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Zoomd Technologies Ltd. — AGM Information 2025
Jan 31, 2025
47173_rns_2025-01-31_683e538b-a4b2-437a-a412-52af40347629.pdf
AGM Information
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ZOOMD TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
3400 - 333 Bay Street
Toronto ON M5H 2S7, Canada
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual general and special meeting of the shareholders (the “Meeting”) of ZOOMD TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (hereinafter called the “Company”) will be held via teleconference on February 20, 2025 at the hour of 9:30 am (Toronto time).
The Meeting will be held solely by means of teleconference. Registered shareholders, or proxyholders representing registered shareholders, participating in the Meeting by way of teleconference shall be considered to “attend” the Meeting for the purposes of determining quorum. To access the Meeting by teleconference, dial toll-free: Israel +972-3-9180699, USA +1866-297-0242, Canada +1877-254-2364, code 97834#.
The Meeting is held for the following purposes, as more particularly described in the accompanying management information circular (the “Circular”):
(a) To receive and consider the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the report of the auditor thereon;
(b) To re-appoint Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co. as auditor for the Company for the ensuing year at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors;
(c) To elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;
(d) to consider and, if deemed advisable, pass, with or without variation, an ordinary resolution of shareholders approving a new incentive compensation plan (the “Omnibus Plan”), which plan shall replace the existing stock option incentive plan, and reserving 15,799,954 common shares in the capital of the Company (the “Common Shares”), being approximately 16% of the Common shares issued and outstanding as of the date of the Meeting (being the same percentage as currently reserved pursuant to the existing stock option incentive plan), for issuance thereunder. For more information, see “Approval of Amendment to Omnibus Plan” in the Information Circular;
(e) To transact such other business as may be properly transacted at such Meeting or at any adjournment thereof.
The Circular provides additional information relating to the matters to be addressed at the Meeting.
The record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting is January 10, 2025 (the “Record Date”). Only shareholders whose names have been entered in the register of the Company as of the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting.
Shareholders are strongly encouraged to attend the Meeting via teleconference and to vote by proxy in advance of the Meeting by following the instructions provided in the enclosed form of proxy and in the Circular. Voting will not be available via telephone on the day of the Meeting. In order to be valid for use at the Meeting, proxies must be received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the time of the Meeting. The deadline for the deposit of proxies may be waived or extended by the chair of the Meeting at his or her discretion without notice.
DATED at the City of Herzliya, in Israel on the 20th of January, 2025.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Amit Bohensky”
Amit Bohensky, Chairman
ZOOMD TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
3400 - 333 Bay Street
Toronto ON M5H 2S7, Canada
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
INFORMATION PROVIDED AS AT JANUARY 20, 2025 FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
This information circular (the "Information Circular") is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by management of ZOOMD TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (the "Company") for use at the annual general and special meeting of shareholders to be held on February 20, 2025 (the "Meeting") and any adjournment thereof at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the notice of meeting ("Notice of Meeting").
The cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, directors, officers and some regular employees may solicit personally, but will not receive compensation for so doing.
All dollar amounts referenced herein, unless otherwise indicated, are expressed in CDN dollars.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
The persons named in the accompanying instrument of proxy are directors or officers of the Company. A shareholder has the right to appoint a person to attend and act for him on his behalf at the Meeting other than the persons named in the enclosed instrument of proxy. To exercise this right, a shareholder shall strike out the names of the persons named in the instrument of proxy and insert the name of his nominee in the blank space provided, or complete another instrument of proxy. The completed instrument of proxy should be deposited at the office of the TSX Trust Company at 301-100 Adelaide Street West, Toronto, ON M5H 4H1 at least 48 hours before the time of the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
The instrument of proxy must be dated and be signed by the shareholder or by his attorney in writing, or, if the shareholder is a corporation, it must either be under its common seal or signed by a duly authorized officer. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a shareholder may revoke a proxy either by (a) signing a proxy bearing a later date and depositing it at the office of the Company at the address and within the time set out above, or (b) signing and dating a written notice of revocation (in the same manner as the instrument of proxy is required to be executed as set out in the notes to the instrument of proxy) and either depositing it at the office of the Company at the address and within the time set out above or with the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or on the day of any adjournment thereof.
NON-REGISTERED HOLDERS OF COMPANY'S SHARES
Only registered shareholders or duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Shareholders who do not hold their Common Shares in their own name ("Beneficial Shareholders") are advised that only proxies from shareholders of record can be recognized and voted at the Meeting. Beneficial Shareholders who complete and return an instrument of proxy must indicate thereon the person (usually a brokerage house) who holds their Common Shares as registered shareholder. Every intermediary (broker) has its own mailing procedure, and provides its own return instructions, which should be carefully followed.
If Common Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a shareholder by a broker, then in almost all cases those Common Shares will not be registered in such shareholder's name on the records of the Company. Such Common Shares will more likely be registered under the name of the shareholder's broker or agent of that broker. In Canada, the vast majority of such shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration for the Canadian Depository for Securities, which company acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms). Common Shares held by brokers or their nominees can only be voted (for or against resolutions) upon the instructions of the Beneficial Shareholder. Without specific instructions, brokers/nominees are prohibited from voting shares for their clients. The
directors and officers of the Company do not know for whose benefit the Common Shares registered in the name of CDS & Co. are held.
In accordance with National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer ("NI 54-101"), the Company has distributed copies of the Notice of Meeting, this Information Circular and the proxy to the clearing agencies and intermediaries for onward distribution to non-registered shareholders. Applicable regulatory policy requires intermediaries/brokers to seek voting instructions from Beneficial Shareholders in advance of shareholders' meetings unless the Beneficial Shareholders have waived the right to receive meeting materials. Every intermediary/broker 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 voting instruction form supplied to a Beneficial Shareholder by its broker is identical to the proxy provided by the Company to the registered shareholders. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the registered shareholder how to vote on behalf of the Beneficial Shareholder. Should a Beneficial Shareholder receive such a form and wish to vote at the Meeting, the Beneficial Shareholder should strike out the management proxyholder's name in the form and insert the non-registered shareholder's name in the blank provided. The majority of brokers now delegate the responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to Broadridge. Broadridge typically creates its own proxy forms in a "voting instruction form" format, mails those forms to the Beneficial Shareholders and asks Beneficial Shareholders to submit their voting instructions 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 Broadridge voting instruction form cannot use that form to vote Common Shares directly at the Meeting – voting instructions must be provided to Broadridge well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the Common Shares voted. Voting instructions may be submitted to Broadridge by mail, on the internet or by telephone, as specified on the voting instruction form.
The Company is not relying on the "notice-and-access" provisions set out in NI 54-101 to distribute copies of the proxy-related materials in connection with the Meeting. The Company is not sending proxy-related materials directly to non-objecting beneficial owners ("NOBOs").
Management of the Company does not intend to pay for intermediaries to deliver to objecting beneficial owners ("OBOs") under NI 54-101 the meeting materials and Form 54-101F7 Request for Voting Instructions Made by Intermediary. OBOs will not receive the meeting materials and Form 54-101F7 unless the intermediary holding shares on behalf of the OBO assumes the cost of delivery.
All references to shareholders in this Information Circular and the accompanying proxy and Notice of Meeting are to registered shareholders unless specifically stated otherwise.
VOTING OF PROXIES
The securities represented by the proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder on any ballot that may be called for, and if the shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the securities shall be voted accordingly. The form of proxy confers authority upon the named proxyholder with respect to matters identified in the accompanying Notice of Meeting.
IF A CHOICE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH MATTERS IS NOT SPECIFIED, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PERSON DESIGNATED BY MANAGEMENT IN THE FORM OF PROXY WILL VOTE THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY IN FAVOUR OF EACH MATTER IDENTIFIED IN THE PROXY AND FOR THE NOMINEES OF MANAGEMENT FOR DIRECTORS AND AUDITOR. AN ALTERNATE PROXYHOLDER HAS DISCRETION TO VOTE THE SHARES AS HE OR SHE CHOOSES.
The proxy confers discretionary authority upon the named proxyholder with respect to amendments to or variations in matters identified in the accompanying Notice of Meeting and other matters which may properly come before the Meeting.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The voting securities of the Company consist of Common Shares without par value. January 10, 2025 has been fixed in advance by the directors as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the purposes of determining those shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. As at the Record Date, 98,749,714 Common Shares without par value were issued and outstanding, each such share carrying the right to one (1) vote at the Meeting.
To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, there are no persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, voting securities carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to the voting securities of the Company.
MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON AT THE MEETING
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Previously, at an annual general meeting of shareholders, the number for which positions exist on the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) had been fixed at seven. There will be five directors to be elected at the Meeting for the ensuing year.
The persons named in the following table are management’s nominees to the Board. Each director elected will hold office until the next annual general meeting unless their office is earlier vacated in accordance with the Articles of the Company and the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) or unless he or she becomes disqualified to act as a director. The terms of office of the Company’s current directors will expire as of the date of the Meeting.
| NAME, PROVINCE OR STATE AND COUNTRY OF ORDINARY RESIDENCE OF NOMINEE AND PRESENT POSITION WITH THE COMPANY | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION | PERIOD SERVED AS DIRECTOR | APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF VOTING SECURITIES^{(1)} |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amit Bohensky | |||
| Israel | |||
| President and Director | Active Chairman and Founder of the Company; Entrepreneur, a principal of Moonbow Ventures Ltd. | August 28, 2019 to date | 9,252,139 |
| Amnon Argaman | |||
| Israel | |||
| Director | Chartered Professional Accountant, consulting to various companies. | August 28, 2019 to date | 6,869,822 |
| Darryl Cardey | |||
| BC, Canada | |||
| Director | Chartered Professional Accountant designation, a principal of CDM Capital Partners Inc., a financial advisory firm specializing in corporate advisory, merchant banking and mergers and acquisitions. | January 19, 2017 to date | 70,000 |
| Ofer Eitan | |||
| Israel | |||
| Director | Founder and former CEO of the Company, serial entrepreneur and expert in software and digital markets, previously founder and CEO of Moblin. | August 5, 2020 to date | 5,442,202 |
| NAME, PROVINCE OR STATE AND COUNTRY OF ORDINARY RESIDENCE OF NOMINEE AND PRESENT POSITION WITH THE COMPANY | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION | PERIOD SERVED AS DIRECTOR | APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF VOTING SECURITIES(1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avigur Zmora | |||
| Israel | |||
| Director | Investor and advisor in start-up companies. | August 5, 2020 to date | 241,866 |
(1) Voting securities of the Company beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly.
The Board has not appointed an executive committee.
As the Company is a reporting company, the directors of the Company are required to select from their number an audit committee. Amnon Argaman, Darryl Cardey and Amit Bohensky are the three current directors selected by the Board to the audit committee.
No proposed director:
(a) is, as at the date of this Information Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity:
(i) was subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; or
(ii) was subject to an event that resulted, after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director or executive officer, in the company being subject to a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; or
(b) is, as at the date of this Information Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or
(c) has, within the 10 years before the date of this Information 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 has a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director.
2. APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF AUDITOR
The persons named in the enclosed instrument of proxy intend to vote for the re-appointment of Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co. ("Brightman") as the Company's auditor until the next annual general meeting of shareholders at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board. Brightman was first appointed auditor on May 3, 2018.
3. NEW INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
The Board adopted an incentive plan (the “Omnibus Plan”) as of January 20, 2025. The adoption and amendment is subject to the approval of shareholders to be obtained at the Meeting which is intended to replace the Company’s current stock option incentive plan (the “Existing Plan”). The Board determined that it is desirable to have a “Existing Plan” by the Board in accordance with the Omnibus Plan. The Omnibus Plan will replace the Existing Plan.
The purpose of the Omnibus Plan is to: (i) provide the Company with a mechanism to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its affiliates; (ii) align the interests of Participants with that of other shareholders of the Company generally; and (iii) enable and encourage Participants to participate in the long-term growth of the Company through the acquisition of Common Shares as long-term investments.
Under the Omnibus Plan, the maximum number of Common Shares issuable from treasury pursuant to Awards shall not exceed 15,799,954 Common Shares under the Omnibus Plan, being an amount equal to approximately 16% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares as of the date hereof. The Omnibus Plan, with respect to the Options, is a “fixed plan”. Common Shares in respect of which Options have not been exercised and are no longer subject to being purchased pursuant to the terms of any Options shall be available for further Options under the Omnibus Plan. For so long as the Company is listed on the TSX-V:
(a) the maximum number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to any one Insider (as defined by the TSX-V) shall not exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares at any point in time, unless the Company obtains disinterested shareholder approval as required by the policies of the TSX-V;
(b) the maximum number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to Insiders as a group in any 12-month period shall not exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the date an Award is granted to the Participant, unless the Company obtains disinterested shareholder approval as required by the policies of the TSX-V;
(c) the maximum number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to any one Participant in any 12-month period shall not exceed 5% of the outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the date an Award is granted to the Participant, unless the Company obtains shareholder approval as required by the policies of the TSX-V;
(d) the aggregate number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to any one Consultant (as defined by the TSX-V) within any 12-month period shall not exceed 2% of the outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the date an Award is granted to the Consultant;
(e) the aggregate number of Common Shares for which Awards may be issued to Investor Relations Service Providers (as defined by the TSX-V) as a group within any 12-month period shall not exceed 2% of the outstanding Common Shares, calculated on the date an Award is granted to the Consultant, and such Awards shall only include Options;
(f) Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers shall be subject to the vesting requirements set out in TSX Venture Exchange Policy 4.4, and Awards granted to all other Participants shall be subject to the vesting requirements of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 4.4; and
(g) for any grant of an Award to a Participant that is a company, excluding Participants that are companies which are Consultants, such recipient must provide the TSX-V with a completed Certification and Undertaking Required from a Company Granted Security Based Compensation in the form of Schedule “A” to Form 4G - Summary Form – Security Based Compensation.
The Omnibus Plan provides for customary adjustments or substitutions, as applicable, in the number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Omnibus Plan in the event of a merger, arrangement, amalgamation, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, separation, stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off or other distribution of stock or property of the Company, combination of securities, exchange of securities, dividend in kind, or other like change in capital structure or distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to the Company’s shareholders, or any similar corporate event or transaction. The Omnibus Plan also provides, with respect to RSUs, for the payment of dividend equivalents in the amount that a Participant would have received if the RSUs had settled for Common Shares on the record date of dividends declared by the Company provided that if the number of securities issued as dividend equivalents, together with all of the Company’s other share-based compensation, would exceed 15,799,954 Common Shares (or any of the other limits set forth in TSX Venture Exchange Policy 4.4, including limits on grants with respect to individuals, Insiders, Consultants and Investor Relations Service Providers) then such dividend equivalents will be paid in cash.
Plan Administration
The Omnibus Plan will be administered by the Board, which may delegate its authority to any duly authorized committee of the Board (the “Plan Administrator”). The Plan Administrator has sole and complete authority, in its discretion, to:
(a) determine the individuals (the “Participants”) to whom grants of Awards under the Omnibus Plan may be made;
(b) make grants of Awards under the Omnibus Plan, whether relating to the issuance of Common Shares or otherwise (including any combination of Options and RSUs), in such amounts, to such Participants and, subject to the provisions of the Omnibus Plan, on such terms and conditions as it determines, including, without limitation:
(i) the time or times at which Awards may be granted;
(ii) the conditions under which: (A) Awards may be granted to Participants; or (B) Awards may be forfeited to the Company, including any conditions relating to the attainment of specified performance goals;
(iii) the number of Common Shares to be covered by any Award;
(iv) the price, if any, to be paid by a Participant in connection with the purchase of Common Shares covered by any Awards;
(v) whether restrictions or limitations are to be imposed on the Common Shares issuable pursuant to grants of any Award, and the nature of such restrictions or limitations, if any; and
(vi) any acceleration of exercisability or vesting, or waiver of termination regarding any Award, based on such factors as the Plan Administrator may determine;
(c) establish the form or forms of Award Agreements (as defined in the Omnibus Plan);
(d) cancel, amend, adjust or otherwise change any Award under such circumstances as the Plan Administrator may consider appropriate in accordance with the provisions of the Omnibus Plan;
(e) construe and interpret the Omnibus Plan and all Award Agreements;
(f) adopt, amend, prescribe and rescind administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations relating to the Omnibus Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favourable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws;
(g) if an Award is to be granted to Employees, Consultants, or Management Company Employees, the Plan Administrator and the Participant to whom that Award is to be granted are responsible for ensuring and confirming that the Participant is a bona fide Employee, Consultant, or Management Company Employee; and
(h) make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of the Omnibus Plan.
Change in Control
If there is a Change in Control (as defined in the Omnibus Plan), the Plan Administrator may take such steps as it deems necessary or desirable, including to cause (i) the conversion or exchange of any outstanding Awards into or for rights or other securities of substantially equivalent value, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its discretion, in any entity participating in or resulting from a Change in Control; (ii) outstanding Awards to vest and become exercisable, realizable, or payable, or restrictions applicable to an Award to lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon consummation of such Change in Control, and, to the extent the Plan Administrator determines, terminate upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such Change in Control; (iii) the termination of an Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise or settlement of such Award or realization of the Participant's rights as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction net of any exercise price payable by the Participant (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Plan Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise or settlement of such Award or realization of the Participant's rights net of any exercise price payable by the Participant, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment); (iv) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Board in its sole discretion; or (v) any combination of the foregoing. Any such actions taken in connection with a Change in Control must comply with the policies of the TSX-V including, without limitation, the requirement that the acceleration of vesting of Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers shall only occur with the prior written approval of the TSX-V.
Incentive Awards
Options
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Omnibus Plan and any policies of the TSX-V, the Board may grant Options to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms (including the exercise price, duration of the Options, the number of Common Shares to which the Option pertains, and the conditions, if any, upon which an Option shall become vested and exercisable) as the Board shall determine.
The exercise price of the Options will be determined by the Board at the time any Option is granted. In no event will such exercise price be lower than the Discounted Market Price (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V). Except where a Participant elects for a Net Exercise (as defined below), such price upon exercise of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full in cash, certified cheque or wire transfer.
Subject to prior approval by the Board, a Participant may elect to surrender for cancellation to the Company any vested Options in accordance with the net exercise policies of the TSX-V (a "Net Exercise"). In connection with a Net Exercise, the Company will issue to the Participant, as consideration of the Options, that number of Option Shares (as defined in the Omnibus Plan) determined on a net issuance basis in accordance with the following formula below:
$$
\mathrm {X} = \mathrm {Y} (\mathrm {A} - \mathrm {B}) \mathrm {A}
$$
where:
X = The number of Option Shares issuable to the Participant as consideration for respect of the exchange or surrender of an Option under Section 4.6 of the Omnibus Plan;
Y = The number of Option Shares issuable with respect to the vested portion of the Option to be exercised by the Participant (the "Subject Options");
A = The VWAP of the Shares; and
B = The Exercise Price of the Subject Options.
Unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement (as defined in the Omnibus Plan), and subject to any provisions of the Omnibus Plan or the applicable Award Agreement relating to acceleration of vesting of Options, Options shall vest subject to TSX-V policies (including TSX-V Policies with respect to the vesting of Options granted to person performing Investor Relations Activities (as defined in the Omnibus Plan)), and the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine the time during which an Option shall vest and the method of vesting, or that no vesting restriction shall exist.
Subject to any requirements of the TSX-V, the Board may determine the expiry date of each Option. Subject to a limited extension if an Option expires during a black-out period, Options may be exercised for a period of up to ten (10) years after the grant date, provided that: (i) upon a Participant's termination for cause, all Options, whether vested or not, as at the date on which a Participant ceases to be eligible to participate under the Omnibus Plan (the "Termination Date") as a result of termination of employment, will automatically and immediately expire and be forfeited; (ii) upon the death of a Participant, all unvested Options as at the Termination Date shall automatically and immediately vest, and all vested Options will continue to be subject to the Omnibus Plan and be exercisable until the earlier of the original expiry date of the award and 12 months after the Termination Date; (iii) in the case of the disability of a Participant, all Options shall remain and continue to vest (and are exercisable) in accordance with the terms of the Omnibus Plan for a period of 12 months after the Termination Date, provided that any Options that have not been exercised (whether vested or not) within 12 months after the Termination Date shall automatically and immediately expire and be forfeited on such date; (iv) in the case of the retirement of a Participant, all Options shall remain and continue to vest (and are exercisable) in accordance with the terms of the Omnibus Plan for a period of 12 months after the Termination Date, provided that any Options that have not been exercised (whether vested or not) within 12 months after the Termination Date shall automatically and immediately expire and be forfeited on such date; and; (v) in all other cases where a Participant ceases to be eligible under the Omnibus Plan, including a termination without cause or a voluntary resignation, unless otherwise determined by the Board, all unvested Options shall automatically and immediately expire and be forfeited as of the Termination Date, and all vested Options will continue to be subject to the Omnibus Plan and be exercisable for a period of 90 days after the Termination Date, provided that any Options that have not been exercised within 90 days after the Termination Date shall automatically and immediately expire and be forfeited on such date.
RSUs
The Board is authorized to grant RSUs evidencing the right to receive Common Shares (issued from treasury), cash based on the value of a Common Share or a combination thereof at some future time to eligible persons under the Omnibus Plan.
RSUs generally become vested, if at all, following a period of continuous employment. The terms and conditions of grants of RSUs, including the quantity, type of award, grant date, vesting conditions, vesting periods, settlement date and other terms and conditions with respect to these Awards will be set out in the Participant's Award Agreement.
Subject to the achievement of the applicable vesting conditions, the payout of an RSU will generally occur on the settlement date.
In addition, the full text of the Omnibus Plan is attached to this Information Circular as Schedule "A".
Relevant disinterested shareholders, as described under the heading "Votes Necessary to Pass Resolutions" will be asked to consider and, if deemed appropriate, authorize, ratify, approve and confirm, subject to final regulatory approval, the Omnibus Plan (the "Omnibus Plan Resolution"). The Omnibus Plan Resolution must be approved by not less than a majority of the votes cast in respect thereof by shareholders other than insiders of the Company eligible to receive awards under the Omnibus Plan and their associates (as defined in TSX-V Policies, collectively, the "Insiders").
The Omnibus Plan will supersede the Existing Plan.
The TSX-V has conditionally accepted the Omnibus Plan, subject to the approval of shareholders as described herein.
At the Meeting, relevant disinterested shareholders will be asked to vote on the following ordinary resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Company's Omnibus Plan, as described and included in the Information Circular is hereby authorized, ratified, approved and confirmed; and
Any one or more of the directors or officers of the Company is authorized and directed, upon the Board resolving to give effect to this resolution, to take all necessary steps and proceedings and to execute, deliver and file any and all declarations, agreements, documents and other instruments and do all such other acts and things that may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the resolution."
Shareholders may vote FOR or AGAINST the above resolution. The Board has determined that the Omnibus Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT EACH SHAREHOLDER VOTE "FOR" THE OMNIBUS PLAN.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
For the purpose of this Information Circular:
"Named Executive Officer" or "NEO" means each of the following individuals:
(a) each individual who, in respect of the Company, during any part of the most recently completed financial year, served as chief executive officer, including an individual performing functions similar to a chief executive officer;
(b) each individual who, in respect of the Company, during any part of the most recently completed financial year, served as chief financial officer, including an individual performing functions similar to a chief financial officer;
(c) in respect of the Company and its subsidiaries, the most highly compensated executive officer other than the individuals identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was more than $150,000, as determined in accordance with subsection 1.3(5) of Form 51-102F6V Statement of Executive Compensation – Venture Issuers, for that financial year; and
(d) each individual who would be a named executive officer under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was not an executive officer of the Company, and was not acting in a similar capacity, at the end of that financial year.
Director and Named Executive Officer Compensation, Excluding Compensation Securities
The following table sets forth direct and indirect compensation (excluding compensation securities) paid, payable, awarded, granted, given or otherwise provided, directly or indirectly, by the Company, or a subsidiary of the Company, to each NEO and each director of the Company, in any capacity, including, for greater certainty, all plan and non-plan compensation, direct and indirect pay, remuneration or financial award, reward, benefit, gift or perquisite paid, payable, awarded, granted, given or otherwise provided to the NEO or director for services provided and services to be provided, directly or indirectly, to the Company, for each of the 2022 and 2023 financial years. All amounts expressed in this table and notes below are presented in United States Dollars, denominated by “$”, the functional currency of the Company.
| Name and Position | Year | Salary, consulting fee, retainer or commission ($) | Bonus ($) | Committee or meeting fees ($) | Value of perquisites(1) ($) | Value of all other compensation ($) | Total compensation ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ido Almany | 2023 | 339,291 | N/A | N/A | 25,334 | N/A | 364,625(2) |
| CEO | 2022 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A(2) |
| Tsvika Adler | 2023 | 240,790 | N/A | N/A | 23,821 | N/A | 264,611 |
| CFO | 2022 | 263,724 | N/A | N/A | 25,027 | N/A | 288,751 |
| Omri Argaman | 2023 | 293,827 | N/A | N/A | 29,012 | N/A | 322,839 |
| CMO | 2022 | 323,238 | N/A | N/A | 27,971 | N/A | 351,209 |
| Ofer Eitan | 2023 | 199,940 | N/A | N/A | 1,599 | N/A | 201,539(2) |
| Director and Former CEO | 2022 | 510,246 | N/A | N/A | 19,457 | N/A | 529,703(2) |
| Amit Bohensky | 2023 | 224,450 | N/A | N/A | 13,909 | N/A | 238,359(3) |
| Chairman, Director | 2022 | 243,412 | N/A | N/A | 14,107 | N/A | 257,519(3) |
| Amnon Argaman | 2023 | 36,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 36,000 |
| Director | 2022 | 36,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 36,000 |
| Darryl Cardey | 2023 | 36,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 36,000 |
| Director | 2022 | 36,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 36,000 |
| Avigur Zmora | 2023 | 48,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 48,000 |
| Director | 2022 | 48,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 48,000 |
(1) The perquisites are valued on the basis of the actual expenses paid for the Company to the noted individuals with respect to their respective car allowances.
(2) In 2022 and 2023, the Company paid Mr. Ofer Eitan and to C Capital Ltd, an Israeli company controlled by Mr. Ofer Eitan, $499,703 and $171,539 for his services as the Company's CEO, respectively, and $30,000 for his services as a Company's director. Mr. Eitan stepped down as CEO and was succeeded by Ido Almany in March 2023.
(3) In 2022 and 2023, the Company paid Bohensky Consulting and Investments Ltd., an Israeli company controlled by Mr. Bohensky, $257,519 and $238,359, respectively, for his role as Company's chairman services. In 2022 and 2023, the Company paid Develop Soft Ltd., a Bulgarian software company controlled by Mr. Bohensky, $389,733 and $226,240, respectively, for software development services. As of the date of the report, Develop Soft Ltd. is no longer a related party, since the company was sold by Mr. Bohensky to a third party.
Stock Options and Other Compensation Securities
As at December 31, 2023, the following stock options were outstanding to directors and Named Executive Officers:
(a) Amit Bohensky, Chairman and a director of the Company, owned an aggregate of 540,238 stock options, each exercisable into one common share at a price of approximately $0.026 per share.
(b) Amnon Argaman, a director of the Company, owned 292,442 stock options, each exercisable into one common share at a price of approximately $0.047 per share.
(c) Avigur Zmora, a director of the Company, owned an aggregate of 546,691 stock options, each exercisable into one common share at a price of approximately $0.203 per share.
(d) Ofer Eitan, former CEO and a director of the Company, owned an aggregate of 540,238 stock options, each exercisable into one common share at a price of approximately $0.026 per share.
(e) Ido Almany, CEO of the Company, owned an aggregate of 3,164,071 stock options, each exercisable into one common share at a price of approximately $0.096 per share.
(f) Tsvika Adler, CFO of the Company, owned an aggregate of 373,138 stock options, each exercisable into one common share at a price of approximately $0.072 per share.
(g) Darryl Cardey, a director of the Company, owned an aggregate of 35,000 stock options, each exercisable into one common share at a price of $0.388 per share.
(h) Omri Argaman, CMO of the Company, owned an aggregate of 297,796 stock options, each exercisable into one common share at a price of approximately $0.065 per share.
Exercise of Compensation Securities by Directors and NEOs
No compensation securities were exercised by directors or Named Executive Officers during the financial year ended December 31, 2023.
Employment, Consulting and Management Agreements
During fiscal year 2023, the Company was not a party to any agreement or arrangement under which compensation was provided or is payable in respect of services provided to the Company or any of its subsidiaries that were performed by a director or Named Executive Officer, or performed by any other party but are services typically provided by a director or a Named Executive Officer.
Oversight and Description of Director and NEO Compensation
The Company has a standard arrangement pursuant to which directors are compensated by the Company for their services in their capacity as directors. Additionally, the directors may be reimbursed for actual expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as directors.
The directors decide as a Board the compensation for the Company's NEOs. Compensation payable is determined by considering compensation paid for NEOs of companies of similar size and stage of development in the mining exploration industry and determining an appropriate compensation reflecting the need to provide incentive and compensation for the time and effort expended by the directors and senior management while taking into account the financial and other resources of the Company. In setting the compensation, the performance of the NEO is reviewed in light of the Company's objectives and other factors that may have impacted the success of the Company. An interested Board member is required to abstain from voting on matters concerning his own compensation.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
As at December 31, 2023, the following compensation plans of the Company were in place under which equity securities of the Company were authorized for issuance.
| Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan Category | (a) | (b) | (c) |
| Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders | 10,747,182 | 0.1 | 4,191,376 |
| Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders | - | - | - |
| Total | 10,747,181 | 0.1 | 4,191,376 |
Summary of Stock Option Plan
The Company currently has one security-based compensation arrangement, which is its "fixed stock" option plan, being the Option Plan. The maximum number of common shares reserved for issue pursuant to the Option Plan shall be determined from time to time by the Board but, in any case, shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 14,938,559 stock options, representing 16% of the Company's common shares issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date of the Option Plan (as defined in the Option Plan). An aggregate of 9,515,010 stock options have been granted by the Company under the Option Plan to date, which have not been cancelled or expired, or been exercised to date.
At the Meeting, shareholders of the Company will be asked to approve the replacement of the Option Plan with the Omnibus Plan.
The TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") policies with respect to incentive stock options (the "Policies") provide that listed companies may only issue incentive stock options pursuant to the terms of a stock option plan that has been approved by the shareholders of the Company and the TSXV. At a previous annual general meeting, pursuant to the Policies, management proposed and the shareholders of the Company approved the Option Plan and the Company is seeking the approval of the shareholders of the Company of the Omnibus Plan at the Meeting.
Pursuant to the terms of the Option Plan, the Board administers and implements the Option Plan and recommends changes or additions to the Option Plan. The Board determines all stock options to be granted pursuant to the Option Plan, the exercise price thereof and any special terms or vesting provisions applicable thereto. When determining whether to grant new options to executive officers, the Board takes into account previous stock option grants.
The purpose of the Option Plan is to provide an incentive to eligible persons to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company, to continue their participation in the affairs of the Company and to increase their efforts on behalf of the Company. The options are non-assignable and may be granted for a term not exceeding ten years, provided that so long as the Company is classified as a "Tier 2" issuer by the TSXV, the options may be granted for a term not exceeding five years. Options may be granted under the Option Plan to directors, officers, and technical consultants of the Company and their permitted assigns, subject to applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSXV. The total number of common shares which may be reserved for issuance to any one individual under the Option Plan within any 12 month period shall not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding common shares. The maximum number of stock options which may be granted to any one consultant under the Option Plan within any 12 month period must not exceed 2% of the common shares issued and outstanding. The maximum number of stock options which may be granted to any persons performing investor relations services under the Option Plan, within any 12 month period must
not exceed, in the aggregate, 2% of the common shares issued and outstanding. The aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance pursuant to options granted to insiders at any give time, or within any 12 month period, must not exceed 10% of the total number of common shares then outstanding, unless disinterested shareholder approval is obtained. The exercise price of options issued may not be less than the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Option Plan) of the common shares at the time the option is granted.
The Omnibus Plan is intended to achieve the same objective as the Option Plan and contains similar restrictions. Please see “Matters to be Considered at the Meeting – New Incentive Compensation Plan” in the Information Circular for more information.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
None of the directors or executive officers of the Company has been indebted to the Company or its subsidiary during the financial year ended December 31, 2023 or the current financial year.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE
Corporate governance relates to the activities of the Board. A summary of the responsibilities and activities and the membership of each of the Committees is set out below. National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines establishes corporate governance guidelines that apply to all public companies. The Company has reviewed its own corporate governance practices in light of these guidelines. In certain cases, the Company’s practices comply with the guidelines, however, the Board considers that some of the guidelines are not suitable for the Company at its current stage of development and therefore these guidelines have not been adopted. National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices mandates disclosure of corporate governance practices which disclosure is set out below. The Board is committed to sound corporate governance practices in the interest of its shareholders and contribute to effective and efficient decision making. The Company will continue to review and implement corporate governance guidelines as the business of the Company progresses.
Independence of Members of Board
The Board currently consists of five directors. Of the current proposed directors of the Company, two are independent based upon the tests for independence set forth in National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees. Avigur Zmora and Darryl Cardey are independent. Amit Bohensky is not independent on the basis that he received more than $75,000 in direct compensation from the Company during any 12 month period within the last three years. Amnon Argaman is not independent on the basis that an immediate family member of his is, or has been within the last 3 years, an executive officer of the Company. Lastly, Ofer Eitan is not independent on the basis that he was also an executive officer of the Company (CEO) within the last three years. Previously, at an annual general meeting of shareholders, shareholders voted to increase the size of the Board to seven directors, providing the Board with the ability to appoint additional directors in the event such appointment is considered by the Board to be in the best interests of the Company at the time.
Management Supervision by Board
The size of the Company is such that all the Company’s operations are conducted by a small management team which is also represented on the Board. Any director may submit items for inclusion in the agenda of matters to be discussed at meeting of the Board. The Board considers that management is effectively supervised by the independent directors on an informal basis as the independent directors are actively and regularly involved in reviewing the operations of the Company and have regular and full access to management. The independent directors are able to meet at any time without any members of management including the non-independent directors being present. Further supervision is performed through the audit committee which will be composed of a majority of independent directors. The independent directors exercise their responsibilities for independent oversight of management through their majority control of the Board.
Directorships
Certain of the directors are presently directors of one or more other reporting issuers as follows:
| Name of Director | Name of Other Reporting Issuer(s) |
|---|---|
| Darryl Cardey | Silver X Mining Corp. |
| Zincore Metals Inc.. |
Orientation and Continuing Education
The Board does not have a formal orientation or education program for its members. New Board members are provided with information respecting the functioning of the Board, committees and copies of the Company's corporate governance policies, access to all of the publicly filed documents of the Company and complete access to management and the Company's professional advisors. Historically, board members have been nominated who are familiar with the Company and the nature of its business.
Board members are encouraged to communicate with management and auditors, to keep themselves current with industry trends and developments and changes in legislation with the Company's assistance, to attend industry seminars and to visit the Company's operations.
Ethical Business Conduct
The Board believes good corporate governance is an integral component to the success of the Company and to meet its responsibilities to shareholders.
At present, the Board has not adopted guidelines or stipulations or a code to encourage and promote a culture of ethical business conduct due to the size of its Board and its limited activities. The Company does promote ethical business conduct through the nomination of Board members it considers ethical.
Nomination of Directors
The Board has responsibility for identifying and assessing potential Board candidates. Recruitment of new directors has generally resulted from recommendations made by directors, management and shareholders. The Board assesses potential Board candidates to fill perceived needs on the Board for required skills, expertise, independence and other factors.
Compensation of Directors and the CEO
The directors decide as a Board the compensation for the Company's directors and officers on a monthly basis. Compensation payable is determined by considering compensation paid for directors and CEOs of companies of similar size and stage of development in the software development industry and determining appropriate compensation reflecting the need to provide incentive and compensation for the time and effort expended by the directors and senior management while taking into account the financial and other resources of the Company. In setting the compensation, the performance of the CEO is reviewed in light of the Company's objectives and other factors that may have impacted the success of the Company.
Board Committees
The Company does not have any standing committees in addition to the audit committee.
The Board is of the view that size of the Company’s operations does not warrant a larger Board, and has determined that additional committees are not necessary at this stage of the Company’s development.
Assessments
The Board does not consider that formal assessments would be useful at this stage of the Company’s development. The Board conducts informal periodic assessments of the effectiveness of the Board and the individual directors.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Audit Committee Charter (the “Charter”)
Mandate
The primary function of the audit committee (the “Committee”) is to assist the Board in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities by reviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to regulatory authorities and shareholders, the Company’s systems of internal controls regarding finance and accounting and the Company’s auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes. Consistent with this function, the Committee will encourage continuous improvement of, and should foster adherence to, the Company’s policies, procedures and practices at all levels. The Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to (i) serve as an independent and objective party to monitor the Company’s financial reporting and internal control system and review the Company’s financial statements; (ii) review and appraise the performance of the Company’s external auditors; and (iii) provide an open avenue of communication among the Company’s auditors, financial and senior management and the Board.
Composition
The Committee shall be comprised of three directors as determined by the Board, the majority of whom shall be free from any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment as a member of the Committee.
At least one member of the Committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise. All members of the Committee that are not financially literate will work towards becoming financially literate to obtain a working familiarity with basic finance and accounting practices. For the purposes of this Charter, the definition of “financially literate” is the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can presumably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements.
The members of the Committee shall be elected by the Board at its first meeting following the annual shareholders’ meeting. Unless a Chair is elected by the full Board, the members of the Committee may designate a Chair by a majority vote of the full Committee membership.
Meetings
The Committee shall meet at least twice annually, or more frequently as circumstances dictate. As part of its job to foster open communication, the Committee will meet at least annually with the Chief Financial Officer and the external auditors in separate sessions.
Responsibilities and Duties
To fulfil its responsibilities and duties, the Committee shall:
Documents/Reports Review
(a) Review and update this Charter annually.
(b) Review the Company’s financial statements, Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) and any annual and interim earnings, press releases before the Company publicly discloses this information and any reports or other financial information (including quarterly financial statements), which are submitted to any governmental body, or to the public, including any certification, report, opinion or review rendered by the external auditors.
External Auditors
(a) Review annually the performance of the external auditors who shall be ultimately accountable to the Board and the Committee as representatives of the shareholders of the Company.
(b) Obtain annually a formal written statement of external auditors setting forth all relationships between the external auditors and the Company, consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard 1.
(c) Review and discuss with the external auditors any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the external auditors.
(d) Take, or recommend that the full Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the external auditors.
(e) Recommend to the Board the selection and, where applicable, the replacement of the external auditors nominated annually for shareholder approval.
(f) At each meeting, consult with the external auditors, without the presence of management, about the quality of the Company’s accounting principles, internal controls and the completeness and accuracy of the Company’s financial statements.
(g) Review and approve the Company’s hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and former external auditors of the Company.
(h) Review with management and the external auditors the audit plan for the year-end financial statements and intended template for such statements.
(i) Review and pre-approve all audit and audit-related services and the fees and other compensation related thereto, and any non-audit services provided by the Company’s external auditors. The pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provision of non-audit services if:
(i) the aggregate amount of all such non-audit services provided to the Company constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid by the Company to its external auditors during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided;
(ii) such services were not recognized by the Company at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and
(iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee by the Company and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Committee or by one or more members of the Committee who are members of the Board to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Committee.
Provided the pre-approval of the non-audit services is presented to the Committee’s first scheduled meeting following such approval such authority may be delegated by the Committee to one or more independent members of the Committee.
Financial Reporting Processes
(a) In consultation with the external auditors, review with management the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting process, both internal and external.
(b) Consider the external auditor’s judgments about the quality and appropriateness of the Company’s accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting.
(c) Consider and approve, if appropriate, changes to the Company’s auditing and accounting principles and practices as suggested by the external auditors and management.
(d) Review significant judgments made by management in the preparation of the financial statements and the view of the external auditors as to appropriateness of such judgments.
(e) Following completion of the annual audit, review separately with management and the external auditors any significant difficulties encountered during the course of the audit, including any restrictions on the scope of work or access to required information.
(f) Review any significant disagreement among management and the external auditors in connection with the preparation of the financial statements.
(g) Review with the external auditors and management the extent to which changes and improvements in financial or accounting practices have been implemented.
(h) Review any complaints or concerns about any questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters.
(i) Review certification process.
(j) Establish a procedure for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Other
Review any related party transactions.
Composition of the Audit Committee
The following are the members of the Committee:
| Amnon Argaman | Not independent* | Financially literate* |
|---|---|---|
| Darryl Cardey | Independent* | Financially literate* |
| Amit Bohensky | Not independent* | Financially literate* |
- As defined by National Instrument 52-110, Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”).
Relevant Education and Experience
The education and experience of each Committee member that is relevant to the performance of his or her responsibilities as an audit committee member is set out below:
Mr. Argaman – Chartered Professional Accountant, over 35 years of experience as a Chartered Professional Accountant and financial consultant.
Mr. Cardey – Chartered Professional Accountant designation, a principal of CDM Capital Partners Inc.
Mr. Amit Bohensky – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Chemistry, former CEO and CTO of several software companies, involved in several start-ups as an investor and in various active board roles.
Audit Committee Oversight
At no time since the commencement of the 2023 fiscal year of the Company was a recommendation of the Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor not adopted by the Board.
Reliance on Certain Exemptions
At no time since the commencement of the 2023 fiscal year of the Company has the Company relied on the exemption in section 2.4 of NI 52-110 (De Minimis Non-audit Services), or an exemption from NI 52-110, in whole or in part, granted under Part 8 of NI 52-110.
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
The Committee has adopted specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services as described above under the heading "External Auditors".
External Auditor Service Fees (By Category)
The aggregate fees billed by the Company's external auditors in each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees are as follows (amounts expressed in the table below are presented in United States Dollars):
| Financial Year Ending | Audit Fee | Audit Related Fees | Tax Fees | All Other Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 105,000 | 2,767 | - | N/A |
| 2022 | 95,000 | 28,586 | - | N/A |
Exemption
Section 6.1 of NI 52-110 exempts issuers listed on the TSXV from the requirements of Parts 3 (Composition of the Audit Committee) and 5 (Reporting Obligations) of NI 52-110. As a result, the members of the Committee are not required to be either "independent" or "financially literate" within the meaning of NI 52-110; however, the Company is required to provide on an annual basis, the disclosure regarding its Audit Committee made in this Information Circular. See the disclosure above under the heading "Composition of the Audit Committee".
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Since the beginning of the 2023 fiscal year of the Company, no director, executive officer or insider of the Company or any proposed director of the Company or any associate or affiliate of the aforementioned persons has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries except as set out herein and below.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
No (i) director or executive officer of the Company, (ii) proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company, or (iii) any associate of a person in (i) or (ii) has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise in the matters to be acted upon at the said Meeting, except for any interest arising from the ownership of shares of the Company where the shareholder will receive no extra or special benefit or advantage not shared on a pro rata basis by all holders of shares in the capital of the Company.
Material Transactions Since January 1, 2023
Other informed party transactions
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred the following expenses to private companies controlled by a significant shareholder of the Company: R&D services expenses of US$226,240.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Shareholders may contact the Company to request copies of the Company's financial statements and MD&A without charge by emailing [email protected]. Financial information regarding the Company is provided in the Company's comparative annual financial statements and MD&A for the 2023 fiscal year.
NO OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OTHER THAN REFERRED TO IN THE NOTICE OF MEETING. HOWEVER, IF ANY OTHER MATTERS WHICH ARE NOT KNOWN TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY SHALL PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SAID MEETING, THE FORM OF PROXY GIVEN PURSUANT TO THE SOLICITATION BY MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY WILL BE VOTED ON SUCH MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST JUDGMENT OF THE PERSONS VOTING THE PROXY.
The contents of this Information Circular and its distribution to shareholders have been approved by the Board.
Dated at Herzliya, Israel, the 20th day of January, 2025.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
ZOOMD TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
"Amit Bohensky"
Amit Bohensky
Chairman
SCHEDULE A
OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
[See Attached]
ZOOMD
KNOW MORE, DO MORE.
ZOOMD TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON JANUARY 20, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 PURPOSE
1.1 Purpose ... 1
1.2 Amendment to Predecessor Plan ... 1
ARTICLE 2 INTERPRETATION
2.1 Definitions ... 1
2.2 Interpretation ... 10
ARTICLE 3 ADMINISTRATION
3.1 Administration ... 10
3.2 Delegation to Committee ... 11
3.3 Determinations Binding ... 11
3.4 Eligibility ... 12
3.5 Plan Administrator Requirements ... 12
3.6 Total Shares Subject to Awards ... 12
3.7 Limits on Grants of Awards ... 13
3.8 Award Agreements ... 14
3.9 Non-transferability of Awards ... 14
ARTICLE 4 OPTIONS
4.1 Granting of Options ... 14
4.2 Exercise Price ... 14
4.3 Term of Options ... 14
4.4 Vesting and Exercisability ... 14
4.5 Payment of Exercise Price ... 15
4.6 Israeli Tax Matters ... 15
4.7 Cashless Exercise ... 15
4.8 Net Exercise of Options ... 16
ARTICLE 5 RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
5.1 Granting of RSUs ... 16
5.2 RSU Account ... 17
5.3 Vesting of RSUs ... 17
5.4 Settlement of RSUs ... 17
5.5 Israeli Tax Matters ... 17
ARTICLE 6 ADDITIONAL AWARD TERMS
6.1 Dividend Equivalents ... 18
6.2 Blackout Period ... 18
6.3 Withholding Taxes ... 18
6.4 Recoupment ... 19
ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICES
7.1 Termination of Employment, Services or Director ... 19
7.2 Discretion to Permit Acceleration ... 21
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7.3 Participants' Entitlement...21
ARTICLE 8 EVENTS AFFECTING THE CORPORATION...21
8.1 General...21
8.2 Change in Control...21
8.3 Reorganization of Corporation’s Capital...23
8.4 Other Events Affecting the Corporation...23
8.5 Immediate Acceleration of Awards...23
8.6 Issue by Corporation of Additional Shares...23
8.7 Fractions...23
ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN...24
9.1 Amendment, Suspension, or Termination of the Plan...24
9.2 Shareholder Approval...24
9.3 Permitted Amendments...25
ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS...26
10.1 Legal Requirement...26
10.2 No Other Benefit...26
10.3 Rights of Participant...26
10.4 Corporate Action...26
10.5 Conflict...26
10.6 Anti-Hedging Policy...26
10.7 Participant Information...27
10.8 Participation in the Plan...27
10.9 International Participants...27
10.10 Successors and Assigns...27
10.11 General Restrictions on Assignment...27
10.12 Severability...27
10.13 Notices...28
10.14 Effective Date...28
10.15 Governing Law...28
10.16 Submission to Jurisdiction...28
Appendices
Appendix A Israeli Appendix
ZOOMD TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
ARTICLE 1
PURPOSE
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide the Corporation with a share-related mechanism to attract, retain and motivate qualified Directors, Officers, Employees, Management Company Employees and Consultants, to reward such of those Directors, Officers, Employees, Management Company Employees and Consultants as may be granted Awards under this Plan by the Board from time to time for their contributions toward the long term goals and success of the Corporation and to enable and encourage such Directors, Officers, Employees, Management Company Employees and Consultants to acquire Shares as long term investments and proprietary interests in the Corporation.
1.2 Amendment to Predecessor Plan
This Plan constitutes an amendment to and restatement of the Corporation’s Stock Option Incentive Plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on July 2, 2020 (the “Predecessor Plan”). Subject to compliance with the policies of the Exchange, all outstanding Options granted under the Predecessor Plan (the “Predecessor Options”) shall continue to be outstanding as Options granted under this Plan, provided however that except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of the Predecessor Plan, such Options continue in accordance with their existing terms.
ARTICLE 2
INTERPRETATION
2.1 Definitions
When used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms have the indicated meanings, respectively:
“Affiliate” means any entity that is an “affiliate” for the purposes of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions, as amended from time to time;
“Award” means any Option or Restricted Share Unit;
“Award Agreement” means a signed, written agreement between a Participant and the Corporation, in the form or any one of the forms approved by the Plan Administrator, and evidencing the terms and conditions on which an Award has been granted under this Plan (including written or other applicable employment agreements) and which need not be identical to any other such agreements;
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“Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation as it may be constituted from time to time;
“Business Day” means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which the principal commercial banks in the City of Toronto, Canada or Tel Aviv, Israel are open for commercial business during normal banking hours;
“Canadian Taxpayer” means a Participant that is resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act;
“Cause” means:
(a) in the case of an Employee: (1) “cause” as such term is defined in the employment or other written agreement between the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation and the Employee; (2) in the event there is no written or other applicable employment agreement between the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation and the Employee or “cause” is not defined in such agreement, “cause” as such term is defined in the Award Agreement; or (3) in the event neither clause (1) nor (2) apply, then “cause” as such term is defined by applicable law,
(b) in the case of a Consultant (1) the occurrence of any event which, under the written consulting contract with the Consultant or the common law or the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Consultant provides services, gives the Corporation or any of its Affiliates the right to immediately terminate the consulting contract; or (2) the termination of the consulting contract as a result of an order made by any Regulatory Authority having jurisdiction to so order;
(c) in the case of a Director, ceasing to be a Director as a result of (1) ceasing to be qualified to act as a Director pursuant to section 118 of the OBCA; (2) a resolution having been passed by the shareholders pursuant to section 122 of the OBCA, or (3) an order made by any Regulatory Authority having jurisdiction to so order; or
(d) in the case of an Officer, (1) cause as such term is defined in the written employment agreement with the Officer or if there is no written employment agreement or cause is not defined therein, the usual meaning of just cause under the common law or the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Officer provides services; or (2) ceasing to be an Officer as a result of an order made by any Regulatory Authority having jurisdiction to so order.
“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:
(a) any transaction at any time and by whatever means pursuant to which any Person or any group of two or more Persons acting jointly or in concert (other than the Corporation or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) hereafter acquires the direct or indirect “beneficial ownership” (as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) of, or acquires the right to exercise Control or direction over, securities of the Corporation representing more than 50% of the then issued and outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, including, without limitation, as a result of a take-over bid, an exchange of securities, an amalgamation of the Corporation with
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any other entity, an arrangement, a capital reorganization or any other business combination or reorganization;
(b) the sale, assignment or other transfer of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Corporation to a Person other than a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation;
(c) the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, other than in connection with the distribution of assets of the Corporation to one or more Persons which were wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Corporation prior to such event;
(d) the occurrence of a transaction requiring approval of the Corporation’s shareholders whereby the Corporation is acquired through consolidation, merger, exchange of securities, purchase of assets, amalgamation, statutory arrangement or otherwise by any other Person (other than a short form amalgamation or exchange of securities with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation);
(e) subject to the prior acceptance of the Exchange, any other event which the Board determines to constitute a change in control of the Corporation; or
(f) individuals who comprise the Board as of the last annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation (the “Incumbent Board”) for any reason cease to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board, unless the election, or nomination for election by the Corporation’s shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Board, and in that case such new director shall be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board;
provided that, notwithstanding clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) above, a Change in Control shall be deemed not to have occurred pursuant to clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) above if immediately following the transaction set forth in clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) above: (A) the holders of securities of the Corporation that immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction represented more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of directors of the Corporation hold (x) securities of the entity resulting from such transaction (including, for greater certainty, the Person succeeding to assets of the Corporation in a transaction contemplated in clause (b) above) (the “Surviving Entity”) that represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of directors or trustees (“voting power”) of the Surviving Entity, or (y) if applicable, securities of the entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of 100% of the securities eligible to elect directors or trustees of the Surviving Entity (the “Parent Entity”) that represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of directors or trustees of the Parent Entity, and (B) no Person or group of two or more Persons, acting jointly or in concert, is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the Parent Entity (or, if there is no Parent Entity, the Surviving Entity) (any such transaction which satisfies all of the criteria specified in clauses (A) and (B) above being referred to as a “Non-Qualifying Transaction” and, following the Non-Qualifying Transaction, references in this definition of “Change in Control” to the “Corporation” shall mean and refer to the Parent Entity (or, if there is no Parent Entity, the Surviving Entity) and, if such
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entity is a Company or a trust, references to the “Board” shall mean and refer to the board of directors or trustees, as applicable, of such entity).
“Commencement Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(e);
“Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b);
“Company” unless specifically indicated otherwise, means a corporation, incorporated association or organization, body corporate, partnership, trust, association or other entity other than an individual;
“Consultant” means, in relation to the Corporation an individual (other than a Director, Officer, or Employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries) or Company that:
(a) is engaged to provide services on an ongoing bona fide basis, including consulting, technical management or other services to the Corporation 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 Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and the individual or the Company, as the case may be; and
(c) in the reasonable opinion of the Corporation, spends or will spend a significant amount of time and attention on the affairs and business of the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation;
“Consultant Company” means a Consultant that is a Company;
“Control” means:
(a) when applied to the relationship between a Person and a corporation, the beneficial ownership by that Person, directly or indirectly, of voting securities or other interests in such corporation entitling the holder to exercise control and direction in fact over the activities of such corporation;
(b) when applied to the relationship between a Person and a partnership, limited partnership, trust or joint venture, means the contractual right to direct the affairs of the partnership, limited partnership, trust or joint venture; and
(c) when applied in relation to a trust, the beneficial ownership at the relevant time of more than 50% of the property settled under the trust, and
the words “Controlled by”, “Controlling” and similar words have corresponding meanings; provided that a Person who controls a corporation, partnership, limited partnership or joint venture will be deemed to Control a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, trust or joint venture which is Controlled by such Person and so on;
“Corporation” means Zoomd Technologies Ltd.;
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“Date of Grant” means, for any Award, the current or future date specified by the Plan Administrator at the time it grants the Award or if no such date is specified, the date upon which the Award was granted;
“Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not an Employee;
“Disabled” or “Disability” means, in respect of a Participant, suffering from a state of mental or physical disability, illness or disease that prevents the Participant from carrying out his or her normal duties as an Employee for a continuous period of six months or for any period of six months in any consecutive twelve month period, as certified by two medical doctors or as otherwise determined in accordance with procedures established by the Plan Administrator for purposes of this Plan;
“Disinterested Shareholder Approval” means approval in accordance with TSXV Policy 4.4 by the Corporation’s shareholders at a duly constituted shareholders meeting, excluding: (i) votes attached to the Shares beneficially owned by Insiders to whom Awards may be granted under the Plan and their associates and affiliates; and (ii) such other excluded votes as described under TSXV Policy 4.4;
“Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, being January 20, 2025;
“Employee” means:
(a) an individual who is considered an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and for whom income tax, employment insurance, and Canada Pension Plan deductions must be made at source; or
(b) an individual who works full-time for the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries providing services normally provided by an employee and who is subject to the same control and direction by the Corporation or its subsidiaries over the details and methods of work as an employee of the Corporation or of the subsidiary, as the case may be, but for whom income tax deductions are not made at source;
“Exchange” means, as applicable, the TSXV, the TSX, or any other exchange on which the Shares are or may be listed from time to time;
“Exercise Notice” means a notice in writing, signed by a Participant and stating the Participant’s intention to exercise a particular Option;
“Exercise Price” means the price at which an Option Share may be purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option;
“Expiry Date” means the expiry date specified in the Award Agreement (which shall not be later than the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant) or, if not so specified, means the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant;
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"Fair Market Value" with respect to one Share as of any date shall mean (a) if the Shares are listed on the Exchange, the price of one Share at the close of the regular trading session of such market or exchange on the last trading day prior to such date, and if no sale of Shares shall have occurred on such date, on the next preceding date on which there was a sale of Shares (subject to such price not being less than the Discounted Market Price (as defined in the policies of the Exchange)); (b) if the Shares are not so listed on an established stock exchange, the average of the closing "bid" and "ask" prices quoted by the OTC Markets, the National Quotation Bureau, or any comparable reporting service on such date or, if there are no quoted "bid" and "ask" prices on such date, on the next preceding date for which there are such quotes for a Share; or (c) if the Shares are not publicly traded as of such date, the per share value of one Share, as determined by the Board, or any duly authorized Committee of the Board, in its sole discretion.
"Insider", if used in relation to the Corporation, means:
(a) a director or an officer of the Corporation;
(b) a director or an officer of a Company that is itself an Insider or a subsidiary of the Corporation;
(c) a 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 Corporation carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all of the Corporation's outstanding voting securities held by Persons as underwriter in the course of the distribution; or
(d) the Corporation 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 Relations Activities" means any activities or oral or written communications, by or on behalf of the Corporation or shareholder of the Corporation, that promote or reasonably could be expected to promote the purchase or sale of securities of the Corporation, but does not include:
(a) the dissemination of information provided, or records prepared, in the ordinary course of business of the Corporation:
(i) to promote the sale of products or services of the Corporation; or
(ii) to raise public awareness of the Corporation;
that cannot reasonably be considered to promote the purchase or sale of securities of the Corporation;
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(b) activities or communications necessary to comply with the requirements of:
(i) applicable securities laws; and
(ii) Exchange requirements or the by-laws, rules or other regulatory instruments of any other self-regulatory body or Exchange having jurisdiction over the Corporation;
(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 an Exchange.
“Investor Relations Service Provider” includes any Consultant that performs Investor Relations Activities and any Director, Officer, Employee or Management Company Employee whose role and duties primarily consist of Investor Relations Activities;
“Israeli Appendix” means the Israeli Appendix attached hereto as Appendix A;
“Management Company Employee” means an individual employed by a Company providing management services to the Corporation, which services are required for the ongoing successful operation of the business enterprise of the Corporation;
“Market Price” at any date in respect of the Shares shall be determined as follows:
(a) if the Shares are then listed on the Exchange, then the Market Price shall be the volume weighted average trading price on the Exchange for the ten trading days immediately preceding such date (subject to such price not being less than the Discounted Market Price (as defined in the policies of the Exchange)); and
(b) if the Shares are not listed on the Exchange, then the Market Price shall be, subject to the necessary approvals of the applicable Regulatory Authorities, the fair market value of the Shares on such date as determined by the Board in its discretion;
“OBCA” means the Business Corporations Act (Ontario);
“Officer” means an officer (as defined under Securities Laws) of the Corporation or of any of its subsidiaries;
“Option” means a right granted to a Participant by the Corporation to acquire Shares of the Corporation at a specified price for a specified period of time;
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"Option Shares" means Shares issuable by the Corporation upon the exercise of outstanding Options;
"Participant" means a Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant to whom an Award has been granted under this Plan;
"Participant's Employer" means with respect to a Participant that is or was an Employee, the Corporation or such subsidiary of the Corporation as is or, if the Participant has ceased to be employed by the Corporation or such subsidiary of the Corporation, was the Participant's Employer;
"Person" means an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, unincorporated association, unincorporated syndicate, unincorporated organization, trust, body corporate, and a natural person in his or her capacity as trustee, executor, administrator or other legal representative;
"Plan" means this Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time;
"Plan Administrator" means the Board or, to the extent that the administration of this Plan has been delegated by the Board to the Committee pursuant to Section 3.2, the Committee;
"Predecessor Options" has the meaning set forth in Subsection 1.2;
"Predecessor Plan" has the meaning set forth in Subsection 1.2;
"Regulatory Authorities" means all stock exchanges, inter-dealer quotation networks and other organized trading facilities on which the Shares are listed and all securities commissions or similar securities regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over the Corporation;
"Restricted Share Unit" or "RSU" means a unit equivalent in value to a Share, credited by means of a bookkeeping entry in the books of the Corporation in accordance with Article 5;
"Retirement" means, unless otherwise defined in the Participant's written or other applicable employment agreement or in the Award Agreement, the termination of the Participant's working career at the age of 67 or such other retirement age, with consent of the Plan Administrator, if applicable;
"Securities Laws" means securities legislation, securities regulation and securities rules, as amended, and the policies, notices, instruments and blanket orders in force from time to time that govern or are applicable to the Corporation or to which it is subject;
"Security Based Compensation Arrangement" means an Option, stock option plan, employee stock purchase plan or any other compensation or incentive mechanism involving the issuance or potential issuance of Shares to Directors, Officers, Employees and/or service providers of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation;
"Share" means one common share in the capital of the Corporation as constituted on the Effective Date, or any share or shares issued in replacement of such common share in compliance with Canadian law or other applicable law, and/or one share of any additional class of common shares
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in the capital of the Corporation as may exist from time to time, or after an adjustment contemplated by Article 8, such other shares or securities to which the holder of an Award may be entitled as a result of such adjustment;
“subsidiary” means an issuer that is Controlled directly or indirectly by another issuer and includes a subsidiary of that subsidiary, or any other entity in which the Corporation has an equity interest and is designated by the Plan Administrator, from time to time, for purposes of this Plan to be a subsidiary, provided that, in the case of a Canadian Taxpayer, the issuer is related (for purposes of the Tax Act) to the Corporation;
“Tax Act” means the Income Tax Act (Canada);
“Termination Date” means:
(a) in the case of an Employee whose employment with the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation terminates: (i) the date designated by the Employee and the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation in a written employment agreement, or other written agreement between the Employee and Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation, or (ii) if no written employment agreement exists, the date designated by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation, as the case may be, on which an Employee ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or the subsidiary of the Corporation, as the case may be, provided that, in the case of termination of employment by voluntary resignation by the Participant, such date shall not be earlier than the date notice of resignation was given, and “Termination Date” specifically does not mean the date of termination of any period of reasonable notice that the Corporation or the subsidiary of the Corporation (as the case may be) may be required by law to provide to the Participant; or
(b) in the case of a Consultant whose consulting agreement or arrangement with the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation, as the case may be, terminates, the date that is designated by the Corporation or the subsidiary of the Corporation (as the case may be), as the date on which the Participant’s consulting agreement or arrangement is terminated, provided that in the case of voluntary termination by the Participant of the Participant’s consulting agreement or other written arrangement, such date shall not be earlier than the date notice of voluntary termination was given, and “Termination Date” specifically does not mean the date on which any period of notice of termination that the Corporation or the subsidiary of the Corporation (as the case may be) may be required to provide to the Participant under the terms of the consulting agreement or arrangement expires;
“TSX” means the Toronto Stock Exchange;
“TSXV” means the TSX Venture Exchange; and
“VWAP” means the volume weighted average trading price of the 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 Options.
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2.2 Interpretation
(a) Whenever the Plan Administrator exercises discretion in the administration of this Plan, the term “discretion” means the sole and absolute discretion of the Plan Administrator.
(b) As used herein, the terms “Article”, “Section”, “Subsection” and “clause” mean and refer to the specified Article, Section, Subsection and clause of this Plan, respectively.
(c) Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa, and words importing any gender include any other gender.
(d) Unless otherwise specified, time periods within or following which any payment is to be made or act is to be done shall be calculated by excluding the day on which the period begins, including the day on which the period ends, and abridging the period to the immediately preceding Business Day in the event that the last day of the period is not a Business Day. In the event an action is required to be taken or a payment is required to be made on a day which is not a Business Day such action shall be taken or such payment shall be made by the immediately preceding Business Day.
(e) Unless otherwise specified, all references to money amounts are to Canadian currency.
(f) The headings used herein are for convenience only and are not to affect the interpretation of this Plan.
ARTICLE 3 ADMINISTRATION
3.1 Administration
This Plan will be administered by the Plan Administrator and the Plan Administrator has sole and complete authority, in its discretion, to:
(a) determine the individuals to whom grants of Awards under the Plan may be made;
(b) make grants of Awards under the Plan, in such amounts, to such Persons and, subject to the provisions of this Plan, on such terms and conditions as it determines including, without limitation:
(i) the time or times at which Awards may be granted;
(ii) the conditions under which:
(A) Awards may be granted to Participants; or
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(B) Awards may be forfeited to the Corporation,
(iii) the number of Shares to be covered by any Award; and
(iv) any acceleration of exercisability or vesting, or waiver of termination regarding any Award, based on such factors as the Plan Administrator may determine;
(c) establish the form or forms of Award Agreements;
(d) cancel, amend, adjust or otherwise change any Award under such circumstances as the Plan Administrator may consider appropriate in accordance with the provisions of this Plan;
(e) construe and interpret this Plan and all Award Agreements;
(f) adopt, amend, prescribe and rescind administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations relating to this Plan, including rules and regulations relating to subplans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws;
(g) if an Award is to be granted to Employees, Consultants, or Management Company Employees, the Plan Administrator and the Participant to whom that Award is to be granted are responsible for ensuring and confirming that the Participant is a bona fide Employee, Consultant, or Management Company Employee; and
(h) make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of this Plan.
3.2 Delegation to Committee
(a) The initial Plan Administrator shall be the Board.
(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may, from time to time, delegate to a committee of the Board (the “Committee”) all or any of the powers conferred on the Plan Administrator pursuant to this Plan, including the power to sub-delegate to any member(s) of the Committee or any specified officer(s) of the Corporation or its subsidiaries all or any of the powers delegated by the Board. In such event, the Committee or any sub-delegate will exercise the powers delegated to it in the manner and on the terms authorized by the delegating party.
3.3 Determinations Binding
Except as may be otherwise set forth in any written employment agreement, Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation and the Participant, any decision made or action taken by the Board, the Committee or any sub-delegate to whom authority has been delegated pursuant to Section 3.2 arising out of or in connection with the administration or interpretation of this Plan is final, conclusive and binding on the Corporation
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and all subsidiaries of the Corporation, the affected Participant(s), their respective legal and personal representatives and all other Persons.
3.4 Eligibility
All Directors, Officers, Employees, Management Company Employees and Consultants are eligible to participate in the Plan, subject to Section 7.1(f). Participation in the Plan is voluntary and eligibility to participate does not confer upon any Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant any right to receive any grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. The extent to which any Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant is entitled to receive a grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan will be determined in the discretion of the Plan Administrator.
3.5 Plan Administrator Requirements
Any Award granted under this Plan shall be subject to the requirement that, if at any time the Corporation shall determine that the listing, registration or qualification of the Shares issuable pursuant to such Award upon any securities exchange or under any Securities Laws of any jurisdiction, or the consent or approval of the Exchange and any securities commissions or similar securities regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over the Corporation is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with, the grant or exercise of such Award or the issuance or purchase of Shares thereunder, such Award may not be accepted or exercised, as applicable, in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained on conditions acceptable to the Plan Administrator. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Corporation to apply for or to obtain such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval. Participants shall, to the extent applicable, cooperate with the Corporation in complying with such legislation, rules, regulations and policies.
3.6 Total Shares Subject to Awards
(a) Subject to adjustment as provided for in Article 8 and any subsequent amendment to this Plan, the aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan (including the Predecessor Options) shall not exceed 15,799,954 Shares, being 16% of the Shares issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date.
(b) To the extent any Awards (or portion(s) thereof) under this Plan are exercised, terminated or are cancelled for any reason prior to exercise in full, any Shares subject to such Awards (or portion(s) thereof) shall be added back to the number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan and will again become available for issuance pursuant to the exercise of Awards granted under this Plan.
(c) Any Shares issued by the Corporation through the assumption or substitution of outstanding stock options or other equity-based awards from an acquired Company will reduce the number of Shares available for issuance pursuant to the exercise of Awards granted under this Plan.
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3.7 Limits on Grants of Awards
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan:
(a) If the Corporation is subject to the policies of the TSXV, the number of grants which may be issuable under the Corporation’s Security Based Compensation Arrangements in existence from time to time on and after the effective date of the Plan:
(i) to Insiders (as a group) shall be no more than 10% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Corporation at any point in time, unless the Corporation has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval;
(ii) to Insiders (as a group) shall be no more than 10% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Corporation within any 12 month period, calculated as at the date any Award is granted to any Insider, unless the Corporation has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval;
(iii) to any one Person, shall be no more than 5% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Corporation within any 12 month period, calculated as at the date any Award is granted (unless the Corporation has obtained the requisite Disinterested Shareholder Approval), with the exception of a Consultant who may not receive grants of more than 2% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Corporation within any 12 month period, calculated as at the date any Award is granted;
(iv) to all Investor Relations Service Providers, shall be no more than an aggregate of 2% of the number of issued and outstanding Shares in the capital of the Corporation within any 12 month period, calculated as at the date any Award is granted, and shall only include Awards of Options; and
(v) if the recipient of an Award is a Company, excluding Participants that are Consultant Companies, then such recipient must provide the TSXV with a completed Certification and Undertaking Required from a Company Granted Security Based Compensation in the form of Schedule “A” to Form 4G - Summary Form – Security Based Compensation.
(b) If the Corporation is subject to the policies of the TSX, then the aggregate number of Shares:
(i) issuable to Insiders at any time under all of the Corporation’s Security Based Compensation Arrangements shall not exceed 10% of the Corporation’s total issued and outstanding Shares; and
(ii) issued to Insiders within any one year period, under all of the Corporation’s Security Based Compensation Arrangements, shall not exceed 10% of the Corporation’s total issued and outstanding Shares.
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3.8 Award Agreements
Each Award under this Plan will be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Award Agreement will be subject to the applicable provisions of this Plan and will contain such provisions as are required by this Plan and any other provisions that the Plan Administrator may direct. Any one officer of the Corporation is authorized and empowered to execute and deliver, for and on behalf of the Corporation, any Award Agreement to a Participant granted an Award pursuant to this Plan.
3.9 Non-transferability of Awards
Except as permitted by the Exchange, and to the extent that certain rights may pass to a beneficiary or legal representative upon death of a Participant by will or as required by law, no assignment or transfer of Awards, whether voluntary, involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, vests any interest or right in such Awards or under this Plan whatsoever in any assignee or transferee and immediately upon any assignment or transfer, or any attempt to make the same, such Awards will terminate and be of no further force or effect.
ARTICLE 4 OPTIONS
4.1 Granting of Options
The Plan Administrator may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator may prescribe, grant Options to any Participant. The terms and conditions of each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
4.2 Exercise Price
The Plan Administrator will establish the Exercise Price at the time each Option is granted, which Exercise Price must in all cases be not less than the Fair Market Value on the Date of Grant (or in the case of Options granted to Participants that are resident in the State of Israel, the Discounted Market Price (as defined in the policies of the Exchange) on the Date of Grant).
4.3 Term of Options
Subject to any accelerated termination as set forth in this Plan, each Option expires on its Expiry Date and the Plan Administrator will ensure that no Option shall be exercised beyond the date permitted by the Exchange.
4.4 Vesting and Exercisability
(a) The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to determine the vesting terms applicable to grants of Options provided that, for so long as the Corporation is listed on the TSXV: (i) Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers shall be subject to the vesting requirements set out in TSXV Policy 4.4; and (ii) Awards granted to all other Participants shall be subject to the vesting requirements of TSXV Policy 4.4.
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(b) Once an instalment becomes vested, it shall remain vested and shall be exercisable until expiration or termination of the Option, unless otherwise specified by the Plan Administrator, or as may be otherwise set forth in any written employment agreement, Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation and the Participant. Each vested Option or instalment may be exercised at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, for up to the total number of Option Shares with respect to which it is then exercisable. The Plan Administrator has the right to accelerate the date upon which any instalment of any Option, other than an Option granted to an Investor Relations Service Provider, becomes exercisable.
(c) Subject to the provisions of this Plan and any Award Agreement, Options shall be exercised by means of a fully completed Exercise Notice delivered to the Corporation.
(d) The Plan Administrator may provide at the time of granting an Option that the exercise of that Option is subject to restrictions, in addition to those specified in this Section 4.4.
4.5 Payment of Exercise Price
(a) Unless otherwise specified by the Plan Administrator at the time of granting an Option and set forth in the particular Award Agreement, the Exercise Notice must be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price must be fully paid by wire transfer, certified cheque, bank draft or money order payable to the Corporation or by such other means as might be specified from time to time by the Plan Administrator, which may include (i) through an arrangement with a broker approved by the Corporation (or through an arrangement directly with the Corporation) whereby payment of the Exercise Price is accomplished pursuant to a cashless or net exercise of Options as described in Section 4.7 and 4.8, respectively, or (ii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by the Exchange and Securities Laws, or any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
(b) No Shares will be issued or transferred until full payment therefor has been received by the Corporation.
4.6 Israeli Tax Matters
In case the Participant that is holding Options is resident of the state of Israel or is deemed to be resident of the state of Israel for Israeli tax purposes, the Israeli Appendix shall apply with respect to the Options held by that Participant.
4.7 Cashless Exercise
Subject to prior approval by the Board, where the Corporation has an arrangement with a brokerage firm pursuant to which the brokerage firm will loan money to a Participant to purchase the Shares underlying Options, the Participant may borrow money from such brokerage firm to exercise
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Options. The brokerage firm will then sell a sufficient number of Shares to cover the Exercise Price of such Option in order to repay the loan made to the Participant. The brokerage firm will receive an equivalent number of Shares from the exercise of such Options and the Participant will receive the balance of the Shares or the cash proceeds from the balance of such Shares.
4.8 Net Exercise of Options
Subject to prior approval by the Board, a Participant (other than any Investor Relations Service Provider) may elect to surrender for cancellation to the Corporation any vested Option. The Corporation will issue to the Participant, as consideration for the surrender of the Option, that number of Option Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number) determined on a net issuance basis in accordance with the following formula below. The Corporation may elect to forego any deduction in accordance with subsection 110(1.1) of the Tax Act:
$$
X = \frac{Y (A - B)}{A}
$$
where:
X = The number of Option Shares issuable to the Participant as consideration in respect of the exchange or surrender of an Option under this Section 4.6;
Y = The number of Option Shares issuable with respect to the vested portion of the Option exercised by the Participant (the “Subject Options”);
A = The VWAP of the Shares; and
B = The Exercise Price of the Subject Options.
In the event of a Cashless Exercise or Net Exercise, the number of Options exercised, surrendered or converted, and not the number of listed shares actually issued by the Corporation, must be included in calculating the limits set forth in Sections 3.6 and 3.7 of the Plan.
ARTICLE 5 RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
5.1 Granting of RSUs
(a) The Plan Administrator may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of this Plan and such other terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator may prescribe, grant RSUs to any Participant in respect of services rendered in the year of grant. The terms and conditions of each RSU grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
(b) The number of RSUs (including fractional RSUs) granted at any particular time pursuant to this Article 5 will be calculated by dividing (i) the amount of any compensation that is to be paid in RSUs, as determined by the Plan Administrator, by (ii) the Market Price of a Share on the Date of Grant.
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5.2 RSU Account
All RSUs received by a Participant shall be credited to an account maintained for the Participant on the books of the Corporation, as of the Date of Grant.
5.3 Vesting of RSUs
Subject to TSXV Policy 4.4, the Plan Administrator shall have the authority to determine the vesting terms applicable to grants of RSUs.
5.4 Settlement of RSUs
(a) The Plan Administrator shall have the sole authority to determine the settlement terms, including time of settlement, applicable to the grant of RSUs and such terms will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, on the settlement date for any RSU, each vested RSU will be redeemed for:
(i) one fully paid and non-assessable Share issued from treasury to the Participant or as the Participant may direct, or
(ii) a cash payment, or
(iii) a combination of Shares and cash as contemplated by paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, in each case as determined by the Plan Administrator in its discretion.
(b) Any cash payments made under this Section 5.4 by the Corporation to a Participant in respect of RSUs to be redeemed for cash shall be calculated by multiplying the number of RSUs to be redeemed for cash by the Market Price per Share as at the settlement date.
(c) Payment of cash to Participants on the redemption of vested RSUs may be made through the Corporation’s payroll in the pay period that the settlement date falls within.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, no settlement date for any RSU shall occur, and no Share shall be issued or cash payment shall be made in respect of any RSU, under this Section 5.4 any later than the final Business Day of the third calendar year following the year in which the RSU is granted.
5.5 Israeli Tax Matters
In case the Participant that is holding RSUs is resident of the state of Israel or is deemed to be resident of the state of Israel for Israeli tax purposes, the Israeli Appendix shall apply with respect to the RSUs held by that Participant.
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ARTICLE 6
ADDITIONAL AWARD TERMS
6.1 Dividend Equivalents
(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the particular Award Agreement, and subject to the restrictions of the Exchange set out in Subsection 3.7(a) above (if the Corporation is subject to the policies of the TSXV), as part of a Participant’s grant of RSUs and in respect of the services provided by the Participant for such original grant, RSUs shall be credited with dividend equivalents in the form of additional RSUs, as of each dividend payment date in respect of which normal cash dividends are paid on Shares. Such dividend equivalents shall be in the amount a Participant would have received if the RSUs had been settled for Shares on the record date of such dividend. Dividend equivalents credited to a Participant’s account shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, including vesting and time of settlement, as the RSUs to which they relate. Notwithstanding any other terms of this Plan, if the number of securities issued as dividend equivalents, together with all of the Corporation’s other share-based compensation would exceed any of the limits set forth in this Plan or TSXV Policy 4.4, then the Corporation shall not make any payments with respect to such dividends.
(b) The foregoing does not obligate the Corporation to declare or pay dividends on Shares and nothing in this Plan shall be interpreted as creating such an obligation.
6.2 Blackout Period
In the event that an Award expires, at a time when an undisclosed material change or material fact in the affairs of the Corporation exists, subject to the requirements of TSXV Policy 4.4, the expiry of such Award will be extended to a date that is no later than 10 business days after the expiry of the blackout period formally imposed by the Corporation pursuant to its internal trading policies as a result of the undisclosed material change or material fact, provided that in no event will the expiry date extend beyond ten years from the Date of Grant.
6.3 Withholding Taxes
Notwithstanding any other terms of this Plan, and subject to TSXV Policy 4.4, the granting, vesting or settlement of each Award under this Plan is subject to the condition that if at any time the Plan Administrator determines, in its discretion, that the satisfaction of withholding tax or other withholding liabilities is necessary or desirable in respect of such grant, vesting or settlement, such action is not effective unless such withholding has been effected to the satisfaction of the Plan Administrator. In such circumstances, the Plan Administrator may require that a Participant pay to the Corporation the minimum amount as the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation is obliged to withhold or remit to the relevant taxing authority in respect of the granting, vesting or settlement of the Award. Any such additional payment is due no later than the date on which such amount with respect to the Award is required to be remitted to the relevant tax authority by the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation, as the case may be. Alternatively, and subject to
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any requirements or limitations under applicable law, the Corporation may (a) withhold such amount from any remuneration or other amount payable by the Corporation or any Affiliate to the Participant; (b) require the sale of a number of Shares issued upon exercise, vesting, or settlement of such Award and the remittance to the Corporation of the net proceeds from such sale sufficient to satisfy such amount; or (c) enter into any other suitable arrangements for the receipt of such amount.
6.4 Recoupment
Notwithstanding any other terms of this Plan, Awards may be subject to potential cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback or other action in accordance with the terms of any clawback, recoupment or similar policy adopted by the Corporation or the relevant subsidiary of the Corporation and in effect at the Date of Grant of the Award, or as set out in the Participant's employment agreement, Award Agreement or other written agreement, or as otherwise required by law or the rules of the Exchange. The Plan Administrator may at any time waive the application of this Section 6.4 to any Participant or category of Participants.
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICES
7.1 Termination of Employment, Services or Director
Subject to Section 7.2, unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator or as set forth in an employment agreement, Award Agreement or other written agreement:
(a) where a Participant's employment, consulting agreement or arrangement is terminated or the Participant ceases to hold office or his or her position, as applicable, by reason of voluntary resignation by the Participant or termination by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation for Cause, then any Option or other Award held by the Participant that has not been exercised as of the Termination Date shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled as of the Termination Date;
(b) where a Participant's employment, consulting agreement or arrangement is terminated by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation without Cause (whether such termination occurs with or without any or adequate reasonable notice, or with or without any or adequate compensation in lieu of such reasonable notice) then any unvested Options or other Awards held by the Participant as of the Termination Date shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled as of the Termination Date. Any vested Options held by the Participant as of the Termination Date may be exercised or surrendered to the Corporation by the Participant at any time during the period that terminates on the earlier of: (A) the Expiry Date of such Award; and (B) the date that is ninety (90) days after the Termination Date. Any Option that remains unexercised or has not been surrendered to the Corporation by the Participant shall be immediately forfeited upon the termination of such period;
(c) where a Participant becomes Disabled, then any Option or other Award held by the Participant that has not vested as of the date of the Disability of such Participant
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shall continue to vest in accordance with its terms and may be exercised or surrendered to the Corporation by the Participant at any time during the period that terminates on the earlier of: (A) the Expiry Date of such Award; and (B) the first anniversary of the Participant's date of Disability. Any Option or other Award that remains unexercised or has not been surrendered to the Corporation by the Participant shall be immediately forfeited upon the termination of such period;
(d) where a Participant's employment, consulting agreement or arrangement is terminated by reason of the death of the Participant, then any Option or other Award held by the Participant that has not vested as of the date of the death of such Participant shall vest on such date and may be exercised or surrendered to the Corporation by the Participant at any time during the period that terminates on the earlier of: (A) the Expiry Date of such Award; and (B) the first anniversary of the date of the death of such Participant. Any Option or Award that remains unexercised or has not been surrendered to the Corporation by the Participant shall be immediately forfeited upon the termination of such period;
(e) where a Participant's employment, consulting agreement or arrangement is terminated due to Retirement, then any Option or other Award held by the Participant that has not vested as of the date of such Retirement shall continue to vest in accordance with its terms and may be exercised or surrendered to the Corporation by the Participant at any time during the period that terminates on the earlier of: (A) the Expiry Date of such Award; and (B) the anniversary of the Participant's date of Retirement. Any Option or other Award that remains unexercised or has not been surrendered to the Corporation by the Participant shall be immediately forfeited upon the termination of such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, following his or her Retirement, the Participant commences (the "Commencement Date") employment, consulting or acting as a director (or in an analogous capacity) or otherwise as a service provider to any Person that carries on or proposes to carry on a business competitive with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, any Option held by the Participant that has not been exercised as of the Commencement Date shall be forfeited and cancelled for no consideration as of the Commencement Date;
(f) a Participant's eligibility to receive further grants of Options or other Awards under this Plan ceases as of:
(i) the date that the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation, as the case may be, provides the Participant with written notification that the Participant's employment, consulting agreement or arrangement is terminated, notwithstanding that such date may be prior to the Termination Date; or
(ii) the date of the death, Disability or Retirement of the Participant; and
(g) notwithstanding Subsection 7.1(b), unless the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, otherwise determines, at any time and from time to time, Options or other Awards
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are not affected by a change of employment or consulting agreement or arrangement, or directorship within or among the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation for so long as the Participant continues to be a Director, Officer Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant, as applicable, of the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation.
7.2 Discretion to Permit Acceleration
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.1 but subject to compliance with the policies of the Exchange, the Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, at any time prior to or following the events contemplated in such Section, or in an employment agreement, Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation and the Participant, permit the acceleration of vesting of any or all Awards or waive termination of any or all Awards, all in the manner and on the terms as may be authorized by the Plan Administrator.
7.3 Participants' Entitlement
Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, Awards previously granted under this Plan are not affected by any change in the relationship between, or ownership of, the Corporation and an Affiliate of the Corporation. For greater certainty, all grants of Awards remain outstanding and are not affected by reason only that, at any time, an Affiliate of the Corporation ceases to be an Affiliate of the Corporation.
ARTICLE 8 EVENTS AFFECTING THE CORPORATION
8.1 General
The existence of any Awards does not affect in any way the right or power of the Corporation or its shareholders to make, authorize or determine any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or any other change in the Corporation's capital structure or its business, or any amalgamation, combination, arrangement, merger or consolidation involving the Corporation, to create or issue any bonds, debentures, Shares or other securities of the Corporation or to determine the rights and conditions attaching thereto, to effect the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or to effect any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise, whether or not any such action referred to in this Article 8 would have an adverse effect on this Plan or on any Award granted hereunder.
8.2 Change in Control
(a) The Plan Administrator may, without the consent of any Participant, take such steps as it deems necessary or desirable, including to cause: (i) subject to prior acceptance by the Exchange, the conversion or exchange of any outstanding Awards into or for, rights or other securities of substantially equivalent value, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its discretion, in any entity participating in or resulting from a Change in Control; (ii) outstanding Awards to vest and become exercisable, realizable, or payable, or restrictions applicable to an Award to lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon consummation of such Change in Control, and, to the extent
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the Plan Administrator determines, terminate upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such Change in Control, provided that such Participant ceases to be an eligible Participant under this Plan upon such Change in Control; (iii) subject to prior acceptance by the Exchange, the termination of an Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise or settlement of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction net of any exercise price payable by the Participant (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Plan Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise or settlement of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights net of any exercise price payable by the Participant, then such Award may be terminated by the Corporation without payment); (iv) subject to prior acceptance by the Exchange, the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Board in its sole discretion; or (v) subject to prior acceptance by the Exchange, any combination of the foregoing. In taking any of the actions permitted under this Subsection 8.2(a), the Plan Administrator will not be required to treat all Awards similarly in the transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of Options held by a Canadian Taxpayer, the Plan Administrator may not cause the Canadian Taxpayer to receive (pursuant to this Subsection 8.2(a)) any property in connection with a Change in Control other than rights to acquire shares of the Corporation or rights to acquire shares of a corporation or units of a “mutual fund trust” (as defined in the Tax Act) of a “qualifying person” (as defined in the Tax Act) that does not deal at arm’s length (for purposes of the Tax Act) with the Corporation, as applicable, at the time such rights are issued or granted.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection 8.2(a), and unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator, if, as a result of a Change in Control, the Shares will cease trading on an Exchange, then the Corporation may terminate all of the Awards granted under this Plan (other than Options held by Canadian Taxpayers) at the time of and subject to the completion of the Change in Control transaction by paying to each holder, at or within a reasonable period of time following completion of such Change in Control transaction, an amount for each Award equal to the fair market value of the Award held by such Participant as determined by the Plan Administrator, acting reasonably, or in the case of Options held by a Canadian Taxpayer by permitting the Canadian Taxpayer to surrender such Options to the Corporation for an amount for each such Option equal to the fair market value of such Option as determined by the Plan Administrator, acting reasonably, upon the completion of the Change in Control (following which such Options may be cancelled for no consideration).
(c) Any actions taken under this Section 8.2 will comply with the policies of the Exchange including, without limitation, the requirement that the acceleration of vesting of Options granted to Investor Relations Service Providers shall only occur with the prior written approval of the Exchange.
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8.3 Reorganization of Corporation’s Capital
Subject to the prior approval of the Exchange, if applicable, should the Corporation effect a subdivision or consolidation of Shares or any similar capital reorganization or a payment of a stock dividend (other than a stock dividend that is in lieu of a cash dividend), or should any other change be made in the capitalization of the Corporation that does not constitute a Change in Control and that would warrant the amendment or replacement of any existing Awards in order to adjust the number of Shares that may be acquired on the vesting of outstanding Awards and/or the terms of any Award in order to preserve proportionately the rights and obligations of the Participants holding such Awards, then the Plan Administrator, in consultation with the Board, will take such steps as are required to preserve the proportionality of the rights and obligations of the Participants holding such Awards as it deems equitable and appropriate.
8.4 Other Events Affecting the Corporation
In the event of an amalgamation, combination, arrangement, merger or other transaction or reorganization involving the Corporation and occurring by exchange of Shares, by sale or lease of assets or otherwise, that does not constitute a Change in Control and that warrants the amendment or replacement of any existing Awards in order to adjust the number of Shares that may be acquired on the vesting of outstanding Awards and/or the terms of any Award in order to preserve proportionately the rights and obligations of the Participants holding such Awards, the Plan Administrator will, subject to the prior approval of the Exchange (if required), authorize such steps to be taken as it may consider to be equitable and appropriate to that end.
8.5 Immediate Acceleration of Awards
In taking any of the steps provided in Sections 8.3 and 8.4, the Plan Administrator will not be required to treat all Awards similarly and where the Plan Administrator determines that the steps provided in Sections 8.3 and 8.4 would not preserve proportionately the rights, value and obligations of the Participants holding such Awards in the circumstances or otherwise determines that it is appropriate, the Plan Administrator may, but is not required, to permit the immediate vesting of any unvested Awards, other than any Options granted to an Investor Relations Service Provider.
8.6 Issue by Corporation of Additional Shares
Except as expressly provided in this Article 8, neither the issue by the Corporation of shares of any class or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any class, nor the conversion or exchange of such shares or securities, affects, and no adjustment by reason thereof is to be made with respect to the number of Shares that may be acquired as a result of a grant of Awards or other entitlements of the Participants under such Awards.
8.7 Fractions
No fractional Shares will be issued pursuant to an Award. Accordingly, where a Participant would become entitled to a fractional Share (whether as a result of any adjustment under this Article 8, a dividend equivalent or otherwise), the Participant has the right to acquire only the adjusted number
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of full Shares and no payment or other adjustment will be made with respect to the fractional Shares, which shall be disregarded.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
9.1 Amendment, Suspension, or Termination of the Plan
The Plan Administrator may from time to time, without notice and without approval of the holders of voting shares of the Corporation, amend, modify, change, suspend or terminate the Plan or any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan as it, in its discretion, determines appropriate, provided, however, that:
(a) no such amendment, modification, change, suspension or termination of the Plan or any Awards granted hereunder may materially impair any rights of a Participant or materially increase any obligations of a Participant under the Plan without the consent of the Participant, unless the Plan Administrator determines such adjustment is required or desirable in order to comply with any applicable Securities Laws or Exchange requirements; and
(b) any amendments to the Plan or to any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan are subject to Exchange approval (including such amendments that do not otherwise trigger approval of the holders of voting shares of the Corporation).
9.2 Shareholder Approval
In general, the Exchange will require that any amendment to the Plan be subject to approval of the holders of Shares (including by way of Disinterested Shareholder Approval where required by the Exchange). Notwithstanding Section 9.1, subject to any rules of the Exchange and, for greater certainty, without limitation, approval of the holders of the Shares (including by way of Disinterested Shareholder Approval where required by the Exchange) shall be required for any amendment, modification or change that:
(a) increases the percentage of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, except pursuant to the provisions in the Plan which permit the Plan Administrator to make equitable adjustments in the event of transactions affecting the Corporation or its capital;
(b) increases or removes the limitations set out in Subsection 3.7(a) or 3.7(b), as applicable;
(c) allows for the grant to Insiders (as a group), within a 12 month period, an aggregate number of Awards exceeding 10% of the Corporation’s issued Shares, calculated at the date the Award is granted to the Insider;
(d) allows for the grant to any one Participant, within a 12 month period, an aggregate number of Awards exceeding 5% of the Corporation’s issued Shares, calculated at the date the Award is granted to the Insider;
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(e) reduces the exercise price of an Award to an Insider (for this purpose, a cancellation or termination of an Award of a Participant prior to its Expiry Date for the purpose of reissuing an Award to the same Participant with a lower exercise price shall be treated as an amendment to reduce the exercise price of an Award);
(f) extends the term of an Award beyond the original Expiry Date (except where an Expiry Date would have fallen within a blackout period applicable to the Participant);
(g) increases or removes the limits on the participation of Directors;
(h) permits Awards to be transferred to a Person;
(i) changes the eligible participants of the Plan; or
(j) deletes or reduces the range of amendments which require approval of shareholders under this Section 9.2.
9.3 Permitted Amendments
Without limiting the generality of Section 9.1, but subject to Section 9.2 and any rules of the Exchange, the Plan Administrator may, without shareholder approval, at any time or from time to time, amend the Plan for the purposes of:
(a) making any amendments to the general vesting provisions of each Award;
(b) making any amendments to the provisions set out in Article 7;
(c) making any amendments to add covenants of the Corporation for the protection of Participants, as the case may be, provided that the Plan Administrator shall be of the good faith opinion that such additions will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the Participants, as the case may be;
(d) making any amendments not inconsistent with the Plan as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions which, in the good faith opinion of the Plan Administrator, having in mind the best interests of the Participants, it may be expedient to make, including amendments that are desirable as a result of changes in law in any jurisdiction where a Participant resides, provided that the Plan Administrator shall be of the opinion that such amendments and modifications will not be prejudicial to the interests of the Participants and Directors; or
(e) making such changes or corrections which, on the advice of counsel to the Corporation, are required for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error, provided that the Plan Administrator shall be of the opinion that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the rights and interests of the Participants.
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ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Legal Requirement
The Corporation is not obligated to grant any Awards, issue any Shares or other securities, make any payments or take any other action if, in the opinion of the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, such action would constitute a violation by a Participant or the Corporation of any provision of any applicable statutory or regulatory enactment of any government or government agency or the requirements of any Exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed.
10.2 No Other Benefit
No amount will be paid to, or in respect of, a Participant under the Plan to compensate for a downward fluctuation in the price of a Share, nor will any other form of benefit be conferred upon, or in respect of, a Participant for such purpose.
10.3 Rights of Participant
No Participant has any claim or right to be granted an Award and the granting of any Award is not to be construed as giving a Participant a right to remain as a Director, Officer, Employee, Management Company Employee or Consultant. No Participant has any rights as a shareholder of the Corporation in respect of Shares issuable pursuant to any Award until the allotment and issuance to such Participant, or as such Participant may direct, of certificates representing such Shares.
10.4 Corporate Action
Nothing contained in this Plan or in an Award shall be construed so as to prevent the Corporation from taking corporate action which is deemed by the Corporation to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on this Plan or any Award.
10.5 Conflict
Subject to compliance with the policies of the Exchange, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Plan and an Award Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. In the event of any conflict between or among the provisions of this Plan or any Award Agreement, on the one hand, and a Participant's employment agreement with the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation, as the case may be, on the other hand, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail.
10.6 Anti-Hedging Policy
By accepting the Option or Award, each Participant acknowledges that he or she is restricted 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 Options or Awards.
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10.7 Participant Information
Each Participant shall provide the Corporation with all information (including personal information) required by the Corporation in order to administer the Plan. Each Participant acknowledges that information required by the Corporation in order to administer the Plan may be disclosed to any custodian appointed in respect of the Plan and other third parties, and may be disclosed to such persons (including persons located in jurisdictions other than the Participant’s jurisdiction of residence), in connection with the administration of the Plan. Each Participant consents to such disclosure and authorizes the Corporation to make such disclosure on the Participant’s behalf.
10.8 Participation in the Plan
The participation of any Participant in the Plan is entirely voluntary and not obligatory and shall not be interpreted as conferring upon such Participant any rights or privileges other than those rights and privileges expressly provided in the Plan. In particular, participation in the Plan does not constitute a condition of employment or engagement nor a commitment on the part of the Corporation to ensure the continued employment or engagement of such Participant. The Plan does not provide any guarantee against any loss which may result from fluctuations in the market value of the Shares. The Corporation does not assume responsibility for the income or other tax consequences for the Participants and Directors and they are advised to consult with their own tax advisors.
10.9 International Participants
Subject to compliance with the policies of the Exchange, with respect to Participants who reside or work outside Canada, the Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, amend, or otherwise modify, subject to shareholder approval, if applicable, the terms of the Plan or Awards with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the provisions of local law, and the Plan Administrator may, where appropriate, establish one or more sub-plans to reflect such amended or otherwise modified provisions.
10.10 Successors and Assigns
The Plan shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Corporation and its subsidiaries.
10.11 General Restrictions on Assignment
Except as required by law, the rights of a Participant under the Plan are not capable of being assigned, transferred, alienated, sold, encumbered, pledged, mortgaged or charged and are not capable of being subject to attachment or legal process for the payment of any debts or obligations of the Participant unless otherwise approved by the Plan Administrator.
10.12 Severability
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision and any invalid or unenforceable provision shall be severed from the Plan.
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10.13 Notices
All written notices to be given by a Participant to the Corporation shall be delivered personally, e-mail or mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the CFO of the Corporation at the registered head office address of the Corporation:
All notices to a Participant will be addressed to the principal address of the Participant on file with the Corporation. Either the Corporation or the Participant may designate a different address by written notice to the other. Such notices are deemed to be received, if delivered personally or by e-mail, on the date of delivery, and if sent by mail, on the fifth business day following the date of mailing; provided that in the event of any actual or imminent postal disruption, notices shall be delivered to the appropriate party and not sent by mail. Any notice given by either the Participant or the Corporation is not binding on the recipient thereof until received.
10.14 Effective Date
This Plan becomes effective on a date to be determined by the Plan Administrator, subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Corporation.
10.15 Governing Law
This Plan and all matters to which reference is made herein shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without reference to conflicts of law rules.
10.16 Submission to Jurisdiction
The Corporation and each Participant irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of competent jurisdiction in the Province of Ontario in respect of any action or proceeding relating in any way to the Plan, including, without limitation, with respect to the grant of Awards and any issuance of Shares made in accordance with the Plan.
APPENDIX A
ISRAELI APPENDIX
- General.
(a) This Israeli Sub-Plan (the “Israeli Sub-Plan”) shall apply only to Participants who are both (a) residents of the State of Israel or those who are deemed to be residents of the State of Israel for tax purposes, and (b) Director, Officer, Employee or Consultant of the Company itself or of an Israeli Subsidiary or Management Company Employee (collectively, the “Israeli Participants”). This Israeli Sub-Plan is adopted according to the “Zoomd Technologies Ltd. Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan” (the “Plan”), including Section 4.6 to it, and the provisions specified hereunder shall form an integral part of the Plan, which applies to the grant of Awards.
(b) This Israeli Sub-Plan is to be read as a continuation of the Plan and only modifies the terms of Awards granted to Israeli Participants so that they comply with the requirements set by the Israeli law in general, and in particular with the provisions of the Israeli Tax Ordinance (as defined below), as may be amended or replaced from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, this Israeli Sub-Plan does not add to or modify the Plan in respect of any other category of Participants.
(c) The Plan and this Israeli Sub-Plan are complimentary to each other and shall be deemed as one. In any case of contradiction with respect to Awards granted to Israeli Participants, whether explicit or implied, between the provisions of this Israeli Sub-Plan and the Plan, the provisions set out in this Israeli Sub-Plan shall prevail.
(d) Any capitalized term not specifically defined in this Israeli Sub-Plan shall be construed according to the definition or interpretation given to it in the Plan.
- Definitions.
(a) “102 Award” means a grant of an Award to an Israeli employee, director or other office holder of the Company and/or its Israeli Subsidiary, as the case may be, other than to a Controlling Shareholder, pursuant to the provisions of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance, the 102 Rules, and any other regulations, rulings, procedures or clarifications promulgated thereunder, or under any other section of the Tax Ordinance that will be relevant for such issuance in the future, provided, however, that such Awards shall not be settled in cash in respect of Israeli Participants.
(b) “102(c) Award” means a 102 Award that will not be subject to a Taxation Route, as detailed in Section 102(c) of the Tax Ordinance.
(c) “3(i) Award” means a grant of an Award to an Israeli consultant, contractor or a Controlling Shareholder of the Company and/or its Israeli Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(i) of the Tax Ordinance and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any other section of the Tax Ordinance that will be relevant for such issuance in the future.
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(d) “Affiliate” means, with respect to Israeli Participants, any company (i) that holds at least 10% of the issued share capital of the Company or of its voting power, or (ii) in which the Company holds at least 10% of the issued share capital or voting power, or (iii) in which a company under clause (i) above also holds at least 10% of its issued share capital or voting power.
(e) “Beneficial Holder” means the Israeli Participant for the benefit of whom the Trustee holds an Award in Trust.
(f) “Capital Gains Route” means the capital gains tax route under Section 102(b)(2) of the Tax Ordinance.
(g) “Controlling Shareholder” means a “controlling shareholder” of the Company, as such term is defined in Section 32(9)(a) of the Tax Ordinance.
(h) “Exercised Shares” means Stocks resulting from the exercise or vesting of an Award.
(i) “Minimum Trust Period” means the minimum period of time required under a Taxation Route for Awards and/or Exercised Shares to be held in Trust in order for the Beneficial Holder to enjoy to the fullest extent the tax benefits afforded under such Taxation Route, as prescribed at any time by Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance.
(j) “Ordinary Income Route” means the ordinary income route under Section 102(b)(1) of the Tax Ordinance.
(k) “Rights” means rights issued in respect of Exercised Shares, including bonus shares.
(l) “102 Rules” means the Israeli Income Tax Rules (Tax Relief in Issuance of Sharesto Employees), 2003, as amended.
(m) “Taxation Route” means each of the Ordinary Income Route or the Capital Gain Route.
(n) “Tax Ordinance” means the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance [New Version], 1961, as amended.
(o) “Trust” means the holding of an Award or Exercised Share by the Trustee in Trust for the benefit of the Beneficial Holder, pursuant to the instructions of a Taxation Route.
(p) “Trustee” means a trustee designated by the Board in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 below and, with respect to 102 Awards, approved by the Israeli Tax Authorities.
- Administration.
(a) Subject to the general terms and conditions of the Plan, the Tax Ordinance, and any other applicable laws and regulations, the Board shall have the full authority in its discretion, from time to time and at any time, to determine:
(i) With respect to grants of 102 Awards - whether the Company shall elect the Ordinary Income Route or the Capital Gains Route for grants of 102 Awards, and the identity of the trustee who shall be granted such 102 Awards in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the then prevailing Taxation Route. In the event the Board determines that the
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Company shall elect one of the Taxation Routes for grants of 102 Awards, all grants of 102 Awards made following such election, shall be subject to the elected Taxation Route and the Company shall be entitled to change such election only following the lapse of one year from the end of the tax year in which 102 Awards are first granted under the then prevailing Taxation Route or following the lapse of any shorter or longer period, if provided by law; and
(ii) With respect to the grant of 102 (c) and 3(i) Awards - whether or not such Awards shall be granted to a trustee in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the identity of the trustee who shall be granted such Awards in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
(b) Notwithstanding the aforesaid, the Board may, from time to time and at any time, grant 102(c) Awards.
- Grant of Awards and Issuance of Shares.
Subject to the provisions of the Tax Ordinance and applicable law:
(a) All grants of Awards to Israeli employees, directors and office holders of the Company other than to a Controlling Shareholder, shall be of 102 Awards; and
(b) All grants of Awards to Israeli consultants, contractors or Controlling Shareholders of the Company shall be of 3(i) Awards.
- Trust.
(a) General.
(a) In the event Awards are deposited with a Trustee, the Trustee shall hold each such Award and any Exercised Shares in Trust for the benefit of the Beneficial Holder.
(i) In accordance with Section 102, the tax benefits afforded to 102 Awards (and any Exercised Shares) in accordance with the Ordinary Income Route or Capital Gains Route, as applicable, shall be contingent upon the Trustee holding such 102 Awards for the applicable Minimum Trust Period.
With respect to 102 Awards granted to the Trustee, the following shall apply:
(ii) A Participant granted 102 Awards shall not be entitled to sell the Exercised Shares or to transfer such Exercised Shares (or such 102 Awards) from the Trust prior to the lapse of the Minimum Trust Period; and
(iii) Any and all Rights shall be issued to the Trustee and held thereby until the lapse of the Minimum Trust Period, and such Rights shall be subject to the Taxation Route which is applicable to such Exercised Shares.
(iv) Notwithstanding the aforesaid, Exercised Shares or Rights may be sold or transferred, and the Trustee may release such Exercised Shares or Rights from Trust, prior to the lapse of the Minimum Trust Period, provided, however, that tax is paid or withheld in
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accordance with Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance and Section 7 of the 102 Rules, and any other provision in any other section of the Tax Ordinance and any regulation, ruling, procedure and clarification promulgated thereunder, that will be relevant, from time to time.
(v) The Company shall register the Exercised Shares issued to the Trustee pursuant to the Plan, in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Israeli Participants, in accordance with any applicable laws, rules and regulations, until such time that such Shares are released from the Trust as herein provided.
(vi) If the Company shall issue any certificates representing Exercised Shares deposited with the Trustee under the Plan, then such certificates shall be deposited with the Trustee, and shall be held by the Trustee until such time that such Exercised Shares are released from the Trust as herein provided.
(b) Subject to the terms hereof, at any time after the Awards are exercised or vested, with respect to any Exercised Shares the following shall apply:
(i) Upon the written request of any Beneficial Holder, the Trustee shall release from the Trust the Exercised Shares issued, on behalf of such Beneficial Holder, by executing and delivering to the Company such instrument(s) as the Company may require, giving due notice of such release to such Beneficial Holder, provided, however, that the Trustee shall not so release any such Exercised Shares to such Beneficial Holder unless the later, prior to, or concurrently with, such release, provides the Trustee with evidence, satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee, that payment of all taxes, if any, required to be paid upon such release has been secured.
(ii) Alternatively, subject to the terms hereof, provided the Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, upon the written instructions of the Beneficial Holder to sell any Exercised Shares, the Company and/or the Trustee shall use their reasonable efforts to effect such sale and shall transfer such Shares to the purchaser thereof concurrently with the receipt of, or after having made suitable arrangements to secure, the payment of the proceeds of the purchase price in such transaction. The Company and/or the Trustee, as applicable, shall withhold from such proceeds any and all taxes required to be paid in respect of such sale, shall remit the amount so withheld to the appropriate tax authorities and shall pay the balance thereof directly to the Beneficial Holder, reporting to such Beneficial Holder the amount so withheld and paid to said tax authorities.
(c) Voting Rights. Unless determined otherwise by the Board, as long as the Trustee holds the Exercised Shares, the voting rights attached to such Exercised Shares will remain with the Trustee. However, the Trustee shall not be obligated to exercise such voting rights nor notify the Participant of any Shares held in the Trust, of any meeting of the Company's shareholders or any resolutions adopted by written consent of shareholders.
Without derogating from the above, with respect to 102 Awards, such shares shall be voted in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 and any rules, regulations or orders promulgated thereunder.
(d) Dividends. Subject to any applicable law, tax ruling or guidelines of the
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Israeli Tax Authority, as applicable, so long as Shares deposited with the Trustee on behalf of a Beneficial Holder are held in Trust, the cash dividends paid or distributed with respect thereto shall be distributed directly to such Beneficial Holder, subject further to any applicable taxation on distribution of dividends, and when applicable subject to the provisions of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance, the 102 Rules and the regulations or orders promulgated thereunder.
(e) Notice of Exercise. With respect to a 102 Award held in the Trust, a copy of any notice of exercise shall be provided to the Trustee, in such form and method as may be determined by the Trustee in accordance with the requirements of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance.
- Award Agreement.
(a) The Award Agreement shall state, inter alia, whether the Awards granted to Israeli Participants are 102 Awards (and in particular whether the 102 Awards are granted under the Ordinary Income Route, the Capital Gains Route or as 102(c) Awards), or 3(i) Awards. Each Award Agreement evidencing a 102 Award shall be subject to the provisions of the Tax Ordinance applicable to such awards.
(b) Furthermore, each Israeli Participant of a 102 Award under a Taxation Route shall be required: (i) to execute a declaration stating that he or she is familiar with the provisions of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance and the applicable Taxation Route; and (ii) to undertake not to sell or transfer the Awards and/or the Exercised Shares prior to the lapse of the applicable Minimum Trust Period, unless he or she pays all taxes that may arise in connection with such sale and/or transfer.
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Guarantee. In the event a 102(c) Award is granted to an Israeli Participant, if the Participant’s employment or service is terminated, for any reason, such Participant shall provide the Company, and/or therelevant Israeli Subsidiary, as the case may be, to its full satisfaction, with a guarantee or collateral securing the future payment of all Taxes required to be paid upon the transfer or sale of the Exercised Shares received upon exercise of such 102(c) Award, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102 of the Tax Ordinance, the 102 Rules and the regulations or orders promulgated thereunder.
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Performance Criteria. The Plan Administrator is entitled to determine that the entitlement of a Participant to exercise Options is conditional upon certain performance criteria such as sales and/or profit figures and/or similar conditions, provided that the (i) number of Options, (ii) the performance criteria and (iii) the exercise price of the Options; are determined in the Award Agreement and are not variable.
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Cashless Exercise. The Cashless Exercise, as set forth in Section 4.7 to the Plan, shall be applicable to the Israeli Sub-Plan and shall be subject to obtaining a tax ruling by the Israeli Tax Authority, as applicable.
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Governing Law & Jurisdiction. This Appendix 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 Israel shall have sole jurisdiction in any matters pertaining to this Appendix.
1411-2809-0385