than the above, management of the Company knows of no other matters to come before the Meeting other than those referred to in this Notice. However, if any other matters that are not known to management should properly come before the Meeting, the accompanying form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The contents of this Information Circular have been approved, and the delivery of it to each Shareholder entitled thereto and to the appropriate regulatory agencies has been authorized, by the Board.
Dated at Vancouver, British Columbia as of this 22nd day of January, 2025.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
GOLD DIGGER RESOURCES INC.
"Allan Bezanson"
Allan Bezanson
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
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Schedule "A"
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
I. MANDATE
The Audit Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Gold Digger Resources Inc. (the "Company") will assist the Board in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities. The Committee's primary duties and responsibilities under this mandate are to serve as an independent and objective party to monitor:
- The quality and integrity of the Company's financial statements and other financial information;
- The compliance of such statements and information with legal and regulatory requirements;
- The qualifications and independence of the Company's independent external auditor (the "Auditor"); and
- The performance of the Company's internal accounting procedures and Auditor.
II. STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS
A. Composition
The Committee will be comprised of three members, a majority of which will be independent.
B. Qualifications
Each member of the Committee must be a member of the Board.
A majority of the members of the Committee will not be officers or employees of the Company or of an affiliate of the Company.
Each member of the Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Company's balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
C. Appointment and Removal
The members of the Committee will be appointed annually by the Board at the Board's first meeting following the annual general meeting. Each member will serve until such member's successor is duly elected and qualified or until such member's earlier resignation or removal. Any member of the Committee may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the Board.
D. Chair
Unless the Board selects a Chair, the members of the Committee will designate a Chair by the majority vote of all of the members of the Committee. The Chair will call, set the agendas for and chair all meetings of the Committee.
E. Sub-Committees
The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted
non-audit services, provided that a decision of such subcommittee to grant a pre-approval will be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
F. Meetings
The Committee will meet at least four times in each fiscal year, or more frequently as circumstances dictate. The Auditor will be given reasonable notice of, and be entitled to attend and speak at, each meeting of the Committee concerning the Company's annual financial statements and, if the Committee feels it is necessary or appropriate, at every other meeting. On request by the Auditor, the Chair will call a meeting of the Committee to consider any matter that the Auditor believes should be brought to the attention of the Committee, the Board or the shareholders of the Company.
At each meeting, a quorum will consist of a majority of members that are not officers or employees of the Company or of an affiliate of the Company.
As part of its goal to foster open communication, the Committee may periodically meet separately with each of management and the Auditor to discuss any matters that the Committee believes would be appropriate to discuss privately. In addition, the Committee should meet with the Auditor and management annually to review the Company's financial statements in a manner consistent with Section III of this Charter.
The Committee may invite to its meetings any director, any manager of the Company, and any other person whom it deems appropriate to consult in order to carry out its responsibilities. The Committee may also exclude from its meetings any person it deems appropriate to exclude in order to carry out its responsibilities.
III. DUTIES
A. Introduction
The following functions will be the common recurring duties of the Committee in carrying out its purposes outlined in Section I of this Charter. These duties should serve as a guide with the understanding that the Committee may fulfill additional duties and adopt additional policies and procedures as may be appropriate in light of changing business, legislative, regulatory or other conditions. The Committee will also carry out any other responsibilities and duties delegated to it by the Board from time to time related to the purposes of the Committee outlined in Section I of this Charter.
The Committee, in discharging its oversight role, is empowered to study or investigate any matter of interest or concern which the Committee in its sole discretion deems appropriate for study or investigation by the Committee.
The Committee will be given full access to the Company's internal accounting staff, managers, other staff and Auditor as necessary to carry out these duties. While acting within the scope of its stated purpose, the Committee will have all the authority of, but will remain subject to, the Board.
B. Powers and Responsibilities
The Committee will have the following responsibilities and, in order to perform and discharge these responsibilities, will be vested with the powers and authorities set forth below, namely, the Committee will:
Independence of Auditor
1) Review and discuss with the Auditor any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Auditor and, if necessary, obtain a formal written statement from the Auditor setting forth all relationships between the Auditor and the Company, consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard 1.
2) Take, or recommend that the Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the Auditor.
3) Require the Auditor to report directly to the Committee.
4) Review and approve the Company's hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the Auditor and former independent external auditor of the Company.
Performance & Completion by Auditor of its Work
5) Be directly responsible for the oversight of the work by the Auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the Auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work.
6) Review annually the performance of the Auditor and recommend the appointment by the Board of a new, or re-election by the Company's shareholders of the existing, Auditor.
7) Pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by the Auditor unless such non-audit services:
(a) which are not pre-approved, are reasonably expected not to constitute, in the aggregate, more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid by the Company to the Auditor during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided;
(b) were not recognized by the Company at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and
(c) are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee by management and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Committee or by one or more members of the Committee who are members of the Board to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Committee.
Internal Financial Controls & Operations of the Company
8) Establish procedures for:
(a) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
(b) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Preparation of Financial Statements
9) Discuss with management and the Auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company's financial statements, including any significant changes in the Company's selection or application of accounting principles, any major issues as to the adequacy of the Company's internal controls and any special steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies.
10) Discuss with management and the Auditor any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any employee complaints or published reports which raise material issues regarding the Company's financial statements or accounting policies.
11) Discuss with management and the Auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as off-balance sheet structures on the Company's financial statements.
12) Discuss with management the Company's major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company's risk assessment and risk management policies.
13) Discuss with the Auditor the matters required to be discussed relating to the conduct of any audit, in particular:
(a) The adoption of, or changes to, the Company's significant auditing and accounting principles and practices as suggested by the Auditor or management.
(b) Any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management.
Public Disclosure by the Company
14) Review the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements, management discussion and analysis (MD&A), annual information form, and management information circular before the Board approves and the Company publicly discloses this information.
15) Review the Company's financial reporting procedures and internal controls to be satisfied that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the Company's public disclosure of financial information extracted or derived from its financial statements, other than disclosure described in the previous paragraph, and periodically assessing the adequacy of those procedures.
16) Review any disclosures made to the Committee by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during their certification process of the Company's financial statements about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls.
Manner of Carrying Out its Mandate
17) Consult, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, with the Auditor but without the presence of management, about the quality of the Company's accounting principles, internal controls and the completeness and accuracy of the Company's financial statements.
18) Request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company's outside counsel or Auditor to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.
19) Meet, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, with management and the Auditor in separate executive sessions at least quarterly.
20) Have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, to retain independent legal, accounting or other consultants to advise the Committee advisors.
21) Make regular reports to the Board.
22) Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
23) Annually review the Committee's own performance.
24) Provide an open avenue of communication among the Auditor the Board.
25) Not delegate these responsibilities other than to one or more independent members of the Committee the authority to pre-approve, which the Committee must ratify at its next meeting, non-audit services to be provided by the Auditor.
C. Limitation of Audit Committee's Role
While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibilities of management and the Auditor.
Approved by the Board of Directors: April 29, 2022
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Schedule "B"
LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
(see attached)
GOLD DIGGER RESOURCES INC.
(the "Company")
Long-Term Incentive Plan
SECTION 1
ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
The Company wishes to establish this long-term incentive plan ("Plan"). The purpose of this Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of shareholder value by: (a) encouraging the attraction and retention of Eligible Persons (as such term is defined below); (b) encouraging such Eligible Persons to focus on critical long-term objectives; and (c) promoting greater alignment of the interests of such Eligible Persons with the interests of the Company, in each case as applicable to the type of Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted.
This Plan provides for the grant of Restricted Share Units, Performance Share Units, Deferred Share Units and Options to Eligible Persons, as further described herein.
This Plan is a "rolling up to 15%" security based compensation plan, permitting outstanding Incentive Securities in a maximum aggregate amount that is equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the issued and outstanding Shares at the date of any Award.
SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) "Award" means any award of RSUs, PSUs, DSUs or Options granted under this Plan or, in the case of Options, any pre-existing stock option plan of the Company;
(b) "Award Agreement" means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document, including an electronic communication, as may from time to time be designated by the Company as evidencing any Award granted under this Plan;
(c) "Board" means the board of directors of the Company;
(d) "Blackout Period" means an interval of time during which the Company has determined that one or more Participants may not trade any securities of the Company because they may be in possession of publicly undisclosed confidential information pertaining to the Company;
(e) "Cessation Date" means the effective date on which a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person for any reason;
(f) "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a reorganization, amalgamation, merger, acquisition or other business combination (or a plan of arrangement in connection with any of the foregoing), other than solely involving the Company and any one or more of its affiliates, with respect to which all or substantially all of the persons who were the beneficial owners of the Shares and other securities of the Company immediately prior to such reorganization, amalgamation, merger, acquisition, business combination or plan of arrangement do not, following the completion of such reorganization, amalgamation, merger, acquisition, business combination or plan of arrangement, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the resulting voting rights (on a fully-diluted basis) of the Company or its successor;
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(ii) the sale, exchange or other disposition to a person other than an affiliate of the Company of all, or substantially all of the Company's assets;
(iii) a resolution is adopted to wind-up, dissolve or liquidate the Company;
(iv) a change in the composition of the Board, which occurs at a single meeting of the shareholders of the Company or upon the execution of a shareholders' resolution, such that individuals who are members of the Board immediately prior to such meeting or resolution cease to constitute a majority of the Board, without the Board, as constituted immediately prior to such meeting or resolution, having approved of such change; or
(v) any person, entity or group of persons or entities acting jointly or in concert (an "Acquiror") acquires or acquires control (including, without limitation, the right to vote or direct the voting) of Voting Securities of the Company which, when added to the Voting Securities owned of record or beneficially by the Acquiror or which the Acquiror has the right to vote or in respect of which the Acquiror has the right to direct the voting, would entitle the Acquiror and/or associates and/or affiliates of the Acquiror to cast or to direct the casting of 20% or more of the votes attached to all of the Company's outstanding Voting Securities which may be cast to elect directors of the Company or the successor Company (regardless of whether a meeting has been called to elect 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 security, 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;
(g) "Charitable Organization" means "charitable organization" as defined in the Tax Act;
(h) "Committee" means such committee of the Board performing functions in respect of compensation as may be determined by the Board from time to time;
(i) "Company" means Gold Digger Resources Inc., a company incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), and any of its successors;
(j) "Consultant" means, in relation to the Company, an individual (other than a Director, Officer or Employee of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company) or entity that:
(i) is engaged to provide services to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, other than services provided in relation to a distribution (as such term defined in the Securities Act);
(ii) provides the services under a written contract with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; and
(iii) in the reasonable opinion of the Company, spends or will spend a significant amount of time and attention on the affairs and business of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company;
(k) "Deferred Share Unit" or "DSU" means a right to receive on a deferred basis a payment in Shares as provided in Section 5.3 hereof and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement;
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(l) "Determination Date" means a date determined by the Board in its sole discretion but not later than 90 days after the expiry of a Performance Cycle;
(m) "Director" means a director of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, or an individual performing a similar function or occupying a similar position for the Company or a subsidiary of the Company;
(n) "Disability" means any disability with respect to a Participant which the Board, in its sole and unfettered discretion, considers likely to prevent permanently the Participant from:
(i) being employed or engaged by the Company, its subsidiaries or another employer, in a position the same as or similar to that in which he was last employed or engaged by the Company or its subsidiaries; or
(ii) acting as a Director or Officer;
(o) "DSU Payment Date" has the meaning set out in Subsection 5.3.5;
(p) "Effective Date" has the meaning set out in Section 8;
(q) "Election Form" means the form to be completed by a Director specifying the amount of Fees he or she wishes to receive in DSUs under this Plan;
(r) "Eligible Charitable Organization" means:
(i) any Charitable Organization or Public Foundation which is a Registered Charity, but is not a Private Foundation; or
(ii) a Registered National Arts Service Organization;
(s) "Eligible Person" means a Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee, Consultant of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or Eligible Charitable Organization;
(t) "Employee" means:
(i) an individual who is considered an employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company under the Tax Act and for whom income tax, employment insurance and Canada Pension Plan deductions must be made at source;
(ii) an individual who works full-time for the Company or a subsidiary of the Company providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company over the details and methods of work as an employee of the Company or of the subsidiary, as the case may be, but for whom income tax deductions are not made at source; or
(iii) an individual who works for the Company or a subsidiary of the Company on a continuing and regular basis, providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company over the details and methods of work as an employee of the Company or the subsidiary, as the case may be, but for whom income tax deductions are not made at source.
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(u) "Exchange" means the Canadian Securities Exchange, and, if applicable, any other stock exchange on which the Shares are listed;
(v) "Extension Period" has the meaning set out in Section 5.4.5;
(w) "Fees" means the annual board retainer, chair fees, meeting attendance fees or any other fees payable to a Director by the Company;
(x) "Grant Date" means, for any Award, the date specified in an Award Agreement as the date on which an Award is granted;
(y) "Incentive Securities" means the Options, DSUs, RSUs and PSUs issuable to any Participant under this Plan or, in the case of Options, any pre-existing stock option plan of the Company;
(z) "Initial Shareholder Approval" has the meaning set out in Section 8;
(aa) "Investor Relations Activities" means "Investor Relations Activities" as defined in Policy 1 of the Canadian Securities Exchange;
(bb) "Investor Relations Service Provider" means any Consultant that performs Investor Relations Activities and any Director, Officer, Employee or Management Company Employee whose role and duties primarily consist of Investor Relations Activities;
(cc) "Management Company Employee" means an individual employed by a company providing management services to the Company, which services are required for the ongoing successful operation of the business enterprise of the Company;
(dd) "Market Price" means the market price per Share as determined by the Board, provided that if the Company is listed on an Exchange, such price shall not be less than the minimum price permitted by such Exchange and, while the Company is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange such price shall not be less than the greater of: (i) $0.05; (ii) the closing market price per Share on the Trading Day prior to the Grant Date; and (iii) the closing market price per Share on the Grant Date, with respect to the pricing of Options.
(ee) "Officer" means:
(i) the chair or vice chair of the board of directors, or the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer or general manager of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company;
(ii) an individual who is designated as an officer under a bylaw or similar authority of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, or
(iii) an individual who performs functions similar to those normally performed by an individual referred to in paragraphs (i) or (ii) directly above;
(ff) "Option" means an option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to, or governed by, this Plan and any pre-existing stock option plan of the Company;
(gg) "Option Plan" means the Company's Stock Option Plan adopted by the Board on April 29, 2022, as may be amended or restated from time to time;
(hh) "Participant" means any Eligible Person to whom Awards are granted;
1385-6824-6284, v. 2
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(ii) "Participant's Account" means a notional account maintained for each Participant's participation in this Plan which will show any Incentive Securities credited to a Participant from time to time;
(jj) "Performance Criteria" means criteria established by the Board which, without limitation, may include criteria based on the Participant's personal performance and/or financial performance of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and that are to be used to determine the vesting of the PSUs;
(kk) "Performance Cycle" means the applicable performance cycle of the PSUs as may be specified by the Board in the applicable Award Agreement;
(ll) "Performance Share Unit" or "PSU" means a right awarded to a Participant to receive a payment in Shares as provided in Section 5.2 hereof and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement;
(mm) "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or governmental authority or body;
(nn) "Private Foundation" means "private foundation" as defined in the Tax Act;
(oo) "Public Foundation" means "public foundation" as defined in the Tax Act;
(pp) "Registered Charity" means "registered charity" as defined in the Tax Act;
(qq) "Registered National Arts Service Organization" means "registered national arts service organization" as defined in the Tax Act;
(rr) "Related Person" means a person or an entity who, with respect to the Company, qualifies as a "related person" (as such term is defined under Section 2.22 of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions);
(ss) "Restriction Period" means the time period between the Grant Date and the Vesting Date of an Award of RSUs specified by the Board in the applicable Award Agreement, which is subject to the requirements of this Plan with respect to vesting;
(tt) "Restricted Share Unit" or "RSU" means a right awarded to a Participant to receive a payment in Shares as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement;
(uu) "Retirement" means retirement from active employment with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company with the consent of an Officer;
(vv) "Security Based Compensation Plans" has the meaning set out in Subsection 4.1.1;
(ww) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act (British Columbia), as amended from time to time;
(xx) "Shares" means the common shares of the Company;
(yy) "Tax Act" means the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended from time to time;
(zz) "Trading Day" means any date on which the Canadian Securities Exchange (or other Exchange if the Shares are not listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange) is open for trading; and
1385-6824-6284, v. 2
(aaa) "Vesting Date" means, for any Award, the date when the Award is fully vested in accordance with the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
SECTION 3 ADMINISTRATION
3.1 BOARD TO ADMINISTER PLAN. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Plan shall be administered by the Board and the Board shall have full authority to administer this Plan, including the authority to interpret and construe any provision of this Plan and to adopt, amend and rescind such rules and regulations for administering this Plan as the Board may deem necessary in order to comply with the requirements of this Plan.
3.2 DELEGATION TO COMMITTEE. All of the powers exercisable hereunder by the Board may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by resolution of the Board, be delegated to and exercised by the Committee or such other committee as the Board may determine.
3.3 INTERPRETATION. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made or approved by the Board in good faith shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding on the Participants and the Company, subject to any required approval of the Exchange.
3.4 NO LIABILITY. No Director shall be personally liable for any action taken or determination or interpretation made or approved in good faith in connection with this Plan and the Directors shall, in addition to their rights as Directors, be fully protected, indemnified and held harmless by the Company with respect to any such action taken or determination or interpretation made. The appropriate officers of the Company are hereby authorized and empowered to do all things and execute and deliver all instruments, undertakings and applications and writings as they, in their absolute discretion, consider necessary for the implementation of this Plan and of the rules and regulations established for administering this Plan. All costs incurred in connection with this Plan shall be for the account of the Company.
SECTION 4 SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS
4.1 LIMITATIONS ON SHARES AVAILABLE FOR ISSUANCE.
4.1.1 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under this Plan and all of the Company's other previously established or proposed security based compensation plans (collectively, "Security Based Compensation Plans"), at any point in time, shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis at such point in time.
4.1.2 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to any one Related Person at any point in time, in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis on the Grant Date, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval.
4.1.3 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Related Persons at any point in time, in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis on the Grant Date, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval.
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4.1.4 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to any one Related Person and the Associates of the Related Person, in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans in any twelve (12) month period, shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis on the Grant Date, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval.
4.1.5 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Related Persons in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans in any twelve (12) month period, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis on the Grant Date, unless the Company has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval.
4.1.6 The maximum aggregate number of Shares issuable to all Investor Relations Service Providers in respect of all Incentive Securities granted or issued under Security Based Compensation Plans in any twelve (12) month period, shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis on the Grant Date.
4.2 ACCOUNTING FOR AWARDS.
4.2.1 The number of Shares underlying an Award, or to which such Award relates, shall be counted on the Grant Date of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting or issuing Awards under this Plan. For the purposes of calculating the number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan, each Option shall be counted as reserving one Share under the Plan, and notwithstanding that the settlement and/or exercise of any RSU, DSU and PSU may be completed in cash, each RSU, DSU and PSU shall, in each case, be counted as reserving one Share under this Plan.
4.2.2 As this Plan is an evergreen plan, the number of Incentive Securities issuable under this Plan will replenish in an amount equal to the number of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise or vesting, as applicable, of such Incentive Securities at any point in time. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Shares related to Awards which have been settled in cash, cancelled, surrendered, forfeited, expired or otherwise terminated without the issuance of such Shares shall be available again for granting Awards under this Plan.
4.3 ADJUSTMENTS. If the number of outstanding Shares is increased or decreased as a result of a Share split or consolidation, or any adjustment is required to an Award granted or issued under this Plan pursuant to an amalgamation, merger, arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, dividend or other distribution, the Board may make appropriate adjustments, in accordance with the terms of this Plan, the policies of the Exchange, and applicable laws, to the number and price (or other basis upon which an Award is measured) of Incentive Securities credited to a Participant. Any determinations by the Board as to the required adjustments shall be made in its sole discretion and all such adjustments shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes under this Plan.
4.4 OPTION PLAN. As of the Effective Date, Options which are outstanding under the Option Plan shall continue to be exercisable and shall be deemed to be governed by and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan except to the extent that the terms of this Plan are more restrictive than the terms of the Option Plan under which such Options were originally granted, in which case the Option Plan shall govern.
4.5 RESALE RESTRICTIONS. All Incentive Securities shall be subject to any applicable resale restrictions pursuant to applicable securities laws. In addition, Incentive Securities and Shares underlying Incentive Securities must be subject to a hold period of four (4) months commencing on the date of distribution of the applicable Incentive Security unless written approval to issue
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the Incentive Security without the hold period is obtained from the Exchange, and the Award Agreement shall contain any applicable resale restriction or hold period.
4.6 BONA FIDE PARTICIPANTS. In respect of Awards granted to Employees, Consultants or Management Company Employees, the Company and the Participant is representing herein and in the applicable Award Agreement that the Participant is a bona fide Employee, Consultant, Consultant Company or Management Company Employee, as the case may be, of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company. The execution of an Award Agreement shall constitute conclusive evidence that it has been completed in compliance with this Plan.
SECTION 5. AWARDS
5.1 RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
5.1.1 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of RSUs to Eligible Persons who are not Eligible Charitable Organizations. RSUs granted to a Participant shall be credited, as of the Grant Date, to the Participant's Account. The number of RSUs to be credited to each Participant shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion in accordance with this Plan. Each RSU shall, contingent upon the lapse of any restrictions, represent one (1) Share, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement. The number of RSUs granted pursuant to an Award and the Restriction Period in respect of such RSUs shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.1.2 RESTRICTIONS. RSUs shall be subject to such restrictions as the Board, in its sole discretion, may establish in the applicable Award Agreement, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times and on such terms, conditions and satisfaction of objectives as the Board may, in its discretion, determine at the time an Award is granted.
5.1.3 VESTING. All RSUs will vest and become payable by the issuance of Shares at the end of the Restriction Period if all applicable restrictions have lapsed, as such restrictions may be specified in the Award Agreement.
5.1.4 CHANGE OF CONTROL. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, in the event of a Change of Control, all restrictions upon any RSUs shall lapse immediately and all such RSUs shall become fully vested in the Participant and will accrue to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9.
5.1.5 DEATH. Other than as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, upon the death of a Participant, any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, have not vested, will be immediately and automatically forfeited and cancelled without further action and without any cost or payment, and the Participant or his or her estate, as the case may be, shall have no right, title or interest therein whatsoever. Any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, had vested pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement will accrue to the Participant's estate in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9 thereof.
5.1.6 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE.
(a) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, all RSUs granted to the
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Participant under this Plan will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the date of termination determined by the Board.
(b) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination or due to Retirement by the Participant, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, all RSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not vested will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the date of termination determined by the Board, provided, however, that any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Participant's termination without cause, voluntary termination, Retirement or termination of agreement, had vested pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement will accrue to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9 hereof.
5.1.7 DISABILITY. Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all RSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such RSUs, provided, however, that no RSUs may be redeemed during a leave of absence. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company is terminated due to Disability, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, all RSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not vested will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the date of termination determined by the Board, provided, however, that any RSUs granted to such Participant that, prior to the Participant's termination due to Disability, had vested pursuant to term of the applicable Award Agreement will accrue to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9 hereof.
5.1.8 CESSATION OF DIRECTORSHIP. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any RSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not yet vested will, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the Cessation Date, provided, however, that any RSUs granted to such Participant which, prior to the Cessation Date for any reason, had vested pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement will accrue to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.1.9 hereof.
5.1.9 PAYMENT OF AWARD. As soon as practicable after each Vesting Date of an Award of RSUs, and subject to the applicable Award Agreement, the Company shall issue from treasury to the Participant, or if Subsection 5.1.5 applies, to the Participant's estate, a number of Shares equal to the number of RSUs credited to the Participant's Account that become payable on the Vesting Date. As of the Vesting Date, the RSUs in respect of which such Shares are issued shall be cancelled and no further payments shall be made to the Participant under this Plan in relation to such RSUs. Such payments shall be made entirely in Shares, unless otherwise provided for in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.2 PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS
5.2.1 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of PSUs to Eligible Persons who are not Eligible Charitable
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Organizations. PSUs granted to a Participant shall be credited, as of the Grant Date, to the Participant's Account. The number of PSUs to be credited to each Participant shall be determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, in accordance with this Plan. Each PSU shall, contingent upon the attainment of the Performance Criteria within the Performance Cycle, represent one (1) Share, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement. The number of PSUs granted pursuant to an Award, the Performance Criteria that must be satisfied in order for the PSUs to vest and the Performance Cycle in respect of such PSUs shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.2.2 PERFORMANCE CRITERIA. The Board will select, settle and determine the Performance Criteria (including without limitation the attainment thereof), for purposes of the vesting of the PSUs, in its sole discretion. An Award Agreement may provide the Board with the right, during a Performance Cycle or after it has ended, to revise the Performance Criteria and the Award amounts if unforeseen events (including, without limitation, changes in capitalization, an equity restructuring, an acquisition or a divestiture) occur which have a substantial effect on the financial results and which in the sole judgment of the Board make the application of the original Performance Criteria unfair or inappropriate unless a revision is made. Notices will be provided by the Company to the Exchange, if required, with respect to the foregoing.
5.2.3 VESTING. All PSUs will vest and become payable to the extent that the Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement are satisfied for the Performance Cycle, the determination of which shall be made by the Board on the Determination Date.
5.2.4 CHANGE OF CONTROL. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, in the event of a Change of Control, all PSUs granted to a Participant shall become fully vested in such Participant (without regard to the attainment of any Performance Criteria) and shall become payable to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 thereof.
5.2.5 DEATH. Other than as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and below, upon the death of a Participant, all PSUs granted to the Participant which, prior to the Participant's death, have not vested, will immediately and automatically be forfeited and cancelled without further action and without any cost or payment, and the Participant or his or her estate, as the case may be, shall have no right, title or interest therein whatsoever, provided, however, the Board may determine, in its sole discretion, the number of the Participant's PSUs that will vest based on the extent to which the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. The PSUs that the Board determines to have vested shall become payable in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 thereof.
5.2.6 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE.
(a) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, all PSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan will immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the date of termination determined by the Board.
(b) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination or due to Retirement by the Participant, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, all PSUs
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granted to the Participant which, prior to the Participant's termination, have not vested, will immediately and automatically be forfeited and cancelled without further action and without any cost or payment, and the Participant shall have no right, title or interest therein whatsoever as of the date of termination determined by the Board, provided, however, the Board may determine, in its sole discretion, the number of the Participant's PSUs that will vest based on the extent to which the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. The PSUs that the Board determines to have vested shall become payable in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 thereof.
5.2.7 DISABILITY. Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all PSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such PSUs, provided, however, that no PSUs may be redeemed during a leave of absence. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company is terminated due to Disability, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, all PSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not vested will immediately and automatically be forfeited and cancelled without further action and without any cost or payment, and the Participant shall have no right, title or interest therein whatsoever as of the date of termination determined by the Board, provided, however, that the Board may determine, in its sole discretion, the number of the Participant's PSUs that will vest based on the extent to which the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. The PSUs that the Board determines to have vested shall become payable in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 thereof.
5.2.8 CESSATION OF DIRECTORSHIP. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any PSUs granted to the Participant under this Plan that have not yet vested will, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, immediately terminate without payment, be forfeited and cancelled and shall be of no further force or effect as of the Cessation Date, provided, however, that the Board may determine, in its sole discretion, the number of the Participant's PSUs that will vest based on the extent to which the applicable Performance Criteria set forth in the Award Agreement have been satisfied in that portion of the Performance Cycle that has lapsed. The PSUs that the Board determines to have vested shall become payable in accordance with Subsection 5.2.9 thereof.
5.2.9 PAYMENT OF AWARD. Subject to the applicable Award Agreement, payment to Participants in respect of vested PSUs shall be made after the Determination Date for the applicable Award and in any case within ninety (90) days after the last day of the Performance Cycle to which such Award relates. Such payments shall be made entirely in Shares, unless otherwise provided for in the applicable Award Agreement. The Company shall issue from treasury to the Participant, or if Subsection 5.2.5 applies, to the Participant's estate, a number of Shares equal to the number of PSUs that have vested. As of the Vesting Date, the PSUs in respect of which such Shares are issued shall be cancelled and no further payments shall be made to the Participant under this Plan in relation to such PSUs.
5.2.10 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION; ADJUSTMENT OF GOALS. At the time that a PSU is first issued, the Board, in the Award Agreement or in another written document, may specify whether performance will be evaluated including or excluding the effect of any of the following events that occur during the Performance Cycle or Restriction Period, as the case may be: (A) judgments entered or settlements reached in litigation; (B) the write down of assets; (C) the impact of any reorganization or restructuring; (D) the impact of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, regulatory actions or other laws affecting
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reported results; (E) extraordinary non-recurring items as may be described in the Company's management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the applicable financial year; (F) the impact of any mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs or other divestitures; (G) foreign exchange gains and losses; and (H) other extraordinary events having a similar impact on a Participant's ability to satisfy Performance Criteria, as determined in the discretion of the Board.
5.2.11 ADJUSTMENT OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS. The Board shall have the sole discretion to adjust the determination of the degree of attainment of the pre-established Performance Criteria or restrictions, as the case may be, as may be set out in the applicable Award Agreement governing the relevant PSU. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Board may not make any adjustment or take any other action with respect to any PSU that will increase the amount payable under any such PSU. The Board shall retain the sole discretion to adjust PSUs downward or to otherwise reduce the amount payable with respect to any Award of PSUs.
5.3 DEFERRED SHARE UNITS
5.3.1 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of DSUs to Eligible Persons who are not Eligible Charitable Organizations. DSUs granted to a Participant shall be credited, as of the Grant Date, to the Participant's Account. The number of DSUs to be credited to each Participant shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion in accordance with this Plan. Each DSU shall, contingent upon the occurrence of the applicable vesting criteria, represent one (1) Share. The number of DSUs granted pursuant to an Award and the vesting criteria in respect of such DSUs shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.3.2 ELECTION BY DIRECTORS. Each Director may elect to receive any part or all of his or her Fees in DSUs under this Plan. Elections by Participants regarding the amount of their Fees that they wish to receive in DSUs shall be made no later than 90 days after this Plan is adopted by the Board, and thereafter no later than December 31 of any given year with respect to Fees for the following year. Any Director who becomes a Participant during a fiscal year and wishes to receive an amount of his or her Fees for the remainder of that year in DSUs must make his or her election within 60 days of becoming a Director.
5.3.3 CALCULATION. In the case of an election by a Director, the number of DSUs to be credited to the Participant's Account shall be calculated by dividing the amount of Fees selected by a Director in the applicable Election Form by the Market Price on the Grant Date, or if more appropriate, another trading range that best represents the period for which the award was earned (subject to minimum pricing requirements of the Exchange). If, as a result of the foregoing calculation, a Participant shall become entitled to a fractional DSU, the Participant shall only be credited with a full number of DSUs (rounded down) and no payment or other adjustment will be made with respect to the fractional DSU.
5.3.4 CHANGE OF CONTROL. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, in the event of a Change of Control, all DSUs granted to a Participant shall become fully vested in such Participant and shall become payable to the Participant in accordance with Subsection 5.3.5 thereof.
5.3.5 PAYMENT OF AWARD. After the effective date that the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person for any reason or any earlier vesting period(s) as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, each Participant shall be entitled to receive on the DSU Payment Date that number of Shares equal to the number of DSUs credited to the
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Participant's Account, such Shares to be issued from treasury of the Company. The aforementioned payment will occur on the date (the "DSU Payment Date") that is one of two (2) dates designated by the Participant and communicated to the Company by the Participant in writing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the designated day (or such earlier date as the Participant and the Company may agree, which dates shall be no earlier than then ninetieth (90) day following the year of the Cessation Date and no later than the end of the calendar year following the year of the Cessation Date, or any earlier period in which the DSUs vested, as the case may be) and if no such notice is given, then on the first anniversary of the Cessation Date or any earlier period on which the DSUs vested, as the case may be, at the sole discretion of the Participant.
5.3.6 DEATH. Upon death of a Participant, the Participant's estate shall be entitled to receive, within 120 days after the Participant's death and at the sole discretion of the Board, such Shares that would have otherwise been payable in accordance with Subsection 5.3.5 hereof to the Participant upon such Participant ceasing to be an Eligible Person.
5.4 OPTIONS
5.4.1 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, the Board may, from time to time, grant Awards of Options to Eligible Persons. Options granted to a Participant shall be credited, as of the Grant Date, to the Participant's Account. The number of Options to be credited to each Participant shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion in accordance with this Plan. Each vested Option shall represent the right to purchase one (1) Share in accordance with its terms and the terms of this Plan. The number of Options granted pursuant to an Award shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
5.4.2 EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price of the Options shall be determined by the Board at the time the Option is granted. In no event shall such exercise price be lower than the Market Price permitted by the Exchange. The Board shall not reprice any Options granted under this Plan, or cancel and later grant new Options under this Plan, except in accordance with the rules and policies of the Exchange.
5.4.3 TIME AND CONDITIONS OF EXERCISE. The Board shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part. The Board shall also determine the vesting, performance and/or other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised.
5.4.4 EVIDENCE OF GRANT. All Options shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement. The Award Agreement shall reflect the Board's determinations regarding the exercise price, time and conditions of exercise (including vesting provisions) and such additional provisions as may be specified by the Board.
5.4.5 EXERCISE. The exercise of any Option will be contingent upon receipt by the Company of a written notice of exercise in the manner and in the form set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, which written notice shall specify the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised, and which shall be accompanied by a cheque, bank draft or other method of cash payment as is acceptable to the Company for the full purchase price of such Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Certificates for such Shares shall be issued and delivered to the Participant within a reasonable time following the receipt of such notice and payment. Neither the Participants nor their legal representatives, legatees or distributees will be, or will be deemed to be, a holder of any Shares unless and until the certificates for the Shares issuable pursuant to Options under this Plan are issued to such Participants under the terms of this Plan. In the event that the expiry date of an Option falls during a Blackout Period, the expiry date of such
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Option shall automatically be extended to a date which is ten (10) Trading Days following the end of such Blackout Period (the "Extension Period"), subject to no cease trade order being in place under applicable securities laws; provided that if an additional Blackout Period is subsequently imposed by the Company during the Extension Period, then such Extension Period shall be deemed to commence following the end of such additional Blackout Period to enable the exercise of such Option within ten (10) Trading Days following the end of the last imposed Blackout Period.
5.4.6 CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event of a Change of Control, each outstanding Option, to the extent that it has not otherwise become vested and exercisable, and subject to the applicable Award Agreement, shall automatically become fully and immediately vested and exercisable, without regard to any other applicable vesting requirement.
5.4.7 DEATH. Where a Participant shall die, any Option held by such Participant at the date of death shall be exercisable in whole or in part only by the person or persons to whom the rights of the Participant under the Option shall pass by the will of the Participant or the laws of descent and distribution for a period of 120 days after the date of death of the Participant or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death of such Participant.
5.4.8 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE.
(a) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company for cause, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated as a result of the Participant's breach, no Option held by such Participant shall be exercisable from the date of termination determined by the Board.
(b) Where a Participant's employment is terminated by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without cause, by voluntary termination or due to Retirement by the Participant, or where a Participant's consulting agreement is terminated for a reason other than the Participant's breach, any Option held by such Participant at such time shall remain exercisable in full at any time, and in part from time to time, for a period of 90 days after the date of termination determined by the Board (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement or as determined by the Board) or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination determined by the Board.
(c) Where a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all Options granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such Options. Where a Participant's employment or consulting agreement with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company is terminated due to Disability, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise and subject to the provisions below, any Option held by such Participant shall remain exercisable for a period of 120 days after the date of termination determined by the Board (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement or as determined by the Board) or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination determined by the Board.
5.4.9 CESSATION OF DIRECTORSHIP. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant ceases to be a Director for any reason, any Option held by such Participant at such time shall, subject to the applicable Award Agreement and the provisions below, remain exercisable in full at any time, and in part from time to time, for a period of 90 days after the Cessation
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Date (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement or as determined by the Board) or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option as of the Cessation Date. Where, in the case of Directors, a Participant becomes afflicted by a Disability, all Options granted to the Participant under this Plan will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of such Options, provided that if a Participant ceases to be a Director due to Disability, subject to the applicable Award Agreement, any Option held by such Participant shall remain exercisable for a period of 120 days after the Cessation Date (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement or as determined by the Board) or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option as of the Cessation Date.
5.4.10 ELIGIBLE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. Where, in the case of Eligible Charitable Organizations, a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person due to no longer being an Eligible Charitable Organization, any Option held by such Participant at such time shall, subject to the applicable Award Agreement and the provisions below, remain exercisable in full at any time, and in part from time to time, for a period of 90 days after the Cessation Date (subject to any longer period set out in the applicable Award Agreement or as determined by the Board) or prior to the expiration of the Option, whichever is sooner, and then only to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option as of the Cessation Date.
5.5 GENERAL TERMS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
5.5.1 FORFEITURE EVENTS. The Board will specify in an Award Agreement at the time of the Award that the Participant's rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events shall include, but shall not be limited to, termination of employment for cause, violation of material Company policies, fraud, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company.
5.5.2 AWARDS MAY BE GRANTED SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER. Without limiting Subsection 5.5, Awards may, in the discretion of the Board, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards, may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
5.5.3 NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS. No Award and no right under any such Award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable, or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No Award and no right under any such Award, may be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment, or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company. The Company does not intend to make Awards assignable or transferable, except where required by law or in certain estate proceedings described herein.
5.5.4 CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS UPON SECURITIES SUBJECT TO AWARDS. The Board may provide that the Shares issued under an Award shall be subject to such further agreements, restrictions, conditions or limitations as the Board in its sole discretion may specify, including without limitation, conditions on vesting or transferability and forfeiture or repurchase provisions or provisions on payment of taxes
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arising in connection with an Award. Without limiting the foregoing, such restrictions may address the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued under an Award, including without limitation: (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy or pursuant to applicable law; (B) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant; (C) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers; and (D) provisions requiring Shares to be sold on the open market or to the Company in order to satisfy tax withholding or other obligations.
5.5.5 SHARE CERTIFICATES. All Shares delivered under this Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under this Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of any securities commission, the Exchange, and any applicable securities legislation, regulations, rules, policies or orders, and the Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
5.5.6 CONFORMITY TO PLAN. In the event that an Award is granted which does not conform in all particulars with the provisions of this Plan, or purports to grant an Award on terms different from those set out in this Plan, the Award shall not be in any way void or invalidated, but the Award shall be adjusted by the Board to become, in all respects, in conformity with this Plan.
SECTION 6 AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
6.1 SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF PLAN. The Company must obtain shareholder approval of the Plan: (i) within three years after institution; and (ii) within every three years thereafter. The shareholder approval requirements and related matters are set out in section 8.1 of this Plan.
6.2 AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION OF THIS PLAN. The Board may at any time or from time to time, in its sole and absolute discretion, amend, suspend, terminate or discontinue this Plan and may amend the terms and conditions of any Awards granted hereunder, subject to (a) any required approval of any applicable regulatory authority or the Exchange, and (b) any required approval of shareholders of the Company in accordance with the rules and policies of the Exchange or applicable law. Without limitation, shareholder approval shall not be required for the following amendments:
6.2.1 amendments to fix typographical errors;
6.2.2 amendments to clarify existing provisions of the Plan that do not have the effect of altering the scope, nature and intent of such provisions; and
6.2.3 amendments that are necessary to comply with applicable law or the requirements of the Exchange.
If this Plan is terminated, Awards granted or issued prior to the date of termination shall remain outstanding and in effect in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions.
6.3 AMENDMENTS TO AWARDS. In accordance with the policies of the Exchange, the terms of an Award may not be amended once issued, unless otherwise approved by the Exchange and subject to compliance with applicable laws. In the event Exchange approval is received for the amendment of an Award, no amendment shall be made which would impair the rights of any Participant, without such Participant's consent, provided that no such consent shall be required if the amendment is: (a) either required or advisable in respect of compliance with any law, regulation or requirement of any accounting standard; or (b) not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award.
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6.4 CANCELLATION OF AWARDS. In accordance with the policies of the Exchange, if an Award is cancelled prior to its expiry date, the Company shall not grant new Awards to the same Participant until 30 days have elapsed from the date of cancellation.
SECTION 7 GENERAL PROVISIONS
7.1 NO RIGHTS TO AWARDS. No Eligible Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under this Plan, or, having been selected to receive an Award under this Plan, to be selected to receive a future Award, and further there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons under this Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient, subject to compliance with the terms of this Plan.
7.2 WITHHOLDING. The Company shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted or any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under this Plan the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, or other Awards) of withholding taxes due in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under such Award or under this Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy statutory withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, whenever cash is to be paid on the redemption, exercise or vesting of an Award, the Company shall have the right to deduct from all cash payments made to a Participant any taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments. Whenever Shares are to be delivered on the redemption, exercise or vesting of an Award, the Company shall have the right to deduct from any other amounts payable to the Participant any taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such delivery of Shares, or if any payment due to the Participant is not sufficient to satisfy the withholding obligation, to require the Participant to remit to the Company in cash an amount sufficient to satisfy any taxes required by law to be withheld. At the sole discretion of the Board, a Participant may be permitted to satisfy the foregoing requirement by:
7.2.1 electing to have the Company withhold from delivery Shares having a value equal to the amount of tax required to be withheld, or
7.2.2 delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell all or a portion of the Shares and to deliver to the Company from the sales proceeds an amount sufficient to pay the required withholding taxes.
7.3 NO LIMIT ON OTHER SECURITY-BASED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Company or a subsidiary of the Company from adopting or continuing in effect other security-based compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
7.4 NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT. The grant of an Award shall not constitute an employment contract nor be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company. Further, the Company may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any liability, or any claim under this Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Plan or in any Award Agreement.
7.5 NO RIGHT AS SHAREHOLDER. Neither the Participant nor any representatives of a Participant's estate shall have any rights whatsoever as shareholders in respect of any Shares covered by such Participant's Award, until the date of issuance of a share certificate to such Participant or representatives of a Participant's estate for such Shares.
7.6 CURRENCY. Unless expressly stated otherwise, all dollars amounts in this Plan are in Canadian dollars.
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7.7 GOVERNING LAW. This Plan and all of the rights and obligations arising herefrom shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
7.8 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify this Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Board, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Board, materially altering the intent of this Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person, or Award, and the remainder of this Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
7.9 NO TRUST OR FUND CREATED. Neither this Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured creditor of the Company.
7.10 NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to this Plan or any Award, and the Board shall determine whether cash, or other securities shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares, or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be cancelled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.
7.11 HEADINGS. Headings are given to the Sections and Subsections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Plan or any provision thereof.
7.12 NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY. The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the value of any Award granted pursuant to this Plan or as to the future value of any Shares issued pursuant to any Award.
7.13 NO REPRESENTATIONS OR COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO TAX QUALIFICATION. Although the Company may, in its discretion, endeavor to (i) qualify an Award for favourable Canadian tax treatment or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment, the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax treatment. The Company shall be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on holders of Awards under this Plan.
7.14 CONFLICT WITH AWARD AGREEMENT. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of this Plan and an Award Agreement, the provisions of this Plan shall govern for all purposes.
7.15 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under this Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or stock exchanges on which the Company is listed as may be required. The Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver evidence of title for Shares issued under this Plan prior to:
7.15.1 obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and
7.15.2 completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any applicable national or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable or at a time when any such registration or qualification is not current, has been suspended or otherwise has ceased to be effective.
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The inability or impracticability of the Company to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
SECTION 8
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
8.1 EFFECTIVE DATE AND SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. This Plan shall become effective upon the date (the "Effective Date") of approval by the Board and will remain subject to initial shareholder approval ("Initial Shareholder Approval"), provided that, if the Company grants or issues Awards under this Plan that it would not otherwise be permitted to grant under its existing Option Plan prior to Initial Shareholder Approval having been obtained, the Company must also obtain specific (and separate) shareholder approval for such grants or issuances. If Initial Shareholder Approval is obtained after the Effective Date, no right under any Award (other than an Option, which was or could have been granted under the existing Option Plan) that is granted or issued under this Plan prior to such shareholder approval may vest or be exercised, as applicable, before the date on which Initial Shareholder Approval and shareholder approval for such grants or issuances (as applicable) are obtained. Shareholder approval of this Plan must be obtained within three years after the date on which Initial Shareholder Approval is obtained and within every three years thereafter. If requisite shareholder approvals following Initial Shareholder Approval are not obtained, all unallocated Awards must be cancelled and the Company must not be permitted to grant further Awards.
Approved by the Board of Directors of the Company effective ___.
Approved by the shareholders of the Company on ___, 2025.
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