AI assistant
P2 Gold Inc. — Governance Information 2021
May 27, 2021
47643_rns_2021-05-26_866bb54a-b97d-4bb7-b5eb-5453dde8397b.pdf
Governance Information
Open in viewerOpens in your device viewer
==> picture [76 x 56] intentionally omitted <==
P2 GOLD INC.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
P2 Gold Inc. (the “ Company ”) has created this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“ Code ”) to outline principles to which the Company’s employees, officers and directors are expected to adhere in the conduct of the Company’s business. For the purposes of this Code, the term “ employees ” includes all permanent, contract, secondment and temporary agency employees who are on long-term assignments with the Company as well as consultants to the Company. This Code sets forth principles regarding responsibilities that the Company’s employees, officers and directors have to other employees, officers, directors, the public and any other stakeholders. Any violations of this Code or any other policies established by the Company from time to time may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of service.
The Company’s Compensation, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “ Committee ”), a committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), is responsible for administering the Code. The Committee has delegated day-to-day responsibility for administering and interpreting the Code to the Chair of the Committee.
The Company expects its employees, officers and directors to exercise reasonable judgment when conducting the Company’s business. The Company encourages its employees, officers and directors to refer to this Code frequently to ensure that they are acting within both the letter and the spirit of this Code. The Company also understands that this Code will not contain the answer to every situation you may encounter or every concern you may have about conducting the Company’s business ethically and legally. In these situations, or if you otherwise have questions or concerns about this Code, the Company encourages each officer and employee to speak with his or her supervisor (if applicable) or, if you are uncomfortable doing that, with the Chair of the Committee. Directors and the President and Chief Executive Officer should bring any questions or concerns about this Code to the Chair of the Committee.
The Company’s employees, officers and directors generally have other legal and contractual obligations to the Company. This Code is not intended to reduce or limit the other obligations that you may have with the Company. Instead, the standards in this Code should be viewed as the minimum standards that the Company expects from its employees, officers and directors in the conduct of the Company’s business.
WORKPLACE
A Non-Discriminatory Environment
The Company fosters a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees, officers, directors or potential employees, officers or directors on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability or any other category protected by Canadian federal or provincial laws and regulations, or any laws or regulations applicable in the jurisdiction
P2 Gold Inc. - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
1
where such employees, officers or directors are located. The Company will make reasonable accommodations for its employees, officers and directors in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Harassment-Free Workplace
The Company will not tolerate harassment of its employees, officers, directors, customers or suppliers in any form. Harassment generally means offensive conduct that is severe and pervasive and singles out an individual to the detriment or objection of that individual because of a difference protected by law such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, physical handicaps or veteran status. Harassment covers a wide range of conduct, from requests of a sexual nature to situations where offensive behaviour (e.g., insults, offensive jokes or slurs, offensive material in the workplace) results in a hostile work environment. It is the responsibility of each employee to help the Company provide a work atmosphere free of harassing, abusive, disrespectful, disorderly, disruptive or other non-professional conduct. Threatening, intimidating or aggressive behaviour, as well as bullying, ridiculing or other similar behaviour toward fellow employees, officers or directors or others in the workplace will not be tolerated.
Sexual Harassment
Employees, officers and directors must treat each other with professional courtesy and respect at all times and specifically shall not subject any other employee to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours or other verbal or physical conduct which might be construed as sexual in nature. Such conduct may constitute sexual harassment under federal, provincial and state law and may be the basis for legal action against the offending Employee and/or the Company. Sexual harassment is illegal and all employees, officers and directors of the Company are prohibited from engaging in any form of sexually harassing behaviour.
Substance Abuse
The Company is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment free of substance abuse. Employees, officers and directors of the Company are expected to perform their responsibilities in a professional manner and, to the degree that job performance or judgment may be hindered, be free from the effects of drugs, including illegal drugs and legal drugs which affect the ability of the employees, officers and directors to perform their work duties, and alcohol, while on Company premises.
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY
Environment
It is the intent of the Company to conduct itself in a responsible manner in respect to the environment in partnership with local communities as it implements its business strategy. The Company is committed to sound environmental management and it is the Company’s policy to comply, in all material respects, with applicable environmental laws and regulations. All employees, officers and directors are expected to comply with our policies, programs, standards and procedures in respect to environmental management.
P2 Gold Inc. - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
2
Health and Safety
The Company is committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Employees must be aware of the safety issues and policies that affect their job, other employees and the community in general. Managers, upon learning of any circumstance affecting the health and safety of the workplace or the community, must act immediately to address the situation. Employees must immediately advise their managers of any workplace injury or any circumstance presenting a dangerous situation to them, other co-workers or the community in general, so that timely corrective action can be taken. If an employee who so advises their manager is not satisfied that timely corrective action has been or will be taken by the manager, then the employee should advise the Chair of the Committee of such workplace injury or circumstance presenting a dangerous situation.
Conflicts of Interest
A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s private interest interferes or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company. A conflict may also arise when a person takes actions or has interests which make it difficult for them to perform their work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may cause an employee, officer or director to make decisions based on personal gain rather than in the best interests of the Company. Each individual’s situation is different and in evaluating his or her own situation, an employee, officer or director will have to consider many factors.
All of the Company’s employees, officers and directors must act with honesty and integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest in relation to their duties and responsibilities with the Company that arise as a result of either personal or professional relationships.
Prior to hiring any officer or director of the Company, the Committee will assess whether there are any actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the individual and the Company and inform the Board of any such conflicts.
Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Company policy. Each employee, officer and director is expected to avoid any outside activity, financial interest or relationship that may present a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. Each employee is required to promptly disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest to his or her manager, or if the manager is an officer of the Company and is involved in the conflict of interest, to the Committee. Any director, officer or employee will, when requested, promptly supply the manager or the Committee with all relevant documentation in respect of any transaction in which the manager or the Committee perceives a conflict may have been present. Actual or potential conflicts of interest involving a director, officer or the Chair of the Committee should be disclosed in writing to the Committee and the Committee will assess whether there are any actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the individual and the Company. Each director agrees that if the Board determines that a potential conflict cannot be cured, the director will promptly resign from the Board.
Failure to report actual or potential conflicts could have serious consequences for the employee, officer or director of the Company. After an actual or potential conflict is investigated, appropriate action will be taken. The Board has the right to determine the appropriate disciplinary action for a violation up to and including termination of employment. All proposed disciplinary action is subject to review by the Board of Directors.
P2 Gold Inc. - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
3
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES
All of the Company’s employees, officers and directors are prohibited from: (a) taking for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or as a result of his or her position with the Company unless such opportunity has first been presented to, and rejected by, the Company; (b) using corporate property, information or position for personal gain; and (c) competing with the Company. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity arises to do so.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Certain employees, officers and directors will have access to certain information in the course of their duties that is considered confidential by the Company or may be involved in the design or development of new business opportunities for the Company. “Confidential Information” includes all non-public information about the Company that might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers if disclosed. All such Confidential Information and procedures remain the property of the Company at all times and should be kept in strict confidence by employees, officers and directors, except when disclosure is authorized or required by law or necessary in the course of the Company’s business. Any disclosure of such Confidential Information or procedures to persons outside the Company could be harmful to the Company’s interests and will be taken very seriously by the Company.
When in possession of Confidential Information, Company employees and outside parties are encouraged to use the safest means of communication and safekeeping of the Confidential Information as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances. In particular, employees should be mindful of the security risks associated with communicating via email, social media, facsimile, cellular phones and other wireless devices, and of communicating in public places, and should choose other safer communication methods where reasonably practicable. Additionally, employees should store and work with Confidential Information in a safe manner, being mindful of the security risks associated with leaving Confidential Information in easily accessible locations, such as on a desk or displayed on a computer screen, and with making and/or distributing copies of Confidential Information. Finally, employees, officers, directors and outside parties should be mindful of and careful to avoid the posting, displaying and/or other disclosure of Confidential Information on social media platforms and/or other online accounts, even if such platforms or accounts are considered “personal” or “private”.
Employees, officers and directors should be aware that their obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and procedures for dealing with such Confidential Information will survive after they leave the Company and should conduct themselves accordingly.
FAIR DEALING
All purchases of goods and services by the Company will be made exclusively on the basis of price, quality, service and suitability to our needs. Employees, officers or directors are prohibited from accepting gifts of money or receiving any type of personal kickbacks, rebates or other “under-thetable” payments. Employees, officers and directors may accept unsolicited non-monetary gifts
P2 Gold Inc. - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
4
provided they are appropriate and customary client development gifts for the industry and cannot be graciously declined.
Making any form of payment, direct or indirect, to a public official may violate the Canadian Criminal Code or the Canadian Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or the equivalent laws of a foreign jurisdiction. The law in this area is evolving and all employees, officers and directors are expected to be familiar with the current state of this legislation and to ensure they comply with it. In particular, if there is any doubt whatsoever as to whether a particular payment to be made, or benefit to be provided, to a public official is inappropriate or unlawful, the employee, officer or director is expected not to make that payment or provide that benefit.
PROTECTION AND PROPER USE OF COMPANY ASSETS
All employees, officers and directors of the Company are expected to protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use because loss, theft and misuse of the Company’s assets have a direct impact on the Company’s business and its profitability. All of the Company’s assets should only be used for legitimate business purposes. Theft of Company property will be investigated, reported to police as appropriate and is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
The Company’s information technology systems, including computers, e-mail, intranet and internet access, telephones and voice mail are the property of the Company and are to be used primarily for business purposes. The Company’s information technology systems may be used for minor or incidental reasonable personal messages provided that such use is kept at a minimum, is in compliance with the Company’s policies generally and the employee understands that the Company has no obligation to keep such personal messages confidential. The Company may monitor the use of its information technology systems.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS (INCLUDING INSIDER TRADING) AND THE POLICIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company seeks to conduct its business in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, insider trading, environmental, discrimination and harassment, and health and safety. No employee, officer or director shall engage in any unlawful activity in conducting the Company’s business or in performing his or her day-to-day company duties, nor shall any employee, officer or director instruct others to do so.
Employees, officers and directors of the Company are required to comply with the Company’s Corporate Disclosure and Insider Trading Policy and all other policies and procedures applicable to them that are adopted by the Company from time to time and provide full, fair, accurate, understandable and timely disclosure in reports and documents filed with, or submitted to, securities regulatory authorities and other materials that are made available to the investing public.
ACCURACY OF COMPANY RECORDS AND REPORTING
Honest and accurate recording and reporting of information is critical to the Company’s ability to make responsible business decisions. The Company’s accounting records are relied upon to produce reports for the Company’s management, shareholders, creditors, governmental agencies and others. Our
P2 Gold Inc. - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
5
financial statements and the books and records on which they are based must accurately reflect all corporate transactions and conform to all legal and accounting requirements and the Company’s system of internal controls.
WAIVER AND AMENDMENTS
No waiver of any provisions of the Code for the benefit of a director or an officer (which includes without limitation, for purposes of this Code, the Company’s principal executive, financial and accounting officers) shall be effective unless (i) approved by the Board or, if permitted, a committee thereof, and (ii) if applicable, such waiver is promptly disclosed to the Company’s shareholders in accordance with applicable securities laws and/or the rules and regulations of the exchange or system on which the Company’s shares are traded or quoted, as the case may be.
All amendments to the Code must be approved by the Board or a committee thereof and, if applicable, must be promptly disclosed to the public markets in accordance with applicable securities laws and/or the rules and regulations of the exchanges on which the Company’s shares are traded.
REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
Employees, officers and directors have a duty to report illegal or unethical behaviour of other employees, officers or directors and any violations of the Company’s policies including this Code. Reprisals or intimidation of employees, officers and directors who draw attention to problems or violations will not be tolerated. Employees, officers and directors can report their concerns to their supervisor, if any, or to the Chair of the Audit Committee.
This Code was last reviewed and approved by the Board on May 17, 2021.
P2 Gold Inc. - Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
6