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Urban Infrastructure Group — AGM Information 2023
May 24, 2023
48182_rns_2023-05-24_6a769ff4-2294-4c8d-acdb-ca0d6ce2b72e.pdf
AGM Information
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DEAL PRO CAPITAL CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
Dated: May 15, 2023
Meeting Details
Date: June 15, 2023 Time: 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) Place: Virtual
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual general and special meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of the holders (“ Shareholders ”) of common shares (“ Common Shares ”) of Deal Pro Capital Corporation (the “ Company ”) will be held as a virtual-only meeting on the 15[th] day of June, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) for the following purposes:
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(a) to receive the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, together with the report of the auditor thereon;
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(b) to re-appoint RSM Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the board of directors to fix the remuneration of the auditor;
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(c) to elect directors to hold office for the ensuing year; and
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(d) to consider and, if deemed appropriate, to pass, with or without variation, an ordinary resolution approving the Company’s stock option plan, as more fully described under the heading “ Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of Stock Option Plan ” in the accompanying management information circular; and
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(e) to transact such 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, as well as further information with respect to voting by proxy, are set forth in the accompanying management information circular.
The Company is conducting the Meeting in a virtual-only format, that will allow Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders to participate online in real time. The Company is providing the virtualonly format in order to proactively mitigate risks and to provide Shareholders with an equal opportunity to attend and participate at the Meeting, regardless of the particular constraints, circumstances or risks that they may be facing. The Meeting will be held by way of Zoom video conference on June 15, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time). To access the Meeting through Zoom, Shareholders will need to download the application onto their computer or smartphone and once the application is loaded, open the following link: https://cassels.zoom.us/j/92616415484?pwd=K2ZHcFVMbFhuNDNYVm14L3VweG50dz09. The Meeting ID is 926 1641 5484 and the Passcode is 652865. The Meeting will not be held in person and Shareholders will not be able to vote such Shareholder’s Common Shares at the Meeting by virtual attendance.
Shareholders that wish to ensure that such Shareholder’s Common Shares will be voted at the Meeting must vote their Common Shares by completing and returning the enclosed form of proxy in accordance with the instructions set out in the form of proxy and in the Information Circular prior to the proxy cut-off at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on June 13, 2023.
As set out in the notes, the enclosed proxy is solicited by management, but, you may amend it, if you so desire, by striking out the names listed therein and inserting in the space provided, the name of the person you wish to represent you at the Meeting.
DATED this 15[th] day of May, 2023
By order of the Board of Directors
DEAL PRO CAPITAL CORPORATION
“ Harold Wolkin ” Harold Wolkin Director, CEO, CFO
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
(containing information as at May 15, 2023 unless otherwise stated)
For the Annual General and Special Meeting to be held on June 15, 2023
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
This management information circular (the “ Circular ”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management (the “ Management ”) of Deal Pro Capital Corporation (the “ Company ”), for use at the annual general and special meeting (the “ Meeting ”) of the holders (the “ Shareholders ”) of the common shares (the “ Common Shares ”) in the capital of the Company to be held on June 15, 2023, at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Impact of COVID-19
The Company is conducting the Meeting in a virtual-only format, that will allow Shareholders and duly appointed Proxyholders (as defined below) to participate online in real time. The Company is providing the virtual-only format in order to proactively mitigate risks and to provide Shareholders with an equal opportunity to attend and participate at the Meeting, regardless of the particular constraints, circumstances or risks that they may be facing. The Meeting will be held by way of Zoom video conference on June 15, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time). To access the Meeting through Zoom, Shareholders will need to download the application onto their computer or smartphone and once the application is loaded, open the following link: https://cassels.zoom.us/j/92616415484?pwd=K2ZHcFVMbFhuNDNYVm14L3VweG50dz09. The Meeting ID is 926 1641 5484 and the Passcode is 652865. The Meeting will not be held in person and Shareholders will not be able to vote such Shareholder’s Common Shares at the Meeting by virtual attendance.
Shareholders that wish to ensure that such Shareholder’s Common Shares will be voted at the Meeting must vote their Common Shares by completing and returning the enclosed form of proxy (the “Proxy”) in accordance with the instructions set out in the Proxy and in the Circular prior to the proxy cut-off at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on June 13, 2023.
The enclosed Proxy is solicited by Management. The solicitation will be primarily by mail however, Proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by the regular officers and employees of the Company. The cost of solicitation will be borne by the Company.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
The persons named in the Proxy are representatives of the Company.
A Shareholder entitled to vote at the Meeting has the right to appoint a person (who need not be a Shareholder) to attend and act on the Shareholder’s behalf at the Meeting other than the persons named in the accompanying Proxy. To exercise this right, a Shareholder shall strike out the names of the persons named in the accompanying Proxy and insert the name of the Shareholder’s nominee in the blank space provided or complete another suitable form of proxy.
A Proxy will not be valid unless it is duly completed, signed and deposited with the Company’s registrar and transfer agent, TSX Trust Company (“ TSX Trust ”) by hand or mail at 301-100 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H 4H1, or by fax within North America at (416) 595-9593 or via email to [email protected], not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. A Proxy must be signed by the Shareholder or by his or her attorney in writing, or, if the Shareholder is a corporation, it must either be under its common seal or signed by a duly authorized officer.
A Shareholder who has given a Proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a Proxy may be revoked by instrument in writing executed
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by the Shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing, or, if the Shareholder is a corporation, it must either be under its common seal or signed by a duly authorized officer and deposited by hand or mail with TSX Trust at the 301-100 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H 4H1, or by fax within North America at (416) 595-9593 or via email to [email protected], at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement of it, at which the Proxy is to be used, or to the Chairperson of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of it. A revocation of a Proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken prior to the revocation.
These security holder materials are being sent to both registered and non-registered owners of the securities. If you are a non-registered owner, and the issuer or its agent has sent these materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of securities, have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the intermediary holding on your behalf.
By choosing to send these materials to you directly, the Company (and not the intermediary holding on your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these materials to you, and (ii) executing your proper voting instructions. Please return your voting instructions as specified in the request for voting instructions.
VOTING BY PROXYHOLDER
Manner of Voting
The Common Shares represented by the Proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the Shareholder on any ballot that may be called for and, if the Shareholder specifies a choice on the Proxy with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the Common Shares will be voted accordingly. On any poll, the persons named in the Proxy (the “ Proxyholders ”) will vote the Common Shares in respect of which they are appointed. Where directions are given by the Shareholder in respect of voting for or against any resolution, the Proxyholder will do so in accordance with such direction.
The Proxy, when properly signed, confers discretionary authority on the Proxyholder with respect to amendments or variations to the matters which may properly be brought before the Meeting. At the time of printing this Circular, Management is not aware that any such amendments, variations or other matters are to be presented for action at the Meeting. However, if any other matters which are not now known to Management should properly come before the Meeting, the proxies hereby solicited will be exercised on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the Proxyholder.
In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the Proxyholders intend to vote the Common Shares represented by each Proxy, properly executed, in favour of the motions proposed to be made at the Meeting as stated under the headings in this Circular.
Voting Thresholds Required for Approval
To be effective, an ordinary resolution must be approved by a simple majority (50% plus 1) of the votes cast on the resolution by Shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting. In the event a motion proposed at the Meeting requires disinterested Shareholder approval, Common Shares held by Shareholders of the Company who are also “insiders”, as such term is defined under applicable securities laws, will be excluded from the count of votes cast on such motion.
ADVICE TO REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
Shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of Common Shares (the “ Registered Shareholders ”) may choose to vote by Proxy whether or not they are able to attend the Meeting.
Registered Shareholders who choose to submit a Proxy may do so by completing, signing, dating and depositing the Proxy with TSX Trust at 301-100 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H 4H1, or by fax within North America at (416) 595-9593 or via email to [email protected], not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Proxy may be signed by the Shareholder or by his or her attorney in writing, or, if the Registered Shareholder is a corporation, it must either be under its common seal or signed by a duly authorized officer.
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Returning your Proxy Form
To be effective, TSX Trust must receive your completed Proxy or voting instruction form no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on June 13, 2023.
If the Meeting is postponed or adjourned, TSX Trust must receive your completed Proxy not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before any adjourned or postponed Meeting at which the Proxy is to be used. Late proxies may be accepted or rejected by the Chairperson of the Meeting at their discretion and they are under no obligation to accept or reject a late Proxy. The Chairperson of the Meeting may waive or extend the proxy cut-off without notice.
ADVICE TO BENEFICIAL SHAREHOLDERS
The information set forth in this section is of significant importance to many Shareholders as a substantial number of Shareholders do not hold Common Shares in their own name.
Shareholders who do not hold their Common Shares in their own name (referred to in this Circular as “ Beneficial Shareholders ”) should note that only proxies deposited by Registered Shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of Common Shares can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting.
If Common Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a Shareholder by an intermediary, such as a brokerage firm, then, in almost all cases, those Common Shares will not be registered in the Shareholder’s name on the records of the Company. Such Common Shares will more likely be registered under the name of the Shareholder’s intermediary or an agent of that intermediary, and consequently the Shareholder will be a Beneficial Shareholder. In Canada, the vast majority of such Common Shares are registered under the name CDS & Co. (being the registration name for the Canadian Depositary for Securities, which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms). The directors and officers of the Company do not know for whose benefit the Common Shares registered in the name of CDS & Co. are held. The Common Shares held by intermediaries or their agents or nominees can only be voted (for or against resolutions) upon the instructions of the Beneficial Shareholder. Without specific instructions, an intermediary and its agents are prohibited from voting Common Shares for the intermediary’s clients. Therefore, Beneficial Shareholders should ensure that instructions respecting the voting of their shares are communicated to the appropriate person.
Applicable regulatory rules require intermediaries/brokers to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of Shareholders’ meetings. Every intermediary/broker has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions to clients, which should be carefully followed by Beneficial Shareholders in order to ensure that their Common Shares are voted at the Meeting. The purpose of the Proxy or voting instruction form provided to a Beneficial Shareholder by its broker, agent or nominee is limited to instructing the registered holder of the shares on how to vote such Common Shares on behalf of the Beneficial Shareholder.
The majority of brokers now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Investor Communications (“ Broadridge ”). Broadridge typically supplies a voting instruction form, mails those forms to Beneficial Shareholders and asks those Beneficial Shareholders to return the forms to Broadridge or follow specific telephone or other voting procedures. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received by it and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of the Common Shares to be represented at the Meeting. A Beneficial Shareholder receiving a voting instruction form from Broadridge cannot use that form to vote Common Shares directly at the Meeting. Instead, the voting instruction form must be returned to Broadridge or the alternate voting procedures must be completed well in advance of the Meeting in order to ensure such Common Shares are voted.
A Beneficial Shareholder may revoke a Proxy or voting instruction form or a waiver of the right to receive Meeting materials and to vote which has been given to their intermediary at any time by written notice to the intermediary, provided that the intermediary is not required to act on a revocation of a Proxy or voting instruction form or of a waiver of the right to receive Meeting materials and to vote, which is not received by the intermediary at least seven days prior to the Meeting. If you have any questions regarding the voting of Common Shares held through a broker or other intermediary, please contact your broker or other intermediary for assistance.
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Beneficial Shareholders who have not objected to their intermediary disclosing certain beneficial ownership information about them to the Company are referred to as “ NOBOs ”. Beneficial Shareholders who have objected to their intermediary disclosing their ownership information to the Company are referred to as “ OBOs ”. In accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (“ NI 54-101 ”), the Company has elected not to send the proxy-related materials for use in connection with the Meeting directly to NOBOs and has distributed copies of the materials to intermediaries for distribution to Beneficial Shareholders pursuant to the “indirect” sending procedures set out in NI 54-101. The Company intends to pay for an intermediary to deliver the proxy related materials and voting instruction forms to NOBOs and OBOs.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Except as otherwise disclosed herein, none of the directors or officers of the Company, at any time since the beginning of the Company’s last financial year, nor any proposed nominee for election as a director, or any associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matters to be acted upon at the Meeting, other than the election of directors and approval of the Option Plan (as defined below). See “ Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Election of Directors ” and “ Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of Stock Option Plan ”.
RECORD DATE, VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
A Shareholder of record at the close of business on May 9, 2023 (the “ Record Date ”) who either personally attends the Meeting or who has completed and delivered a Proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above, shall be entitled to vote or to have such Shareholder's Common Shares voted at the Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Company's authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value. As at the Record Date, the Company had 8,207,001 Common Shares issued and outstanding, each share carrying the right to one vote.
Principal Holders of Voting Securities
To the best of knowledge of the directors and officers of the Company, as of the date of the Circular, no persons or corporations beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, Common Shares carrying more than ten percent (10%) of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Common Shares of the Company.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
For the purpose of this Circular:
“ CEO ” means an individual who acted as chief executive officer of the Company, or acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year;
“ CFO ” means an individual who acted as chief financial officer of the Company, or acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year;
“ equity incentive plan ” means an incentive plan, or portion of an incentive plan, under which awards are granted and that falls within the scope of IFRS 2 Share-Based Payments ;
“ NEO ” or “ named executive officer ” means each of the following individuals:
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(a) a CEO;
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(b) a CFO;
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(c) the most highly compensated executive officer, or the most highly compensated individual acting in a similar capacity, other than the CEO and CFO, at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was, individually, more than $150,000, as determined in accordance with subsection 1.3(6) of National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“ NI 51-102 ”), for that financial year; and
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- (d) each individual who would be a NEO under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was neither an executive officer of the company, nor acting in a similar capacity, at the end of that financial year.
“ option-based award ” means an award under an equity incentive plan of options, including, for greater certainty, share options, share appreciation rights, and similar instruments that have option-like features.
Statement of Executive Compensation
The following information regarding executive compensation is presented in accordance with National Instrument Form 51-102F6V – Statement of Executive Compensation and sets forth compensation for each of the NEOs and directors of the Company.
Director and NEO Compensation, Excluding Options and Compensation Securities
The following table sets out all compensation paid, payable, awarded, granted, given, or otherwise provided, directly or indirectly, by the Company to each NEO, in any capacity, for the most recently completed financial years:
| Name and position |
Year (1) | Salary, consulting fee, retainer or commission ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Committee or meeting fees ($) |
Value of perquisites ($) |
Value of all other compensation ($) |
Total compensation ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Wolkin Director, CEO and CFO |
2021(1) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 2022 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | |
| Norman Levine Director |
2021(1) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 2022 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | |
| Vassilios Mitoulas Director |
2021(1) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 2022 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | |
| Ralph Garcea Vice President, Business Development |
2021(1) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 2022 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | |
| Lorne Gertner Vice President |
2021(1) | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 2022 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
(1) For the period from incorporation on June 11, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
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Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
The following table sets forth the option-based awards granted to the NEOs and directors of the Company for services provided or to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Company during the financial year ended December 31, 2022:
| Compensation Securities | |||||||
| Name and position |
Type of compensation security |
Number of compensation securities, number of underlying securities, and percentage of class |
Date of issue or grant |
Issue, conversion or exercise price ($) |
Closing price of security or underlying security on date of grant ($) |
Closing price of security or underlying security at year end ($) |
Expiry date |
| Harold Wolkin(1) Director, CEO and CFO |
N/A | Nil | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Norman Levine(2) Director |
N/A | Nil | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Vassilios Mitoulas(3) Director |
N/A | Nil | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ralph Garcea(4) Vice President, Business Development |
N/A | Nil | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lorne Gertner(5) Vice President |
N/A | Nil | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
(1) As at December 31, 2022, Mr. Wolkin held a total of 221,811 Options.
(2) As at December 31, 2022, Mr. Levine held a total of 44,362 Options.
(3) As at December 31, 2022, Mr. Mitoulas held a total of 221,811 Options.
(4) As at December 31, 2022, Mr. Garcea held a total of 221,811 Options.
(5) As at December 31, 2022, Mr. Gertner held a total of 110,905 Options.
Exercise of Compensation Securities by Directors and NEOs
No NEO or director of the Company exercised compensation securities during the financial year ended December 31, 2022.
Stock Option Plans and Other Incentive Plans
On June 25, 2021, the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) adopted an incentive stock option plan for the Company (the “ Option Plan ”) under which the directors were authorized to grant options (the “ Options ”) to purchase up to ten percent (10%) of the Common Shares from time to time. On July 11, 2022, the Board determined it to be in the best interests of the Company to proceed with the approval of an amended and restated Option Plan, a copy of which is attached to this Circular as Schedule “A”. The Option Plan was approved by the TSX Venture Exchange (the “ Exchange ”) on August 17, 2022, and was approved by Shareholders at the annual general and special meeting of Shareholders held on August 10, 2022. At the Meeting, the Company’s Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed appropriate, to approve, with or without variation, an ordinary resolution re-approving the Option Plan (the “ Stock Option Plan Resolution ”) substantially in the form set out below under “ Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of Stock Option Plan ”.
The purpose of the Option Plan is to attract and motivate directors, officers and employees of and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries and thereby advance the Company’s interests by affording
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such persons with an opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the Company through the Options. For further information regarding the terms of the Option Plan, see below under “Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of Stock Option Plan”.
Under the policies of the Exchange, a rolling stock option plan must be re-approved on a yearly basis by Shareholders.
As of the Record Date, there are 820,700 Options outstanding under the Option Plan, all of which are held by NEOs or directors of the Company.
Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements
The Company does not have any contracts, agreements, plans or arrangements that provide for payments to a director or NEO at, following or in connection with any termination (whether voluntary, involuntary or constructive), resignation, retirement, a change in control of the Company or a change in an NEO’s responsibilities.
Oversight and Description of Director and NEO Compensation
The compensation of the Company’s NEOs is determined by the Board. As a capital pool company, the Company is currently prohibited from paying directors, officers or other non-arm's length parties or to persons engaged in investor relations activities pursuant to policy 2.4 of the Exchange’s Corporate Finance Manual until it has completed a qualifying transaction and a final bulletin has been issued by the Exchange. The Company is permitted to reimburse non-arm’s length parties for rent, secretarial services and other general and administrative expenses at fair market value.
As a result, the Company does not have a formal compensation program and relies upon the grant of Options pursuant to the Option Plan to provide compensation to the NEOs and directors. Option grants are designed to reward the NEOs for success on a similar basis as the Shareholders, but these rewards are highly dependent upon the volatile stock market, much of which is beyond the control of the NEOs.
When new Options are granted, the Board takes into account the previous grants of Options, the number of Options currently held, position, overall individual performance, anticipated contribution to the Company’s future success and the individual’s ability to influence corporate and business performance. The purpose of granting such Options is to assist the Company in compensating, attracting, retaining and motivating the officers, directors and employees of the Company and to closely align the personal interest of such persons to the interest of the Shareholders. The exercise price of the Options granted is determined by the trading price of the Common Shares at the time of grant.
Compensation for the most recently completed financial year should not be considered an indicator of expected compensation levels in future periods. All compensation is subject to and dependent on the Company’s financial resources and prospects.
Pension Plan Benefits
No pension, retirement or deferred compensation plans, including defined contribution plans, have been instituted by the Company and none are proposed at this time.
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SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets out information with respect to all compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2022:
Equity Compensation Plan Information
| Equity Compensation Plan Information | Equity Compensation Plan Information | Equity Compensation Plan Information | Equity Compensation Plan Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) |
| Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders |
820,700 | $0.065 | Nil |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | 820,700 | $0.065 | Nil |
(1) Represents the Option Plan of the Company, which reserves a number of Common Shares equal to 10% of the then outstanding Common Shares from time to time for issue pursuant to stock options. For further information on the Option Plan, see below under “Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of Stock Option Plan.”
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
None of the current or former directors, executive officers, employees of the Company, the proposed nominees for election to the Board, or their respective associates or affiliates, are or have been indebted to the Company since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year of the Company.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Except as otherwise disclosed herein, no “informed persons” of the Company (as defined in NI 51-102), nor any proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company, nor any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, Common Shares carrying more than ten percent (10%) of the voting rights attached to the issued and outstanding Common Shares, nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons, has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected the Company or would materially affect the Company, or any of its subsidiaries.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
The management functions of the Company are not, to any substantial degree, performed by persons other than the directors and officers.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
To the knowledge of the Board, the only matters to be brought before the Meeting are set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. These matters are described in more detail under the headings below.
Presentation of Financial Statements
The Board has approved the audited consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, together with the auditor’s report thereon. Copies of these financial statements and the related management’s discussion and analysis (“ MD&A ”) have been sent to all Shareholders and are also available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“ SEDAR ”) at www.sedar.com.
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Appointment and Remuneration of Auditor
RSM Canada LLP (“ RSM ”) is the Company’s auditor and was first appointed as the Company’s auditor on June 25, 2021. Management is recommending the re-appointment of RSM as auditor for the Company, to hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board.
Management recommends a vote FOR the appointment of RSM as the Company’s auditor to hold office until the next annual general meeting of Shareholders at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the enclosed Proxy will be voted FOR such resolution.
Election of Directors
The Board currently consists of three directors. The term of office for each of the present directors of the Company expires at the Meeting. The directors of the Company are elected annually and hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders or until their successors are elected or appointed. Management proposes to nominate the persons listed below for election as directors of the Company to serve until their successors are elected or appointed. Management recommends a vote FOR the nominees listed in this Circular. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the enclosed Proxy will be voted FOR such resolution.
Management does not contemplate that any such nominee will be unable to serve as a director; however, if for any reason any of the proposed nominees do not stand for election or are unable to serve as such, proxies in favour of management designees will be voted FOR another nominee in their discretion unless the Shareholder has specified in his or her Proxy that his or her Common Shares are to be withheld from voting in the election of directors.
The following table sets out the names of the nominees for election as directors, their jurisdiction of residence, the office(s) they hold within the Company, their principal occupations (and, if not previously elected as a director, their principal occupations during the last five years), the date since when they have been a director of the Company, and the number of Common Shares of the Company which each beneficially owns directly or indirectly or over which control or direction is exercised as of the date of this Circular:
| Name, Province and Country of ordinary residence, and positions held with the Company(1) |
Principal occupation and, IF NOT an elected Director, principal occupation during the past five years(1) |
Date(s) serving as a Director(2) |
No. of Common Shares beneficially owned or controlled(1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Wolkin(3)(4) Ontario, Canada Director, CEO and CFO |
Retired. Former Managing Director of BMO Capital Markets, Former Executive Vice President and Head of Investment Banking of Dundee Capital Markets |
Since June 11, 2021 |
1,000,001 |
| Norman Levine(3) Ontario, Canada Director |
Portfolio Manager, Brook Wagman Private Wealth Management, Raymond James Investment Counsel Ltd. |
Since June 11, 2021 |
200,000 |
| Vassilios Mitoulas(3) Ontario, Canada Director |
Principal of Venture North Capital Inc. | Since June 25, 2021 |
1,000,000 |
(1) This information, not being within the knowledge of the Company, has been furnished by the respective nominees. Information provided as at the Record Date.
(2) The Company does not set expiry dates for the terms of office of directors. Each director holds office until they are elected at the next annual general meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected or appointed, unless their office is earlier vacated in accordance with the Articles of the Company.
(3) Member of the Audit Committee of the Board.
(4) 1,000,000 of Harold Wolkin’s Common Shares are held jointly by Harold and/or Shelley Wolkin.
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Director Biographies
Harold Wolkin, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director, Age 71
Mr. Wolkin is an accomplished investment banker and financial analyst (retired) with over 30 years of experience. In 1983, Mr. Wolkin joined BMO Nesbitt Burns as a senior research analyst. He went on to serve as managing director in the Diversified Industries Group of BMO Capital Markets from August 1983 to January 2008. He represented BMO Nesbitt Burns as a lead underwriter for a number of Canada’s largest equity offerings from 1992 to 2008. He was also responsible for the origination and the successful marketing of a large number of initial public offerings and equity financings for a wide range of issuers.
Most recently, Mr. Wolkin served as Executive Vice-President and Head of Investment Banking for Dundee Capital Markets. Since 2004, he has also served on a number of public company and not-for-profit organizations. He currently serves as: (i) a director and audit committee chair of Baylin Technologies Inc. (TSX: BYL), (ii) Lead Independent director and audit committee chair of Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX: CPH), (iii) a director of EnviroGold Global Limited (CSE: NVRO), (iv) a director and Chairman of the Board of BYND Cannasoft Enterprises Inc. (CSE: BYND), and (v) a director of Ceres Global Ag Corp. (TSX: CRP). He was also the president of the CFA Society Toronto, a member of the Chartered Financial Institute since 1980 and is a certified chartered financial analyst. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from York University and a Masters of Arts in Economics and Finance from the University of Toronto. Mr. Wolkin is also a graduate and a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Norman Levine, Director, Age 71
Mr. Levine, a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1980, is a Portfolio Manager at Brook Wagman Group Raymond James Investment Counsel. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Mr. Levine graduated from York University with a BA and from Syracuse University with an MBA. He has 47 years of investment experience as an account executive, research analyst, portfolio manager and investment strategist at Merrill Lynch Royal Securities, Crown Life Insurance, Canada Trust, Barclays McConnell, BMO Nesbitt Burns, and Portfolio Management Corporation. His community activities include volunteer work for the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto as well as Chairman of the Investment Advisory Committee of the United Jewish Welfare Fund of Greater Toronto and a member of the Professional Advisory Committee of the Jewish Federation. Norman is a director of Ve’ahavta, A Jewish Humanitarian Response To Poverty as well as a director of Maple Downs Golf and Country Club. Norman is also a member of the investment committees for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital fund and the Greater Toronto Scouts Foundation endowment fund. He is a former director of the Toronto CFA Society. Norman regularly appears on BNN Bloomberg and was recently featured in the book “Market Masters” by Robin Speziale.
Vassilios Mitoulas, Director, Age 48
Mr. Mitoulas has been the Principal of Venture North Capital Inc. since July 2011, a company headquartered in Toronto, Canada, providing full-service capital markets consulting services to publicly listed companies. Venture North’s core business competency is executing strategic investor relations outreach campaigns and corporate advisory services to a select few TSX, TSX Venture, and CSE listed growth companies in a variety of sectors. Mr. Mitoulas holds a Bachelor of Business Administration major in Finance from the University of Notre Dame.
Cease Trade Orders, Corporate and Personal Bankruptcies, Penalties and Sanctions
For purposes of the disclosure in this section, an “order” means a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order, or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, in each case that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; and for purposes of item (a)(i) below, specifically includes a management cease trade order which applies to directors or executive officers of a relevant company that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days whether or not the proposed director was named in the order.
None of the proposed directors, including any personal holding company of a proposed director:
- (a) is, as at the date of this Circular, or has been, within the 10 years before the date of this Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company) that:
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(i) was subject to an order that was issued while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the company; or
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(ii) was subject to an order 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 a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the company; or
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(b) is, as at the date of this Circular, or has been, within the 10 years before the date of this Circular, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets;
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(c) has, within the 10 years before the date of this Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director;
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(d) has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority since December 31, 2000, or before December 31, 2000 if the disclosure of which would likely be important to a reasonable security holder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director, or
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(e) has been subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable security holder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
Approval of Stock Option Plan
Under the policies of the Exchange, all listed companies with a ten percent (10%) rolling stock option plan must obtain Shareholder approval of such plan on a yearly basis.
Accordingly, at the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed appropriate, to pass the Stock Option Plan Resolution re-approving the Option Plan, substantially in the following form:
“ BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
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The Option Plan, substantially in the form set forth in Schedule “A” to this Circular, is hereby authorized and approved and all unallocated options, rights and other entitlements issuable thereunder be and are hereby approved and authorized;
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The number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to the Option Plan is hereby set at 10% of the aggregate number of Common Shares of the Company issued and outstanding from time to time, subject to any limitations imposed by the Exchange or applicable regulations, laws, rules and policies; and
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Any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized and directed, acting for, in the name of, and on behalf of, the Company, to execute or cause to be executed, and to deliver or cause to be delivered, such other documents and instruments, and to do or cause to be done all such acts and things, as may in the opinion of such director or officer be necessary or desirable to carry out the intent of the foregoing resolution.”
Management recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Stock Option Plan Resolution . If the Stock Option Plan Resolution is approved by Shareholders, the directors will have the authority, in their sole discretion, to implement or revoke the Stock Option Plan Resolution and otherwise implement or abandon the Option Plan.
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In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the Proxyholders intend to vote the Common Shares represented by each Proxy, properly executed, FOR the Stock Option Plan Resolution.
The following is a summary of the principal terms of the Option Plan, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Option Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule “A”:
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The maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Options granted under the Option Plan shall be a number equal to ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company, the exercise price of which, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, shall not be lower than the exercise price permitted by the Exchange.
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Options shall only be granted to Participants. A Participant means a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company.
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The Board shall not grant Options to any one person in any twelve (12) month period which will, when exercised, exceed five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding Common Shares or to any one consultant or to those persons employed by the Company who perform investor relations services which will, when exercised, exceed two percent (2%) of the issued and outstanding Common Shares.
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Upon expiry of an Option, or in the event an option is otherwise terminated for any reason, the number of Common Shares in respect of the expired or terminated option shall again be available for the purposes of the Option Plan. All Options granted under the Option Plan may not have an expiry date exceeding ten (10) years from the date on which the board of directors grant and announce the granting of the Option.
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If the option holder ceases to be a director, officer, consultant or employee of the Company for any reason (other than by reason of death), then the Option granted shall expire on no later than the earlier of the expiry date of the Option or 90 days after the option holder ceases to be a director, officer, consultant or employee of the Company, as the case may be, subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Option Plan. However, if the Participant does not continue to be a director, officer, consultant, employee of the resulting issuer upon completion of the Company’s Qualifying Transaction (as such terms are defined in the policies of the Exchange), the Options granted pursuant to the Option Plan must be exercised by the Participant within the later of twelve (12) months after completion of the Qualifying Transaction and 90 days after the Participant ceases to become a director, officer, consultant or employee of the resulting issuer.
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The exercise price per Option granted while the Company is a capital pool company cannot be less than the greater of the price of the IPO Shares (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) price and the Discounted Market Price (as defined in the policies of the Exchange).
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Circular, management knows of no other matters to be acted upon at the Meeting. Should any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the Common Shares represented by the Proxy solicited hereby will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons voting the Common Shares represented by the Proxy.
AUDIT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE
The Charter of the Company’s audit committee and other information required to be disclosed by National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees is attached to this Circular as Schedule “B”.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE
The information required to be disclosed by National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices is attached to this Circular as Schedule “C”.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Financial information relating to the Company is provided in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2022 and the related MD&A. Copies of the financial statements
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and MD&A may be obtained under the Company’s profile on SEDAR or without charge upon request from the Company, at 40 King Street West, Suite 2100, Toronto, ON M5H 3C2.
DIRECTOR APPROVAL
The contents of this Circular and the sending thereof to the Shareholders have been approved by the directors.
DATED at Toronto, Ontario, this 15[th] day of May, 2023.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DEAL PRO CAPITAL CORPORATION
“Harold Wolkin”
Harold Wolkin Director, CEO and CFO
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SCHEDULE “A”
STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Stock Option Plan (the “ Plan ”) of Deal Pro Capital Corporation, a corporation incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “ Corporation ”) is to advance the interests of the Corporation by encouraging the directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Corporation, and of its subsidiaries and affiliates, if any, to acquire common shares in the share capital of the Corporation (the “ Shares ”), thereby increasing their proprietary interest in the Corporation, encouraging them to remain associated with the Corporation and furnishing them with additional incentive in their efforts on behalf of the Corporation in the conduct of its affairs.
2. ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or by a special committee of the directors appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to rules of procedure fixed by the Board of Directors (such committee or, if no such committee is appointed, the Board of Directors of the Corporation, is hereinafter referred to as the “ Board ”). A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved in writing, shall be the acts of the directors.
Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have authority to construe and interpret the Plan and all option agreements entered into thereunder, to define the terms used in the Plan and in all option agreements entered into thereunder, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. All determinations and interpretations made by the Board shall be binding and conclusive on all participants in the Plan and on their legal personal representatives and beneficiaries.
Each option granted hereunder may be evidenced by an agreement in writing, signed on behalf of the Corporation and by the optionee, in such form as the Board shall approve. Each such agreement shall recite that it is subject to the provisions of this Plan.
The Board shall ensure that Participants (defined below) under the Plan are eligible to participate under the Plan, and, if required by the Exchange (defined below), shall represent and confirm that the Participant is a bona fide employee, consultant or management company employee (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) and such Participant shall represent that he or she is a bona fide employee, consultant or management company employee.
3. STOCK EXCHANGE RULES
All options granted pursuant to this Plan shall be subject to the rules and policies of any stock exchange or exchanges on which the Shares are then listed and any other regulatory body having jurisdiction (hereinafter collectively referred to as, the “ Exchange ”).
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during such period as the Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange:
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a) the Exchange Hold Period (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) will apply to all options granted to Insiders of the Corporation (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) and to all options granted at a discount to the Market Price (as defined in the policies of the Exchange); and
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b) any acceleration or removal of required Exchange vesting provisions are subject to the prior written approval of the Exchange.
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4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 17 hereof, the Shares to be offered under the Plan shall consist of common shares of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued common shares. The aggregate number of Shares issuable upon the exercise of all options granted under the Plan shall not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Corporation from time to time. If any option granted hereunder shall expire or terminate for any reason in accordance with the terms of the Plan without being exercised, the unpurchased Shares subject thereto shall again be available for the purpose of this Plan.
However, other than in connection with a “Qualifying Transaction” (as defined in Policy 2.4 of the Exchange) or otherwise accepted by the Exchange, during the time that the Corporation is a “Capital Pool Company” (as defined in Policy 2.4 of the Exchange), the aggregate number of Shares issuable upon the exercise of all options granted under the Plan shall not exceed 10% of the common shares of the Corporation issued and outstanding at the closing of the Corporation’s initial public offering.
5. MAINTENANCE OF SUFFICIENT CAPITAL
The Corporation shall at all times during the term of the Plan reserve and keep available such numbers of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
6. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
Directors, officers, consultants, and employees of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, and employees of a person or company which provides management services to the Corporation or its subsidiaries (“ Management Company Employees ”) shall be eligible for selection to participate in the Plan (such persons hereinafter collectively referred to as “ Participants ”). Subject to compliance with applicable requirements of the Exchange, Participants may elect to hold options granted to them in an incorporated entity wholly owned by them and such entity shall be bound by the Plan in the same manner as if the options were held by the Participant.
Subject to the terms hereof, the Board shall determine to whom options shall be granted, the terms and provisions of the respective option agreements, the time or times at which such options shall be granted and vested, and the number of Shares to be subject to each option. In the case of employees or consultants of the Corporation or Management Company Employees, the option agreements to which they are party must contain a representation of the Corporation that such employee, consultant or Management Company Employee, as the case may be, is a bona fide employee, consultant or Management Company Employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries.
A Participant who has been granted an option may, if such Participant is otherwise eligible, and if permitted under the policies of the Exchange, be granted an additional option or options if the Board shall so determine.
7.
EXERCISE PRICE
(a) The exercise price of the Shares subject to each option shall be determined by the Board, subject to applicable Exchange approval, at the time any option is granted. In no event shall such exercise price be lower than the exercise price permitted by the Exchange.
(b) Once the exercise price has been determined by the Board, accepted by the Exchange and the option has been granted, the exercise price of an option may only be reduced if at least 6 months have elapsed since the later of the date of the commencement of the term, the date the Corporation’s shares commenced trading or the date the exercise price was reduced. In the case of options held by insiders of the Corporation (as defined in the policies of the Exchange), the exercise price of an option may be reduced only if disinterested shareholder approval is obtained.
8.
NUMBER OF OPTIONED SHARES
(a) The number of Shares subject to an option granted to any one Participant shall be determined by the Board, but no one Participant shall be granted an option which exceeds the maximum number permitted by the Exchange.
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(b) No single Participant may be granted options to purchase a number of Shares equalling more than 5% of the issued common shares of the Corporation in any twelve-month period unless the Corporation has obtained disinterested shareholder approval in respect of such grant and meets applicable Exchange requirements.
(c) Options shall not be granted if the exercise thereof would result in the issuance of more than 2% of the issued common shares of the Corporation in any twelve-month period to any one consultant of the Corporation (or any of its subsidiaries).
(d) Options shall not be granted if the exercise thereof would result in the issuance of more than 2% of the issued common shares of the Corporation in any twelve month period to persons employed to provide investor relation activities. Options granted to Consultants performing investor relations activities will contain vesting provisions such that vesting occurs over at least 12 months with no more than ¼ of the options vesting in any 3 month period.
(e) The aggregate number of options granted and outstanding to Eligible Charitable Organizations (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) must not at any time exceed 1% of the issued Shares of the Corporation, as calculated immediately subsequent to the grant of any options to Eligible Charitable Organizations, and any such options must expire after the earlier of (i) ten years from the date of grant; and (ii) ninety days after the optionee ceases to be an Eligible Charitable Organizations.
(f) The maximum aggregate number of common shares of the Corporation that are issuable pursuant to all security based compensation (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) granted or issued to insiders of the Corporation (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) (as a group) must not exceed 10% of the issued common shares of the Corporation at any point in time (unless the Corporation has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval).
(g) The maximum aggregate number of common shares of the Corporation that are issuable pursuant to all security based compensation (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) granted or issued in any 12 month period to insiders of the Corporation (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) (as a group) must not exceed 10% of the issued common shares of the Corporation, calculated as at the date any security based compensation is granted or issued to any insider (unless the Corporation has obtained the requisite disinterested shareholder approval).
9. DURATION OF OPTION
(a) Each option and all rights thereunder shall be expressed to expire on the date set out in the option agreement and shall be subject to earlier termination as provided in Sections 11 and 12, provided that in no circumstances shall the duration of an option exceed the maximum term permitted by the Exchange, being 10 years for the TSX Venture Exchange. In the case of options held by insiders of the Corporation (as defined in the policies of the Exchange), the term of an option may be extended only if disinterested shareholder approval is obtained.
(b) Subject to compliance with Exchange Policy 4.4, the expiry date of an option granted hereunder will be automatically extended if such expiry date falls within a blackout period during which the Corporation prohibits optionees from exercising their options. Such automatic extension shall in no event exceed 10 days following the end of such blackout period.
10. OPTION PERIOD, CONSIDERATION AND PAYMENT
(a) The option period shall be a period of time fixed by the Board not to exceed the maximum term permitted by the Exchange, provided that the option period shall be reduced with respect to any option as provided in Sections 11 and 12 covering cessation as a director, officer, consultant, employee or Management Company Employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, or death of the Participant.
(b) Subject to any vesting restrictions imposed by the Exchange, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine the time during which options shall vest and the method of vesting, or that no vesting restriction shall exist.
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(c) Subject to any vesting restrictions imposed by the Board, options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time and from time to time during the option period. To the extent required by the Exchange, no options may be exercised under this Plan until this Plan has been approved by a resolution duly passed by the shareholders of the Corporation.
(d) Except as set forth in Sections 11 and 12, no option may be exercised unless the Participant is at the time of such exercise a director, officer, consultant, or employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or a Management Company Employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.
(e) The exercise of any option will be contingent upon receipt by the Corporation at its head office of a written notice of exercise, specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the option is being exercised, accompanied by cash payment, certified cheque or bank draft for the full purchase price of such Shares with respect to which the option is exercised. No Participant or his legal representatives, legatees or distributees will be, or will be deemed to be, a holder of any common shares of the Corporation unless and until the certificates for Shares issuable pursuant to options under the Plan are issued to him or them under the terms of the Plan.
11. CEASING TO BE A DIRECTOR, OFFICER, CONSULTANT OR EMPLOYEE
(a) Subject to subsection (b), if a Participant shall cease to be a director, officer, consultant, employee of the Corporation, or its subsidiaries, or ceases to be a Management Company Employee, for any reason (other than death), such Participant may exercise his option to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise it at the date of such cessation, provided that such exercise must occur within 90 days after the Participant ceases to be a director, officer, consultant, employee or a Management Company Employee, unless such Participant was engaged in investor relations activities, in which case such exercise must occur within 30 days after the cessation of the Participant’s services to the Corporation.
(b) If the Participant does not continue to be a director, officer, consultant, employee of the Resulting Issuer upon completion of the Corporation’s Qualifying Transaction (as such terms are defined in the policies of the Exchange), the options granted hereunder must be exercised by the Participant within the later of 12 months after completion of the Qualifying Transaction and 90 days after the Participant ceases to become a director, officer, consultant or employee of the Resulting Issuer.
(c) Nothing contained in the Plan, nor in any option granted pursuant to the Plan, shall as such confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance as a director, officer, consultant, employee or Management Company Employee of the Corporation or of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
12. DEATH OF PARTICIPANT
Notwithstanding Section 11, in the event of the death of a Participant, the option previously granted to him shall be exercisable only within the one (1) year after such death and then only:
(a) by the person or persons to whom the Participant's rights under the option shall pass by the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution; and
- (b) if and to the extent that such Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of his death.
13. CAPITAL POOL COMPANY RESTRICTIONS
As long as the Corporation is classified as a “Capital Pool Company” or a “CPC” (as defined in Policy 2.4 of the Exchange), the terms and conditions of the Plan will remain subject to the following specific restrictions:
- (a) Options granted by the CPC may only entitle the Participant to acquire Shares of the CPC. Options may only be granted to a director or officer of the CPC, and where permitted by applicable securities legislation, a technical consultant whose particular industry expertise in relation to the business of the Vendors (as defined in Policy 2.4 of the Exchange) or the Target Company (as defined in Policy 2.4 of the Exchange), as the case may be, is required to evaluate the proposed Qualifying Transaction, or a company, all of whose securities are owned, directly and indirectly, by such a director, officer or technical consultant.
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(b) The number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Options to any individual director or officer may not exceed 5% of the Shares outstanding at the time of issuance. The number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Options to all technical consultants may not exceed 2% of the Shares outstanding at the time of issuance. Options granted by a CPC are subject to the percentage limitations set forth in Policy 4.4 of the Exchange.
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(c) The CPC is prohibited from granting Options to any person providing Investor Relations Activities (as defined in the policies of the Exchange), promotional or market-making services.
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(d) The exercise price per Share under any Option granted by a CPC subsequent to closing its IPO (as defined in Policy 1.1 of the Exchange) cannot be less than the greater of the IPO Share (as defined in Policy 2.4 of the Exchange) price and the Discounted Market Price (as defined in the policies of the Exchange).
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(e) The exercise price per Share under any Option granted by a CPC prior to closing its IPO cannot be less than the lowest price at which Seed Shares (as defined in Policy 2.4 of the Exchange) were issued by the CPC.
14. ESCROW
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(a) All Options issued, and any Shares acquired on exercise of Options, prior to the Completion of the Qualifying Transaction must be deposited in escrow under the CPC Escrow Agreement (as defined in Exchange Policy 2.4) and will be subject to escrow until the Final QT Exchange Bulletin (as defined in Exchange Policy 2.4) is issued, subject to Section 14(b).
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(b) All Options granted prior to the date of the Final QT Exchange Bulletin and any Shares acquired on exercise of Options that were issued prior to the date of the Final QT Exchange Bulletin will be released from escrow on the date of the Final QT Exchange Bulletin, other than Options that were granted prior to the Corporation’s IPO with an exercise price that is less than the issue price of the IPO Shares and any Shares that were issued pursuant to the exercise of such Options will be released from escrow in accordance with the schedule set out in Exchange Policy 2.4 and the CPC Escrow Agreement.
15. RIGHTS OF OPTIONEE
No person entitled to exercise any option granted under the Plan shall have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder of the Corporation in respect of any Shares issuable upon exercise of such option until certificates representing such Shares shall have been issued and delivered.
16. PROCEEDS FROM SALE OF SHARES
The proceeds from the sale of Shares issued upon the exercise of options shall be added to the general funds of the Corporation and shall thereafter be used from time to time for such corporate purposes as the Board may determine.
17. ADJUSTMENTS
If the outstanding common shares of the Corporation are increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities of the Corporation or another corporation or entity through re- organization, merger, re-capitalization, re-classification, stock dividend, subdivision or consolidation, any adjustments relating to the Shares optioned or issued on exercise of options and the exercise price per Share as set forth in the respective stock option agreements shall be made in accordance to the terms of such agreements.
Adjustments under this Section shall be made by the Board whose determination as to what adjustments shall be made, and the extent thereof, shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional Share shall be required to be issued under the Plan on any such adjustment.
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18. TRANSFERABILITY
All benefits, rights and options accruing to any Participant in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan shall not be transferable or assignable unless specifically provided herein or the extent, if any, permitted by the Exchange. During the lifetime of a Participant any benefits, rights and options may only be exercised by the Participant.
19. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
Subject to the policies, rules and regulations of any lawful authority having jurisdiction (including any exchange on which the Shares are listed for trading), the Board may at any time, without further action by the shareholders, amend the Plan or any option granted hereunder in such respects as it may consider advisable and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it may do so to ensure that options granted hereunder will comply with any provisions respecting stock options in the income tax or other laws in force in any country or jurisdiction of which a person to whom an option has been granted may from time to time be resident or citizen or the Board may at any time, without action by shareholders, terminate the Plan. The Board may not, however, without the consent of the option holder, alter or impair any of the rights or obligations under any option theretofore granted.
20. NECESSARY APPROVALS
The ability of a Participant to exercise options and the obligation of the Corporation to issue and deliver Shares in accordance with the Plan is subject to any approvals which may be required from shareholders of the Corporation and any regulatory authority or stock exchange having jurisdiction over the securities of the Corporation. If any Shares cannot be issued to any Participant for whatever reason, the obligation of the Corporation to issue such Shares shall terminate and any option exercise price paid to the Corporation will be returned to the Participant.
21. WITHHOLDING TAXES
The Corporation’s obligation to deliver Shares issuable on the exercise of an option shall be subject to a Participant’s satisfaction of all applicable income, employment and non-resident withholding tax obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Corporation determines in its sole discretion that under the requirements of applicable taxation laws or regulations of any governmental authority whatsoever it is obliged to withhold for remittance to a taxing authority any amount upon exercise of an option, the Corporation may take any steps it considers necessary or appropriate in the circumstances to withhold in connection with any option or other benefit under the Plan including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(a) requiring the Participant exercising the option to pay the Corporation, in the same manner as the exercise price for the Shares issuable on exercise of an option, such amount as the Corporation is obliged to remit to such taxing authority in respect of the exercise of the option, with any such additional payment, in any event, being due no later than the date as of which any amount with respect to the option exercised first becomes included in the gross income of the Participant for tax purposes; or
(b) issuing the Shares issuable on the exercise of an option to an agent on behalf of the Participant and directing the agent to sell a sufficient number of such Shares on behalf of the Participant to satisfy the amount of any such withholding obligation, with the agent paying the proceeds of any such sale to the Corporation for this purpose;
to the extent permitted by law, deducting the amount of any such withholding obligation from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant.
22. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The Plan has been adopted by the Board of the Corporation subject to the approval of the Exchange and, if so approved, subject to the discretion of the Board, the Plan shall become effective upon such approvals being obtained.
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23. INTERPRETATION
The Plan will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario.
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SCHEDULE “B”
FORM 52-110F2 AUDIT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE (VENTURE ISSUERS)
Item 1: The Audit Committee Charter
The Audit Committee (the “ Committee ”) is a committee of the board of directors (the “ Board ”) of the Company. The role of the Committee is to provide oversight of the Company's financial management and of the design and implementation of an effective system of internal financial controls as well as to review and report to the Board on the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and associated companies. This includes helping directors meet their responsibilities, facilitating better communication between directors and the external auditor, enhancing the independence of the external auditor, increasing the credibility and objectivity of financial reports and strengthening the role of the directors by facilitating in-depth discussions among directors, management and the external auditor. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining those controls, procedures and processes and the Committee is appointed by the Board to review and monitor them. The Company's external auditor is ultimately accountable to the Board and the Committee as representatives of the Company's Shareholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
External Auditor
To recommend to the Board, for Shareholder approval, an external auditor to examine the Company's accounts, controls and financial statements on the basis that the external auditor is accountable to the Board and the Committee as representatives of the Shareholders.
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(a) To oversee the work of the external auditor engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an auditor's report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, including the resolution of disagreements between management and the external auditor regarding financial reporting.
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(b) To evaluate the audit services provided by the external auditor, pre-approve all audit fees and recommend to the Board, if necessary, the replacement of the external auditor.
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(c) To pre-approve any non-audit services to be provided to the Company by the external auditor and the fees for those services.
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(d) To obtain and review, at least annually, a written report by the external auditor setting out the auditor's internal quality-control procedures, any material issues raised by the auditor's internal quality-control reviews and the steps taken to resolve those issues.
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(e) To review and approve the Company’s hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and former external auditor of the Company. The Committee has adopted the following guidelines regarding the hiring of any partner, employee, reviewing tax professional or other person providing audit assurance to the external auditor of the Company on any aspect of its certification of the Company's financial statements:
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(f) No member of the audit team that is auditing a business of the Company can be hired into that business or into a position to which that business reports for a period of three years after the audit;
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i. No member of the audit team that is auditing a business of the Company can be hired into that business or into a position to which that business reports for a period of three years after the audit;
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ii. No former partner or employee of the external auditor may be made an officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for three years following the end of the individual's association with the external auditor;
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iii. The Chief Financial Officer (“ CFO ”) must approve all office hires from the external auditor; and
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iv. The CFO must report annually to the Committee on any hires within these guidelines during the preceding year.
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(g) To review, at least annually, the relationships between the Company and the external auditor in order to establish the independence of the external auditor.
Financial Information and Reporting
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(a) To review the Company's annual audited financial statements with the Chief Executive Officer (“ CEO ”) and CFO and then the full Board. The Committee will review the interim financial statements with the CEO and CFO.
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(b) To review and discuss with management and the external auditor, as appropriate:
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i. The annual audited financial statements and the interim financial statements, including the accompanying management discussion and analysis; and
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ii. Earnings guidance and other releases containing information taken from the Company's financial statements prior to their release.
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(c) To review the quality and not just the acceptability of the Company's financial reporting and accounting standards and principles and any proposed material changes to them or their application.
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(d) To review with the CFO any earnings guidance to be issued by the Company and any news release containing financial information taken from the Company's financial statements prior to the release of the financial statements to the public. In addition, the CFO must review with the Committee the substance of any presentations to analysts or rating agencies that contain a change in strategy or outlook.
Oversight
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(a) To review the internal audit staff functions, including:
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i. The purpose, authority and organizational reporting lines;
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ii. The annual audit plan, budget and staffing; and
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iii. The appointment and compensation of the controller, if any.
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(b) To review, with the CFO and others, as appropriate, the Company's internal system of audit controls and the results of internal audits.
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(c) To review and monitor the Company's major financial risks and risk management policies and the steps taken by management to mitigate those risks.
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(d) To meet at least annually with management (including the CFO), the internal audit staff, and the external auditor in separate executive sessions and review issues and matters of concern respecting audits and financial reporting.
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(e) In connection with its review of the annual audited financial statements and interim financial statements, the Committee will also review the process for the CEO and CFO certifications (if required by law or regulation) with respect to the financial statements and the Company's disclosure and internal controls, including any material deficiencies or changes in those controls.
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Membership
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(a) The Committee shall consist solely of three or more members of the Board, the majority of which the Board has determined has no material relationship with the Company and is otherwise “unrelated” or “independent” as required under applicable securities rules or applicable stock exchange rules.
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(b) Any member may be removed from office or replaced at any time by the Board and shall cease to be a member upon ceasing to be a director. Each member of the Committee shall hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of Shareholders of the Company or until the member ceases to be a director, resigns or is replaced, whichever first occurs.
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(c) The members of the Committee shall be entitled to receive such remuneration for acting as members of the Committee as the Board may from time to time determine.
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(d) All members of the Committee must be “financially literate” (i.e., have the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements such as a balance sheet, an income statement and a cash flow statement).
Procedures
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(a) The Board shall appoint one of the directors elected to the Committee as the Chair of the Committee (the “ Chair ”). In the absence of the appointed Chair from any meeting of the Committee, the members shall elect a Chair from those in attendance to act as Chair of the meeting.
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(b) The Chair will appoint a secretary (the “ Secretary ”) who will keep minutes of all meetings. The Secretary does not have to be a member of the Committee or a director and can be changed by simple notice from the Chair.
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(c) No business may be transacted by the Committee except at a meeting of its members at which a quorum of the Committee is present or by resolution in writing signed by all the members of the Committee. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, provided that if the number of members of the Committee is an even number, one-half of the number of members plus one shall constitute a quorum and provided that a majority of the members must be "independent" or "unrelated".
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(d) The Committee will meet as many times as is necessary to carry out its responsibilities. Any member of the Committee or the external auditor may call meetings.
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(e) The time and place of the meetings of the Committee, the calling of meetings and the procedure in all respects of such meetings shall be determined by the Committee, unless otherwise provided for in the articles of the Company or otherwise determined by resolution of the Board.
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(f) The Committee shall have the resources and authority necessary to discharge its duties and responsibilities, including the authority to select, retain, terminate, and approve the fees and other retention terms (including termination) of special counsel, advisors or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate.
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(g) The Committee shall have access to any and all books and records of the Company necessary for the execution of the Committee's obligations and shall discuss with the CEO or the CFO such records and other matters considered appropriate.
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(h) The Committee has the authority to communicate directly with the internal and external auditors.
Reports
The Committee shall produce the following reports and provide them to the Board:
- (a) An annual performance evaluation of the Committee, which evaluation must compare the performance of the Committee with the requirements of this Charter. The performance evaluation should also recommend to the Board any improvements to this Charter deemed
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necessary or desirable by the Committee. The performance evaluation by the Committee shall be conducted in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate. The report to the Board may take the form of an oral report by the Chair or any other member of the Committee designated by the Committee to make this report.
- (b) A summary of the actions taken at each Committee meeting, which shall be presented to the Board at the next Board meeting.
Item 2: Composition of the Audit Committee
National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees, (“ NI 52-110 ”) provides that a member of an audit committee is "independent" if the member has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company, which could, in the view of the Company's Board, reasonably interfere with the exercise of the member's independent judgment.
NI 52-110 provides that 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.
The current members of the Audit Committee are Harold Wolkin, Norman Levine and Vassilios Mitoulas, all of whom are financially literate as defined by NI 52-110, with Messrs. Levine and Mitoulas acting as independent directors. Mr. Wolkin is not considered to be independent, as he serves as the CEO and CFO of the Company.
Item 3: Relevant Education and Experience
All current and proposed members of the Audit Committee have received relevant education in financial literacy and have been involved in enterprises which publicly report financial results, each of which requires a working understanding of, and ability to analyze and assess, financial information (including financial statements).
Further, each member has the requisite education and experience that has provided the member with:
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(a) an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare the Company's financial statements;
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(b) the ability to assess the general application of the above-noted principles in connection with estimates, accruals and reserves;
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(c) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements, or experience actively supervising individuals engaged in such activities; and
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(d) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.
A summary of the education and experience of each member of the Audit Committee that is relevant to the performance of his responsibilities as an Audit Committee member can be found in the Circular to which this Schedule “B” is attached under the heading “ Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Election of Directors – Director Biographies ”.
Item 4: Audit Committee Oversight
At no time since January 1, 2022 was a recommendation of the Audit Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor not adopted by the Board.
Item 5: Reliance on Certain Exemptions
Since January 1, 2022, the Company has not relied on certain exemptions set out in NI 52-110, namely section 2.4 ( De Minimus Non-audit Services ), subsection 6.1.1(4) ( Circumstance Affecting the Business or Operations of the Venture Issuer ), subsection 6.1.1(5) ( Events Outside Control of Member ), subsection 6.1.1(6) ( Death, Incapacity or Resignation ), and any exemption, in whole or in part, in Part 8 ( Exemptions ).
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Item 6: Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has not adopted formal policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services. Subject to the requirements of the NI 52-110, the engagement of non-audit services is considered by, as applicable, the Board and the Audit Committee, on a case-by-case basis.
Item 7: External Auditor Service Fees (By Category)
The following table sets out the aggregate fees charged to the Company by the external auditor in each of the last two fiscal years for the category of fees described.
| From incorporation on June 11, | Financial year ended | |
|---|---|---|
2021 to December 31, 2021 |
December 31, 2022 |
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| Audit Fees(1) | $19,000 | $9,000 |
| Audit-Related Fees(2) | $Nil | $Nil |
| Tax Fees(3) | $4,000 | $4,100 |
| All Other Fees(4) | $Nil | $Nil |
| Total Fees: | $23,000 | $13,100 |
(1) “Audit fees” include aggregate fees billed by the Company’s external auditor in each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees.
(2) “Audited related fees” include the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the Company's external auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements and are not reported under “Audit fees” above. The services provided include employee benefit audits, due diligence assistance, accounting consultations on proposed transactions, internal control reviews and audit or attest services not required by legislation or regulation.
(3) “Tax fees” include the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the Company's external auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. The services provided include tax planning and tax advice includes assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, and requests for rulings or technical advice from tax authorities.
(4) “All other fees” include the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the Company's external auditor, other than “Audit fees”, “Audit related fees” and “Tax fees” above
Item 8: Exemption
The Company is relying on the exemption provided in Section 6.1 of NI 52-110 as the Company is a “venture issuer”. As a result, the Company is exempt from the requirements of Part 3 ( Composition of Audit Committee ) and Part 5 ( Reporting Obligations ) of NI 52-110.
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SCHEDULE “C”
FORM 58-101F2 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE (VENTURE ISSUERS)
Item 1: Board Of Directors
The Board supervises the CEO and the CFO. The CEO and CFO are required to act in accordance with the scope of authority provided to them by the Board.
The Company has determined that out of the existing three members of the Board, two of the members are independent as defined by NI 52-110.
| Director | Independence |
|---|---|
| Harold Wolkin Norman Levine Vassilios Mitoulas |
Not independent, as he is the CEO and CFO of the Company. Independent Independent |
Item 2: Directorships
The following Directors of the Company are currently directors of the following other reporting issuers:
| Director | Name of Reporting Issuer |
|---|---|
| Harold Wolkin Norman Levine Vassilios Mitoulas |
Baylin Technologies Inc. Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. EnviroGold Global Limited (formerly Range Energy Resources Inc.) Bynd Cannasoft Enterprises Inc. Ceres Global Ag Corp. N/A Turnium Technology Group Inc. |
Item 3: Orientation and Continuing Education
The Board does not have a formal process for the orientation of new Board members. Orientation is done on an informal basis. New Board members are provided with such information as is considered necessary to ensure that they are familiar with the Company’s business and understand the responsibilities of the Board.
The Board does not have a formal program for the continuing education of its directors. The Company expects its directors to pursue such continuing education opportunities as may be required to ensure that they maintain the skill and knowledge necessary to fulfill their duties as members of the Board. Directors can consult with the Company’s professional advisors regarding their duties and responsibilities, as well as recent developments relevant to the Company and the Board.
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Item 4: Ethical Business Conduct
The Board has not adopted a formal code of ethics. In the Board’s view, the fiduciary duties placed on individual directors by corporate legislation and the common law, and the restrictions placed by corporate legislation on an individual director's participation in decisions of the Board in which the director has an interest, have been sufficient to ensure that the Board operates independently of management and in the best interests of the Company.
Although the Company has not adopted a formal code of ethics, the Company promotes an ethical business culture. Directors and officers of the Company are encouraged to conduct themselves and the business of the Company with the utmost honesty and integrity. Directors are also encouraged to consult with the Company’s professional advisors with respect to any issues related to ethical business conduct.
Item 5: Nomination of Directors
The identification of potential candidates for nomination as directors of the Company is primarily done by the CEO, but all directors are encouraged to participate in the identification and recruitment of new directors. Potential candidates are primarily identified through referrals by business contacts.
Item 6: Compensation
The quantity and quality of the Board compensation is reviewed on an annual basis. At this time, the Company does not believe its size and limited scope of operations requires a formal compensation committee. As a capital pool company, the Company is currently prohibited from paying directors, officers or other non-arm's length parties or to persons engaged in investor relations activities pursuant to policy 2.4 of the Exchange’s Corporate Finance Manual until it has completed a qualifying transaction and a final bulletin has been issued by the Exchange.
Item 7: Other Board Committees
The Board does not have any standing committees other than the Audit Committee.
Item 8: Assessments
The Board does not have any formal process for assessing the effectiveness of the Board, its committees, or individual directors. Such assessments are done on an informal basis by the CEO and the Board as a whole.
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