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PlantFuel Life Inc. Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2021

Mar 15, 2021

47216_rns_2021-03-15_e26091d4-89d6-4369-b68b-35cd6c842ce3.pdf

Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement

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2500 Meadowpine Blvd. Unit 202, Mississauga, ON L5N 6C4 Ph: (416) 669-9392 Email: [email protected] www.sirebioscience.com

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MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR

as at March 5, 2021

This Management Information Circular (the “ Circular ”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management Sire Bioscience Inc. (the “ Company ”) for use at the annual general and special meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of its shareholders to be held on Friday, April 9, 2021 at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of the Meeting.

In this Circular, references to “the Company”, “we” and “our” refer to Sire Bioscience 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.

In order to comply with measures imposed by the federal and provincial governments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to mitigate risks to the health and safety of the Company’s shareholders and the community, unless we advise otherwise by way of a news release, the Meeting will be held in virtual only format , which will be conducted via telephone conference. Registered shareholders and validly appointed proxyholders may attend the Meeting by calling 1-888-299-2873 (toll free in Canada) and 1-888-585-9008 (toll-free in the United States) ( conference room #: 448-444-850). Dial in for any other countries, please contact the Company at 604.737.2303 prior to the Meeting date for dial in particulars. Registered Shareholders who attend the Meeting will have an opportunity to participate at the Meeting, regardless of their geographic location.

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 common shares held as of record by those intermediaries and we may reimburse the intermediaries for their reasonable fees and disbursements in that regard.

In order to comply with measures imposed by the federal and provincial governments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to mitigate risks to the health and safety of the Company’s shareholders and the community, unless we advise otherwise by way of a news release, the Meeting will be held in virtual only format, which will be conducted via telephone conference. Registered Shareholders who attend the Meeting will have an opportunity to participate at the Meeting, regardless of their geographic location.

Appointment of Proxyholders

The individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy (the “ Proxy ”) are officers and directors 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 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.

The only methods by which you may appoint a person as proxy are submitting a Proxy by mail, hand delivery or fax.

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

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matter to be acted upon, your common shares will be voted accordingly. The Proxy confers discretionary authority on 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, or where both choices have been specified, in favour or all matters described herein, the persons named in the Proxy will vote the common shares represented by the Proxy for the approval of such matter.

Notice and Access

The Company is not sending this Circular to registered or beneficial shareholders using “notice-and-access” as defined under National Instrument 54-101 (“ NI 54-101 ”).

Registered Shareholders

If you are a Registered Shareholder and wish to have your shares voted at the Meeting, you will be required to submit your vote by proxy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and issues related to the verification of shareholder identity via teleconference, in person voting will not be permitted at the Meeting . Registered Shareholders electing to submit a proxy may do so by completing, dating and signing the Proxy and returning it to the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. (“ Computershare ”), in accordance with the instructions on the Proxy. Alternatively, Registered Shareholders may vote their common shares via the internet or by telephone as per the instructions provided on the Proxy.

In all cases you should ensure that the Proxy is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the Meeting or the adjournment thereof at which the Proxy is to be used.

Registered Shareholders electing to submit a Proxy may do so by:

  • (a) Internet . Vote online at www.investorvote.com using the Proxy control number found in the enclosed Proxy.

  • (b) Telephone . Using a touch-tone phone to transmit voting choices to the toll-free number given in the Proxy. Registered Shareholders who choose this option must follow the instructions of the voice response system and refer to the enclosed Proxy for the toll-free number, the holder’s account number and the Proxy Control Number.

  • (c) Mail . Completing, dating and signing the enclosed Proxy and returning it to Computershare, by fax within North America at 1-866-249-7775, or by mail or hand delivery at 8th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, Canada.

In all cases ensuring that the Proxy is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the Meeting or the adjournment thereof at which the Proxy is to be used.

Should you wish to contact Computershare, please refer to the following:

General Shareholder Inquiries:

By phone: 1-800-564-6253 By fax: 1-866-249-7775 By email: [email protected] By regular mail: Computershare Investor Services Inc. 100 University Avenue, 8[th] Floor Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1

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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).

These securityholder materials are being sent to both registered and non-registered owners of the securities of the Company. If you are a non-registered owner, and the Company or its agent has sent these materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of securities, have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the intermediary holding on your behalf. By choosing to send these materials to you directly, the Company (and not the intermediary holding on your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these materials to you, and (ii) executing your proper voting instructions. Please return your voting instructions as specified in your request for voting instructions.

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 the United States, the vast majority of such common shares are registered under the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (which acts as depositary for many U.S. brokerage firms and custodian banks), and in Canada, under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited, which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms).

There are two kinds of beneficial owners - those who object to their name being made known to the issuers of securities which they own (called “ OBOs ” for “ Objecting Beneficial Owners ”) and those who do not object to the issuers of the securities they own knowing who they are (called “ NOBOs ” for “ Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners ”).

Pursuant to National Instrument 54-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Company is sending proxyrelated materials directly to NOBOs, which materials will include a scannable Voting Instruction Form (a “ VIF ”). These VIFs are to be completed and returned to Computershare in the envelope provided or by facsimile. In addition, Computershare provides both telephone voting and Internet voting as described on the VIF itself which contain complete instructions. Computershare will tabulate the results of the VIFs received from NOBOs and will provide appropriate instructions at the Meeting with respect to the shares represented by the VIFs they receive.

Management of the Company does not intend to pay for intermediaries to forward to OBOs under National Instrument 54-101 the proxy-related materials and Form 54-101F7 Request for Voting Instructions Made by Intermediary , and, in the case of an OBO, the OBO will not receive the materials unless the OBO’s intermediary assumes the cost of delivery.

Every intermediary that mails proxy-related materials to Beneficial Shareholders has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions to clients. Beneficial Shareholders should follow the instructions of their intermediary carefully to ensure that their common shares are voted at the Meeting.

Most brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“ Broadridge ”) in the United States and in Canada. Broadridge mails a voting instruction form (the “ Broadridge VIF ”) which 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 on your behalf. The Broadridge VIF will appoint the same persons as the Company’s Proxy to represent you at the Meeting. You have the right to appoint a person (who need not be a shareholder of the Company), other than the persons designated in the Broadridge VIF, to represent you at the Meeting. To exercise this right, you should insert the name of the desired representative in the blank space provided in the Broadridge VIF. The completed Broadridge 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 the voting of common shares to be represented at the Meeting. If you receive a Broadridge VIF, you cannot use it to vote common shares directly at the Meeting – the Broadridge VIF must be completed and returned to Broadridge, in accordance with its instructions, well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the common shares voted.

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Although as a Beneficial Shareholder you may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting common shares registered in the name of your broker, you, or a person designated by you, may attend at the Meeting as proxyholder for your broker and vote your common shares in that capacity. If you wish to attend at the Meeting and indirectly vote your common shares as proxyholder for your broker, or have a person designated by you do so, you should enter your own name, or the name of the person you wish to designate, in the blank space on the voting instruction form provided to you and return the same to your broker in accordance with the instructions provided by such broker, well in advance of the Meeting.

Alternatively, you can request in writing that your broker send you a legal Proxy which would enable you, or a person designated by you, to attend at the Meeting and vote your common shares.

Voting by Proxy Generally

Proxyholders other than the individuals named in the accompanying Proxy will be required to identify themselves by notice in writing to the Company by 4:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 so that the Company can confirm their identity prior to the Meeting and facilitate their voting of the Proxies that they hold at the Meeting. Notice may be provided by mail to the Company at Suite 400 – 1681 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 4M6. Proxies will not be accepted at the Meeting. All Proxies must be submitted to Computershare by 11:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 (the “Proxy Deadline”).

As there will be no in person attendance or voting at the Meeting, votes received by the Proxy Deadline for each matter set out in the notice of meeting will be tabulated in advance of the Meeting by Computershare and compiled in a proxy report respecting Proxies held by the individuals named in the accompanying Proxy or voting instruction form and an appointee summary respecting proxies held by non-management proxyholders (collectively, the “ Proxy Report ”). The determination as to whether a particular matter has been approved, a particular individual has been appointed or a particular resolution has been passed will be made solely on the basis of the voting results set out in the Proxy Report. Since no in person voting will be permitted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and voting results respecting matters set out in the notice of meeting will be determined solely on the basis of the voting results set out in the Proxy Report, no ballots will be permitted at the Meeting. All results will be determined by reference to the Proxy Report. Management will advise at the Meeting, the voting results for each matter set out in the Proxy Report and shareholders will be entitled to request a copy of the Proxy Report from management after the Meeting.

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 at the address of the registered office of the Company at Suite 804, 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2T7, 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, nor any person who has held such a position since the beginning of the last completed financial year end of the Company, nor any proposed 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 and as set out herein.

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VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES

The board of directors (the “ Board ”) of the Company has fixed March 5, 2021 as the record date (the “ Record Date ”) for 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 Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value. As of the Record Date, there were 71,913,597 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.

To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, as at the Record Date, no person or corporation beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Company carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to any class of outstanding voting securities of the Company.

VOTES NECESSARY TO PASS RESOLUTIONS

A simple majority of affirmative votes cast at the Meeting is required to pass the resolutions described herein. If there are more nominees for election as directors or appointment of the Company’s auditor than there are vacancies to fill, those nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected or appointed, as the case may be, until all such vacancies have been filled. If the number of nominees for election or appointment is equal to the number of vacancies to be filled all such nominees will be declared elected or appointed by acclamation.

SETTING NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

The persons named in the enclosed Proxy intend to vote in favour of fixing the number of directors at four (4). The Board proposes that the number of directors remain at four (4). Shareholders will therefore be asked to approve an ordinary resolution that the number of directors elected be fixed at four (4).

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The term of office of each of the current directors will end at the conclusion of the Meeting. Unless the director’s office is earlier vacated in accordance with the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), each director elected 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 following table sets out the names of management’s nominees for election as directors, all major offices and positions with the Company and any of its significant affiliates each now holds, each nominee’s principal occupation, business or employment (for the five preceding years for new director nominees), the period of time during which each 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 the Record Date.

Common
Name of Nominee; Shares
Current Position with the Beneficially
Company, Province and Occupation, Business or Period as a Director Owned or
Country of Residence Employment(1) of the Company Controlled(1)
Brian Polla(2) Self-employed management consultant. September 11, 2019 8,219,000
Ontario, Canada
CEO, COO and Director
Brian Nugent(2) Self-employed management consultant. September 11, 2019 1,420,000
Florida, USA Founder and former CEO of Stratford
Pharmaceuticals.
Director
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Common
Name of Nominee; Shares
Current Position with the Beneficially
Company, Province and Occupation, Business or Period as a Director Owned or
Country of Residence Employment(1) of the Company Controlled(1)
Michael Lines(2) General Manager, Simply Good Foods Inc. June 16, 2020 703,000(3)
Ontario, Canada Former Vice President, Global Sales and
Market at Taste of Nature Foods Inc.
Director President & CEO, Wellness Natural Inc.;
owner of Simply Protein brand.
Wally Rudensky, CPA CA Partner at MNP LLP. CFO and director of Proposed Director Nil
Ontario, Canada various private and public issuers.

Proposed Director

  • (1) The information as to principal occupation, business or employment and common shares beneficially owned or controlled is not within the knowledge of the management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees. Unless otherwise indicated, each nominee has held the same or a similar principal occupation with the organization indicated or a predecessor thereof for the last five years. The number of common shares beneficially owned by the above nominees for directors, directly or indirectly, is based on information furnished by the nominees themselves.

  • (2) Member of Audit Committee.

  • (3) Of these 703,000 common shares, 700,000 are held indirectly by Mr. Lines through Natural Lines Inc., a company owned and operated by Mr. Lines and 3,000 common shares are held directly by Mr. Lines.

CORPORATE CEASE TRADE ORDERS OR BANKRUPTCIES

To the best of the Company’s knowledge, as at the date of this Circular, and within the last 10 years before the date of this Circular, no proposed director (or any of their personal holding companies) of the Company was a director, CEO or CFO of any company (including the Company) that:

  • (a) was subject to a cease trade or similar order (“ CTO ”) or an order denying the relevant company access to any exemptions under securities legislation, for more than 30 consecutive days while that person was acting in the capacity as director, CEO or CFO; or

  • (b) was the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the issuer access to any exemption under securities legislation in each case for a period of 30 consecutive days, that was issued after the person ceased to be a director, CEO or CFO in the company and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, CEO or CFO.

No director or executive officer of the Company, or a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Company to affect materially the control of the Company:

  • (a) is as at the date of this Circular or has been within 10 years before the date of this Circular, a director or executive officer of any company, including the Company, that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or

  • (b) has within the 10 years before the date of this Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangements or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager as trustee appointed to hold the assets of that individual.

None of the proposed directors (or any of their personal holding companies) has been subject to:

  • (a) 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

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  • (b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or a regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable security holder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

RSM Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants (“ RSM Canada ”) of 11 King Street West Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4C7, will be nominated at the Meeting for re-appointment as auditor of the Company at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board.

AUDIT COMMITTEE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH AUDITOR

National Instrument 52-110 (“ NI 52-110 ”) requires the Company, as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its Circular certain information concerning the constitution of its audit committee and its relationship with its independent auditor, as set forth in the following:

The Audit Committee’s Charter

The Audit Committee has a charter. A copy of the Audit Committee charter is attached hereto as Schedule “A”.

Composition of the Audit Committee

The current members of the Audit Committee are Brian Polla (Chair), Michael Lines and Brian Nugent. All members of the Audit Committee are considered to be financially literate. Mr. Polla is the CEO and COO of the Company and, therefore, is not an independent member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Lines and Mr. Nugent are not executive officers of the Company and, therefore, are independent members of the Audit Committee.

A member of the Audit Committee is independent if the member has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. A material relationship means a relationship which could, in the view of the Company’s Board, reasonably interfere with the exercise of a member’s independent judgement.

A member of the Audit Committee is considered financially literate if he or she has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company.

Relevant Education and Experience

The following describes the education and experience of each member of the Audit Committee that is relevant to the performance of his responsibilities as an Audit Committee member:

Brian Polla has over 20 years of business management experience. He is currently an owner and president of a successful manufacturing business that serves international clients. Over the years, Brian has developed an extensive background in health and wellness.

Michael Lines brings 25 years’ experience in the natural and traditional consumer-packaged-goods industries. His areas of expertise include global go-to-market sales, brand strategy, operations, customer marketing, and building cultures and teams.

Mr. Lines is currently the President and CEO of Wellness Natural Inc. and was previously the General Manager of Simply Good Foods Canada Inc. and Simply Protein North America, Atkins Canada. Mr. Lines manages the full P&L including all manufacturing, marketing, sales, supply chain, HR, finance, Q/A, and new product development. During his time at Flow Water Inc., Mr. Lines worked alongside the founder to scale the Canadian business from 100 doors to 5,500 while negotiating initial phase of the US build out including distributor, broker, and retail contracts. Mr. Lines was the Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing at Taste of Nature Foods Inc. where he led numerous branded and private label launches in the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia resulting in doubling the size of the company over 2 years. Additional experience includes Cadbury Plc and Nabisco while also spending time consulting for a global firm.

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Mr. Lines also sits on the Food & Consumer Products (FCPC) advisory committee and the marketing sub-committee for the Plant Based Food Council (PBFC). Mr. Lines received his Bachelor of Commerce, Economics and Finance at the University of Guelph including time at the London School of Economics.

Brian Nugent holds a Bachelor of Science in Multi-National Business Operations. With an entrepreneurial drive, he quickly rose to the ranks in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization as the Operations Manager in 1997 through 1999. He then co-founded Vitality Systems Animal Health which he sold in 2008. He then founded Stratford Pharmaceuticals where he was CEO and strategically grew the company, which was sold in 2018.

Each member of the Company’s present and proposed 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:

  • (a) 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;

  • (b) 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

  • (c) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.

Audit Committee Oversight

The Audit Committee has not made any recommendations to the Board to nominate or compensate any external auditor.

Reliance on Certain Exemptions

The Company’s auditors, RSM Canada, have not provided any material non-audit services.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has not adopted specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services.

External Auditor Service Fees

The Audit Committee has reviewed the nature and amount of the non-audited services provided by RSM Canada, to the Company to ensure auditor independence. The following table outlines the fees incurred with RSM Canada for audit and non-audit services in the last two fiscal years:

Nature of Services
Audit Fees(1)
Audit-Related Fees(2)
Tax Fees(3)
All Other Fees(4)
Total:
Fees Paid to Auditor
in Year Ended
September 30, 2020
$65,000
Nil
Nil
Nil
$65,000
Fees Paid to Auditor
in Year Ended
September 30, 2019
$51,360
Nil
Nil
Nil
$51,360
  • (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

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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 upon the exemption in section 6.1 of NI 52-110 in respect of the composition of its Audit Committee and in respect of its reporting obligations under NI 52-110 for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. This exemption exempts a “venture issuer” from the requirement to have 100% of the members of its Audit Committee independent, as would otherwise be required by NI 52-110.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

General

Effective June 30, 2005, National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“ NI 58-101 ”) and National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines (“ NP 58-201 ”) were adopted in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. NI 58-101 requires issuers to disclose the corporate governance practices that they have adopted. NP 58-201 provides guidance on corporate governance practices.

The Board believes that good corporate governance improves corporate performance and benefits all Shareholders. The Canadian Securities Administrators have adopted NI 58-201, which provides non-prescriptive guidelines on corporate governance practices for reporting issuers such as the Company. In addition, the Canadian Securities Administrators have implemented NI 58-101, which prescribes certain disclosure by the Company of its corporate governance practices. This section sets out the Company’s approach to corporate governance and addresses the Company’s compliance with NI 58-101.

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.

Management has been delegated the responsibility for meeting defined corporate objectives, implementing approved strategic and operating plans, carrying on the Company’s business in the ordinary course, managing cash flow, evaluating new business opportunities, recruiting staff and complying with applicable regulatory requirements. The Board facilitates its independent supervision over management by reviewing and approving long-term strategic, business and capital plans, material contracts and business transactions, and all debt and equity financing transactions. Through its Audit Committee, the Board examines the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control processes and management information systems. The plenary Board reviews executive compensation and recommends stock option grants.

The independent members of the Board are Michael Lines and Brian Nugent. The non-independent member of the Board is Brian Polla, the CEO and COO of the Company.

Other Directorships

None of the current directors of the Company are directors of other reporting issuers. Wally Rudensky, a proposed director of the Company, is a director of Renforth Resources Inc. and Organic Potash Corp.

Orientation and Continuing Education

When new directors are appointed, they receive orientation, commensurate with their previous experience, on the Company’s properties, business, technology and industry and on the 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.

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Ethical Business Conduct

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 director’s 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 Board considers its size each year when it considers the number of directors to recommend to the shareholders for election at the annual meeting of shareholders, taking into account the number required to carry out the Board’s duties effectively and to maintain a diversity of views and experience.

The Board does not have a nominating committee and these functions are currently performed by the Board as a whole. However, if there is a change in the number of directors required by the Company, this policy will be reviewed.

Compensation

The Board determines compensation for the directors and CEO.

Other Board Committees

In addition to the Audit Committee, the Board currently has a Special Committee, consisting of Brian Nugent. The Special Committee was formed for purposes of negotiating the Amino Balls transaction on behalf of the Company.

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 committees.

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Executive Compensation

In this section “Named Executive Officer” (“ NEO ”) means the CEO, the CFO and each of the three most highly compensated executive officers, other than the CEO and CFO, who were serving as executive officers at the end of the most recently completed financial year and whose total compensation was more than $150,000 as well as any additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided except that the individual was not serving as an executive officer of the Company at the end of the most recently completed financial year.

During the year ended September 30, 2020, the Company had two NEOs; Brian Polla, the CEO and COO of the Company, and Domenic Crudo, the CFO of the Company.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The Board has not appointed a compensation committee so the responsibilities relating to executive and director compensation, including reviewing and recommending director compensation, overseeing the Company’s base compensation structure and equity-based compensation programs, recommending compensation of the Company’s officers and employees, and evaluating the performance of officers generally and in light of annual goals and objectives, is performed by the Board as a whole.

The Board also assumes responsibility for reviewing and monitoring the long-range compensation strategy for the senior management of the Company. The Board receives independent competitive market information on compensation levels for executives.

  • 11 -

The compensation for executives includes four components: base consulting fees, bonus (if applicable), stock options and perquisites. As a package, the compensation components are intended to satisfy the objectives of the compensation program (that is, to attract, retain and motivate qualified executives). There are no predefined or standard termination payments, change of control arrangements or employment contracts.

Philosophy and Objectives

The Company’s compensation policies and programs are designed to be competitive with similar mining exploration companies and to recognize and reward executive performance consistent with the success of the Company’s business. The compensation program for the 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 encouraged equity participation and in furtherance thereof employs its stock option plan.

Equity Participation

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 has been accomplished through the issuance of founder’s shares and the Company’s stock option plan. Stock options are granted to executives and employees taking into account a number of factors, including the amount and term of options previously granted, base consulting fees and bonuses and competitive factors. The amounts and terms of options granted are determined by the Board.

Given the evolving nature of the Company’s business, the Board continues to review the overall compensation plan for senior management so as to continue to address the objectives identified above.

Option-Based Awards

In 2014, the Company adopted a 10% rolling stock option plan (the “ Existing Plan ”) to provide incentive to qualified parties to increase their proprietary interest in the Company and thereby encourage their continuing association with the Company. Management proposes stock option grants to the Board based on such criteria as performance, previous grants, and hiring incentives. All grants require approval of the Board.

The Existing Plan is administered by the Board and provides that options will be issued to directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

The Company adopted a new 10% rolling stock option plan (the “ New Plan ”) on February 5, 2021, replacing its Existing Plan. Shareholders will be asked to approve the New Plan at the Meeting. See Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Adoption of New 10% Rolling Stock Option Plan for further information on the Company’s stock option plan.

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal
Positions
Year(1) Fees
($)
Share-
based
award
s
($)
Option-
based
awards
($)
Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
($)
Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
($)
Pension
value
($)
All other
compensa-
tion
($)
Total
compensa-
tion
($)
Annual
incentiv
e plans
Long-term
incentive
plans
Brian Polla(3)
CEO & COO
2020
2019
2018(2)
235,000.00
15,000.00
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
16,583.33
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
251,583.33
15,000.00
Nil
Domenic Crudo(4)
CFO & Corporate
Secretary
2020
2019
2018(2)
240,000.00
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
26,533.33
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
266,533.33
Nil
Nil
Jeff Zanini(5)
Former CEO
2020
2019
2018(2)
22,351.00
76,000.00
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
62,500.00
55,800.00
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
22,351.00
138,500.00
55,800.00
  • 12 -
Name and Principal
Positions
Year(1) Fees
($)
Share-
based
award
s
($)
Option-
based
awards
($)
Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
($)
Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
($)
Pension
value
($)
All other
compensa-
tion
($)
Total
compensa-
tion
($)
Annual
incentiv
e plans
Long-term
incentive
plans
Sean McGrath(6)
Former CFO
2020
2019
2018(2)
6,517.00
31,000.00
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
62,500.00
43,800.00
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
6,517.00
93,500.00
43,800.00

(1) For the financial years ended September 30.

(2) On September 30, 2019, the Company changed its year-end from March 31 to September 30.

(3) Mr. Polla has served as CEO of the Company since November 30, 2019 and COO of the Company since September 11, 2019.

(4) Mr. Crudo has served as CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company since October 31, 2019.

(5) Mr. Zanini served as CEO of the Company from March 29, 2018 to November 30, 2019.

(6) Mr. McGrath served as CFO of the Company from May 8, 2018 to October 31, 2019.

Incentive Plan Awards

Pursuant to the Existing Plan, the Company may grant up to 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. As at the Record Date, there were 2,785,000 stock options granted and outstanding under the Existing Plan.

On February 5, 2021, the Board adopted the New Plan under which a maximum of 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares are reserved for option grants to qualifying persons.

The following table sets out all option-based awards outstanding as at September 30, 2020 for each NEO. There were no share-based awards granted to any of the NEOs:

The following table sets out all option-based awards outstanding as at September 30, 2020 for each NEO. There
were no share-based awards granted to any of the NEOs:
The following table sets out all option-based awards outstanding as at September 30, 2020 for each NEO. There
were no share-based awards granted to any of the NEOs:
The following table sets out all option-based awards outstanding as at September 30, 2020 for each NEO. There
were no share-based awards granted to any of the NEOs:
The following table sets out all option-based awards outstanding as at September 30, 2020 for each NEO. There
were no share-based awards granted to any of the NEOs:
The following table sets out all option-based awards outstanding as at September 30, 2020 for each NEO. There
were no share-based awards granted to any of the NEOs:
The following table sets out all option-based awards outstanding as at September 30, 2020 for each NEO. There
were no share-based awards granted to any of the NEOs:
Option-based Awards
Name and Principal Positions Year(1) Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
Option
exercise price
($)
Option
expiration date
Value of
unexercised
in-the-money
options
($)
Brian Polla
CEO & COO
2020 500,000 $0.20 March 30, 2025 Nil
Domenic Crudo
CFO & Corporate Secretary
2020 800,000 $0.20 March 30, 2025 Nil
Jeff Zanini
Former CEO
2020 Nil N/A N/A Nil
Sean McGrath
Former CFO
2020 Nil N/A N/A Nil

(1) Financial year ended September 30.

Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year

The following table sets out the value vested during the financial years ended September 30, 2020 for options awarded under the Existing Plan for the NEO, as well as the value earned under non-equity incentive plans for the same period.

  • 13 -
Name Year(1) Option-based
awards-
Value vested
during
the year
($)
Share-based
awards -
Value vested
during
the year
($)
Non-equity
incentive
plan
compensation
Value earned
during
the year
($)
Brian Polla
CEO & COO
2020 $16,583.33 Nil Nil
Domenic Crudo
CFO & Corporate Secretary
2020 $26,533.33 Nil Nil
Jeff Zanini
Former CEO
2020 Nil Nil Nil
Sean McGrath
Former CFO
2020 Nil Nil Nil

(1) Financial year ended September 30.

Termination and Change of Control Benefits

There are no compensatory plans or arrangements with respect to any NEO resulting from the resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment of the officer’s employment or from a change of an NEO’s responsibilities following a change in control.

Director Compensation

During the most recently completed financial year ended September 30, 2020, the directors who were not NEOs received the following compensation for services provided to the Company:

Fees earned
($)
Share-based
awards
($)
Non-equity
incentive
plan compensa
tion ($)
Pension
value ($)
All other
compensation
($)
Total ($)
Name
Michael Lines(1) 39,000 Nil N/A N/A N/A 39,000
Brian Nugent(2) Nil Nil N/A N/A N/A Nil
Jerry Habuda(3) Nil Nil N/A N/A N/A Nil
Adrian Burke(4) 165,000 Nil N/A N/A N/A 165,000

(1) Mr. Lines has served as a director of the Company since June 16, 2020.

(2) Mr. Nugent has served as a director of the Company since September 11, 2019.

(3) Mr. Habuda served as a director of the Company from March 29, 2018 to June 16, 2020.

(4) Mr. Burke served as a director of the Company from September 11, 2019 to December 16, 2020.

Outstanding Option-Based Awards

The following table sets forth for each director, other than those who are also NEOs of the Company, all awards outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year ended September 30, 2020, including awards granted before the most recently completed financial year.

Name Option-based Awards Option-based Awards Option-based Awards
Year(1) Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
Option
exercise
price ($)
Option expiration
date
Value of
unexercised
in-the-money
options
($)(2)
Michael Lines 2020 800,000 $0.20 March 30, 2025 Nil
  • 14 -
Name Option-based Awards Option-based Awards Option-based Awards
Year(1) Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
Option
exercise
price ($)
Option expiration
date
Value of
unexercised
in-the-money
options
($)(2)
Brian Nugent 2020 100,000 $0.20 March 30, 2025 Nil
Jerry Habuda 2020 Nil N/A N/A N/A
Adrian Burke 2020 15,000 $0.60 October 16, 2023(2) Nil

(1) Financial year ended September 30.

(2) These options expired on January 16, 2021, 30 days after Mr. Burke’s resignation from the Board.

Narrative Discussion

The Company has no arrangements, standard or otherwise, pursuant to which directors were compensated by the Company for their services as directors, for committee participation, for involvement in special assignments during the most recently completed financial year.

The Company has an Existing Plan for the granting of incentive stock options to the directors, officers, employees and consultants. The purpose of granting such options is to assist the Company in compensating, attracting, retaining and motivating the directors, officers, employees and consultants and to closely align the personal interests of such persons to that of the shareholders.

Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year

The following table sets forth, for each director, other than those who are also NEOs of the Company, the value of all incentive plan awards vested during the financial year ended September 30, 2020:

Name Option-based awards-
Value vested during
the year
($)
Share-based awards -
Value vested during
the year
($)
Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
Value earned during
the year
($)
Michael Lines $26,533.33 Nil Nil
Brian Nugent $3,316.67 Nil Nil
Jerry Habuda Nil Nil Nil
Adrian Burke Nil Nil Nil

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets out equity compensation plan information as at the year ended September 30, 2020:

Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
Plan Category (a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans
approved by securityholders
2,900,000 $0.20 1,341,360
Equity compensation plans not
approved by securityholders
N/A N/A N/A
Total: 2,900,000 N/A 1,341,360

INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

No individual who is or who at any time during the last financial year was a director or executive officer or

  • 15 -

employee of the Company, a proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company or an associate of any such director, officer or proposed nominee is, or at any time since the beginning of the last completed financial year has been, indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries and no indebtedness of any such individual to another entity is, or has at any time since the beginning of such year been, the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

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 most recently completed financial year or as at the date hereof.

INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS

Except as disclosed herein, since the commencement of the Company’s last completed financial year, no informed person of the Company, nominee for election as a director of the Company, or any associate or affiliate of an informed person or nominee, has or had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or any proposed transaction which has materially affected or will materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

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 senior officers of the Company.

PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

Adoption of New Stock Option Plan

New 10% Rolling Plan

The Company currently has an Existing Plan in place.

On February 5, 2021, the Board approved the New Plan to replace the Existing Plan, which incorporates, among other things, provisions concerning the new requirements of the Canada Revenue Agency concerning withholding tax payments on exercised options. Options granted under the New Plan are not exercisable for a period longer than ten years and the exercise price must be paid in full upon exercise of the option. As a 10% rolling plan the aggregate number of common shares issuable as options under the New Plan may be up to 10% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares on the date on which an option is granted, less common shares reserved for issuance on exercise of options then outstanding under the New Plan. The purpose of the New 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. The New Plan is administered by the Board and options are granted at the discretion of the Board to eligible optionees (an “ Optionee ”). If the New Plan is approved by shareholders, all outstanding options under the Existing Plan will be rolled into and deemed granted under the New Plan. As at the date of this Circular, there are 2,785,000 outstanding options under the Existing Plan.

Eligible Optionees

To be eligible to receive a grant of options under the New Plan, regulatory authorities require an Optionee to be either a director, officer, employee, consultant or an employee of a company providing management or other services to the Company or a subsidiary at the time the option is granted.

Options may be granted only to an individual eligible, or to a non-individual that is wholly-owned by individuals eligible, for an option grant. If the option is granted to a non-individual, it will not permit any transfer of its securities, nor issue further securities, to any individual or other entity as long as the option remains in effect.

Restrictions

The New Plan is subject to the following restrictions:

(a) The Company must not grant an option to a director, employee, consultant, or consultant company (the “ Service Provider ”) in any 12-month period that exceeds 5% of the outstanding common

  • 16 -

shares of the Company, unless the Company has obtained approval by a majority of the Disinterested Shareholders (defined below) of the Company;

  • (b) The aggregate number of options granted to a Service Provider conducting investor relations activities in any 12 month period must not exceed 2% of the outstanding shares calculated at the date of the grant, without prior Regulatory Approval;

  • (c) The Company must not grant an option to a Consultant in any 12 month period that exceeds 2% of the outstanding shares calculated at the date of the grant of the option;

  • (d) The aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance under options granted to Insiders (defined below) must not exceed 10% of the outstanding shares (in the event that the Plan is amended to reserve for issuance more than 10% of the outstanding shares) unless the Company has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval to do so;

  • (e) The number of optioned shares issued to Insiders in any 12 month period must not exceed 10% of the outstanding shares (in the event that the Plan is amended to reserve for issuance more than 10% of the outstanding shares) unless the Company has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval to do so;

  • (f) The issuance to any one Optionee within a 12 month period of a number of common shares must not exceed 5% of outstanding shares unless the Company has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval to do so;

  • (g) The exercise price of an option previously granted to an Insider must not be reduced, unless the Company has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval to do so; and

  • (h) The Company may implement such procedures and conditions as the Board deems appropriate with respect to withholding and remitting taxes imposed under applicable law, or the funding of related amounts for which liability may arise under such applicable law.

Definitions

Disinterested Shareholder Approval ” means the approval by a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders of the Company at the Meeting excluding votes attached to listed common shares beneficially owned by Insiders (defined below) of the Company and Associates (as defined in the British Columbia Securities Act ) of Insiders.

An “ Insider ” is a director, or senior officer of the Company, a director or senior officer of a company that is an Insider or subsidiary of the Company, or a person that beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, voting common shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting common shares of the Company.

Material Terms of the New Plan

The following is a summary of the material terms of the New Plan:

  • (a) persons who are Service Providers to the Company or its affiliates, or who are providing services to the Company or its affiliates, are eligible to receive grants of options under the New Plan;

  • (b) all options granted under the New Plan expire on a date not later than 10 years after the issuance of such options. However, should the expiry date for an option fall within a trading Blackout Period (as defined in the New Plan, generally meaning circumstances where sensitive negotiations or other like information is not yet public), within 9 business days following the expiration of a Blackout Period;

  • (c) for options granted to Service Providers, the Company must ensure that the proposed Optionee is a bona fide Service Provider of the Company or its affiliates;

  • (d) an Option granted to (i) directors or officers will expire 90 days and (ii) to all others including, but not limited to, employees and consultants, will expire 30 days (or such other time, not to exceed one year, as

  • 17 -

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 date the Optionee ceases to be employed by or provide services to the Company, and only to the extent that such Option was vested at the date the Optionee ceased to be so employed by or to provide services to the Company;

  • (e) if an Optionee dies, any vested option held by him or her 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;

  • (f) 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 without right to exercise same;

  • (g) the exercise price of each option will be set by the Board on the effective date of the option and will not be less than the Discounted Market Price (as defined in the New Plan);

  • (h) vesting of options shall be at the discretion of the Board, and will generally be subject to: (i) the Service Provider remaining employed by or continuing to provide services to the Company or 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 its affiliates during the vesting period; or (ii) the Service Provider remaining as a Director of the Company or its affiliates during the vesting period;

  • (i) in the event of a takeover bid being made to the shareholders generally, immediately upon receipt of the notice of the takeover bid, the Company shall notify each Optionee currently holding any Options, of the full particulars of the takeover bid, and all outstanding options may, notwithstanding the vesting terms contained in the New Plan or any vesting requirements subject to Regulatory Approval; and

  • (j) the Board reserves the right in its absolute discretion to amend, suspend, terminate or discontinue the New Plan with respect to all New Plan shares in respect of options which have not yet been granted under the New Plan.

The Board has determined that, in order to reasonably protect the rights of participants, as a matter of administration, it is necessary to clarify when amendments to the New Plan may be made by the Board without further shareholder approval. Accordingly, the Board proposes that the New Plan also provide the following:

The Board may, without shareholder approval:

  • (i) amend the New Plan to correct typographical, grammatical or clerical errors;

  • (ii) change the vesting provisions of an option granted under the New Plan, if applicable;

  • (iii) change the termination provision of an option granted under the New Plan if it does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date of such option;

  • (iv) make such amendments to the New Plan as are necessary or desirable to reflect changes to securities laws applicable to the Company;

  • (v) make such amendments as may otherwise be permitted by regulatory authorities; and

  • (vi) amend the New Plan to reduce the benefits that may be granted to Service Providers.

Shareholder Approval

The New Plan is subject to shareholder approval. At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Company will be asked to consider and vote on the ordinary resolution to adopt the New Plan, with or without variation, as follows:

“UPON MOTION DULY MADE, IT WAS RESOLVED AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT:

  • 18 -

  • The Stock Option Plan dated for reference February 5, 2021, as approved by the board of directors of the Company on February 5, 2021, as more particularly described in the Circular of the Company dated for reference March 5, 2021, be ratified, confirmed and approved.

  • All outstanding options granted previously by the Company be rolled into the Stock Option Plan.

  • To the extent permitted by law, the Company be authorized to abandon all or any part of the Stock Option Plan if the directors of the Company deem it appropriate and in the best interests of the Company to do so.

  • 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 seal of the Company or otherwise, all such documents as may be required to give effect to these resolutions.”

The Board recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the New Plan. Unless such authority is withheld, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy intend to vote FOR the approval of the foregoing ordinary resolution.

An ordinary resolution is a resolution passed by the shareholders of the Company at a general meeting by a simple majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy.

A copy of the New Plan will be available for inspection at the Company's registered and records offices at Suite 400 – 1681 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 4M6, and will also be available for viewing at the Meeting.

Ratify and Approve Options Granted Below Minimum Exercise Price

The Company is seeking shareholder approval to ratify the incentive stock options granted by the Company on March 3, 2020 at $0.02 per common share. Pursuant to section 5.1 of the Existing Plan, incentive stock options granted by the Company are subject to a minimum exercise price of $0.10. At the time of grant, the Company’s common shares were trading at $0.20 per common share.

Shareholder Approval

At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Company will be asked to consider and vote on the ordinary resolution to ratify and approve the granting of incentive stock options on March 3, 2020, with or without variation, as follows:

“UPON MOTION DULY MADE, IT WAS RESOLVED AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT:

  1. The incentive stock options granted by the Company on March 3, 2020 at $0.02 per common share, as more particularly described in the Circular of the Company dated for reference March 5, 2021, be ratified, confirmed and approved.

  2. 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 seal of the Company or otherwise, all such documents as may be required to give effect to these resolutions.”

The Board recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the resolutions to ratify and approve the option grants. Unless such authority is withheld, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy intend to vote FOR the approval of the foregoing ordinary resolution.

An ordinary resolution is a resolution passed by the shareholders of the Company at a general meeting by a simple majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy.

Adoption of New Articles

The Company is seeking shareholder approval to replace its articles (the “ Current Articles ”) with a new form of articles (the “ New Articles ”), with a view to incorporating the latest changes in laws and procedures and to

  • 19 -

providing the Company with greater flexibility in certain circumstances. The Board believes that adopting the New Articles will enable the Company to be more efficient and cost-effective, will provide the Company with greater flexibility in communicating with shareholders and in holding meetings and will provide shareholders with certain rights not provided for in the Current Articles.

The New Articles were approved by the Board on February 16, 2021.

The resolution approving the New Articles must be passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders of the Company present in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

Summary of the New Articles

The provisions of the New Articles are substantially similar to those of the Current Articles. The substantive changes from the Current Articles are as follows:

  • (a) The Company may use the uncertificated shares and electronic records keeping systems currently in use worldwide and that are being increasingly adopted in Canada. The system, now known as the “Direct Registration” system, will provide a cost benefit to the Company as well as make share transactions more expedient and efficient.

  • (b) The Company may communicate by mail, fax or email with other persons including directors, officers and shareholders, and delivery of notices to such persons shall be deemed to have occurred if the notice is mailed, faxed or emailed to the address or number, as applicable, provided by such person to the Company.

  • (c) The quorum for shareholders’ meetings is changed from shareholder present in person (or, being a corporation, partnership, trust or other nonindividual legal entity represented in accordance with the provisions of the BCBCA), or by proxy holding not less than one voting share of the Company entitled to be voted at the meeting, to one shareholder present in person or represented by proxy.

  • (d) Shareholder meetings may, if authorized by directors’ resolution, be held in jurisdictions outside British Columbia.

  • (e) The addition of the advanced notice policy provisions under which the Company may seek to fix a deadline by which holders of record of common shares of the Company must submit director nominations to the Company prior to any annual or special meeting of shareholders and sets forth the information that a shareholder must include in the notice to the Company for the notice to be in proper written form.

Shareholder Approval and the Exchange Acceptance

At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Company will be asked to pass the following ordinary resolution:

UPON MOTION DULY MADE, IT WAS RESOLVED AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION THAT:

  1. Subject to the acceptance by the Exchange, the Company create and adopt new Articles in substitution for and cancellation of the existing Articles.

  2. Any director or officer of the Company is authorized to execute and file such documents and take such further action, including any filings with the Registrar of Companies, that may be necessary to effect the adoption of the New Articles.”

The New Articles shall have effect immediately on the date and time the New Articles are deposited for filing in the Company’s records office.

A copy of the proposed New Articles will be available for inspection at the Company's registered and records offices at Suite 400 – 1681 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 4M6, and will also be available for viewing at the Meeting.

The Board recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the adoption of the New Articles. In the absence of any contrary directions, it is the intention of management to vote proxies in the accompanying form in favour of the foregoing ordinary resolutions.

  • 20 -

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended September 30, 2020 and the related management discussion and analysis (the “ Financial Materials ”) were filed on SEDAR on February 22, 2021 at www.sedar.com, and the Financial Materials for the year ended September 30, 2019 were filed on SEDAR on January 28, 2020, and will be placed before the Meeting.

Shareholders may request copies of the Financial Materials without charge from the Corporate Secretary of the Company at Suite 400 – 1681 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 4M6, telephone: 604.737.2303; fax 604.737.1140.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board is not aware of any other matters which they anticipate will come before the Meeting as of the date of mailing of this Circular.

Schedule “A”

SIRE BIOSCIENCE INC.

(the “Company”)

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

This Charter establishes the composition, the authority, roles and responsibilities and the general objectives of the Company’s audit committee, or its Board of Directors in lieu thereof (the “ Audit Committee ”). The roles and responsibilities described in this Charter must at all times be exercised in compliance with the legislation and regulations governing the Company and any subsidiaries.

1. Composition

  • (a) Number of Members . The Audit Committee must be comprised of a minimum of three directors of the Company, a majority of whom will be independent. Independence of the board members will be as defined by applicable legislation.

  • (b) Chair . If there is more than one member of the Audit Committee, members will appoint a chair of the Audit Committee (the “ Chair ”) to serve for a term of one (1) year on an annual basis. The Chair may serve as the chair of the Audit Committee for any number of consecutive terms.

  • (c) Financially Literacy. All members of the audit committee will be financially literate as defined by applicable legislation. If upon appointment a member of the Audit Committee is not financially literate as required, the person will be provided with a period of three months to acquire the required level of financial literacy.

2. Meetings

  • (a) Quorum . The quorum required to constitute a meeting of the Audit Committee is set at a majority of members.

  • (b) Agenda . The Chair will set the agenda for each meeting, after consulting with management and the external auditor. Agenda materials such as draft financial statements must be circulated to all Audit Committee members for members to have a reasonable amount of time to review the materials prior to the meeting.

  • (c) Notice to Auditors. The Company’s auditors (the “Auditors”) will be provided with notice as necessary of any Audit Committee meeting, will be invited to attend each such meeting and will receive an opportunity to be heard at those meetings on matters related to the Auditor’s duties.

  • (d) Minutes. Minutes of the Audit Committee meetings will be accurately recorded, with such minutes recording the decisions reached by the committee.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of the Audit Committee include the following:

External Auditor

The Audit Committee will:

  • (a) Selection of the external auditor . Select, evaluate and recommend to the Board, for shareholder approval, the Auditor to examine the Company’s accounts, controls and financial statements.

  • (b) Scope of Work. Evaluate, prior to the annual audit by the Auditors, the scope and general extent of the Auditor’s review, including the Auditor’s engagement letter.

  • (c) Compensation. Recommend to the Board the compensation to be paid to the external auditors.

  • (d) Replacement of Auditor. If necessary, recommend the replacement of the Auditor to the Board of Directors.

  • (e) Approve Non-Audit Related Services. Pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided by the Auditor to the Company or its subsidiaries.

  • (f) Direct Responsibility for Overseeing Work of Auditors. Must directly oversee the work of the Auditor. The Auditor must report directly to the Audit Committee.

  • (g) Resolution of Disputes. Assist with resolving any disputes between the Company’s management and the Auditors regarding financial reporting.

Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Information

The Audit Committee will:

  • (h) Review Audited Financial Statements . Review the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company, discuss those statements with management and with the Auditor, and recommend their approval to the Board.

  • (i) Review of Interim Financial Statements. Review and discuss with management the quarterly consolidated financial statements, and if appropriate, recommend their approval by the Board.

  • (j) MD&A, Annual and Interim Earnings Press Releases, Audit Committee Reports. Review the Company’s management discussion and analysis, interim and annual press releases, and audit committee reports before the Company publicly discloses this information.

  • (k) Auditor Reports and Recommendations. Review and consider any significant reports and recommendations issued by the Auditor, together with management’s response, and the extent to which recommendations made by the Auditor have been implemented.

Risk Management, Internal Controls and Information Systems

The Audit Committee will:

  • (l) Internal Control . Review with the Auditors and with management, the general policies and procedures used by the Company with respect to internal accounting and financial controls. Remain informed, through communications with the Auditor, of any weaknesses in internal control that could cause errors or deficiencies in financial reporting or deviations from the accounting policies of the Company or from applicable laws or regulations.

  • (m) Financial Management. Periodically review the team in place to carry out financial reporting functions, circumstances surrounding the departure of any officers in charge of financial reporting, and the appointment of individuals in these functions.

  • (n) Accou nting Policies and Practices . Review management plans regarding any changes in accounting practices or policies and the financial impact thereof.

  • (o) Litigation . Review with the Auditors and legal counsel any litigation, claim or contingency, including tax assessments, that could have a material effect upon the financial position of the Company and the manner in which these matters are being disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.

  • (p) Other. Discuss with management and the Auditors correspondence with regulators, employee complaints, or published reports that raise material issues regarding the Company’s financial statements or disclosure.

Complaints

  • (q) Accounting, Auditing and Internal Control Complaints. The Audit Committee must establish a procedure for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters.

  • (r) Employee Complaints. The Audit Committee must establish a procedure for the confidential transmittal on condition of anonymity by the Company’s employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

4. Authority

  • (a) Auditor . The Auditor, and any internal auditors hired by the company, will report directly to the Audit Committee.

  • (b) To Retain Independent Advisors. The Audit Committee may, at the Company’s expense and without the approval of management, retain the services of independent legal counsels and any other advisors it deems necessary to carry out its duties and set and pay the monetary compensation of these individuals.

5. Reporting

The Audit Committee will report to the Board on:

  • (a) the Auditor’s independence;

  • (b) the performance of the Auditor and any recommendations of the Audit Committee in relation thereto;

  • (c) the reappointment and termination of the Auditor;

  • (d) the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and disclosure controls;

  • (e) the Audit Committee’s review of the annual and interim consolidated financial statements;

  • (f) the Audit Committee’s review of the annual and interim management discussion and analysis;

  • (g) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory matters to the extent they affect the financial statements of the Company; and

  • (h) all other material matters dealt with by the Audit Committee.