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Planet Ventures Inc. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2022
Dec 5, 2022
43952_rns_2022-12-05_d65ede49-3533-4f10-9c96-8d23edd9461b.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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PLANET VENTURES INC.
Suite 303, 750 West Pender Street Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6C 2T7 Tel: 604 681-0084/Fax: 604 681-0094
INFORMATION CIRCULAR As at November 10, 2022 (except as otherwise indicated)
This Information Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of PLANET VENTURES INC. (the "Company") for use at the annual general meeting (the "Meeting") of its shareholders to be held on December 30, 2022 at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice of the Meeting.
IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUING COVID-19 OUTBREAK, THE COMPANY REQUESTS THAT IF POSSIBLE ALL SHAREHOLDERS VOTE THEIR SHARES BY PROXY AND AVOID ATTENDING THE MEETING IN PERSON, HOWEVER, IF YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, SHAREHOLDERS ARE ASKED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA (canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirusinfection.html)
THE COMPANY RESPECTFULLY ASKS SHAREHOLDERS NOT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON IF EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE DESCRIBED COVID-19 SYMPTOMS OF FEVER, COUGH OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING, OR IF THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ANYONE EXHIBITING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS. THE COMPANY MAY TAKE ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN RELATION TO THE MEETING IN RESPONSE TO FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK.
In this Information Circular, references to "the Company", "Planet Ventures", "we" and "our" refer to Planet Ventures Inc., "Common Shares" means common shares without par value in the capital of the Company. "Beneficial Shareholders" means shareholders who do not hold Common Shares in their own name and "intermediaries" refers to brokers, investment firms, clearing houses and similar entities that own securities on behalf of Beneficial Shareholders.
GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION
Solicitation of Proxies
The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail, but proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company. The Company will bear all costs of this solicitation. We have arranged for intermediaries to forward the meeting materials to beneficial owners of the Common Shares held of record by those intermediaries and we may reimburse the intermediaries for their reasonable fees and disbursements in that regard.
Appointment of Proxyholders
The individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy (the "Proxy") are directors and/or officers of the Company. If you are a shareholder entitled to vote at the Meeting, you have the right to appoint a person or company other than either of the persons designated in the Proxy, who need not be a shareholder, to attend and act for you and on your behalf at the Meeting. You may do so either by inserting the name of that other person in the blank space provided in the Proxy or by completing and delivering another suitable form of proxy.
Voting by Proxyholder
The persons named in the Proxy will vote or withhold from voting the Common Shares represented thereby in accordance with your instructions on any ballot that may be called for. If you specify a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, your Common Shares will be voted accordingly. The Proxy confers discretionary authority on the persons named therein with respect to:
- (a) each matter or group of matters identified therein for which a choice is not specified, other than the appointment of an auditor and the election of directors;
- (b) any amendment to or variation of any matter identified therein; and
- (c) any other matter that properly comes before the Meeting.
In respect of a matter for which a choice is not specified in the Proxy, the persons named in the Proxy will vote the Common Shares represented by the Proxy for the approval of such matter.
Registered Shareholders may wish to vote by proxy whether or not they are able to attend the Meeting in person. Registered shareholders may choose one of the following options to submit their proxy:
- (a) completing, dating and signing the enclosed form of proxy and returning it to the Company's transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada ("Computershare"), by fax within North America at 1- 866-249-7775, outside North America at (416) 263-9524, or by mail to the 8th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1 or by hand delivery at 3rd Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 3B9;
- (b) use a touch-tone phone to transmit voting choices to a toll free number. Registered shareholders must follow the instructions of the voice response system and refer to the enclosed proxy form for the toll free number, the holder's account number and the control number; or
- (c) use the internet through the website of the Company's transfer agent at www.investorvote.com. Registered Shareholders must follow the instructions that appear on the screen and refer to the enclosed proxy form for the holder's account number and the control number.
In all cases the Registered Shareholder must ensure the proxy is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays) before the Meeting, or the adjournment thereof, at which the proxy is to be used.
Beneficial Shareholders
The following information is of significant importance to shareholders who do not hold Common Shares in their own name. Beneficial Shareholders should note that the only proxies that can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting are those deposited by registered shareholders (those whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of Common Shares) or as set out in the following disclosure.
If Common Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a shareholder by a broker, then in almost all cases those Common Shares will not be registered in the shareholder's name on the records of the Company. Such Common Shares will more likely be registered under the names of the shareholder's broker or an agent of that broker. In Canada the vast majority of such Common Shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited, which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms), and in the United States (the "U.S."), under the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (which acts as depositary for many U.S. brokerage firms and custodian banks).
Intermediaries are required to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of shareholder meetings. Every intermediary has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions to clients.
You should carefully follow the instructions of your broker or intermediary in order to ensure that your Common Shares are voted at the Meeting.
The form of proxy supplied to you by your broker will be similar to the Proxy provided to registered shareholders by the Company. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the intermediary on how to vote your Common Shares on your behalf. Most brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. ("Broadridge") in Canada and in the United States. Broadridge mails a voting instruction form (a "VIF") in lieu of a Proxy provided by the Company. The VIF will name the same persons as the Company's Proxy to represent your Common Shares at the Meeting. You have the right to appoint a person (who need not be a Beneficial Shareholder of the Company), other than any of the persons designated in the VIF to represent your Common Shares at the Meeting and that person may be you. To exercise this right, insert the name of the desired representative (which may be you), in the blank space provided in the VIF. The completed VIF must then be returned to Broadridge by mail or facsimile or given to Broadridge by phone or over the internet, in accordance with Broadridge's instructions. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting voting of Common Shares to be represented at the Meeting. If you receive a VIF from Broadridge, the VIF must be completed and returned to Broadridge, in accordance with Broadridge's instructions, well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the Common Shares voted at the Meeting, or to have an alternate representative duly appointed to attend the Meeting and vote your Common Shares.
Notice to Shareholders in the United States
The solicitation of proxies involve securities of an issuer located in Canada and is being effected in accordance with the corporate laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada and securities laws of the provinces of Canada. The proxy solicitation rules under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are not applicable to the Company or this solicitation, and this solicitation has been prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of the securities laws of the provinces of Canada. Shareholders should be aware that disclosure requirements under the securities laws of the provinces of Canada differ from the disclosure requirements under United States securities laws.
Revocation of Proxies
In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a registered shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it by:
- (a) executing a proxy bearing a later date or by executing a valid notice of revocation, either of the foregoing to be executed by the registered shareholder or the registered shareholder's authorized attorney in writing, or, if the shareholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal by an officer or attorney duly authorized, and by delivering the proxy bearing a later date to Computershare or to the address of the registered office of the Company at 1500 Royal Centre, 1055 West Georgia Street, P. O. Box 11117, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 4N7, at any time up to and including the last business day that precedes the day of the Meeting or, if the Meeting is adjourned, the last business day that precedes any reconvening thereof, or to the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any reconvening thereof, or in any other manner provided by law; or
- (b) personally attending the Meeting and voting the registered shareholder's Common Shares.
A revocation of a proxy will not affect a matter on which a vote is taken before the revocation.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
No director or executive officer of the Company, or any person who has held such a position since the beginning of the last completed financial year of the Company, nor any nominee for election as a director of the Company, nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons, has any substantial or material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted on at the Meeting other than the election of directors, the appointment of the auditor, approval of amended and restated Share Option Plan and approval of amended and restated Restricted Share Unit Plan as may be set out herein.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
The Company's Common Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") under stock symbol "PXI".
The board of directors (the "Board") of the Company has fixed November 10, 2022 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of persons entitled to receive notice of the Meeting. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date who either attend the Meeting personally or complete, sign and deliver a form of proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above will be entitled to vote or to have their Common Shares voted at the Meeting.
The authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares. As of November 10, 2022, there were 55,312,836 Common Shares issued and outstanding, each carrying the right to one vote. No group of shareholders has the right to elect a specified number of directors, nor are there cumulative or similar voting rights attached to the Common Shares.
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of First Preferred Shares and an unlimited number of Second Preferred Shares. As at the date hereof, there were no First Preferred Shares or Second Preferred Shares issued and outstanding.
There are special rights and restrictions attached to each of the Common Shares, the First Preferred Shares and the Second Preferred Shares as set out in the Articles of the Company.
Effective on October 28, 2020, the Company's Common Shares were consolidated at a share ratio of five (5) preconsolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-consolidated Common Share.
Principal Holders of Voting Securities
To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, other than set forth below, no persons or companies beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over, Common Shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Common Shares of the Company at November 10, 2022:
| Shareholder Name | Number of Common Shares Held | Percentage of Issued Common Shares(1) |
|---|---|---|
| CDS & Co. | 44,045,785 | 81.64% |
Note: (1) CDS & Co is a share depository, the beneficial ownership of which is unknown to the Company.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, the report of the auditor thereon and the related management's discussion and analysis were filed under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com on July 29, 2022, which will be tabled at the Meeting and which will be available at the Meeting.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Number of Directors
There are currently three directors of the Company. Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to approve an ordinary resolution to fix the number of directors to be elected to the Board at three.
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to vote on the following ordinary resolution:
"BE IT RESOLVED that the number of directors for election at this Meeting be fixed at three."
Management recommends the Shareholders approve the resolution to fix the number of directors of the Company at three. Unless otherwise indicated on the form of Proxy received by the Company, the persons designated as proxyholders in the accompanying form of proxy will vote the Common Shares represented by such form of proxy, properly executed, in favour of the resolution to fix the number of directors of the Company at three.
Nominees
The term of office of each of the current directors will end at the conclusion of the Meeting. Unless the director's office is vacated earlier in accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), each director elected at the Meeting will hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company, or if no director is then elected, until a successor is elected.
The Board has determined the number of directors to be elected to the Board is three. The following disclosure sets out the names of management's three nominees for election as director, all major offices and positions with the Company and any of its significant affiliates each now holds, the principal occupation, business or employment of each director nominee, the period of time during which each nominee has been a director of the Company and the number of Common Shares of the Company beneficially owned by each, directly or indirectly, or over which each exercised control or direction, as at November 10, 2022.
| Name of Nominee; Current Position with the Company and Province and Country of Residence |
Occupation, Business or Employment(1) |
Period as a Director of the Company |
Shares Beneficially Owned or Controlled(1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desmond M. Balakrishnan(5)(6)(7) Executive Director British Columbia, Canada |
Corporate Securities Lawyer (1997 to present), Partner at McMillan LLP (formerly Lang Michener LLP) (2004 to present). Refer to Director Biographies below. |
Since July 24, 2015 | 1,860,000(5) |
| Name of Nominee; Current Position with the Company and Province and Country of Residence |
Occupation, Business or Employment(1) |
Period as a Director of the Company |
Shares Beneficially Owned or Controlled(1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher R. Cooper(5)(6)(7) Chief Financial Officer and Director British Columbia, Canada |
Founder, President & CEO of Canadian Towers & Fiber Optics Inc. Refer to Director Biographies below. |
Since January 26, 2016 |
Nil(6) |
| Craig Loverock Director Ontario, Canada |
CPA, CA Refer to Director Biographies below. |
Since February 10, 2022 |
Nil(7) |
Notes:
- (1) Information as to the number of Common Shares beneficially owned or over which direction is exercised has been provided by the respective individuals named therein.
- (2) Mr. Balakrishan's Common Shares are held indirectly through Desmond Balakrishnan Law Corporation. Mr. Balakrishnan also holds 250,000 options/50,000 options post-consolidated to purchase 250,000 Common Shares/50,000 Common Shares postconsolidated at an exercise price of \$0.15/\$0.75 post-consolidated, expiring on August 1, 2023 and 1,000,000 options/200,000 options post-consolidated to purchase 1,000,000 Common Shares/200,000 Common Shares post-consolidated at an exercise price of \$0.10/\$0.50 post-consolidated, expiring on February 1, 2024 which are held indirectly through Desmond Balakrishnan Law Corporation and 200,000 options to purchase 200,000 Common Shares at an exercise price of \$0.50, expiring on November 16, 2025.
- (3) Mr. Cooper holds 250,000 options/50,000 options post-consolidated to purchase 250,000 Common Shares/50,000 Common Shares post-consolidated at an exercise price of \$0.15/\$0.75 post-consolidated, expiring on August 1, 2023 and 200,000 options/40,000 options post-consolidated to purchase 200,000 Common Shares/40,000 Common Shares post-consolidated, at an exercise price of \$0.10/\$0.50 post-consolidated, expiring on February 1, 2024 and 200,000 options to purchase 200,000 Common Shares at an exercise price of \$0.50 expiring on November 16, 2025.
- (4) Mr. Loverock doesn't currently hold any options.
- (5) Member of the Audit Committee.
- (6) Member of the Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee.
- (7) Member of Investment Committee.
None of the proposed nominees for election as a director of the Company are proposed for election pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between the nominee and any other person, except the directors and senior officers of the Company acting solely in such capacity.
A shareholder can vote for all of the above nominees, vote for some of the above nominees and withhold for other of the above nominees, or withhold for all of the above nominees. Unless otherwise instructed, the named proxyholders will vote FOR the election of each of the proposed nominees set forth above as directors of the Company. At the Meeting the above persons will be nominated for election as director as well as any person nominated pursuant to the Advance Notice Provision (see below). Only persons nominated by management pursuant to this Information Circular or pursuant to the Advance Notice Provision will be considered valid director nominees eligible for election at the Meeting.
Director Biographies
Desmond M. Balakrishnan, Executive Director. Mr. Balakrishnan has been a Director of the Company since July 24, 2015. Mr. Balakrishnan is a Vancouver lawyer and has practiced law as a partner at McMillan LLP since January 2002. His areas of practice focus on mergers, acquisitions, international public listings, cannabis law, gaming and entertainment law. He acted as counsel to companies with respect to corporate governance, regulatory compliance, public listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the TSX Venture Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange, Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange, debt or equity financings and strategic acquisitions. Mr. Balakrishnan is now, or has been in the last five years, a director or officer of various public companies or reporting issuers.
Mr. Balakrishnan graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994 and from the University of Alberta in 1997 with an LL.B (with distinction). Mr. Balakrishnan was called to the bar in British Columbia in 1998. Mr. Balakrishnan is a member of the Vancouver Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association and the International Masters of Gaming Law.
Christopher R. Cooper, Chief Financial Officer and Director. Mr. Cooper has been the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since September 6, 2022 and a director of the Company since January 26, 2016. Mr. Cooper has over 20 years of extensive business experience in all facets of corporate development, senior management, finance, and operations in both the private and public sectors. Mr. Cooper's experience includes spearheading growth strategies, financial reporting, quarterly and annual budgets, and overseeing corporate administration – all while achieving company objectives and maintaining internal cost controls. Mr. Cooper has served as a director of several private and public companies over the last 20 years and has founded several resource companies active internationally, as well as domestically.
Mr. Cooper received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., and his Masters of Business Administration from Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y.
Craig Loverock, Director. Mr. Loverock has been a director of the Company since February 10, 2022. Mr. Loverock has over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance roles in Canada, the United States and England. Mr. Loverock has been the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of Contagious Gaming Inc. since November 30, 2015 and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Sproutly Canada, Inc.. Mr. Loverock currently serves on the board of directors and as Chair of the audit committee of Worksport Inc. and serves on the board of directors of 1st Eleven Limited.
Mr. Loverock received his Bachelors of Commerce (Honours) from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario and is a member of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Cease Trade Orders and Bankruptcy
Except as disclosed below, within the last 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company was a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company in respect of which this Information Circular is prepared) acted in that capacity for a company that was:
- (a) subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order denying the relevant company access to any exemptions under securities legislation, for more than 30 consecutive days;
- (b) subject to an event that resulted, after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director or executive officer, in the company being the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under the securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days;
- (c) 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 has 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;
- (d) 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) subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or a regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
Desmond M. Balakrishnan
Desmond Balakrishnan, a director of the Company, was a director of Aroway Energy Inc. ("Aroway") a TSX Venture Exchange listed company at the time a cease trade order was issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission on January 4, 2016 for not having filed its annual financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2015 and its interim financial report for the financial period ended September 30, 2015 and its management's discussion and analysis for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015. The cease trade order remains in effect as at the date of this Information Circular.
Christopher R. Cooper
Christopher Cooper, Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Company, is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Aroway. A cease trade order has been issued by the BCSC on January 4, 2016 against Aroway for failing to file its annual audited financial statements, interim financial report and related management's discussion and analysis. Aroway remains under the cease trade order as at the date of this Information Circular.
Mr. Cooper was a director of StartMonday Technology Corp., a CSE listed company, at the time a cease trade order was issued by the BCSC on May 1, 2019 for failing to file its annual audited financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018. The cease trade order remains in effect as at the date of this Information Circular.
Craig Loverock
Craig Loverock, a director of the Company, is also the Chief Financial Officer of Sproutly Canada, Inc. ("Sproutly"), a company traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange. A cease trade order was issued by the BCSC on June 29, 2022 against Sproutly for failing to file its annual audited financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the year ended February 28, 2022. The cease trade order remains in effect as at the date of this Information Circular.
On June 30, 2022, a notice was issued by the BCSC whereby the Director ordered that Mr. Loverock cease trading in Sproutly. The notice remains in effect as at the date of this Information Circular.
Advance Notice Provision
On April 4, 2014, the shareholders of the Company approved an alteration of the Company's articles to adopt advance notice provisions (the "Advance Notice Provision"). The Advance Notice Provision provides for advance notice to the Company in circumstances where nominations of persons for election to the Board are made by shareholders of the Company other than pursuant to: (I) a requisition of a meeting made pursuant to the provisions of the BCA; or (ii) a shareholder proposal made pursuant to the provisions of the BCA.
The purpose of the Advance Notice Provision is to foster a variety of interests of the shareholders and the Company by ensuring that all shareholders - including those participating in a meeting by proxy rather than in person - receive adequate notice of the nominations to be considered at a meeting and can thereby exercise their voting rights in an informed manner. Among other things, the Advance Notice Provision fixes a deadline by which holders of Common Shares must submit director nominations to the Company prior to any annual or special meeting of shareholders and sets forth the minimum information that a shareholder must include in the notice to the Company for the notice to be in proper written form.
The Advance Notice Provision also requires all proposed director nominees to deliver a written representation and agreement that such candidate for nomination, if elected as a director of the Company, will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, share ownership, majority voting and insider trading policies and other policies and guidelines of the Company applicable to directors and in effect during such person's term in office as a director.
The foregoing is merely a summary of the Advance Notice Provision, is not comprehensive and is qualified by the full text of such provision which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Company has not received notice of a nomination in compliance with the Advance Notice Provision and, as such, any nominations other than nominations by or at the direction of the Board or an authorized officer of the Company will be disregarded at the Meeting.
Unless otherwise directed, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote FOR the election of the Nominees.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT EACH SHAREHOLDER VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE ABOVE NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW AUDITOR
The Board resolved not to nominate Manning Elliott LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, for appointment as auditor of the Company (effective May 26, 2022) and appointed SHIM & Associates LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, of Suite 970, 777 Hornby Street, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6Z 1S4, to be auditor of the Company. Copies of the Notice of Change of Auditor, the letter from Manning Elliott LLP (former auditor), and a letter from SHIM & Associates LLP (successor auditor) were filed under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com on June 23, 2022 (Change of Auditor Reporting Package). A copy of the Change of Auditor Reporting Package is attached as Schedule A to this
Information Circular. SHIM & Associates LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, will be nominated at the Meeting for appointment as auditor of the Company.
Unless otherwise instructed, at the Meeting the proxyholders named in the Company's form of Proxy or Voting Instruction Form will vote FOR the appointment of SHIM & Associates LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the Company's Auditor.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF APPOINTMENT OF SHIM & ASSOCIATES LLP.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees ("NI 52-110") of the Canadian Securities Administrators requires the Company, as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its management proxy circular certain information concerning the constitution of its Audit Committee and its relationship with its independent auditor, as set forth below.
The Audit Committee's Charter
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing the financial information, which will be provided to the shareholders and the public, the systems of corporate controls, which management and the Board have established, and overseeing the audit process. It has general responsibility to oversee internal controls, accounting and auditing activities and legal compliance of the Company. The Audit Committee is also mandated to review and approve all material related party transactions.
The Company's Audit Committee Charter is attached as Schedule B to this Information Circular.
Composition of the Audit Committee
The current members of the Company's Audit Committee are: Desmond M. Balakrishnan (Chair) and Christopher R. Cooper. Desmond M. Balakrishnan is not an independent member of the Audit Committee of the Company as he is currently a partner in a law firm that provides legal services to the Company and Christopher Cooper (CFO) is also not an independent member of the Audit Committee of the Company. All Audit Committee members are considered to be financially literate.
Relevant Education and Experience
Each member of the Audit Committee has adequate education and experience that is relevant to their performance as an Audit Committee member and, in particular, the requisite education and experience that have provided the member with:
- an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements, and the ability to assess the general application of those principles in connection with estimates, accruals and reserves;
- experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements, or experience actively supervising individuals engaged in such activities; and
- an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.
Please refer to "Director Biographies" above for information on the education and experience of the Audit Committee members.
Audit Committee Oversight
The Audit Committee has not made any recommendations to the Board to nominate or compensate any auditor other than SHIM & Associates LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants.
Reliance on Certain Exemptions
The Company's auditor, SHIM & Associates LLP, has not provided any material non-audit services.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services as set out in the audit committee charter.
External Auditor Service Fees
The Audit Committee has reviewed the nature and amount of the non-audit services provided by Manning Elliott LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants and SHIM & Associates LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, to the Company to ensure auditor independence. Fees incurred are outlined in the below table.
| Nature of Services | Fees Paid to SHIM & Associates LLP in Year Ended March 31, 2022 |
Fees Paid to Manning Elliott LLP in Year Ended March 31, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Audit Fees(1) | \$35,000 | \$40,000 |
| Audit-Related Fees(2) | Nil | Nil |
| Tax Fees(3) | Nil | \$2,500 |
| All Other Fees(4) | Nil | Nil |
| Total | \$35,000 | \$42,500 |
Notes:
- (1) "Audit Fees" include fees necessary to perform the annual audit and quarterly reviews of the Company's consolidated financial statements. Audit Fees include fees for review of tax provisions and for accounting consultations on matters reflected in the financial statements. Audit Fees also include audit or other attest services required by legislation or regulation, such as comfort letters, consents, reviews of securities filings and statutory audits.
- (2) "Audit-Related Fees" include services that are traditionally performed by the auditor. These audit-related services include employee benefit audits, due diligence assistance, accounting consultations on proposed transactions, internal control reviews and audit or attest services not required by legislation or regulation.
- (3) "Tax Fees" include fees for all tax services other than those included in "Audit Fees" and "Audit-Related Fees". This category includes fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. Tax planning and tax advice includes assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, and requests for rulings or technical advice from tax authorities.
- (4) "All Other Fees" include all other non-audit services.
Exemption
The Company is relying on the exemption in section 6.1 of NI 52-110, which exempts venture issuers, as defined in NI 52- 110, from certain composition requirements of the audit committee and certain reporting obligations under NI 52-110 for their most recently completed financial year.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
General
The Board believes that good corporate governance improves corporate performance and benefits all shareholders. This section describes the Company's approach to corporate governance and addresses the Company's compliance with National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices, which requires certain disclosure by the Company of its corporate governance practices.
Corporate governance refers to the policies and structure of the board of directors of a company, whose members are elected by and are accountable to the shareholders of such company. Corporate governance encourages establishment of a reasonable degree of independence of the board of directors from executive management and the adoption of policies to ensure the board of directors recognizes the principles of good management. The Board is committed to sound corporate governance practices as such practices are both in the interests of shareholders and help to contribute to effective and efficient decision-making.
The Board approved and adopted a mandate on March 5, 2007 and a copy may be obtained from the Company upon request, at no cost.
Board of Directors
Directors are considered to be independent if they have no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. A "material relationship" is a relationship which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director's independent judgment or which is deemed to be a material relationship under NI 52-110.
The independent director of the Company is Craig Loverock. The non-independent directors of the Company are Desmond M. Balakrishnan by virtue of his position as a partner in a law firm that provides legal services to the Company and Christopher Cooper (CFO) of the Company.
The Board believes management is responsible for the effective, efficient and prudent management of the Company's dayto-day operations subject to the Board's stewardship. The Executive Director is responsible to lead and manage the Company within parameters established by the Board and its committees. The Executive Director also develops and recommends strategic plans to the Board and involves the Board in the early stages of developing such strategic plans. Additionally, the Executive Director is expected to successfully implement capital and operating plans, report regularly to the Board on the overall progress and results against the operating and financial objectives and initiate courses of action for improvement and develop and maintain a sound, effective organizational structure, including progressive employee training and development programs. The Executive Director's objectives are discussed and reviewed at least annually with the Board.
As Executive Director, Desmond M. Balakrishnan is expected to set Board meeting schedules and agendas and oversee the process whereby the Board receives full, timely and relevant information to support the Board's decision making obligations. The chairperson of each Board committee is expected to be responsible for ensuring that the written mandate of the committee for which he or she serves as chairperson is adhered to and that the objectives of each committee are accomplished.
Directorships
Each of the director nominees of the Company participate as a director for other listed companies as follows:
| Name | Name of Reporting Issuer | Name of Exchange or Market |
|---|---|---|
| Desmond M. Balakrishnan | Axcap Ventures Inc. (formerly, Netcoins Holdings Inc.) |
CSE |
| Basin Uranium Corp. (formerly Black Shield Metals Corp.) |
CSE | |
| Cognetivity Neurosciences Ltd. | CSE | |
| Coloured Ties Capital Inc. (formerly, GrowMax Resources Corp.) |
TSXV | |
| Contagious Gaming Inc. | TSXV | |
| Dominus Acquisitions Corp. | TSXV | |
| Eat Well Investment Group Inc. | CSE | |
| First Uranium Resources Ltd. (formerly, Karam Minerals Inc.) |
CSE | |
| Hempfusion Wellness Inc. | TSX | |
| Isracann Biosciences Inc. | CSE | |
| Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | TSX/NYSE | |
| Solution Financial Inc. | TSX | |
| Strategem Capital Corporation | TSXV | |
| Christopher R. Cooper | Alpha Lithium Corporation | TSXV |
| Global Helium Corp. Level 14 Ventures Ltd. |
CSE CSE |
|
| Manning Ventures Inc. | CSE | |
| New Leaf Ventures Inc. | CSE | |
| Reparo Energy Partners Corp | TSXV | |
| Atco Mining Inc. | CSE | |
| SPOD Lithium Corp. | CSE | |
| Coloured Ties Capital Inc. (formerly, | TSXV | |
| GrowMax Resources Corp.) | ||
| Craig Loverock | Sproutly Canada Inc. | CSE |
| Worksport Ltd. | NASDAQ |
Orientation and Continuing Education
When new directors are appointed, they receive orientation commensurate with their previous experience on the Company's responsibilities of directors.
Board meetings may also include presentations by the Company's management and employees to give the directors additional insight into the Company's business.
Ethical Business Conduct
The Board has a Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee, which is currently comprised of the following Board members: Desmond Balakrishnan (Chair) and Christopher R. Cooper, neither of whom are independent. Desmond M. Balakrishnan is non independent by virtue of his position as a partner in a law firm that provides legal services to the Company and Christopher Cooper is non-independent by virtue of his position as CFO. This Committee is charged, among other things, with recommending to the Board and its Audit Committee the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code"), including procedures for addressing any reports of material breach of securities law, material breach of fiduciary duty or similar material violations. The Code is applicable to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. Each of these persons is given a copy of the Code and must certify that they understand its requirements and provisions. A copy of the Code was posted under the Company's SEDAR profile on October 22, 2008 at www.sedar.com.
Any serious breach of the Code is reported by senior management to the Board and reviewed and assessed for appropriate disciplinary action. In cases where a director or officer has a material interest in a transaction or agreement being considered by the Board, this director or officer may not participate in any Board discussion on the subject nor may this individual vote on any resolutions pertaining to this subject matter.
The Board has found that the fiduciary duties placed on individual directors by the Company's governing corporate legislation and the common law, and the restrictions placed by applicable corporate legislation on an individual directors' participation in decisions of the Board in which the director has an interest, have been sufficient to ensure that the Board operates independently of management and in the best interests of the Company.
Nomination of Directors
The purpose of the Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its obligations relating to, among other things, identification of qualified candidates for appointment to the Board, its committees, and other members of senior management. The committee annually reviews and assesses the size, composition and operation of the Board to ensure effective decision-making, and makes recommendations to the Board concerning nominations for consideration. This Committee also: i) recommends the individuals to the Board who are to be proposed for nomination to be elected as director at the annual shareholders meeting of the Company; ii) reviews and makes recommendations to the Board as to the designation of independent directors and financial experts; and iii) reviews the Company's policies on tenure and the terms of individual directorships and Board committee chairpersons.
Compensation
The Board determines the compensation for the directors and the Executive Director. A summary of the compensation received by the Named Executive Officers and directors of the Company who are not Named Executive Officers for the financial years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021 is provided in this Information Circular under the heading: "Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation".
Investment Committee
The Company's Investment Committee was formed to monitor the Company's investment portfolio on an ongoing basis and to review the status of the Company's investments. The Investment Committee is subject to the direction of the Board. This Committee is currently comprised of the following Board members: Christopher R. Cooper (Chair) and Desmond M. Balakrishnan. Desmond M. Balakrishnan is non independent by virtue of his position as a partner in a law firm that provides legal services to the Company and Christopher Cooper is non-independent by virtue of his position as CFO.
Other Board Committees
The Board has no committees other than the Audit Committee, the Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee and the Investment Committee.
Assessments
The Board monitors the adequacy of information given to directors, communication between the Board and management and the strategic direction and processes of the Board and its Audit Committee.
An informal process of assessing the performance of Board committees and individual directors is conducted by way of engagement and dialogue between the individual directors.
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
For the purposes of the below disclosure:
"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;
"external management company" includes a subsidiary, affiliate or associate of the external management company;
"NEO" or "named executive officer" means each of the following individuals:
- (a) each individual who, in respect of the company, during any part of the most recently completed financial year, served as chief executive officer ("CEO"), including an individual performing functions similar to a CEO;
- (b) each individual who, in respect of the company, during any part of the most recently completed financial year, served as chief financial officer ("CFO"), including an individual performing functions similar to a CFO;
- (c) in respect of the company and its subsidiaries, the most highly compensated executive officer other than the individuals identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was more than \$150,000, as determined in accordance with subsection 1.3(5) of Form 51-102F6V Statement of Executive Compensation - Venture Issuers, for that financial year;
- (d) each individual who would be a named executive officer 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, at the end of that financial year.
DIRECTOR AND NAMED EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
During financial year ended March 31, 2022, based on the definition above, the NEOs of the Company were: Desmond M. Balakrishnan, Executive Director and Zula Kropivnitski, CFO, Secretary and a Director. The directors of the Company who were not NEO's during financial year ended March 31, 2022 were Sergio Teubal, Christopher R. Cooper and Craig Loverock.
Zula Kropivnitski served as CFO of the Company from October 11, 2012 to September 6, 2022 and Secretary of the Company from January 16, 2014 to February 10, 2022. Zula Kropivnitski resigned as a Director of the Company on September 6, 2022. Cassandra Gee was appointed Corporate Secretary of the Company on February 10, 2022.
Sergio Teubal served as a director of the Company from September 29, 2020 to December 29, 2021. Craig Loverock was appointed a director of the Company on February 10, 2022.
During financial year ended March 31, 2021, based on the definition above, the NEOs of the Company were: Desmond M. Balakrishnan, Executive Director and Zula Kropivnitski, CFO, Secretary and Director. The directors of the Company who were not NEO's during financial year ended March 31, 2021 were Christopher R. Cooper and Sergio Teubal.
The following table of compensation, excluding options and compensation securities, provides a summary of the compensation paid by the Company to NEOs and directors of the Company for the two completed financial years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021. Options and compensation securities are disclosed under the heading "Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities" in this Information Circular.
| Table of compensation excluding compensation securities | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and position | Year | Salary, consulting fee, retainer or commission (\$) |
Bonus (\$) |
Committee or meeting fees (\$) |
Value of perquisites (\$) |
Value of all other compensation (\$) |
Total Compensation (\$) |
||
| Desmond M. Balakrishnan Executive Director |
2022 2021 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
||
| Christopher R. Cooper (1) CFO, Director |
2022 2021 |
6,500 6,000 |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
6,500 6,000 |
||
| Craig Loverock(2) Director |
2022 2021 |
2,000 Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
2,000 Nil |
||
| Zula Kropivnitski(3) former CFO, former Secretary and former Director |
2022 2021 |
1,000 Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
1,000 Nil |
||
| Sergio Teubal(5) former Director |
2022 2021 |
6,000 Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
Nil Nil |
6,000 Nil |
| Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities in Financial Years | |
|---|---|
| ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021 |
Notes:
(1) Director fee paid to Christopher Cooper. Christopher Cooper was appointed CFO of the Company on September 6, 2022.
(2) Craig Loverock was appointed a director of the Company on February 10, 2022.
(3) Zula Kropivnitski served as CFO of the Company from October 11, 2012 to September 6, 2022 and Secretary of the Company from January 16, 2014 to February 10, 2022. Zula Kropivnitski resigned as a director of the Company on September 6, 2022. (4) Sergio Teubal served as a director of the Company from September 29, 2020 to December 29, 2021.
Key Management Compensation and Related Party Transactions
(a) Key management compensation
Key management personnel include the members of the Board of Directors and officers of the Company, who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company. Amounts paid and accrued for key management compensation are as follows:
| March 31, 2022 | March 31, 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Management and other fees | \$ 1,000 |
\$ 120,000 |
| Directors' fees | 14,500 | 6,000 |
| Total | 15,500 | 126,000 |
(b) Related party transactions
In the normal course of operations, the Company transacts with companies related to its directors or officers. Related party transactions are measured at the exchange amounts as agreed upon by transacting parties.
Related party transactions not disclosed elsewhere in these financial statements are as follows:
• During the year ended March 31, 2022, the Company incurred \$24,508 (2021 - \$97,578) in legal expenses and \$9,867 (2021 - \$nil) in share issue costs from a law firm of which a director and officer of the Company is a partner. As at March 31, 2022, \$84,191 (March 31, 2021 - \$116,818) is included in accounts payable for this law firm.
- The Company has investments in shares of public companies with directors and officers in common. As at March 31, 2022, fair market value of these investments was \$1,361,075 (March 31, 2021 - \$1,733,661) and cost \$1,533,760 (March 31, 2021 - \$1,165,860).
- The Company's office lease payments are reimbursed monthly by a company of which an officer of the Company is an employee. As a result, during the year ended March 31, 2022, income of \$88,159 (2021 - \$86,791), was recognized in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss. As at March 31, 2022, \$nil (March 31, 2021 - \$nil) was receivable from this company.
- During the year ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded expenses related to stock options granted to directors and officers of the Company with a fair value of \$14,393 (2021 - \$319,039).
Outstanding Compensation Securities
Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
A. New Form Share Option Plan (Option-Based Awards)
Shareholders of the Company ratified and approved the Company's 10% "rolling" share option plan dated for reference November 8, 2011 at the Company's annual general and special meeting held on December 20, 2011 (the "2011 Option Plan").
The TSX Venture Exchange updated its Policy 4.4. - Security Based Compensation. effective on November 24, 2021. The changes to Policy 4.4 relate to, among other things, the expansion of the policy to cover a number of types of security based compensation in addition to stock options. The TSX Venture Exchange's updated Policy 4.4. specifies that all listed issuers must implement a stock option plan. The TSX Venture Exchange's updated Policy 4.4., replaced the old TSXV policy governing reporting issuer option plans.
On November 10, 2022, the Board approved a new form of Stock Option Plan (the "New Option Plan") in order to comply with the amendments to TSX Venture Exchange updated Policy 4.4 and to reflect current best practices.
The New Option Plan will supersede and replace the Company's November 8, 2011 Option Plan.
The terms of the New Option Plan are compliant with the TSX Venture Exchange's updated Policy 4.4. Pursuant to the updated Policy 4.4., the Company must obtain approval from both the TSX Venture Exchange and the Shareholders for continuation of the New Option Plan annually.
The TSX Venture Exchange has conditionally approved the New Option Plan, subject to shareholder approval. A copy of the New Option Plan is attached as Schedule C to this Information Circular, and will be presented to shareholders at the Meeting.
The New Option Plan is also a rolling share option plan pursuant to which up to 10% of the outstanding common shares ("Common Shares" or "Shares") may be reserved for issue from time to time.
The New Option Plan has been conditionally approved by the TSX Venture Exchange, subject to receipt of shareholder approval at the Meeting.
The material terms of the New Option Plan are as follows:
- (a) Persons who are Service Providers, being a bona fide Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee, Consultant or Consultant of the Company or its Affiliates, and also includes a company, 100% of the share capital of which is beneficially owned by one or more Service Providers are eligible to receive grants of Options under the New Option Plan;
- (b) the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be reserved for issuance under the Plan, together with all other Security Based Compensation Plans, at any point in time is up to 10% of the Outstanding Shares as at the date of grant or issuance of any Security Based Compensation under any of such Security Based Compensation Plans.
- (c) the New Option Plan provides for the following limits on grants, for so long as the Company is subject to the requirements of the TSX Venture, unless disinterested Shareholder approval is obtained or unless permitted otherwise pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture:
- (i) the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued to any one Option Plan Participant (and where permitted pursuant to the TSX Venture Policies), any company that is wholly-owned by this Plan
Participant under the New Option Plan within a twelve (12) month period, may not exceed 5% of the issued Common Shares calculated on the date of grant;
- (ii) the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued to insiders collectively under the New Option Plan, together with any other security based compensation arrangements, within a twelve (12) month period, may not exceed 10% of the issued Common Shares calculated on the date of grant; and
- (iii) the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued to insiders collectively under the New Option Plan may not exceed 10% of the issued Common Shares at any time.
For so long as such limitation is required by the TSX Venture, the maximum number of Options which may be granted within any twelve (12) month period to the New Option Plan Participants who perform investor relations activities must not exceed 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, and such Options must vest in stages over twelve (12) months with no more than 25% vesting in any three month period. In addition, the maximum number of Common Shares that may be granted to any one consultant under the New Option Plan within a twelve (12) month period, may not exceed 2% of the issued Common Shares calculated on the date of grant.
Investor Relations Service Providers cannot receive any security based compensation other than Options.
- (d) the Exercise Price of an Option will be set by the Board at the time such Option is allocated under the New Option Plan, and cannot be less than the Discounted Market Price;
- (e) the term of an Option will be set by the Board at the time such Option is allocated under the New Option Plan. An Option can be exercisable for a maximum of 10 years from the Effective Date;
- (f) Vesting of Options shall be at the discretion of the Board and, with respect to any particular Options granted under the New Option Plan, in the absence of a vesting schedule being specified at the time of grant, all such Options shall vest immediately. Where applicable, vesting of Options will generally be subject to:
- (a) the Service Provider remaining employed by or continuing to provide services to the Company or any of its Affiliates as well as, at the discretion of the Board, achieving certain milestones which may be defined by the Board from time to time or receiving a satisfactory performance review by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the vesting period; or
- (b) the Service Provider remaining as a Director of the Company or any of its Affiliates during the vesting period;
- (g) Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers will vest such that:
- (a) no more than 25% of the Options vest no sooner than three months after the Options were granted;
- (b) no more than another 25% of Options vest no sooner than six months after the Options were granted;
- (c) no more than 25% of Options vest no sooner than nine months after the Options were granted; and
- (d) the remainder of the Options vest no sooner than 12 months after the Options were granted;
-
(h) in the case of an Optionee being dismissed from employment or service for Cause, such Optionee's Options, whether or not vested at the date of dismissal will immediately terminate on the Termination Date without right to exercise same;
-
(i) all options granted shall be evidenced by written option agreements;
- (j) the Company will be required to obtain Disinterested Shareholder Approval prior to any of the following actions becoming effective:
- (a) the New Option Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plans, could result at any time in:
- i. the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to Insiders exceeding 10% of the Outstanding Shares; or
- ii. the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to Insiders within any 12-month period exceeding 10% of the Outstanding Shares; or,
- iii. the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved issuance to any one individual Participant or Service Provider, within any 12-month period, exceeding 5% of the Outstanding Shares;
- (b) any reduction in the Exercise Price of an Option, or extension to the Expiry Date of an Option held by an Insider at the time of the proposed amendment, is subject to disinterested shareholder approval in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture;
- (k) amendments as reduce, and do not increase, the benefits of the New Option Plan to Service Providers any reduction in the Exercise Price of an Option, or extension to the Expiry Date of an Option, held by an Insider at the time of the proposed amendment is subject to disinterested shareholder approval in accordance with the policies of the TSXV;
The New Option Plan also allows for option holders to exercise options on a "Cashless Exercise" or "Net Exercise" basis, as now expressly permitted by TSX Venture Exchange new Policy 4.4. "Cashless Exercise" is a method of exercising stock options in which a securities dealer loans funds to the option holder or sells the same shares as those underlying the option, prior to or in conjunction with the exercise of options, to allow the option holder to fund the exercise of some or all of their options. "Net Exercise" is a method of option exercise under which the option holder does not make any payment to the issuer for the exercise of their options and receives on exercise a number of shares equal to the intrinsic value (current market price less the exercise price) of the option valued at the current market price. Under TSX Venture Policy 4.4, the current market price must be the 5-day volume weighted average trading price prior to option exercise. "Net Exercise" may not be utilized by persons performing investor relations services.
Pursuant to section 4.4. of the New Option Plan, in the event of a Cashless Exercise or Net Exercise, the number of Options exercised, surrendered or converted, and not the number of Common Shares actually issued by the Company, must be included in calculating the limits set forth in sections 2.2, 2.6 and 2.10 of the New Option Plan.
Pursuant to the Board's authority to govern the implementation and administration of the New Option Plan, all previously granted and outstanding stock options shall be governed by the provisions of the New Option Plan. There are currently 3,875.000 options under the Company's November 8, 2011 share option plan.
The New Option Plan will supersede and replace the Company's 10% "rolling" share option plan dated for reference November 8, 2011.
In the event that the Shareholders do not approve the Amendments at the Meeting, the existing share option plan will remain in effect without the Amendments.
Refer to heading below "PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON – Ratification of New Form Share Option Plan".
B. Fixed Restricted Share Unit Plan (Share-Based Awards)
At the Company's December 31, 2020 annual general meeting, shareholders approved the adoption of the Company's fixed restricted share unit plan dated for reference November 26, 2020 (the "RSU Plan"). The RSU Plan was attached as Schedule B to the Information Circular to the Company's December 31, 2020 annual general meeting.
Summary of the RSU Plan
The RSU Plan is a fixed plan which reserves for issuance a maximum of 4,480,784 common shares. The common shares reserved for issuance under the RSU Plan will not be deducted from the number of common shares issuable under the Company's Option Plan. However, the percentage limitations on insiders (as a group), on any one eligible persons and on consultants apply to the RSU Plan and the Option Plan in aggregate. For insiders (as a group), subject to approval by disinterested shareholders of the Company or other requirements of applicable TSX Venture Exchange Policies, (i) the aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance under the RSU Plan, Option Plan and any other share based compensation arrangements for insiders (as a group) at any point in time may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares from time to time, and (ii) the maximum number of RSUs and Options that may be granted to insiders (as a group) under the RSU Plan, the Option Plan, together with any other share based compensation arrangements, within a 12 month period, may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares calculated on the grant or award date. Subject to this 10% limitation, with the RSU Plan and the Option Plan available, the Company will have the flexibility to grant and award insiders any combination of RSUs and options as appropriate and determined by the Company.
All Directors, Employees and Consultants (as defined in the RSU Plan) of the Company and its related entities ("Eligible Persons") are eligible to participate in the RSU Plan (as "Participants"), though the Company reserves the right to restrict eligibility or otherwise limit the number of persons eligible for participation in the RSU Plan at any time. Eligibility to participate in the RSU Plan does not confer upon any person a right to receive an award of RSUs. It shall be the responsibility of the Company and the Eligible Person to ensure that such Eligible Person is a bona fide Eligible Person.
Subject to certain restrictions, the Board or any committee thereof duly empowered or authorized by the Board (the "Committee") can, from time to time, award RSUs in its discretion to any Eligible Persons. RSUs will be credited to an account maintained for each Participant on the books of the Company as of the award date. The number of RSUs to be credited to each Participant's account in respect of a fiscal year shall be determined by dividing: (a) the dollar amount of the portion of the Participant's compensation which the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines to be paid as RSUs; by (b) the Fair Market Value (as defined in the RSU Plan) per Common Share on the award date. Any fractional RSUs resulting from such calculations shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. For greater certainty, a fractional entitlement that is equal to or greater than 0.5 shall be rounded up to the next greater whole number and a fractional entitlement that is less than 0.5 shall be rounded down to the next lesser whole number.
The RSUs shall have a term, which shall be determined by the Committee on the date of award of the RSUs, which term shall not exceed ten years from the award date.
Each award of RSUs vests on the date(s) and/or the satisfaction of the Performance Criteria (each a "Vesting Date") specified by the Committee on the award date, and reflected in the applicable Award Notice (as defined in the RSU Plan).
Rights and obligations under the RSU Plan can be assigned by the Company (without the consent of Participants) to a successor in the business of the Company, any corporation resulting from any amalgamation, reorganization, combination, merger or arrangement of the Company, or any corporation acquiring all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company. All awards under the RSU Plan will be evidenced by award notices in substantially the form attached to the RSU Plan and will contain such other terms and conditions relating to an award of RSUs as the Committee may prescribe.
Credits for Dividends
A Participant's account will be credited with additional RSUs as of each dividend payment date in respect of which cash dividends are paid on Common Shares. The number of additional RSUs to be credited to a Participant's account is computed by dividing: (a) the dividends that would have been paid to such Participant if each RSU in the Participant's account on the relevant dividend record date had been a Common Share, by (b) the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares determined as of the date of payment of such dividend. Any fractional RSUs resulting from such calculation shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. For greater certainty, a fractional entitlement that is equal to or greater than 0.5 shall be shall be rounded up to the next greater whole number and a fractional entitlement that is less than 0.5 shall be rounded down to the next lesser whole number.. Any additional RSUs credited to the Participant's account will vest in proportion to and will be paid under the RSU Plan in the same manner as the RSUs to which they relate. The Company is not obligated to pay dividends on Common Shares.
Acquisition of Vested RSUs
A holder of vested RSUs may acquire Common Shares representing such RSUs by delivering a Notice of Acquisition (as defined in the RSU Plan) to the Company and a certified cheque or bank draft payable to the Company for the Applicable Withholding Amounts (as defined in the RSU Plan) on or before the Expiry Time (as defined in the RSU Plan). Upon receipt of the Notice of Acquisition the Company shall issue, within ten days following the receipt of the Notice of
Acquisition, and subject to such applicable residual withholding, if any, as the Company determines in its discretion should then be imposed to meet related withholding or remittance obligations under applicable law, one Common Share for each RSU in the Participant's Account which has been included in the Notice of Acquisition.
Resignation, Termination, Leave of Absence or Death
Generally, and subject to any express resolution passed by the Committee, if a Participant's employment or service is terminated, or if the Participate resigns from employment with the Company, then any RSUs credited to him or her under the RSU Plan which have not vested on or before the Separation Date (as defined in the RSU Plan) for the Participant are forfeited, cancelled and terminated without payment effective on the Separation Date. The Participant may, but only within the thirty (30) days following the Separation Date, deliver a completed Notice of Acquisition to the Company to acquire Common Shares for previously vested RSUs (if any). Any vested RSUs which the Participant has not delivered a completed Notice of Acquisition for shall be forfeited and cancelled effective at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on such 30th day.
In the event a Participant takes a leave of absence other than an Approved Leave of Absence (as defined in the RSU Plan), all RSUs granted to the Participant that have not then vested will terminate and be null and void, subject to applicable law and the Board's sole and absolute discretion to determine otherwise.
Upon the death of a Participant, any RSUs granted to a Participant which, as of the date of the death have not yet vested, immediately vest. Any RSUs granted to the Participant under the Plan shall be forfeited and cancelled effective at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the first year anniversary of the death of the Participant and shall terminate without payment and shall be of no further force or effect from and after such time.
Control Change
In the event of a Control Change (as defined in the RSU Plan), the Committee may:
- (a) take such steps as the Committee considers desirable, taking into account any tax consequences to the extent considered relevant by the Committee, cause the conversion or exchange of any outstanding RSUs into or for rights or other securities of substantially equivalent value (or greater value) in any entity participating in or resulting from a Control Change;
- (b) accelerate the vesting of any or all outstanding RSUs to provide that such outstanding RSUs are fully vested upon (or immediately prior to) the completion of the transaction resulting in the Control Change; or
- (c) determine that a Participant who is no longer an Eligible Person as a result of or in anticipation of a Control Change shall continue to be a Participant and Eligible Person for purposes of the Plan, but subject to such terms and conditions, if any, established by the Committee in its sole discretion.
If, before the completion of the Vesting Date with respect to any award of RSUs, the Participant's service as a Director ceases or, as an Employee of the Company or of a Related Entity is terminated, where such cessation or termination occurs:
- (a) subsequent to a Control Change and during the Control Change Period (as defined in the RSU Plan) and such termination was:
- (i) for any reason whatsoever other than death or termination for Cause (as defined in the RSU Plan); or
- (ii) for Good Reason (as defined in the RSU Plan) and the Participant gives notice to the Company to that effect and after thirty days the Company does not cure the act or omission which constitutes Good Reason; or
- (b) prior to the date on which a Control Change occurs and it is reasonably demonstrated that such termination:
- (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect Control Change; or
- (ii) arose in connection with or anticipation of a Control Change,
then the Award shall immediately vest on the Separation Date and the Payment Amount shall be equal to the number of Common Shares determined on the Separation Date multiplied by the number of RSUs in the Participant's Account, net of applicable withholding tax. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, provide in the Award Notice evidencing the Award a provision to the effect that these provisions shall not apply in respect of that Award or shall apply on such modified basis as is expressly set forth in such Award Notice.
Adjustments
In the event of any subdivision, consolidation, stock dividend, capital reorganization, reclassification, exchange, or other change with respect to the Common Shares, or a consolidation, amalgamation, merger, spin-off, sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property of the Company or other distribution of the Company's assets to the Shareholders (other than the payment of dividends in respect of the Common Shares as contemplated in the RSU Plan), the Committee may choose to adjust the Account of each Participant and the RSUs outstanding under the Plan in such manner, if any, as the Committee may in its discretion deem appropriate (taking into account any tax consequences to the extent considered relevant by the Committee) to preserve the account of each Participant and the RSUs outstanding under the RSU Plan will be adjusted in such manner, if any, as the Committee deems appropriate to preserve, proportionally, the interests of Participants. For greater certainty and notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, in no event shall a Participant be or become entitled to receive any amount of cash from the Company.
Discretion to Permit Vesting
The Committee can, in its sole discretion, subject to such terms and conditions (if any) established by the Committee in its sole discretion at any time, permit:
- (a) Persons previously entitled to participate in the Plan to continue to be a Participant for the purposes of the Plan;
- (b) the vesting or accelerated vesting of any or all RSUs held by a Participant; and
- (c) the payment of the Payment Amount in respect of such RSUs in the manner and on the terms authorized by the Committee.
Common Shares Reserved
Subject to adjustment as may be permitted under the RSU Plan, the maximum number of Common Shares which may be reserved for issuance under the Plan at any time shall be 4,480,784 Common Shares.
Limitations under the RSU Plan
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, but subject to RSU grants approved by the disinterested shareholders of the Company or other requirements of applicable Exchange Policies:
- (a) the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under the RSU Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Arrangements (as defined in the RSU Plan), for Insiders (as a group) at any point in time may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time;
- (b) the maximum number of RSUs that may be granted to Insiders (as a group) under the Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Arrangements, within a 12 month period, may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares calculated on the Award Date;
- (c) the maximum number of RSUs that may be granted to any one Eligible Person (and companies wholly owned by that Eligible Person) under the RSU Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Arrangements, within a 12 month period, may not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the Award Date; and
- (d) the maximum number of RSUs that may be granted to any one Consultant under the RSU Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Arrangements, within a 12 month period, may not exceed 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the Award Date.
The RSU Plan provides that the respective limits set out above may be exceeded:
- (a) if the Common Shares are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, on a case-by-case basis, upon the approval of disinterested shareholders of the Company; or
- (b) if the Common Shares are not listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, in accordance with applicable Exchange Policies (as defined in the RSU Plan).
Status of Terminated RSUs
For purposes of determining the number of Common Shares that remain available for issuance under the RSU Plan, the number of Common Shares underlying any grants of RSUs that are surrendered, forfeited, waived and/or cancelled shall be added back to the Plan and again be available for future grant, whereas the number of Common Shares underlying any grants of RSUs that are issued upon exercise of RSUs shall not be available for future grant.
Amendment, Suspension, or Termination of Plan
Subject to applicable law, the Committee may from time to time amend or suspend the RSU Plan in whole or in part and may at any time terminate the RSU Plan without prior notice. However, any such amendment, suspension or termination shall not adversely affect the RSUs previously granted to a Participant at the time of such amendment, suspension or termination, without the consent of the affected Participant.
If the Committee suspends or terminates the RSU Plan, no new RSUs will be credited to the account of a Participant; however, previously credited RSUs shall remain outstanding but shall not be entitled to dividend credits following suspension or termination unless at the time of suspension or termination the Committee determines that the entitlement to dividend credits during suspension or after termination, as applicable, should be continued.
The Committee shall not require the consent of any affected Participant in connection with a termination of the RSU Plan in which the vesting of all RSUs held by the Participant are accelerated and the Payment Amount (less Applicable Withholding Amount) is paid to the Participant in respect of all such RSUs.
The Company will be required to obtain disinterested shareholder approval for any amendment related to (i) the number or percentage of issued and outstanding Common Shares available for grant under the RSU Plan; (ii) a change in method of calculation of redemption of RSUs held by Eligible Persons; and (iii) an extension to the term for redemption of RSUs held by Eligible Persons.
Amendments made to RSU Plan
On November 10, 2022, the Board approved certain amendments (the "Amendments") to the Company's RSU Plan to update existing or add new provisions to the RSU Plan in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.2(j) of the new Policy 4.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange Corporate Manual which came into effect on November 24, 2021.
The fixed restricted share unit plan dated November 26, 2020, as amended November 10, 2022 (the "Amended and Restated RSU Plan"), will supersede and replace the Company's RSU Plan.
The TSX Venture Exchange has conditionally approved the Amended and Restated RSU Plan, subject to shareholder approval.
Below are the material amendments made to the RSU Plan,
Amended definition of Consultant, to read as follows:
"Consultant" means, in relation to the Company, an individual (other than a Director, Officer or Employee of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries) or company that:
- (i) is engaged to provide on an ongoing bona fide basis, consulting, technical, management or other services to the Company or to any of its subsidiaries, other than services provided in relation to a Distribution;
- (ii) provides the services under a written contract between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the individual or the Company, as the case may be; 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 of its subsidiaries;
Added subsection (iv) under definition Control Change to read as follows:
(iv) a majority of the Board consists of individuals which management of the Company has not nominated for election or appointment as directors;
Added definition Disinterested Shareholder Approval to read as follows:
"Disinterested Shareholder Approval" has the meaning assigned by Policy 4.4, Sections 5.3(b) and (c) of the TSX Venture Exchange Policies;
Amended definition of Employee to read as follows:
"Employee" means
- (i) an individual who is considered an employee of the Company or of its subsidiary under the Income Tax Act (Canada) 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 an Company or its subsidiary providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or its subsidiary 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 an Company or its subsidiary on a continuing and regular basis for a minimum amount of time per week (the number of hours should be disclosed in the submission) providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or its subsidiary 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;
Added definition Investor Relations Service Provider to read as follows:
"Investor Relations Service Provider" has the meaning assigned by Policy 4.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange Policies;
Amended definition Security Based Compensation Arrangements to read Security Based Compensation Plan, to read as follows:
"Security Based Compensation Plan" means this Plan and any stock option plan, employee stock purchase plan, deferred share unit plan, other restricted share unit plan, or other compensation or incentive mechanism involving the issuance or potential issuance of Common Shares, including but not limited to a purchase of Common Shares from treasury which is financially assisted by the Company by way of loan, guarantee, or otherwise;
Added definition TSX Venture Exchange Policies to read as follows:
"TSX Venture Exchange Policies" means the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange as amended from time to time;
Amended Section 3.2 provision Eligibility to read as follows:
Eligibility
3.2 All Directors, Employees and Consultants of the Company and its Related Entities are eligible to participate in the Plan, but actual participation of any Person is at the discretion of the Committee or the Board. The Company reserves the right to restrict eligibility or otherwise limit the number of Persons eligible for participation in the Plan at any time. Eligibility to participate in the Plan does not confer upon any Person a right to receive an award of RSUs pursuant to the Plan. It shall be the responsibility of the Company and the Eligible Person to ensure that such Eligible Person is a bona fide Eligible Person. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, Investor Relations Service Providers are not eligible to participate in this Plan.
Amended Section 4.2 provision Vesting Period and RSU Term to read as follows:
Vesting Period and RSU Term
4.2 Each Award will vest on the dates and/or the satisfaction of the Performance Criteria (each a "Vesting Date") specified by the Committee on the Award Date, and reflected in the Award Notice. The RSU Term shall be determined by the Committee on the Award Date, and reflected in the Award Notice and shall not exceed ten years from the Award Date. For greater certainty, subject to Sections 4.10 and 4.11, no Award may vest before the date that is one year following the Award Date. Each RSU outstanding and all rights thereunder shall expire at the Expiry Time, but shall be subject to earlier termination or vesting in accordance with Sections 4.8 and 4.10 of this Plan.
Amended Section 4.10 provision Death of Participant to read as follows:
Death of Participant
4.10Notwithstanding Section 4.2, but subject to any express resolution passed by the Committee, upon the death of a Participant, any RSUs granted to the Participant under the Plan which, as of the date of the death of a Participant have not yet vested, shall immediately vest. Notwithstanding Section 4.2, upon the death of a Participant, any RSUs granted to the Participant under the Plan shall be forfeited and cancelled effective at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the first year anniversary of the death of the Participant and shall terminated without payment and shall be of no further force or effect from and after such time. If a Participant's heirs or administrators are entitled to any portion of the Participant's outstanding RSUs, the period in which they shall be entitled to make a claim in respect of such RSUs may not exceed one year from the Participant's death.
Amended Section 4.12 provision Adjustments to Restricted Share Units to read as follows:
Adjustments to Restricted Share Units
4.12In the event of any subdivision, consolidation, stock dividend, capital reorganization, reclassification, exchange, or other change with respect to the Common Shares, or a consolidation, amalgamation, merger, spin-off, sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property of the Company or other distribution of the Company's assets to shareholders (other than the payment of dividends in respect of the Common Shares as contemplated by Section 4.4), the Committee may choose to adjust the Account of each Participant and the RSUs outstanding under the Plan in such manner, if any, as the Committee may in its discretion deem appropriate (taking into account any tax consequences to the extent considered relevant by the Committee) to preserve the Account of each Participant and the RSUs outstanding under the Plan shall be adjusted in such manner, if any, as the Committee may in its discretion deem appropriate to preserve, proportionally, the interests of Participants under the Plan. For greater certainty and notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, in no event shall a Participant be or become entitled to receive any amount of cash from the Company. Any adjustment, other than in connection with a security consolidation or security split, to Security Based Compensation granted or issued under a Security Based Compensation Plan must be subject to the prior acceptance of the Exchange, including adjustments related to an amalgamation, merger, arrangement, reorganization, spin-off, dividend or recapitalization.
Amended Section 4.14 provision Common Shares Reserved to read as follows:
Common Shares Reserved
4.14The maximum number of Common Shares which may be reserved for issuance under the Plan at any time shall be 5,531,284 Common Shares, subject to adjustment under Section 4.12.
Amended Section 4.15 provision Limits on Issuances, to read as follows:
Limits on Issuances
- 4.15The Plan provides for the following limits on grants unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Policies:
- (a) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plan, for Insiders (as a group) at any point in time may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time;
- (b) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum number of RSUs that may be granted to Insiders (as a group) under the Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plan, within a 12 month period, may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the Award Date;
- (c) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum number of RSUs that may be granted to any one Eligible Person (and companies wholly owned by that Eligible Person) under the Plan, together with any other
Security Based Compensation Plan, within a 12 month period, may not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the Award Date;
- (d) the maximum number of RSUs that may be granted to any one Consultant under the Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plan, within a 12 month period, may not exceed 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the Award Date; and
- (e) RSUs granted under the Plan are subject to a four-month hold period, in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange Policies.
The respective limits set out above may be exceeded: (a) if the Common Shares are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, on a case-by-case basis, upon the approval of the disinterested shareholders of the Company; or (b) if the Common Shares are not listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, in accordance with the applicable Exchange Policies.
Amended Section 5.1 (a) provision Amendment, Suspension or Termination of Plan, to read as follows:
Amendment, Suspension or Termination of Plan
5.1(a) Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, the Committee may from time to time amend or suspend the Plan in whole or in part and may at any time terminate the Plan without prior notice. However, any such amendment, suspension or termination shall not adversely affect the RSUs previously granted to a Participant at the time of such amendment, suspension or termination, without the consent of the affected Participant.
Amended Section 5.11 provision Indemnification, to read as follows:
Indemnification
5.11Every director and officer of the Company will at all times be indemnified and saved harmless by the Company from and against all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever including any income tax liability arising from any such indemnification, that such director may sustain or incur by reason of any action, suit or proceeding, taken or threatened against the director, otherwise than by the Company, for or in respect of any act done or omitted by the director in respect of this Plan, such costs, charges and expenses to include any amount paid to settle such action, suit or proceeding or in satisfaction of any judgment rendered therein.
The fixed restricted share unit plan, amended on November 10, 2022, will supersede and replace the Company's RSU Plan which was attached as Schedule C to the Company's July 27, 2019 annual general meeting Information Circular. There are currently no outstanding RSUs under the Company's RSU Plan.
In the event that the Shareholders do not approve the Amendments at the Meeting, the existing fixed restricted share unit plan will remain in effect without the Amendments.
Refer to heading below "PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON –Ratification of Amended Fixed Restricted Share Unit Plan".
Outstanding Compensation Securities
Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
The below sets compensation securities granted or issued to any Director or NEO by the Company at financial years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021. There were no share-based awards granted or issued to any Director or NEO by the Company during financial years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021. Effective on October 28, 2020 the Company's Common Shares were consolidated at a ratio of five pre-consolidation Common Shares for one post-consolidated common share.
| Compensation Securities | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and position |
Type of compensation security |
Number of compensation securities, number of underlying securities, and percentage of class(1) |
Date of issue or grant |
Issue, conversion or exercise price (CAD\$) |
Closing price of security or underlying security on date of grant (CAD\$) |
Closing price of security or underlying security at year end (CAD\$)(3) |
Expiry Date |
| Desmond M. Balakrishnan Executive Director |
Stock Options | 250,000 (6%) 50,000 post consolidated |
August 1, 2018 |
\$0.15 \$0.75 post consolidated |
\$0.16 | \$0.11 | August 1, 2023 |
| 1,000,000 (22%) 200,000 post consolidated |
February 1, 2019 |
\$0.10 \$0.50 post consolidated |
\$0.06 | \$0.11 | February 1, 2024 |
||
| 200,000 (22%) |
November 16, 2020 |
\$0.50 | \$0.47 | \$0.11 | November 16, 2025 |
||
| Christopher R. Cooper CFO and Director |
Stock Options | 250,000 (6%) 50,000 post consolidated |
August 1, 2018 |
\$0.15 \$0.75 post consolidated |
\$0.16 | \$0.11 | August 1, 2023 |
| 200,000 (4%) 40,000 post consolidated |
February 1, 2019 |
\$0.10 \$0.50 post consolidated |
\$0.06 | \$0.11 | February 1, 2024 |
||
| 200,000 (22%) |
November 16, 2020 |
\$0.50 | \$0.47 | \$0.11 | November 16, 2025 |
||
| Craig Loverock Director |
Stock Options | Nil | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Compensation Securities | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name and position |
Type of compensation security |
Number of compensation securities, number of underlying securities, and percentage of class(1) |
Date of issue or grant |
Issue, conversion or exercise price (CAD\$) |
Closing price of security or underlying security on date of grant (CAD\$) |
Closing price of security or underlying security at year end (CAD\$)(3) |
Expiry Date |
| Zula Kropivnitski (1) former CFO, former Secretary and |
Stock Options | 250,000 (6%) 50,000 post consolidated |
August 1, 2018 |
\$0.15 \$0.75 post consolidated |
\$0.16 | \$0.11 | August 1, 2023 |
| former Director | 500,000 (11%) 100,000 post consolidated |
February 1, 2019 |
\$0.10 \$0.50 post consolidated |
\$0.06 | \$0.11 | February 1, 2024 |
|
| 200,000 (22%) |
November 16, 2020 |
\$0.50 | \$0.47 | \$0.11 | November 16, 2025 |
(1) Zula Kropivnitski resigned as, Secretary on February 10, 2022 and as Chief Financial Officer and Director of the Company on September 6, 2022. Under the terms of the Company's 2011 Share Option Plan, Zula Kropivnitski has within 90 days of her resignation, to exercise her incentive stock options.
Exercise of Compensation Securities by Directors and NEOs
No options or restricted share units were exercised by a Director or an NEO of the Company during the Company's financial years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021.
Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements
Management Services to Zula Kropivnitski
Effective April 1, 2015, the Company agreed to pay a monthly fee of \$10,000 to a company in which Zula Kropivnitski, a former officer and former director of the Company is an employee for provision of management and administrative services including services of CFO and starting from October 21, 2015 also as a director. The agreement was amended and the Company has agreed to pay a monthly fee of \$5,000 starting from July 1, 2016. Effective January 1, 2019, the agreement was amended and the Company agreed to pay a monthly fee of \$10,000 starting from January 1, 2019. Effective November 1, 2021, the agreement was amended and the Company agreed to pay a monthly fee of \$5,000 starting from November 1, 2021. The agreement may be terminated by the Company with 60 days' written notice. Zula Kropivnitski served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company from October 11, 2012 to September 6, 2022 and as Secretary of the Company from January 16, 2014 to February 10, 2022. Zula Kropivnitski resigned as a Director of the Company on September 6, 2022.
Other than as stated above, there are no compensatory plans or arrangements, with respect to any Director or NEO resulting from the resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment of an officer or director or from a change of a director's or a NEO's responsibilities following a change in control.
Oversight and Description of Director and NEO Compensation
The Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its obligations relating to compensation issues. The Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee acts alone when considering the compensation of the CEO. There is currently no office position as CEO of the Company. The proposed executive compensation is then presented to the Board for approval. This Committee also makes recommendations to the Board respecting the Company's incentive compensation plans, including administration of the Company's Share Option Plan and Restricted Share Unit Plan, and must discharge all responsibilities imposed on this Committee by the Company's incentive compensation plans. This Committee has the responsibilities of reviewing and recommending director compensation, overseeing the Company's base compensation structure and equity-based compensation program, recommending compensation of the Company's officers and employees to the Board, and evaluating the performance of officers generally and in light of annual goals and objectives.
- 26 -
Furthermore, this Committee may, at the request of the Board, review, approve and/or monitor compensation programs and strategies applicable to senior management, and review the corporate succession and development plans of the Company at the executive level. This Committee reviews the compensation of senior management on a semi-annual basis and keeps current with developments in executive compensation for companies engaged in similar industries or that are of a similar size. This Committee also reviews and approves any proposed severance termination payments to be made and prepares and issues all evaluations and reports under applicable law.
Philosophy and Objectives
The compensation program for senior management of the Company is designed to ensure that the level and form of compensation achieves certain objectives, including:
- (a) attracting and retaining talented, qualified and effective executives;
- (b) motivating the short and long-term performance of these executives; and
- (c) better aligning their interests with those of the Company's shareholders.
In compensating its senior management, the Company has employed a combination of base salary, bonus compensation and equity participation through its Share Option Plan and Restricted Share Unit Plan. The compensation program is designed to reward the short and long-term performance of the senior management based on the achievement of certain corporate objectives. Recommendations for senior management compensation are presented by the Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee to the Board for review.
Base Salary
In the Board's view, paying base salaries which are competitive in the markets in which the Company operates is a first step to attracting and retaining talented, qualified and effective executives. Competitive salary information on comparable companies within the industry is compiled from a variety of sources.
Bonus Incentive Compensation
The Company's objective is to achieve certain strategic objectives and milestones. The Board will consider executive bonus compensation dependent upon the Company meeting those strategic objectives and milestones and will ascertain if sufficient cash resources are available for the grant of bonuses. The Board approves executive bonus compensation dependent upon compensation levels based on recommendations of the Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee and the Executive Officer. Such recommendations are generally based on information provided by issuers that are similar in size and scope to the Company's operations.
Benefits and Perquisites
The Company does not, as of the date of this Information Circular, offer any benefits or perquisites to its NEOs other than potential grants of incentive share options or awards of restricted share units as otherwise disclosed and discussed herein.
The Company believes that encouraging its executives and employees to become shareholders is the best way of aligning their interests with those of its shareholders. Equity participation is accomplished through the Company's Share Option Plan and Restricted Share Unit Plan. Share options are granted and restricted share units are awarded to executives and employees taking into account a number of factors, including the amount and term of options previously granted, base salary, bonuses and competitive factors. The amounts and terms of options granted and restricted share units awarded are determined by the Board based on recommendations put forward by the Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee and the Executive Officer.
Given the evolving nature of the Company's business, the Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee together with the Board continues to review and redesign the overall compensation plan for senior management so as to continue to address the objectives identified above.
Neither the Corporate Governance, Compensation and Compliance Committee nor the Board have considered the implications of the risks associated with the Company's compensation policies and practices.
The Company has not adopted a policy disallowing insiders from purchasing financial instruments designed to hedge or offset any decrease in market value of the Common Shares or options of the Company.
Risks Associated with the Company's Compensation Practices
The Board has not proceeded to a formal evaluation of the implications of risks associated with the Company's compensation policies and practices. At least once annually the Board reviews the then current risks, if any, associated with the Company's compensation policies and practices at such time.
Executive compensation is comprised of short-term compensation in the form of a base salary and long-term ownership through the Company's Share Option Plan and Restricted Share Unit Plan. This structure ensures that a significant portion of executive compensation (share options and restricted share units) is both long-term and "at risk" and, accordingly, is directly linked to the achievement of business results and the creation of long-term shareholder value. As the benefits of such compensation, if any, are not realized by officers until a significant period of time has passed, the ability of officers to take inappropriate or excessive risks that are beneficial to their compensation at the expense of the Company and the shareholders is extremely limited. Furthermore, the short-term component of the executive compensation (base salary) represents a relatively small part of the total compensation. As a result, it is unlikely that an officer would take inappropriate or excessive risks at the expense of the Company or the shareholders that would be beneficial to their shortterm compensation when their long-term compensation might be put at risk from their actions.
Due to the small size of the Company and the current level of the Company's activity, the Board is able to closely monitor and consider any risks which may be associated with the Company's compensation policies and practices. Risks, if any, may be identified and mitigated through regular meetings of the Board during which financial and other information of the Company are reviewed. No risks have been identified arising from the Company's compensation policies and practices that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Hedging by Named Executive Officers or Directors
The Company has not, to date, adopted a policy restricting its executive officers and directors from purchasing financial instruments, including, for greater certainty, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchange funds, which are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by executive officers or directors. As of the date of this Information Circular, entitlement to grants of incentive share options under the Company's Share Option Plan and awards of restricted share units under the Company's Restricted Share Unit Plan are the only equity security elements awarded by the Company to its executive officers and directors.
Pension Plan Benefits
The Company has no pension plan arrangements or benefits with respect to any of its NEOs, directors or employees.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets out equity compensation plan information as at the Company's financial year ended March 31, 2022:
Equity Compensation Plan Information
| Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options/RSUs |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options/RSUs |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Category | (a) | (b) | (c) |
| Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders (the Stock Option Plan) |
3,875,000 Options | \$0.51 | 1,656,284 Options |
| Equity compensation plan approved by securityholders (the RSU Plan) |
Nil | N/A | 4,480,784 RSUs |
| Total | 3,875,000 Options Nil RSUs |
1,656,284 Options 4,480,784 RSUs |
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
No directors, proposed nominees for election as directors, executive officers or their respective associates or affiliates, or other management of the Company were indebted to the Company as of the end of the two most recently completed financial years or as at the date hereof.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Other than as set out in this Information Circular, to the knowledge of management of the Company, no informed person of the Company, proposed director of the Company, or any associate or affiliate of any informed person or proposed director of the Company has any interest, director or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of the Company's financial years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021 or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Normal Course Issuer Bid
During the year ended March 31, 2021 the Company repurchased 70,000 common shares in the normal course issuer bid by way of open market purchase through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company paid the market price of the shares at the time of acquisition. All shares purchased by the Company were cancelled on June 14, 2021.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
Except as set out herein, there are no management functions of the Company, which are to any substantial degree performed by a person or company other than the directors or executive officers of the Company.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
A. Ratification of New Form Share Option Plan
As described in this Information Circular above, under heading Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities, on November 10, 2022, the Board adopted a new form share option plan. The new option plan reflect changes required to comply with the requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange updated Policy 4.4 – Security Based Compensation. The TSX Venture Exchange conditionally approved the new form share option plan (the "New Option Plan"), subject to receipt of shareholder approval at the Meeting. As of the date of this Information Circular, there are currently 3,875.000 outstanding options.
Shareholder Resolution
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve an ordinary resolution of disinterested shareholders, to ratify, confirm and approve the New Option Plan dated for reference November 10, 2022. The resolution is subject to a simple majority of votes of the Shareholders, excluding the votes cast by Insiders of the Company, or associates of such persons, which, as at November 10, 2022 record date, total 1,860,000 Common Shares. All other Shareholders of the Company are entitled to vote on this resolution, the text of which is set out below:
"BE IT RESOLVED as an ordinary resolution of disinterested shareholders, with or without variation, that:
- (a) the Company's share option plan dated November 10, 2022 ("New Share Option Plan") as described in the Company's Information Circular dated for reference November 23, 2022, be and is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved;
- (b) subject to the effectiveness of the New Share Option Plan, all existing stock options of the Company's November 8, 2011 Option Plan shall be governed by the terms of the New Share Option Plan;
- (c) the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") or any committee thereof be and is hereby authorized, in its absolute discretion, to administer the New Share Option Plan and amend or modify the New Share Option Plan in accordance with its terms and conditions and with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange;
-
(d) the Company is hereby authorized to allot and issue as fully paid and non-assessable that number of Common Shares granted to eligible Participants under the New Share Option Plan;
-
(e) option holders under the New Share Option Plan are permitted to exercise options on a "Cashless Exercise" or "Net Exercise" basis, with the exception of persons performing investor relation services;
- (f) any one or more of the directors and officers of the Company be authorized to perform all such acts, deeds, and things and execute, under the seal of the Company or otherwise, all such documents as may be required to give effect to this resolution;
- (g) to the extent permitted by law, the Company be authorized to abandon all or any part of the New Share Option Plan if the Board deems it appropriate and in the best interest of the Company to do so; and
- (h) any one or more directors and officers of the Company be authorized to perform all such acts, deeds and things and execute, under seal of the Company or otherwise, all such documents as may be required to give effect to this resolution."
The Board recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the New Option Plan. In the absence of contrary instructions, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy intend to vote any Shares represented by such Proxies held by them FOR the approval of the New Option Plan.
A copy of the New Option Plan is attached to this Information Circular as Schedule C, and will be presented to shareholders at the Meeting.
B. Ratification of Amended Fixed Restricted Share Unit Plan
As described in this Information Circular above, on November 20, 2022 the Board made amendments to the Company's fixed restricted share unit plan dated November 26, 2020 (the "Amended and Restated RSU Plan").. The amendments reflect changes required to comply with the requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange updated Policy 4.4 – Security Based Compensation. The amendments to the fixed restricted share unit plan were conditionally approved by the TSX Venture Exchange, subject to shareholder approval at the Meeting. As of the date of this Information Circular, there are no outstanding restricted share units.
Shareholder Resolution
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve an ordinary resolution of disinterested shareholders, to ratify, confirm and approve the Amended and Restated RSU Plan dated for reference November 26, 2020, as amended November 10, 2020. The resolution is subject to a simple majority of votes of the Shareholders, excluding the votes cast by Insiders of the Company, or associates of such persons, which, as at November 10, 2022 record date, total 1,860,000 Common Shares. All other Shareholders of the Company are entitled to vote on this resolution, the text of which is set out below:
"BE IT RESOLVED as an ordinary resolution of disinterested shareholders, with or without variation, that the Company's Fixed Restricted Share Unit dated November 26, 2020, as amended November 10, 2022, as described in the Information Circular dated November 23, 2022, be and is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved."
The Board recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Amended and Restated RSU Plan. In the absence of contrary instructions, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy intend to vote any Shares represented by such Proxies held by them FOR the approval of the resolution to approve the Amended and Restated RSU Plan.
A copy of the Amended and Restated RSU Plan is attached to this Information Circular as Schedule D, and will be presented to shareholders at the Meeting.
C. Shareholder Approval Amended Fixed Restricted Share Unit Plan Increase
In order to provide incentive to directors, officers, employees, management and others providing services to the Company to act in the Company's best interests, the Company proposes that the number of Common Shares reserved for restricted share unit awards under the Company's Amended and Restated RSU Plan, be increased from current maximum of 4,480,784 Common Shares to an additional 1,050,500 Common Shares, to a total maximum of 5,531,284 Common Shares (10% of the issued and outstanding 55,312,836 common shares at November 10, 2022 record date). As of the date of this Information Circular, there are no outstanding restricted share units.
Shareholder Resolution
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve an ordinary resolution of disinterested shareholders, to the increase in the maximum number of Common Shares to be reserved under the Amended and Restated RSU Plan. The resolution is subject to a simple majority of votes of the Shareholders, excluding the votes cast by Insiders of the Company, or associates of such persons, which, as at November 10, 2022 record date, total 1,860,000 Common Shares. All other Shareholders of the Company are entitled to vote on this resolution, the text of which is set out below:
"RESOLVED, as an ordinary resolution of disinterested shareholders of the Company, to ratify, confirm and approve an increase from a maximum 4,480,784 Common Shares to an additional 1,050,500 Common Shares, to total a maximum of 5,531,284 Common Shares, under the Company's Fixed Restricted Share Unit Plan dated for reference November 26, 2020, amended November 6, 2022."
The Board recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of an increase of the maximum number of Common Shares under the Amended and Restated RSU Plan. In the absence of contrary instructions, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy intend to vote any Shares represented by such Proxies held by them FOR the resolution to approve the increase.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Financial information is provided in the consolidated audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, the report of the auditor thereon, and the related management discussion and analysis, filed under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and will be tabled at the Meeting.
Additional information relating to the Company is filed under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and upon request from the Company at Suite 303, 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2T7 Tel: 604-681-0084 or Fax No.: 604 681-0094. Copies of the report of the auditor, audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023, with the related management discussion and analysis, and interim financial statements for the previous two years will be provided free of charge to security holders of the Company. The Company may require the payment of a reasonable charge from any person or company who is not a securityholder of the Company, who requests a copy of any such document.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board is not aware of any other matters which it anticipates will come before the Meeting as of the date of mailing of this Information Circular.
The contents of this Information Circular and its distribution to shareholders have been approved by the Board.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, November 23, 2022.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
"Desmond M. Balakrishnan"
Desmond M. Balakrishnan Executive Director
SCHEDULE A
to Information Circular of
PLANET VENTURES INC.
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Purpose
The Audit Committee (the "Committee") of Planet Ventures Inc. (the "Company") is appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities of the Company. In so doing, the Committee provides an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management, and the Board.
The Committee's primary duties and responsibilities are to gain reasonable assurance of the following:
- that the Company complies with the applicable laws, regulations, rules, policies and other requirements of governments, regulatory agencies and stock exchanges relating to financial reporting and disclosure;
- that management of the Company has assessed areas of potential significant financial risk to the Company and taken appropriate measures;
- the independence and satisfactory performance of duties by the Company's independent auditors;
- that the accounting principles, significant judgments and disclosures that underlie or are incorporated in the Company's financial statements are the most appropriate in the prevailing circumstances;
- that the Company's quarterly and annual financial statements present fairly the Company's financial position and performance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("IFRS"); and
- that appropriate information concerning the financial position and performance of the Company is disseminated to the public in a timely manner.
COMPOSITION
The Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors as determined by the Board, a majority of whom must be independent1 and free from any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment. All members of the Committee shall be financially literate2 . The Committee members shall be appointed by the Board.
CHAIR
The Board will appoint the Chair of the Committee annually, to be selected from the members of the Committee. If, in any year, the Board does not make an appointment of the Chair, the incumbent Chair will continue in office until that Chair's successor is appointed.
Removal and Vacancies
Any member of the Committee may be removed and replaced at any time by the Board and will automatically cease to be a member of the Committee as soon as such member ceases to be a director. The Board may fill vacancies in the Committee by election from among the members of the Board. If and whenever a vacancy exists on the Committee, the remaining members may exercise all its powers so long as a quorum remains in office.
1 For the definition of "independent", please see the Glossary of Terms. 2
For the definition of "financially literate", please see the Glossary of Terms.
MEETINGS AND OPERATING PROCEDURES
- The Committee shall meet at least four times annually, or more frequently as circumstances dictate.
- A quorum shall be a majority of the members of the Committee.
- In the absence of the Chair of the Committee, the members shall appoint an acting Chair.
- A copy of the minutes of each meeting of the Committee shall be provided to each member of the Committee and to each director of the Company in a timely fashion.
- Notice of the time and place of each meeting of the Committee will be given by the member calling the meeting to the other members by telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the meeting, and, subject to the requirements of applicable law, need not specify the purpose of or the business to be transacted at the meeting. Meetings of the Committee may be held at any time without notice if all members have waived or are deemed to have waived notice of the meeting.
- The Chair of the Committee shall use his or her best efforts to prepare and/or approve an agenda in advance of each meeting.
- The Committee, in consultation with management and the independent auditors, shall develop and participate in a process for review of important financial topics that have the potential to impact the Company's financial policies and disclosures.
- The Committee shall communicate its expectations to management and the independent auditors with respect to the nature, timing and extent of its information needs. The Committee expects that written materials will be received from management and, to the extent needed, the independent auditors in advance of meeting dates.
- The Committee should meet privately in executive session at least quarterly with management and as a committee, and at least annually with the independent auditors, to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of these groups believes should be discussed.
- The Committee shall annually review, discuss and assess its own performance. In addition, the Committee shall periodically review its role and responsibilities.
- The Committee expects that, in discharging their responsibilities to the shareholders, the independent auditors shall be accountable to the Board through the Committee. The independent auditors shall report all material issues or potentially material issues to the Committee.
RELIANCE ON EXPERTS
The Committee shall have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and to set and pay the compensation for any advisors engaged by it. In so doing, each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely in good faith upon:
(a) the financial statements of the Company represented to him or her by an officer of the Company or in a written report of the independent auditors to present fairly the financial position of the Company in accordance with IFRS; and
(b) any report of a lawyer, accountant, engineer, appraiser or other person whose profession lends credibility to a statement made by any such person.
The Committee shall also have the authority to communicate directly with the independent auditors.
REMUNERATION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
No member of the Committee may earn fees from the Company other than directors' fees (which fees may include cash, options or other in-kind consideration ordinarily available to directors). For greater certainty, no member of the Committee shall accept any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company.
LIMITATIONS ON COMMITTEE'S DUTIES
In contributing to the Committee's discharging of its duties under this Charter, each member of the Committee shall be obliged only to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. Nothing in this Charter is intended, or may be construed, to impose on any member of the Committee a standard of care or diligence that is in any way more onerous or extensive than the standard to which all Board members are subject.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Review Procedures
- Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter at least annually, submit any changes to the Board for approval and ensure that it is in compliance with applicable securities laws.
- Review the Company's annual audited financial statements and quarterly unaudited financial statements and the accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis prior to filing or distribution, and, in respect of the annual financial statements, report its findings for approval to the Board. Review should include discussion with management and, in respect of the annual financial statements, independent auditors of significant issues regarding accounting principles, practices and judgments.
- Review news releases and reports to shareholders, prior to distribution, that are to be issued by the Company with respect to the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and, if appropriate, recommend approval of same to the Board.
- Ensure that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the Company's public disclosure of financial information extracted or derived from the Company's financial statements, other than the disclosure stated above, and periodically assess the adequacy of those procedures.
- In consultation with management and the independent auditors, consider the integrity of the Company's financial reporting processes and controls. Discuss significant financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control, and report such exposures.
- Review and approve the Company's hiring policy regarding the partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and former external auditor of the Company.
- Review with management and the independent auditors the management certifications of the financial statements and accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis as required under applicable securities laws.
- Review with management and the independent auditors the appropriateness of the Company's accounting policies, disclosures, reserves, key estimates and judgments, including changes or alternatives thereto and to obtain reasonable assurance that they are in compliance with IFRS and fairly present in all material respects the Company's financial condition and results, and report thereon to the Board.
- Review the following with management with the objective of obtaining reasonable assurance that financial risk is being effectively managed and controlled:
- o management's tolerance for financial risks;
- o management's assessment of significant financial risks facing the Company; and
- o the Company's policies, plans, processes and any proposed changes to those policies for controlling significant financial risks.
- On at least an annual basis, review with the Company's counsel any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements, the Company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations, or inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies.
Independent Auditors
- The independent auditors are ultimately accountable to the Committee and the Board and shall report directly to the Committee. The Committee shall review the independence and performance of the auditors and annually recommend to the Board the appointment and compensation of the independent auditors or approve any discharge of auditors when circumstances warrant.
- Assume direct responsibility for overseeing the work of the independent auditors engaged to prepare or issue an audit report or perform other audit, review or attest services for the Company, including the resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting.
- Evaluate and recommend to the Board the independent auditors to be nominated to prepare or issue an audit report or perform other audit, review or attest services for the Company, and the compensation of the independent auditors.
- Pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided to the Company or its subsidiary entities by its independent auditors. Authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated to one or more independent members, provided that the pre-approval is presented to the full Committee at its first scheduled meeting following such preapproval.
- On an annual basis, the Committee should review and discuss with the independent auditors all significant relationships they have with the Company that could impair the auditors' independence.
- Review the independent auditors' audit plan, and discuss scope, staffing, locations, reliance upon management and internal audit and general audit approach.
- Prior to releasing the year-end earnings, discuss the results of the audit with the independent auditors. Discuss certain matters required to be communicated to audit committees.
- Consider the independent auditors' judgments about the quality and appropriateness of the Company's accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting.
- Review the results of independent audits and any change in accounting practices or policies and their impact on the financial statements.
- Where there are unsettled issues raised by the independent auditors that do not have a material effect on the annual audited financial statements, require that there be a written response identifying a course of action that would lead to the resolution of such issues.
Other
- Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
- Ensure that the Company's annual information form, if one is prepared and filed, contains the required prescribed disclosure regarding the Committee, and, if management solicits proxies from the Company's securityholders for the purpose of electing directors to the Board, ensure that the prescribed disclosure is included in the Company's management information circular.
Access to Records
The Committee will be permitted access to all records and corporate information that it determines to be required in order to perform its duties.
SCHEDULE B
to Information Circular of
PLANET VENTURES INC.
CHANGE OF AUDITOR REPORTING PACKAGE
PLANET VENTURES INC. NOTICE OF CHANGE OF AUDITOR
TO: Manning Elliott LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants
AND TO: SHIM & Associates LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants
TAKE NOTICE THAT:
(a) Manning Elliott LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, the former auditors (the "Former Auditors") of PLANET VENTURES INC. (the "Corporation") have been requested to tender their resignation as the auditors of the Corporation effective May 26, 2022 and the directors of the Corporation on May 26, 2022 appointed SHIM & Associates LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants (the "Successor"), as the Corporation's successor auditors;
(b) the Former Auditors were requested to resign by the Corporation;
(c) the resignation of the Former Auditors and the appointment of the Successor has been approved by the audit committee and confirmed by the board of directors of the Corporation;
(d) there have been no reservations contained in the Former Auditor's reports on any of the previous financial statements of the Corporation; and
(e) there are no reportable events (as defined in National Instrument 51-102).
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada this 26th day of May, 2022.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
"Desmond Balakrishnan"
Desmond Balakrishnan, Executive Director

maflfl ng 17th floor, 1030 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V6E 2Y3 elliott Tel: 604. 714.3600 Fax: 604.714,3669 Web: manningelliott.com
June 21, 2022
To: British Columbia Securities Commission Alberta Securities Commission
Dear Sirs/Mesdames:
Re: Planet Ventures Inc. (the "Company")
Notice of Change of Auditor
We have read the Notice of Change of Auditor from the Company (the "Notice"), delivered to us pursuant to Part 4.11 of National Instrument 51-102 -Continuous Disclosure Obligations.
In this regard, we confirm that we are in agreement with the statements with respect to Manning Elliott LLP as set out in the Notice, and for other statements we have no basis to agree or disagree.
Yours truly,
MANNING ELLIOTT LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants

SHIM & Associates LLP Chartered Professional Accountants Suite 970 – 777 Hornby Street T: 604 559 3511 | F: 604 559 3501
1 June 2022
Alberta Securities Commission British Columbia Securities Commission
RE: Planet Ventures Inc. (the "Company") Notice Pursuant to National Instrument 51-102 - Change of Auditor
Dear Sirs:
As required by National Instrument 51-102 and in connection with our proposed engagement as auditor of the Company, we have reviewed the information contained in the Company's Notice of Change of Auditor, dated 26 May 2022 and agree with the information contained therein, based upon our knowledge of the information relating to the said notice and of the Company at this time.
Yours truly,
SHIM & Associates LLP
SHIM & Associates LLP Chartered Professional Accountants
SCHEDULE C
to Information Circular of
PLANET VENTURES INC.
SHARE OPTION PLAN DATED NOVEMBER 10, 2022
PLANET VENTURES INC. (the "Company")
SHARE OPTION PLAN
Dated for Reference November 10, 2022
ARTICLE 1 PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION
Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this Plan is to advance the interests of the Company by encouraging equity participation in the Company through the acquisition of Common Shares of the Company. It is the intention of the Company that this Plan will at all times be in compliance with TSX Venture Policies and any inconsistencies between this Plan and TSX Venture Policies will be resolved in favour of the latter.
Definitions
1.2 In this Plan
(a) Affiliate means a company that is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, or that is controlled by the same entity as the Company;
(b) Black-out Period means a period during which a restriction has been formally imposed by the Company, pursuant to its internal trading policies as a result of the bona fide existence of undisclosed material information, on all or any of its Participants whereby such Participants are prohibited from exercising, redeeming or settling their Options, provided that any Black-out Period must expire following the general disclosure of the undisclosed material information;
(c) Board means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly empowered or authorized to grant Options under this Plan;
(d) Cause means "Just Cause" as defined in the Participant's employment agreement or agreement for services with the Company or one of its subsidiaries, or if such term is not defined or if the Participant has not entered into an employment agreement or agreement for services with the Company or one of its subsidiaries, then any circumstance that would permit the Company or one of its subsidiaries to terminate a Participant's employment or agreement for services without notice of termination, or payment in lieu of notice of termination, severance pay or benefits continuation under the applicable law;
(e) Change of Control means the occurrence of any of:
(i) any transaction at any time and by whatever means pursuant to which any person or any group of two or more persons acting jointly or in concert (other than the Company or any of its Affiliates) thereafter acquires the direct or indirect "beneficial ownership" (as defined in the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)) of, or acquires the right to exercise control or direction over, securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the then issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company in any manner whatsoever, including, without limitation, as a result of a take-over bid, an issuance or exchange of securities, an amalgamation of the Company with any other person, an arrangement, a capital reorganization or any other business combination or reorganization;
(ii) the sale, assignment or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or any group of two or more persons acting jointly or in concert (other than a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company);
(iii) the occurrence of a transaction requiring approval of the Company's security holders whereby the Company is acquired through consolidation, merger, exchange of securities, purchase of assets, amalgamation, statutory arrangement or otherwise by any person or any group of two or more persons acting jointly or in concert (other than an exchange of securities with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company;
(iv) a majority of the Board consists of individuals which management of the Company has not nominated for election or appointment as directors; or
(v) the Board passes a resolution to the effect that an event comparable to an event set forth in this definition has occurred;
(f) Common Shares means the common shares without par value in the capital of the Company providing such class is listed on the TSX Venture;
(g) Company means the company named at the top hereof and includes, unless the context otherwise requires, all of its successors according to law;
(h) Consultant means, in relation to the Company, an individual (other than a Director, Officer or Employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries) or company that:
(i) is engaged to provide on an ongoing bona fide basis, consulting, technical, management or other services to the Company or to any of its subsidiaries, other than services provided in relation to a Distribution;
(ii) provides the services under a written contract between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the individual or the Company, as the case may be; and
(iii) in the reasonable opinion of the Company, spends or will spend a significant amount of time and attention on business and affairs of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries;
(i) Date of Termination means, for a Participant, the last day that the Participant actively provides services to the Company or a subsidiary of the Company without regard to any notice of termination or pay in lieu of notice thereof, deemed or notional notice period, or period during which the Participant receives pay in lieu of notice, termination pay, severance payments, or salary continuance, whether pursuant to statute, agreement, common law or otherwise;
(j) Director means a director (as defined under applicable securities laws) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(k) Discounted Market Price has the meaning assigned by Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Policies;
(l) Disinterested Shareholder Approval has the meaning assigned by Policy 4.4 Sections 5.3(b) and (c) of the TSX Venture Policies;
(m) Distribution has the meaning assigned by the Securities Act, and generally refers to a distribution of securities by the Company from treasury;
(n) Effective Date for an Option means the date of grant thereof by the Board;
(o) Employee means:
(i) an individual who is considered an employee of the Company or a subsidiary thereof under the Income Tax Act (Canada) 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 thereof providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or its subsidiary 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 thereof on a continuing and regular basis for a minimum amount of time per week providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or its subsidiary 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;
(p) Exchange Hold Period has the meaning assigned by Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Policies;
(q) Exercise Price means the amount payable per Common Share on the exercise of an Option, as determined in accordance with the terms hereof;
(r) Expiry Date means the day on which an Option lapses as specified in the Option Commitment therefor or in accordance with the terms of this Plan;
(s) Insider means an insider as defined in the TSX Venture Policies or as defined in securities legislation applicable to the Company;
(t) 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;
(u) Investor Relations Activities has the meaning assigned by Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Policies;
(v) 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;
(w) Market Price has the meaning assigned by Policy 1.1 of the TSX Venture Policies;
(x) Officer means an officer (as defined under applicable securities laws) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(y) Option means the right to purchase Common Shares granted to a Participant under this Security Based Compensation Plan;
(z) Option Commitment means the notice of grant of an Option delivered by the Company hereunder to a Participant and substantially in the form of Schedule A attached hereto;
(aa) Optioned Shares means Common Shares that may be issued in the future to a Participant upon the exercise of an Option;
(bb) Optionee means the recipient of an Option hereunder;
(cc) Outstanding Shares means at the relevant time, the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company from time to time;
(dd) Participant means a Service Provider that is the recipient of Security Based Compensation granted or issued by the Company;
(ee) Person includes a company, any unincorporated entity, or an individual;
(ff) Plan means this share option plan, the terms of which are set out herein or as may be amended;
(gg) Plan Shares means the total number of Common Shares which may be reserved for issuance as Optioned Shares under this Plan as provided in §2.2;
(hh) Regulatory Approval means the approval of the TSX Venture and any other securities regulatory authority that has lawful jurisdiction over this Plan and any Options issued hereunder;
(ii) Securities Act means the Securities Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 418, or any successor legislation;
(jj) Security Based Compensation has the meaning given to such term in TSX Venture Policy 4.4 – Security Based Compensation;
(kk) Security Based Compensation Plan has the meaning given to such term in TSX Venture Policy 4.4 – Security Based Compensation;
(ll) Service Provider means a Person who is a Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee, or Consultant, and also includes a company, 100% of the share capital of which is beneficially owned by one or more Service Providers;
(mm) Shareholder Approval means approval by a majority of the votes cast by eligible shareholders of the Company at a duly constituted shareholders' meeting;
(nn) Take Over Bid means a take over bid as defined in National Instrument 62-104 (Takeover Bids and Issuer Bids) or the analogous provisions of securities legislation applicable to the Company;
(oo) TSX Venture means the TSX Venture Exchange and any successor thereto;
(pp) TSX Venture Policies means the rules and policies of the TSX Venture as amended from time to time; and
(qq) VWAP means the volume-weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture calculated by dividing the total value by the total volume of the Common Shares traded for the five trading days immediately preceding the exercise of the subject Option, provided that the TSX Venture may exclude internal crosses and certain other special terms trades from the calculation.
Other Words and Phrases
1.3 Words and phrases used in this Plan but which are not defined in this Plan, but are defined in the TSX Venture Policies, will have the meaning assigned to them in the TSX Venture Policies.
Gender
1.4 Words importing the masculine gender include the feminine or neuter, words in the singular include the plural, words importing a corporate entity include individuals, and vice versa.
ARTICLE 2 SHARE OPTION PLAN
Establishment of Share Option Plan
2.1 This Plan is hereby established to recognize contributions made by Service Providers and to create an incentive for their continuing assistance to the Company and its Affiliates.
Maximum Plan Shares
2.2 The maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be reserved for issuance under this Plan, together with all other Security Based Compensation Plans, at any point in time is up to 10% of the Outstanding Shares as at the date of grant or issuance of any Security Based Compensation under any of such Security Based Compensation Plans.
Eligibility
2.3 Options to purchase Common Shares may be granted hereunder to Participants from time to time by the Board. Participants that are not individuals will be required to undertake in writing not to effect or permit any transfer of ownership or option of any of its securities, or to issue more of its securities (so as to indirectly transfer the benefits of an Option), as long as such Option remains outstanding, unless the written permission of the TSX Venture and the Company is obtained.
Options Granted Under this Plan
2.4 All Options granted under this Plan will be evidenced by an Option Commitment substantially in the form attached as Schedule A (or in such other form as determined by the Company) showing the number of Optioned Shares, the term of the Option, a reference to vesting terms, if any, and the Exercise Price.
2.5 Subject to specific variations approved by the Board, all terms and conditions set out herein will be deemed to be incorporated into and form part of an Option Commitment made hereunder.
Limitations on Participation
2.6 This Plan provides for the following limits on grants, unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the TSX Venture Policies:
(i) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to any one Participant (and where permitted pursuant to the TSX Venture Policies, any company that is wholly-owned by the Participant) pursuant to all Security Based Compensation of the Company granted or issued within any twelve (12) month period may not exceed 5% of the Outstanding Shares calculated on the date of grant of any Security Based Compensation;
(ii) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to Insiders of the Company (as a group) pursuant to all Security Based Compensation of the Company granted or issued within any twelve (12) month period may not exceed 10% of the Outstanding Shares calculated on the date of grant of any Security Based Compensation;
(iii) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to Insiders of the Company (as a group) pursuant to all Security Based Compensation of the Company may not exceed 10% of the Outstanding Shares at any point in time;
(iv) the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to any Consultant of the Company pursuant to all Security Based Compensation of the Company granted or issued within any twelve (12) month period may not exceed 2% of the Outstanding Shares calculated on the date of grant of any Security Based Compensation; and
(v) the maximum aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issuable to all Investor Relations Services Providers pursuant to Options granted or issued within any twelve (12) month period may not exceed 2% of the Outstanding Shares calculated on
the date of grant of any Options and Investor Relations Services Providers may not receive any Security Based Compensation other than Options.
Options Not Exercised
2.7 In the event an Option granted under this Plan is exercised, expires unexercised or is otherwise lawfully cancelled prior to exercise of the Option, the Optioned Shares that were issuable thereunder will be returned to this Plan and will be eligible for re-issuance.
Powers of the Board
2.8 The Board will be responsible for the general administration of this Plan and the proper execution of its provisions, the interpretation of this Plan and the determination of all questions arising hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board has the power to
(a) allot Common Shares for issuance in connection with the exercise of Options;
(b) grant Options hereunder;
(c) subject to any necessary Regulatory Approval, amend, suspend, terminate or discontinue this Plan, or revoke or alter any action taken in connection therewith, except that no general amendment or suspension of this Plan will, without the prior written consent of all Optionees, alter or impair any Option previously granted under this Plan unless the alteration or impairment occurred as a result of a change in the TSX Venture Policies or the Company's tier classification thereunder; and
(d) delegate all or such portion of its powers hereunder as it may determine to one or more committees of the Board, either indefinitely or for such period of time as it may specify, and thereafter each such committee may exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the Board in respect of this Plan so delegated to the same extent as the Board is hereby authorized so to do.
Amendment of this Plan by the Board of Directors
2.9 Subject to the requirements of the TSX Venture Policies and the prior receipt of any necessary Regulatory Approval, the Board may in its absolute discretion, amend or modify this Plan or any Option granted as follows:
(a) it may make amendments which are of a typographical, grammatical, clerical nature only;
(b) it may make amendments of a housekeeping nature;
(c) it may make amendments necessary as a result in changes in securities laws applicable to the Company or any requested changes by the TSX Venture; and
(d) if the Company becomes listed or quoted on a stock exchange or stock market senior to the TSX Venture, it may make such amendments as may be required by the policies of such senior stock exchange or stock market.
Amendments Requiring Disinterested Shareholder Approval
2.10 The Company will be required to obtain Disinterested Shareholder Approval prior to any of the following actions becoming effective:
(a) this Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plans, or any particular grant or issue of Security Based Compensation, could result in:
(i) the aggregate number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to Security Based Compensation to Insiders (as a group) exceeding 10% of the Outstanding Shares at any time;
(ii) the aggregate number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to Security Based Compensation granted or issued within any 12 month period to Insiders (as a group) exceeding 10% of the Outstanding Shares calculated at the date of grant or issue; or
(iii) the aggregate number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to Security Based Compensation granted or issued within any 12 month period to any one Participant exceeding 5% of the Outstanding Shares calculated at the date of grant or issue; or
(b) any reduction in the Exercise Price or the extension of the term of an Option held by an Insider or any other amendment to an Option that results in a benefit to an Insider.
Options Granted Under the Company's Previous Share Option Plans
2.11 Any option granted pursuant to a stock option plan previously adopted by the Board which is outstanding at the time this Plan comes into effect shall be deemed to have been issued under this Plan and shall, as of the date this Plan comes into effect, be governed by the terms and conditions hereof.
ARTICLE 3 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS
Exercise Price
3.1 The Exercise Price of an Option will be set by the Board at the time such Option is allocated under this Plan, and cannot be less than the Discounted Market Price.
Term of Option
3.2 The term of an Option will be set by the Board at the time such Option is allocated under this Plan. An Option can be exercisable for a maximum of 10 years from the Effective Date.
Option Amendment
3.3 Subject to §2.10(b), the Exercise Price of an Option may be amended only if at least six (6) months have elapsed since the later of the date of commencement of the term of the Option, the date the Common Shares commenced trading on the TSX Venture, or the date of the last amendment of the Exercise Price.
3.4 An Option must be outstanding for at least one year before the Company may extend its term, subject to the limits contained in §3.2.
3.5 In respect of any proposed amendment to the terms of an Option, and except as otherwise provided under TSX Venture Policies:
(a) any amendment must be approved by the TSX Venture, and be subject to shareholder approval, where applicable, prior to the exercise of such Option; and
(b) the Company must issue a news release outlining the terms of the amendment.
Vesting of Options
3.6 Subject to §3.7, vesting of Options shall be at the discretion of the Board and, with respect to any particular Options granted under this Plan, in the absence of a vesting schedule being specified at the time of grant, all such Options shall vest immediately. Where applicable, vesting of Options will generally be subject to:
(a) the Participant remaining employed by or continuing to provide services to the Company or any of its Affiliates as well as, at the discretion of the Board, achieving certain milestones which may be defined by the Board from time to time or receiving a satisfactory performance review by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the vesting period; or
(b) the Participant remaining as a Director of the Company or any of its Affiliates during the vesting period.
Vesting of Options Granted to Investor Relations Service Providers
3.7 Notwithstanding §3.6, Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers will vest such that:
(a) no more than 25% of the Options vest no sooner than three months after the Options were granted;
(b) no more than another 25% of Options vest no sooner than six months after the Options were granted;
(c) no more than 25% of Options vest no sooner than nine months after the Options were granted; and
(d) the remainder of the Options vest no sooner than 12 months after the Options were granted.
Effect of Take Over Bid
3.8 If a Take Over Bid is made to the shareholders generally then the Company shall immediately upon receipt of notice of the Take Over Bid, notify each Optionee currently holding an Option of the Take Over Bid, with full particulars thereof whereupon such Option may, notwithstanding §3.6 or any vesting requirements set out in the Option Commitment, be immediately exercised in whole or in part by the Optionee, subject to approval of the TSX Venture for vesting requirements imposed by the TSX Venture Policies.
Acceleration of Vesting on Change of Control
3.9 In the event of a Change of Control occurring, Options granted and outstanding, which are subject to vesting provisions, shall be deemed to have immediately vested upon the occurrence of the Change of Control, excluding Options granted to a Person engaged in Investor Relations Activities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no acceleration to the vesting schedule of one or more Options granted to an Investor Relations Service Provider can be made without the prior written acceptance of the TSXV.
Extension of Options Expiring during Black-out Period
3.10 Should the Expiry Date for an Option fall within a Black-out Period, such Expiry Date shall be automatically extended without any further act or formality to that day which is the tenth (10th) Business Day after the end of the Black-out Period, such tenth Business Day to be considered the Expiry Date for such Option for all purposes under the Plan, provided that such automatic extension of the Expiry Date for an Option will not apply where the Participant or the Company is subject to a cease trade order (or similar order under securities laws) in respect of the Company's securities.
Optionee Ceasing to be Director, Employee or Service Provider
3.11 Options may be exercised after the Participant has left his/her employ/office or has been advised by the Company or its subsidiary, as applicable, that his/her services are no longer required or his/her service contract has expired, until the term applicable to such Options expires, except as follows:
(a) in the case of the death of an Optionee, any vested Option held by him at the date of death will become exercisable by the Optionee's lawful personal representatives, heirs or executors until the earlier of one year after the date of death of such Optionee and the date of expiration of the term otherwise applicable to such Option;
(b) an Option granted to any Participant will expire 90 days (or such other time, not to exceed one year, as shall be determined by the Board as at the date of grant or agreed to by the Board and the Optionee at any time prior to expiry of the Option) after the Termination Date, and only to the extent that such Option was vested at the Termination Date; and
(c) in the case of an Optionee being dismissed from employment or service for Cause, such Optionee's Options, whether or not vested at the date of dismissal will immediately terminate on the Termination Date without right to exercise same.
Non Assignable
3.12 Subject to §3.11, all Options will be exercisable only by the Optionee to whom they are granted and will not be assignable or transferable.
Adjustment of the Number of Optioned Shares
3.13 The number of Common Shares subject to an Option will be subject to adjustment in the events and in the manner following:
(a) in the event of a subdivision of Common Shares as constituted on the date hereof, at any time while an Option is in effect, into a greater number of Common Shares, the Company will thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of Optioned Shares hereunder, in addition to the number of Optioned Shares in respect of which the right to purchase is then being exercised, such additional number of Common Shares as result from the subdivision without an Optionee making any additional payment or giving any other consideration therefor;
(b) in the event of a consolidation of the Common Shares as constituted on the date hereof, at any time while an Option is in effect, into a lesser number of Common Shares, the Company will thereafter deliver and an Optionee will accept, at the time of purchase of Optioned Shares hereunder, in lieu of the number of Optioned Shares in respect of which the right to purchase is then being exercised, the lesser number of Common Shares as result from the consolidation;
(c) in the event of any change of the Common Shares as constituted on the date hereof, at any time while an Option is in effect, the Company will thereafter deliver at the time of purchase of Optioned Shares hereunder the number of shares of the appropriate class resulting from the said change as an Optionee would have been entitled to receive in respect of the number of Common Shares so purchased had the right to purchase been exercised before such change;
(d) in the event of a capital reorganization, reclassification or change of outstanding equity shares (other than a change in the par value thereof) of the Company, a consolidation, merger or amalgamation of the Company with or into any other company or a sale of the property of the Company as or substantially as an entirety at any time while an Option is in effect, an Optionee will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, in lieu of the Optioned Shares immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the Option, the kind and amount of shares and other securities and property receivable upon such capital reorganization, reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, amalgamation or sale which the holder of a number of Common Shares equal to the number of Optioned Shares immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the Option would have received as a result thereof. The subdivision or consolidation of Common Shares at any time outstanding (whether with or without par value) will not be deemed to be a capital reorganization or a reclassification of the capital of the Company for the purposes of this §3.13;
(e) an adjustment will take effect at the time of the event giving rise to the adjustment, and the adjustments provided for in this section are cumulative;
(f) the Company will not be required to issue fractional shares in satisfaction of its obligations hereunder. Any fractional interest in a Common Share that would, except for the provisions of this §3.13, be deliverable upon the exercise of an Option will be cancelled and not be deliverable by the Company;
(g) if any questions arise at any time with respect to the Exercise Price or number of Optioned Shares deliverable upon exercise of an Option in any of the events set out in this §3.13, such questions will be conclusively determined by the Company's auditors, or, if they decline to so act, any other firm of Chartered Accountants, in Vancouver, British Columbia (or in the city of the Company's principal executive office) that the Company may designate and who will be granted access to all appropriate records and such determination will be binding upon the Company and all Optionees; and
(h) any adjustment, other than in connection with a security consolidation or security split, to Options granted or issued under this Plan is subject to the prior acceptance of the TSX Venture, including adjustments related to an amalgamation, merger, arrangement, reorganization, spinoff, dividend or recapitalization.
ARTICLE 4 COMMITMENT AND EXERCISE PROCEDURES
Option Commitment
4.1 Upon grant of an Option hereunder, an authorized officer of the Company will deliver to the Optionee an Option Commitment detailing the terms of such Options and upon such delivery the Optionee will be subject to this Plan and have the right to purchase the Optioned Shares at the Exercise Price set out therein subject to the terms and conditions hereof, including any additional requirements contemplated with respect to the payment of required withholding taxes on behalf of Optionees.
Manner of Exercise
4.2 An Optionee who wishes to exercise his Option may do so by delivering:
(a) a written notice to the Company specifying the number of Optioned Shares being acquired pursuant to the Option; and
(b) a certified cheque, wire transfer or bank draft payable to the Company for the aggregate Exercise Price for the Optioned Shares being acquired, plus any required withholding tax amount subject to §4.5.
Cashless Exercise
4.3 Subject to the provisions of this Plan (including, without limitation, §4.5) and, upon prior approval of the Board, once an Option has vested and become exercisable, an Optionee may elect to exercise such Option by either:
(a) excluding Options held by any Investor Relations Service Provider, a "net exercise" procedure in which the Company issues to the Optionee, such number of Common Shares as is equal to the number determined by dividing (i) the product of the number of Options being exercised multiplied by the difference between the VWAP of the underlying Common Shares and the exercise price of the subject Options by (ii) the VWAP of the underlying Common Shares; or
(b) a broker assisted "cashless exercise" in which the Company delivers a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker engaged for such purposes by the Company to sell the Common Shares otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Options and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the Exercise Price and all applicable required withholding obligations a determined by the Company against delivery of the Common Shares to settle the applicable trade. An Option may be exercised pursuant to this §4.3 from time to time by delivery to the Company, at its head office or such other place as may be specified by the Company of (i) written notice of exercise specifying that the Optionee has elected to effect such a cashless exercise of such Option, the method of cashless exercise, and the number of Options to be exercised and (ii) the payment of an amount for any tax withholding or remittance obligations of the Optionee or the Company arising under applicable law and verified by the Company to its satisfaction (or by entering into some other arrangement acceptable to the Company in its discretion, if any). The Participant shall comply with Section 4.5 of this Plan with regard to any applicable required withholding obligations and with such other procedures and policies as the Company may prescribe or determine to be necessary or advisable from time to time including prior written consent of the Board in connection with such exercise.
4.4 In the event of a net exercise pursuant to §4.3(a) or a cashless exercise pursuant to §4.3(b), the number of Options exercised, surrendered or converted, and not the number of Common Shares actually issued by the Company, must be included in calculating the limits set forth in §2.2, §2.6 and §2.10 of this Plan.
Tax Withholding and Procedures
4.5 Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Plan, the Company may, from time to time, implement such procedures and conditions as it determines appropriate with respect to the withholding and remittance of taxes imposed under applicable law, or the funding of related amounts for which liability may arise under such applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Optionee who wishes to exercise an Option must, in addition to following the procedures set out in §4.5 and elsewhere in this Plan, and as a condition of exercise:
(a) deliver a certified cheque, wire transfer or bank draft payable to the Company for the amount determined by the Company to be the appropriate amount on account of such taxes or related amounts; or
(b) otherwise ensure, in a manner acceptable to the Company (if at all) in its sole and unfettered discretion, that the amount will be securely funded;
and must in all other respects follow any related procedures and conditions imposed by the Company.
Delivery of Optioned Shares and Hold Periods
4.6 As soon as practicable after receipt of the notice of exercise described in §4.2 or §4.3, as applicable, and payment in full for the Optioned Shares being acquired, the Company will direct its transfer agent to issue to the Optionee the appropriate number of Optioned Shares. An Exchange Hold Period will be applied from the date of grant for all Options granted to:
(a) Insiders; or
(b) where Options are granted to any Participants, including Insiders, where the Exercise Price is at a discount to the Market Price.
4.7 Pursuant to TSX Venture Policies, where the Exchange Hold Period is applicable, the certificate representing the Optioned Shares or written notice in the case of uncertificated shares will include a legend stipulating that the Optioned Shares issued are subject to a four-month Exchange Hold Period commencing the Effective Date of the grant of the Options.
ARTICLE 5 GENERAL
Employment and Services
5.1 Nothing contained in this Plan will confer upon or imply in favour of any Optionee any right with respect to office, employment or provision of services with the Company or a subsidiary thereof, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or a subsidiary thereof to lawfully terminate the Optionee's office, employment or service at any time pursuant to the arrangements pertaining to same. Participation in this Plan by an Optionee is voluntary.
No Representation or Warranty
5.2 The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of Common Shares issued in accordance with the provisions of this Plan or to the effect of the Income Tax Act (Canada) or any other taxing statute governing the Options or the Common Shares issuable thereunder or the tax consequences to a Participant. Compliance with applicable securities laws as to the disclosure and resale obligations of each Participant is the responsibility of each Participant and not the Company.
Interpretation
5.3 This Plan will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
Continuation of Plan
5.4 This Plan will become effective from and after December 30, 2022, and will remain effective provided that this Plan, or any amended version thereof, receives Shareholder Approval at each annual general meeting of the holders of Common Shares of the Company subsequent to such effective date.
Amendment of this Plan
5.5 The Board reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to at any time amend, modify or terminate this Plan with respect to all Common Shares in respect of Options which have not yet been granted hereunder. Any amendment to any provision of this Plan will be subject to any necessary Regulatory Approvals and Shareholder Approval.
SCHEDULE A
SHARE OPTION PLAN
OPTION COMMITMENT
| Notice is hereby given that, effective this __ day of ____, 20 | , pursuant to |
|---|---|
| the provisions of the Share Option Plan (the "Plan") of Planet Ventures Inc. (the "Company"), the | |
| Company has granted to _______ (the "Optionee"), an | |
| Option to acquire __ Common Shares ("Optioned Shares") up to 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver | |
| Time) on the _ day of _____, 20 | (the "Expiry Date"), or such earlier |
| date as determined in accordance with the terms of this Plan, at an Exercise Price of Cdn\$______ | |
| per share. |
[Optioned Shares are to vest immediately.]
OR
[Optioned Shares will vest (INSERT VESTING SCHEDULE AND TERMS)]
The grant of the Option evidenced hereby is made subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are hereby incorporated herein and form part hereof. This Option Commitment and the Option evidenced hereby is not assignable, transferable or negotiable and is subject to the detailed terms and conditions contained in the Plan. This Option Commitment is issued for convenience only and in the case of any dispute with regard to any matter in respect hereof, the provisions of the Plan and the records of the Company shall prevail.
To exercise the Option, (1) deliver a written notice in the form attached as Schedule B to the Plan (or in such other form as established by the Company) specifying the number of Optioned Shares you wish to acquire, together with a certified cheque, wire transfer or bank draft payable to the Company for the aggregate exercise price, or (2) if the Optionee wishes to exercise the Option on a "net exercise" basis or "cashless exercise" basis in accordance Section 4.3(a) or Section 4.3(b) of the Plan and the Company's Board of Directors approves the exercise on a "net exercise" basis or "cashless exercise" basis, deliver a written notice and comply with such other conditions as established by the Company for a "net exercise" or "cashless exercise". A certificate, or a written notice in the case of uncertificated shares, for the Optioned Shares so acquired will be issued by the Company or its transfer agent, if applicable, as soon as practicable thereafter and may bear a restrictive legend if required under applicable securities laws or the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.
[Note: If a four month hold period is applicable under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the following legend must be placed on the certificate or the written notice in the case of uncertificated shares.
"WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE AND COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE TRADED ON OR THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE OR
OTHERWISE IN CANADA OR TO OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF A CANADIAN RESIDENT UNTIL [insert date 4 months from the date of grant of the Options]."
The Company and the Optionee represent that the Optionee, under the terms and conditions of the Plan, is a bona fide Service Provider (as defined in the Plan), entitled to receive Options under TSX Venture Policies.
The Optionee also acknowledges and consents to the collection and use of Personal Information (as defined in the TSX Venture Policies) by both the Company and the TSX Venture Exchange as more particularly set out in the Acknowledgement - Personal Information form in use by the TSX Venture Exchange on the date of this Option Commitment.
PLANET VENTURES INC.
Per:
Authorized Signatory
_____________________________________ [insert name and title of authorized signatory]
The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents to the Company that the Optionee is familiar with the terms and conditions of the Plan, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Optionee agrees to execute, deliver, file and otherwise assist the Company in filing any report, undertaking or document with respect to the awarding of the Option and exercise of the Option, as may be required by applicable regulatory authorities.
OPTIONEE:
Signature Date signed:
Print Name
Address
SCHEDULE B
SHARE OPTION PLAN
NOTICE TO EXERCISE OPTIONS
PLANET VENTURES INC.
Attention: Share Option Plan Administrator
| Re: Employee Share Option Exercise | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attn: | Share Option Plan of Planet Ventures Inc. (the "Company") | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This letter is to inform the Administrator of the Company's Share Option Plan that I, _______, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| wish to exercise ___ options, at | per share, on this | day of |
__, | |
| 20____. |
Payment issued in favour of [insert the name of the Company] for the amount of \$________________ will be forwarded, including withholding tax amounts.
Please register the share certificate in the name of:
Address:
Please send share certificate to:
| Name: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | |||
| Sincerely, | |||
| Signature of Optionee | Date | SIN Number (for T4) |
SCHEDULE C
to Information Circular of
PLANET VENTURES INC.
FIXED RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT PLAN DATED FOR REFERENCE NOVEMBER 26, 2020, AS AMENDED NOVEMBER 10, 2022
PLANET VENTURES INC.
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT PLAN
Dated for reference November 26, 2020, as amended November 10, 2022
ARTICLE 1 PURPOSE
Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this Restricted Share Unit Plan is to provide certain Directors, Employees and Consultants of the Company and its Related Entities with the opportunity to acquire Restricted Share Units of the Company in order to enable them to participate in the longterm success of the Company and to promote a greater alignment of their interests with the interests of the Company's shareholders.
ARTICLE 2 INTERPRETATION
Definitions
- 2.1 For purposes of the Plan, unless such word or term is otherwise defined herein or the context in which such word or term is used herein otherwise requires, the following words and terms with the initial letter or letters thereof capitalized shall have the following meanings:
- (a) "Account" means an account maintained for each Participant on the books of the Company that will be credited with RSUs in accordance with the terms of the Plan;
- (b) "Applicable Withholding Amounts" is defined in Section 4.7(c);
- (c) "Approved Leave of Absence" means a leave of absence from full time employment with the Company or affiliate thereof that is provided for in the policies, plans or regulations of the Company or its affiliates or that is approved by management of the Company, including, without limitation, maternity and parental leave in accordance with the Company's (or its affiliates') policies or plans related to Short-Term Disability or Long-Term Disability;
- (d) "Award" means a grant of RSUs under the Plan;
-
(e) "Award Date" means a date on which RSUs are awarded to a Participant in accordance with Section 4.1;
-
(f) "Award Notice" means a notice substantially in the form of Schedule A and containing such other terms and conditions relating to an award of RSUs as the Committee may prescribe;
- (g) "Blackout Period" means the period of time when, pursuant to any policies of the Company, any securities of the Company may not be traded by certain persons as designated by the Company, including any holder of an RSU;
- (h) "Board" means the board of directors of the Company;
- (i) "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday on which the Exchange is open for trading;
- (j) "Cause" means "Just Cause" as defined in the Participant's employment agreement or agreement for services with the Company or one of its Related Entities, or if such term is not defined or if the Participant has not entered into an employment agreement or agreement for services with the Company or one of its Related Entities, then as such term is defined by applicable law, and shall include, without limitation, the occurrence of one of the following events with respect to the Employee: (a) has materially breached any written agreement between the Participant and the Company; (b) is convicted of a criminal offence relating to duties of the Participant, including any for breach of trust or fraud; (c) has refused to comply with a lawful order or direction of the Company or the Board; (d) has engaged in negligence or incompetence in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of his or her position in a diligent, professional and efficient manner; or (e) has been involved in any other act, omission, or misconduct which constitutes just cause at common law;
- (k) "Committee" means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly empowered or authorized by the board of directors to administer the Plan;
- (l) "Common Shares" means the common shares in the capital of the Company as presently constituted or, in the event of an adjustment contemplated by Section 4.12, such other number or type of securities as the Committee may determine;
- (m) "Company" means Planet Ventures Inc. and its successors and assigns;
- (n) "Consultant" means, in relation to the Company, an individual (other than a Director, Officer or Employee of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries) or company that:
-
(i) Is engaged to provide on an ongoing bona fide basis, consulting, technical, management or other services to the Company or to any of its subsidiaries, other than services provided in relation to a Distribution;
-
(ii) provides the services under a written contract between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the individual or the Company, as the case may be; 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 of its subsidiaries;
- (o) "Control Change" means the occurrence of any of:
- (i) any transaction at any time and by whatever means pursuant to which any person or any group of two or more persons acting jointly or in concert (other than the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiary) thereafter acquires the direct or indirect "beneficial ownership" (as defined in the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)) of, or acquires the right to exercise control or direction over, securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the then issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company in any manner whatsoever, including, without limitation, as a result of a take-over bid, an issuance or exchange of securities, an amalgamation of the Company with any other person, an arrangement, a capital reorganization or any other business combination or reorganization;
- (ii) the sale, assignment or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or any group of two or more persons acting jointly or in concert (other than a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company);
- (iii) the occurrence of a transaction requiring approval of the Company's security holders whereby the Company is acquired through consolidation, merger, exchange of securities, purchase of assets, amalgamation, statutory arrangement or otherwise by any person or any group of two or more persons acting jointly or in concert (other than an exchange of securities with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company);
- (iv) a majority of the Board consists of individuals which management of the Company has not nominated for election or appointment as directors; or
- (v) the Board passes a resolution to the effect that an event comparable to an event set forth in this definition has occurred;
- (p) "Control Change Period" means the period commencing on the date of occurrence of a Control Change and ending twelve months after that date;
- (q) "Director" means a director (as defined under applicable securities laws) of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries;
-
(r) "Disinterested Shareholder Approval" has the meaning assigned by Policy 4.4, Sections 5.3(b) and (c) of the TSX Venture Exchange Policies;
-
(s) "Eligible Person" means a Person entitled to participate in the Plan in accordance with Section 3.2;
- (t) "Employee" means
- (i) an individual who is considered an employee of the Company or of its subsidiary under the Income Tax Act (Canada) 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 an Company or its subsidiary providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or its subsidiary 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 an Company or its subsidiary on a continuing and regular basis for a minimum amount of time per week (the number of hours should be disclosed in the submission) providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Company or its subsidiary 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;
- (u) "Exchange" means the TSX Venture Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed for trading, as applicable;
- (v) "Exchange Policies" means the policies, orders, by-laws or regulations of the Exchange;
- (w) "Expiry Time" means 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the last day of the RSU Term;
-
(x) "Fair Market Value" means, at any date, the higher of: (a) the weighted average price per share at which the Common Shares have traded on the Exchange during the last five (5) trading days prior to that date and (b) the closing price of the Common Shares on the Exchange on the date prior to that date, or, if the Common Shares are not then listed and posted for trading on any stock exchange, then it shall be the fair market value per Common Share as determined by the Board in its sole discretion; and for such purposes, the weighted average price per share at which the Common Shares have traded on the Exchange shall be calculated by dividing (a) the aggregate sale price for all the Common Shares traded on the Exchange during the relevant five trading days by (b) the aggregate number of Common Shares traded on the Exchange during the relevant five trading days;
-
(y) "Good Reason" means "Good Reason" as defined in the Participant's employment agreement or agreement for services with the Company or one of its Related Entities, or if such term is not defined or if the Participant has not entered into an employment agreement or agreement for services with the Company or one of its Related Entities, then it means:
- (i) without the express written consent of the Participant, the assignment to the Participant of any duties materially inconsistent with the Participant's position, duties and responsibilities with the Company immediately prior to such assignment or any removal of the Participant from, or any failure to re-elect the Participant to, material positions, duties and responsibilities with the Company;
- (ii) a material reduction in total compensation, including annual base salary, incentive compensation, benefits (including pension, life insurance, health and accident benefits) and perquisites the Participant was receiving immediately prior to insolvency or a Control Change; or
- (iii) any reason which would be considered to amount to constructive dismissal by a Court of competent jurisdiction;
- (z) "Insider" means: (a) a Director or senior officer of the Company; (b) a Director or senior officer of a company that is an Insider or subsidiary of the Company; (c) a person that beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, Common Shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding shares of the Company; and (d) the Company itself if it holds any of its own securities;
- (aa) "Investor Relations Activities" has the meaning assigned by Policy 1.1 Interpretation of the TSX Venture Exchange;
- (bb) "Investor Relations Service Provider" has the meaning assigned by Policy 4.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange Policies;
- (cc) "Notice of Acquisition" means a notice substantially in the form of Schedule B from a Participant to the Company giving notice of the exercise of an RSU previously granted to the Participant;
- (dd) "Participant" means an Eligible Person who has been awarded RSUs under the Plan or to whom RSUs have been transferred in accordance with the Plan;
- (ee) "Payment Amount" means the amount determined in accordance with Section 4.7(a);
- (ff) "Performance Criteria" means such corporate and/or personal performance criteria as may be determined by the Committee in respect of the grant and/or vesting of Restricted Share Units to any Participant, which criteria may be applied to either the Company and its Related Entities as a whole or a Related Entity individually or in any combination, and measured either in total, incrementally or
cumulatively over a calendar year or such other performance period as may be specified by the Committee in its sole discretion, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years' results or to a designated comparison group;
- (gg) "Person" means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, firm, entity, unincorporated association, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated organization, trust, body corporate, fund, organization or other group of organized persons, government, government regulatory authority, governmental department, agency, commission, board, tribunal, dispute settlement panel or body, bureau, court, and where the context requires any of the foregoing when they are acting as trustee, executor, administrator or other legal representative;
- (hh) "Plan" means this Restricted Share Unit Plan as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time;
- (ii) "Related Entity" means a Person that is controlled by the Company;
- (jj) "Restricted RSUs" has the meaning as set out in Section 4.7(e);
- (kk) "Restricted Share Unit" or "RSU" means a unit equivalent in value to a Common Share, credited by means of a bookkeeping entry on the books of the Company in accordance with Article 4;
- (ll) "RSU Term" means a term during which a Participant may acquire a Common Share for any vested RSUs granted pursuant to the Plan;
- (mm) "Security Based Compensation Plan" means this Plan and any stock option plan, employee stock purchase plan, deferred share unit plan, other restricted share unit plan, or other compensation or incentive mechanism involving the issuance or potential issuance of Common Shares, including but not limited to a purchase of Common Shares from treasury which is financially assisted by the Company by way of loan, guarantee, or otherwise;
- (nn) "Separation Date" means the last date on which the Participant is actively with or providing services to the Company without regard to any contractual or common law notice period that might apply to such termination or any period during which the Participant receives termination or severance pay; and for greater certainty, in the event that a Participant is on an Approved Leave of Absence, they shall not be deemed to have ceased to be actively at work or to have ceased to be a full time employee;
- (oo) "TSX Venture Exchange Policies" means the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange as amended from time to time; and
- (pp) "Vesting Date" means the date determined in accordance with Section 4.2.
Certain Rules of Interpretation
- 2.2 (a) Whenever the Board or, where applicable, the Committee or any sub-delegate of the Committee is to exercise discretion in the administration of the terms and conditions of this Plan, the term "discretion" means the sole and absolute discretion of the Board or the Committee or the sub-delegate of the Committee, as the case may be.
- (b) As used herein, the terms "Article" and "Section" mean and refer to the specified Article or Section of this Plan.
- (c) Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender include any other gender.
- (d) Unless otherwise specified, all references to money amounts are to Canadian currency.
- (e) A Person (First Person) is considered to "control" another Person (Second Person) if the First Person, directly or indirectly, has the power to direct the management and policies of the Second Person by virtue of:
- (i) ownership of or direction over voting securities in the Second Person;
- (ii) a written agreement or indenture;
- (iii) being the general partner or controlling the general partner of the Second Person; or
- (iv) being a trustee of the Second Person.
ARTICLE 3 ADMINISTRATION
Administration of the Plan
- 3.1 (a) Subject to subsections 3.1(b) and 3.1(c), this Plan will be administered by the Committee and the Committee has sole and complete authority, in its discretion, to:
- (i) interpret the Plan and prescribe, modify and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan;
- (ii) exercise rights reserved to the Company under the Plan;
- (iii) determine Performance Criteria (if any);
- (iv) determine vesting schedules (if any);
- (v) prescribe forms for notices to be prescribed by the Company under the Plan; and
(vi) make all other determinations and take all other actions as it considers necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of the Plan.
The Committee's determinations and actions under this Plan are final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Participants and all other Persons.
- (b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may, from time to time, delegate to any specified officer of the Company all or any of the powers of the Committee under the Plan. In such event, the specified officer will exercise the powers delegated to it by the Committee in the manner and on the terms authorized by the Committee. Any decision made or action taken by the Committee or the specified officer arising out of or in connection with the administration or interpretation of this Plan in this context is final, binding and conclusive on the Company, any custodian appointed in respect of the Plan, the Participants and all other Persons.
- (c) Notwithstanding subsections 3.1(a) and 3.1(b), oversight and ultimate responsibility for the Plan resides with the Board. At any time and from time to time, the Board may, in its discretion, take any action or make any decision that is otherwise delegated to the Committee pursuant to Section 3.1(a).
Eligibility
3.2 All Directors, Employees and Consultants of the Company and its Related Entities are eligible to participate in the Plan, but actual participation of any Person is at the discretion of the Committee or the Board. The Company reserves the right to restrict eligibility or otherwise limit the number of Persons eligible for participation in the Plan at any time. Eligibility to participate in the Plan does not confer upon any Person a right to receive an award of RSUs pursuant to the Plan. It shall be the responsibility of the Company and the Eligible Person to ensure that such Eligible Person is a bona fide Eligible Person. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, Investor Relations Service Providers are not eligible to participate in this Plan.
Consistency With Other Agreements
3.3 Notwithstanding the general terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Notice, the terms and conditions of any Award of RSUs granted under this Plan shall, to the greatest extent possible, be made consistent with the terms and conditions of any written agreement between the Company and/or a Related Entity on the one hand and the Participant on the other hand, in so far as such agreement provides for the treatment of share incentives. In the event of any conflict between any written employment agreement or agreement for services and this Plan or any Award Notice, the written employment agreement or agreement for services shall govern.
Taxes
3.4 Each Participant shall be solely responsible for personal income tax payable (and any other tax, levy or charge of any description) with respect to participation in the Plan, including with respect to any payment received by the Participant in respect of vested RSUs under the Plan, although the Company is authorized to deduct Applicable Withholding Amounts from such payments.
ARTICLE 4 AWARDS OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
Awards of Restricted Share Units
4.1 Subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Committee or the Board may prescribe, the Committee may, from time to time, award RSUs in its discretion to any Eligible Person. RSUs so awarded shall be credited to an Account maintained for each Participant on the books of the Company as of the Award Date. The number of RSUs to be credited to each Participant's Account in respect of a fiscal year shall be determined by dividing: (a) the dollar amount of the portion of the Participant's compensation which the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines to be paid as RSUs (including, for greater certainty, such portion of the Participant's compensation which the Participant has elected to be paid as RSUs in advance of an award in accordance with any rules as may be adopted and communicated by the Committee in this regard at its discretion, if the Committee in its discretion determines to do so), by (b) the Fair Market Value per Common Share on the Award Date. Any fractional RSUs resulting from such calculations shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. For greater certainty, a fractional entitlement that is equal to or greater than 0.5 shall be rounded up to the next greater whole number and a fractional entitlement that is less than 0.5 shall be rounded down to the next lesser whole number.
Vesting Period and RSU Term
4.2 Each Award will vest on the dates and/or the satisfaction of the Performance Criteria (each a "Vesting Date") specified by the Committee on the Award Date, and reflected in the Award Notice. The RSU Term shall be determined by the Committee on the Award Date, and reflected in the Award Notice and shall not exceed ten years from the Award Date. For greater certainty, subject to Sections 4.10 and 4.11, no Award may vest before the date that is one year following the Award Date. Each RSU outstanding and all rights thereunder shall expire at the Expiry Time, but shall be subject to earlier termination or vesting in accordance with Sections 4.8 and 4.10 of this Plan.
Award Notice
4.3 All Awards of RSUs under Section 4.1 of this Plan will be evidenced by Award Notices. Such Award Notices will be subject to the applicable provisions of this Plan and will contain such provisions as are required by this Plan and any other provisions that the Committee may direct. Any one officer of the Company is authorized and empowered to execute and deliver, for and on behalf of the Company, an Award Notice to each Participant.
Credits for Dividends
4.4 A Participant's Account shall be credited with additional RSUs as of each dividend payment date in respect of which cash dividends are paid on Common Shares. The number of additional RSUs to be credited to a Participant's Account shall be computed by dividing: (a) the dividends that would have been paid to such Participant if each RSU in the Participant's Account on the relevant dividend record date had been one Common Share, by (b) the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares determined as of the date of payment of such dividend. Any fractional RSUs resulting from such calculation shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. For greater certainty, a fractional entitlement that is equal to or greater than 0.5 shall be shall be rounded up to the next greater whole number and a fractional entitlement that is less than 0.5 shall be rounded down to the next lesser whole number. Any such additional RSUs credited to the Participant's Account shall vest in proportion to and shall be paid under Section 4.6 in the same manner as the RSUs to which they relate. The foregoing does not obligate the Company to pay dividends on Common Shares and nothing in this Plan shall be interpreted as creating such an obligation.
Reporting of Restricted Share Units
4.5 Statements of the RSU Accounts will be provided to Participants on an annual basis or made available on an on-going basis by any Plan administrator.
Allotment of Common Shares for Issuance by the Company
4.6 The Company shall allot for issuance from treasury such number of Common Shares corresponding to the maximum number of Common Shares that may be deliverable to Participants under this Plan.
Acquisition of Vested RSUs
4.7 (a) A Participant or, if Section 4.10 applies, the Participant's estate, who wishes to acquire a Common Share for any vested RSUs may do so by delivering: (i) a completed Notice of Acquisition to the Company on or before the Expiry Time; and (ii) a certified cheque or bank draft payable to the Company for the Applicable Withholding Amounts (as defined herein) as may be required pursuant to Section 4.7(c), following which the Company shall issue, within ten days following receipt of the Notice of Acquisition, and subject to such applicable residual withholding, if any, as the Company determines in its discretion should then be imposed to meet related withholding or remittance obligations under applicable law, one Common Share for each RSU in the Participant's Account that the Participant has included on the Notice of Acquisition (the "Payment Amount"). The RSUs in respect of which Common Shares are issued shall be cancelled and no further issuances shall be made to the Participant under the Plan in relation to such RSUs.
- (b) The Company shall register and deliver certificates for such Common Shares to the Participant by first class insured mail, unless the Company shall have received alternative instructions from the Participant for the registration and/or delivery of the certificates.
- (c) When a Participant is otherwise entitled to receive the Payment Amount, the Company shall, as a condition of issuance of the Common Shares relating to such Payment Amount, have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Company such amount or amounts as the Company determines in its discretion should be so remitted in order to satisfy or allow the Company to satisfy any federal, provincial, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld and/or remitted with respect to the payment of the Payment Amount or any other taxable event arising as a result of the Plan (the "Applicable Withholding Amounts"). At the Company's discretion, the Company may also choose to require satisfaction of all or any part of the Applicable Withholding Amounts by:
- (i) the tendering by the Participant of a cash payment to the Company in an amount less than or equal to the Applicable Withholding Amount;
- (ii) the withholding by the Company from the Common Shares otherwise payable to the Participant such number of Common Shares as it determines to be withheld (including any excess then determined by the Company in its discretion) and sold by the Company, as trustee, to satisfy the Applicable Withholding Amount (net of selling costs, which shall be paid by the Participant). The Participant consents to such sale and grants to the Company an irrevocable power of attorney to effect the sale of such Common Shares and acknowledges and agrees that the Company does not accept responsibility for the price obtained on the sale of such Common Shares; and/or
- (iii) the withholding by the Company from any cash payment otherwise due to the Participant (for any reason whatsoever) such amount of cash as is less than or equal to the amount of the Applicable Withholding Amount;
provided, however, that the sum of any cash so paid or withheld and the fair market value of any Common Shares so withheld is equal to or greater than the Applicable Withholding Amount.
(d) Participants (and their beneficiaries or any other Persons claiming thereby) shall be responsible for all taxes with respect to participation in the Plan, any RSUs granted under the Plan, receipt of a Payment Amount or otherwise, arising in any way whatsoever. The Company and the Board make no guarantees or representations to any Person regarding the tax status of the Plan or RSUs, tax treatment of an RSU award or issuances of Common Shares made under the Plan, tax impact of any decisions or determinations made by the Committee in the administration of the Plan, or otherwise, and none of the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, representatives or counsel shall have any liability to a Participant with respect thereto.
(e) If the Expiry Time for an RSU falls within any Blackout Period or within ten business days (being a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other than a day when banks in Vancouver, British Columbia are not generally open for business) following the end of any Blackout Period (the "Restricted RSUs"), then the Expiry Time of such Restricted RSUs shall, without any further action, be extended to the date that is ten business days following the end of such Blackout Period notwithstanding any other term of the Plan.
Resignation or Termination
- 4.8 Notwithstanding Section 4.7, and subject to any express resolution passed by the Committee, if:
- (a) a Participant's employment or service with the Company or the Related Entity is terminated, whether or not for Cause; or
- (b) a Participant resigns from employment or service with the Company or a Related Entity,
then
- (c) any RSUs granted to the Participant under the Plan which have not yet vested or been deemed to be vested, on or before the Separation Date for the Participant are forfeited and cancelled effective on the Separation Date and shall terminate without payment and shall be of no further force or effect from and after the Separation Date; and
- (d) the Participant may, but only within the next 30 days following the Separation Date, deliver a completed Notice of Acquisition to the Company to acquire Common Shares for previously vested RSUs (if any) and following such 30 day period, any vested RSUs in respect of which the Participant has not delivered a completed Notice of Acquisition to the Company shall be forfeited and cancelled effective at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on such 30th day and shall terminate without payment and shall be of no further force or effect from and after such time.
Leave of Absence
4.9 In the event a Participant takes a leave of absence other than an Approved Leave of Absence, all RSUs granted to the Participant under the Plan that have not then vested shall terminate and be null and void, subject to the Board's sole and absolute discretion to determine otherwise and applicable law.
Death of Participant
4.10 Notwithstanding Section 4.2, but subject to any express resolution passed by the Committee, upon the death of a Participant, any RSUs granted to the Participant under the Plan which, as of the date of the death of a Participant have not yet vested, shall immediately vest. Notwithstanding Section 4.2, upon the death of a Participant, any RSUs granted to the Participant under the Plan shall be forfeited and cancelled effective at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the first year anniversary of the death of the Participant and shall terminated without payment and shall be of no further force or effect from and after such time. If a Participant's heirs or administrators are entitled to any portion of the Participant's outstanding RSUs, the period in which they shall be entitled to make a claim in respect of such RSUs may not exceed one year from the Participant's death.
Control Change
- 4.11 (a) In the circumstances where the Company has entered into an agreement relating to, or otherwise becomes aware of, a transaction which, if completed, would result in a Control Change, the Company shall give written notice of the proposed transaction to the Participants, together with a description of the effect of such Control Change on outstanding RSUs. Such notice shall be given not less than ten Business Days prior to the closing of the transaction resulting in the Control Change.
- (b) Notwithstanding anything else in this Plan or any Award Notice, the Committee may, in connection with a Control Change and at its sole option and without the consent of any Participant:
- (i) take such steps as the Committee considers desirable, taking into account any tax consequences to the extent considered relevant by the Committee, to cause the conversion or exchange of any outstanding RSUs into or for, rights or other securities of substantially equivalent value (or greater value), as determined by the Committee in its discretion, in any entity participating in or resulting from a Control Change;
- (ii) accelerate the vesting of any or all outstanding RSUs to provide that, notwithstanding Section 4.2 or any Award Notice, such outstanding RSUs shall be fully vested upon (or immediately prior to) the completion of the transaction resulting in the Control Change; or
- (iii) determine that a Participant who is no longer an Eligible Person as a result of or in anticipation of a Control Change shall continue to be a Participant and Eligible Person for purposes of the Plan, but subject to such terms and conditions, if any, established by the Committee in its sole discretion.
- (c) If, before the Vesting Date with respect to any RSUs granted to the Participant under the Plan, the Participant's service as a Director ceases or as an Employee of the Company or of a Related Entity is terminated by the Company or the Related
Entity (or by the Participant as contemplated below in (i)B) in circumstances where such cessation or termination occurs:
- (i) subsequent to a Control Change and during the Control Change Period and such cessation or termination was:
- A. for any reason whatsoever other than death or termination for Cause; or
- B. for Good Reason and the Participant gives notice to the Company to that effect and after thirty days the Company does not cure the act or omission which constitutes Good Reason; or
- (ii) prior to the date on which a Control Change occurs and it is reasonably demonstrated that such termination:
- A. was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Control Change; or
- B. arose in connection with or anticipation of a Control Change,
then the Award shall immediately vest on the Separation Date and the Payment Amount shall be equal to the number of Common Shares determined on the Separation Date multiplied by the number of RSUs in the Participant's Account, net of applicable withholding tax. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.11, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, provide in the Award Notice evidencing the Award a provision to the effect that this Section 4.11 shall not apply in respect of that Award or shall apply on such modified basis as is expressly set forth in such Award Notice.
Adjustments to Restricted Share Units
4.12 In the event of any subdivision, consolidation, stock dividend, capital reorganization, reclassification, exchange, or other change with respect to the Common Shares, or a consolidation, amalgamation, merger, spin-off, sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property of the Company or other distribution of the Company's assets to shareholders (other than the payment of dividends in respect of the Common Shares as contemplated by Section 4.4), the Committee may choose to adjust the Account of each Participant and the RSUs outstanding under the Plan in such manner, if any, as the Committee may in its discretion deem appropriate (taking into account any tax consequences to the extent considered relevant by the Committee) to preserve the Account of each Participant and the RSUs outstanding under the Plan shall be adjusted in such manner, if any, as the Committee may in its discretion deem appropriate to preserve, proportionally, the interests of Participants under the Plan. For greater certainty and notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, in no event shall a Participant be or become entitled to receive any amount of cash from the Company. Any adjustment, other than in connection with a security consolidation or security split, to Security Based Compensation granted or issued under a Security Based Compensation Plan must be subject to the prior acceptance of the Exchange, including adjustments related to an amalgamation, merger, arrangement, reorganization, spin-off, dividend or recapitalization.
Discretion to Permit Vesting
- 4.13 Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article 4, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, subject to such terms and conditions (if any) established by the Committee in its sole discretion, at any time prior to or following the events contemplated therein, permit:
- (a) Persons previously entitled to participate in the Plan to continue to be a Participant for purposes of the Plan;
- (b) the vesting or accelerated vesting of any or all RSUs held by a Participant; and
- (c) the payment of the Payment Amount in respect of such RSUs in the manner and on the terms authorized by the Committee.
Common Shares Reserved
4.14 The maximum number of Common Shares which may be reserved for issuance under the Plan at any time shall be 5,531,284 Common Shares, subject to adjustment under Section 4.12.
Limits on Issuances
- 4.15 The Plan provides for the following limits on grants unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Policies:
- (a) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plan, for Insiders (as a group) at any point in time may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares from time to time;
- (b) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum number of RSUs that may be granted to Insiders (as a group) under the Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plan, within a 12 month period, may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the Award Date;
- (c) unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, the maximum number of RSUs that may be granted to any one Eligible Person (and companies wholly owned by that Eligible Person) under the Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plan, within a 12 month period, may not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the Award Date;
- (d) the maximum number of RSUs that may be granted to any one Consultant under the Plan, together with any other Security Based Compensation Plan, within a 12
month period, may not exceed 2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the Award Date; and
(e) RSUs granted under the Plan are subject to a four-month hold period, in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange Policies.
The respective limits set out above may be exceeded: (a) if the Common Shares are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, on a case-by-case basis, upon the approval of the disinterested shareholders of the Company; or (b) if the Common Shares are not listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, in accordance with the applicable Exchange Policies.
Status of Terminated RSUs
4.16 For purposes of determining the number of Common Shares that remain available for issuance under the Plan, the number of Common Shares underlying any grants of RSUs that are surrendered, forfeited, waived and/or cancelled shall be added back to the Plan and again be available for future grant, whereas the number of Common Shares underlying any grants of RSUs that are issued upon exercise of RSUs shall not be available for future grant.
ARTICLE 5 GENERAL
Amendment, Suspension or Termination of Plan
- 5.1 (a) Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, the Committee may from time to time amend or suspend the Plan in whole or in part and may at any time terminate the Plan without prior notice. However, any such amendment, suspension or termination shall not adversely affect the RSUs previously granted to a Participant at the time of such amendment, suspension or termination, without the consent of the affected Participant.
- (b) If the Committee suspends or terminates the Plan, no new RSUs will be credited to the account of a Participant; however, previously credited RSUs shall remain outstanding but shall not be entitled to dividend credits following suspension or termination unless at the time of suspension or termination the Committee determines that the entitlement to dividend credits during suspension or after termination, as applicable, should be continued.
- (c) The Committee shall not require the consent of any affected Participant in connection with a termination of the Plan in which the vesting of all RSUs held by the Participant are accelerated and the Payment Amount (less Applicable Withholding Amount) is paid to the Participant in respect of all such RSUs.
-
(d) The Company will be required to obtain the disinterested shareholder approval for any amendment of the Plan related to:
-
(i) the number or percentage issued and outstanding Common Shares available for grant under the Plan;
- (ii) a change in method of calculation of redemption of RSUs held by Eligible Persons; and
- (ii) an extension to the term for redemption of RSUs held by Eligible Persons.
- (e) The Plan will terminate on the date upon which no further RSUs remain outstanding, provided that such termination is confirmed by a resolution of the Committee.
Compliance with Laws
5.2 The administration of the Plan shall be subject to and made in conformity with all applicable laws and any regulations of a duly constituted regulatory authority. If any provision of the Plan or any RSU contravenes any law or any policy, order, by-law or regulation of any regulatory body or an Exchange, then such provision shall be deemed to be amended to the extent required to bring such provision into compliance therewith.
Participant's Entitlement
5.3 Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, RSUs previously granted under this Plan, whether or not then vested, are not affected by any change in the relationship between, or ownership of, the Company and a Related Entity. For greater certainty, all RSUs remain valid in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Plan and are not affected by reason only that, at any time, a Related Entity ceases to be a Related Entity.
Reorganization of the Company
5.4 The existence of any RSUs shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its shareholders to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company's capital structure or its business, or to create or issue any bonds, debentures, shares or other securities of the Company or to amend or modify the rights and conditions attaching thereto or to effect the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any amalgamation, combination, merger or consolidation involving the Company or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar nature or otherwise.
Costs of Administration
5.5 The Company will be responsible for all costs relating to the administration of the Plan except that the participant shall pay all brokerage fees related to their own brokerage account(s) to which Common Shares are delivered pursuant to Section 4.7.
Assignment
- 5.6 (a) An RSU is personal to the Participant and is non-assignable. No RSU granted hereunder shall be pledged, hypothecated, charged, transferred, assigned or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the Participant, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, otherwise than by testate succession or the laws of descent and distribution, and any attempt to do so will cause such RSU to be null and void. A vested RSU shall be redeemable only by the Participant and, upon the death of a Participant, the person to whom the rights shall have passed by testate succession or by the laws of descent and distribution may redeem any vested RSUs in accordance with the provisions of Article 4.
- (b) Rights and obligations under the Plan may be assigned by the Company (without the consent of Participants) to a successor in the business of the Company, any Corporation resulting from any amalgamation, reorganization, combination, merger or arrangement of the Company, or any corporation acquiring all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company.
No Shareholder Rights
5.7 Under no circumstances shall RSUs be considered Common Shares or other securities of the Company, nor shall they entitle any Participant to exercise voting rights or any other rights attaching to the ownership of Common Shares or other securities of the Company, nor shall any Participant be considered the owner of Common Shares by virtue of the Award of RSUs.
Participation is Voluntary; No Additional Rights
5.8 The participation of any Participant in the Plan is entirely voluntary and not obligatory and shall not be interpreted as conferring upon such Participant any rights or privileges other than those rights and privileges expressly provided in the Plan. In particular, participation in the Plan does not constitute a condition of employment or service nor a commitment on the part of the Company to ensure the continued employment or service of such Participant. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to provide the Participant with any rights whatsoever to participate or to continue participation in this Plan, or to compensation or damages in lieu of participation, whether upon termination of the Participant's employment or service or otherwise. The Company does not assume responsibility for the personal income tax liability or other tax consequences for the Participants and they are advised to consult with their own tax advisors.
Market Fluctuations
5.9 No amount will be paid to, or in respect of, a Participant under the Plan to compensate for a downward fluctuation in the price of Common Shares, nor will any other form of benefit be conferred upon, or in respect of, a Participant for such purpose. For greater certainty and notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, a Participant will in no event be or become entitled to receive any amount of cash from the Company in respect of participation in this Plan. The Company makes no representations or warranties to
Participants with respect to the Plan or the Common Shares whatsoever. In seeking the benefits of participation in the Plan, a Participant agrees to accept all risks associated with a decline in the market price of Common Shares.
Participant Information
5.10 Each Participant shall provide the Company with all information (including personal information) required by the Company in order to administer to the Plan. Each Participant acknowledges that information required by the Company in order to administer the Plan may be disclosed to any custodian in respect of the Plan and any other third parties in connection with the administration of the Plan. Each Participant consents to such disclosure and authorizes the Company to make such disclosure on the Participant's behalf.
Indemnification
5.11 Every director and officer of the Company will at all times be indemnified and saved harmless by the Company from and against all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever including any income tax liability arising from any such indemnification, that such director may sustain or incur by reason of any action, suit or proceeding, taken or threatened against the director, otherwise than by the Company, for or in respect of any act done or omitted by the director in respect of this Plan, such costs, charges and expenses to include any amount paid to settle such action, suit or proceeding or in satisfaction of any judgment rendered therein.
Governing Law
5.12 The Plan shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
SCHEDULE "A"
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT PLAN FORM OF AWARD NOTICE
To: [Name] [Position]
Planet Ventures Inc. (the "Company") hereby grants the following to you in accordance with and subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of this award notice together with the provisions of the Restricted Share Unit Plan of the Company (the "Plan") dated [insert date]:
| Date of Grant: | [insert date] | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of RSUs Awarded: | [insert number] | |
| RSU Term/Expiry Time: | [insert time, not exceeding 10 years from award date] | |
| Performance Criteria (if any): | [insert criteria or reference any attached schedule] |
Subject to any acceleration in vesting as provided in the Plan and approved by the Board of Directors, the RSUs granted in this award vest as follows:
| % of RSUs Which Vest | # of RSUs Which Vest | Vesting Date |
|---|---|---|
| [insert]% | [insert] | [insert] |
| [insert]% | [insert] | [insert] |
| [insert]% | [insert] | [insert] |
In order to receive Common Shares representing your Award, complete and deliver a Notice of Acquisition in accordance with the terms of the Plan prior to the Expiry Time or earlier, as required or permitted under the Plan, together with a certified cheque or bank draft payable to the Company for the Applicable Withholding Amount as determined by the Company.
The terms and conditions of the Plan are hereby incorporated by reference as terms and conditions of this Award Notice and all capitalized terms used herein, unless expressly defined in a different manner, have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan.
PLANET VENTURES INC.
By: ____________________________________
Authorized Signatory
SCHEDULE "B"
RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT PLAN FORM OF NOTICE OF ACQUISITION
To: Planet Ventures Inc. (the "Company")
From: ___________________________________________________________
Please be advised that effective ________________, I wish to exercise my Award to acquire ____________________ Common Shares of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award Notice dated __________________ and the Restricted Share Unit Plan of the Company (the "Plan"). Additionally, I enclose a certified cheque or bank draft in payment of \$___________ in respect of an amount equal to the Applicable Withholding Amount for such acquisition of Common Shares.
The terms and conditions of the Plan are hereby incorporated by reference as terms and conditions of this Notice of Acquisition and all capitalized terms used herein, unless expressly defined in a different manner, have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Plan.
| Dated ____ | |
|---|---|
| ______ | Please issue ______ Common Shares registered as follows: |
| (No. of certificates) ____ | _______ (No. of Common Shares) ______ |
| Name | __________ |
| Address | __________ |
| ☐ Cheque attached |
|
| ____ | _____ |
(Signature) (Date)