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Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2024
May 2, 2024
45387_rns_2024-05-02_f1e14adb-aa44-4042-b87e-c3e93d3d4a35.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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PUREPOINT URANIUM GROUP INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY AT 10:00 A.M. (EDT) ON JUNE 4, 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual and special meeting of shareholders (the “ Meeting ’) of Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. (the “ Company ”) will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) for the following purposes:
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to receive the audited financial statements (the “ Audited Financial Statements’ ) and the management discussion & analysis (“ MD&A ”) of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2023;
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to elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;
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to reappoint MNP LLP as the auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”) to fix their remuneration;
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to consider and, if thought appropriate, pass an ordinary resolution approving the Company’s Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan as more particularly described in the accompanying management information circular (the “ Circular ”);
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to approve and authorize the Board of Directors, in their sole discretion if deemed in the best interest of the Corporation, within one (1) year from the date of the Meeting, to implement a consolidation of all of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Corporation on the basis of a consolidation ratio to be determined by the Board of Directors within a range between two (2) pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) postconsolidation Common Share and ten (10) pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-consolidation Common Share, as more fully described in Circular – Please note that the Board of Directors has no present intention to implement a share consolidation, but believes that it would be prudent to have the necessary shareholder authorization in place should the Board of Directors determine at some point in the following two year period that a share consolidation would be in the best interest of the Corporation ;
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to approve and confirm the shareholder rights plan of the Company; and
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to transact such further or other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The specific details of the foregoing matters to be put before the Meeting are set forth in the Circular to be provided by the Company under the Notice and Access System as described below. The full text of the resolutions for the matters listed above is set out in the Schedules to the Circular.
The Board of Directors has fixed April 15, 2024 as the record date for the determination of the shareholders of the Company entitled to receive notice of the Meeting. Shareholders so entitled are invited to attend the Meeting.
VIRTUAL MEETING – The Company has elected to hold the Meeting virtually. Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will have the opportunity to attend the Meeting online, submit questions, and vote in real time through a web-based platform instead of attending the Meeting in person. Non-registered or beneficial shareholders who have not appointed themselves as proxyholder will be able to attend the meeting as guests, but will not be able to vote or ask questions. Since the Meeting will be held virtually, shareholders will not be able to attend
the Meeting in person. The Company encourages all shareholders to vote in advance of the Meeting by proxy. Please see the section entitled "Virtual Meeting" on page 2 of the Circular for detailed instructions on how to attend and participate at the Meeting.
- In order to attend the Meeting virtually, shareholders are required to log in to https://virtual meetings.tsxtrust.com/1608 at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the Meeting. Once logged in, registered shareholders will be required to provide the password (purepoint2024) and their control number to vote at the Meeting. Alternatively, shareholders can take steps to submit their votes by proxy by following the instructions below and as further set out in the accompanying Circular.
NOTICE AND ACCESS – The Company has elected to utilize the notice-and-access system under National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporitng Issuer and National Instrument 51-102 – Ongoing Requirements for Issuers and Insiders of the Canadian Securities Administrators (the “ Notice and Access System ”) for delivery of the Circular to each of the shareholders of the Company whose proxy is solicited for the Meeting.
Under the Notice and Access System, instead of delivering a paper copy of the Circular, the Company is permitted to provide its shareholders with a notice directing them to a website where they can access an electronic copy of the Circular online and vote their shares using their preferred method either thorugh internet or via paper return. The Company anticipates that the Notice and Access System can directly benefit the Company through a substantial reduction in both postage and printing costs, and also promote environmental sustainability by reducing the large volume of paper documents generated by printing proxy related materials. As a corporation existing under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “ CBCA ”), the Company is required to apply for, and has obtained, the requisite approval from Industry Canada to exempt the Company from the requirement under the CBCA to deliver the presecribed Circular to its shareholders.
Notwithstanding the use of the Notice and Access System, under the applicable securities and corporate laws, the Company is still required to deliver paper copies of this notice and the proxy form to its shareholders eligble to attend the Meeting. In addition, the Company is required to deliver paper copies of the Audited Financial Statements and MD&A to its registered shareholders (unless such registered shareholder has informed the Company in wirting declining to receive a paper copy of such annual documents) as well as its beneficial shareholders who have submitted a completed supplemental card to the Company or its transfer agent requesting for the delivery of such annual documents.
Website Where the Circular is Posted
Shareholders of the Company can access the Circular for the Meeting on the following website: https://docs.tsxtrust.com/2309 or by accessing the Company’s filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Requesting Paper Copies of the Circular
Shareholders of the Company may also request paper copies of the Circular to be delivered to them by mail at no cost to them by calling the following toll-free number: 1-866-600-5869 or by emailing to [email protected]. In order for the requesting shareholder to receive the paper copy in advance of the deadline for submisission of voting instructions and the date of the Meeting, the request must be made prior to 4:30 pm (EDT) on May 24, 2024. Shareholders of the Company may continue to request a paper copy of the Circular within one year from the date the Circular is filed on SEDAR+. In the case of a request received prior to the date of the Meeting, a paper copy of the Circular so requested will be sent free of charge by the Company to the requesting shareholder at the address
specified in the request, by first class mail, within 3 business days after receiving the request; in the case of a request recevied on or after the date of the Meeting, and within one year of the Circular being filed, a paper copy of the Circular will be sent free of charge by the Company to the requesting shareholder within 10 calendar days after receiving the request, by prepaid mail, courier or the equivalent.
Voting
Shareholders are reminded to review the Circular prior to voting. Registered shareholders who are unable to attend the Meeting in person are requested to complete, date and sign the enclosed form of proxy and send it in the enclosed envelope to the Company’s transfer agent, TSX Trust Company (“ TSXT ”), Suite 301, 100 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4H1, Attn: Proxy Dept. or by fax 416-595-9593. Non-registered shareholders who receive these materials through their broker or other intermediary should complete and send the enclosed voting instruction form in accordance with the instructions provided by their broker or intermediary. To be effective, a proxy must be received by TSXT not later than 10:00 am (EDT) on Friday, May 31, 2024, or not later than 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on the date that is two business days immediately prior to any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting.
DATED the 22[nd] day of April, 2024.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Christopher Frostad”
Christopher Frostad President and Chief Executive Officer
PUREPOINT URANIUM GROUP INC.
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MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
For the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders To be held at 10:00 am EDT on Tuesday, June 4, 2024
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION
THIS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR (THE “CIRCULAR”) IS FURNISHED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION BY THE MANAGEMENT OF PUREPOINT URANIUM GROUP INC. (THE “COMPANY”) OF PROXIES TO BE USED AT THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY ON TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024 AT 10:00 A.M. (TORONTO TIME), AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF (THE “MEETING”) FOR THE PURPOSES SET OUT HEREIN AND IN THE NOTICE OF MEETING.
The purpose of this Circular is to:
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explain how you, as a Shareholder of the Company, can vote at the Meeting, either in person or by transferring your vote to someone else to vote on your behalf;
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request that you authorize the Chief Executive Officer (or his alternate) of the Company to vote on your behalf in accordance with your instructions set out on the accompanying form of proxy;
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inform you about the business to be conducted at the Meeting; and
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give you some important background information to assist you in deciding how to vote.
The Company provides detailed information on its business and financial results on its website located at www.purepoint.ca. The Company’ news releases and other prescribed documents are required to be filed on the electronic database maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators (known as SEDAR+) located at www.sedarplus.ca. A copy of this Circular is also available under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
In this Circular, “ Common Shares ” means common shares of the Company. “ Registered Shareholders ” means shareholders of the Company who hold Common Shares in their own names and whose names appear on the register of the Company as the registered holders of Common Shares. “ Non-Registered Shareholders ” means shareholders of the Company who do not hold Common Shares in their own names. “ Shareholders ” means Registered Shareholders and Non-Registered Shareholders.
Virtual Meeting
The Company has elected to hold the Meeting virtually. The Meeting will be hosted online by way of a live audio webcast. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting in person.
- Shareholders who wish to attend the Meeting virtually can do so by visiting https://virtual meetings.tsxtrust.com/1608 (password: purepoint2024) and logging in at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the Meeting.
Attending the Meeting online enables Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders to participate at the Meeting. Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders can vote at the appropriate times during the Meeting.
It is recommended that Shareholders and proxyholders submit their questions as soon as possible during the Meeting so they can be addressed at the right time. Questions may be submitted in writing by using the relevant dialog box in the function “Ask a question” during the Meeting. Only Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders may ask questions during the question period.
The Chair of the Meeting and/or other members of management of the Company (“ Management ”) present at the Meeting will answer questions relating to matters to be voted on before a vote is held on each matter, if applicable. General questions will be addressed by the Chair of the Meeting and other members of Management at the end of the Meeting during the question period.
So that as many questions as possible are answered, Registered Shareholders and proxyholders are asked to be brief and concise and to address only one topic per question. Questions from multiple Shareholders on the same topic or that are otherwise related will be grouped, summarized and answered together.
All Shareholders’ questions are welcome. However, the Company does not intend to address questions that:
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are irrelevant to the Company or to the business of the Meeting;
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are related to non-public information;
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are derogatory or otherwise offensive;
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are repetitive or have already been asked by other Shareholders;
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are in furtherance of a Shareholder’s personal or business interests; or
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are out of order or not otherwise appropriate as determined by the Chair or Secretary of the Meeting in their reasonable judgment.
For any questions asked but not answered during the Meeting, a member of Management will contact such Shareholder to respond to his/her question to the extent that the Shareholder has provided his/her email address when submitting his/her question.
In the event of technical malfunction or other significant problem that disrupts the Meeting, the Chair of the Meeting may adjourn, recess, or expedite the Meeting, or take such other action as the Chair determines is appropriate considering the circumstances.
Notice & Access
The Company has elected to utilize the notice-and-access system (the “ Notice and Access System ”) under National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (“ NI 54-101 ”) and National Instrument 51-102 – Ongoing Requirements for Issuers and Insiders (“ NI 51-102 ”) of the Canadian Secuirites Administrators for delivery of the Circular to each of the Shareholders whose proxy is solicited for the Meeting. Notwithstanding the use of the Notice and Access System, under the applicable securities and corporate laws, the Company is still required to deliver, and has delivered, paper copies of the notice of meeting (including in which the notice regarding the Company’s election to use the Notice and Access System which directs the Shareholders to the website on which this Circular is posted) (the “ Notice ”) and a form of proxy (the “ Proxy ”) to its Shareholders eligble to attend the Meeting. Detailed information relating to the Notice and Access System is contained
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below under the heading “Notice and Access” and Shareholders are encouraged to read the information contained therein for an explanation of their rights.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The form of proxy accompanying this Circular is being solicited on behalf of Management in connection with the Meeting. The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail, but some proxies may be solicited by newspaper publication, personal interviews, email, telephone or facsimile communication by directors, officers or employees (or representatives thereof) of the Company, who will not be specifically compensated therefor, or agents of the Company who will be specifically compensated therefor.
Management does not intend to pay for intermediaries to forward to objecting beneficial owners under NI 54-101 this Circular and related Meeting materials, and in the case of an objecting beneficial owner, the objecting beneficial owner will not receive these materials unless the objecting beneficial owner's intermediary assumes the cost of delivery.
Information for Registered Shareholders
A registered holder may vote in any of the ways set out below:
Virtually at the Meeting : A Registered Shareholder who wishes to vote virtually at the Meeting should not complete or return the form of proxy included with this Circular, and instead will have his or her votes taken virtually at the Meeting. The control number and meeting password located on the form of proxy or in the email notification you received is required to log in to the Meeting.
Voting by Internet : A Registered Shareholder may submit his or her proxy over the Internet by going to www.voteproxyonline.com and following the instructions. Such Shareholder will require a 12-digit control number (located on the front of the form of proxy) to identify himself or herself to the system.
Voting by Fax : 416-595-9593 (send both pages of their completed and signed form of proxy).
Voting by Mail : Complete, sign, date and return the form of proxy to the Company’s transfer agent TSX Trust Company, 301 – 100 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4H1.
Information for Non-Registered Shareholders
Holders of Shares who are Non-Registered Shareholders
Subject to applicable laws, only Registered Shareholders are entitled to vote at the Meeting. However, many Shareholders of the Company are Non-Registered Shareholders who do not hold Common Shares in their own name. Common Shares beneficially owned by the Non-Registered Shareholders are registered in the name of nominee accounts, usually The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited (" CDS "). CDS acts as clearing agent for brokers and other intermediaries (the " Intermediaries ") who, in turn, act on behalf of the Non-Registered Shareholders.
As a result, Non-Registered Shareholders can only exercise their rights as beneficial owners of voting shares through CDS or a participant in the CDS depository service. This means that in order for NonRegistered Shareholders to exercise their rights to vote their shares at the Meeting, they must provide voting instructions to the Registered Shareholders who hold Common Shares on their behalf.
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If you are a Non-Registered Shareholder and the Company or its agent has sent this Circular and associated materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of Common Shares, have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the Intermediary holding Common Shares on your behalf.
If you are a Non-Registered Shareholder who wishes to vote your Common Shares, you must carefully review and follow the voting instructions provided by your Intermediary who holds the Common Shares on your behalf.
Delivery of Voting Instructions by Non-Registered Shareholders
Applicable regulatory policies require Intermediaries to seek voting instructions from Non-Registered Shareholders in advance of shareholder meetings. Each Intermediary has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions, which should be carefully followed by Non-Registered Shareholders in order to ensure their Common Shares are voted at the Meeting. Generally, Non-Registered Shareholders who receive meeting materials will be given either:
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(a) a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature), which is restricted as to the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by the Non-Registered Shareholder but which is otherwise not completed. This form of proxy need not be signed by the Non-Registered Shareholder. In this case, the Non-Registered Shareholder who wishes to submit a proxy should complete the rest of the form of proxy and deliver the proxy in accordance with the instructions provided by the Intermediary; or
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(b) a voting instruction form which must be completed and signed by the Non-Registered Shareholder in accordance with the directions on the voting instruction form and returned to the Intermediary or its service company. In some cases, the completion of the voting instruction form by telephone, the internet or facsimile is permitted.
The purpose of these procedures is to permit Non-Registered Shareholders to direct the voting of the Common Shares that they beneficially own. These procedures do not permit a Non-Registered Shareholder to vote Common Shares virtually at the Meeting.
Voting at the Meeting
Voting at the Meeting will be by way of online ballot submitted via the virtual meeting provider platform at https://virtual-meetings.tsxtrust.com/1608 (password: purepoint2024). Each Shareholder will be entitled to vote with respect to such number of Common Shares shown as registered in his, her or its name on the list of Shareholders as of the Record Date prepared by the Company, which list is available for inspection by Shareholders at the Meeting or, after the 10[th] day following the Record Date, during usual business hours at the registered office of the Company or the office of TSX Trust Company.
Voting at the Meeting by Non-Registered Shareholders
A Non-Registered Shareholder who receives a form of proxy or a voting instruction form and wishes to vote at the Meeting virtually should, in the case of a form of proxy, strike out the names of the persons designated in the form of proxy and insert the Non-Registered Shareholder's name in the blank space provided or, in the case of a voting instruction form, follow the corresponding directions on the form. In either case, Non-Registered Shareholders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the proxy or voting instruction form is to be delivered.
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Appointment of Proxy holder
The individuals specified as proxyholders in the enclosed form of proxy are representatives of Management and are directors and/or officers of the Company. A Shareholder may, by properly marking, executing and depositing the accompanying form of proxy, appoint as proxyholder the individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy, or some other individual or entity, who need not be a Shareholder. This latter right may be exercised by striking out the names of the designated individuals and inserting the name of such other proxyholder in the blank space provided in the enclosed form of proxy or by completing another proxy in proper form.
The proxyholder may virtually attend and act for the Shareholder at the Meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.
If you wish to vote at the Meeting, or have a third-party virtually attend and vote on your behalf, you MUST submit your form of proxy or voting instruction form, appointing that third-party proxyholder AND you must also register such proxyholder with the Company’ transfer agent, TSX Trust Company, after submitting your form of proxy or voting instruction form . Registering your third-party proxyholder with TSX Trust Company is an additional step to be completed AFTER you have submitted your form of proxy or voting instruction form. Failure to register the proxyholder will result in the proxyholder not receiving a control number that is required for them to vote at the Meeting and, consequently, only being able to attend the Meeting as a guest.
Step 1: Submit your form of proxy : To appoint a third-party proxyholder, insert such person’s name in the blank space provided in the form of proxy and follow the instructions for submitting your form of proxy or voting instruction form. This must be completed prior to registering such proxyholder, which is an additional step to be completed once you have submitted your form of proxy or voting instruction form.
Step 2: Register your proxyholder : To register a third-party proxyholder, Shareholders must email [email protected], and complete the “Request for Control Number” form at https://tsxtrust.com/resource/en/75 by 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Friday, May 31, 2024, or not later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on the date that is two Business Days immediately prior to any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting, and provide TSX Trust Company, with the required proxyholder contact information. TSX Trust Company will then provide the proxyholder with a control number by email after the proxy voting deadline has passed. This control number is required for the purpose of logging in to the Meeting.
Make sure that the person you appoint is aware that he or she has been appointed and attends the Meeting. Failure to register the proxyholder will result in the proxyholder not receiving a control number to participate in the Meeting. Without a control number, your proxyholder will not be able to ask questions or vote at the Meeting.
If you are a Non-Registered Shareholder located in the United States and wish to vote at the Meeting or, if permitted, appoint a third-party as your proxyholder, you must obtain a valid legal proxy from your Intermediary. Follow the instructions from your Intermediary included with the legal proxy form and the voting instruction form sent to you, or contact your Intermediary to request a legal proxy form or a legal proxy if you have not received one. After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your Intermediary, you must then submit such legal proxy to TSX Trust Company. Requests for registration from Non-Registered Shareholders located in the United States that wish to vote at the Meeting or, if permitted, appoint a third-
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party as their proxyholder must be sent by to TSX Trust Company, by fax 416-595-9595 or by mail to 100 Adelaide Street West, Suite 301, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 4H1, Attention: Proxy Department and must be labeled “Legal Proxy” and received no later than the voting deadline of 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Friday, May 31, 2024 or not later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on the date that is two Business Days immediately prior to any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting.
Execution and Deposit of Proxy
If a Shareholder is an individual, the form of proxy must be executed by the Shareholder or a duly authorized attorney of the Shareholder. If a Shareholder is a corporation or other form of entity, the form of proxy must be executed by a duly authorized attorney or officer of the corporation or other form of entity. Where a form of proxy is executed by an attorney or officer of a corporation or other form of entity, the authorizing documents (or notarized copies thereof) may be requested to accompany the form of proxy. To be valid, an executed form of proxy must be received at the offices of TSX Trust Company, 301-100 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4H1, if sent by fax, to 416-595-9593 or if by such other method as is identified in the form of proxy, in accordance with the instructions set out in the form of proxy, in any case, not later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Friday, May 31, 2024 or, if the Meeting is adjourned, not later than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, preceding the time of such adjourned Meeting. The time limit for the deposit of proxies may be waived or extended by the Chair of the Meeting at his or her discretion without notice.
Manner Proxies will be Voted
The Common Shares represented by the accompanying form of proxy will be voted or be withheld from voting, as the case may be, on any ballot that may be called for at the Meeting and, subject to the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act (" CBCA "), where a choice is specified in respect of any matter to be acted upon, will be voted in accordance with the specification made. If a Shareholder does NOT specify how to vote on a particular matter, the proxyholder is entitled to vote the Common Shares as he or she sees fit. Please note that if a completed form of proxy does not specify how to vote on any particular matter, and if a Shareholder has authorized either of the individuals named therein to act as proxyholder (by leaving the line for the proxyholder's name blank on the form of proxy), your Common Shares will be voted FOR the matters tabled at the Meeting as detailed under the section entitled “Particulars of the Matters to be Acted Upon”.
For more information on these matters, please see the section entitled "Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon" below. If any other matters properly arise at the Meeting that are not described in the Notice of Meeting, or if any amendments are proposed to the matters described in the Notice of Meeting, a proxyholder is entitled to vote the Common Shares as he or she sees fit. The Notice of Meeting sets out all the matters to be determined at the Meeting that are known to Management as of the date of this Circular.
Revocability of Proxy
A Shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it. Such revocation may be made by the Shareholder attending the Meeting, duly executing another form of proxy bearing a later date and depositing it before the specified time, or may be made by written instrument revoking such proxy executed by the Shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing and deposited either at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, or with the Chair of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof or in any other manner permitted by law. If such written instrument is deposited
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with the Chair of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, such instrument will not be effective with respect to any matter on which a vote has already been cast pursuant to such proxy.
If you are using a TSX Trust control number to log in to the Meeting, you will not be revoking any previously submitted proxies. However, if you vote on a ballot you will be revoking any and all previously submitted proxies. If you DO NOT wish to revoke your previously submitted proxies, do not vote at the Meeting. You may also choose to enter the Meeting as a guest.
Quorum
The by-laws of the Company provide that the presence of two persons entitled to vote for not less than 5 per cent of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company which may be voted at the Meeting, whether present in person at the Meeting or represented by proxy or by a duly authorized representative of a Shareholder, constitutes a quorum. If a quorum is present at the opening of the Meeting, the Shareholders present or represented by proxy may proceed with the business of the Meeting, notwithstanding that a quorum is not present throughout the Meeting.
NOTICE AND ACCESS
The Company has elected to utilize the Notice and Access System for delivery of the Circular to each of the Shareholders whose proxy is solicited for the Meeting.
Under the Notice and Access System, instead of delivering a paper copy of the Circular, the Company is permitted to provide its Shareholders with a notice directing them to a website where they can access an electronic copy of the Circular online and vote their shares using their preferred method either thorugh internet or via paper return. The Company anticipates that the Notice and Access System can directly benefit the Company through a substantial reduction in both postage and printing costs, and also promote environmental sustainability by reducing the large volume of paper documents generated by printing proxy related materials. As a corporation existing under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “ CBCA ”), the Company is required to apply for, and has obtained, the requisite approval from Industry Canada to exempt the Company from the requirement under the CBCA to deliver the presecribed Circular to its Shareholders.
In spite of the use of the Notice and Access System, under the applicable securities and corporate laws, the Company is still required to deliver paper copies of the Notice and the Proxy to its Shareholders eligble to attend the Meeting. In addition, the Company is required to deliver paper copies of the Audited Financial Statements and MD&A to its Registered Shareholders (unless such Registered Shareholder has informed the Company in writing declining to receive a paper copy of such annual documents) as well as its Non-Registered Shareholders who have submitted a completed supplemental card to the Company or its transfer agent requesting for the delivery of such annual documents.
Website Where the Circular is Posted
The Shareholders can access the Circular for the Meeting on the following website: https://docs.tsxtrust.com/2309 or by accessing the Company’s filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Requesting Paper Copies of the Circular
The Shareholders may also request paper copies of the Circular to be delivered to them by mail at no cost to them by calling the following toll-free number: 1-866-600-5869 or by emailing to [email protected]. In order for the requesting Shareholder to receive the paper copy in advance of the deadline for submisission
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of voting instructions and the date of the Meeting, the request must be made prior to 4:30 pm (EST) on May 24, 2024. The Shareholders may continue to request a paper copy of the Circular within one year from the date the Circular is filed on SEDAR+. In the case of a request received prior to the date of the Meeting, a paper copy of the Circular so requested will be sent free of charge by the Company to the requesting Shareholder at the address specified in the request, by first class mail within three business days after receiving the request; in the case of a request recevied on or after the date of the Meeting, and within one year of the Circular being filed, a paper copy of the Circular will be sent free of charge by the Company to the requesting Shareholder within 10 calendar days after receiving the request, by prepaid mail, courier or the equivalent.
REQUIRED SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS
Unless otherwise noted under “PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON”, all resolutions which the Shareholders will be asked to pass must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting.
VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
In accordance with the provisions of the CBCA, the Company has prepared a list of all persons who are Registered Shareholders as of April 15, 2024 (the “ Record Date ”) and the number of Common Shares registered in the name of each person on such date. Each Shareholder is entitled to one vote for each Common Share registered in such Shareholder’s name as it appears on the list. Only Shareholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date, who either attend the Meeting virtually or who have completed and delivered a form of proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above, shall 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 without nominal or par value. As of the Record Date, the Company had a total of 500,772,765 Common Shares issued and outstanding, each carrying one vote per Common Share.
To the knowledge of the Company’s directors and executive officers, as at the date hereof, no person or company owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the Common Shares of the Company.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
No director or executive officer of the Company, no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company, and no associate or affiliate of any such person has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors of the Company.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Shareholders will receive the audited financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, together with the accompanying auditors’ report, copies of which have been mailed to all persons who are Registered Shareholders as of the Record Date and Non-Registered Shareholders who have completed a supplemental card requesting for such mailing.
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II. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The term of office of each of the present directors expires at the conclusion of the Meeting. The persons named below will be presented for election at the Meeting as Management’s nominees. Each director elected will hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or until his successor is elected or appointed, unless his office is earlier vacated in accordance with the Articles and bylaws of the Company or the provisions of the CBCA.
The following table sets forth the name of each person proposed to be nominated by Management of the Company for election as a director, his principal occupation, business or employment, his current position held with the Company, if any, the period of time for which he has been a director of the Company, and the number of Common Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or subject to control or direction, by such person as of the date hereof.
| Name and Municipality Of Residence |
Director Since | Number Of Common Shares Beneficially Owned or Controlled(2) |
Principal Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Frostad(1) President and CEO Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
May 30, 2005 | 3,991,824 | President and CEO of the Company |
| Allan Beach(1) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
May 30, 2005 | 4,353,700 | Director, Westney Group Inc. |
| Scott R. Frostad Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada |
December 19, 2006 | 2,090,700 | Vice-President, Exploration of the Company |
| Borys Chabursky(1) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
April 27, 2015 | 666,667 | Founder and Chairman, Shift Health |
Notes:
(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
(2) The information as to shares beneficially owned has been furnished and confirmed by the directors individually.
Each of the above individuals is currently a director of the Company and was elected to the present term of office by a vote of the Shareholders at the annual general and special shareholders’ meeting held on June 27, 2023, the notice of which was accompanied by an information circular.
Unless a Proxy specifies that the Common Shares it represents are to be withheld from voting for the candidates proposed above, the persons named in Proxy intend to vote for the candidates proposed above. Management of the Company does not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director of the Company for the ensuing year. However, if that should occur for any reason prior to the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the persons named in the Proxy have the right to vote for the election of the remaining nominees and may vote for the election of a substitute nominee at their discretion.
9
Corporate Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies or Penalties
Mr. Borys Chabursky, a director of the Company, served as a director of Acerus Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a TSX listed issuer (“ Acerus ”) when Acerus was granted protection pursuant to an order issued under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the “ CCAA Proceedings ”) by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in January 2023. On February 27, 2023, pursuant to Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code , the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware granted an order recognizing the CCAA Proceedings as the foreign main proceedings giving full force and effect to the orders entered in the CCAA Proceedings. On April 6, 2023, the Ontario Securities Commission issued a cease trade order to Acerus as a result of Acerus’s failure to file its annual audited financial statements, annual management’s discussion and analysis, annual information form and certification of the foregoing filings for the year ended December 31, 2022. On August 25, 2023, the Ontario Securities Commission, as the principal regulator of Acerus, granted an order pursuant to which Acerus ceased to be a reporting issuer in Ontario and other jurisdictions of Canada.
Other than Mr. Chabursky as disclosed above, no proposed director, is as at the date hereof, or has been within the 10 years prior to the date of this Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company) that:
-
a) was the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the company access to any exemptions under applicable securities legislation for a period of more than 30 consecutive days that was issued while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or
-
b) was the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the company access to any exemptions under applicable securities legislation for a period of more than 30 consecutive days that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer;
Other than Mr. Chabursky as disclosed above, no proposed director is, as at the date hereof, or has been within the past ten years prior to 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 the assets of that person.
No proposed director has, within the past ten 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, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of that person.
No proposed director 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
-
b) any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
10
III. RE-APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
The Shareholders will be asked to approve the re-appointment of MNP LLP as the auditors of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company and to authorize the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) to fix the remuneration of the auditors for the ensuing year.
Unless a Proxy specifies that the Common Shares it represents are to be withheld from voting for the re-appointment of MNP LLP as the auditors of the Company to hold office until the close of the next annual general meeting of the Company and authorizing the Board to fix the remuneration of the auditors of the Company for the ensuing year, the persons named in the Proxy intend to vote for such re-appointment and authorization.
IV. ANNUAL APPROVAL OF OMNIBUS PLAN
The Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if thought appropriate, pass a resolution approving the Company’s omnibus equity incentive compensation plan (the “ Omnibus Plan ”). Since the Omnibus Plan contains a 10% rolling option plan, the TSX Venture Exchange (the “ TSXV ”) requires the Omnibus Plan to be approved by the Shareholders yearly at the Company’s annual general meeting of Shareholders. A summary of the key features of the Omnibus Plan is set out in Schedule “A” to this Circular. All capitalized terms used in Schedule “A” have the meanings set forth in the Omnibus Plan unless otherwise indicated. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Omnibus Plan, which is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or on request from the Company at 120 Adelaide St. West, Suite 2500, Toronto, ON M5H 1T1, Fax: (416) 603-8368.
The complete text of the resolution which Management intends to place before the Meeting for approval, confirmation, and adoption, with or without modification is set out in Schedule “B” to this Circular. In order to be effective, this resolution requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast by the Shareholders who vote in respect of the resolution.
Unless a Proxy specifies that the Common Shares it represents are to be voted against the approval of the Omnibus Plan, the persons named in the Proxy intend to vote for such approval.
VI. SHARE CONSOLIDATION
The Board has no present intention to implement a share consolidation, but believes that it would be prudent to have the necessary shareholder authorization in place should the Board determine at some point in the following one year period that a share consolidation would be in the best interest of the Company.
At the Meeting, the Shareholders will be asked to consider, and if thought appropriate, approve a special resolution attached hereto as Schedule “C” (the “ Consolidation Resolution ”), authorizing the Board, in their sole discretion if deemed in the best interest of the Company, within one (1) year from the Meeting date, to amend the articles of the Company to effect a consolidation of all of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on the basis of a consolidation ratio (the “ Consolidation Ratio ”) to be selected by the Board within a range between two (2) pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-consolidation Common Share and ten (10) pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-consolidation Common Share (the “ Share Consolidation ”).
The decision to seek authorization from the Shareholders for a Share Consolidation was taken by the Board after careful consideration of a number of factors, including market activity, access to institutional
11
investors, prospective broadening of international investor interest in the Company, and if advisable, the structuring of potential future financings with strategic investors.
The principal purpose of a Share Consolidation if implemented is to increase the per share market price of Common Shares and to reduce the number of Common Shares outstanding, which the Board believes will have a number of benefits to the Company and the Shareholders. The Board believes that increasing the market price of Common Shares may well generate greater investor interest in the Company, facilitate trading and liquidity in the Common Shares, enhance the prestige of the Common Shares in the marketplace and better enable the Company to raise funds to finance its planned operations.
The final decision as to if and when to proceed with a Share Consolidation, including the final Consolidation Ratio, shall be at the sole discretion of the Board. As a result, the authorization to be given to the Board does not guarantee that a Share Consolidation will occur. In addition, prior to implementing any Share Consolidation, the Company shall first be required to obtain the approval of the TSXV and other applicable regulatory approvals.
Effect of the Consolidation
The number of securities of the Company outstanding as at the Record Date and prior to any Share Consolidation is 500,772,765 Common Shares, 49,200,000 Options and 114,382,884 common share purchase warrants (the “ Warrants ”). For illustrative purposes, assuming a Share Consolidation is implemented at a Consolidation Ratio of ten (10) pre-consolidation Shares for one (1) post-consolidation Share:
-
a) the number of outstanding securities of the Company will be around 50,077,276 Common Shares, 4,920,000 Options and 11,438,288 Warrants, subject to minor deviation as a result of the effects of rounding at the individual securityholder’s level.
-
b) each holder of Common Shares will become entitled to receive such number of postconsolidation Common Shares as is equal to the pre-consolidation Common Shares divided by the Consolidation Ratio;
-
c) each Warrant and Option not yet exercised and still valid and outstanding at the date of the Share Consolidation will be adjusted by the Consolidation Ratio as applied to the pre-consolidation Common Shares and each holder thereof will become entitled to receive post-consolidation Common Shares accordingly when such Warrant or Option is duly exercised; and
-
d) no fractional Common Shares, Warrants or Options of the Company shall be issued in connection with the Share Consolidation and no cash shall be paid in the event that a Shareholder would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional security upon such Share Consolidation. Any fractions stemming therefore will be rounded up or rounded down to the nearest whole number at the sole discretion of the Board.
Exchange of Shares
If a Share Consolidation is implemented, the specific procedures for the exchange of pre-consolidation Common Shares for the post-consolidation Common Shares will be outlined in a letter of transmittal to be completed and returned to the Company’s registrar and transfer agent in accordance with the instructions set out in the letter of transmittal. Thereafter, certificates for the number of the post-consolidation Common Shares will be distributed without charge.
12
Certain Risks Associated with the Share Consolidation
There can be no assurance that the total market capitalization of the Company’s post-consolidation Common Shares (the aggregate value of all post-consolidation Common Shares at the then-market price) immediately after implementation of the Share Consolidation will be equal to or greater than the total market capitalization immediately before the Share Consolidation. In addition, there can be no assurance that the per-share market price of the Common Shares following the Share Consolidation will be higher than the per-share market price immediately before the Share Consolidation or equal or exceed the direct arithmetical result of the Share Consolidation. A decline in the market price of the Common Shares after the Share Consolidation may result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence of a Share Consolidation and the liquidity of the Common Shares could be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that, if the Share Consolidation is implemented, the margin terms associated with the purchase of Common Shares will improve or that the Company will be successful in receiving increased attention from institutional investors.
If a Share Consolidation is implemented, it may result in some Shareholders owning "odd lots" of postconsolidation Common Shares. Odd lots may be more difficult to sell, or require greater transaction costs per Share to sell, relative to Common Shares in "board lots". In accordance with the rules of TSXV, a “board lot” means 500 Common Shares if the Common Shares are trading at $0.10 per share or more and less than $1.00 per share, and 100 Common Shares if the Common Shares are trading at $1.00 per share or more.
Other Information Regarding the Share Consolidation
If approved and implemented, a Share Consolidation will occur simultaneously for all Common Shares and the Consolidation Ratio would be the same for all such Common Shares. The Share Consolidation would affect all Shareholders equally. Except for any variances attributable to fractional Shares, the change in the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares that would result from the Share Consolidation would cause no change in the capital attributable to the Common Shares and would not materially affect any Shareholders' percentage ownership in the Company, even though such ownership would be represented by a smaller number of Common Shares. In addition, the Share Consolidation would not affect any Shareholder's proportionate voting rights. Each Common Share outstanding after the Share Consolidation would be entitled to one vote and be fully paid and non-assessable.
Non-Registered Shareholders holding their Common Shares through a bank, broker or other nominee should note that such banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures for processing the Share Consolidation than those that will be put in place by the Company for Registered Shareholders. If you hold your Common Shares with a bank, broker or other nominee and if you have any questions in this regard, you are encouraged to contact your nominee.
Dissent Rights
Under the CBCA, Shareholders do not have dissent and appraisal rights with respect to the proposed Share Consolidation.
Share Consolidation Resolution
The complete text of the Consolidation Resolution which Management intends to place before the Meeting for approval, confirmation and adoption, with or without modification, is set out in Schedule “C” hereto.
13
The Board recommends that the Shareholders vote for the adoption of the Consolidation Resolution. In order to be effective, the Consolidation Resolution must be approved by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast at the Meeting in respect of the Consolidation Resolution.
For the reasons indicated above, the Board believes that the proposed Consolidation Resolution is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders and, accordingly, recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the special resolution approving the Share Consolidation. Unless a Proxy specifies that the Common Shares it represents are to be voted against the approval of the Consolidation Resolution, the person named in the Proxy intend to vote for such approval.
V. APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
On April 22, 2024, the Board of the Company adopted a new shareholder rights plan (the “ New Rights Plan ” or the “ Rights Plan ”) designed to ensure, to the extent possible, that all of the Shareholders are treated fairly in the event that a take-over bid is made for the shares of the Company and to ensure that the Board has sufficient time to evaluate unsolicited takeover bids and to explore, develop and pursue alternatives that could maximize value for the Shareholders.
The New Rights Plan, if approved by the Shareholders at the Meeting, will replace the amended and restated shareholder rights plan of the Company initially approved by Shareholders at the annual and special meeting held on June 11, 2009 which was subsequently amended and reconfirmed by the Shareholders at the annual and special meetings held on August 23, 2012, June 25, 2015, June 21, 2018 and June 27, 2021 (the “ Existing Rights Plan ”) which will expire at the end of the Meeting. The New Rights Plan serves the same objectives of the Existing Rights Plan but seeks to modernize the Existing Rights Plan by taking into consideration of legislative changes, recent guidance provided by proxy advisory firms and the requirements of TSX Trust Company, the rights agent of the Company (the “ Rights Agent ”).
The Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company that the New Rights Plan be approved. Accordingly, the Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to consider and, if thought appropriate, to pass a resolution approving the approval of the New Rights Plan. The New Rights Plan will take the form of an agreement between the Company and Rights Agent. The Rights Plan is subject to the execution of such agreement by the Rights Agent. A summary of the key features of the Rights Plan is set out in Schedule “D” to this Circular. All capitalized terms used in this section of the Circular and Schedule “D” have the meanings set forth in the Rights Plan unless otherwise indicated. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Rights Plan, which is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or on request from the Company at 120 Adelaide St. West, Suite 2500, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1T1, Fax: (416) 603-8368.
Objectives of the Shareholder Rights Plan
The objectives of the Rights Plan are to ensure, to the extent possible, that all Shareholders are treated equally and fairly in connection with any take-over bid or similar proposal to acquire Common Shares.
Take-over bids may be structured in such a way as to be coercive or discriminatory in effect or may be initiated at a time when it will be difficult for the Board of Directors to prepare an adequate response. Such offers may result in Shareholders receiving unequal or unfair treatment, or not realizing the full or maximum value of their investment in the Corporation.
14
The Rights Plan discourages the making of any such offers by creating the potential of significant dilution to any offeror who does so. This potential is created through the issuance to all Shareholders of contingent rights to acquire additional Common Shares at a significant discount to the then prevailing market prices, which could, in certain circumstances, become exercisable by all Shareholders other than an offeror and its associates, affiliates and joint actors.
The existing legislative framework governing take-over bids in Canada (National Instrument 62-104 – Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids and National Policy 62-203 – Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids ) does not apply to exempt takeover bids, and, accordingly, the Rights Plan is designed to prevent the unequal treatment of Shareholders by encouraging a potential acquiror to proceed with its bid in accordance with Canadian take-over bid rules, which require that a take-over bid satisfy certain minimum standards intended to promote fairness or have the approval of the Board of Directors by:
-
a) protecting against “creeping bids” (the accumulation of more than 20% of the Common Shares through purchases exempt from Canadian take-over bid rules, such as: (i) purchases from a small group of Shareholders under private agreements at a premium to the market price not available to all Shareholders; (ii) acquiring control through the slow accumulation of Shares over a stock exchange without paying a control premium; or (iii) through other transactions outside of Canada not subject to Canadian takeover bid rules), and requiring the bid to be made to all Shareholders; and
-
b) preventing a potential acquiror from entering into lock-up agreements with existing Shareholders prior to launching a take-over bid, except for permitted lock up agreements as specified in the Rights Plan.
By encouraging bids in accordance with Canadian take-over bid rules, the Board of Directors wants to allow all Shareholders to benefit from the acquisition of a control position of 20% or more of the Common Shares, prevent acquisitions of control through exempt transactions and lock-up arrangements that preclude competing bids and allow the Board of Directors to have sufficient time to explore and develop all options for maximizing Shareholder value in the event a person tries to acquire a control position in the Company. Under the Rights Plan, potential acquirors are prevented from accumulating effective control of the Company or a blocking position against other bidders except by way of a Permitted Bid (as defined in Schedule “D” to this Circular). The most common approaches that an aquiror may take to have the Rights Plan withdrawn are to negotiate with the Board to have the Rights Plan waived, or to apply to a securities commission to order withdrawal of the Rights Plan if the Company cannot develop competitive bids. Both of these approaches will give the Board more time and control over any sale process and increase the likelihood of a better offer to the Shareholders.
General Impact of the Rights Plan
It is not the intention of the Board, in approving the Rights Plan, to secure the continuance of existing directors or management in office, nor to avoid a bid for control of the Company in a transaction that is fair and in the best interests of the Shareholders. For example, through the Permitted Bid mechanism, described in more detail in the summary attached as Schedule “D” to this Circular, the Shareholders may tender to a take-over bid that meets the Permitted Bid criteria without triggering the Rights Plan, regardless of the acceptability of the take-over bid to the Board. Furthermore, even in the context of a bid that does not meet the Permitted Bid criteria, the Board will continue to be bound to consider fully and fairly any take-over bid for the outstanding Common Shares in any exercise of its discretion to waive application of the Rights Plan or redeem the Rights. In all such circumstances, the Board must act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders.
15
The Rights Plan does not preclude any Shareholder from utilizing the proxy mechanism under the CBCA and Canadian securities laws to promote a change in the management or direction of the Company, or the Board, and has no effect on the rights of holders of outstanding Common Shares to requisition a meeting of Shareholders in accordance with the provisions of applicable corporate and securities legislation, or to enter into agreements with respect to voting their Common Shares. The definitions of “Acquiring Person” and “Beneficial Ownership” have been developed to minimize concerns that the Rights Plan may be inadvertently triggered as a result of an overly-broad aggregation of holdings of institutional Shareholders and their clients.
The Rights Plan will not interfere with the day-to-day operations of the Company. The issuance of the Rights does not in any way alter the financial condition of the Company, impede its business plans or alter its financial statements.
In summary, the Board believes that the dominant effect of the Rights Plan will be to enhance Shareholder value, and ensure equal treatment of all Shareholders in the context of a bid for control of the Company through an acquisition of the outstanding Common Shares.
Vote Required
Shareholder approval of the Rights Plan is not required by law, but is required by applicable TSXV rules. The Rights Plan has incorporated the applicable TSXV rules by requiring any amendments thereof to be approved by a majority of the votes casted by Independent Shareholders present or represented at and entitled to vote at the Meeting. An “ Independent Shareholder ” is generally any Shareholder other than an “ Acquiring Person ” (as defined in the Rights Plan) and its associates and affiliates. An Acquiring Person is usually a Shareholder that is attempting to acquire 20% or more of the Common Shares. As of the date of this Circular, the Company is not aware of any Shareholder that would not be considered an Independent Shareholder and, therefore, it is anticipated that all Shareholders will be eligible to vote their Common Shares on the resolution to continue, amend and restate the Rights Plan.
The Rights Plan has a maximum term of three years. At the expiry of such term the Rights Plan must be approved again by the Shareholders or it will be null and void and of no further force and effect. If approved at this Meeting, the Rights Plan will require reconfirmation at the annual general meeting of Shareholders in 2027.
If the resolution to approve the Rights Plan is passed at the Meeting, the Rights Plan will be effective as of the date the resolution is passed (subject to the prior execution of the Rights Plan by the Rights Agent). If the resolution approving the Rights Plan is not passed at the Meeting, the Rights Plan will terminate.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board has reviewed the Rights Plan for conformity with current practices of Canadian issuers with respect to shareholder rights plan design. Based on its review, the Board has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders that the Company have in place a shareholder rights plan in the form of the Rights Plan. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends a vote “for” the reconfirmation and approval of the Rights Plan. The Company has been advised that the directors and senior officers of the Company intend to vote all Common Shares held by them in favour of the approval to reconfirm the Rights Plan.
The Board reserves the right to alter any terms of or not proceed with the Rights Plan at any time prior to the Meeting if the Board determines that it would be in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders to do so, in light of subsequent developments.
16
The complete text of the resolution which management intends to place before the Meeting approving the amendment, restatement and reconfirmation of the Rights Plan, with or without modification is set out in Schedule “E” to this Circular. In order to be effective, this resolution requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast by the Shareholders who vote in respect of the resolution.
Unless a Proxy specifies that the Common Shares it represents are to be voted against the approval of the Rights Plan, the persons named in the Proxy intend to vote for such approval.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The purpose of this section is to describe the compensation of certain Named Executive Officers of the Company in accordance with Form 51-102F6V – Statement of Executive Compensation – Venture Issuer published by the Canadian Securities Administrators. When used in this Circular, “Named Executive Officer” means: (i) each person who acted as the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (or in similar capacities thereof) during the most recently completed financial year of the Company; and (ii) the other three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company whose compensation exceeded $150,000 during the most recently completed financial year of the Company.
As of December 31, 2023, the last day of the most recently completed financial year of the Company, the Company has three Named Executive Officers: Christopher Frostad, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ram Ramachandran, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and Scott Frostad, VP Exploration of the Company.
Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation, Excluding Compensation Securities
The following table provides information regarding all compensation paid to or earned by each of the Named Executive Officers and directors of the Company, other than stock options and other compensation securities, for each of the two most recently completed financial years:
| Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Salary, | ||||||
| Committee | |||||||
consulting |
Value of | Value of all other | |||||
| Name and | Bonus | Total Compensation | |||||
fee, retainer |
or meeting | ||||||
| perquisites | compensation | ||||||
| Position | or | ($) | fees |
($) |
|||
($) |
($) |
||||||
| commission | ($) | ||||||
| ($) | |||||||
| Christopher Frostad(1), President, CEO & Director |
2023 | 190,200 | - | - | - | - | 190,200 |
| 2022 | 190,200 | - | - | - | - | 190,200 | |
| Ram Ramachandra, CFO |
2023 | 33,000 | - | - | - | - | 33,000 |
| 2022 | 33,000 | - | - | - | - | 37,290 | |
| Scott Frostad(2), VP Exploration & Director |
2023 | 190,295 | - | - | - | - | 190,295 |
| 2022 | 190,317 | - | - | - | - | 190,317 |
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| Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | Table of Compensation Excluding Compensation Securities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Salary, | ||||||
| Committee | |||||||
consulting |
Value of | Value of all other | |||||
| Name and | Bonus | Total Compensation | |||||
fee, retainer |
or meeting | ||||||
| perquisites | compensation | ||||||
| Position | or | ($) | fees |
($) |
|||
($) |
($) |
||||||
| commission | ($) | ||||||
| ($) | |||||||
| Allan Beach, Director |
2023 | 20,000 | - | - | - | - | 10,000 |
| 2022 | 10,000 | - | - | - | - | 10,000 | |
| Borys Chabursky, Director |
2023 | 20,000 | - | - | - | - | 10,000 |
| 2022 | 10,000 | - | - | - | - | 10,000 |
Notes:
-
(1) Christopher Frostad received the aforementioned compensation in his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and did not receive any additional compensation for serving as a director of the Company in each of the two most recently completed financial years.
-
(2) Scott Frostad is also a director of the Company. He received the aforementioned compensation in his capacity as VP Exploration of the Company and did not receive any additional compensation for serving as a director of the Company in each of the two most recently completed financial years.
Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
The following table provides information regarding all compensation securities granted or issued to each of the Named Executive Officers and directors of the Company in the most recently completed financial
years:
| Compensation Securities | Compensation Securities | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Compen- sation Security |
Number of | ||||||
| Closing Price | Closing Price | ||||||
| Compensation | |||||||
| Issue, | |||||||
Securities, |
of Security or |
of Security |
|||||
| Name and | Date of Issue | ||||||
| Number of | Conversion | Underlying |
or |
Expiry Date | |||
| Position | Underlying | or Grant | or Exercise | Security on |
Underlying | ||
| Securities, and | Price | Date of Grant | Security at | ||||
| Percentage of | ($) | Year End ($) | |||||
Class |
|||||||
| Christopher Frostad, President, CEO & Director |
Options | 2,000,000 | May 29, 2023 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | May 29, 2028 |
| Options | 2,500,000 | Dec 17, 2023 | 0.055 | $0.055 | $0.05 | Dec 17, 2028 | |
| Ram Ramachandra, CFO |
Options | 400,000 | May 29, 2023 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | May 29, 2028 |
| Options | 500,000 | Dec 17, 2023 | 0.055 | $0.055 | $0.05 | Dec 17, 2028 | |
| Scott Frostad, VP Exploration & Director |
Options | 2,000,000 | May 29, 2023 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | May 29, 2028 |
| Options | 2,500,000 | Dec 17, 2023 | 0.055 | $0.055 | $0.05 | Dec 17, 2028 |
18
| Compensation Securities | Compensation Securities | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Compen- sation Security |
Number of | ||||||
| Closing Price | Closing Price | ||||||
| Compensation | |||||||
| Issue, | |||||||
Securities, |
of Security or |
of Security |
|||||
| Name and | Date of Issue | ||||||
| Number of | Conversion | Underlying |
or |
Expiry Date | |||
| Position | Underlying | or Grant | or Exercise | Security on |
Underlying | ||
| Securities, and | Price | Date of Grant | Security at | ||||
| Percentage of | ($) | Year End ($) |
|||||
Class |
|||||||
| Allan Beach, Director |
Options | 2,000,000 | May 29, 2023 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | May 29, 2028 |
| Options | 2,500,000 | Dec 17, 2023 | 0.055 | $0.055 | $0.05 | Dec 17, 2028 | |
| Borys Chabursky, Director |
Options | 2,000,000 | May 29, 2023 | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 | May 29, 2028 |
| Options | 2,500,000 | Dec 17, 2023 | 0.055 | $0.055 | $0.05 | Dec 17, 2028 |
Notes:
-
(1) As of December 31, 2023, each of Christopher Frostad, Scott Frostad, Allan Beach and Borys Chabursky held 10,850,000 Options, and Ram Ramachandran held 1,850,000 Options. Each of the outstanding Option is exercisable to purchase one Common Share.
-
(2) All of the Options granted in the most recently completed financial year vested immediately upon grant.
None of the Named Executive Officers and directors exercised any Options during the most recently completed financial year.
Stock Option Plans and Other incentive Plans
On May 13, 2022, the Company adopted the Omnibus Plan which was approved by the Shareholders at the annual general and special meeting of the Shareholders held on June 29, 2022 and confirmed by the Shareholders at the annual general and special meeting of the Shareholders held on June 27, 2023. Subject to the Shareholders’ approval of the Omnibus Plan at the Meeting, the Omnibus Plan is next required to be approved by the Shareholders at the next annual general and special meeting of the Shareholders to be held in 2025. A summary of the key features of the Omnibus Plan is set out in Schedule “A” to this Circular. All capitalized terms used in Schedule “A” have the meanings set forth in the Omnibus Plan unless otherwise indicated. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Omnibus Plan, which is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).
Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements
The Company has a consulting agreement with Christopher Frostad, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The agreement provides for a monthly fee and option awards to be granted at the discretion of the Board. The compensation package is subject to review by the Board on an annual basis and the compensation of Mr. Frostad provided under the agreement may be adjusted at the discretion of the Board. In 2022, the Board has adjusted Mr. Frostad’s annual consulting fee to $190,200. Pursuant to the terms of the consulting agreement, the Company may immediately terminate the agreement for cause by written notice. The Company also has the right to terminate the agreement without cause by providing Mr. Frostad with a six-month notice or six-month cash compensation in lieu of such notice. Mr. Frostad has the right to terminate the agreement for any reason by providing the Company with a two-month
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notice. Upon termination, stock options owned by Mr. Frostad that would vest during the notice period would vest on the vesting date and stock options that would vest after the notice period would be terminated. For illustrative purposes, if the consulting agreement had been terminated without cause on December 31, 2023, an aggregate amount up to $95,100 would have been payable to Mr. Frostad depending on the length of the notice period given.
The Company has a consulting agreement with Ram Ramachandran, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, which provides for an annual base fee and option awards to be granted at the discretion of the Board. In 2022, the Board has adjusted Mr. Ramachandran’s annual base fee to $37,290.
The Company has a consulting agreement with Scott Frostad, Vice President, Exploration of the Company. The compensation package is subject to review by the Board on an annual basis and the compensation of Mr. Frostad provided under the agreement may be adjusted at the discretion of the Board. In 2023, the Board has adjusted Mr. Frostad’s annual consulting fee to $190,295. Pursuant to the terms of the consulting agreement, the Company may immediately terminate the agreement for cause by written notice. The Company also has the right to terminate the agreement without cause by providing Mr. Frostad with a twelve-month notice or twelve-month cash compensation in lieu of such notice, provided that if Mr. Frostad secures another employment of consulting engagement within the twelvemonth period, any remuneration earned by Mr. Frostad in such other employment or engagement shall reduce the applicable cash compensation obligation of the Company thereunder on a dollar for dollar basis. Mr. Frostad has the right to terminate the agreement for any reason by providing the Company with a two-month notice. For illustrative purposes, if the consulting agreement had been terminated without cause on December 31, 2023, an aggregate amount up to $190,295 would have been payable to Mr. Frostad depending on the length of the notice period given and whether Mr. Frostad secures another employment or engagement within the notice period.
The management functions of the Company are performed by the executive officers and directors of the Company. As of the date hereof, the Company has not entered into any management contracts with any third parties.
Oversight and Description of Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation
The compensation of the directors and Named Executive Officers of the Company is set by the Board. The Board reviews on an annual basis the cash compensation, performance and overall compensation package for each of the Named Executive Officers and directors.
Executive Compensation Program Objectives
The objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program are:
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to attract and retain qualified and experienced executives in order to drive the continued development of the Company and its current and future uranium exploration assets;
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to align the interests of the Company’s executives with the interests of the Company’s Shareholders;
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to reward executives for reinforcing the Company’s business objectives and values, for achieving the Company’s performance objectives and for their individual performances; and
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to provide to the Company’s executives the compensation packages that are competitive with those received by executives with similar talents, qualifications and responsibilities at companies with similar financial, operating and industrial characteristics.
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Elements of Executive Compensation
Compensation for the Company’s Named Executive Officers consists of the following elements:
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fixed compensation in the form of base salary;
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short-term incentive in the form of annual performance bonus; and
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long-term equity-based incentive in the form of incentive stock options.
Purpose of Each Compensation Element
Base salary is designed to attract and retain executives by providing reasonable income certainty at a level that is competitive with the base salaries for executives with similar talents, qualifications and responsibilities at companies with similar financial, operating and industrial characteristics.
Annual performance bonuses are intended to provide short-term incentives to executives by rewarding them for their yearly individual contribution and achievement of the Company’s performance objectives in the context of overall annual corporate performance.
Equity incentive awards are designed to, among other things, motivate executives to achieve longer-term sustainable business results and align their interests with those of the Shareholders, since grantees of equity incentive awards benefit only if the market value of the common shares at the time of stock option exercise is greater than the exercise price of the stock options determined with reference to the market price of the common shares at the time of grant. Consistent with most other junior mining companies who do not have a source of revenues (other than interest from funds on deposit), the Board believes that security-based compensation arrangements are a critical component of the Company's compensation arrangements and are necessary and vital to attracting and retaining key individuals.
Determination of the Amount of Each Compensation Element
Base Salary – Base salaries of the Named Executive Officers are generally negotiated at the time of engagement and set forth in their respective employment or consulting agreements entered into with the Company. Upon engagement, the Named Executive Officers’ base salaries are subject to annual review by the Board. The determination of base salaries of Named Executive Officers is based on the assessment of a number of factors such as current competitive market conditions, experience of the Named Executive Officers with other issuers in the industry and factors particular to the Named Executive Officers, including individual performance in the context of the Company’s overall performance, the scope of the Named Executive Officer's role with the Company and retention considerations.
Annual Performance Bonus – The granting of annual performance bonuses to the Named Executive Officers will only be made under extraordinary circumstances and is at the discretion of the Board of the Company. The decision of the Board to grant annual performance bonuses is based on the evaluation by the Board of each Named Executive Officer’s yearly individual contribution to the achievement of the Company’s performance objectives and in the context of the overall annual performance of the Company. The Company is a junior mining company involved in exploration and will not be generating significant revenues from operations for a significant period of time. As a result, the use of traditional performance standards, such as corporate profitability, is not considered by the Board to be appropriate in the evaluation of the performance of the Named Executive Officers. Instead, effective completion of the Company’s exploration work programs within pre-determined budgets, significant exploration discoveries, mineral resource and reserve upgrades, fulfillment of option agreement conditions, successful
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acquisitions and/or financings required for meeting the Company’s objectives and its sustainability and growth are among the key factors for the Board’ evaluation of the Named Executive Officers’ yearly performance. Other considerations such as working capital level, cash position of the Company and overall market environment are also taken into consideration by the Board in the determination of annual performance bonuses. In respect of the Company’s financial year ended December 31, 2022, no bonus was granted to the Named Executive Officers.
Security-based awards – The Company currently has the Omnibus Plan under which security based awards including incentive stock options, RSU, DSU and PSU may be granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company as an incentive to serve the Company in attaining its goal of improving Shareholder value. Incentive stock options are generally awarded to the Named Executive Officers on an annual basis. The determination of incentive option awards is based on a variety of factors, such as the need to attract or retain key individuals, competitive market conditions and internal equity. The amounts and terms of historical and outstanding awards are taken into account from time to time in the determination of option awards. Options are awarded by the Board in a manner that ensures that the total number of options granted to any particular individual, including previous grants of options, is commensurate with the individual's level of ongoing responsibility and contribution to the Company. All options under the Omnibus Plan vest immediately upon granting. The Board determines at the date of grant of the option the exercise price for each option, in accordance with the policies of the TSXV.
The allocation of an executive's compensation to the foregoing elements of the executive compensation packages is not based on a formula or comparison to a defined peer group, but rather is intended generally to reflect market practices and realities as well as the discretionary assessment by the Board of each Named Executive Officer’s past contribution and ability to contribute to future short-term and long-term business results.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
On May 13, 2022, the Company adopted the Omnibus Plan, which replaced the Company’s former Stock Option Plan. The Omnibus Plan provides that the Board may from time to time, in its discretion, and in accordance with the requirements of the TSXV, grant to directors, officers, employees and technical consultants to the Company certain security based compensations. A summary of the key features of the Omnibus Plan is set out in Schedule “A” to this Circular. All capitalized terms used in Schedule “A” have the meanings set forth in the Omnibus Plan unless otherwise indicated. The summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Omnibus Plan, which is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).
Omnibus Plan Information
The following table sets out the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance, the weighted average exercise price, and the number of Common Shares remaining for future issuance under the Company’s Omnibus Plan as of December 31, 2023:
| Omnibus Plan Information | Omnibus Plan Information | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Category | Number of Common Shares to be Issued on the Exercise of Outstanding Awards |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Awards |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under the Omnibus Plan(1) |
| Plans Approved by Shareholders |
49,200,000(1) | $0.08(2) | 37,761,219(3) |
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| Plans Not Approved by Shareholders |
Nil | N/A | Nil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 49,200,000 | $0.08 | 37,761,219 |
Note:
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(1) As of December 31, 2023, the Company has 49,200,000 Options issued and outstanding. The Company did not issue any RSU, DSU or PSU in the financial year ended December 31, 2023.
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(2) Weighted average price of outstanding Options.
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(3) Of the 37,761,219 Awards that remained available for issuance under the Omnibus Plan as of December 31, 2023, 872,276 remained available for issuance of Options and 36,888,943 remained available for issuance of RSU, DSU and PSU under the Omnibus Plan.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
None of the present or former directors, proposed nominees or senior officers of the Company or their respective associates or affiliates are, were or have been indebted to the Company or subject to a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company, at any time since the beginning of the last competed financial year of the Company and as at the date hereof.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“ NI 58-101 ”) adopted by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities requires that, if management of any issuer solicits proxies from its security holders for the purpose of electing directors, certain disclosure of its corporate governance practices must be included in its management information circular.
National Policy 58-201 – Corporate Governance Guidelines (“ NP 58-201 ”) establishes corporate governance guidelines which apply to all public companies. The Company has reviewed its own corporate governance practices in light of these guidelines. In certain cases, the Company’s practices comply with the guidelines. However, the Board considers that some of the guidelines are not suitable for the Company at its current stage of development. Therefore, certain guidelines under NP 58-201 have not been adopted. The Company will continue to review and implement the corporate governance guidelines set out in NP 58-201 as the business of the Company progresses.
The Board of Directors
Independence of the Board of Directors
Two of the four current members of the Board, Allan Beach and Borys Chabursky are independent within the meaning of NI 58-101. Christopher Frostad and Scott Frostad are considered to be not independent because they are officers of the Company.
To help ensure the functioning of the Board independently of Management, the independent directors hold informal meetings at which members of Management are not present. In addition, the compensation of the officers of the Company is considered in their absence by the independent members of the Board at least once a year.
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Directorship with Other Reporting Issuers
As of the date hereof, none of the directors of the Company is acting as a director of any other reporting issuers.
Orientation and Continuing Education
The Board does not have a formal program for the orientation and education of new members. New members are briefed on their responsibilities by other directors of the Company. When a person joins the Board, he or she will be given the opportunity to become familiar with the Company by meeting with the other directors of the Company and with the officers and representatives of the Company. As each director has a different skill set and professional background, orientation and training activities will be tailored to the particular needs and experience of the individual director.
Ethical Business Conduct
The Board encourages and promotes an overall culture of ethical business conduct by promoting compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, providing guidance to Management to help them recognize and deal with ethical issues, promoting a culture of open communication, honesty and accountability and ensuring awareness of disciplinary action for violations of ethical business conduct. While both the Management and the Board are committed to ensuring the ethical operation of the Company’s business, the Company does not at present have a formal code of ethics.
Nomination of Directors
The Board does not at present have a formal policy for the nomination of new directors. The recruitment of new directors, when required, will be based on recommendations made by incumbent members of the Board and the Shareholders. Prior to standing for election, new nominees to the Board will be reviewed by the incumbent Board to ensure that they have adequate knowledge of corporate governance and experience in acting as director of reporting issuers in the junior mining sector.
Compensation
The Board sets compensation for the directors and officers of the Company. See “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION – Compensation Discussion and Analysis”.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board currently has one standing committee, namely the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is composed of a majority of members who are independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 58101 (see “AUDIT COMMITTEE”). The Company does not have an Executive Committee or Corporate Governance Committee. Such functions are carried out by the Board.
Assessments
Due to the small size of the Board, there is no formal process for evaluating the effectiveness of the Board, its committee and Management. Management reports to the Board and evaluation of Management’s performance takes place informally at the meetings of the Board or in informal meetings by the independent directors.
Director Term Limits
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The Company currently has not adopted a policy with respect to the term limits for directors. While term limits can help ensure the Board gains fresh perspective, imposing this restriction means the Board would lose the contributions of longer serving directors who have developed a deep knowledge and understanding of the Company over time. The Board does not believe that long tenure impairs a director’s ability to act independently of Management.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Company’s senior Management and members of the Board have varying backgrounds and expertise and were selected on the belief that the Company and its stakeholders would benefit from such a broad range of talent and cumulative experience. The Board considers merit as the essential requirement for board and executive appointments, and as such, it has not adopted any specific target number or percentage, or a range of target numbers or percentages, respecting the representation of women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, or members of visible minorities (collectively, “ member of a designated group ”) on the Board or in senior Management roles.
The Company has not adopted a written diversity policy and seeks to attract and maintain diversity at the executive and Board levels’ informally through the recruitment efforts of Management in discussion with directors prior to proposing nominees to the Board as a whole for consideration. Although the level of representation of members of designated groups is one of the many factors taken into consideration in making Board and executive officer appointments, emphasis is placed on hiring or advancing the most qualified individuals. As of the date of this Circular, the CFO of the Company is a member of a designated group.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Audit Committee Charter
The full text of the Company’s Audit Committee Charter is set out in Schedule “F” hereto.
Composition of the Audit Committe
The Audit Committee of the Company is currently comprised of Christopher Frostad, Allan Beach and Borys Chabursky. Mr. Chabursky is the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is considered to be financially literate.
Allan Beach and Borys Chabursky are considered to be independent members of the Audit Committee. This determination was made by the Board upon inquiry of their activities and relationship with the Company.
Relevant Education and Experience
Borys Chabursky is the founder and Chairman of Shift Health, a global consulting firm focused on the life sciences sector. Mr. Chabursky is also the President of SHI Ventures, a vehicle through which he has invested as an angel in healthcare and life sciences, mining food and beverage, and disruptive technology companies. He specializes in strategic planning, capital sourcing and business development and sits on the board of a number of private companies. He has acquired the requisite financial literacy and experience to adequately carry out his duties as a member of the Audit Committee through his career founding, investing, managing and advising various start-up companies.
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Christopher Frostad has spent over 40 years working with and building a variety of high growth, earlystage companies (both private and public). Prior to co-founding the Company’s predecessor Purepoint Uranium Corporation, Mr. Frostad was the CEO-in-Residence of a Toronto-based Venture Capital firm where he led or worked with portfolio companies focusing on a variety of responsibilities including corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, sales strategy, product development and marketing. He holds an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a member of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Allan Beach currently serves as a director of Westney Group Inc., a private equity firm. Prior to joining Westney Group Inc., Mr. Beach was counsel at one of Canada’s largest national law firms, specializing in the equity and debt financing of corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, co-ventures and other projects and entities, by way of both private placement and public offering, with particular experience in venture capital corporations, flow-through share offerings and other government incentive financing.
Audit Committee Oversight
Since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, there have been no recommendations of the Audit Committee that the Board of the Company has not adopted.
Reliance on Certain Exemptions
At no time since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial period has the Company relied on the exemption in Section 2.4 ( De Minimis Non-audit Services ) of National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“ NI 52-110 ”), or an exemption from NI 52-110, in whole or in part, granted under Part 8 of NI 52-110.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has not adopted specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services. The Audit Committee will review the engagement of non-audit services as required.
External Auditor Services Fees
The following table sets out the aggregate fees billed by the Company’s external auditors in each of the last two financial years.
| Category of Fees | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Audit Fees(1) | $92,694 | $88,250 |
| Audit-Related Fees(2) | $2,730 | $2,625 |
| Tax Fees(3) | $4,280 | $4,000 |
| All Other Fees(4) | - | - |
| Total | $99,704 | $99,704 |
Notes:
(1) “ Audit Fees ” include fees necessary to perform the annual audit and quarterly reviews of the Company’s financial statements and includes the fees of the Company’s auditors. Audit fees also 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.
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(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.
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(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.
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(4) “ All Other Fees ” include all other non-audit service.
Reliance on Exemption for Venture Issuers
The Company is a “venture issuer” as the Common Shares are listed for trading on the TSXV. As such, the Company is not required to comply with Part 3 of NI 52-110 (Composition of the Audit Committee) and Part 5 of NI 52-110 (Reporting Obligations) based on the exemption for venture issuers contained in section 6.1 of NI 52-110.
AUDITORS, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The Company’s auditor is MNP LLP. The Compnay’s transfer agent and regsitrar is TSX Trust Company.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
An informed person is one who, generally speaking, is a director or executive officer or a 10% Shareholder. To the knowledge of Management of the Company, no informed person or nominee for election as a director of the Company or any associate or affiliate of any informed person or proposed director had any interest in any transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the financial year ended December 31, 2022, or has any interest in any material transaction in the current year other than as set out herein.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company is filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ and can be accessed on the internet at www.sedarplus.ca.
Financial information is provided in the Company’s comparative financial statements and management discussion and analysis (“ MD&A ”) for its most recently completed financial year. The Shareholders may request copies of such financial statements and MD&A by mailing a request to Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. at 120 Adelaide St. West, Suite 2500, Toronto, Ontario M5H 1T1.
DIRECTORS’ APPROVAL
The contents and sending of this Circular have been approved by the directors of the Company.
DATED the 22[nd] day of April, 2024.
(Signed) “Christopher Frostad”
__________ Christopher Frostad President and Chief Executive Officer
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SCHEDULE “A”
SUMMARY OF THE OMNIBUS PLAN
Overview
The Omnibus Plan will facilitate granting of Common Share purchase options (“ Options ”), restricted share units (“ RSUs ”), performance share units (“ PSUs ”) and deferred share units (“ DSUs ” collectively with the RSUs and PSUs, the “ Units ”, and collectively with the Options, the “ Awards ”), representing the rights to receive Common Shares and/or cash equivalent, to the bona fide eligible directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Omnibus Plan (each such person having been granted an Award being, a “ Participant ”). The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Omnibus Plan.
The maximum number of Common Shares issuable at any time pursuant to outstanding Awards under the Omnibus Plan will be equal to the following: (i) in respect to grants of Options under the Omnibus Plan, 10% of the total number of Common Shares that are issued and outstanding (the “ Issued Shares ”) as of the date of any Option grant, and (ii) in respect to grants of Units under the Omnibus Plan, 36,888,943 Common Shares.
Common Shares that are covered by the Awards that have been granted pursuant the Plan shall not be available for subsequent Award grants under the Plan provided that (i) Common Shares covered by Options which have been exercised, and Options which expired or are forfeited, surrendered, cancelled or otherwise terminated or lapse for any reason, will be available for subsequent Option grants under the Omnibus Plan; and (ii) Common Shares covered by Units which have been settled in cash, cancelled, terminated, surrendered, forfeited or expired without being exercised, and pursuant to which no Common Shares have been issued shall be available for subsequent Unit grants under the Omnibus Plan.
The number of Common Shares issuable to insiders, at any time, under all security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, may not exceed 10% of the Issued Shares and the number of Common Shares issued to insiders within any one-year period, under all security based compensation arrangements of the Company, may not exceed 10% of the Issued Shares. The maximum number of Common Shares that may be made issuable pursuant to Awards made to any Participant under the Omnibus Plan together with any other security-based compensation arrangement in any 12-month period shall not exceed 5% of the Issued Shares calculated at the date of grant. The aggregate number of under all security-based compensation arrangements to any one Participant that is a Consultant in any 12-month period must not exceed 2% of the Issued Shares calculated at the date of grant.
Units may not be granted to Persons performing Investor Relations Activities, provided that such Persons may receive Options under the Omnibus Plan. The aggregate number of Options granted to all Persons retained to provide Investor Relations Activities must not exceed two percent (2%) of the Issued Shares in any 12-month period calculated at the date of grant (and including any Participant that performs Investor Relations Activities and/or whose role or duties primarily consist of Investor Relations Activities). Options granted to any Person retained to provide Investor Relations Activities must vest in a period of not less than 12 months from the date of grant and with no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Options vesting in any three-month period.
No Award (other than Options) may vest before the date that is one year following the date the Award is granted or issued, provided that this requirement may be accelerated for a Participant who dies or who ceases to be a Participant under the provisions hereof in connection with a change of control, take-over bid, reverse take-over or other similar transaction.
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The Omnibus Plan will provide that subject to approval by TSXV, appropriate adjustments, if any, will be made by the Board in connection with a reclassification, reorganization or other change of Common Shares, consolidation, distribution, merger or amalgamation, in the Common Shares issuable or amounts payable to preclude a dilution or enlargement of the benefits under the Omnibus Plan.
Other than by will or under the law of succession, or as otherwise set forth in the Omnibus Plan, Awards are not assignable or transferable. Awards may only be exercised: (i) by the Participant to whom the Awards were granted; (ii) with the Company’s prior written approval and subject to such conditions as the Company may stipulate; (iii) upon the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate; or (iv) upon the Participant’s incapacity, the legal representative having authority to deal with the property of the Participant.
Options
The Board shall determine, at the time of granting an Option, the period during which the Option is exercisable, commencing on the date such Option is granted to the Participant and ending as specified in the Omnibus Plan or in the Option agreement, but in no event shall an Option expire on a date which is later than ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted. The price payable by a Participant to acquire Common Share upon exercising an Option (“ Option Price ”) shall be fixed by the Board when such Option is granted, but shall not be less than the closing price of the Common Share on the trading day prior to the Option grant date less any discount permitted by the policies of TSXV.
Should the expiration date for an Option fall within a Black-Out Period, such expiration date shall be automatically extended without any further act or formality to that date which is the tenth business day after the end of the Black-Out Period, such tenth (10th) business day to be considered the expiration date for such Option for all purposes under the Omnibus Plan. The ten (10) business day period may not be extended by the Board.
The Board has the discretion to determine the vesting schedule of any Option and the Board shall have the full power and authority to accelerate the vesting or exercisability of all or any portion of any Option. Once a portion of an Option that has vested becomes exercisable, it remains exercisable until expiration of termination of the Option, unless otherwise specified by the Board in connection with the grant of such Option.
The Omnibus Plan permits net exercise of Options by the Participants. Subject to approval by the Board, vested Options (excluding Options held by any Persons performing Investor Relations Activities), may be exercised without the Participant making any cash payment to the Company pursuant to which the Participant receives the number of Common Shares that is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the product of the number of Options being exercised multiplied by the difference between the volume weighted average trading price of Common Shares for the five trading days immediately prior to the exercise of the Option (“ VWAP ”) and the exercise price of the Options by (ii) the VWAP.
PSU
A PSU is an Award entitling the recipient to receive payment in Common Share and/or cash equivalent once such Award is earned and has vested, subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Board may determine at the time of grant. Conditions shall be based upon the achievement of pre-established performance criteria (the “ Performance Criteria ”) over the performance period (the “ Performance Period ”) as well as continuing employment or engagement with the Company.
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The Board shall, from time to time by resolution, in its sole discretion, (i) designate the Participants who may receive PSUs under the Omnibus Plan (ii) fix the number of PSUs, if any, to be granted to such Participant and the date or dates on which such PSUs shall be granted, and (iii) determine the relevant conditions and vesting provisions (including the applicable Performance Period and Performance Criteria), the whole subject to the terms and conditions prescribed in the Omnibus Plan and in any PSU agreement (the “PSU Agreement”).
At the time of granting PSUs, the Board shall determine whether PSUs awarded to a Participant shall entitle the Participant: (i) to receive one (1) Common Share issued from treasury for each PSU awarded; (ii) to receive the cash equivalent of one (1) Common Share for each PSU awarded; or (iii) to receive a combination of Common Shares and cash. For each award of PSUs, the Board shall establish the Performance Period in which any Performance Criteria and other vesting conditions, provided that such Performance Period may not expire after the last day of the Unit Restriction Period. For the purposes of the Omnibus Plan, “ Unit Restriction Period ” means the applicable restriction period in respect of a particular PSU or RSU, which period shall end on the Business Day preceding December 31 of the calendar year which is three (3) years after the calendar year in which the PSU or RSU is granted, or such shorter period as may be determined by the Board at the time the PSU or RSU is granted. The Board shall also establish the vesting determination date for PSUs (the “ PSU Vesting Determination Date ”) upon which the Board determines if the Performance Criteria and all other vesting conditions with respect to a PSU have been met or have been waived or deemed satisfied by the Board in its sole discretion, and as a result, establishes the number of PSUs that become vested, if any.
Except as otherwise provided in the PSU Agreement, in the event that the vesting conditions, the Performance Criteria and Performance Period of the awarded PSUs are satisfied, all of the vested PSUs covered by a particular grant to a Participant who is not a U.S. Participant may, be settled at on any day (each such day being a “ PSU Settlement Date ”) beginning on the PSUs Vesting Determination Date and ending on or before the last day of the Unit Restriction Period by delivering a settlement notice (the “ Unit Settlement Notice ”) in respect of any or all vested PSUs held by such Participant. PSUs of a U.S. Participant will be settled by the Company on or before March 15th of the year immediately following the calendar year in which the PSU Vesting Determination Date occurred. The U.S. Participant shall have no ability to influence, directly or indirectly, the calendar year in which the PSUs will be settled; and (b) any vested PSU of a Participant who is not a U.S. Participant for which no Unit Settlement Notice has been delivered prior to the last day of the Unit Restriction Period shall be automatically settled on the last day of the Unit Restriction Period.
RSU
A RSU is an Award granted for services rendered in a particular year entitling the recipient to receive payment based on the value of one Common Share once such Award has vested, subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Board may determine at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or engagement) with the Company.
Unless otherwise set forth in a RSU agreement (a “ RSU Agreement ”), each RSU shall vest as to 1/3 on each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant provided the Participant remains in continuous service with the Company from the date of grant of the RSU through such vesting date (the “ RSU Vesting Date ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board in its discretion waives all vesting conditions or deems them satisfied, the date of such determination by the Board will be the RSU Vesting Date provided such date shall not be sooner than one year from the date of the RSU grant. Subject to the vesting and other conditions and provisions set forth in the Omnibus Plan and in a RSU Agreement, the Board shall determine whether RSUs awarded to a Participant shall entitle the Participant: (i) to receive one (1) Common Share issued from treasury for each RSU awarded; (ii) to receive the cash equivalent of
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one (1) Common Share for each RSU awarded; or (iii) to receive a combination of Common Shares and cash.
RSUs of a Participant who is not a U.S. Participant shall be settled by the Participant at any time beginning on the first Business Day following the RSU Vesting Date but no later than the last day of the Unit Restriction Period. RSUs of a U.S. Participant will be settled by the Company on or before March 15th of the year immediately following the calendar year in which the RSU Vesting Date occurred. The U.S. Participant shall have no ability to influence, directly or indirectly, the calendar year in which the RSUs will be settled.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Omnibus Plan, in the event that a RSU Settlement Date falls during a Black-Out Period or other trading restriction imposed by the Company and the Participant or U.S. Participant has not delivered a Unit Settlement Notice, then such RSU Settlement Date shall be automatically extended to the tenth (10th) Business Day following the date that such Black-Out Period or other trading restriction is lifted, terminated or removed.
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SCHEDULE “B”
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE COMPANY’S OMNIBUS PLAN
RESOLVED as an ordinary resolution of the Shareholders that:
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subject to approval by TSXV, the omnibus equity incentive compensation plan (the “ Omnibus Plan ”) attached as Schedule “A” to the management information circular of the Company dated April 22, 2024 is hereby approved, confirmed and ratified;
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the number of Common Shares of the Company that are issuable pursuant to the Omnibus Plan are hereby allotted, set aside and reserved for issuance pursuant thereto;
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any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized to amend the Omnibus Plan should such amendments be required to satisfy the requirements or requests of the TSXV or any other regulatory authorities without requiring further approval of the Shareholders; and
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any director or officer is hereby authorized to execute and deliver all such agreements, certificates, instruments, documents and other writings and perform such acts as may be necessary in order to give effect to foregoing resolution and the Board, from time to time, is hereby authorized to grant the Awards (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) in accordance with the provisions of the Omnibus Plan and the policies of the TSXV.
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SCHEDULE “C”
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE SHARE CONSOLIDATION
RESOLVED as a special resolution of the Shareholders that:
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a) subject to approval by the TSXV, the Board, in its sole discretion if deemed in the best interest of the Company, is hereby authorized to amend the articles of the Company to consolidate all of the issued and outstanding common shares, on the basis of a consolidation ratio to be selected by the Board within a range between two (2) pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) postconsolidation Common Share and ten (10) pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) postconsolidation Common Share (the " Share Consolidation "), effective as at the discretion of the Board;
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b) the date of completion of the Share Consolidation shall be determined at the discretion of the Board, provided that such date shall be on or before June 7, 2025;
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c) in the event that the Share Consolidation would otherwise result in the issuance of a fractional Common Share, no fractional Common Share shall be issued and such fraction would be rounded up or rounded down to the nearest whole number at the sole discretion of the Board;
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d) any officer or director of the Company is hereby authorized to sign, for and on behalf of the Company, and file the articles of amendment with Corporations Canada and deliver any document and to do all things and to sign any other document which he, in his sole discretion, may deem necessary or useful in order to give effect to this special resolution, including the determination of the effective date of the Share Consolidation and the filing of all appropriate documents with the TSXV so as to obtain its approval for such Share Consolidation; and
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e) notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board is hereby authorized, without further approval of or notice to the Shareholders, to revoke this special resolution at any time before a certificate of amendment is issued by the Director under the CBCA.
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SCHEDULE “D”
SUMMARY OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
The following summary of the Rights Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the shareholder rights plan agreement between the Company and TSX Trust Company, as rights agent, dated May 4, 2023 (subject to approval of the Shareholders and TSXV) (the “ Agreement ”). The Agreement shall govern in the event of any conflict between the provisions thereof and this summary. A copy of the Agreement which gives effect to the Rights Plan is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.
Definitions
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“Convertible Security” shall mean a security convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into a Voting Share;
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“Expiration Time” shall mean the earlier of:
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a) the time at which the right to exercise Rights terminates pursuant to Subsection 5.1(g) or Section 5.15 of the Agreement;
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b) the termination of the third annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company occurring after the date of ratification of the Agreement pursuant to Section 5.16 of the Agreement if the continuation of the Rights Plan is not submitted to holders of Voting Shares for their approval at such meeting or, if so submitted, is not approved by a majority of the votes cast by Independent Shareholders present or represented by proxy; and
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c) the close of the third annual meeting of shareholders of the Company occurring after the date of approval of the continuation of the Rights Plan pursuant to paragraph (b) above or this paragraph (c) if the continuation of the Rights Plan is not submitted to holders of Voting Shares for their approval at such meeting or, if so submitted, is not approved by a majority of the votes cast byIndependent Shareholders present or represented by proxy.
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“Independent Shareholders” means holders of Voting Shares (as defined below), other than:
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a) any Acquiring Person (as defined below);
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b) any Offeror (as defined below), other than a person referred to in Subsection 1.1(i)(iii)(B) of the Agreement;
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c) any affiliate or associate of such Acquiring Person or Offeror;
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d) any person acting jointly or in concert with such Acquiring Person or Offeror; and
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e) any employee benefit plan, deferred profit sharing plan, stock participation plan and any other similar plan or trust for the benefit of employees of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, unless the beneficiaries of the plan or trust direct the manner in which the Voting Shares are to be voted or direct whether the Voting Shares are to be tendered to a Take-over Bid;
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“Offer to Acquire” shall include:
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a) an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell or a public announcement of an intention to make such an offer or solicitation; and
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b) an acceptance of an offer to sell, whether or not such offer to sell has been solicited;
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or any combination thereof, and the person accepting an offer to sell shall be deemed to be making an Offer to Acquire to the person that made the offer to sell;
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“Offeror” shall mean a person who has announced a current intention to make or who is making a Take-over Bid, but only so long as the Take-over Bid so announced or made has not been withdrawn or terminated or has not expired;
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“Take-over Bid” shall mean an Offer to Acquire Voting Shares and/or Convertible Securities if, assuming that the Voting Shares and/or the Convertible Securities subject to such Offer to Acquire are acquired and Beneficially Owned by the Offeror at the date of such Offer to Acquire, such Voting Shares (together with the Voting Shares into which such Convertible Securities are convertible) and the Voting Shares Beneficially Owned, as at the date of the Offer to Acquire by the Offeror would constitute in the aggregate 20% or more of the outstanding Voting Shares at the date of the Offer to Acquire; and
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“Voting Shares” shall mean the Common Shares and any other securities in the capital of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of the Board of Directors.
Term
If the Rights Plan is approved by Shareholders at the Meeting, it will remain in effect until the Expiration Time.
Issue of Rights
One right (a “Right”) will be issued by the Company in respect of each Common Share that is outstanding at the close of business (Toronto time) on the effective date of the Agreement (the “Effective Date”). One Right will also be issued for each additional Common Share issued after the Effective Date and prior to the earlier of the Separation Time (as defined below) and the Expiration Time (as defined above).
The issuance of the Rights is not dilutive and will not affect reported earnings or cash flow per Common Share unless the Rights separate from the underlying Common Shares in connection with which they were issued and become exercisable or are exercised.
The issuance of the Rights will also not change the manner in which Shareholders currently trade their Common Shares, and is not intended to interfere with the Company’s ability to undertake equity offerings in the future.
Separation Time/Ability to Exercise Rights
The Rights are not exercisable, and are not separable from the Common Shares in connection with which they were issued, until the “Separation Time”, being the close of business on the tenth trading day after the earlier of:
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a) the first date of public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person (as defined below) of facts indicating that a person has become an Acquiring Person (the “Share Acquisition Date”);
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b) the date of the commencement of or first public announcement of the intent of any person (other than the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) to commence a Take-over Bid (other than a Permitted Bid or a Competing Permitted Bid); or
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- c) the date upon which a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid ceases to be a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid;
or such later time as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
Acquiring Person
A person will be considered to be an Acquiring Person for the purposes of the Rights Plan if it acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of the Agreement) of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares other than certain types of acquisitions.
Consequences of a Flip-in Event
A “Flip-in Event” refers to any transaction or event pursuant to which a person becomes an Acquiring Person. Upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event as to which the Board of Directors has not waived the application of the Rights Plan, any Rights that are or were beneficially owned on or after the earlier of the Separation Time or the Share Acquisition Date by:
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a) an Acquiring Person (or any of its affiliates, associates or joint actors); or
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b) a transferee or other successor in title, directly or indirectly, of Rights held by an Acquiring Person (or any affiliate, associate or joint actors),
shall become null and void without any further action, and any holder of such Rights (including any transferee) shall thereafter have no right to exercise such Rights under any provision of the Agreement and further shall thereafter not have any other rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights.
Permitted Bid Requirements
An offeror may make a Take-over Bid for the Company without becoming an Acquiring Person (and therefore subject to the consequences of a Flip-in Event described above) if it makes a Take-over Bid (a “Permitted Bid”) that meets certain requirements, including that the bid must:
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a) be made to all holders of record of Voting Shares;
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b) remain open for acceptance for at least 105 days from the date of the bid;
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c) be subject to a minimum tender condition of more than 50% of the Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders;
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d) contain a provision that unless the bid is withdrawn, Voting Shares may be deposited pursuant to such bid at any time during the period of time between the date of the bid and the date on which Voting Shares may be taken up and paid for and that any Voting Shares deposited pursuant to the bid may be withdrawn until taken up and paid for;
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e) provide that the bid will be extended for at least 10 business days if more than 50% of the Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders are deposited to the bid (and the Offeror shall make a public announcement of that fact); and
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f) if any holders of Voting Shares are registered on the records of the Company as residing in the United or a U.S. Person, then the bid complies with all applicable requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
provided always that a Permitted Bid will cease to be a Permitted Bid at any time when such bid ceases to meet any of the provisions of the definition of Permitted Bid and provided that, at such time, any
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acquisition of Voting Shares made pursuant to such Permitted Bid, including any acquisition of Voting Shares theretofore made, will cease to be a Permitted Bid Acquisition.
A competing Take-over Bid that is made while a Permitted Bid is outstanding and satisfies all of the criteria for Permitted Bid status, except that it may expire on the same date (which may be less than 60 days after such bid is commenced) as the Permitted Bid that is outstanding (subject to the current statutory minimum bid period of 35 days from commencement or such other minimum period prescribed under applicable securities laws) will be considered to be a “Competing Permitted Bid” for the purposes of the Rights Plan, provided that a Competing Permitted Bid will cease to be a Competing Permitted Bid at any time when such bid ceases to meet any of the provisions of the definition of Competing Permitted Bid and provided that, at such time, any acquisition of Common Shares made pursuant to such Competing Permitted Bid, including any acquisitions of Common Shares theretofore made, will cease to be a Permitted Bid Acquisition.
Permitted Lock-Up Agreement
A person will not become an Acquiring Person by reason of entering into an agreement (a “Permitted Lock-Up Agreement”) with a Shareholder pursuant to which the Shareholder (the “Locked-Up Person”) agrees to deposit or tender its Common Shares to a Take-over Bid (the “Lock-Up Bid”) made by that person, provided that the agreement meets certain requirements, including that:
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a) the terms of the agreement are publicly disclosed and a copy is publicly available;
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b) the Locked-Up Person can terminate its obligation under the agreement in order to tender its Voting Shares to another Take-over Bid or transaction where the offer price or value of the consideration payable is (A) greater than the price or value of the consideration per Voting Share under the Lock-Up Bid or (B) equal to or greater than a specified minimum, which cannot be more than 107% of the offer price under the Lock-Up Bid; and
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c) if less than 100% of the number of outstanding Voting Shares held by Independent Shareholders are offered to be purchased under the Lock-Up Bid, the number of Voting Shares offered to be purchased under the other Take-over Bid or transaction (at an offer price not lower than pursuant to the Lock-Up Bid) is (A) greater than the number offered to be purchased under the Lock-Up Bid or (B) equal to or greater than a specified number, which cannot be more than 107% of the number offered to be purchased under the Lock-Up Bid; and
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d) if the Locked-Up Person fails to deposit its common shares to the Lock-Up Bid, withdraws Voting Shares previously tendered thereto or supports another transaction, no “break fees” or other penalties that exceed, in the aggregate, the greater of (A) 2.5% of the price or value of the consideration payable under the Lock-Up Bid and (B) 50% of the increase in consideration resulting from another Takeover Bid or transaction, shall be payable by the Locked-Up Person.
Certificates and Transferability
Before the Separation Time, the Rights will be evidenced by a legend imprinted on Common Share certificates representing Common Shares issued after the effective date of the Agreement. Although Rights will also be attached to Common Shares outstanding on the Effective Date, certificates representing Common Shares issued before the Effective Date will not (and need not) bear the legend. Shareholders will not be required to return their certificates to be entitled to the benefits of the Rights Plan.
From and after the Separation Time, Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates.
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Before the Separation Time, Rights will trade together with, and will not be transferable separately from, the Common Shares in connection with which they were issued. From and after the Separation Time, Rights will be transferable separately from the Common Shares.
Waiver
A potential offeror for the Company that does not wish to make a Permitted Bid can nevertheless negotiate with the Board of Directors to make a formal Take-over Bid on terms that the Board of Directors considers fair to all Shareholders, in which case the Board may, with the prior consent of the holders of Common Shares, waive the application of the Rights Plan. Any waiver of the Rights Plan’s application in respect of a particular Take-over Bid will constitute a waiver of the Rights Plan in respect of any other formal Take-over Bid made while the initial bid is outstanding.
The Board of Directors may also waive the application of the Rights Plan in respect of a particular Flip-in Event that has occurred through inadvertence, provided that the Acquiring Person that inadvertently triggered the Flip-in Event thereafter reduces its beneficial holdings below 20% of the outstanding common shares in the capital of the Company within 14 days or such other date as the Board of Directors may determine.
With the prior consent of the Shareholders or of the holders of Rights, as the case may be, the Board of Directors may waive the application of the Rights Plan to any other Flip-in Event prior to its occurrence.
Redemption
Rights are deemed to be redeemed following completion of a Permitted Bid (including a Competing Permitted Bid) or any other Take-over Bid in respect of which the Board of Directors has waived the Rights Plan’s application.
With Shareholder approval, the Board of Directors may also, prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, elect to redeem all (but not less than all) of the then outstanding Rights at a nominal redemption price of $0.00001 per Right.
Exemptions for Investment Advisors and Other Parties
Investment advisors (for client accounts), trust companies (acting in their capacity as trustees or administrators), statutory bodies whose business includes the management of funds (for employee benefit plans, pension plans, or insurance plans of various public bodies), and administrators or trustees of registered pension plans or funds and agents or agencies of the Crown, which acquire more than 20% of the outstanding Common Shares, are effectively exempted (through the definition of “beneficial ownership” under the Rights Plan) from triggering a Flip-in Event provided that they are not in fact making, either alone or jointly or in concert with any other person, a Take-over Bid.
Directors’ Duties
The Rights Plan does not in any way lessen or affect the duty of the Board of Directors to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company. In the event of a Take-over Bid or any other such proposal, the Board of Directors will still have the duty to take such actions and make such recommendations to Shareholders as are considered appropriate.
Amendments
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The Board of Directors is authorized to make amendments to the Rights Plan to correct any clerical or typographical error, or to maintain the validity of the Rights Plan as a result of changes in law or regulation. Other amendments or supplements to the Rights Plan may be made with the prior approval of Shareholders.
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SCHEDULE “E”
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
RESOLVED as an ordinary resolution of the Shareholders that:
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the shareholder rights plan dated as of April 22, 2024 (the “ Rights Plan ”), between the Company and TSX Trust Company as rights agent, is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved;
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the making of any revisions to the Rights Plan as may be required by the TSXV or by professional commentators on shareholder rights plans in order to give effect to or to conform the Rights Plan to versions of shareholder rights plans then prevalent for public reporting issuers in Canada, as may be approved by any director or officer of the Company and without further approval of the Shareholders, is hereby approved;
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subject to approval of the TSXV, the Rights Plan, as may be amended and restated in accordance with paragraph 2 above, the Company is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deleiver the Rights Plan; and
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any director or officer of the Company, is hereby authorized, for and on behalf of the Company, to execute and deliver the Rights Plan and such other documents and instruments and take such other actions as such director or officer may determine to be necessary or advisable to implement this resolution and the matters authorized hereby, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery of such documents or instruments and taking of any such actions.
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SCHEDULE “F”
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PURPOSE
There shall be a committee of the board of directors (the “ Board ”) of the Company known as the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the following principal areas:
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a) the Company’s external audit function, including the qualifications, independence, appointment and oversight of the work of the external auditors;
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b) the Company’s accounting and financial reporting requirements;
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c) the Company’s reporting of financial information to the public;
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d) the Company’s compliance with law and regulatory requirements;
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e) the Company’s risks and risk management policies;
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f) the Company’s system of internal controls and management information systems; and
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g) such other functions as are delegated to it by the Board.
Specifically, with respect to the Company’s external audit function, the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to the quality and integrity of the Company's financial statements, the independent auditors' qualifications, and the performance of the Company's independent auditors.
MEMBERSHIP
The Audit Committee shall consist of as many members as the Board shall determine but, in any event not fewer than three directors appointed by the Board as provided for in the By-laws of the Company. Each member of the Audit Committee shall continue to be a member until a successor is appointed, unless the member resigns, is removed or ceases to be a director of the Company. The Board may fill a vacancy which occurs in the Audit Committee at any time. No member of the Audit Committee should be a holder of more than 20% of the Company’s outstanding shares.
Members of the Audit Committee shall be selected based upon the following and in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations:
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a) Independence . At least 50% of the members shall be independent in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and in such regard shall have no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company which could, in the view of the Board, reasonably interfere with the exercise of the member’s independent judgment.
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b) Financially Literate . Each member shall be financially literate or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the Audit Committee. For these purposes, an individual is 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’s financial statements.
Committee Procedure
Chair And Secretary
The Chair of the Audit Committee shall be designated by the Board. If the Chair is not present at a meeting of the Audit Committee, the members of the Audit Committee may designate an interim Chair for the meeting by majority vote of the members present. The Secretary of the Company shall be the Secretary of the Audit Committee, provided that if the Secretary is not present, the Chair of the meeting may appoint a secretary for the meeting with the consent of the Audit Committee members who are present. A member of the Audit Committee may be designated as the liaison member to report on the deliberations of the Audit Committees of affiliated companies (if applicable).
Meetings
The Chair of the Audit Committee, in consultation with the Audit Committee members, shall determine the schedule and frequency of the Audit Committee meetings provided that the Audit Committee will meet at least once in each fiscal year. The Audit Committee shall have the authority to convene additional meetings as circumstances require.
Meetings shall also be convened whenever requested by the external auditors or any member of the Audit Committee in accordance with applicable law. The Audit Committee shall meet separately and periodically with management, legal counsel and the external auditors. The Audit Committee shall meet separately with the external auditors at every meeting of the Audit Committee at which external auditors are present.
A majority of the Audit Committee members, present in person or by conference telephone, shall constitute quorum for the transaction of business.
The Audit Committee may request that any directors, officers or employees of the Company, or any other person from whom the Audit Committee would like advice or counsel, attend any meeting to provide such information or guidance.
An Audit Committee member or the Company’s Secretary shall keep written minutes of the Audit Committee meetings. The minutes are to be maintained with the books and records of the Company. The Chair of the Audit Committee will regularly report the Audit Committee’s findings and recommendations to the Board.
Meeting Agendas
Agendas for meetings of the Audit Committee shall be developed by the Chair of the Audit Committee in consultation with management and the corporate secretary, and shall be circulated to Audit Committee members as far in advance of each Audit Committee meeting as is reasonable.
Resources And Authority
The Audit Committee shall have the resources and the authority to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority, in its sole discretion, to engage, at the expense of the Company, outside consultants,
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independent legal counsel and other advisors and experts as it determines necessary to carry out its duties, without seeking approval of the Board or management.
The Audit Committee shall have the authority to conduct any investigation necessary and appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities, and has direct access to and the authority to communicate directly with the internal and external auditors, the general counsel of the Company and other officers and employees of the Company.
The members of the Audit Committee shall have the right for the purpose of performing their duties to inspect all the books and records of the Company and its subsidiaries and to discuss such accounts and records and any matters relating to the financial position, risk management and internal controls of the Company with the officers and external and internal auditors of the Company and its subsidiaries. Any member of the Audit Committee may require the external or internal auditors to attend any or every meeting of the Audit Committee.
Mandate of the committee
The Company’s management is responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements and the external auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the conduct of those activities by the Company’s management and external auditors, and overseeing the activities of the internal auditors.
The specific responsibilities of the Audit Committee shall include those listed below. The enumerated responsibilities are not meant to restrict the Audit Committee from examining any matters related to its purpose.
Financial Reporting Process and Financial Statements
The Audit Committee shall:
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a) in consultation with the external auditors and the internal auditors, review the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting process, both internal and external, and any major issues as to the adequacy of the internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies;
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b) review all material transactions and material contracts entered into between (i) the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, and (ii) any subsidiary, director, officer, insider or related party of the Company, other than officer or employee compensation arrangements or director remuneration approved or recommended by the Compensation Committee, or transactions in the ordinary course of business;
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c) review and discuss with management and the external auditors: (i) the preparation of the Company’s annual audited consolidated financial statements and its interim unaudited consolidated financial statements; (ii) whether the financial statements present fairly (in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles) in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of and for the periods presented; (iii) any matters required to be discussed with the external auditors according to Canadian generally accepted auditing standards; (iv) an annual report by the external auditors describing: (A) all critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company; (B) all material alternative accounting treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management of the Company, including the
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ramifications of the use such alternative treatments and disclosures and the treatment preferred by the external auditors; and (C) other material written communications between the external auditors and management;
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d) following completion of the annual audit, review with each of: (i) management; (ii) the external auditors; and (iii) the internal auditors, any significant issues, concerns or difficulties encountered during the course of the audit;
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e) resolve disagreements between management and the external auditors regarding financial reporting;
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f) review the interim quarterly and annual financial statements and annual and interim press releases prior to the release of earnings information; and
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g) review and be satisfied that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the public disclosure of financial information by the Company extracted or derived from the Company’s financial statements, other than the disclosure referred to in (f), and periodically assess the adequacy of those procedures.
External auditors
The Audit Committee shall:
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a) require the external auditors to report directly to the Audit Committee;
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b) be directly responsible for the selection, nomination, compensation, retention, termination and oversight of the work of the Company’s external auditors engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an auditor’s report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, and in such regard recommend to the Board the external auditors to be nominated for approval by the Shareholders;
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c) approve all audit engagements and pre-approve the provision by the external auditors of all nonaudit services, including fees and terms for all audit engagements and non-audit engagements, and in such regard the Audit Committee may establish the types of non-audit services the external auditors shall be prohibited from providing and shall establish the types of audit, audit related and non-audit services for which the Audit Committee will retain the external auditors. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more of its members the authority to pre-approve non-audit services, provided that any such delegated pre-approval shall be exercised in accordance with the types of particular non-audit services authorized by the Audit Committee to be provided by the external auditor and the exercise of such delegated pre-approvals shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting following such pre-approval.
Accounting Systems and Internal Controls
The Audit Committee shall oversee management’s establishment and maintenance of disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls. The Audit Committee shall also receive and review reports from management, the internal auditors and the external auditors on an annual basis with regard to the reliability and effective operation of the Company’s accounting system and internal controls;
Legal and Regulatory Requirements
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The Audit Committee shall:
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a) receive and review timely analysis by management of significant issues relating to public disclosure and reporting;
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b) review, prior to finalization, periodic public disclosure documents containing financial information, including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis;
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c) review with the Company’s legal counsel compliance matters, significant litigation and other legal matters that could have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements; and
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d) assist the Board in the oversight of compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and review with legal counsel the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s procedures to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory responsibilities.
Limitation on the Oversight Role of the Audit Committee
Nothing in this Charter is intended, or may be construed, to impose on any member of the Audit Committee a standard of care or diligence that is in any way more onerous or extensive than the standard to which all members of the Board are subject.
Each member of the Audit Committee shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to rely on the integrity of those persons and organizations within and outside the Company from whom he or she receives financial and other information, and the accuracy of the information provided to the Company by such persons or organizations.
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada and applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibility of management and the external auditor.
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