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Water Ways Technologies Inc. — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2023
Dec 8, 2023
46204_rns_2023-12-08_6c8be17e-f149-40a4-b9fb-f388b4ef0a3f.pdf
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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WATER WAYS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
For the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on December 29, 2023
November 25, 2023
Table of Contents
| NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ......................................................................................... 1 |
|---|
| GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION...................................................................................................................................................... 3 |
| How do I attend and participate at the virtual Meeting? ........................................................................................................................ 3 |
| Solicitation of Proxies ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3 |
| Appointment of Proxies ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 |
| Revocability of Proxy ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4 |
| Exercise of Discretion by Proxy ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 |
| Voting by Beneficial Shareholders ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 |
| Note to Non-Objecting Beneficial Shareholders .................................................................................................................................... 5 |
| Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof .................................................................................................................................. 5 |
| INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON ....................................................................................... 6 |
| PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON ........................................................................................................................ 6 |
| 1. Audited Financial Statements ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 |
| 2. Fixing the Number of Directors ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 |
| 3. Election of Directors ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7 |
| 4. Appointment of Auditor ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 |
| 5. Approval of the Stock Option Plan Resolution .............................................................................................................................. 8 |
| 6. Consolidation ............................................................................................................................................................................... 11 |
| 7. Issuance of Shares ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14 |
| 8. Other Business ............................................................................................................................................................................. 14 |
| EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ........................................................................................................................................................... 14 |
| Compensation Discussion and Analysis .............................................................................................................................................. 14 |
| Summary Compensation Table – Named Executive Officers .............................................................................................................. 16 |
| Incentive Plan Awards ......................................................................................................................................................................... 17 |
| Pension Plan Benefits .......................................................................................................................................................................... 18 |
| Termination and Change of Control Benefits ...................................................................................................................................... 18 |
| Directors Compensation ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18 |
| Incentive Plan Awards ......................................................................................................................................................................... 19 |
| SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS ....................................................... 20 |
| INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY ............................................................... 20 |
| INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS ...................................................................................... 20 |
| CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES ....................................................................................................................................... 20 |
| AUDIT COMMITTEE ............................................................................................................................................................................ 20 |
| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................................................ 22 |
| SCHEDULE “A” STOCK OPTION PLAN .............................................................................................................................................. 1 |
| SCHEDULE “B” CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES ............................................................................................................ 1 |
| SCHEDULE “C” AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER .............................................................................................................................. 1 |
WATER WAYS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual and special meeting (the " Meeting ") of the holders of the common shares (collectively, the “ Shareholders ” or individually, a “ Shareholder ”) of Water Ways Technologies Inc. (the " Company " or the “ Corporation” ) will be held virtually, by way of a live webcast only (https://meetnow.global/MUVW5JM), on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. (Toronto time)., for the following purposes:
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to receive and consider the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, and the report of the auditor thereon;
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to consider, and if deemed advisable, to pass, an ordinary resolution fixing the board of directors (the “ Board ”) at four members and to authorize the Board, at its sole discretion, to increase the number of directors on the Board from four to five at any time after the Meeting and prior to the next annual meeting of Shareholders;
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to elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;
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to appoint BDO- Ziv Haft Consulting and Management Ltd., as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration;
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to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, an ordinary resolution approving the Company’s stock option plan, as more particularly described in the accompanying management information circular (“ Circular ”);
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to consider and if thought appropriate, to pass with or without variation, a special resolution, authorizing and approving the directors to effect a consolidation (the “ Consolidation ”) of the common shares in the capital of the Corporation (the “ Shares ” or “ Common Shares ”) on the basis of three hundred (300) pre-Consolidation Shares for one (1) post-Consolidation Share, or such other lesser consolidation ratio as determined by the Board at its sole discretion, in one or more tranches during the twelve (12) months immediately following the Meeting, as more particularly described in the accompanying Circular;
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to consider and, if deemed advisable, to pass, with or without variation, an ordinary resolution approving the issuance of 3,594,360 Common Shares to settle an outstanding debt owed to an insider of the Corporation’s subsidiary (at a deemed price of CAD$0.25 per Common Share), as more particularly described in the Circular; and
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to transact such further business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The board of directors of the Company has fixed November 24, 2023, as the Record Date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any adjournment thereof. Accompanying this Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders is the Circular, form of proxy or voting instruction form, and, for Shareholders who had requested such information, a copy of the Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements and the report of the auditor thereon, and management’s discussion and analysis for the financial year ended December 31, 2022.
Consistent with recent past practice, this year’s Meeting will be held in a virtual meeting format only, by way of a live audio webcast. Shareholders will be able to listen, participate and vote at the Meeting in real time through a web-based platform instead of attending the Meeting in person. You can attend the Meeting by joining the live webcast online at https://meetnow.global/MUVW5JM. See “How do I attend and participate at the virtual Meeting?” in the Circular for detailed instructions on how to attend and vote at the Meeting.
If you are a registered shareholder of the Company on the Canadian share register and are unable to attend the Meeting in person, please properly complete, sign, date and return the enclosed form of proxy to the Company's Registrar and Transfer Agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada by mail at: 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, Attention: Proxy Department, or by fax at: wwithin North America 1-866-249-7775 or outside North America 416-263-9524, Attention: Proxy Department. To vote by internet, please access the web site address specified on the form of proxy and follow the online voting instructions. Proxies must be received no later than 6:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on December 27, 2023, or if the Meeting is adjourned or postponed, no later than 48 hours preceding the time of such adjourned or postponed meeting (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays in Toronto, Ontario). You must complete the additional step of registering such proxyholder with Computershare at http://www.computershare.com/WaterWaysTech after submitting your form of proxy in order for such proxyholder to attend and vote at the virtual Meeting.
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If you are a non-registered shareholder of the Company and receive these materials through your broker or through another intermediary, please complete and return the materials in accordance with the instructions provided to you by your broker or such other intermediary. If you are a non-registered shareholder and do not complete and return the materials in accordance with such instructions, you may lose the right to vote at the Meeting.
If you have any questions about the procedures required to qualify to vote at the Meeting or about obtaining, completing and depositing the required form of proxy, you should contact Computershare Trust Company of Canada by telephone at: 1-800-564-6253, or by e- mail at: [email protected].
DATED this 25th day of November 2023.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(Signed) “ Ohad Haber ”
Chief Executive Officer
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WATER WAYS TECHNOLGIES INC.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 29, 2023
This management information circular (the “Circular” or “Information Circular”)) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by management of the Company (“Management”) for use at the annual and special meeting of holders (collectively, the “Shareholders” or individually, a “Shareholder”) in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares” or “Shares”) to be held virtually on Friday, December 29, 2023, at 6:00 a.m. (Toronto time) via teleconference at https://meetnow.global/MUVW5JM and for the purposes set forth below. Except to the extent otherwise stated herein, all information set forth herein is given as of the date hereof, and all dollar amounts set forth herein are stated in Canadian dollars . Information set forth herein as to shareholdings is based upon information supplied by the respective persons holding such Common Shares.
GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION
How do I attend and participate at the virtual Meeting?
How you vote depends on whether you are a registered or a non-registered shareholder. Please read the voting instructions below that are applicable to you.
In order to attend the Meeting, registered shareholders, duly appointed proxyholders (including non-registered shareholders who have duly appointed themselves as proxyholder) and guests (including non-registered shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves as proxyholder) must log in online as set out below.
Step 1: Log in online at https://meetnow.global/MUVW5JM
Step 2: Follow the instructions below:
Registered Shareholders: Click “Shareholder” and then enter your control number.” The control number located on the form of proxy or in the email notification you received from Computershare is your control number. If you use your control number to log in to the Meeting, any vote you cast at the Meeting will revoke any proxy you previously submitted. If you do not wish to revoke a previously submitted proxy, you should not vote at the Meeting.
Duly appointed proxyholders: Click “Invitation” and then enter your invite code Proxyholders who have been duly appointed and registered with Computershare as described in this Circular will receive an invite code by email from Computershare.
Guests: Click “Guest” and then complete the online form.
Registered shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders may ask questions at the Meeting and vote by completing a ballot online during the Meeting. If you plan to vote at the Meeting, it is important that you are connected to the internet at all times during the Meeting in order to vote when balloting commences. It is your responsibility to ensure internet connectivity for the duration of the Meeting. You should allow ample time to log in to the Meeting online and complete the check-in procedures.
Non-registered shareholders who have not duly appointed themselves as proxyholders may listen to the Meeting as guests. Guests will not be permitted to ask questions or vote at the Meeting.
Solicitation of Proxies
The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail, but proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company. The cost of solicitation will be borne by the Company except for the cost of postage required to return the forms of proxy which will be borne by the individual Shareholders.
In accordance with NI 54-101, arrangements have been made with intermediaries or their nominees (collectively, the “ Intermediaries ”) to forward proxy-related materials to Beneficial Shareholders (as defined below) whose Common Shares are held by or in custody of
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such Intermediaries. Intermediaries include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or administrators of self-administered Registered Retirement Savings Plans, Registered Retirement Income Funds, Registered Education Savings Plans and similar plans. Intermediaries are required to forward such proxy-related materials to Beneficial Shareholders unless a Beneficial Shareholder has waived the right to receive them. The Company has elected not to pay for the delivery of the proxy-related materials to Objecting Beneficial Shareholders (as defined below) by the Intermediaries. As such, Objecting Beneficial Shareholders will not receive the proxy-related materials unless the Intermediaries assume the cost of delivery. The Company is sending the proxyrelated materials directly to Non-Objecting Beneficial Shareholders (as defined below), through the services of its transfer agent and registrar, Computershare Trust Company of Canada (“ Computershare Trust ”). The Corporation is not relying on the notice-and-access provisions of securities laws for delivery of the proxy-related materials to Shareholders.
Appointment of Proxies
The individuals named in the form of proxy are officers and/or directors of the Company. A Shareholder has the right to appoint a person (who need not be a Shareholder) to attend the Meeting and act for such Shareholder on his, her or its behalf other than the persons designated in the enclosed form of proxy. Such right may be exercised by inserting in the blank space provided for that purpose the name of the desired person or by completing another proper form of proxy. In either case, a Shareholder may vote its Common Shares by proxy as follows: (a) by mail or delivery to, or deposited at, the offices of Computershare Trust at: 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, Attention: Proxy Department, on behalf of the Company; (b) by fax at: (416) 595-9593; or (c) on the internet by accessing the web site address specified on the form of proxy or voting instruction form (if applicable) and by following the online voting instructions. Voting instructions must be received by no later than 6:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on December 27, 2023, or if the Meeting is adjourned, at the latest 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time set for any reconvened meeting at which the proxy is to be used. If you wish to appoint another person or company to be your proxyholder, you must complete the additional step of registering such proxyholder with Computershare at http://www.computershare.com/Waterways after submitting your form of proxy.
Revocability of Proxy
A Shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it. Proxies given by a Shareholder for use at the Meeting may be revoked prior to their use:
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(a) by depositing an instrument in writing executed by the Shareholder or by such Shareholder’s attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the Shareholder is a Company, by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized indicating the capacity under which such officer or attorney is signing:
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a. at the office of Computershare Trust, on behalf of the Company, at any time up to and including 6:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on December 27, 2023, or if the Meeting is adjourned, at the latest 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time set for any reconvened meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or
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b. with the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof; or
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(b) in any other manner permitted by law.
Exercise of Discretion by Proxy
On any ballot that may be called for at the Meeting, the Common Shares represented by such form of proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the Shareholder appearing on such form of proxy, and, if a choice is specified therein in respect of any matter to be acted upon, will be voted in accordance with the specification made. In the absence of such specification, such Common Shares will be voted FOR such matter.
The form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the person acting as proxy thereunder with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified below and with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting. As at the date hereof, Management knows of no such amendments, variations or any other matters, which may properly come before the Meeting.
Voting by Beneficial Shareholders
Only proxies deposited by Shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of Common Shares or duly appointed proxyholders can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting. The information set forth in this section is therefore of significant importance to a substantial number of Shareholders who do not hold their Common Shares in their own name
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(the “ Beneficial Shareholders ”). If Common Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a Beneficial Shareholder by an Intermediary, then in almost all cases those Common Shares will not be registered in such Beneficial Shareholder’s name on the records of the Company. Such Common Shares will more likely be registered under the name of the Beneficial Shareholder’s Intermediary or an agent of that Intermediary. In Canada, the vast majority of such Common Shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co., as nominee for CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., which acts as a depository for many Canadian Intermediaries. Common Shares held by Intermediaries can only be voted for or against resolutions upon the instructions of the Beneficial Shareholder. Without specific instructions, Intermediaries are prohibited from voting Common Shares for their clients.
Applicable regulatory policy requires Intermediaries to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of shareholders’ meetings. Every Intermediary has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions, which should be carefully followed by Beneficial Shareholders in order to ensure that their Common Shares are voted at the Meeting. Often the form of proxy supplied to a Beneficial Shareholder by its Intermediary is identical to the form of proxy provided by the Company to the Intermediaries. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the Intermediary how to vote on behalf of the Beneficial Shareholder. The majority of Intermediaries now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“ Broadridge ”). Broadridge typically mails the voting instruction forms to the Beneficial Shareholders and asks the Beneficial Shareholders to return the voting instructions forms to Broadridge. Broadridge then tabulates the results of all instructions received and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of Common Shares to be represented at the Meeting. A Beneficial Shareholder receiving a voting instruction form from Broadridge cannot use that form to vote Common Shares directly at the Meeting - the form must be returned to Broadridge well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the Common Shares voted.
Although Beneficial Shareholders may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting Common Shares registered in the name of their Intermediary, a Beneficial Shareholder may attend the Meeting as proxyholder for the Intermediary and vote their Common Shares in that capacity. Beneficial Shareholders who wish to attend the Meeting and indirectly vote their own Common Shares as proxyholder for the Intermediary should enter their own names in the blank space on the voting instruction form provided to them and return the same to their Intermediary (or the agent of such Intermediary) in accordance with the instructions provided by such Intermediary or agent well in advance of the Meeting. Beneficial Shareholders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediaries and their service companies.
All references to Shareholders in this Circular are to Shareholders of record unless specifically stated otherwise.
Note to Non-Objecting Beneficial Shareholders
The proxy-related materials are being sent to both registered Shareholders and Beneficial Shareholders. Beneficial Shareholders fall into two categories – those who object to their identity being made known to the issuers of securities which they own (the “ Objecting Beneficial Shareholders ”) and those who do not object to their identity being made known to the issuers of the securities they own (the “ Non-Objecting Beneficial Shareholders ”). Subject to the provisions of NI 54-101, issuers may request and obtain a list of their NonObjecting Beneficial Shareholders from Intermediaries via their transfer agent in order to distribute proxy-related materials directly to such Non-Objecting Beneficial Shareholders.
The Company or its agent has sent the proxy related materials directly to Non-Objecting Beneficial Shareholders. Such Beneficial Shareholders’ names addresses and information about their holdings of Common Shares have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the Intermediary holding such information on their behalf. By choosing to send proxy-related materials directly to the Non-Objecting Beneficial Shareholders, the Company (and not the Intermediary holding the information on their behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) the delivery of the proxy-related materials, and (ii) the execution of proper voting instructions as specified in the request for voting instructions.
Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof
The Company has fixed the close of business on November 24, 2023, as the record date (the “ Record Date ”) for the purposes of determining Shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Meeting and vote at the Meeting. Shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote in person or by proxy at the Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof (subject in the case of voting by proxy to the timely deposit of a properly completed, signed and dated proxy with Computershare as specified herein and in the notice of Meeting).
The authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares, of which 148,785,345 are issued and outstanding as at the Record Date. Each Common Share carries the right to one vote per Common Share. No other voting securities are issued and outstanding as of the Record Date. The quorum required for the Meeting is two persons who are, or who represent by proxy, shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 5% of the issued Common Shares entitled to be voted at the Meeting.
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Except as set forth below, to the knowledge of Management and the directors, as at the date hereof, no person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, more than ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Common Shares:
| Number of Shares Owned | ||
|---|---|---|
| (Percentage of Class and Type of Ownership) | ||
| Name | Common Shares Percentage of Voting Rights |
|
| Ohad Haber | 50,354,000 33.84% |
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Except as otherwise set out herein, to the best of Management's knowledge, no director or executive officer of the Company, or any person who has held such a position since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, nor any proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company, nor 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 matter to be acted upon at the Meeting.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
1. Audited Financial Statements
The financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, and the report of the auditor thereon will be presented before the Meeting. The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, the report of the auditor thereon and management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, were mailed to Shareholders of the Company who had requested a copy.
2. Fixing the Number of Directors
Management is seeking Shareholder approval of a resolution fixing the number of members to the board of directors (the “ Board ”) at four and to authorize the Board, at its sole discretion, to increase the number of directors on the Board from four to five at any time after the Meeting and prior to the next annual meeting of Shareholders.
The Board and Management are recommending that the Shareholders vote FOR fixing the number of directors. In order to approve the number of directors, the following ordinary resolutions must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. The complete text of the resolutions which Management intends to place before the Meeting for approval, with or without modification, are as follows:
“IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, THAT:
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(1) the number of directors be fixed at four and that the directors be authorized, at their sole discretion, to increase the number of directors from four to five at any time after the Meeting and prior to the next annual meeting of Shareholders; and
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(2) any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized for, on behalf of, and in the name of the Company to do and perform or cause to be done or performed all such things, to take or cause to be taken all such actions, to execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such agreements, documents and instruments, contemplated by, necessary or desirable in connection with fixing the number of directors and the foregoing resolution, as may be required from time to time and contemplated and required in connection therewith, or as such director or officer in his or her discretion may consider necessary, advisable or appropriate in order to give effect to the intent and purposes of the foregoing resolution, and the doing of such things, the taking of such actions and the execution of such agreements, documents and instruments shall be conclusive evidence that the same have been authorized and approved hereby.”
COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY PROXIES IN FAVOUR OF MANAGEMENT WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF FIXING THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS AT FOUR (AND TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS ON THE BOARD FROM FOUR TO FIVE AT ANY TIME AFTER THE MEETING AND PRIOR TO THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS), UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER HAS SPECIFIED IN THE PROXY THAT HIS, HER OR ITS OWN SHARES ARE TO BE WITHHELD FROM VOTING IN RESPECT THEREOF.
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3. Election of Directors
Four directors are to be elected at the Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of the shareholders or until their respective successors are duly appointed. All of the following persons whose names are set out below have been nominated by the Board for election as directors at the Meeting. The term of office of all present directors of the Company expires when new directors have been elected at the Meeting.
Pursuant to the Advance Notice Policy previously adopted by the Board on November 28,2021 and ratified at the Annual and Special Meeting of the shareholders held on December 29, 2021, any additional director nominations for the Meeting must have been received by the Company in compliance with the Advance Notice Policy. If no such nominations were received by the Company prior to such date, Management’s nominees for election as directors set forth below shall be the only nominees eligible to stand for election at the Meeting.
The following tables set out certain information as of the date hereof with respect to the persons being nominated at the Meeting for election as directors.
| Name and | Other Offices held | Number of Common | ||
| Director | ||||
| Province of | with the | Current Principal Occupation(1) | Shares Beneficially | |
| since | ||||
| Residence | Company | Owned or Controlled(2) | ||
| Ohad Haber(5) Givat Ela, Israel |
Director and Chief Executive Officer |
CEO of the Company | March 2019 | 50,354,000 |
| Ronnie Jaegermann(4)(3) Ramat Hasharon, Israel |
Director | Partner at Exiteam | March 2019 | 1,305,593 |
| Yehuda Doron(3)(6) Tel-Aviv, Israel |
Director | Partner at Medton Hedim, a hearing aid retail chain |
March 2019 | 400,000 |
| Nitin Kaushal(3)(6) Ontario, Canada |
Director | Board member at: Viemed Inc., Delta Nine, FSD Pharma Inc, Hightide Inc, Flower One, PsyBio Therapeutics |
January 2022 | - |
Notes:
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(1) The information as to principal occupation, business or employment of the nominees is not within the knowledge of the management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees.
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(2) The information as to Common Shares beneficially owned or controlled is not within the knowledge of the management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees. Information regarding voting securities held does not include voting securities issuable upon the exercise of options, warrants or other convertible securities of the Company.
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(3) Member of the Audit Committee.
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(4) Mr. Jaegermann also holds 500,000 Options (200,000 Options were granted in 2019 and are exercisable at $0.25, 200,000 Options were granted in 2020 and are exercisable at $0.06 and 100,000 Options were granted in 2021 and are exercisable at $0.195). Each of these Options expires five years after their grant.
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(5) Mr. Haber also holds 700,000 Options (200,000 Options were granted in 2019 and are exercisable at $0.25, 200,000 Options were granted in 2020 and are exercisable at $0.06 and 300,000 Options were granted in 2021 and are exercisable at $0.195. Each of these Options expires five years after their grant.
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(6) Member of the Compensation Committee.
Corporate Cease Trade Orders
No proposed director is, as at the date of this Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date of this Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Corporation) that:
- (a) was subject to 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 applicable securities legislation, and which in all cases was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days (an “ Order ”), which Order was issued while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of such company; or
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- (b) 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 director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of such company.
The foregoing information, not being within the knowledge of the Corporation, has been furnished by the proposed director.
Bankruptcies, or Penalties or Sanctions
To the knowledge of the Corporation, no proposed director:
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(a) is, as at the date of this Circular, or has been within 10 years before the date of this Circular, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Corporation) 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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(b) has, within 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 his assets;
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(c) 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; or
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(d) has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.
The foregoing information, not being within the knowledge of the Corporation, has been furnished by the proposed directors.
THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY PERMITS SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE FOR EACH NOMINEE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY PROXIES IN FAVOUR OF MANAGEMENT WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF EACH OF THE PROPOSED NOMINEES UNLESS A SHAREHOLDER HAS SPECIFIED IN HIS, HER OR ITS PROXY THAT HIS, HER OR ITS COMMON SHARES ARE TO BE WITHHELD FROM VOTING IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR NOMINEE OR NOMINEES. MANAGEMENT DOES NOT CONTEMPLATE THAT ANY OF SUCH NOMINEES WILL BE UNABLE TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS. 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 NOMINEES WILL BE VOTED FOR ANOTHER NOMINEE IN THEIR DISCRETION UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER HAS SPECIFIED IN HIS, HER OR ITS PROXY THAT HIS, HER OR ITS COMMON SHARES ARE TO BE WITHHELD FROM VOTING IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR NOMINEE OR NOMINEES .
4. Appointment of Auditor
The directors of the Company propose to nominate BDO- Ziv Haft Consulting and Management Ltd., for appointment as the auditor of the Company to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders. The Board reviews the annual audit fees and considers the issue of auditor independence in the context of all services provided to the Company. BDO- Ziv Haft Consulting and Management Ltd., was first appointed as auditor effective June 12, 2019.
COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY PROXIES IN FAVOUR OF MANAGEMENT WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO- ZIV HAFT CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT LTD., AS AUDITOR OF THE COMPANY AND THE AUTHORIZING OF THE DIRECTORS TO FIX THEIR REMUNERATION, UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER HAS SPECIFIED IN THE PROXY THAT HIS, HER OR ITS OWN SHARES ARE TO BE WITHHELD FROM VOTING IN RESPECT THEREOF.
5. Approval of the Stock Option Plan Resolution
As the Company’s stock option plan (the “ Stock Option Plan ”) provides for a rolling maximum number of Common Shares which may be issuable upon the exercise of options granted under the Stock Option Plan. Policy 4.4 – Incentive Stock Options of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “ Exchange ”) requires that the Stock Option Plan receive shareholder approval each year at the annual shareholders’
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meeting. Accordingly, at the Meeting Shareholders will be asked to consider, and if deemed appropriate, to approve, with or without variation, a resolution approving the Stock Option Plan. A copy of the Stock Option Plan is attached as Schedule “A” to the Circular.
Summary of the Stock Option Plan
The following summary of the Stock Option Plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Stock Option Plan which has been amended from the Company’s existing stock option plan (See “ Stock Option Plan Amendments ”). For the purposes of this Section, terms not defined herein shall have the meaning attributed to them in the Stock Option Plan.
The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to attract, retain and motivate directors, officers, employees and consultants (the “ Option Plan Eligible Persons ” or “ Participants ”) by providing them with the opportunity, through stock options, to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and benefit from its growth.
Subject to the discretion of the Board, if any Option Plan Eligible Person ceases to be an Option Plan Eligible Persons for any reason, other than for cause or death, the options held by such person will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiry date of the option; and (ii) ninety (90) days from the date such person ceases to be an Option Plan Eligible Person. The Option Plan Eligible Person may exercise any option issued under the Stock Option Plan that is then exercisable at any time within that period unless an existing agreement between the Option Plan Eligible Person and the Company provides for a different period.
In the event that an Option Plan Eligible Person ceases to be an Option Plan Eligible Person because of termination for cause, the options of the Option Plan Eligible Person not exercised at such time shall immediately be cancelled on the date of such termination. In the event of the death of a Participant during the term of the Option Plan Eligible Person’s option, the option theretofore granted to the Option Plan Eligible Person shall be exercisable by the Option Plan Eligible Person’s heirs or administrators within the period of one (1) year succeeding the Option Plan Eligible Person’s death.
The terms of the Stock Option Plan prevail over the terms of any other agreement between the Option Plan Eligible Person and the Company regarding termination provisions.
Stock Option Plan Amendments
The Stock Option Plan provides for the following updated definitions:
“ Consultant ” means an individual (other than a director, officer or employee of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries) or company that: (a) is engaged to provide on an ongoing bona fide basis, consulting, technical, management or other services to the Company or to any of its subsidiaries, other than services provided in relation to a distribution of securities; (b) provides the services under a written contract between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and the individual or the company, as the case may be; and (c) in the reasonable opinion of the Company, spends or will spend a significant amount of time and attention on the affairs and business of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries;
“ Insider ” means a director or an officer of the Company, (b) a director or an officer of a company that is itself an Insider or a subsidiary of the Company; (c) a company or an individual (“ Person ”) that has (i) beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, directly or indirectly, or (ii) a combination of beneficial ownership of, and control or direction over, directly or indirectly, securities of the Company carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all the Company’s outstanding voting securities, excluding, for the purpose of the calculation of the percentage held, any securities held by the Person as underwriter in the course of a distribution; or (d) the Company if it has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired a security of its own issue, for so long as it continues to hold that security;
“ Investor Relation Activities ” means any activities, by or on behalf of the Company or a Shareholder, that promote or reasonably could be expected to promote the purchase or sale of securities of the Company, but does not include (a) the dissemination of information provided, or records prepared, in the ordinary course of business of the Company: (i) to promote the sale of products or services of the Company, or (ii) to raise public awareness of the Company, that cannot reasonably be considered to promote the purchase or sale of securities of the Company; (b) activities or communications necessary to comply with the requirements of: (i) applicable securities laws; (ii) TSX Venture Exchange (“ TSXV ” or the “ Exchange ”) requirements or the by-laws, rules or other regulatory instruments of any other self regulatory body or exchange having jurisdiction over the Company; (c) communications by a publisher of, or writer for, a newspaper, magazine or business or financial publication, that is of general and regular paid circulation, distributed only to subscribers to it for value or to purchasers of it, if: (i) the communication is only through the newspaper, magazine or publication, and (ii) the publisher or writer receives no commission or other consideration other than for acting in the capacity of publisher or writer; or (d) activities or communications that may be otherwise specified by the Exchange.
“ Security Based Compensation Plan ” means any other compensation or incentive mechanism involving the issuance or potential issuance of securities of the Company from treasury to a Participant;
“ Trading Day ” means a day when trading occurs through the facilities of the Exchange; and
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“ VWAP ” means the volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the Exchange calculated by dividing the total value by the total volume of such securities traded for the five Trading Days immediately preceding the exercise of the subject Option.
Additionally, the Stock Option Plan has been amended to provide that:
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(a) The maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued to:
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(i) any Consultant in any twelve (12) month period under the Stock Option Plan may be no more than two percent (2%) of the number of Common Shares outstanding, on a non-diluted basis, at the time of grant, as confirmed by the transfer agent and registrar for the Common Shares (the “ Outstanding Shares ”) of the Corporation; and
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(ii) all Participants conducting Investor Relations Activities for the Corporation in any twelve (12) month period may be, in aggregate, no more than two percent (2%) of the Outstanding Shares of the Corporation,
less the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance or issuable under any other Security Based Compensation Plan of the Corporation.
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(b) Unless the Corporation has received the requisite the approval of disinterested shareholders of the Corporation voting at a duly called and held meeting of such shareholders;
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(i) the maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued to any individual in any twelve (12) month period under the Stock Option Plan may be no more than five percent (5%) of the Outstanding Shares of the Corporation, less the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance or issuable under any other Security Based Compensation Plan of the Corporation;
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(ii) the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to Insiders (as a group) under the Plan and any other Security Based Compensation may be no more than ten percent (10%) of the Outstanding Shares of the Corporation at any point in time, and
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(iii) the aggregate number of Common Shares for issuance to Insiders (as a group) in any twelve (12) month period under the Plan and any other Security Based Compensation may be no more than ten percent (10%) of the Outstanding Shares of the Corporation calculated as at the date of grant or issued to any Insider.
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(c) Options, but excluding options held by a Participant engaged in Investor Relations Activities, may be exercised without the Participant making any cash payment so the Corporation does not receive any cash from the exercise of the subject Options, and instead the Participant receives only the number of underlying Shares that is the equal to the quotient obtained by dividing: i. the product of the number of options being exercised multiplied by the difference between the VWAP of the underlying Shares and the exercise price of the subject options; by
- ii. the VWAP of the underlying Common Shares.
Approval of the Stock Option Plan
The Board and Management are recommending that the shareholders vote FOR the approval of the Stock Option Plan. In order to approve the Stock Option Plan, the following ordinary resolutions must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. The complete text of the resolutions which Management intends to place before the Meeting for approval, with or without modification, is as follows:
“IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, THAT:
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(1) the Stock Option Plan, in the form as set forth in Schedule “A” to the Circular, be and is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved; and
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(2) any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized for, on behalf of, and in the name of the Company to do and perform or cause to be done or performed all such things, to take or cause to be taken all such actions, to execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such agreements, documents and instruments, contemplated by, necessary or desirable in connection with the Stock Option Plan and the foregoing resolutions, as may be required from time to time and contemplated and required in connection therewith, or as such director or officer in his or her discretion may consider necessary, advisable or appropriate in order to give effect to the intent and purposes of the foregoing resolutions, and the doing of such things, the taking of such actions and the execution of such agreements, documents and instruments shall be conclusive evidence that the same have been authorized and approved hereby.”
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COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY PROXIES IN FAVOUR OF MANAGEMENT WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF THE RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE STOCK OPTION PLAN IN THE ABSENCE OF DIRECTION TO THE CONTRARY FROM THE SHAREHOLDER APPOINTING THEM.
6. Consolidation
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if thought fit, pass a special resolution (the “ Consolidation Resolution ”) authorizing the Board to elect, in its discretion, to direct the Company to file articles of amendment (“ Articles of Amendment ”) to amend the Company’s articles in order to consolidate the Company’s issued Common Shares into a lesser number of issued Common Shares on a ratio to be determined by the Board but within the range of one (1) post- consolidation Common Share for every three hundred (300) old Common Shares (the “ Consolidation ”).
Background to and Reasons for the Share Consolidation
The Consolidation ratios are being suggested by the Board in order to provide it with the flexibility to implement the Consolidation in a manner designed to optimize the anticipated benefits of the Consolidation to the Company and its shareholders. In determining which precise Consolidation ratio within the range of ratios to implement, if any, following the receipt of shareholder approval, the Board may consider, among other things, factors such as:
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the historical trading prices and trading volume of the Shares,
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the then prevailing trading price and trading volume of the Shares and the anticipated impact of the Consolidation on the trading of the Company’s Shares,
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threshold prices of brokerage houses or institutional investors that could impact their ability to invest or recommend investments in the Shares,
-
minimum listing requirements of the TSXV,
-
prevailing general market and economic conditions and outlook for the trading of the Shares.
The Board is of the opinion that it may be in the Company and its shareholders best interests to consolidate the Shares as an increase in the price per Share could increase the interest of institutional and other investors in the Company’s Shares and may expand the pool of investors that may consider investing in the Company. For example, certain institutional investors may have policies that prohibit them from purchasing stock below a minimum price and a Consolidation may help to attract such investors.
Although approval for the Consolidation is being sought at the Meeting and, if approved, the Consolidation would not become effective until the Board determines it to be the shareholders best interests and the Articles of Amendment are filed to implement the Consolidation. The special resolution will also authorize the Board to elect not to proceed with, and abandon, the Consolidation at any time if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Consolidation is not the shareholders best interests. The Consolidation is subject to shareholder approval and acceptance by the TSXV.
Effects of the Share Consolidation General
General
If the Consolidation is implemented, its principal effect will be to proportionately decrease the number of issued and outstanding shares by a factor equal to the consolidation ratio. At the close of business on November 24, 2023, the closing price of the shares on the TSXV was $0.035 per Common Share, and there were 148,785,345 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Based on the number of shares issued and outstanding on November 23, 2023, immediately following the completion of the Share Consolidation, for illustrative purposes only, (i) assuming a Consolidation ratio of one (1) for two (2), the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding (disregarding any resulting fractional shares) will be approximately 74,392,672 Common Shares; and (ii) assuming a Share Consolidation ratio of one (1) for ten (10), the number of shares issued and outstanding (disregarding any resulting fractional shares) will be approximately 14,878,534 Common Shares.
The Company does not expect the Consolidation itself to have any economic effect on holders of Common Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable to acquire Common Shares, except to the extent the Share Consolidation will result in fractional Common Shares. See “ No Fractional Shares ” below.
Voting rights and other rights of the holders of Common Shares prior to the implementation of the Consolidation will not be affected by the Consolidation, other than as a result of the creation and disposition of fractional Common Shares as described below. For example,
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a holder of 2% of the voting power attached to the outstanding Common Shares immediately prior to the implementation of the Consolidation will generally continue to hold 2% of the voting power attached to the Common Shares immediately after the implementation of the Consolidation. The number of registered Shareholders will not be affected by the Consolidation.
The Consolidation may result in some Shareholders owning “odd lots” of fewer than 100 Common Shares. Odd lot Common Shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots may be higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 Common Shares. The Board believes, however, that these potential effects are outweighed by the anticipated benefits of the Share Consolidation.
Effect on Beneficial Shareholders
Beneficial Shareholders (i.e. non-registered Shareholders) holding Common Shares through an intermediary (a securities broker, dealer, bank or financial institution) should be aware that the intermediary may have different procedures for processing the Consolidation than those that will be put in place by the Company for registered Shareholders. If Shareholders hold their Common Shares through an intermediary and they have questions in this regard, they are encouraged to contact their intermediaries.
Effect on Stock Options, RSUs
Subject to TSXV approval, where required:
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The exercise or conversion price and/or the number of Common Shares issuable under any of the Company’s outstanding stock options will be proportionately adjusted upon the implementation of the Consolidation
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The number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Stock Option Plan will be proportionately reduced.
Effect on Share Certificates
If the Consolidation is approved by shareholders and subsequently implemented, those registered shareholders who will hold at least one new post-Share Consolidation share will be required to exchange their share certificates representing old pre- Consolidation shares for new share certificates representing new post- Consolidation shares or, alternatively, a Direct Registration System (a DRS) Advice/Statement representing the number of new post- Consolidation shares they hold following the Consolidation. The DRS is an electronic registration system which allows shareholders to hold shares in their name in book-based form, as evidenced by a DRS Advice/Statement rather than a physical share certificate.
If the Consolidation is implemented, the Company or its transfer agent will mail to each registered shareholder a letter of transmittal. Each registered shareholder must complete and sign a letter of transmittal after the Share Consolidation takes effect. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how to surrender to the transfer agent the certificate(s) representing the registered shareholder's old pre- Consolidation shares. The transfer agent will send to each registered shareholder who follows the instructions provided in the letter of transmittal a new share certificate representing the number of new post- Consolidation shares to which the registered shareholder is entitled rounded up or down to the nearest whole number or, alternatively, a DRS Advice/Statement representing the number of new post- Consolidation shares the registered shareholder holds following the Consolidation. Beneficial shareholders (i.e., non-registered shareholders) who hold their shares through intermediaries (securities brokers, dealers, banks, financial institutions, etc.) and who have questions regarding how the Consolidation will be processed should contact their intermediaries with respect to the Share Consolidation. See " Effect on Beneficial Shareholders " above.
Until surrendered to the transfer agent, each share certificate representing old pre-Share Consolidation shares will be deemed for all purposes to represent the number of new post-Share Consolidation shares to which the registered shareholder is entitled as a result of the Share Consolidation. Until registered Shareholders have returned their properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and surrendered their old share certificate(s) for exchange, registered shareholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions, if any, that may be declared and payable to holders of record following the Share Consolidation.
Any registered shareholder whose old certificate(s) have been lost, destroyed or stolen will be entitled to a replacement share certificate only after complying with the requirements that the Company and its transfer agent customarily apply in connection with lost, stolen or destroyed certificates.
The method chosen for delivery of share certificates and letters of transmittal to our transfer agent is the responsibility of the registered shareholder and neither the Company nor its transfer agent will have any liability in respect of share certificates and/or letters of transmittal which are not actually received by the transfer agent.
REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NEITHER DESTROY NOR SUBMIT ANY SHARE CERTIFICATE UNTIL HAVING RECEIVED A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
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No Fractional Shares
No fractional Common Shares will be issued pursuant to the Consolidation. In lieu of any such fractional Shares, each registered Shareholder of the Company otherwise entitled to a fractional Common Share following the implementation of the Consolidation will receive the nearest whole number of post-Share Consolidation Common Shares. For example, any fractional interest representing less than 0.5 of a post- Consolidation Common Share will not entitle the holder thereof to receive a post- Consolidation Common Share and any fractional interest representing 0.5 or more of a post- Consolidation Common Share will entitle the holder thereof to receive one whole post- Consolidation Common Share. In calculating such fractional interests, all Common Shares registered in the name of each registered Shareholder will be aggregated.
Accounting Consequences
If the Consolidation is implemented, net income or loss per Common Share, and other per Common Share amounts, will be increased because there will be fewer Common Shares issued and outstanding. In future financial statements, net income or loss per Common Share and other per Common Share amounts for periods ending before the Share Consolidation took effect would be recast to give retroactive effect to the Share Consolidation.
For the reasons outlined above, the Board believes that obtaining Shareholder approval at the Meeting to implement the Consolidation is in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders.
Share Consolidation Resolution
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, approve the Consolidation Resolution authorizing the Board to elect, in its discretion, to file Articles of Amendment giving effect to the Consolidation. The Consolidation Resolution is a special resolution and, as such, requires approval by not less than two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the votes cast by the Shareholders present, or represented by proxy, at the Meeting. The full text of the Consolidation Resolution which Management intends to place before the Meeting for approval, with or without modification, is as follows: is as follows:
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“IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED THAT, as a special resolution of the shareholders of the Company, that:
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(1) the Company be and it is hereby authorized to file articles of amendment under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) to amend its articles (the “ Amending Articles ”) to change the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (Common Shares) by consolidating the issued and outstanding Common Shares on the basis of up to one (1) new postconsolidation Common Share for up to every three hundred (300) pre-consolidation Common Shares and no less than one (1) new post-consolidation Common Share for every two (2) pre-consolidation Common Shares, in one or more tranches during the twelve (12) months immediately following the Meeting, such amendment to become effective at a date in the future to be determined by the board of directors when the board of directors considers it to be in the best interests of the Company to implement such a Share Consolidation, but in any event not later than one year after the date on which this resolution is approved, subject to approval of the TSXV;
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(2) the Amending Articles giving effect to the Share Consolidation will provide that no fractional Common Shares will be issued in connection with the Share Consolidation and that the number of post-consolidation Common Shares to be received by a registered shareholder will be rounded up, in the case of a fractional interest that is 0.5 or greater, or rounded down, in the case of a fractional interest that is less than 0.5, to the nearest whole number of Common Shares that such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive upon the implementation of the Share Consolidation;
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(3) notwithstanding that this special resolution has been duly adopted by the shareholders of the Company, the board of directors of the Company be and it is hereby authorized, in its sole discretion, to revoke this special resolution in whole or in part at any time prior to its being given effect without further notice to, or approval of, the shareholders of the Company; and
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(4) any director or any officer of the Company be, and each of them is hereby, authorized and directed for and in the name and on behalf of the Company, to execute and deliver such notices and documents, including, without limitation, the articles of amendment to the Registrar under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), and to do such acts and things as in the opinion of that person, may be necessary or desirable to give effect to this special resolution, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery of such documents or the doing of any such act or thing.”
COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY PROXIES IN FAVOUR OF MANAGEMENT WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF THE CONSOLIDATION RESOLUTION IN THE ABSENCE OF DIRECTION TO THE CONTRARY FROM THE SHAREHOLDER APPOINTING THEM.
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7. Issuance of Shares
On October 2, 2020 the Company entered into an agreement (the " Sino Agreement ") for the formation of its subsidiary IRRI – ALTAL (Shanghai) Agriculture Technology Co., Limited (“ Irri Shanghai ”). Pursuant to the Sino Agreement the parties agreed that in consideration for 50% of Irri Shanghai (the " Chinese Shares "), the Company would issue, at the discretion of the Board at some time in the future post October 2, 2020, to its Chinese partner in Irri Shanghai (the " Vendor "), Common Shares equal to US$700,000:CAD$898,590 (the " Aggregate Consideration ") at a price per Common Share of CAD$0.25, equalling a total 3,594,360 Common Shares (the " Subject Shares "). The Company reported the obligation to issue the Subject Shares as a contingent liability on its financial statements. The Company now wishes to advise that the Board has determined to issue the Subject Shares. Post the Sino Agreement, the Vendor became an officer of Irri Shanghai and therefore the Vendor is deemed an “Insider” (as such term is defined by the TSXV . The TSXV has provided approval to the issuance of the Subject Shares (the “ Issuance ”) conditional on receipt of requisite shareholder approval at the Meeting.
Pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 “ Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (" MI 61-101 "), the Issuance constitutes a "related party transaction" due to the fact that the Vendor is an officer of Irri Shanghai. The Company is relying on Section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the Issuance does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.
Approval of the Issuance
The Board and Management are recommending that the shareholders vote FOR the approval of the Issuance. In order to approve the Issuance, the following ordinary resolutions (the “ Issuance Resolutions ”) must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by those Shareholders who are not Shareholders who will receive a benefit from the Issuance (such benefit receiving Shareholders the “ Interested Shareholders ”) present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. This means that Interested Shareholders entitled to receive a benefit under the Issuance are not eligible to vote their securities in respect of the Issuance Resolutions. As such, an aggregate of zero Common Shares will not be eligible to vote on the Issuance Resolution. The complete text of the resolutions which Management intends to place before the Meeting for approval, with or without modification, is as follows:
-
(1) the Issuance of the Subject Shares is hereby authorized and approved; and
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(2) any director or officer of the Company is hereby authorized for, on behalf of, and in the name of the Company to do and perform or cause to be done or performed all such things, to take or cause to be taken all such actions, to execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such agreements, documents and instruments, contemplated by, necessary or desirable in connection with the foregoing resolutions, as may be required from time to time and contemplated and required in connection therewith, or as such director or officer in his or her discretion may consider necessary, advisable or appropriate in order to give effect to the intent and purposes of the foregoing resolutions, and the doing of such things, the taking of such actions and the execution of such agreements, documents and instruments shall be conclusive evidence that the same have been authorized and approved hereby.”
COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY PROXIES IN FAVOUR OF MANAGEMENT WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF THE ISSUANCE RESOLUTIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF DIRECTION TO THE CONTRARY FROM THE SHAREHOLDER APPOINTING THEM.
8. Other Business
While there is no other business other than outlined above to be presented to the shareholders at the Meeting, it is intended the proxies herby solicited will be exercised upon any other matters and proposals which may properly come before the Meeting, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof, in accordance with the discretion of the persons authorized to act thereunder.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Company’s compensation policies are based on the principles that compensation should, to a significant extent, be reflective of the financial performance of the Company, and that a significant portion of executive officers’ and directors’ compensation should provide long-term incentives. The Board and compensation committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”) seeks to have compensation of the Company’s directors and executive officers set at levels that are sufficiently competitive so that the Company may
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attract, retain and motivate highly qualified directors and executive officers to contribute to the Company’s success. In assessing the overall compensation for directors and executive officers, the Board and Compensation Committee considers the Company’s performance, relative stockholder return and industry position, general industry data, and awards given to the Company’s executive officers in past years. It is the general compensation philosophy of the Company to provide a blend of base salaries/consulting fees, incentive bonuses and equity-based compensation.
Elements of Compensation
Base Salary/Consulting Fees
Each Named Executive Officer (as defined below) receives a fee, which constitutes a significant portion of the Named Executive Officer’s compensation package. Consulting fees are paid for discharging day-to-day duties and responsibilities and reflects the Named Executive Officer’s performance over time, as well as that individual’s particular experience and qualifications. A Named Executive Officer’s fee is reviewed by the Compensation Committee from time to time.
Incentive Bonus
Incentive bonuses, in the form of cash payments, are designed to add a variable component of compensation based on corporate and individual performances for each officer and employee. Both individual and corporate performances are also taken into account. No bonuses were paid to the Named Executive Officer during the most recently completed financial year.
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company’s directors, officers, employees and consultants are eligible under the Stock Option Plan to receive grants of stock options. The Stock Option Plan is an important part of the Company’s long-term incentive strategy for its officers and directors, permitting them to participate in appreciation of the market value of the Common Shares over a stated period of time. The Stock Option Plan is intended to reinforce commitment to long-term growth in profitability and shareholder value.
The Board believes that the Stock Option Plan aligns the interests of the Named Executive Officers and the Board with shareholders by linking a component of executive compensation to the longer term performance of the Common Shares.
Compensation Risk
The Board has not formally considered the implications of risks associated with the Company’s compensation policies and practices as, in their view, the current structure of the Company’s executive compensation arrangements is focussed on long-term value and is designed to correlate to the long-term performance of the Company, which includes but is not limited to performance of its share price.
Financial Instruments
Except as may be prohibited by law, the Named Executive Officers and directors are not currently prohibited from purchasing financial instruments, such as prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars or units of exchange funds, that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by a Named Executive Officer or director. To the Company’s knowledge, no executive officer or director of the Company has entered into or purchased such a financial instrument. The Company’s Insider Trading Policy stipulates that insiders of the Company are prohibited from short-selling the securities of the Company for the purpose of realizing the short-term profits.
Share-based and option-based Awards
As discussed above, the Stock Option Plan is maintained for the directors, officers, consultants and employees of the Company and any present and future subsidiary of the Company. The CEO will make initial recommendations to the Compensation Committee on the setting of option grants, taking into account the seniority and contribution of the individuals eligible for the grants and the number of previously granted stock options. The Compensation Committee will then recommend to the Board for approval all incentive compensation for the executives of the Company, based on both individual and Company performance in any given year, and will take into consideration the levels of compensation paid to persons in the same or similar management positions at comparable companies, in making such recommendations.
Option-based Awards
Pursuant to the Stock Option Plan, an option exercise price cannot be less than the closing price of the Common Shares on the Exchange on the last trading day preceding the option grant. The purchase price for the Common Shares under each option shall be determined by the Compensation Committee. The maximum term is ten (10) years. There are no specific vesting provisions under the Stock Option Plan. Options are non-assignable and non-transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. As at the date hereof, there are 5,583,527 stock options outstanding under the Stock Option Plan, which represents approximately 41% of the Common Shares
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reserved for issuance under the Stock Option Plan. Please see “Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval of the Stock Option Plan” below, for a summary of the Stock Option Plan.
Compensation Governance
In order to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to compensation matters, the Board has established the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is composed of Messers. Doron and Kaushal, all of whom are independent as such term is defined in National Instrument 58-101, Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“ NI 58-101 ”).
The Compensation Committee meets at least once a year to, amongst other things, review and approve the Company’s goals and objectives relating to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, evaluate the performance of the Company’s executive officers in light of such goals and objectives, and set the compensation level, perquisites and other benefits of the Company’s executive officers. The Compensation Committee is given the authority to engage and compensate any outside advisor that it determines to be necessary to carry out its duties.
As a whole, the members of the Compensation Committee have direct experience and skills relevant to their responsibilities in executive compensation, including with respect to enabling the Compensation Committee in making informed decisions on the suitability of the Company’s compensation policies and practices. Each of the members of the Compensation Committee has experience on the board of directors and related committees of other public companies.
Neither the Board nor the Compensation Committee has, at any time since the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, retained a compensation consultant or advisor to assist the Board or the Compensation Committee in determining the compensation for any of the Company’s executive officers’ or directors’ compensation.
Summary Compensation Table – Named Executive Officers
Set out below are particulars of compensation paid to the following persons (the “ Named Executive Officers ”):
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(a) the Company's Chief Executive Officer (“ CEO ”);
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(b) the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (“ CFO ”);
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(c) the Company's three most highly compensated executive officers, other than the CEO and CFO, who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2022, and whose total compensation was more than $150,000 for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, of which there is one; and
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(d) each individual who would be a named executive officer under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was neither an executive officer of the Company, nor acting in a similar capacity, at the end of the most recently completed financial year, of which there are none.
During the financial year ended December 31, 2022, the Company had three Named Executive Officers, being Ohad Haber (CEO), Amir Eylon (VP Operations and Projects) and Dor Sneh (CFO).
The following table is a summary of compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers for the three most recently completed financial years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, 2020:
| Name and principal position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Share- based awards ($) |
Option- based awards ($) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) |
Pension |
All other compens |
Total compens ation ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual incentive plans |
|||||||||
| Long- |
value |
ation | |||||||
| term |
($) | ($) | |||||||
| incentive plans(2) |
|||||||||
| Ohad Haber, CEO Meira Zada, CFO Guy Nathanzon, CFO |
2020 2021 2022 2020 2021 |
214,602 185,264 215,174 132,630 54,200 |
Nil 54,000 Nil Nil 13,500 |
12,000 58,500 Nil 6,000 29,250 |
Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil |
41,318 40,593 43,032 37,981 11,501 |
Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil |
267,920 338,357 258,206 176,611 108,451 |
16
| Name and principal position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Share- based awards ($) |
Option- based awards ($) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) |
Pension |
All other compens |
Total compens ation ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual incentive plans |
|||||||||
| Long- |
value |
ation | |||||||
| term |
($) | ($) | |||||||
| incentive plans(2) |
|||||||||
| Dor Sneh, CFO(1) Amir Eylon, Vice President of Operations and Projects |
2021 2022 2020 2021 2022 |
119,014 151,110 138,004 52,509 52,414 |
6,750 Nil Nil 13,500 Nil |
19,500 Nil Nil 39,000 Nil |
Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil 186,090 Nil |
28,343 40,827 29,120 11,893 11,972 |
Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil |
173,607 191,937 167,124 302,992 64,386 |
Notes:
(1) Mr. Sneh was appointed as a Chief Financial Officer of on August 28, 2021. Prior to his appointment, he was acting as the Company's controller and the compensation figures in the table above reflect this structure.
(2) The Long Term Incentive plan relates to bonus paid as a commission in respect of sales during the applicable period.
Incentive Plan Awards
Outstanding share-based awards and option-based awards
The following table is a summary of option awards granted to the Named Executive Officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2022:
| Name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option-based Awards | ||||
| Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) |
Option exercise price ($) |
Option expiration date |
Value of unexercised in-the-money options ($) as of December 31, 2022(1) |
|
| Ohad Haber Ohad Haber Ohad Haber Dor Sneh Amir Eylon Amir Eylon |
200,000 200,000 300,000 100,000 200,000 2,100,000 |
0.25 0.06 0.195 0.195 0.195 0.06 |
04/03/2024 13/05/2025 28/8/2026 28/8/2026 28/8/2026 23/06/2024 |
- 15,000 - - - 157,500 |
Notes:
(1) Calculated based on the difference between the closing price of CAD$0.135 per common share as at December 31, 2022, and the exercise price of the options, multiplied by the number of unexercised options.
Value Vested or Earned During the Year ended December 31, 2022
| Name | Option – based awards – Value vested during the year ($) |
Share-based awards – Value vested during the year ($) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation – Value earned during the year ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohad Haber | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Dor Sneh | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Amir Eylon | Nil | Nil | Nil |
17
Pension Plan Benefits
No benefits were paid, and no benefits are proposed to be paid to any of the Named Executive Officers under any pension or retirement plan except for the above mentioned pension value.
Termination and Change of Control Benefits
The Corporation has entered into employment agreements with each of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
Ohad Haber
The executive employment agreement of Ohad Haber (the “ Ohad Agreement ”) entitles any party thereto to terminate the agreement, at any time, with three hundred and sixty five (365) days prior written notice. In the event of termination by the Company for Good Reason (as such term is defined in the Ohad Agreement), Ohad Haber will be entitled to a termination payment in an amount equal to three times his last annual salary and bonuses received, if any, and all of the stock options held by Ohad Haber will vest immediately.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a material default in the performance of the Ohad Agreement by Ohad Haber, the Company may terminate the Ohad Agreement, without notice, provided that if such breach is reasonably curable, provided that Ohad Haber has been provided a reasonable opportunity to cure such breach.
The Ohad Agreement provides that should a transaction occur (a “ COC Transaction ”) that results in a Change of Control (as such term is defined in the Ohad Agreement), Ohad Haber would be entitled to a bonus in an amount equal to three times his annual salary and bonuses received, if any.
Dor Sneh
The executive employment agreement of Dor Sneh (the “ Dor Agreement ”) entitles any party thereto to terminate the agreement, at any time, with one hundred and eighty days (180) days prior written notice. In the event of termination by the Company for Good Reason (as such term is defined in the Ohad Agreement), Dor Sneh will be entitled to a termination payment in an amount equal to two times his last annual salary and bonuses received, if any, and all of the stock options held by Dor Sneh will vest immediately.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a material default in the performance of the Dor Agreement by Dor Sneh, the Company may terminate the Dor Agreement, without notice, provided that if such breach is reasonably curable, provided that Dor Sneh has been provided a reasonable opportunity to cure such breach.
The Dor Agreement provides that should a transaction occur (a “ COC Transaction ”) that results in a Change of Control (as such term is defined in the Dor Agreement), Dor Sneh would be entitled to a bonus in an amount equal to two times his annual salary and bonuses received, if any.
Directors Compensation
Director Compensation Table
The following table is a summary of compensation paid to the directors of the Company, other than: (i) directors who are also Named Executive Officers; and (ii) directors who were appointed during the fiscal year 2022 who did not receive any compensation from the Company in any other role during fiscal 2022, for the three most recently completed financial years ended December 31, 2022:
| Name and principal position(1) |
Year | Fees earned ($) |
Share- based awards ($) |
Option- based awards ($) |
Non- equity incentive plan compensat ion ($) |
Pension value ($) |
All other compensat ion ($) |
Total compensat ion ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronnie Jaegermann, Director and Consultant |
2020 2021 2022 |
40,800 60,000 60,000 |
Nil 47,250 Nil |
12,000 19,500 Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
52,800 126,750 60,000 |
18
| James Richardson, Director | 2020 2021 2022 |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil 54,000 Nil |
Nil 19,500 Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil 73,500 Nil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Lanthier, Director | 2020 2021 2022 |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil 54,000 Nil |
12,000 19,500 Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
12,000 73,500 Nil |
| Yehuda Doron, Director | 2020 2021 2022 |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil 54,000 Nil |
12,000 19,500 Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
Nil Nil Nil |
12,000 73,500 Nil |
Notes:
(1) Information regarding Mr. Haber is set out above under “Summary Compensation Table – Named Executive Officers”.
Incentive Plan Awards
Outstanding share-based awards and option-based awards
The following table is a summary of option awards granted the directors of the Company, other than directors who are also Named Executive Officers, that were outstanding as of December 31, 2022:
| Name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option-based Awards (1) | ||||
| Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) |
Option exercise price ($) |
Option expiration date |
Value of unexercised in-the-money options ($) as of December 31, 2022(1) |
|
| Ronnie Jaegermann Ronnie Jaegermann Ronnie Jaegermann Yehuda Doron Yehuda Doron Yehuda Doron James Lanthier James Lanthier James Richardson |
200,000 200,000 100,000 200,000 200,000 100,000 200,000 100,000 100,000 |
0.25 0.06 0.195 0.25 0.06 0.195 0.25 0.195 0.195 |
04/03/2024 13/5/2025 28/8/2026 04/03/2024 13/5/2025 28/8/2026 04/03/2024 28/8/2026 28/8/2026 |
- 15,000 - - 15,000 - - - - |
Notes:
(1) Information regarding Mr. Haber is set out above under “Summary Compensation Table – Named Executive Officers”. Calculated based on the difference between the closing price of CAD$0.135 per common share as at December 31, 2022, and the exercise price of the options, multiplied by the number of unexercised options.
Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year
| Name | Option – based awards – Value vested during the year ($) |
Share-based awards – Value vested during the year ($) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation – Value earned during the year ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
19
| Ronnie Jaegermann | Nil | Nil | Nil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yehuda Doron | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| James Lanthier | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| James Richardson | Nil | Nil | Nil |
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table is a summary of compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance as at the financial year ended December 31, 2022:
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights $ |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities listed in the first column) (1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders |
|||
| Stock Option Plan | 5,983,527 | 0.12 | 8,613,507 |
| Restricted Share Unit Plan | N/A | N/A | 14,597,034 |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total | Nil | N/A | 23,210,541 |
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
No executive officer, director or employee, or former executive officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries was indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries as at the date hereof.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this Circular, to the knowledge of the Company, no informed person of the Company, nominee for election as director of the Company, or any associate or affiliate of an informed person or nominee, has had or has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or any proposed transaction which has materially affected or will materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
Pursuant to NI 58-101, the Company is required to disclose information relating to its corporate governance practice. The Company’s statement of “Corporate Governance Practices”, approved by the Board, is attached to this Circular as Schedule “B”.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Pursuant to National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“ NI 52-110 ”), the Company is required to provide disclosure with respect to its Audit Committee including the text of the Audit Committee’s charter, composition of the Audit Committee and the fees paid to the external auditor. Accordingly, the Company provides the following disclosure with respect to its Audit Committee:
20
Audit Committee’s Charter
The charter of the Audit Committee is attached to this Circular as Schedule “C”.
Composition of Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has been comprised of Messrs. Lanthier, Doron and Kaushal. Messrs. Lanthier, Doron and Kaushal have been determined by the Board to be “independent” (as such term is defined in NI 52-101) and “financially literate” (as such term is defined in NI 52-110), having the ability to understand and critically evaluate the financial statements of the Company. The Board made this determination based on the experience of each Audit Committee member.
Relevant Education and Experience
James Lanthier
Mr. Lanthier is the Chief Executive Officer of Mindset Pharma Inc., a drug discovery and development business focused on developing novel drugs for neuropsychiatric conditions. Mr. Lanthier has held executive positions at a number of technology enabled companies; prior to Mindset, Mr. Lanthier helped found Future Fertility, a provider of artificial intelligence tools to infertility physicians. Mr. Lanthier was a member of the founding management team of Mood Media, the world’s largest in-store media business. Mr. Lanthier was the Chief Operating Officer of Mood from 2008 to 2013 and a non-executive Director of Mood from 2013 - 2016. Prior to Mood, Mr. Lanthier co-founded FUN Technologies, a casual games business which he helped lead as Chief Financial Officer through its IPO on the Toronto and London Stock Exchanges through its eventual sale to Liberty Media. Mr. Lanthier has held board positions at a number of public companies. Mr. Lanthier holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a BA (Honors) from Queens University.
Yehuda Doron, Chairman
Mr. Doron has founded and run several businesses based in Israel. He is currently a Managing Director at Medton Hedim, a hearing aid retail and manufacturing company and a Chairman of Polymer G, an innovative chemical company. Formerly Mr. Doron served as a partner at Orr Community Ventures - a $40M fund providing equity capital to SMEs located in Israel's most under-developed regions, and as a CEO of various retail and manufacturing businesses. Mr. Doron holds a degree in business and economics management from Tel Aviv University.
Nitin Kaushal
Mr. Kaushal, member of the board and audit committee. Mr. Kaushal has served on various audit, governance and compensation committees for NASDAQ and TSX Exchange listed companies, is a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and has over 30 years experience in the finance and investment industries. He has the ability to bridge the financial and scientific arenas, is a very effective negotiator, with proven leadership, motivational and relationship skills. He has participated in capital market transactions ranging from private placements to initial public offerings to bought deal underwritings in excess of $2B. Mr. Kaushal sits on a number of public and private company boards, including Delta 9 Cannabis Inc., High Tide Inc., VieMed Healthcare Inc., Starton Therapeutics Inc., Flower One Holdings Inc., PsyBio Therapeutics Corp. FSD Pharma. Mr. Kaushal has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Audit Committee Oversight
At no time since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year have any recommendations by the Audit Committee respecting the appointment and/or compensation of the Company’s external auditors not been adopted by the Board.
Assessments
The Board does not make regular formal assessments of the Board, its committees or its members. Rather, from time to time, the Board satisfies itself on an informal basis that its members and audit committee are performing effectively; in this respect, from time to time, the Board reviews and considers the size of the Board in relation to the needs of the Corporation, with a view of facilitating effective decision-making and identifying and selecting individuals qualified to become new Board members.
21
Audit Fees
Aggregate fees paid or to be paid to the Auditor during the fiscal periods indicated were as follows:
| Fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 |
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Audit Fees(1) | $100,952 | $95,531 |
| Audit-related Fees(1) | Nil | Nil |
| Tax Fees(2) | Nil | $Nil |
| All Other Fees(3) | Nil | Nil |
| Total | $100,952 | $95,531 |
Notes:
-
(1) Fees charged for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of an audit, and not included under "Audit Fees".
-
(2) Fees charged for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services.
-
(3) Fees for services other than disclosed in any other row.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company, including financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, and the report of the auditor thereon, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Financial information is provided in the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. A copy of the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis can be obtained by emailing the Company at [email protected].
22
SCHEDULE “A” STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. THE PLAN
A stock option plan (the “ Plan ”), pursuant to which options to purchase common shares in the capital of the Corporation (as hereinafter defined), or such other shares as may be substituted therefor (“ Shares ” or “ Common Shares ”), in the capital of Water Ways Technologies Inc. (the “ Corporation ”) may be granted to the directors, officers and employees of the Corporation and to consultants retained by the Corporation, is hereby established on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Plan is to advance the interests of the Corporation by encouraging the directors, officers and employees of the Corporation and consultants retained by the Corporation to acquire Shares, thereby: (i) increasing the proprietary interests of such persons in the Corporation; (ii) aligning the interests of such persons with the interests of the Corporation's shareholders generally; (iii) encouraging such persons to remain associated with the Corporation; and (iv) furnishing such persons with an additional incentive in their efforts on behalf of the Corporation.
3. ADMINISTRATION
-
(a) This Plan shall be administered by the board of directors of the Corporation (the " Board ").
-
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Board is authorized to provide for the granting, exercise and method of exercise of Options (as defined in paragraph 3(d) below), all on such terms (which may vary between Options granted from time to time) as it shall determine. In addition, the Board shall have the authority to: (i) construe and interpret this Plan and all option agreements entered into hereunder; (ii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan and (iii) make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. All determinations and interpretations made by the Board shall be binding on all Participants (as hereinafter defined) and on their legal, personal representatives and beneficiaries.
-
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision contained herein, the Board shall have the right to delegate the administration and operation of this Plan, in whole or in part, to a committee of the Board or to the President or any other officer of the Corporation. Whenever used herein, the term "Board" shall be deemed to include any committee or officer to which the Board has, fully or partially, delegated responsibility and/or authority relating to the Plan or the administration and operation of this Plan pursuant to this Section 3.
-
(d) Options to purchase the Shares granted hereunder (" Options ") shall be evidenced by (i) an agreement, signed on behalf of the Corporation and by the person to whom an Option is granted, which agreement shall be in such form as the Board shall approve, or (ii) a written notice or other instrument, signed by the Corporation, setting forth the material attributes of the Options.
4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN
-
(a) Subject to Section 15 below, the securities that may be acquired by Participants upon the exercise of Options shall be deemed to be fully authorized and issued Shares of the Corporation. Whenever used herein, the term "Shares" shall be deemed to include any other securities that may be acquired by a Participant upon the exercise of an Option the terms of which have been modified in accordance with Section 15 below.
-
(b) The aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan, shall not, at the time of the stock option grant, exceed ten percent (10%) of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares (calculated on a non-diluted basis) unless the Corporation receives the permission of the stock exchange or exchanges on which the Shares are then listed to exceed such threshold.
-
(c) If any Option granted under this Plan shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised in full, any unpurchased Shares to which such Option relates shall be available for the purposes of the granting of Options under this Plan.
5. MAINTENANCE OF SUFFICIENT CAPITAL
A-1
The Corporation shall at all times during the term of this Plan ensure that the number of Shares it is authorized to issue shall be sufficient to satisfy the Corporation's obligations under all outstanding Options granted pursuant to this Plan.
6. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
-
(a) The Board may, in its discretion, select any of the following persons to participate in this Plan:
-
(i) directors of the Corporation;
-
(ii) officers of the Corporation;
-
(iii) employees of the Corporation; and
-
(iv) Consultants (as such term is defined in Policy 4.4 (“ Policy 4.4 ”) of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “ TSXV ”);
(any such person having been selected for participation in this Plan by the Board is herein referred to as a “ Participant ”).
-
(b) The Board may from time to time, in its discretion, grant an Option to any Participant, upon such terms, conditions and limitations as the Board may determine, including the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein, provided that Options granted to any Participant shall be approved by the shareholders of the Corporation if the rules of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed require such approval.
-
(c) The Corporation represents that, for any Options granted to an officer, employee or consultant of the Corporation, such Participant is a bona fide officer, employee or consultant of the Corporation.
7. EXERCISE PRICE
The Board shall, at the time an Option is granted under this Plan, fix the exercise price at which Shares may be acquired upon the exercise of such Option provided that such exercise price shall not be less than that from time to time permitted under the rules of any stock exchange or exchanges on which the Shares are then listed. In addition, the exercise price of an Option must be paid in cash. Disinterested shareholder approval shall be obtained by the Corporation prior to any reduction to the exercise price or the extending of the Option Period (as defined below),if the affected Participant is an insider (as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) of the Corporation at the time of the proposed amendment.
8. NUMBER OF OPTIONED SHARES
The number of Shares that may be acquired under an Option granted to a Participant shall be determined by the Board as at the time the Option is granted, provided that:
-
(a) The maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued to:
-
(i) any Consultant in any twelve (12) month period under this Plan may be no more than two percent (2%) of the number of Common Shares outstanding, on a non-diluted basis, at the time of grant, as confirmed by the transfer agent and registrar for the Common Shares (the “ Outstanding Shares ”) of the Corporation; and
-
(ii) all Participants conducting Investor Relations Activities (as such term is defined in Policy 1.1 of the TSXV (“ Policy 1.1 ”)) for the Corporation in any twelve (12) month period may be, in aggregate, no more than two percent (2%) of the Outstanding Shares of the Corporation,
less the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance or issuable under any other Security Based Compensation Plan (as defined in Policy 4.4) of the Corporation.
-
(b) Unless the Corporation has received the requisite approval of disinterested shareholders of the Corporation voting at a duly called and held meeting of such shareholders,;
-
(i) the maximum number of Common Shares which may be issued to any individual in any twelve (12) month period under this Plan may be no more than five percent (5%) of the Outstanding Shares of the Corporation, less the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance or issuable under any other Security Based Compensation Plan of the Corporation;
-
(ii) the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance to Insiders (as a group) under the Plan and any other Security Based Compensation may be no more than ten percent (10%) of the Outstanding Shares of the Corporation at any point in time, and
A-2
- (iii) the aggregate number of Common Shares for issuance to Insiders (as a group) in any twelve (12) month period under the Plan and any other Security Based Compensation may be no more than ten percent (10%) of the Outstanding Shares of the Corporation calculated as at the date of grant or issued to any Insider;
9. TERM
The period during which an Option may be exercised (the “ Option Period ”) shall be determined by the Board at the time that the Option is granted, subject to any vesting limitations which may be imposed by the Board in its sole unfettered discretion at the time that such Option is granted and Sections 11, 12 and 16 below, provided that:
-
(a) no Option shall be exercisable for a period exceeding five (5) years from the date that the Option is granted unless the Corporation receives the permission of the stock exchange or exchanges on which the Shares are then listed and as specifically provided by the Board and as permitted under the rules of any stock exchange or exchanges on which the Shares are then listed, and in any event, no Option shall be exercisable for a period exceeding ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted;
-
(b) no Option in respect of which shareholder approval is required under the rules of any stock exchange or exchanges on which the Shares are then listed shall be exercisable until such time as the Option has been approved by the shareholders of the Corporation;
-
(c) the Board may, subject to the receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which any Option may be exercised, in whole or in part (for greater certainty Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers (as such term is defined in Policy 4.4 of the TSXV) may not be accelerated without the prior approval of the TSXV) ; and
-
(d) any Options granted prior to the completion of a Qualifying Transaction (as such term is defined in the rules of the TSXV) to any Participant that does not continue as a director, officer, consultant or employee (as the case may be) after the completion of a Qualifying Transaction have a maximum term of the later of 12 months after the completion of a Qualifying Transaction and 90 days after the Participant ceases to be a director, officer, consultant or employee following the Qualifying Transaction; and
-
(e) any Options granted after completion of a Qualifying Transaction to any participant must expire within 90 days after the Participant ceases to be a Participant, and within 30 days for any Participant engaged in investor relation activities after such Participant ceases to be employed to provide investor relation activities.
10. METHOD OF EXERCISE OF OPTION
-
(a) Except as set forth in Sections 11 and 12 below or as otherwise determined by the Board, no Option may be exercised unless the holder of such Option is, at the time the Option is exercised, a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Corporation.
-
(b) Options that are otherwise exercisable in accordance with the terms thereof may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time.
-
(c) Any Participant (or his legal, personal representative) wishing to exercise an Option shall deliver to the Corporation, at its principal office in the City of Toronto, Ontario:
-
(i) a written notice expressing the intention of such Participant (or his legal, personal representative) to exercise his Option and specifying the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised; and
-
(ii) a cash payment, certified cheque or bank draft, representing the full purchase price of the Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised.
-
-
(d) Upon the exercise of an Option as aforesaid, the Corporation shall use reasonable efforts to forthwith deliver, or cause the registrar and transfer agent of the Shares to deliver, to the relevant Participant (or his legal, personal representative) or to the order thereof, a certificate representing the aggregate number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares in respect of which the Option has been duly exercised.
-
(a) Notwithstanding Section 10(c)(ii), Options, but excluding options held by a Participant engaged in Investor Relations Activities, may be exercised without the Participant making any cash payment so the Corporation does not receive any cash from the exercise of the subject Options, and instead the Participant receives only the number of underlying Shares that is the equal to the quotient obtained by dividing:
- a. the product of the number of options being exercised multiplied by the difference between the VWAP (as such term is defined in Policy 4.4) of the underlying Shares and the exercise price of the subject options; by
A-3
b. the VWAP of the underlying Shares.
11. CEASING TO BE A DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT
If any Participant shall cease to hold the position or positions of director, officer, consultant or employee of the Corporation (as the case may be) for any reason other than death or as set out in Sections 9(d) and 9(e), his Option will terminate at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the earlier of the date of the expiration of the Option Period and 90 days after the date such Participant ceases to hold the position or positions of director, officer, employee or consultant of the Corporation as the case may be, and ceases to actively perform services for the Corporation. An Option granted to a Participant who performs investor relations services on behalf of the Corporation shall terminate on the date of termination of the employment or cessation of services being provided and shall be subject to Exchange policies and procedures for the termination of Options for investor relations services. For greater certainty, the termination of any Options held by the Participant, and the period during which the Participant may exercise any Options, shall be without regard to any notice period arising from the Participant's ceasing to hold the position or positions of director, officer, employee or consultant of the Corporation (as the case may be).
Neither the selection of any person as a Participant nor the granting of an Option to any Participant under this Plan shall: (i) confer upon such Participant any right to continue as a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Corporation, as the case may be; or (ii) be construed as a guarantee that the Participant will continue as a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Corporation, as the case may be.
12. DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT
In the event of the death of a Participant, any Option previously granted to him shall be exercisable until the end of the Option Period or until the expiration of 12 months after the date of death of such Participant, whichever is earlier, and then, in the event of death, only:
-
(a) by the person or persons to whom the Participant's rights under the Option shall pass by the Participant's will or applicable law; and
-
(b) to the extent that he was entitled to exercise the Option as at the date of his death.
13. RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS
No person entitled to exercise any Option granted under this 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 such Shares have been paid for in full and issued to such person.
14. PROCEEDS FROM EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
The proceeds from any 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 and direct.
15. ADJUSTMENTS
-
(a) The number of Shares subject to the Plan shall be increased or decreased proportionately in the event of the subdivision or consolidation of the outstanding Shares of the Corporation, and in any such event a corresponding adjustment shall be made to the number of Shares deliverable upon the exercise of any Option granted prior to such event without any change in the total price applicable to the unexercised portion of the Option, but with a corresponding adjustment in the price for each Share that may be acquired upon the exercise of the Option. Any adjustment to the number of Shares subject to the Plan other than in the case of a subdivision or consolidation (including adjustments related to an amalgamation, merger, arrangement, reorganization, spin-off, dividend or recapitalization) is subject to prior acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.
-
(b) Adjustments permitted under Section 15 (a) 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 Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of an Option following the making of any such adjustment.
16. CHANGE OF CONTROL
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 11 or any vesting restrictions otherwise applicable to the relevant Options, in the event of a sale by the Corporation of all or substantially all of its assets or in the event of a change of control of the Corporation, each Participant shall be entitled to exercise, in whole or in part, the Options granted to such Participant hereunder, either during the term of the Option or within 90 days after the date of the sale or change of control, whichever first occurs.
For the purpose of this Plan, "change of control of the Corporation" means and shall be deemed to have occurred upon:
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(a) the acceptance by the holders of Shares of the Corporation, representing in the aggregate, more than 50 percent of all issued Shares of the Corporation, of any offer, whether by way of a takeover bid or otherwise, for all or any of the outstanding Shares of the Corporation; or
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(b) the acquisition, by whatever means, by a person (or two or more persons who, in such acquisition, have acted jointly or in concert or intend to exercise jointly or in concert any voting rights attaching to the Shares acquired), directly or indirectly, of beneficial ownership of such number of Shares or rights to Shares of the Corporation, which together with such person's then owned Shares and rights to Shares, if any, represent (assuming the full exercise of such rights to voting securities) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting rights of the Corporation's then outstanding Shares; or
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(c) the entering into of any agreement by the Corporation to merge, consolidate, amalgamate, initiate an arrangement or be absorbed by or into another corporation; or
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(d) the passing of a resolution by the Board or shareholders of the Corporation to substantially liquidate the assets or wind-up the Corporation's business or significantly rearrange its affairs in one or more transactions or series of transactions or the commencement of proceedings for such a liquidation, winding up or re-arrangement (except where such re-arrangement is part of a bona fide reorganization of the Corporation in circumstances where the business of the Corporation is continued and where the shareholdings remain substantially the same following the rearrangement); or
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(e) individuals who were members of the Board of the Corporation immediately prior to a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation involving a contest for or an item of business relating to the election of directors, not constituting a majority of the Board following such election.
17. TRANSFERABILITY
All benefits, rights and Options accruing to any Participant in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Plan shall be nontransferable and non-assignable unless specifically provided herein. During the lifetime of a Participant, any Options granted hereunder may only be exercised by the Participant and in the event of the death of a Participant, by the person or persons to whom the Participant's rights under the Option pass by the Participant's will or applicable law.
18. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
The Board may, at any time, suspend or terminate this Plan. The Board may also, at any time, amend or revise the terms of this Plan, subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, provided that no such amendment or revision shall alter the terms of any Options theretofore granted under this Plan.
19. NECESSARY APPROVALS
The obligation of the Corporation to issue and deliver Shares in accordance with this Plan and Options granted hereunder is subject to applicable securities legislation and to the receipt of any approvals that may be required from any regulatory authority or stock exchange having jurisdiction over the securities of the Corporation. If Shares cannot be issued to a Participant upon the exercise of an Option for any reason whatsoever, the obligation of the Corporation to issue such Shares shall terminate and any funds paid to the Corporation in connection with the exercise of such Option will be returned to the relevant Participant as soon as practicable.
20. STOCK EXCHANGE RULES
This Plan and any option agreements entered into hereunder shall comply with the requirements from time to time of the stock exchange or exchanges on which the Shares are listed.
21. RIGHT TO ISSUE OTHER SHARES
The Corporation shall not by virtue of this Plan be in any way restricted from declaring and paying stock dividends, issuing further Shares, varying or amending its share capital or corporate structure or conducting its business in any way whatsoever.
22. NOTICE
Any notice required to be given by this Plan shall be in writing and shall be given by registered mail, postage prepaid or delivered by courier or by facsimile transmission addressed, if to the Corporation, at its principal address in Toronto, Ontario (Attention: The Chairman); or if to a Participant, to such Participant at his address as it appears on the books of the Corporation or in the event of the address of any such Participant not so appearing then to the last known address of such Participant; or if to any other person, to the last known address of such person.
23. GENDER
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Whenever used herein words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa.
24. SUB PLAN FOR PARTICIPANTS SUBJECT TO ISRAELI TAXATION
Any Participants who are resident in Israel shall be subject to the Sub Plan attached hereto as Appendix "A" (the “ 102 Plan ”). For greater certainty any issuances to Participants subject to the 102 Plan shall only be issuable provided they do not contradict the regulations of the TSXV.
25. INTERPRETATION
This Plan will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario.
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APPENDIX “A”
1. GENERAL
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1.1. This Annex (the: “ Israeli Annex ”) shall apply only to Grantees who are residents of the State of Israel at the Date of Grant or those who are deemed to be residents of the State of Israel for the payment of tax at the Date of Grant. The provisions specified hereunder shall form an integral part of the Stock Option Plan (hereinafter: the “Plan” ) of Water Ways Technologies Inc. , which applies to the issuance of Award to purchase shares of Water Ways Technologies Inc. (hereinafter: the “Company” ). According to the Plan, Award to purchase the Company’s Shares may be issued to employees, directors, consultants and service providers of the Company or its affiliates.
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1.2 This Israeli Annex is effective with respect to Award granted following Amendment no. 132 of the Ordinance, which entered into force on January 1, 2003.
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1.3 This Annex is to be read as a continuation of the Plan and only modifies award granted to Israeli Grantees so that they comply with the requirements set by Israeli law in general, and in particular with the provisions of Section 102 (as specified herein), as may be amended or replaced from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, this Annex does not add to or modify the Plan in respect of any other category of Grantees.
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1.4 The Plan and this Annex are complementary to each other and shall be deemed as one. In any case of contradiction, whether explicit or implied, between the provisions of this Annex and the Plan, the provisions set out in the Plan shall prevail.
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Israeli Annex and the Israeli Grant Notification Letter, the following definitions shall apply:
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(a) “ Affiliate ” - any “employing company” within the meaning of Section 102(a) of the Ordinance.
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(b) “ Approved 102 Award ” - an Award granted pursuant to Section 102(b) of the Ordinance and held in trust by a Trustee for the benefit of the Grantee.
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(c) “Award” means an Option (as such term is defined in the Plan.
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(d) “ Capital Gain Award (CGA) ” - an Approved 102 Award elected and designated by the Company to qualify under the capital gain tax treatment in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(b)(2) or Section 102(b)(3) of the Ordinance.
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(e) “ Controlling Shareholder ” - shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 32(9) of the Ordinance.
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(f) “ Employee” - a person who is employed by the Company or its Affiliates, including an individual who is serving as a director or an office holder, but excluding any Controlling Shareholder, all as determined in Section 102 of the Ordinance.
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(g) “ ITA” - the Israeli Tax Authorities.
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(h) “Non-Employee” - a consultant, adviser, service provider, Controlling Shareholder or any other person or entity which are not an Employee.
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(i) “ Ordinary Income Award (OIA) ” - an Approved 102 Award elected and designated by the Company to qualify under the ordinary income tax treatment in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(b)(1) of the Ordinance.
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(j) “102 Award” - any Award granted to Employees pursuant to Section 102 of the Ordinance.
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(k) “3(i) Option” - an Option granted pursuant to Section 3(i) of the Ordinance to any person who is a Non-Employee.
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(l) “ Ordinance” - the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance [New Version] 1961 as now in effect or as hereafter amended.
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(m) “Section 102” - Section 102 of the Ordinance and any regulations, rules, orders or procedures promulgated thereunder as now in effect or as hereafter amended.
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(n) “Trustee” - any individual or entity appointed by the Company to serve as a trustee and approved by the ITA, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(a) of the Ordinance.
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(o) “ Unapproved 102 Award ” - an Award granted pursuant to Section 102(c) of the Ordinance and not held in trust by a Trustee.
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For the avoidance of any doubt, it is hereby clarified that any capitalized terms not specifically defined in this Israeli Annex shall be construed according to the interpretation given to it in the Plan.
3. ISSUANCE OF AWARD
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3.1 The persons eligible for participation in the Plan as Grantees shall include any Employees and/or Non-Employees of the Company or of any Affiliate; provided, however, that (i) Employees may only be granted 102 Award; and (ii) NonEmployees and/or Controlling Shareholders (provided that such Non-Employees and/or Controlling Shareholders are Participants (as such term is defined in the Plan) may only be granted 3(i) Options.
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3.2 The Company may designate Award granted to Employees pursuant to Section 102 as Unapproved 102 Award or Approved 102 Award.
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3.3 The grant of Approved 102 Award shall be made under this Israeli Annex adopted by the Board and shall be conditioned upon the approval of this Israeli Annex by the ITA.
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3.4 Approved 102 Award may either be classified as Capital Gain Award (CGA) or Ordinary Income Award (OIA).
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3.5 No Approved 102 Award may be granted under this Israeli Annex to any eligible Employee, unless and until, the Company’s election of the type of Approved 102 Award as CGA or OIA granted to Employees (the “ Election ”), is appropriately filed with the ITA. Such Election shall become effective beginning the first date of grant of an Approved 102 Award under this Israeli Annex and shall remain in effect at least until the end of the year following the year during which the Company first granted Approved 102 Award. The Election shall obligate the Company to grant only the type of Approved 102 Award it has elected and shall apply to all Grantees who were granted Approved 102 Award during the period indicated herein, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(g) of the Ordinance. For the avoidance of doubt, such Election shall not prevent the Company from granting Unapproved 102 Award simultaneously.
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3.6 All Approved 102 Award must be held in trust by a Trustee, as described in Section 4 below.
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3.7 For the avoidance of doubt, the designation of Unapproved 102 Award and Approved 102 Award shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 102.
4. TRUSTEE
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4.1 Approved 102 Award which shall be granted under this Israeli Annex and/or any Shares allocated or issued upon exercise of such Approved 102 Award and/or other shares received subsequently following any realization of rights, , shall be allocated or issued to the Trustee and held for the benefit of the Grantees for such period of time as required by Section 102 or any regulations, rules or orders or procedures promulgated thereunder (the: “ Holding Period ”). In the case the requirements for Approved 102 Award are not met, the Approved 102 Award may be regarded as Unapproved 102 Award, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102.
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4.2 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Trustee shall not release any Shares allocated or issued upon exercise of Approved 102 Award prior to the full payment of the Grantee’s tax liabilities arising from Approved 102 Award which were granted to him and/or any Shares allocated or issued upon exercise of such Award.
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4.3 With respect to any Approved 102 Award, subject to the provisions of Section 102 and any rules or regulation or orders or procedures promulgated thereunder, a Grantee shall not sell or release from trust any Share received upon the exercise of an Approved 102 Award and/or any share received subsequently following any realization of rights, , until the lapse of the Holding Period required under Section 102 of the Ordinance. Notwithstanding the above, if any such sale or release occurs during the Holding Period, the sanctions under Section 102 of the Ordinance and under any rules or regulation or orders or procedures promulgated thereunder shall apply to and shall be borne by such Grantee.
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4.4 Upon receipt of Approved 102 Award, the Grantee will sign an undertaking in which he or she will give his or her consent to the grant of the Award under Section 102 and will undertake to comply with the terms of Section 102 and the trust agreement between the Company and the Trustee.
5. THE AWARD
The terms and conditions, upon which the Award shall be issued and exercised, shall be as specified in the Israeli Grant Notification Letter to be executed pursuant to the Plan and to this Israeli Annex in the form approved by the Board from time to time. Each Israeli Grant Notification Letter shall state, inter alia, the number of Shares to which the Award relates, the type of Award granted thereunder
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(whether a CGA, OIA, Unapproved 102 Award or a 3(i) Option), the vesting and expiration provisions and the Purchase Price and any other terms and conditions set by the Board in accordance with the Plan and this Israeli Annex.
6. FAIR MARKET VALUE
Without derogating from the definition of “Fair Market Value” enclosed in the Plan and solely for the purpose of determining the tax liability pursuant to Section 102(b)(3) of the Ordinance, if at the date of grant the Company’s shares are listed on any Share Exchange or if the Company’s shares will be registered for trading within ninety (90) days following the date of grant of the CGAs, the fair market value of the Shares at the date of grant shall be determined in accordance with the average value of the Company’s shares on the thirty (30) trading days preceding the date of grant or on the thirty (30) trading days following the date of registration for trading, as the case may be.
7. EXERCISE OF AWARD
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7.1 Award shall be exercised by the Grantee by giving a written notice to the Company and/or to any third party designated by the Company (the: “ Representative ”), in such form and method as may be determined by the Company and, when applicable, by the Trustee, in accordance with the requirements of Section 102, which exercise shall be effective upon receipt of such notice by the Company and/or the Representative and the payment of the Purchase Price for the number of Shares with respect to which the award is being exercised, at the Company’s or the Representative’s principal office. The notice shall specify the number of Shares with respect to which the award is being exercised.
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7.2 Without derogating from Section 4.3 of this Annex, and in addition thereto, with respect to Approved 102 Award, any shares of an Ordinary Share allocated or issued upon the exercise of an Approved 102 Award, shall be voted in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 and any rules, regulations or orders promulgated thereunder.
8. ASSIGNABILITY AND SALE OF AWARD
- 8.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, no Award or any right with respect thereto, purchasable hereunder, whether fully paid or not, shall be assignable, transferable or given as collateral or any right with respect to them given to any third party whatsoever, other than by will or by laws of descent and distribution, or as specifically otherwise allowed under the Plan, except as specifically allowed under the Plan, and during the lifetime of the Grantee each and all of such Grantee's rights to purchase Shares hereunder shall be exercisable only by the Grantee.
Any such action made directly or indirectly, for an immediate validation or for a future one, shall be void
- 8.2 As long as Award or Shares purchased pursuant thereto are held by the Trustee on behalf of the Grantee, all rights of the Grantee over the shares are personal, cannot be transferred, assigned, pledged or mortgaged, other than by will or laws of descent and distribution.
9. INTEGRATION OF SECTION 102 AND TAX ASSESSING OFFICER’S PERMIT
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9.1 With regards to Approved 102 Award, the provisions of the Plan and/or the Israeli Annex and/or the Israeli Grant Notification Letter shall be subject to the provisions of Section 102 and the Tax Assessing Officer’s permit, and the said provisions and permit shall be deemed an integral part of the Plan and of the Israeli Annex and of the Israeli Grant Notification Letter.
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9.2 Any provision of Section 102 and/or the said permit which is necessary in order to receive and/or to keep any tax benefit pursuant to Section 102, which is not expressly specified in the Plan or the Israeli Annex or the Israeli Grant Notification Letter, shall be considered binding upon the Company and the Grantees.
10. DIVIDEND
Subject to the Company’s Articles of Association, with respect to all Shares (but excluding, for avoidance of any doubt, any unexercised Award) allocated or issued upon the exercise of Award and held by the Grantee or by the Trustee as the case may be, the Grantee shall be entitled to receive dividends in accordance with the quantity of such Shares, and subject to any applicable taxation on distribution of dividends, and when applicable subject to the provisions of Section 102 and the rules, regulations or orders promulgated thereunder.
11. TAX CONSEQUENCES
- 11.1 Any tax consequences arising from the grant or exercise of any Award, from the payment for Shares covered thereby or from any other event or act (of the Company, and/or its Affiliates, and the Trustee or the Grantee), hereunder, shall be borne
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solely by the Grantee. The Company and/or its Affiliates, and/or the Trustee shall withhold taxes according to the requirements under the applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including withholding taxes at source. Furthermore, the Grantee shall agree to indemnify the Company and/or its Affiliates and/or the Trustee and hold them harmless against and from any and all liability for any such tax or interest or penalty thereon, including without limitation, liabilities relating to the necessity to withhold, or to have withheld, any such tax from any payment made to the Grantee.
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11.2 The Company and/or, when applicable, the Trustee shall not be required to release any share certificate to a Grantee (or the registration company) until all required payments have been fully made.
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11.3 With respect to Unapproved 102 Award, if the Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company or any Affiliate, the Grantee shall extend to the Company and/or its Affiliate a security or guarantee for the payment of tax due at the time of sale of Shares, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 and the rules, regulation or orders promulgated thereunder.
12. GOVERNING LAW & JURISDICTION
This Israeli Annex shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Israel applicable to contracts made and to be performed therein, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws. The competent courts of Tel Aviv-Yafo shall have sole jurisdiction in any matters pertaining to this Israeli Annex.
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SCHEDULE “B” CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The Company’s corporate governance practices are governed by National Policy 58-201, Corporate Governance Guidelines (the " Guidelines ") and National Instrument 58-101, Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (the " Disclosure Rule "), adopted by the securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Corporate governance practices are established in order to provide greater transparency for the marketplace regarding an issuer's corporate governance practices. Set out below is a description of the Company's approach to corporate governance, based on the Guidelines and requirements prescribed by the Disclosure Rule.
Composition of the Board of Directors
The Board is currently comprised of four directors. Pursuant to NI 52-110, a director is considered to be "independent" if he or she does not have a direct or indirect material relationship with the Company that could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment.
The Board determined that the following directors, nominated for re-election, are independent for the purpose of NI 58-101:
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(1) Yehuda Doron; and
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(2) Nitin Kaushal.
The Board determined that the following directors, nominated for re-election, were not independent for the purpose of NI 58-101:
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(1) Ohad Haber (by virtue of being the CEO of the Company);
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(2) Ronnie Jaegermann (by virtue of being a consultant to the Company).
Other Public Company Directorships
In the case of directors of the Corporation and the nominees for election who are presently also directors of reporting issuers in Canada and in a foreign jurisdiction, their names and the name and jurisdiction of the reporting issuer are shown in the following table:
| Name | Name of Reporting Issuer |
Name or Exchange or Market |
Position | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronnie Jaegermann Ronnie Jaegermann Nitin Kaushal |
Cann-Is Capital Corporation Adcore Inc. Viemed Inc. Delta Nine, FSD Pharma Inc, Hightide Inc, Flower One, PsyBio Therapeutics |
TSXV TSXV |
CFO Director |
September 2018 May 2019 |
Present Present |
Orientation and Continuing Education
The Board is responsible for the orientation and education of new recruits to the Board and ensures that new directors of the Company are provided with comprehensive information about the nature and operations of the Company, the role of the Board, the role of the Board committees, and the contributions expected of the directors. New directors also have an opportunity to meet with Management of the Company to obtain insight into the Company's business. All of the members of the Board are encouraged to communicate with Management, auditors and consultants to remain current with industry trends, developments, and changes in applicable legislation. As part of the annual Board assessment process the Board determines whether any additional education and training is required for Directors.
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Ethical Business Conduct
Water Ways has adopted the existing anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy of Irri-Al-Tal (the " Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy "). The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy is intended to ensure that the business activities of Irri-Al-Tal are conducted in an honest and ethical manner, with a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption. The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy applies to all directors, officers, employees, consultants and contractors of IrriAl-Tal and compliance with the Anti-Bribery and AntiCorruption Policy constitutes terms of service, employment and engagement, as the case may be. The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy prohibits corrupt practices such as acceptance or offering of bribes, inducements, advantages or kickbacks, and all directors, officers, employees, consultants and contractors of Irri-Al-Tal are required to comply with and report any violations of the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy. Violations of the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy will be investigated and, if violations are found to have occurred, could result in dismissal for gross misconduct.
Nomination of Directors
The Board is responsible for, among other things, identifying suitable candidates to be recommended for election to the Board by Shareholders or appointment by the directors, subject to the limits in the Company’s articles and the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). Though there are no specific criteria for Board membership, the Company attempts to attract and retain directors with business knowledge and a particular knowledge of irrigation and development, or other areas such as finance, which would assist in guiding the officers of the Company. As such, nominations are typically the result of recruitment efforts and discussions among the Board.
Compensation
The Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Doron, and Lanthier, all of whom are independent and have direct experience and skills relevant to their responsibilities in executive compensation. The Compensation Committee's responsibilities include reviewing and approving the Company’s goals and objectives relating to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, evaluating the performance of the Company’s executive officers in light of such goals and objectives, and setting the compensation level, perquisites and other benefits of the Company’s executive officers based on this evaluation. The Compensation Committee also advises the Board on recommended compensation for Board members, proposes changes in the compensation of members of the Board or any committee thereof, and retirement policies and programs and perquisites for directors.
Assessments
The Board, its committees and, its individual directors are assessed regularly, and at minimum on an annual basis as to their effectiveness and contribution. The Board monitors, assesses and reviews the performance and effectiveness of the Board and its individual directors. Individual director assessments are determined by examining a number of factors, including attendance at and participation at meetings, meeting preparedness, ability to communicate ideas clearly and overall contribution to effective Board performance.
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SCHEDULE “C” AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
1. PURPOSE AND COMPOSITION
The purpose of the Audit Committee (the " Committee ") of Water Ways Technologies Inc. (the " Corporation ") is to assist the Board of directors (the " Board ") in reviewing:
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(a) the Corporation’s financial disclosure;
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(b) the qualifications and independence of the Corporation’s external auditor; and
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(c) the performance of the external auditor.
The Committee of the Corporation shall be composed of not less than three directors of the Corporation, a majority of whom shall be - independent within the meaning of NI 52 110, as amended or replaced from time to time.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
To fulfill its responsibilities and duties the Committee shall:
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(d) Financial Disclosure
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(i) review the Corporation’s:
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(A) interim and annual financial statements;
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(B) management’s discussions and analyses;
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(C) interim and annual earnings press releases;
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(D) annual information forms;
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(E) Filing Statements;
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(F) Other documents containing audited or unaudited financial information, at its discretion;
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(ii) report thereon to the Board before such documents are approved by the Board and disclosed to the public;
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(iii) be satisfied that adequate procedures are in place for the review of the Corporation’s public disclosure of financial information extracted or derived from the Corporation’s financial statements, other than the disclosure provided by the financial statements, management’s discussions and analyses and earnings press releases, and shall periodically assess the adequacy of those procedures.
(e) External Audit
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(i) recommend to the Board the external auditor to be appointed for purposes of preparing or issuing an auditor’s report or performing other audit, review or attest services;
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(ii) review and approve the audit plan, the terms of the external auditor's engagement, the appropriateness and reasonableness of proposed audit fees, and any issues relating to the payment of audit fees, and make a recommendation to the Board with respect to the compensation of the external auditor;
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(iii) review the independence of the external auditor;
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(iv) meet with the external auditor and with management to discuss the audit plan, audit findings, any restrictions on the scope of the external auditor's work, and any problems that the external auditor experiences in performing the audit;
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(v) review with the external auditor and management any changes in Internationally Accepted Accounting Standards (IFRS) that may be material to the Corporation’s financial reporting;
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(vi) review pro forma or adjusted information not in accordance with IFRS;
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(vii) have the authority to communicate directly with the external auditor;
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(viii) require the external auditor to report directly to the Committee;
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(ix) directly oversee the work of the external auditor that is related to the preparation or issue of an auditor’s report or other audit, review or attest services for the Corporation, including the resolution of disagreements between management and the external auditor regarding financial reporting;
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(x) meet with the external auditor to discuss the annual financial statements (including the report of the external auditor thereon) and the interim financial statements (including the review engagement report of the external auditor thereon);
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(xi) review any management letter containing the recommendations of the external auditor, and the response and follow up by management in relation to any such recommendations;
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(xii) review any evaluation of the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting conducted by the external auditor, together with management's response;
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(xiii) pre-approve (or delegate such pre�approval to one or more of its independent members) in accordance with a pre� approval policy, all engagements for non�audit services to be provided to the Corporation or its subsidiary entities by the external auditor, together with all non�audit services fees, and consider the impact of such engagements and fees on the independence of the external auditor;
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(xiv) review and approve Corporation’s hiring policy regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and former external auditor of the Corporation; and
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(xv) in the event of a change of auditor, review and approve the Corporation’s disclosure relating thereto.
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(f) Financial Complaints Handling Procedures
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(i) establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
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(ii) establish procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Corporation of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may determine that certain of the above-noted items are not applicable to or appropriate for the Corporation while it remains a Capital Pool Company.
3. OPERATION OF THE COMMITTEE
In connection with the discharge of its duties and responsibilities, the Committee shall observe the following procedures:
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(g) Reporting . The Committee shall report to the Board.
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(h) Meetings . The Committee shall meet at least four times every year, and more often if necessary, to discharge its duties and responsibilities hereunder.
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(i) Advisors . The Committee shall have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties and to set and pay, at the Corporation’s expense, the compensation of such advisors.
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(j) Chairman . The Committee will recommend a director as Chairman of the Committee to the Board for approval. If the Chairman of the Committee is not present at any meeting of the Committee, one of the other members of the Committee present at the meeting shall be chosen by the Committee to preside.
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(k) Quorum . A majority of committee members, present in person, by video�conference, by telephone or by a combination thereof, shall constitute a quorum.
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(l) Secretary . The Committee shall appoint a Secretary who need not be a member of the Committee or a director of the Corporation. The Secretary shall keep minutes of the meetings of the Committee.
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(m) Calling of Meetings . A meeting of the Committee may be called by the Chairman of the Committee, by the external auditor of the Corporation, or by any member of the Committee.
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(n) Notice of Meeting . Notice of the time and place of every meeting may be given orally, in writing, by facsimile or by e�mail to each member of the Committee at least 48 hours prior to the time fixed for such meeting. A member may in any manner waive notice of the meeting. Attendance of a member at the meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of the meeting, except where a member attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting was not lawfully called.
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(o) Auditor’s Attendance at Meetings . The external auditor shall be entitled to receive notice of every meeting of the Committee and, at the expense of the Corporation, to attend and be heard at any meeting of the Committee. If so requested by a member of the Committee, the external auditor shall attend every meeting of the Committee held during the term of office of the external auditor.
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(p) Access To Information . The Committee shall have access to any information, documents and records that are necessary in the performance of its duties and the discharge of its responsibilities under this Charter.
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(q) Review Of Charter . The Committee shall periodically review this Charter and recommend any changes to the Board as it may deem appropriate.
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(r) Reporting . The Chairman of the Committee shall report to the Board, at such times and in such manner, as the Board may from time to time require and shall promptly inform the Chairman of the Corporation of any significant issues raised during the performance of the functions as set out herein, by the external auditor or any Committee member, and shall provide the Chairman copies of any written reports or letters provided by the external auditor to the Committee.
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