Mezzi Holdings Inc.
-
Date: 2016-01-12
MEZZI HOLDINGS INC.
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
(as at December 11, 2015, except as indicated)
This Information Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Management of
MEZZI HOLDINGS INC. (the “Company”) for use at the Annual General Meeting (the “Meeting”) of the
shareholders of the Company (“Shareholders”), to be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. for
the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting and at any adjournment thereof.
PERSONS OR COMPANIES MAKING THE SOLICITATION
THE ENCLOSED PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED BY MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY.
Solicitations will be made by mail and possibly supplemented by telephone or other personal contact to be
made without special compensation by regular officers and employees of the Company. The cost of
solicitation will be borne by the Company. None of the Directors of the Company have advised that they
intend to oppose any action intended to be taken by Management as set forth in this Information Circular.
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 other than the persons named in the enclosed Instrument
of Proxy to represent him at the Meeting. 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 with the Company's Registrar and Transfer Agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc.
at 8th Floor – 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1 at least 48 hours before the time of the
Meeting or any adjournment thereof, excluding Saturdays and holidays.
The Instrument of Proxy must be signed by the Shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney. If signed by
a duly authorized attorney, the Instrument of Proxy must be accompanied by the original power of attorney
or a notarially certified copy thereof. If the Shareholder is a corporation, the Instrument of Proxy must be
signed by a duly authorized attorney, officer, or corporate representative, and must be accompanied by the
original power of attorney or document whereby the duly authorized officer or corporate representative
derives his power, as the case may be, or a notarially certified copy thereof. The Chairman of the Meeting
has discretionary authority to accept proxies which do not strictly conform to the foregoing requirements.
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 place and
within the time aforesaid, 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 Company’s registered office at Suite
1500 – 609 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1T2 by 5:00 p.m. within the
time aforesaid or with the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or on the day
of any adjournment thereof, or (c) registering with the Scrutineer at the Meeting as a
registered Shareholder present in person, whereupon such Proxy shall be deemed to have
been revoked.
Only registered Shareholders have the right to revoke a proxy. Non-registered holders who
wish to change their vote by proxy must, at least seven days before the Meeting, arrange for
their nominees to revoke the proxy on their behalf.
A revocation of a proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken prior to the
revocation.
NON-REGISTERED HOLDERS
Only registered Shareholders or duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote in person
at the Meeting. Most Shareholders of the Company are “non-registered Shareholders”
because the common shares of the Company (the “Shares”) they own are not registered in
their names but are instead registered in the name of the brokerage firm, bank or trust
company through which they purchased the Shares. More particularly, a person is not a
registered Shareholder in respect of Shares which are held on behalf of that person (the “NonRegistered Holder”) but which are registered either: (a) in the name of an intermediary (an
“Intermediary”) that the Non-Registered Holder deals with in respect of the Shares (Intermediaries
include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or
administrators of self-administered RRSP’s, RRIFs, RESPs and similar plans); or (b) in the name
of a clearing agency (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited (“CDS”)) of which
the Intermediary is a participant. In accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 54101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Company has distributed copies of the Notice
of Meeting, this Information Circular and a form of proxy (collectively, the “Meeting Materials”)
to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries for onward distribution to Non-Registered Holders.
Intermediaries are required to forward the Meeting Materials to Non-Registered Holders unless a
Non-Registered Holder has waived the right to receive them. Very often, Intermediaries will use
service companies to forward the Meeting Materials to Non-Registered Holders. Generally, NonRegistered Holders who have not waived the right to receive Meeting Materials will either:
(a) be given a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by
a facsimile, stamped signature), which is restricted as to the number of Shares beneficially
owned by the Non-Registered Holder but which is otherwise not completed. Because the
Intermediary has already signed the form of proxy, this form of proxy is not required to be
signed by the Non-Registered Holder when submitting the proxy. In this case, the NonRegistered Holder who wishes to submit a proxy should otherwise properly complete the
form of proxy and deliver it to Computershare Trust Company of Canada as provided
above; or
(b) more typically, be given a voting instruction form which is not signed by the Intermediary,
and which, when properly completed and signed by the Non-Registered Holder and returned
to the Intermediary or its service company, will constitute voting instructions (often called
a “proxy authorization form”) which the Intermediary must follow. Typically, the proxy
authorization form will consist of a one page pre-printed form. Sometimes, instead of the one
page pre-printed form, the proxy authorization form will consist of a regular printed proxy
form accompanied by a page of instructions, which contains a removable label containing a
bar code and other information. In order for the form of proxy to validly constitute a proxy
authorization form, the Non-Registered Holder must remove the label from the instructions
and affix it to the form of proxy, properly complete and sign the form of proxy and return it to
the Intermediary or its service company in accordance with the instructions of the
Intermediary or its service company.
In either case, the purpose of this procedure is to permit Non-Registered Holders to direct the
voting of the Shares, which they beneficially own. Should a Non-Registered Holder who receives
one of the above forms wish to vote at the meeting in person, the Non-Registered Holder should
strike out the names of the Management Proxyholders and insert the Non-Registered Holder’s
name in the blank space provided. In either case, Non-Registered Holders should carefully
follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the
proxy or proxy authorization form is to be delivered.
Non-Registered Holders who have not objected to their Intermediary disclosing certain ownership
information about themselves to the Company are referred to as “non-objecting beneficial owners”
(“NOBOs”). Those Non-Registered Holders who have objected to their nominee disclosing
ownership information about themselves to the Company are referred to as “objecting beneficial
owners” (“OBOs”).
The Company is not sending the Meeting Materials directly to NOBOs in connection with the
Meeting, but rather has distributed copies of the Meeting Materials to Intermediaries for
distribution to NOBOs.
The Company does not intend to pay for Intermediaries to deliver the Meeting Materials and Form
54-101 – Request for Voting Instructions Made by Intermediary to OBOs. As a result, OBOs will
not receive the Meeting Materials unless their Intermediary assumes the costs of delivery.
NOTICE AND ACCESS
The Company is not sending the Meeting Materials to Shareholders using “notice-and-access”, as
defined under National Instrument 54-101.
VOTING OF SHARES AND EXERCISE OF DISCRETION OF PROXIES
Only registered Shareholders or duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Shares
represented by a properly executed proxy will be voted or be withheld from voting on each matter referred to
in the Notice of Meeting 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 Shares will
be voted accordingly.
In the absence of any direction in the Instrument of Proxy, it is intended that such Shares will be voted
in favour of the motions proposed to be made at the Meeting as stated under the headings in this
Information Circular. The Instrument of Proxy enclosed, when properly signed, confers discretionary
authority with respect to amendments or variations to any matters which may properly be brought before the
Meeting. The enclosed Instrument of Proxy does not confer authority to vote for the election of any person as
a director of the Company other than those persons named in this Information Circular. At the time of printing
of this Information Circular, the Management of the Company is not aware that any such amendments,
variations or other matters are to be presented for action at the Meeting. However, if any other matters which
are not now known to the Management should properly come before the Meeting, the proxies hereby solicited
will be exercised on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the nominee.
VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value. On
December 11, 2015, 43,503,653 common Shares were issued and outstanding, each common share carrying
the right to one vote. At a general meeting of the Company, on a show of hands, every Shareholder present
in person shall have one vote and, on a poll, every Shareholder shall have one vote for each Share of which
he is the holder.
Only Shareholders of record on the close of business on December 11, 2015, who either personally attend
the Meeting or who complete and deliver an Instrument of Proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions
set out under the heading “Appointment and Revocation of Proxies” will be entitled to have his or her
Shares voted at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The following table sets forth the only persons who as of the date hereof, to the knowledge of the directors
and executive officers of the Corporation, beneficially own or control or direct, directly or indirectly,
Common Shares carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Common Shares:
Name
Number of Shares
Percentage
Keir Reynolds1
5,248,500
12.1%%
1
1,612,000 of these shares are held by Mammoth Market Advisory Corp., a private company controlled 100% by Keir Reynolds.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED
UPON
To the knowledge of management of the Company, none of the directors or executive officers of the
Company, no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company, none of the persons who have been
directors or executive officers of the Company since the commencement of the Company’s last completed
financial year and no associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing persons has any material interest, direct or
indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the
Meeting other than the election of directors and annual approval of the stock option plan. See “Particulars of
Matters to be Acted Upon”.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
For the purposes of this Information Circular, “informed person” means:
(a) a director or executive officer of the Company;
(b) a director or executive officer of a person or company that is itself an informed person or subsidiary of
the Company;
(c) any person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Company
or who exercises control or direction over voting securities of the Company, or a combination of both,
carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting securities of the
Company, other than voting securities held by the person or company as underwriter in the course of a
distribution; and
(d) the Company if it has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its own securities, for so long
as it holds any of its securities.
Except as otherwise disclosed, no informed person, no proposed director of the Company and no associate
or affiliate of any such informed person or proposed director, has or has had any material interest, direct or
indirect, in any transaction with the Company since the commencement of the Company’s last completed
financial year or in any proposed transaction, which, in either case, has materially affected or is likely to
materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Change of Business
Effective October 24, 2014 following receipt of shareholder and TSX Venture Exchange approvals, the
Company (then “CCT Capital Ltd.”) completed the acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of the privately held
company, Mezzi Canada Inc. (“Privco”), pursuant to a three-party amalgamation under the Canada
Business Corporations Act, which constituted a “Change of Business” under the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange. In consideration of the Acquisition, the Company issued an aggregate of 6,000,000
Shares to the shareholders of Privco at an exchange ratio was one Company Share for every one Privco
share held.
Further detail with respect to the Acquisition is included in news releases by the Company and in the
Company’s Filing Statement dated October 15, 2014, prepared in connection with the Acquisition, which
have been electronically filed with regulators and are available for viewing under the Company’s issuer
profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, together with the Company’s other disclosure documents.
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
A.
General Provisions
For the purposes of this Information Circular:
“CEO” of the Company means an individual who acted as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or
acted in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year;
“CFO” of the Company means an individual who acted as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, or acted
in a similar capacity, for any part of the most recently completed financial year;
“equity incentive plan” means an incentive plan, or portion of an incentive plan, under which awards are
granted and that falls within the scope of IFRS 2 Share-based Payments;
“executive officer” of the Company means an individual who is the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the
Board, the President, a Vice-President in charge of a principal business unit, division or function including
sales, finance or production, or any other individual who is performing a policy-making function in respect
of the Company;
“incentive plan” means any plan providing compensation that depends on achieving certain performance
goals or similar conditions within a specified period;
“incentive plan award” means compensation awarded, earned, paid or payable under an incentive plan;
“NEO” or “named executive officer” means each of the following individuals:
(a)
a CEO;
(b)
a CFO;
(c)
each of the Company's three most highly compensated executive officers, or the
three most highly compensated individuals acting in a similar capacity, other than
the CEO and CFO, at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose
total compensation was, individually, more than $150,000 for that financial year;
and
each individual who would be a NEO under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the
individual was neither an executive officer of the Company, nor acting in a similar
capacity, at the end of that financial year;
(d)
“non-equity incentive plan” means an incentive plan or portion of an incentive plan that is not an equity
incentive plan;
“option-based award” means an award under an equity incentive plan of options, including, for greater
certainty, Share options, Share appreciation rights, and similar instruments that have option-like features;
“plan” includes any plan, contract, authorization or arrangement, whether or not set out in any formal
document, where cash, securities, similar instruments or any other property may be received, whether for
one or more persons;
“repricing” means, in relation to an option, adjusting or amending the exercise or base price of the option,
but excludes any adjustment or amendment that equally affects all holders of the class of securities
underlying the option and occurs through the operation of a formula or mechanism in, or applicable to, the
option;
“Share-based award” means an award under an equity incentive plan of equity-based instruments that do not
have option-like features, including, for greater certainty, common Shares, restricted Shares, restricted
Share units, deferred Share units, phantom Shares, phantom Share units, common Share equivalent units,
and stock.
B.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Objectives and Principles
The primary goal of our executive compensation process is to attract and retain the key executives necessary
for the Company’s long term success, to encourage executives to further the development of the Company
and our operations, and to motivate quality and experienced executives. The key elements of executive
compensation awarded by the Company are base salary or fee, potential for annual incentive award and
incentive stock options. Our directors are of the view that all elements should be considered, rather than
any single element.
Compensation Process
The Company relies solely on its Board of Directors, through discussion without any formal objectives or
criteria, to determine the compensation of its executive officers and directors. The Board of Directors is
responsible for determining all forms of compensation of NEOs and the directors, including long-term
incentives in the form of stock options, to ensure such arrangements reflect the responsibilities and risks
associated with each position. The Board may seek advice from independent compensation consultants or
advisors as and when it deems appropriate to assist them in determining compensation for any of the
Company’s executive officers or directors. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2015, the Board did not
seek such counsel
When determining the compensation of our officers, the Board considers: i) recruiting and retaining
executives critical to the success of the Company and the enhancement of shareholder value; ii) providing
fair and competitive compensation; iii) balancing the interests of management and our shareholders; iv)
rewarding performance, both on an individual basis and with respect to operations in general; and v)
available financial resources.
The Board reviews the compensation paid to the NEOs on an annual basis.
Risk Considerations
The Board considers the implications of the risks associated with the Company’s compensation policies and
practices when determining rewards for its officers and Directors. The Board reviews at least once annually
the risks, if any, associated with the Company’s compensation policies and practices at such time.
Executive compensation is comprised of both short-term compensation in the form of a base salary/fee and
long-term ownership through the grant of stock options. This structure ensures that a significant portion of
executive compensation (stock options) is both long-term and “at risk” and, accordingly, is directly linked
to the achievement of business results and the creation of long term shareholder value.
The Board also has the ability to set out vesting periods in each stock option agreement. As the benefits of
such compensation, if any, are not realized by officers and directors until a significant period of time has
passed, the ability of officers to take inappropriate or excessive risks that are beneficial to their
compensation at the expense of the Company and the Shareholders is extremely limited. Furthermore, all
elements of executive compensation are discretionary. As a result, it is unlikely officers would take
inappropriate or excessive risks at the expense of the Company or the Shareholders that would be beneficial
to their short-term compensation when their long-term compensation might be put at risk from their actions.
Due to the relatively small size of the Company and its current management group, the Board is able to
closely monitor and consider any risks which may be associated with the Company’s compensation policies
and practices. Risks, if any, may be identified and mitigated through regular Board meetings during which
financial and other information of the Company is reviewed. No risks have been identified arising from the
Company’s compensation policies and practices that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect
on the Company.
Hedging of Economic Risks in the Company’s Securities
The Company has not adopted a formal policy forbidding directors or officers from purchasing financial
instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as
compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by directors or officers. The Company is not, however, aware
of any directors or officers having entered into this type of transaction.
C.
Summary Compensation Table
Keir Reynolds, Cyrus Driver, Raif Adelberg, Warwick Smith, Alnesh Mohon and Kim Evans are the NEOs
of the Company for the purposes of the following disclosure, each having served as a NEO for some period
of time during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2015. The compensation for the NEOs, directly or indirectly,
for the Company’s three most recently-completed financial years is summarized in the following table.
The grant date fair value of incentive stock option granted by the Company is estimated using the BlackScholes option pricing model and for the assumptions and estimates used for these calculations, please refer
to the notes to the audited consolidated annual financial statements of the Company, which are available for
viewing under the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Salary
and/or
consulting
fees
($) (1)
Share
based
awards
($)3
Optionbased
awards
($)
Name and
Principal
Position
Year
ended
April 30
Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
$
LongAnnual
term
incentive
incentive
plans
plans
Pension
value
($)
All other
compensation
($)
Total
compensation
($)
Keir Reynolds,
CEO (Appointed
as a director on
February 18, 2014
& as CEO on
September 16,
2014)
2015
2014
2013
$114,000
$10,000
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
$132,632(2)
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
$80,000(3)
nil
N/A
$326,632
$10,000
N/A
Cyrus Driver
(Appointed as
CFO on
November 24,
2014 and as a
director on May
20, 2015)
2015
2014
2013
$10,000
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
$55,000(4)
nil
N/A
$65,000
nil
N/A
Raif Adelberg (5)
(Served as
President from
January 19, 2015
and as a director
from June 24,
2014, until his
resignation as an
officer and as a
director on May
28, 2015)
2015
2014
2013
$150,000(5)
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
$75,604(6)
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
$5,000(5)
l
N/A
$230,604
nil
N/A
Warwick Smith
(Served as CEO
and as a director
from April 4,
2014, until his
resignation as an
officer and as a
director on
September 16,
2014)
2015
2014
2013
$112,500
$18,750
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
$152,265(7)
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
$250,000(8)
nil
N/A
$514,765
18,750
N/A
Name and
Principal
Position
Year
ended
April 30
Salary
and/or
consulting
fees
($) (1)
Share
based
awards
($)3
Optionbased
awards
($)
Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
$
LongAnnual
term
incentive
incentive
plans
plans
Pension
value
($)
All other
compensation
($)
Total
compensation
($)
Alnesh Mohan
(Served as CFO
from April 4,
2014, until his
resignation on
November 24,
2014)
2015
2014
2013
$57,449
$5,000
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
nil
nil
N/A
$57,449
$5,000
N/A
Kim Evans
(Served as CFO
and as a director
from April 13,
2006, until her
resignation as
CFO on April 14,
2014 and her
resignation as a
director on June
24 , 2014)
2015
2014
2013
nil
$24,600
$41,200
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
$24,600
$41,600
NOTES:
(1)
Amounts were paid to NEO directly or to a private company controlled by the NEO.
(2)
Grant date fair value of incentive stock options entitling the purchase of 685,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a per share price of $0.25 until
May 23, 2019, and 185,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a per share price of $0.25 until August 27, 2019.
(3)
Contractually obligated cash bonus
(4)
Amounts were paid to a firm of which Mr. Driver is a partner for accounting related services.
(5)
Amounts were paid for use of a studio space. See “Termination and Change of Control Benefits”.
(6)
Grant date fair value of incentive stock options entitling the purchase of 50,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a per share price of $0.25 until
May 23, 2019, and 450,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a per share price of $0.25 until August 27, 2019. All options were cancelled as of
August 26, 2015.
(7)
Grant date fair value of incentive stock options entitling the purchase of 685,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a per share price of $0.25 until
May 23, 2019, and 315,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a per share price of $0.25 until August 27, 2019. These options were exercised by Mr.
Smith during July and August 2014 (see below “Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During the Year”).
(8)
Amount relates to bonus paid.
D.
Incentive Plan Awards
The Company has in place a 10% rolling stock option plan (the “Stock Option Plan”) for the purpose of
attracting and motivating directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and advancing the
interests of the Company by affording such persons the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the
Company through options granted under the Stock Option Plan to purchase Shares of the Company. The
Stock Option Plan has been used to provide share purchase options which are granted in consideration of
the level of responsibility of the executive as well as his impact or contribution to the longer-term operating
performance of the Company. In determining the number of options to be granted to the executive officers,
the Board takes into account the number of options, if any, previously granted to each executive officer, and
the exercise price of any outstanding options to ensure that such grants are in accordance with the policies
of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”), and closely align the interests of the executive officers with
the interests of Shareholders. The Compensation Committee has the responsibility to administer the
compensation policies related to the executive management of the Company, including option-based
awards. See “Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval and Ratification of Stock Option Plan”.
A copy of the Option Plan will be available for review at the Meeting.
As of the date of this Circular, the Company does not have any Share-based award plans in place other than
grants of incentive stock options under its Stock Option Plan.
OUTSTANDING SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTION-BASED AWARDS
The following table discloses the particulars of all awards for each NEO outstanding at the end of the
Company’s financial year ended April 30, 2015, including awards granted before this most recently
completed financial year:
Option-based Awards
Name
Share-based Awards
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
Option
exercise
price
($)
Option
expiration date
Value of
unexercised
in-the-money
options(1)
($)
Number of
Shares or units
of Shares that
have not vested
(#)
Keir Reynolds
CEO
365,000
185,000
0.25
0.25
May 23, 2019
August 27, 2019
nil
nil
nil
nil
Cyrus Driver
CFO
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
Raif Adelberg
Past-President
5,000
450,000
0.25
0.25
May 23, 2019
August 27, 2019
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
Warwick Smith
Past-CEO
Alnesh Mohan
Past-CFO
Kim Evans
Past-CFO
Market or payout Market or payout
value of Sharevalue of vested
based awards that share-based awards
have not vested
not paid out or
($)
distributed ($)
NOTES:
(1)
“In-the-money options” means the difference between the market value of the Company’s Shares underlying the options on April 30, 2015, and
the exercise price of the options. The last trading price of the Company’s shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on April 30, 2015 was at
$0.18.
INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS – VALUE VESTED OR EARNED DURING THE YEAR
The following table summarizes the value of each incentive plan award vested or earned by each NEO
during the financial year ended April 30, 2015:
Option-based awards –
Value vested(1) during the
year
($)
Share-based awards –
Value vested during the
year
($)
Non-equity incentive plan
compensation – Value earned
during the year
($)
$132,632
nil
nil
Cyrus Driver
CFO
Nil
nil
nil
Raif Adelberg
Past-President
$75,604
nil
nil
$152,265
nil
nil
nil
nil
Name
Keir Reynolds,
CEO
Warwick Smith
Past-CEO
Kim Evans
Past-CFO
nil
Name
Alnesh Mohan
Past-CFO
Option-based awards –
Value vested(1) during the
year
($)
nil
Share-based awards –
Value vested during the
year
($)
Non-equity incentive plan
compensation – Value earned
during the year
($)
nil
nil
NOTES:
(1)
The vesting of stock options is at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. For the year ended April 30, 2015, the Company calculated
the compensation cost by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model assuming a risk free interest rate of 1.5% (2014 – nil), a dividend yield
of nil (2014 – nil), the expected annual volatility of the Company’s share price of 107.7% (2014 – nil) and an expected life of the options of 5
years (2014 – nil).
Warwick Smith was the Chief Executive Officer of the Company from April 4, 2014 until his resignation on
September 16, 2014. During July and August 2014, Mr. Smith exercised all incentive stock options
previously granted to him by the Company and the Company issued to Mr. Smith an aggregate 1,000,000
Shares at an exercise price per Share of $0.25. Trading in the Company’s Shares on the Exchange was
halted at the time of exercise of options by Mr. Warwick, the closing price of the Shares on the Exchange on
the last trading day prior to the halt was $0.22. The Company’s Shares recommenced trading on October
29, 2014, with the last trade price on closing being $0.16.
OPTION REPRICINGS
There were no re-pricings of stock options under the Stock Option Plan or otherwise during the Company’s
completed financial year ended April 30, 2015.
E.
Pension Plan Benefits
The Company has no pension plans that provide for payments or benefits to any NEO at, following or in
connection with retirement.
The Company also does not have any deferred compensation plans relating to any NEO.
F.
Termination and Change of Control Benefits
As of the date of this Circular and other than as described herein, the Company does not have written
employment or consulting services agreements with NEOs other than set out below.
Keir Reynolds – Chief Executive Officer
The Company has entered into a consulting agreement with Mammoth Market Advisory Corp.
(“Mammoth”), a company controlled by Keir Reynolds, the current Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, pursuant to which Mammoth provides the services of Mr. Reynolds in consideration for a
monthly consulting fee of $10,000 and entitlement to option grants and certain cash bonuses.
The agreement provides that the Company may terminate the services of Mammoth for any reason upon
twelve (12) months written notice or may provide payment in lieu of notice, provided that such termination
falls within the first twenty-four (24) months of the date of the agreement, and twenty-four (24) months’
notice, or payment in lieu of notice, in the event termination is given on or after twenty-four (24) months
from the date of the agreement. In the event of a Change of Control, Mammoth may terminate the
agreement, and in such event, Mammoth will be entitled to twelve (12) months fees if terminated within
twenty-four (24) months of the date of the agreement and twenty-four (24) months fees if terminated
anytime after twenty-four (24) months of the date of the agreement, and Mammoth would also be entitled to
all additional payments and bonuses owing under the agreement, and to the vesting of all incentive stock
options granted to Mammoth. Assuming the Agreement between the Company and Mammoth had been
terminated by Mammoth on a Change of Control of the Company as of the Company’s most recent fiscal
year ended April 30, 2015, Mammoth would have been entitled to payment of $120,000 in fees under the
Agreement.
Raif Adelberg – Past-President
In his capacity as President of the Company from his appointment on January 19, 2015 until his resignation
on May 28, 2015, Raif Adelberg was party to an employment agreement with the Company. In connection
with Mr. Adelberg’s resignation as President and as a director of the Company, subsequent to the fiscal year
ended April 30, 2015, the Company paid Mr. Adelberg $25,000 in settlement of contractual indebtedness
and issued to him 150,000 Shares at a deemed per Share price of $0.8333 in settlement of an additional
$125,000 of contractual indebtedness.
Management Contracts
G.
No management functions of the Company or a subsidiary are performed to any substantial degree by a
person other than the directors or executive officers of the Company or a subsidiary.
H.
Director Compensation
The following tables disclose the particulars of all awards to directors who are not NEOs for the
Company’s most recently completed financial year ended April 30, 2015:
Name
Fees
earned
($)
Share
based
awards
($)
Gary Floyd
Optionbased
awards
($)(1)
Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
$
Annual
incentive
plans
Long-term
incentive
plans
Pension
value
($)
All other
compensation
($)
Total
compensation
($)
Nil
Nil
$15,103(2)
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
$15,103
Nil
Nil
$30,205(3)
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
$30,205
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
(served as a
director from July
3, 2014, until his
resignation on
October 23, 2015)
Robert
Withers (served
as a director from
June 3,2014 until
his resignation on
May 28, 2015)
Leonard
Dennis (served
as a director from
April 13, 2006
until his
resignation on
June 3, 2014)
Name
Fees
earned
($)
Share
based
awards
($)
Michele Pillon
Nil
Optionbased
awards
($)(1)
Nil
Nil
Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
$
Annual
incentive
plans
Long-term
incentive
plans
Nil
Nil
Pension
value
($)
All other
compensation
($)
Total
compensation
($)
Nil
Nil
Nil
(served as a
director from
January 8, 2014
until her
resignation on
June 24, 2014)
NOTES:
(1)
The vesting of stock options is at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. For the year ended April 30, 2015, the Company calculated
the compensation cost by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model assuming a risk free interest rate of 1.5% (2014 – nil), a dividend yield
of nil (2014 – nil), the expected annual volatility of the Company’s share price of 107.7% (2014 – nil) and an expected life of the options of 5
years (2014 – nil).
(2)
Grant date fair value of incentive stock options entitling the purchase of 100,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a per share price of $0.25 until
August 27, 2019.
(3)
Grant date fair value of incentive stock options entitling the purchase of 200,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at a per share price of $0.25 until
August 27, 2019.
*Relevant disclosure has been provided in the Summary Compensation Table above for directors who receive compensation for their services as a director who are also
NEO’s
OUTSTANDING SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTION-BASED AWARDS
The following table discloses the particulars of all awards for each director who is not also a NEO outstanding at the
end of the Company’s financial year ended April 30, 2015, including awards granted before this most recently
completed financial year:
Option-based Awards
Name
Gary Floyd
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
Option
exercise
price
($)
100,000
$0.25
These options are
continuous as Mr.
Floyd remained
an advisor to the
Company
nil
nil
nil
Market or
payout
value of
share-based
awards not
paid out or
distributed
($)
nil
200,000
$0.25
August 26, 2015
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
n/a
n/a
nil
nil
nil
nil
nil
n/a
n/a
nil
nil
nil
nil
(resigned on October 23,
2015)
Robert Withers
Share-based Awards
Option
Value of
Number of
Market or payout
expiration date unexercised in- shares or units of
value of sharethe-money
shares that have based awards that
options(1)
not vested
have not vested
($)
(#)
($)
(resigned on May 28, 2015)
Leonard Dennis
(resigned on June 3, 2014)
Michele Pillon
(resigned on June 24, 2014)
NOTES:
(1)
“In-the-money options” means the difference between the market value of the Company’s shares underlying the options on April 30, 2015, and the exercise price of
the options. The last trading price of the Company’s shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on April 30, 2015 was at $0.18.
INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS – VALUE VESTED OR EARNED DURING THE YEAR
The following table summarizes the value of each incentive plan award vested or earned by each director who is not
also a NEO during the financial year ended April 30, 2015:
Name
Gary Floyd
Option-based awards –
Value vested during the year
($)
Share-based awards –
Value vested during the
year
($)
Non-equity incentive plan
compensation – Value earned
during the year
($)
$15,103
Nil
Nil
$30,205
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
(resigned on June October 23, 2015)
Robert Withers
(resigned on May 28, 2015)
Michele Pillon (resigned on June
24, 2014)
Leonard Dennis
(resigned on
June 3, 2014)
Other than as set forth in the foregoing, no director of the Company who is not an NEO has received, during
the most recently completed financial year, compensation pursuant to:
(a)
any standard arrangement for the compensation of directors for their services in their capacity as
directors, including any additional amounts payable for committee participation or special
assignments;
(b)
any other arrangement, in addition to, or in lieu of, any standard arrangement, for the compensation
of directors in their capacity as directors; or
(c)
any arrangement for the compensation of directors for services as consultants or experts.
Incentive stock options have been granted to officers, directors and employees of the Company pursuant to
the Option Plan. The purpose of granting such options is to assist the Company in compensation, attracting,
retaining and motivating the directors of the Company and to closely align the personal interests of such
persons to that of the shareholders.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth details of the Company’s compensation plans under which equity securities of
the Company were authorized for issuance at the end of the Company’s most recently completed financial
year ended April 30, 2015.
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(b)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
(c)
Equity compensation plans
approved by
securityholders
1,745,000
$0.25
2,076,865
Equity compensation plans
not approved by
securityholders
N/A
N/A
N/A
1,745,000
$0.25
2,076,865
Plan Category
Total
The Company’s equity compensation plan consists of incentive stock options granted under the Company’s
10% rolling Stock Option Plan. For a summary of the Company’s Stock Option Plan, see “Particulars of
Matters to be Acted Upon – Approval and Ratification of Stock Option Plan”.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As at December 11, 2015, there was no indebtedness outstanding of any current or former director,
executive officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries, which is owing to the Company or its
subsidiaries, or, which is owing to another entity which indebtedness is the subject of a guarantee, support
agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or its
subsidiaries, entered into in connection with a purchase of securities or otherwise.
No individual who is, or at any time during the most recently completed financial year was, a director or
executive officer of the Company, no proposed nominee for election as a Director of the Company and no
associate of such persons:
(i)
is or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year has been,
indebted to the Company or its subsidiaries; or
(ii)
whose indebtedness to another entity is, or at any time since the beginning of the most recently
completed financial year has been, the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or
other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or its subsidiaries, in relation
to a securities purchase program or other program.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE
A summary of the responsibilities and activities and the membership of each of the Committees is
set out below. National Policy 58-201 (“NP 58-201”) establishes corporate governance guidelines
which apply to all public companies. The Company has reviewed its own corporate governance
practices in light of these guidelines. In certain cases, the Company’s practices comply with the
guidelines, however, the Board considers that some of the guidelines are not suitable for the
Company at its current stage of development and therefore these guidelines have not been adopted.
National Instrument 58-101 mandates disclosure of corporate governance practices which
disclosure is set out below.
INDEPENDENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Company's Board consists of four directors, one of whom the Company considers to be
independent based upon the tests for independence set forth in National Instrument 52-110. John
Veltheer is independent. Keir Reynolds is not considered independent as he is the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. Cyrus Driver is not considered independent as he is the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company. Alan Reynolds is not considered independent as he has a material
relationship with the Chief Executive Officer of the Company as per National Instrument 52-110 s.
1.4 (3)(b).
See “Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Election of Directors”.
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. The Board considers that management
is effectively supervised by the independent director on an informal basis as the independent
director is actively and regularly involved in reviewing the operations of the Company and has
regular and full access to management. Further supervision is performed through the audit
committee which is composed of Keir Reynolds (non-independent Director), Alan Reynolds (nonindependent director, with whom is considered independent on the Audit Committee as per Part 6
of National Instrument NI 52-110, who meet with the Company's auditors. The independent audit
committee members exercise their responsibilities for independent oversight of management
through their majority control of the Board.
PARTICIPATION OF DIRECTORS IN OTHER REPORTING ISSUERS
The participation of the directors in other reporting issuers is described in the table provided under
“Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Election of Directors” in this Information Circular.
ORIENTATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
While the Company does not have formal orientation and training programs, new Board members
are provided with:
1. information respecting the functioning of the Board of Directors and committees;
2. access to recent, publicly filed documents of the Company;
3. access to management and consultants; and
4. a summary of significant corporate and social responsibilities.
Board members are encouraged to communicate with management and auditors to keep themselves
current with industry trends and developments and changes in legislation with management’s
assistance; and to attend related industry seminars and visit the Company’s operations. Board
members have full access to the Company’s records.
ETHICAL BUSINESS CONDUCT
The Board views good corporate governance as an integral component to the success of the
Company and to meet responsibilities to Shareholders. The Company adopted a Code of Conduct
on July 2, 2014, as seen in Schedule ‘A’ below. The Board instructs its managers and employees
to abide by this Code.
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board has responsibility for identifying potential Board candidates. The Board assesses
potential Board candidates to fill perceived needs on the Board for required skills, expertise,
independence and other factors. Members of the Board and representatives of the luxury
accessories industry are consulted for possible candidates.
The Company has adopted advance notice procedures for nomination of directors, which requires
that a shareholder proposing to nominate a person for election as a director at a meeting of
shareholders must provide the Company with advance notice of, and prescribed details concerning,
the proposed nominee. See “Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon – Election of Directors –
Advance Notice Procedures”.
Voting for election of directors of the Company is by individual voting and not by slate voting.
The Company has adopted an advance notice policy for election of directors at uncontested
shareholder meetings at which directors are to be elected.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND THE CEO
The Board of Directors is responsible for determining all forms of compensation to be granted to
our executive officers, to other members of senior management and to the directors. See
“Statement of Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis”.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Company has an Audit Committee. The Board has determined that additional committees are
not necessary at this stage of the Company’s development. See “Audit Committee”, which
follows.
ASSESSMENTS
The Board does not consider that formal assessments would be useful at this stage of the
Company’s development. The Board periodically conducts informal assessments of the Board’s
effectiveness, the individual directors and each of its committees.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
National Instrument 52-110 of the Canadian Securities Administrators (“NI 52-110”) requires the Company,
as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its Information Circular certain information concerning the
constitution of its audit committee and its relationship with its independent auditor, as set forth below.
The Company’s audit committee is comprised of three directors: Keir Reynolds, Alan Reynolds and John
Veltheer. As defined in NI 52-110, the Company considers Alan Reynolds and John Veltheer to be
“independent” audit committee members and all three are “financially literate”.
The educational background or experience of the following audit committee members has enabled each to
perform his responsibilities as an audit committee member and has provided the member with an
understanding of the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements, the
ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for
estimates, accruals and reserves as well as experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial
statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable
to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s
financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more individuals engaged in such activities
and an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting:
Keir Reynolds is a business executive with more than a decade of experience in corporate development,
finance, technology, alternative energy and natural resource sectors. Mr. Reynolds is financially literate and
familiar with the preparation and review of financial statements and accounting principles used in reading
and preparing financial statements.
John Veltheer (Chair) is a veteran business consultant who has served as an officer or director of a number
of private and public companies since 1998. Dr. Veltheer is financially literate and familiar with the
preparation and review of financial statements and accounting principles used in reading and preparing
financial statements.
Alan Reynolds recently retired after an extensive 37-year career with a major Canadian financial institution,
which included senior and executive roles in internal audit, large corporate and commercial lending, credit
risk management, lending operations and process management. Also for the last 5 years, Mr. Reynolds, has
been a board member of the Canadian Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (AASB). Mr. Reynolds
holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University, and has the Global professional designations, Certified
Internal Auditor and Certification in Risk Management Assurance. Mr. Reynolds is financially literate and
familiar with the preparation and review of financial statements and accounting principles used in reading
and preparing financial statements and auditing principles used in the audit of financial statements.
At no time since the commencement of the Company’s most recently completed financial year has the
Company relied on the exemptions contained in section 2.4 of NI 52-110 or an exemption from NI 52-110
in whole or in part, granted under Part 8 of NI 52-110. Section 2.4 provides an exemption from the
requirement that the audit committee must pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided by the auditor,
where the total amount of fees related to the non-audit services are not expected to exceed 5% of the total
fees payable to the auditor in the fiscal year in which the non-audit services were provided. Part 8 permits a
company to apply to a securities regulatory authority for an exemption from the requirements of NI 52-110,
in whole or in part.
The audit committee has specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services, as
described in its audit committee charter, which is attached to this Circular as Schedule ‘B’.
In the following table, “audit fees” are fees billed by the Company’s external auditor for services provided
in auditing the Company’s annual financial statements for the subject year. “Audit-related fees” are fees not
included in audit fees that are billed by the auditor for assurance and related services that are reasonably
related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements. “Tax fees” are fees
billed by the auditor for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. “All
other fees” are fees billed by the auditor for products and services not included in the foregoing categories.
The fees paid by the Company to its auditor in each of the last two fiscal years, by category, are as follows:
Financial Year
Ending
Audit Fees
Audit Related
Fees
April 30, 2014
$8,000
-
-
$1,500
April 30, 2015
$20,000
-
-
-
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
The Company is relying on the exemption provided by section 6.1 of NI 52-110 which provides that the
Company, as a venture issuer, is not required to comply with Part 3 (Composition of the Audit Committee)
and Part 5 (Reporting Obligations) of NI 52-110.
PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Number of Directors
Under our Articles, the number of directors may be fixed or changed from time to time by ordinary resolution
but shall not be fewer than three. We currently have four directors, each of whom is being nominated by
management for re-election at the meeting to which this Information Circular relates. At this stage of the
Company’s development, our Board of Directors believes that four directors is a sufficient number to
efficiently carry out the duties of the Board, as well as enhance the diversity of views, skills and experience the
directors bring to the Board.
Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote FOR
setting the number of directors at four.
Election of Directors
Each Director of the Company is elected annually and holds office until the next Annual General Meeting
of the Shareholders unless that person resigns or otherwise ceases to be a director before then.
The following are the nominees proposed for election as directors of the Company, together with the
number of Shares that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is
exercised, by each nominee as of December 22, 2015, the record date for determining Shareholders entitled
to notice of the Meeting. All of the nominees are currently directors of the Company. Each of the nominees
has agreed to stand for election and we are not aware of any intention of any of them not to do so. If,
however, one or more of them should become unable to stand for re-election, it is likely that one or more
other persons would be nominated at the meeting for election and, in that event, the persons designated in
the form of proxy will vote in their discretion for a substitute nominee.
Keir Reynolds was elected as a director of the Company by Shareholders at the last annual general meeting
held on January 19, 2015; Cyrus Driver, Alan Reynolds and John Veltheer were each appointed as a
director of the Company by the Board of Directors to fill casual vacancies on the Board as a result of
resignations of directors since the last annual general meeting was held.
The Company has adopted an advance notice policy for election of directors at uncontested shareholder
meetings at which directors are to be elected. See Corporate Governance Disclosure – Nomination and
Election of Directors.
Voting for election of directors of the Company is by individual voting and not by slate voting. You can
vote your shares for the election of all of these nominees as directors of the Company, or you can vote for
some of these nominees for election as directors and withhold your votes for others, or you can withhold all
of the votes attaching to the shares you own and, thus, not vote for the election of any of these nominees.
We recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the election of the proposed nominees as directors of the
Company for the ensuing year. Unless you give other instructions, the persons named in the enclosed
form of proxy intend to vote FOR the election of the nominees named in this Information Circular as
directors of the Company.
Name, Jurisdiction of
Residence and Position with the
Company
Principal Occupation
or Employment for the past five
years
Previous
Service as a
Director
Holdings of common
shares
of the Company1
Keir Reynolds2
British Columbia, Canada
Chairman, CEO and Director
Chairman, CEO and Director of Mezzi
Holdings Inc.; President of Mammoth
Market Advisory Corp., a private
consulting company specializing in
advising public and private companies
with capital markets strategies
Since February
2014
5,248,5003
Cyrus Driver
British Columbia, Canada
CFO and Director
Partner at Davidson & Co. LLP,
chartered professional accountant firm
Since May 2015
705,000
Alan Reynolds2
British Columbia, Canada
Director
Retired (since July 31, 2015)
Previously a Consultant in Internal
Audit and Risk Management with a 37year career in senior roles with CIBC,
including the Internal Audit
Department, as well as roles in large
corporate and commercial lending,
credit risk management, lending
operations and process management
Since October
2015
270,000
John Veltheer2
British Columbia, Canada
Director
Self-employed business consultant
Since May 2015
0
NOTES:
1
Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised, as at December 11, 2015, based upon information
filed by individual directors on SEDI. Unless otherwise indicated, such Shares are held directly.
2
Member of the Audit Committee.
3
1,612,000 of these shares are held by Mammoth Market Advisory Corp., a private company controlled 100% by Keir Reynolds.
No proposed director is to be elected under any arrangement or understanding between the proposed
director and any other person or company.
The following directors of the Company hold directorships in other reporting issuers as set out below:
Name of Director
Name of Other Reporting Issuer
Keir Reynolds
Indigo Exploration Inc.
Linqster Technologies Inc.
Name of Director
Name of Other Reporting Issuer
John Veltheer
Atlas Cloud Enterprises Inc.
Echelon Petroleum Corp.
Lateral Gold Corp.
Cyrus Driver
Aldrin Resource Corp.
Bellhaven Copper & Gold Inc.
Cobra Venture Corporation
Far Resources Ltd.
Gold Jubilee Capital Corp.
Maxim Resources Inc.
Serrano Resources Corp.
Superior Mining International Corporation
Alan Reynolds
-
Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcy, Penalties and Sanctions
Except as set out below, to the knowledge of the Company, no proposed director of the Company:
(a)
is, at the date of this Information Circular, or has been within 10 years before the date of this
Information Circular, a director, CEO or CFO of any company (including the Company and any
personal holding company of a proposed director) that:
i)
was subject to a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the relevant
company access to any exemption under securities legislation that was in effect for a period
of more than 30 consecutive days that was issued while the proposed director was acting in
the capacity of a director, CEO or CFO of such company; or
ii)
was subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company
access to any exemption under securities legislation that was in effect for a period of more
than 30 consecutive days that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director,
CEO or CFO and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting
in the capacity as director, CEO or CFO of such company; or
(b)
is, 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 prior to 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 had a receiver, receiver
manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director; or
(d)
has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or
by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities
regulatory authority; or
(e)
has been subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that
would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for
a proposed director.
Cyrus Driver is a current director of the Company standing for election as a director of the Company at the
Meeting, and he is also the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.
On May 20, 2015, the British Columbia Securities Commission (the “BCSC”) issued an order that all
trading in the securities of Wind River Energy Corp. cease for failure to include the required accompanying
auditor’s report on filing annual financial statements for the financial year ended September 30, 2014, at
which time Cyrus Driver was (until his resignation on July 31, 2015) the Chief Financial Officer and a
director of Wind River Energy Corp. On November 19, 2015, the Alberta Securities Commission (the
“ASC”) issued a similar order for the same reason. As of the date of this Circular, these cease trade orders
issued against Wind River Energy Corp. have not been revoked or rescinded.
On December 9, 2014, the BCSC issued an order that all trading in the securities of Superior Mining
International Corporation cease for failure to file its annual audited financial statements for the year ended
July 31, 2014, and the required management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended July 31, 2014, at
which time Cyrus Driver was (and is as of the date of this Circular) the Chief Financial Officer and a
director of Superior Mining International Corporation. The cease trade order was revoked by the BCSC on
March 16, 2015, on filing by Superior Mining International Corporation of the required reporting.
On May 4, 2009, the BCSC issued an order that all trading in the securities of Maxim Resources Inc. cease
for failure to file audited financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the year ended
December 31, 2008, at which time Cyrus Driver was (and is as of the date of this Circular) the Chief
Financial Officer of Maxim Resources Inc. The cease trade was revoked by the BCSC on August 4, 2009,
on filing by Maxim Resources Inc. of the required reporting.
John Veltheer is a current director of the Company standing for election as a director of the Company at the
Meeting.
On August 6, 2015, the BCSC issued an order that all trading in the securities of Echelon Petroleum Corp.
cease for failure to file its annual audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2015, and the
required management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended March 31, 2015, at which time John
Veltheer was (and is as of the date of this Circular) a director of Echelon Petroleum Corp. In accordance
with the automatic reciprocation provisions of the Alberta Securities Act of cease trade orders issued by
other securities regulatory authorities in Canada, Echelon Petroleum Corp. is also cease traded in Alberta.
As of the date of this Circular, these cease trade orders issued against Echelon Petroleum Corp. have not
been revoked or rescinded.
John Veltheer was a director and the Chief Financial Officer of European Ferro Metals Ltd. from June 16,
2014 until his resignation on July 15, 2015. On September 11, 2015, the BCSC issued an order that all
trading in the securities of European Ferro Metals Ltd. cease for failure to file its interim financial report for
the financial period ended June 30, 2015, and the required management’s discussion and analysis for the
interim period ended March 31, 2015. On September 16, 2015, the Ontario Securities Commission issued a
temporary order, which lapsed and was replaced on September 28, 2015, by an order that all trading in the
securities of European Ferro Metals Ltd. cease, for failure to file its interim financial report for the financial
period ended June 30, 2015, and the required management’s discussion and analysis for the interim period
ended March 31, 2015. On December 1, 2015, the BCSC revoked its cease trade order. In accordance with
the automatic reciprocation provisions of the Alberta Securities Act of cease trade orders issued by other
securities regulatory authorities in Canada, European Ferro Metals Ltd. was also cease traded in Alberta for
the same period of time as the cease trade order in British Columbia was in place. As of the date of this
Circular, the cease trade order issued against European Ferro Metals Ltd. by the Ontario Securities
Commission has not been revoked or rescinded.
Advance Notice Provisions
In December, 2014 the Company amended its Articles to incorporate advance notice provisions (the
“Advance Notice Provisions”) as approved by the shareholders of the Company at the annual general
meeting held on January 19, 2015. The Advance Notice Provisions require advance notice to the Company
in circumstances where nominations of persons for election to the Board are made by Shareholders of the
Company other than pursuant to (i) a requisition of a meeting made pursuant to the provisions of the
Business Corporations Act or (ii) a shareholder proposal made pursuant to the provisions of the Business
Corporations Act.
The purpose of the Advance Notice Provisions is to foster a variety of interests of the Shareholders and the
Company by ensuring that all Shareholders - including those participating in a meeting by proxy rather than
in person - receive adequate notice of the nominations to be considered at a meeting and can thereby
exercise their voting rights in an informed manner. Among other things, the Advance Notice Provisions fix
a deadline by which holders of Common Shares must submit director nominations to the Company prior to
any annual or special meeting of Shareholders and set forth the minimum information that a shareholder
must include in the notice to the Company for the notice to be in proper written form. A copy of the
Advance Notice Provisions are attached as Schedule “C” to the Information Circular dated December 15,
2014, which was prepared by the Company’s management in connection with the annual general
shareholder meeting that was held on January 19, 2015. This Circular has been electronically filed with
regulators by the Company and is available for viewing under the Company’s issuer profile on the SEDAR
website at www.sedar.com.
As of the date of this Information Circular, the Company has not received notice of a nomination in
compliance with the Advance Notice Provisions.
If a shareholder proposes to nominate an individual or individuals for election as a director of the Company
at the next annual general meeting of shareholders to be held during calendar 2017, notice to the Company
must be given not less than 30 and not more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual general meeting;
provided, however, that in the event an annual general meeting is to be held on a date that is less than 50
days after the date on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual general meeting is
made, notice of a director nomination may be given to the Company not later than the close of business on
the 10th day following the date of such public announcement.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR
Management proposes the re-appointment of Smythe Ratcliffe LLP as auditor of the Company for the
ensuing year. Smythe Ratcliffe LLP was first appointed as auditor of the Company by the Board of
Directors on July 11, 2014, following the resignation at the Company’s request of its former auditor, Dale
Matheson Carr-Hilton LaBonte LLP , Chartered Accountants, who served as auditor of the Company from
May 5, 2006.
Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote FOR the
re-appointment of Smythe Ratcliffe LLP as the auditor of the Company to hold office for the ensuing
year at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors.
APPROVAL AND RATIFICATION OF STOCK OPTION PLAN
Pursuant to the Company’s current Stock Option Plan, the number of Shares which may be issued
pursuant to options previously granted and those authorized to be granted under the Stock Option
Plan is a maximum of 10% of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company at the time of the
grant. In addition, the number of Shares which may be reserved for issuance to any one individual
may not exceed 5% of the issued Shares on a yearly basis or 2% if the optionee is engaged in
investor relations activities, or, is a consultant. Based on the issued and outstanding common
Shares of the Company as at December 11, 2015, options exercisable to acquire an aggregate of
4,350,365 Shares of the Company are currently authorized to be granted under the Stock Option
Plan, of which options exercisable to acquire an aggregate of 3,050,000 Shares of the Company
have been granted.
Under TSX Venture Exchange policy, all such rolling stock option plans which set the number of
Shares issuable under the plan at a maximum of 10% of the issued and outstanding Shares must be
approved and ratified by Shareholders on an annual basis. Therefore, at the Meeting, Shareholders
will be asked to pass a resolution in substantially the following form:
“RESOLVED that the Company approve and ratify the stock option plan of the
Company pursuant to which the directors may, from time to time, authorize the
issuance of options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the
Company to a maximum of 10% of the issued and outstanding common Shares at
the time of the grant, with a maximum of 5% of the Company’s issued and
outstanding Shares being reserved to any one person on a yearly basis.”
The purpose of the Stock Option Plan is to allow the Company to grant options to directors,
officers, employees and consultants, as additional compensation, and as an opportunity to
participate in the success of the Company. The granting of such options is intended to align the
interests of such persons with that of the Shareholders. Options will be exercisable over periods of
up to ten years as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company and are required to have
an exercise price no less than the closing market price of the Shares prevailing on the day that the
option is granted less a discount of up to 25%, the amount of the discount varying with market
price in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. Pursuant to the Stock Option
Plan, the Board of Directors may from time to time authorize the issue of options to directors,
officers employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries or employees of companies
providing management or consulting services to the Company or its subsidiaries. The Stock
Option Plan contains no vesting requirements, but permits the Board of Directors to specify a
vesting schedule in its discretion. The Stock Option Plan provides that if a change of control, as
defined therein, occurs, all Shares subject to option shall immediately become vested and may
thereupon be exercised in whole or in part by the option holder.
The full text of the Stock Option Plan is available for viewing by request to the Company at Suite
1001 – 1185 Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4E6 and will be available for viewing at the
Meeting.
The directors of the Company believe the passing of the foregoing ordinary resolution is in the best
interests of the Company and recommend that Shareholders of the Company vote in favour of the
resolution giving annual approval of the Stock Option Plan.
The persons named as proxies in the enclosed form of proxy intend to cast the votes represented by
proxy in favour of the foregoing resolution unless the holder of Shares who has given such proxy has
directed that the votes be otherwise cast.
OTHER MATTERS
Management knows of no other matters to come before the Meeting other than those referred to in the
Notice of Meeting. Should any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the Shares represented
by the Instrument of Proxy solicited hereby will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best
judgment of the persons voting by proxy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information concerning the Company is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Shareholders
wishing to obtain a copy of the Company’s financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis
may contact the Company at Suite 1001 – 1185 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 4E6, Telephone:
(778) 998-9242.
Financial information is provided in the Company’s comparative financial statements and Management’s
Discussion and Analysis for its most recently completed financial year ended April 30, 2015, which are
filed on SEDAR.
SCHEDULE ‘A’
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
I.
Introduction
We require high standards of professional and ethical conduct from our employees. Our reputation with
our shareholders and prospective investors for honesty and integrity is key to the success of our business.
No employee will be permitted to achieve results through violations of laws or regulations, or through
unscrupulous dealings.
We intend that the Company's business practices will be compatible with the economic and social
priorities of each location in which we operate. Although customs vary by country and standards of
ethics may vary in different business environments, honesty and integrity must always characterize our
business activity. If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law; however,
if a local custom or policy conflicts with this Code, you must comply with the Code. If you have any
questions about these conflicts, you should ask your supervisor how to handle the situation.
This Code reflects our commitment to a culture of honesty, integrity and accountability and outlines
the basic principles and policies with which all employees are expected to comply. Please read this
Code carefully.
In addition to following this Code in all aspects of your business activities, you are expected to seek
guidance in any case where there is a question about compliance with both the letter and the spirit of our
policies and applicable laws. This Code covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does
not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all employees of the
Company. This Code does not supersede the specific policies and procedures that are covered in the
Company's operating manuals or in separate specific policy statements. References in this Code to the
"Company" means the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. Reference to "employees" includes officers and independent accounting contractors.
Those who violate the standards set forth in this Code will be subject to disciplinary action up to and
including dismissal. If you are in a situation that you believe may violate or lead to a violation of this
Code, follow the guidelines described in Section XVII below.
Your cooperation is necessary to the continued success of our business and the cultivation and
maintenance of our reputation as a good corporate citizen.
II.
Compliance With Laws, Rules and Regulations
Compliance with the letter and spirit of all laws, rules and regulations applicable to our business is critical
to our reputation and continued success. All employees must respect and obey the laws of the cities,
provinces, states and countries in which we operate and avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Not all
employees are expected to know the details of these laws, but it is
important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from supervisors, managers or other
appropriate personnel. The Company holds information and training sessions to promote compliance with
laws, rules and regulations, including insider trading laws.
III.
Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual's private interest interferes, or appears to interfere, in any
way with the interests of the Company. A conflict situation can arise when an employee or director takes
actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work for the Company objectively
and effectively. Conflicts of interest also arise when an employee or director, or a member of his or her
family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company. Loans to, or
guarantees of obligations of, such persons are likely to pose conflicts of interest, as are transactions of any
kind between the Company and any other organization in which you or any member of your family have
an interest.
It is a conflict of interest for an employee to work simultaneously for a competitor, customer or supplier.
You are not allowed to work for a competitor as a consultant or director. The best policy is to avoid any
direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers or competitors, except on behalf of
the Company.
Activities that could give rise to conflicts of interest are prohibited unless specifically approved by the
Board of Directors or the Audit Committee. It is not always easy to determine whether a conflict of
interest exists, so any potential conflicts of interests should be reported immediately to senior
management or the Company's general legal counsel.
Given that the Directors are engaged in a wide range of activities, each Director or officer is required to
disclose to the Company any interest in a material contract or transaction or proposed material contract or
transaction with the Company or the fact that such person is a director or officer of, or otherwise has a
material interest in, any person who is a party to a material contract or transaction or proposed material
contract or transaction with the Company. Such disclosure is required to be made at the first meeting at
which a proposed contract or transaction is considered. In any case, a Director who has made disclosure to
the foregoing effect is not entitled to vote on any resolution to approve the contract or transaction unless
the contract or transaction is one relating primarily to his remuneration as a Trustee, one for indemnity
under the Declaration of Trust or one for insurance.
IV.
Corporate Opportunities
Employees and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves personally opportunities that arise
through the use of corporate property, information or position and from using corporate property,
information or position for personal gain. Employees and directors are also prohibited from competing
with the Company directly or indirectly. Employees and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance
the legitimate interests of the Company when the opportunity to do so arises.
V.
Confidentiality
Employees must maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Company or that
otherwise comes into their possession in the course of their employment, except when disclosure is
authorized or legally mandated. Employees are required to execute a confidentiality agreement upon
employment and from time to time during the course of employment. The obligation to preserve
confidential information continues even after you leave the Company.
Confidential information includes all non-public information that may be of use to competitors, or
harmful to the Company or its customers, if disclosed. It also includes information that suppliers and
customers have entrusted to us.
VI.
Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets
All employees should endeavour to protect the Company's assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft,
carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company's profitability. Any suspected incidents of
fraud or theft should be immediately reported for investigation.
Company assets, such as equipment, funds or computers, may only be used for legitimate business
purposes or other purposes approved by management. Company assets may never be used for illegal
purposes.
The obligation to protect Company assets includes proprietary information. Proprietary information
includes any information that is not generally known to the public or would be helpful to our competitors.
Examples of proprietary information include intellectual property, such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks
and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, proprietary geological concepts,
engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs, contact lists, databases, records, salary information and any
unpublished geological, geophysical, geochemical, financial data or reports. Unauthorized use or
distribution of this information is a violation of Company policy. It may also be illegal and may result in
civil and criminal penalties. The obligation to preserve proprietary information continues even after you
leave the Company.
VII. Insider Trading
Employees who have access to confidential information are not permitted to use or share that information
for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct of the business of the Company.
All non-public information about the Company should be considered confidential. To use non-public
information for personal financial benefit or to "tip" others who might make an investment decision on
the basis of this information is not only unethical but also illegal.
VIII. Fair Dealing
We seek to outperform our competition fairly and honestly and to acquire, explore and develop mineral
projects in a fair and honest manner. We seek competitive advantages through superior performance,
never through unethical or illegal business practices. Stealing proprietary information, possessing trade
secret information obtained without the owner's consent or inducing the disclosures of proprietary
information or trade secrets by past or present employees of other companies is prohibited. Each
employee should endeavor to deal fairly with the Company's business associates, option partners, joint
ventures, suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee should take unfair advantage of anyone
through illegal conduct, manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation
of material facts or any other unfair-dealing practice.
IX.
Discrimination and Harassment
We value the diversity of our employees and are committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects
of employment. Abusive, harassing or offensive conduct is unacceptable, whether verbal, physical or
visual. Examples include derogatory comments based on racial or ethnic characteristics and unwelcome
sexual advances. Employees are encouraged to speak out when a co-worker's conduct makes them
uncomfortable, and to report harassment when it occurs.
X.
Safety and Health
We are all responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace by following safety and health rules
and practices, and more specifically detailed in the Company's Safety Manual/Field Guide and Fuel Spill
Contingency Plan. The Company is committed to keeping its workplaces and project areas free from
hazards. Please report any accidents, injuries, unsafe equipment, practices or conditions immediately to a
supervisor or other designated person. Threats or acts of violence or physical intimidation are prohibited.
In order to protect the safety of all employees, employees must report to work in condition to perform
their duties and free from the influence of any substance that could prevent them from conducting work
activities safely and effectively. The use of alcohol or illegal drugs in the workplace is prohibited.
Likewise, employees are prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during
the course of their duties.
XI.
Record Keeping
Honest and accurate recording and reporting of information is critical to our financial reporting and our
ability to make responsible business decisions. The Company's accounting records are relied upon to
produce reports for the Company's management, shareholders, creditors, governmental agencies and
others. Our financial statements and the books and records on which they are based must truthfully and
accurately reflect all corporate transactions and conform to all legal and accounting requirements and our
system of internal controls.
All employees have a responsibility to ensure that the Company's records, including accounting records,
do not contain any false or intentionally misleading entries. We do not permit intentional misclassification
of transactions as to accounts, departments or accounting periods. All transactions must be supported by
accurate documentation in reasonable detail and recorded in
the proper account and in the proper accounting period.
All Company books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail,
must appropriately reflect Company transactions and must conform to both applicable legal requirements
and the system of internal controls of the Company. Unrecorded or "off the books" funds or assets should
not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.
Business records and communications may become public through legal or regulatory investigations or
the media. Exaggeration, derogatory remarks, legal conclusions or inappropriate characterizations of
people and companies must be avoided. This applies to communications of all kinds, including email
and informal notes or interoffice memos. Records should be retained and destroyed in accordance with
the Company's records retention policy.
XII. Use of E-Mail and Internet Services
E-Mail systems and Internet services are provided to help us do work. Incidental and occasional personal
use is permitted, but never for personal gain or any improper purpose. You may not
access, send or download any information that could be insulting or offensive to another person, such as
sexually explicit material or jokes, unwelcome propositions, ethnic or racial slurs, or any other message
that could be viewed as harassment. Also remember that "flooding" our systems with junk mail and trivia
hampers the ability of our systems to handle legitimate Company business and is prohibited.
Employees should not download copyrighted materials, should not copy material that is not licensed
to the Company and should follow the terms of a licence when using material that is licenced to the
Company. No changes should be made to licensed materials without the prior consent of the
Company. In addition, employees are prohibited from downloading games and screensavers as these
are common sources of viruses.
Your messages (including voice mail) and computer information are considered the Company's property
and you should not have any expectation of privacy. Unless prohibited by law, the Company reserves
the right to access and disclose this information as necessary for business purposes. Use good judgment,
and do not access, send messages or store any information that you would not want to be seen or heard
by other individuals.
XIII. Political Activities and Contributions
We respect and support the right of our employees to participate in political activities. However, these
activities should not be conducted on Company time or involve the use of any Company resources such
as telephones, computers or supplies. Employees will not be reimbursed for personal political
contributions.
We may occasionally express our views on local and national issues that affect our operations. In such
cases, Company funds and resources may be used, but only when permitted by law and by our strict
guidelines. The Company may also make limited contributions to political parties or candidates in
jurisdictions where it is legal and customary to do so. No employee may make or commit to political
contributions on behalf of the Company without the approval of the Board of Directors.
XIV. Gifts and Entertainment
Business gifts and entertainment are customary courtesies designed to build goodwill among business
partners. These courtesies include such things as meals and beverages, tickets to sporting or cultural
events, discounts not available to the general public, travel, accommodation and other merchandise or
services. In some cultures they play an important role in business relationships. However, a problem
may arise when such courtesies compromise ⎯or appear to compromise ⎯ our ability to make objective
and fair business decisions.
Offering or receiving any gift, gratuity or entertainment that might be perceived to unfairly influence a
business relationship should be avoided. These guidelines apply at all times, and do not change during
traditional gift-giving seasons. No gift or entertainment should ever be offered, given, provided or
accepted by any director or employee of the Company, or by any family member of a director or
employee, unless it:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
is not a cash gift;
is consistent with customary business practices;
is not excessive in value;
cannot be construed as a bribe or payoff; and
does not violate any applicable laws or regulations.
Please discuss with your supervisor any gifts or proposed gifts if you are uncertain whether they are
appropriate.
XV. Waivers of This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Any waiver of this Code with respect to a director or officer of the Company may be made only by the
Board of Directors or the Audit Committee. Any such waiver will be promptly disclosed to the extent
required by applicable law or stock exchange regulation.
XVI. Reporting of Any Illegal or Unethical Behavior
We have a strong commitment to conduct our business in a lawful and ethical manner. Employees are
encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel when in doubt about the best
course of action in a particular situation and to report violations of laws, rules, regulations or this Code.
We prohibit retaliatory action against any employee who, in good faith, reports a possible violation. It is
unacceptable to file a report knowing it to be false.
XVII.Compliance Procedures
This Code cannot, and is not intended to, address all of the situations you may encounter. There will be
occasions where you are confronted by circumstances not covered by policy or procedure and where you
must make a judgment as to the appropriate course of action.
Since we cannot anticipate every situation that may arise, it is important for the Company to set forth a
general way to approach a new question or problem. These are the steps to keep in mind:
•
Make sure you have all of the facts. In order to reach the right solutions, you must be as fully
informed as possible.
•
Ask yourself what you are specifically being asked to do. This analysis will enable you to focus on
the specific issues that are raised and the available alternatives. Use your judgment and common
sense. If something seems unethical or improper, it probably is.
•
Clarify your responsibility and role. In most situations, there is shared responsibility. Are your
colleagues informed? It may help to get others involved and to discuss the problem.
•
Discuss the problem with your supervisor. This approach is best in most if not all situations. Your
supervisor may be more knowledgeable about the issue and will appreciate being brought into the
process. It is a supervisor's responsibility to help you to solve problems.
•
Seek help from Company resources. In the rare instance in which it may not be appropriate to
discuss an issue with your supervisor, or in which you feel uncomfortable approaching your
supervisor, discuss the problem with the Company's general legal counsel. If you prefer to write,
address your concerns to the Company's general legal counsel or the President.
•
You may report ethical violations in confidence and without fear of retaliation. If your situation
requires that your identity be kept secret, the Company will protect your anonymity. The Company
does not permit retaliation of any kind against employees for good faith reports of ethical violations.
•
Ask first. If you are unsure of the proper course of action, seek guidance before you act. If
you do not feel comfortable discussing the matter with your supervisor, please call
Keir Reynolds at ____________. We strive to ensure that all questions or concerns are handled fairly,
discreetly and thoroughly .
1
SCHEDULE "B"
MEZZI HOLDINGS LTD.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
The Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Mezzi Holdings
Inc. (the "Company") is appointed by the Board to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities. The Audit Committee's primary duties and responsibilities are to monitor:
a.
the integrity of the financial statements of the Company;
b.
the external auditor's qualifications and independence;
c.
the performance of the Company's external auditor; and
d.
management's reporting on internal control.
Although the Audit Committee has the powers and responsibilities set forth in this Charter, the role of
the Audit Committee is oversight. The majority of the members of the Audit Committee are not fulltime employees of the Company and may or may not be accountants or auditors by profession or experts
in the fields of accounting or auditing and, in any event, do not serve in such capacity. Consequently, it
is not the duty of the Audit Committee to conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial
statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") and applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibilities of
management and the external auditor.
Committee Membership
The Audit Committee shall consist of no fewer than three members, a majority of whom must be
“unrelated” to the Company as required by Policy 3.1 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V")
Corporate Finance Manual. A majority of the members should also be “independent” and all of the
members should be “financially literate” within the meaning of those terms set out in National Instrument
52-110 – Audit Committees.
The members of the Audit Committee will be appointed or reappointed by the Board following each
annual meeting of the Company's shareholders. Each member of the Audit Committee will continue to be
a member of the Audit Committee until his or her successor is appointed unless he or she resigns or is
removed by the Board or ceases to be a director of the Company. Where a vacancy occurs at any time in
the membership of the Audit Committee, the Board may appoint a qualified individual to fill such
vacancy and must appoint a qualified individual if the membership of the Audit Committee is less than
three directors as a result of any such vacancy.
2
Meetings
The Audit Committee shall meet as often as it determines, but not less frequently than quarterly. Any
member of the Audit Committee or the external auditor may call a meeting of the Audit Committee. At all
Audit Committee meetings a majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The acts of the Audit
Committee at a duly constituted meeting shall require the vote of a majority of the members present
provided that, in any circumstances, a resolution or other instrument in writing signed by all members of
the Audit Committee shall avail as the act of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall meet
periodically with management, the internal auditors and the external auditor in separate executive sessions
to discuss any matters that the Audit Committee or any of these groups believe should be discussed
privately. The Audit Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company's
external legal counsel or external auditor to attend a meeting of the Audit Committee or to meet with any
members of, or consultants to, the Audit Committee.
The members of the Audit Committee shall select a chair from among their number who must be an
“unrelated” to the Company as required by TSX-V Policy 3.1. The chair will preside at each meeting of
the Audit Committee and, in consultation with the other members of the Audit Committee, shall set the
frequency and length of each meeting and the agenda of items to be addressed at each upcoming meeting.
Committee Authority and Responsibilities
The Audit Committee shall recommend to the Board (i) the external auditor to be nominated for the
purpose of preparing or issuing an auditor’s report or performing other audit, review or attestation
services for the Company, and (ii) the compensation of the external auditor.
The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the oversight of the work of the external auditor
(including resolution of disagreements between management and the external auditor regarding financial
reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work. The external auditor
shall report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall preapprove all auditing services
and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company
by its external auditor. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees
consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant preapprovals of
audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant
preapprovals shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The
membership of any such subcommittee must consist of a majority of unrelated directors. The Audit
Committee shall consult with management but shall not delegate any of its responsibilities to
management.
The Audit Committee shall have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, to retain
independent legal, accounting or other advisors. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as
determined by the Audit Committee, for payment of compensation to the external auditor and to any
advisors employed by the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee shall make regular reports to the Board. The Audit Committee shall review and
reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for
approval. The Audit Committee shall annually review the Audit Committee's own performance.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee shall:
Financial Statement and Disclosure Matters
1.
Review and discuss with management and the external auditor the annual audited financial
3
statements and related documents, including disclosures made in management's discussion and
analysis, prior to filing with the appropriate securities regulatory authorities or public
dissemination;
2.
Review and discuss with management and the external auditor, if so engaged, the Company's
quarterly financial statements and related documents including disclosures made in
management's discussion and analysis, prior to filing with the appropriate securities regulatory
authorities or public dissemination;
3.
Discuss with management the Company's press releases or material change reports discussing
financial matters, including the use of "pro forma" or "adjusted" non-GAAP information, as well
as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. Such
discussion may be done generally (consisting of discussing the types of information to be
disclosed and the types of presentations to be made);
4.
Review and discuss with management all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements,
obligations (including contingent obligations) and other relationships of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries with unconsolidated entities or other persons including related persons, that may
have a material current or future effect on financial condition, changes in financial condition,
results of operations, liquidity, capital resources, capital reserves or significant components of
revenues or expenses;
5.
Review and discuss with management and the external auditor the quality and acceptability of
the accounting principles, policies and practices used in the preparation of the Company's
financial statements, including all critical accounting policies and practices used, any alternative
treatments of financial information, those policies for which management is required to exercise
discretion or judgments regarding the implementation thereof, the ramification of their use and
the external auditor's preferred treatment, as well as any other material communications between
the external auditor and management;
6.
Discuss with the external auditor the matters required to be communicated to audit committees
in accordance with the standards established by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
relating to the conduct of the audit.
Annual or Periodic Reviews
7.
Annually or periodically, as appropriate, review any significant changes to the Company's
accounting principles and financial disclosure practices as suggested by the external auditors,
management or the internal audit group.
8.
Annually review separately with each of management, the external auditors and the internal audit
group:
9.
a.
any significant disagreement between management and the external auditors or the
internal audit group in connection with the preparation of the financial statements;
b.
any difficulties encountered during the course of the audit, including any restrictions
on the scope of work or access to required information; and
c.
management's response to each.
Annually discuss with the external auditors, without management being present:
a.
their judgments about the quality and appropriateness of the Company's accounting
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principles and financial disclosure practices as applied in its financial reporting;
b.
the completeness and accuracy of the Company's consolidated financial statements; and
c.
the external auditor's relationship with management.
10.
Annually or periodically, as appropriate, discuss with management the Company's major
financial and investment risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control
and manage such exposures, including the Company's risk assessment and risk management
guidelines and policies.
11.
Review and discuss with management, the external auditor and the Company's in-house and
external legal counsel, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters arising
periodically that could have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements,
including applicable changes in accounting standards or rules.
Oversight of the Company's Relationship with the Independent Auditor
12.
The Audit Committee shall review annually the selection, qualifications and performance of
the external auditor, including considering whether the external auditor's quality controls are
adequate.
13.
Review, in advance where feasible, all auditing services to be provided by the external auditor,
determine which non-audit services may not be provided by the external auditor and approve any
non-audit services, as permitted by applicable securities laws and the TSX-V.
14.
Ensure that the external auditors submit to the Audit Committee on an annual basis a written
statement affirming their independence, discuss with the external auditor any disclosed
relationships or services that may impact its objectivity and independence and satisfy itself as to
the external auditor's independence, taking into account the opinions of management and internal
auditors.
15.
Consider whether, in order to assure continuing independence of the external auditor, it is
appropriate to adopt a policy of rotating the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary
responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit on a
regular basis.
16.
Recommend to the Board policies for the Company's hiring of employees or former employees of
the external auditor who participated in any capacity in the audit of the Company.
17.
Meet with the external auditor prior to the audit to review with the external auditor and
management the external auditor's audit plan, discuss and approve audit scope, staffing
locations, reliance upon management, and internal audit and general audit approach.
Oversight of the Company's Internal Audit Function
18.
Review annually the performance of the controller or the Chief Financial Officer, if he or she
acts in the capacity of controller.
19.
Review, based upon the recommendations of the external auditor and the Company's senior
internal auditing executive, the scope and plan of the work to be done by the internal audit group.
20.
Review and, if it deems appropriate, approve the appointment and replacement of the Company's
controller.
21.
Review the significant reports to management prepared by the internal auditing department and
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management's responses and subsequent follow-up to any identified weaknesses.
22.
In consultation with the external auditor and the internal audit group, review the adequacy of
the Company's internal control structure and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the
applicable laws and policies, and discuss the responsibilities, budget and staffing needs of the
internal audit group.
Oversight of Complaints
23.
The Company shall forward to the Audit Committee any complaints that it has received
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters. Any employee of the
Company may submit, on a confidential, anonymous basis if the employee so desires, any
concerns by sending such concerns in writing and forwarding them in a sealed envelope to the
Chair of the Audit Committee. The envelope is to be clearly marked, “To be opened by the
Audit Committee only.”
Disclosure
24.
The Audit Committee will provide a report of its activities to the shareholders of the Company
as part of the Company's management proxy circular for its annual meeting.
6
SCHEDULE ‘C’
Advance Notice Policy
INTRODUCTION
The Corporation is committed to: (i) facilitating an orderly and efficient process for holding annual
general meetings and, when the need arises, special meetings of its shareholders; (ii) ensuring that all
shareholders receive adequate advance notice of the director nominations and sufficient information
regarding all director nominees; and (iii) allowing shareholders to register an informed vote for directors
of the Corporation after having been afforded reasonable time for appropriate deliberation.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Advance Notice Policy (the "Policy") is to provide shareholders, directors and
management of the Corporation with a clear framework for nominating directors of the Corporation. This
Policy fixes a deadline by which director nominations must be submitted to the Corporation prior to any
annual or special meeting of shareholders and sets forth the information that must be included in the
notice to the Corporation for the notice to be in proper written form in order for any director nominee to
be eligible for election at any annual or special meeting of shareholders.
It is the position of the board of directors of the Corporation (the "Board") that this Policy is in the best
interests of the Corporation, its shareholders and other stakeholders. This Policy will be subject to an
annual review by the Board, which shall revise the Policy if required to reflect changes by securities
regulatory authorities or stock exchanges, and to address changes in industry standards from time to time
as determined by the Board.
NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS
1.
Only persons who are qualified to act as directors under the Business Corporations Act (British
Columbia) (the "Act") and who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall
be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation. At any annual meeting of shareholders, or
at any special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected, nominations of
persons for election to the Board may be made only:
a.
by or at the direction of the Board, including pursuant to a notice of meeting;
b.
by or at the direction or request of one or more shareholders pursuant to a valid
"proposal" as defined in the Act and made in accordance with Part 5, Division 7 of the
Act;
c.
pursuant to a requisition of the shareholders that complies with and is made in accordance
with section 167 of the Act, as such provisions may be amended from time to time; or
d.
by any person (a "Nominating Shareholder") who:
(i)
at the close of business on the date of the giving by the Nominating Shareholder
of the notice provided for below and at the close of business on the record date
fixed by the Corporation for such meeting, (a) is a "registered owner" (as defined
in the Act) of one or more shares of the Corporation carrying the right to vote at
such meeting, or (b) beneficially owns shares carrying the right to vote at such
meeting and provides evidence of such ownership that is satisfactory to the
Corporation, acting reasonably. In cases where a Nominating Shareholder is not
an individual, the notice set forth in paragraph 4 below must be signed by an
authorized representative, being a duly authorized director, officer, manager,
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trustee or partner of such entity who provides such evidence of such
authorization that is satisfactory to the Corporation, acting reasonably; and
(ii)
in either case, complies with the notice procedures set forth below in this Policy.
2.
In addition to any other requirements under applicable laws, for a nomination to be validly made
by a Nominating Shareholder in accordance with this Policy, the Nominating Shareholder must
have given notice thereof that is both timely (in accordance with paragraph 3 below) and in
proper written form (in accordance with paragraph 4 below) to the Corporate Secretary of the
Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation.
3.
To be timely, a Nominating Shareholder's notice to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation
must be made:
4.
a.
in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than thirty (30) days nor more
than sixty-five (65) days prior to the date of the annual meeting of shareholders;
provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting of shareholders is to be held
on a date that is less than fifty (50) days after the date (the "Notice Date") on which the
first public announcement (as defined below) of the date of the annual meeting was
made, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be given not later than the close of
business on the tenth (10th) day following the Notice Date; and
b.
in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders
called for the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes), not
later than the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the day on which the
first public announcement of the date of the special meeting of shareholders was made.
The time periods for the giving of a Nominating Shareholder's notice set forth above shall in all
cases be determined based on the original date of the applicable annual meeting and/or special
meeting of shareholders, and in no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a meeting of
shareholders, or the reconvening of any adjourned or postponed meeting of shareholders, or the
announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a Nominating
Shareholder's notice as described above.
To be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder's notice must be addressed to the
Corporate Secretary of the Corporation, and must set forth:
a.
as to each person whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as
a director: (i) the name, age, business address and residential address of the person; (ii)
the present principal occupation or employment of the person and the principal
occupation or employment within the five years preceding the notice; (iii) the citizenship
of such person; (iv) the class or series and number of shares in the capital of the
Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, controlled or directed or which are owned,
beneficially or of record, by the person as of the record date for the meeting of
shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have
occurred) and as of the date of such notice; and (v) a statement as to whether such person
would be "independent" of the Corporation (within the meaning of sections 1.4 and 1.5 of
National Instrument 52-110, Audit Committees, of the Canadian Securities
Administrators, as such provisions may be amended from time to time) if elected as a
director at such meeting and the reasons and basis for such determination;
b.
the full particulars regarding any oral or written proxy, contract, agreement, arrangement,
understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Nominating Shareholder has a right
to vote or direct the voting of any shares of the Corporation; and
8
c.
5.
6.
any other information relating to such Nominating Shareholder that would be required to
be made in a dissident's proxy circular in connection with solicitations of proxies for
election of directors pursuant to the Act and Applicable Securities Laws.
The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may
reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee
to serve as a director of the Corporation or that would reasonably be expected to be material to a
reasonable shareholder's understanding of the experience, independence and/or qualifications, or
lack thereof, of such proposed nominee.
As soon as practicable following receipt of a Nominating Shareholder's notice (and such other
information referred to above, as applicable) that complies with this Policy, the Corporation shall
publish through a public announcement the names of the nominees named in such notice and such
other details of such notice as the Corporation may deem appropriate.
No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in
accordance with the provisions of this Policy; provided, however, that nothing in this Policy shall
be deemed to preclude discussion by a shareholder (as distinct from the nomination of directors)
at a meeting of shareholders of any matter in respect of which such shareholder would have been
entitled to submit a proposal pursuant to the provisions of the Act or at the discretion of the
Chairman. The Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a
nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the provisions of this Policy
and, if the Chairman determines that any proposed nomination was not made in compliance with
this Policy, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded.
For purposes of this Policy:
a.
"public announcement" shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national
news service in Canada, or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation under its
profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at
www.sedar.com; and
b.
"Applicable Securities Laws" means, collectively, the applicable securities statutes of
each relevant province and territory of Canada, as amended from time to time, the rules,
regulations and forms made or promulgated under any such statute and the published
national instruments, multilateral instruments, policies, bulletins and notices of the
securities commission and similar regulatory authority of each relevant province and
territory of Canada, and all applicable securities laws of the United States.
7.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Policy, notice given to the Corporate Secretary of the
Corporation pursuant to this Policy may only be given by personal delivery, facsimile
transmission or by email (at such email address as may be stipulated from time to time by the
Corporate Secretary of the Corporation for purposes of this notice), and shall be deemed to have
been given and made only at the time it is served by personal delivery to the Corporate Secretary
at the address of the principal executive offices of the Corporation, sent by facsimile transmission
(provided that receipt of confirmation of such transmission has been received) or received by
email (at the address as aforesaid); provided that if such delivery or electronic communication is
made on a day which is not a business day or later than 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on a business
day, then such delivery or electronic communication shall be deemed to have been made on the
next business day.
8.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its sole discretion, waive any provision or
requirement of this Policy.
GOVERNING LAW
9
This Policy shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of British
Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Policy was approved and adopted by the Board on December 15, 2014 and is and shall be effective
and in full force and effect in accordance with its terms and conditions from and after such date, provided
that if this Policy is not ratified and approved by an ordinary resolution of shareholders of the Corporation
at the Corporation's next shareholder meeting following the effective date of this Policy, the Policy shall,
from and after the date of such shareholder meeting, cease to be of any force and effect.
10