Exhibit 3.1
The Articles of the Company have been altered pursuant to the Annual and Special Shareholders Meeting held on May 27, 2021 and Notice of Alteration filed on June 3, 2021 with the BC Registrar. |
Incorporation Number |
BC0886671 |
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES
OF
MIND MEDICINE (MINDMED) INC.
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
BRITISH COLUMBIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
PART 1 |
|
|
INTERPRETATION |
|
1.1 |
Definitions |
1 |
1.2 |
Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable |
2 |
|
|
|
|
PART 2 |
|
|
SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES |
|
2.1 |
Authorized Share Structure |
2 |
2.2 |
Form of Share Certificate |
2 |
2.3 |
Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgment |
2 |
2.4 |
Delivery by Mail |
2 |
2.5 |
Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement |
2 |
2.6 |
Replacement of Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificate |
3 |
2. 7 |
Recovery of New Share Certificate |
3 |
2.8 |
Splitting Share Certificates |
3 |
2.9 |
Certificate Fee |
3 |
2.10 |
Recognition of Trusts |
3 |
|
|
|
|
PART 3 |
|
|
ISSUE OF SHARES |
|
3.1 |
Directors Authorized |
3 |
3.2 |
Commissions and Discounts |
4 |
3.3 |
Brokerage |
4 |
3.4 |
Conditions of Issue |
4 |
3.5 |
Share Purchase Warrants and Rights |
4 |
|
|
|
|
PART 4 |
|
|
SHARE REGISTERS |
|
4.1 |
Central Securities Register |
4 |
4.2 |
Appointment of Agent |
4 |
4.3 |
Closing Register |
5 |
|
|
|
|
PART 5 |
|
|
SHARE TRANSFERS |
|
5.1 |
Registering Transfers |
5 |
5.2 |
Waivers of Requirements for Transfer |
5 |
5.3 |
Form of Instrument of Transfer |
5 |
5.4 |
Transferor Remains Shareholder |
5 |
5.5 |
Signing of Instrument of Transfer |
6 |
5.6 |
Enquiry as to Title Not Required |
6 |
5.7 |
Transfer Fee |
6 |
|
|
|
|
PART 6 |
|
|
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES |
|
|
|
|
6.1 |
Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death |
6 |
6.2 |
Rights of Legal Personal Representative |
6 |
|
|
|
|
PART 7 |
|
|
ACQUISITION OF COMPANY'S SHARES |
|
|
|
|
7.1 |
Company Authorized to Purchase or Otherwise Acquire Shares |
7 |
7.2 |
No Purchase, Redemption or Other Acquisition When Insolvent |
7 |
7.3 |
Sale and Voting of Purchased, Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares |
7 |
|
|
|
|
PART 8 |
|
|
BORROWING POWERS |
|
|
|
|
8.1 |
Borrowing Powers |
7 |
8.2 |
Additional Powers |
7 |
|
|
|
|
PART 9 |
|
|
ALTERATIONS |
|
|
|
|
9.1 |
Alteration of Authorized Share Structure |
8 |
9.2 |
Special Rights or Restrictions |
8 |
9.3 |
No Interference with Class or Series Rights without Consent |
9 |
9.4 |
Change of Name |
9 |
9.5 |
Other Alterations |
9 |
|
|
|
|
PART10 |
|
|
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS |
|
|
|
|
10.1 |
Annual General Meetings |
9 |
10.2 |
Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting |
9 |
10.3 |
Calling of Meetings of Shareholders |
9 |
10.4 |
Notice for Meetings of Shareholders |
9 |
10.5 |
Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice |
10 |
10.6 |
Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders |
10 |
10.7 |
Class Meetings and Series Meetings of Shareholders |
10 |
10.8 |
Notice of Dissent Rights |
10 |
10.9 |
Advance Notice Provisions |
11 |
|
|
|
|
PART 11 |
|
|
PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS |
|
|
|
|
11.1 |
Special Business |
14 |
11.2 |
Special Majority |
14 |
11.3 |
Quorum |
14 |
11.4 |
One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum |
15 |
11.5 |
Persons Entitled to Attend Meeting |
15 |
11.6 |
Requirement of Quorum |
15 |
11.7 |
Lack of Quorum |
15 |
11.8 |
Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting |
15 |
11.9 |
Chair |
15 |
11.10 |
Selection of Alternate Chair |
15 |
11.11 |
Adjournments |
16 |
11.12 |
Notice of Adjourned Meeting |
16 |
11.13 |
Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll |
16 |
11.14 |
Declaration of Result |
16 |
11.15 |
Motion Need Not be Seconded |
16 |
11.16 |
Casting Vote |
16 |
11.17 |
Manner of Taking Poll |
16 |
11.18 |
Demand for Poll on Adjournment |
17 |
11.19 |
Chair Must Resolve Dispute |
17 |
11.20 |
Casting of Votes |
17 |
11.21 |
No Demand for Poll on Election of Chair |
17 |
11.22 |
Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting |
17 |
11.23 |
Retention of Ballots and Proxies |
17 |
|
|
|
|
PART 12 |
|
|
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS |
|
|
|
|
12.1 |
Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares |
17 |
12.2 |
Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity |
18 |
12.3 |
Votes by Joint Holders |
18 |
12.4 |
Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders |
18 |
12.5 |
Representative of a Corporate Shareholder |
18 |
12.6 |
Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder |
19 |
12.7 |
When Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to the Company |
19 |
12.8 |
Appointment of Proxy Holders |
19 |
12.9 |
Alternate Proxy Holders |
19 |
12.10 |
Deposit of Proxy |
19 |
12.11 |
Validity of Proxy Vote |
19 |
12.12 |
Form of Proxy |
20 |
12.13 |
Revocation of Proxy |
20 |
12.14 |
Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed |
20 |
12.15 |
Chair May Determine Validity of Proxy |
20 |
12.16 |
Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote |
21 |
|
|
|
|
PART 13 |
|
|
DIRECTORS |
|
|
|
|
13.1 |
First Directors; Number of Directors |
21 |
13.2 |
Change in Number of Directors |
21 |
13.3 |
Directors' Acts Valid Despite Vacancy |
21 |
13.4 |
Qualifications of Directors |
21 |
13.5 |
Remuneration of Directors |
21 |
13.6 |
Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors |
22 |
13.7 |
Special Remuneration for Directors |
22 |
13.8 |
Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director |
22 |
|
|
|
|
PART 14 |
|
|
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS |
|
|
|
|
14.1 |
Election at Annual General Meeting |
22 |
14.2 |
Consent to be a Director |
22 |
14.3 |
Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors |
22 |
14.4 |
Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled |
23 |
14.5 |
Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies |
23 |
14.6 |
Remaining Directors' Power to Act |
23 |
14.7 |
Shareholders May Fill Vacancies |
23 |
14.8 |
Additional Directors |
23 |
14.9 |
Ceasing to be a Director |
23 |
14.10 |
Removal of Director by Shareholders |
24 |
14.11 |
Removal of Director by Directors |
24 |
|
|
|
|
PART 15 ALTERNATE DIRECTORS |
|
|
|
|
15.1 |
Appointment of Alternate Director |
24 |
15.2 |
Notice of Meetings |
24 |
15.3 |
Alternate for More than One Director Attending Meetings |
24 |
15.4 |
Consent Resolutions |
25 |
15.5 |
Alternate Director an Agent |
25 |
15.6 |
Revocation or Amendment of Appointment of Alternate Director |
25 |
15.7 |
Ceasing to be an Alternate Director |
25 |
15.8 |
Remuneration and Expenses of Alternate Director |
25 |
|
|
|
|
PART16 |
|
|
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS |
|
|
|
|
16.1 |
Powers of Management. |
25 |
16.2 |
Appointment of Attorney of Company |
25 |
|
|
|
|
PART17 |
|
|
INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
|
|
|
|
17.1 |
Obligation to Account for Profits |
26 |
17.2 |
Restrictions on Voting by Reason of Interest |
26 |
17.3 |
Interested Director Counted in Quorum |
26 |
17.4 |
Disclosure of Conflict of Interest or Property |
26 |
17.5 |
Director Holding Other Office in the Company |
26 |
17.6 |
No Disqualification |
26 |
17.7 |
Professional Services by Director or Officer |
26 |
17.8 |
Director or Officer in Other Corporations |
27 |
|
|
|
|
PART 18 |
|
|
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS |
|
|
|
|
18.1 |
Meetings of Directors |
27 |
18.2 |
Voting at Meetings |
27 |
18.3 |
Chair of Meetings |
27 |
18.4 |
Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium |
27 |
18.5 |
Calling of Meetings |
28 |
18.6 |
Notice of Meetings |
28 |
18.7 |
When Notice Not Required |
28 |
18.8 |
Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice |
28 |
18.9 |
Waiver of Notice of Meetings |
28 |
18.10 |
Quorum |
28 |
18.11 |
Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective |
28 |
18.12 |
Consent Resolutions in Writing |
28 |
|
|
|
|
PART 19 |
|
|
BOARD COMMITTEES |
|
|
|
|
19.1 |
Appointment and Powers of Committees |
29 |
19.2 |
Obligations of Committees |
29 |
19.3 |
Powers of Board |
30 |
19.4 |
Committee Meetings |
30 |
|
|
|
|
PART 20 |
|
|
OFFICERS |
|
|
|
|
20.1 |
Directors May Appoint Officers |
30 |
20.2 |
Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers |
30 |
20.3 |
Qualifications |
30 |
20.4 |
Remuneration and Terms of Appointment |
31 |
|
|
|
|
PART 21 |
|
|
INDEMNIFICATION |
|
|
|
|
21.1 |
Definitions |
31 |
21.2 |
Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
31 |
21.3 |
Deemed Contract |
31 |
21.4 |
Permitted Indemnification |
31 |
21.5 |
Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act |
31 |
21.6 |
Company May Purchase Insurance |
32 |
|
|
|
|
PART 22 |
|
|
DIVIDENDS |
|
|
|
|
22.1 |
Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights |
32 |
22.2 |
Declaration of Dividends |
32 |
22.3 |
No Notice Required |
32 |
22.4 |
Record Date |
32 |
22.5 |
Manner of Paying Dividend |
32 |
22.6 |
Settlement of Difficulties |
32 |
22.7 |
When Dividend Payable |
33 |
22.8 |
Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares |
33 |
22.9 |
Receipt by Joint Shareholders |
33 |
22.10 |
Dividend Bears No Interest |
33 |
22.11 |
Fractional Dividends |
33 |
22.12 |
Payment of Dividends |
33 |
22.13 |
Capitalization of Retained Earnings or Surplus |
33 |
22.14 |
Unclaimed Dividends |
33 |
|
|
|
|
PART 23 |
|
|
ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND AUDITOR |
|
|
|
|
23.1 |
Recording of Financial Affairs |
34 |
23.2 |
Inspection of Accounting Records |
34 |
23.3 |
Remuneration of Auditor |
34 |
|
|
|
|
PART 24 |
|
|
NOTICES |
|
|
|
|
24.1 |
Method of Giving Notice |
34 |
24.2 |
Deemed Receipt |
35 |
24.3 |
Certificate of Sending |
35 |
24.4 |
Notice to Joint Shareholders |
35 |
24.5 |
Notice to Legal Personal Representatives and Trustees |
35 |
24.6 |
Undelivered Notices |
36 |
|
|
|
|
PART 25 |
|
|
SEAL |
|
|
|
|
25.1 |
Who May Attest Seal |
36 |
25.2 |
Sealing Copies |
36 |
25.3 |
Mechanical Reproduction of Seal |
36 |
|
|
|
|
PART 26 |
|
|
PROHIBITIONS |
|
|
|
|
26.1 |
Definitions |
36 |
26.2 |
Application |
37 |
26.3 |
Consent Required for Transfer of Shares or Transfer Restricted Securities |
37 |
|
|
|
|
PART 27 |
|
|
SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES |
|
|
|
|
27.1 |
Rights |
37 |
|
|
|
|
PART 28 |
|
|
MULTIPLE VOTING SHARES |
|
|
|
|
28.1 |
Special Rights and Restrictions |
38 |
Incorporation Number |
BC0886671 |
ARTICLES
MIND MEDICINE (MINDMED) INC.
(the “Company”)
PART 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions
In these Amended and Restated Articles (the “Articles”), unless the context otherwise requires:
LEGAL *52898455.3
1.2 Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable
The definitions in the Business Corporations Act and the definitions and rules of construction in the Interpretation Act, with the necessary changes, so far as applicable, and unless the context requires otherwise, apply to these Articles as if they were an enactment. If there is a conflict between a definition in the Business Corporations Act and a definition or rule in the Interpretation Act relating to a term used in these Articles, the definition in the Business Corporations Act will prevail in relation to the use of the term in these Articles. If there is a conflict or inconsistency between these Articles and the Business Corporations Act, the Business Corporations Act will prevail.
PART 2
SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
2.1 Authorized Share Structure
The authorized share structure of the Company consists of shares of the class or classes and series, if any, described in the Notice of Articles of the Company.
2.2 Form of Share Certificate
Each share certificate issued by the Company must comply with, and be signed as required by, the Business Corporations Act.
2.3 Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgment
Unless the shares of which the shareholder is the registered owner are uncertificated shares within the meaning of the Business Corporations Act, each shareholder is entitled, without charge, to (a) one share certificate representing the shares of each class or series of shares registered in the shareholder's name or (b) a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder's right to obtain such a share certificate, provided that in respect of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company is not bound to issue more than one share certificate or acknowledgment and delivery of a share certificate or an acknowledgment to one of several joint shareholders or to a duly authorized agent of one of the joint shareholders will be sufficient delivery to all. If a shareholder is the registered owner of uncertificated shares, the Company must send to that holder a written notice containing the information required by the Act within a reasonable time after the issue or transfer of the shares.
2.4 Delivery by Mail
Any share certificate or non-transferable written acknowledgment of a shareholder's right to obtain a share certificate may be sent to the shareholder by mail at the shareholder's registered address and neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company (including the Company's legal counsel or transfer agent) is liable for any loss to the shareholder because the share certificate or acknowledgement is lost in the mail or stolen.
2.5 Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement
If the Company is satisfied that a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder's right to obtain a share certificate is worn out or defaced, it must, on production to it of the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, and on such other terms, if any, as it thinks fit:
- 2 -
2.6 Replacement of Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificate
If a person entitled to a share certificate claims that the share certificate has been lost, stolen, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company must issue a new share certificate, if that person:
A person entitled to a share certificate may not assert against the Company a claim for a new share certificate where a share certificate has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken if that person fails to notify the Company of that fact within a reasonable time after that person has notice of it and the Company registers a transfer of the shares represented by the certificate before receiving a notice of the loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking of the share certificate.
2.7 Recovery of New Share Certificate
If, after the issue of a new share certificate, a protected purchaser of the original share certificate presents the original share certificate for the registration of transfer, then in addition to any rights under any indemnity bond, the Company may recover the new share certificate from a person to whom it was issued or any person taking under that person other than a protected purchaser.
2.8 Splitting Share Certificates
If a shareholder surrenders a share certificate to the Company with a written request that the Company issue in the shareholder's name two or more share certificates, each representing a specified number of shares and in the aggregate representing the same number of shares as represented by the share certificate so surrendered, the Company must cancel the surrendered share certificate and issue replacement share certificates in accordance with that request.
2.9 Certificate Fee
There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the issue of any share certificate under Articles 2.5, 2.6 or 2.8, the amount, if any and which must not exceed the amount prescribed under the Business Corporations Act, determined by the directors.
2.10 Recognition of Trusts
Except as required by law or statute or these Articles, no person will be recognized by the Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company is not bound by or compelled in any way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or fraction of a share or (except as required by law or statute or these Articles or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the shareholder.
PART 3
ISSUE OF SHARES
3.1 Directors Authorized
Subject to the Business Corporations Act and the rights, if any, of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Company may issue, allot, sell or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares, and issued
- 3 -
shares held by the Company, at the times, to the persons, including directors, in the manner, on the terms and conditions and for the issue prices (including any premium at which shares with par value may be issued) that the directors may determine. The issue price for a share with par value must be equal to or greater than the par value of the share, if any.
3.2 Commissions and Discounts
The Company may at any time pay a reasonable commission or allow a reasonable discount to any person in consideration of that person purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares of the Company from the Company or any other person or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for shares of the Company.
3.3 Brokerage
The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for cir in connection with the sale or placement of its securities.
3.4 Conditions of Issue
Except as provided for by the Business Corporations Act, no share may be issued until it is fully paid. A share is fully paid when:
3.5 Share Purchase Warrants and Rights
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may issue share purchase warrants, options and rights upon such terms and conditions as the directors determine, which share purchase warrants, options and rights may be issued alone or in conjunction with debentures, debenture stock, bonds, shares or any other securities issued or created by the Company from time to time.
PART 4
SHARE REGISTERS
4.1 Central Securities Register
As required by and subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must maintain a central securities register, which may be kept in electronic form.
4.2 Appointment of Agent
The directors may, subject to the Business Corporations Act, appoint an agent to maintain the central securities register. The directors may also appoint one or more agents, including the agent which keeps the central securities register, as transfer agent for its shares or any class or series of its shares, as the case may be, and the same or another agent as registrar for its shares or such class or series
- 4 -
of its shares, as the case may be. The directors may terminate such appointment of any agent at any time and may appoint another agent in its place.
If the Company has appointed a transfer agent, references in Articles 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, and 5. 7 to the Company include its transfer agent.
4.3 Closing Register
The Company must not at any time close its central securities register.
PART 5
SHARE TRANSFERS
5.1 Registering Transfers
The Company must register a transfer of a share of the Company if either:
5.2 Waivers of Requirements for Transfer
The Company may waive any of the requirements set out in Article 5.1 (1) and any of the preconditions referred to in Article 5.1 (2).
5.3 Form of Instrument of Transfer
The instrument of transfer in respect of any share of the Company must be either in the form, if any, on the back of the Company's share certificates or in any other form that may be approved by the Company or the transfer agent for the class or series of shares to be transferred.
5.4 Transferor Remains Shareholder
Except to the extent that the Business Corporations Act otherwise provides, the transferor of shares is deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in a securities register of the Company in respect of the transfer.
- 5 -
5.5 Signing of Instrument of Transfer
If a shareholder or other appropriate person or an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person, signs an instrument of transfer in respect of shares registered in the name of the shareholder, the signed instrument of transfer constitutes a complete and sufficient authority to the Company and its directors, officers and agents to register the number of shares specified in the instrument of transfer or specified in any other manner, or, if no number is specified but share certificates are deposited with the instrument of transfer, all the shares represented by such share certificates:
5.6 Enquiry as to Title Not Required
Neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is bound to inquire into the title of the person named in the instrument of transfer as transferee or, if no person is named as transferee in the instrument of transfer, of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered or is liable for any claim related to registering the transfer by the shareholder or by any intermediate owner or holder of the shares, of any interest in the shares, of any share certificate representing such shares or of any written acknowledgment of a right to obtain a share certificate for such shares.
5. 7 Transfer Fee
Subject to the applicable rules of any stock exchange on which the shares of the Company may be listed, there must be paid to the Company, in relation to the registration of any transfer, the amount, if any, determined by the directors.
PART 6
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
6.1 Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death
In the case of the death of a shareholder, the legal personal representative of the shareholder, or in the case of shares registered in the shareholder's name and the name of another person in joint tenancy, the surviving joint holder, will be the only person recognized by the Company as having any title to the shareholder's interest in the shares. Before recognizing a person as a legal personal representative of a shareholder, the directors may require the original grant of probate or letters of administration or a court certified copy of them or the original or a court certified or authenticated copy of the grant of representation, will, order or other instrument or other evidence of the death under which title to the shares or securities is claimed to vest.
6.2 Rights of Legal Personal Representative
The legal personal representative of a shareholder has the rights, privileges and obligations that attach to the shares held by the shareholder, including the right to transfer the shares in accordance with these Articles and applicable securities legislation, if appropriate evidence of appointment or incumbency within the meaning of the Securities Transfer Act has been deposited with the Company. This Article 6.2 does not apply in the case of the death of a shareholder with respect to shares registered in the shareholder's name and the name of another person in joint tenancy.
- 6 -
PART 7
ACQUISITION OF COMPANY’S SHARES
7.1 Company Authorized to Purchase or Otherwise Acquire Shares
Subject to Article 7.2, the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, the Business Corporations Act and applicable securities legislation, the Company may, if authorized by the directors, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares at the price and upon the terms determined by the directors.
7.2 No Purchase, Redemption or Other Acquisition When Insolvent
The Company must not make a payment or provide any other consideration to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:
7.3 Sale and Voting of Purchased, Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares
If the Company retains a share redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by it, the Company may sell or otherwise dispose of the share, but, while such share is held by the Company, it:
PART 8
BORROWING POWERS
8.1 Borrowing Powers
The Company, if authorized by the directors, may:
8.2 Additional Powers
The powers conferred under this Part 8 shall be deemed to include the powers conferred on a company by Division VII of the Act Respecting the Special Powers of Legal Persons being chapter P-16 of the
- 7 -
Revised Statutes of Quebec, and every statutory provision that may be substituted therefor or for any provision therein.
PART 9
ALTERATIONS
9.1 Alteration of Authorized Share Structure
Subject to Articles 9.2 and 9.3, the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may:
and, if applicable, alter its Notice of Articles and Articles accordingly; or
and if applicable, alter its Notice of Articles and, if applicable, its Articles accordingly.
9.2 Special Rights or Restrictions
Subject to the special rights or restrictions attached to any class or series of shares and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may by ordinary resolution:
- 8 -
and alter its Articles and Notice of Articles accordingly.
9.3 No Interference with Class or Series Rights without Consent
A right or special right attached to issued shares must not be prejudiced or interfered with under the Business Corporations Act, the Notice of Articles or these Articles unless the holders of shares of the class or series of shares to which the right or special right is attached consent by a special separate resolution of the holders of such class or series of shares.
9.4 Change of Name
The Company may by directors' resolution or ordinary resolution authorize an alteration to its Notice of Articles in order to change its name.
9.5 Other Alterations
If the Business Corporations Act does not specify the type of resolution and these Articles do not specify another type of resolution, the Company may by ordinary resolution alter these Articles.
PART 10
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
10.1 Annual General Meetings
Unless an annual general meeting is deferred or waived in accordance with the Business Corporations Act, the Company must hold an annual general meeting at least once in each calendar year arid not more than 15 months after the last annual reference date at such time and place, whether in or outside of British Columbia, as may be determined by the directors.
10.2 Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting
If all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting consent by a unanimous resolution to all of the business that is required to be transacted at that annual general meeting, the annual general meeting is deemed to have been held on the date of the unanimous resolution. The shareholders must, in any unanimous resolution passed under this Article 10 .2, select as the Company's annual reference date a date that would be appropriate for the holding of the applicable annual general meeting.
10.3 Calling of Meetings of Shareholders
The directors may, at any time, call a meeting of shareholders, to be held at such time and place, whether in or outside of British Columbia, as may be determined by the directors.
10.4 Notice for Meetings of Shareholders
The Company must send notice of the date, time and location of any meeting of shareholders (including, without limitation, any notice specifying the intention to propose a resolution as an exceptional resolution, a special resolution or a special separate resolution, and any notice to consider approving an amalgamation into a foreign jurisdiction, an arrangement or the adoption of an amalgamation agreement, and any notice of a general meeting, class meeting or series meeting), in the manner provided in these Articles, or in such other manner, if any, as may be prescribed by ordinary resolution (whether previous notice of the resolution has been given or not), to each shareholder entitled to attend the meeting, to each director and to the auditor of the Company, unless these Articles otherwise provide, at least the following number of days before the meeting:
- 9 -
10.5 Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice
The accidental omission to send notice of any meeting of shareholders to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any of the persons entitled to notice does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting. Any person entitled to notice of a meeting of shareholders may, in writing or otherwise, waive that entitlement or agree to reduce the period of that notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting of shareholders is a waiver of entitlement to notice of the meeting unless that person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
10.6 Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders
If a meeting of shareholders is to consider special business within the meaning of Article 11.1, the notice of meeting must:
10.7 Class Meetings and Series Meetings of Shareholders
Unless otherwise specified in these Articles, the provisions of these Articles relating to a meeting of shareholders will apply, with the necessary changes and so far as they are applicable, to a class meeting or series meeting of shareholders holding a particular class or series of shares.
10.8 Notice of Dissent Rights
The Company must send to each of its shareholders, whether or not their shares carry the right to vote, a notice of any meeting of shareholders at which a resolution entitling shareholders to dissent is to be considered specifying the date of the meeting and containing a statement advising of the right to send a notice of dissent together with a copy of the proposed resolution at least the following number of days before the meeting:
- 10 -
10.9 Advance Notice Provisions
Subject only to the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set out in this Article 10.9 shall be eligible for election as directors to the board of directors of the Company. Nominations of persons for election to the board may only be made at an annual meeting of shareholders, or at a special meeting of shareholders called for any purpose at which the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting, as follows:
For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 10.9 shall be the exclusive means for any person to bring nominations for election to the board before any annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Company.
In order for a nomination made by a Nominating Shareholder to be timely notice (a “Timely Notice”), the Nominating Shareholder's notice must be received by the chief executive officer of the Company at the principal executive offices or registered office of the Company:
provided that, in either instance, if notice-and-access (as defined in National Instrument 54-101 -Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer) is used for delivery of proxy related materials in respect of a meeting described in Article 10.9(3)(a) or 10.9(3)(b), and the Notice Date in respect of the meeting is not less than 50 days before the date of the applicable meeting, the
- 11 -
notice must be received not later than the close of business on the 40th day before the date of the applicable meeting.
To be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder's notice to the chief executive officer must comply with all the provisions of this Article 10.9 and disclose or include, as applicable:
- 12 -
Reference to “Nominating Shareholder” in this Article 10 .9( 4) shall be deemed to refer to each shareholder that nominated or seeks to nominate a person for election as director in the case of a nomination proposal where more than one shareholder is involved in making the nomination proposal.
All information to be provided in a Timely Notice pursuant to this Article 10.9 shall be provided as of the date of such notice. The Nominating Shareholder shall provide the Company with an update to such information forthwith so that it is true and correct in all material respects as of the date that is 10 business days before the date of the meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Notwithstanding Part 24 of these Articles, any notice, or other document or information required to be given to the chief executive officer pursuant to this Article 10.9 may only be given by personal delivery or courier (but not by fax or email) to the chief executive officer at the address of the principal executive offices or registered office of the Company and shall be deemed to have been given and made on the date of delivery if it is a business day and the delivery was made prior to 5:00 p.m. in the city where the Company's principal executive offices are located and otherwise on the next business day.
The chair of any meeting of shareholders of the Company shall have the power to determine whether any proposed nomination is made in accordance with the provisions of this Article 10.9, and if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such provisions, must as soon as practicable following receipt of such nomination and prior to the meeting declare that such defective nomination shall not be considered at any meeting of shareholders.
- 13 -
The board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement in this Article 10.9.
For the purposes of this Article 10 .9, “public announcement” means disclosure in a news release disseminated by the Company through a national news service in Canada, or in a document filed by the Company for public access under its profile on the System of Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com.
PART 11
PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
11.1 Special Business
At a meeting of shareholders, the following business is special business:
11.2 Special Majority
The majority of votes required for the Company to pass a special resolution at a general meeting of shareholders is two-thirds of the votes cast on the resolution.
11.3 Quorum
Subject to the special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares and to Article 11.4, a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is
present if at least two shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 331/3% of the issued shares entitled to be voted at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxy, irrespective of the number of persons actually present at the meeting.
- 14 -
11.4 One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum
If there is only one shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders:
11.5 Persons Entitled to Attend Meeting
In addition to those persons who are entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders, the only other persons entitled to be present at the meeting are the directors, the officers, any lawyer for the Company, the auditor of the Company, any persons invited to be present at the meeting by the directors or by the chair of the meeting and any persons entitled or required under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be present at the meeting; but if any of those persons does attend the meeting, that person is not to be counted in the quorum and is not entitled to vote at the meeting unless that person is a shareholder or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting.
11.6 Requirement of Quorum
No business, other than the election of a chair of the meeting and the adjournment of the meeting, may be transacted at any meeting of shareholders unless a quorum of shareholders entitled to vote is present at the commencement of the meeting, but such quorum need not be present throughout the meeting.
11.7 Lack of Quorum
If, within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, a quorum is not present:
11.8 Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting
If, at the meeting to which the meeting referred to in Article 11. 7(2) was adjourned, a quorum is not present within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of the meeting, the person or persons present and being, or representing by proxy, one or more shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting constitute a quorum.
11.9 Chair
The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of shareholders:
11.10 Selection of Alternate Chair
If, at any meeting of shareholders, there is no chair of the board or chief executive officer present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the chief executive officer are unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the chief
- 15 -
executive officer have advised the corporate secretary, if any, or any director present at the meeting, that they will not be present at the meeting, the directors present must choose one of their number or the Company's solicitor to be chair of the meeting failing which, the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting who are present in person or by proxy may choose any person present at the meeting to chair the meeting.
11.11 Adjournments
The chair of a meeting of shareholders may, and if so directed by the meeting must, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.
11.12 Notice of Adjourned Meeting
It is not necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting of shareholders or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting of shareholders except that, when a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as in the case of the original meeting.
11.13 Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, every motion put to a vote at a meeting of shareholders will be decided on a show of hands unless a poll, before or on the declaration of the result of the vote by show of hands, is directed by the chair or demanded by any shareholder entitled to vote who is present in person or by proxy.
11.14 Declaration of Result
The chair of a meeting of shareholders must declare to the meeting the decision on every question in accordance with the result of the show of hands or the poll, as the case may be, and that decision must be entered in the minutes of the meeting. A declaration of the chair that a resolution is carried by the necessary majority or is defeated is, unless a poll is directed by the chair or demanded under Article 11.13, conclusive evidence without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution.
11.15 Motion Need Not be Seconded
No motion proposed at a meeting of shareholders need be seconded unless the chair of the meeting rules otherwise, and the chair of any meeting of shareholders is entitled to propose or second a motion.
11.16 Casting Vote
In the case of an equality of votes, the chair of a meeting of shareholders does not, either on a show of hands or on a poll, have a second or casting vote in addition to the vote or votes to which the chair may be entitled as a shareholder.
11.17 Manner of Taking Poll
Subject to Article 11.18, if a poll is duly demanded at a meeting of shareholders:
- 16 -
11.18 Demand for Poll on Adjournment
A poll demanded at a meeting of shareholders on a question of adjournment must be taken immediately at the meeting.
11.19 Chair Must Resolve Dispute
In the case of any dispute as to the admission or rejection of a vote given on a poll, the chair of the meeting must determine the dispute, and his or her determination made in good faith is final and conclusive.
11.20 Casting of Votes
On a poll, a shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not cast all the votes in the same way.
11.21 No Demand for Poll on Election of Chair
No poll may be demanded in respect of the vote by which a chair of a meeting of shareholders is elected.
11.22 Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting
The demand for a poll at a meeting of shareholders does not, unless the chair of the meeting so rules, prevent the continuation of the meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which a poll has been demanded.
11.23 Retention of Ballots and Proxies
The Company or its agent must, for at least three months after a meeting of shareholders, keep each ballot cast on a poll and each proxy voted at the meeting, and, during that period, make them available for inspection during normal business hours by any shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting. At the end of such three month period, the Company or its agent may destroy such ballots and proxies.
PART 12
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
12.1 Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares
Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any shares and to the restrictions imposed on joint shareholders under Article 12.3:
- 17 -
12.2 Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity
A person who is not a shareholder may vote at a meeting of shareholders, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, and may appoint a proxy holder to act at the meeting, if, before doing so, the person satisfies the chair of the meeting, or the directors, that the person is a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy for a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting.
12.3 Votes by Joint Holders
If there are joint shareholders registered in respect of any share:
12.4 Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders
Two or more legal personal representatives of a shareholder in whose sole name any share is registered are, for the purposes of Article 12.3, deemed to be joint shareholders registered in respect of that share.
12.5 Representative of a Corporate Shareholder
If a corporation that is not a subsidiary of the Company is a shareholder, that corporation may appoint a person to act as its representative at any meeting of shareholders of the Company, and:
Evidence of the appointment of any such representative may be sent to the Company or its transfer agent by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.
- 18 -
12.6 Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder
A person appointed as a proxy holder need not be a shareholder.
12.7 When Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to the Company
If and for so long as the Company is a public company, Articles 12.8 to 12.14 apply only insofar as they are not inconsistent with any Canadian securities legislation applicable to the Company, or any rules of an exchange on which securities of the Company are listed.
12.8 Appointment of Proxy Holders
Every shareholder of the Company, including a corporation that is a shareholder but not a subsidiary of the Company, entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may, by proxy, appoint one or more proxy holders to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the powers conferred by the proxy.
12.9 Alternate Proxy Holders
A shareholder may appoint one or more alternate proxy holders to act in the place of an absent proxy holder.
12.10 Deposit of Proxy
A proxy for a meeting of shareholders must:
A proxy may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages or by using such available internet or telephone voting services as may be approved by the directors.
12.11 Validity of Proxy Vote
A vote given in accordance with the terms of a proxy is valid notwithstanding the death or incapacity of the shareholder giving the proxy and despite the revocation of the proxy or the revocation of the authority under which the proxy is given, unless notice in writing of that death, incapacity or revocation is received:
- 19 -
12.12 Form of Proxy
A proxy, whether for a specified meeting or otherwise, must be either in the following form or in any other form approved by the directors or the chair of the meeting:
[name of company]
(the “Company”)
The undersigned, being a shareholder of the Company, hereby appoints [name] or, failing that person, [name], as proxy holder for the undersigned to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held on [month, day, year] and at any adjournment of that meeting.
Number of shares in respect of which this proxy is given (if no number is specified, then this proxy is given in respect of all shares registered in the name of the undersigned):
|
Signed [month, day, year] |
|
[Signature of shareholder] |
|
[Name of shareholder- printed] |
12.13 Revocation of Proxy
Subject to Article 12.14, every proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing that is received:
12.14 Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed
An instrument referred to in Article 12.13 must be signed as follows:
12.15 Chair May Determine Validity of Proxy.
The chair of any meeting of shareholders may determine whether or not a proxy deposited for use at the meeting, which may not strictly comply with the requirements of this Part 12 as to form, execution,
- 20 -
accompanying documentation, time of filing or otherwise, shall be valid for use at the meeting, and any such determination made in good faith shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the meeting.
12.16 Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote
The board or the chair of any meeting of shareholders may, but need not, at any time (including before, at or subsequent to the meeting) inquire into the authority of any person to vote at the meeting and may, but need not, demand from that person production of evidence for the purposes of determining a person's share ownership as at the relevant record date and the authority to vote.
PART 13
DIRECTORS
13.1 First Directors; Number of Directors
The first directors are the persons designated as directors of the Company in the Notice of Articles that applies to the Company when it is recognized under the Act. The number of directors, excluding additional directors appointed under Article 14.8, is-set at:
13.2 Change in Number of Directors
If the number of directors is set under Article 13.1 (2)(a):
No decrease in the number of directors will shorten the term of an incumbent director.
13.3 Directors' Acts Valid Despite Vacancy
An act or proceeding of the directors is not invalid merely because fewer than the number of directors set or otherwise required under these Articles is in office.
13.4 Qualifications of Directors
A director is not required to hold a share of the Company as qualification for his or her office but must be qualified as required by the Business Corporations Act to become, act or continue to act as a director.
13.5 Remuneration of Directors
The directors are entitled to the remuneration for acting as directors, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine.
- 21 -
13.6 Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors
The Company must reimburse each director for the reasonable expenses that he or she may incur in and about the business of the Company.
13.7 Special Remuneration for Directors
If any director performs any professional or other services for the Company that in the opinion of the directors are outside the ordinary duties of, or not in his or her capacity as, a director, or if any director is otherwise specially occupied in or about the Company's business, he or she may be paid remuneration fixed by the directors, and such remuneration may be either in addition to, or in substitution for, any other remuneration that he or she may be entitled to receive.
13.8 Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director
Unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, the directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any director who has held any salaried office or place of profit with the Company or to his or her spouse or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance.
PART 14
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
14.1 Election at Annual General Meeting
At every annual general meeting and in every unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2:
14.2 Consent to be a Director
No election, appointment or designation of an individual as a director is valid unless:
14.3 Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors
If:
- 22 -
then each director then in office continues to hold office until the earlier of:
14.4 Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled
If, at any meeting of shareholders at which there should be an election of directors, the places of any of the retiring directors are not filled by that election, those retiring directors who are not reelected and who are asked by the newly elected directors to continue in office will, if willing to do so, continue in office to complete the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles but their term of office shall expire when new directors are elected at a meeting of shareholders convened for that purpose. If any such election or continuance of directors does not result in the election or continuance of the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles, the number of directors of the Company is deemed to be set at the number of directors actually elected or continued in office.
14.5 Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies
Any casual vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the directors.
14.6 Remaining Directors' Power to Act
The directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the board of directors, but if the Company has fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the directors may only act for the purpose of appointing directors up to that number or of calling a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of filling any vacancies on the board of directors or, subject to the Business Corporations Act, for any other purpose.
14.7 Shareholders May Fill Vacancies
If the Company has no directors or fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the shareholders may elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the board of directors.
14.8 Additional Directors
Notwithstanding Article 13.2, between annual general meetings or unanimous resolutions contemplated by Article 10.2, the directors may appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors appointed under this Article 14.8 must not at any time exceed one-third of the number of the current directors who were elected or appointed as directors other than under this Article 14.8.
Any director so appointed ceases to hold office immediately before the next election or appointment of directors under Article 14.1 (1), but is eligible for re-election or reappointment, subject to being nominated in accordance with Article 10 .9.
14.9 Ceasing to be a Director
A director ceases to be a director when:
- 23 -
14.10 Removal of Director by Shareholders
The Company may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office by special resolution. In that event, the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill the resulting vacancy. If the shareholders do not elect or appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy contemporaneously with the removal, then the directors may appoint or the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill that vacancy.
14.11 Removal of Director by Directors
The directors may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office if the director is convicted of an indictable offence, or if the director ceases to be qualified to act as a director of a company in accordance with the Business Corporations Act and does not promptly resign, and the directors may appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy.
PART 15
ALTERNATE DIRECTORS
15.1 Appointment of Alternate Director
Any director (an "appointor") may by notice in writing received by the Company appoint any person (an "appointee") who is qualified to act as a director to be his or her alternate to act in his or her place at meetings of the directors or committees of the directors at which the appointor is not present unless (in the case of an appointee who is not a director) the directors have reasonably disapproved the appointment of such person as an alternate director and have given notice to that effect to his or her appointor within a reasonable time after the notice of appointment is received by the Company.
15.2 Notice of Meetings
Every alternate director so appointed is entitled to notice of meetings of the directors and of committees of the directors of which his or her appointor is a member and to attend and vote as a director at any such meetings at which his or her appointor is not present.
15.3 Alternate for More than One Director Attending Meetings
A person may be appointed as an alternate director by more than one director, and an alternate director:
- 24 -
15.4 Consent Resolutions
Every alternate director, if authorized by the notice appointing him or her, may sign in place of his or her appointor any resolutions to be consented to in writing.
15.5 Alternate Director an Agent
Every alternate director is deemed to be the agent of his or her appointor.
15.6 Revocation or Amendment of Appointment of Alternate Director
An appointor may at any time, by notice in writing received by the Company, revoke or amend the terms of the appointment of an alternate directors appointed by him or her.
15.7 Ceasing to be an Alternate Director
The appointment of an alternate directors ceases when:
15.8 Remuneration and Expenses of Alternate Director
The Company may reimburse an alternate director for the reasonable expenses that would be properly reimbursed if he or she were a director, and the alternate directors is entitled to receive from the Company such proportion, if any, of the remuneration otherwise payable to the appointor as the appointor may from time to time direct.
PART 16
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
16.1 Powers of Management
The directors must, subject to the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company and have the authority to exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Business Corporations Act or by these Articles, required to be exercised by the shareholders of the Company.
16.2 Appointment of Attorney of Company
The directors may from time to time, by power of attorney or other instrument, under seal if so required by law, appoint any person to be the attorney of the Company for such purposes, and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the directors under these Articles and excepting the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors, to remove a director, to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors, to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors and to declare dividends) and for such period, and with such remuneration and subject to such conditions as the directors may think fit. Any such power of
- 25 -
attorney may contain such provisions for the protection or convenience of persons dealing with such attorney as the directors think fit. Any such attorney may be authorized by the directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in him or her.
PART 17
INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
17.1 Obligation to Account for Profits
A director or senior officer who holds a disclosable interest (as that term is used in the Business Corporations Act) in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is liable to account to the Company for any profit that accrues to the director or senior officer under or as a result of the contract or transaction only if and to the extent provided in the Business Corporations Act.
17.2 Restrictions on Voting by Reason of Interest
A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is not entitled to vote on any directors' resolution to approve that contract or transaction, unless all the directors have a disclosable interest in that contract or transaction, in which case any or all of those directors may vote on such resolution.
17.3 Interested Director Counted in Quorum
A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter and who is present at the meeting of directors at which the contract or transaction is considered for approval may be counted in the quorum at the meeting whether or not the director votes on any or all of the resolutions considered at the meeting.
17.4 Disclosure of Conflict of Interest or Property
A director or senior officer who holds any office or possesses any property, right or interest that could result, directly or indirectly, in the creation of a duty or interest that materially conflicts with that individual's duty or interest as a director or senior officer, must disclose the nature and extent of the conflict as required by the Business Corporations Act.
17.5 Director Holding Other Office in the Company
A director may hold any office or place of profit with the Company, other than the office of auditor of the Company, in addition to his or her office of director for the period and on the terms (as to remuneration or otherwise) that the directors may determine.
17.6 No Disqualification
No director or intended director is disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Company either with regard to the holding of any office or place of profit the director holds with the Company or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, and no contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which a director is in any way interested is liable to be voided for that reason.
17.7 Professional Services by Director or Officer
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, a director or officer, or any person in which a director or officer has an interest, may act in a professional capacity for the Company, except as auditor of the Company, and the director or officer or such person is entitled to remuneration for professional services as if that director or officer were not a director or officer.
- 26 -
17.8 Director or Officer in Other Corporations
A director or officer may be or become a director, officer or employee of, or otherwise interested in, any person in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder or otherwise, and, subject to the Business Corporations Act, the director or officer is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him or her as director, officer or employee of, or from his or her interest in, such other person.
“PART 18”
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
18.1 Meetings of Directors
The directors may meet together for the conduct of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit, and meetings of the directors held at regular intervals may be held at the place, at the time and on the notice, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine.
18.2 Voting at Meetings
Questions arising at any meeting of directors are to be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.
18.3 Chair of Meetings
The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of directors:
18.4 Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium
A director may participate in a meeting of the directors or of any committee of the directors:
if all directors participating in the meeting, whether in person, or by telephone or other communications medium, are able to communicate with each other. A director who participates in a meeting in a manner contemplated by this Article 18.4 is deemed for all purposes of the Business Corporations Act and these Articles to be present at the meeting and to have agreed to participate in that manner.
- 27 -
18.5 Calling of Meetings
A director may, and the corporate secretary or an assistant corporate secretary of the Company, if any, on the request of a director must, call a meeting of the directors at any time.
18.6 Notice of Meetings
Other than for meetings held at regular intervals as determined by the directors pursuant to Article 18.1 or as provided in Article 18.7, reasonable notice of each meeting of the directors, specifying the place, day and time of that meeting must be given to each of the directors by any method set out in Article 24.1 or orally or by telephone conversation with a director.
18.7 When Notice Not Required
It is not necessary to give notice of a meeting of the directors to a director if:
18.8 Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice
The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting of directors to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any director, does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.
18.9 Waiver of Notice of Meetings
Any director may send to the Company a document signed by him or her waiving notice of any past, present or future meeting or meetings of the directors and may at any time withdraw that waiver with respect to meetings held after that withdrawal. After sending a waiver with respect to all future meetings and until that waiver is withdrawn, no notice of any meeting of the directors need be given to that director, and all meetings of the directors so held are deemed not to be improperly called or constituted by reason of notice not having been given to such director.
Attendance of a director or alternate director at a meeting of the directors is a waiver of notice of the meeting, unless that director or alternate director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
18.10 Quorum
The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the directors may be set by the directors and, if not so set, is deemed to be set at two directors or, if the number of directors is set at one, is deemed to be set at one director, and that director may constitute a meeting.
18.11 Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, an act of a director or officer is not invalid merely because of an irregularity in the election or appointment or a defect in the qualification of that director or officer.
18.12 Consent Resolutions in Writing
A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors may be passed without a meeting:
- 28 -
A consent in writing under this Article 18.12 may be by any written instrument, e-mail or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages in which the consent of the director is evidenced, whether or not the signature of the director is included in the record. A consent in writing may be in two or more counterparts which together are deemed to constitute one consent in writing. A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors passed in accordance with this Article 18.12 is effective on the date stated in the consent in writing or on the latest date stated on any counterpart and is deemed to be a proceeding at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors and to be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors that satisfies all the requirements of the Business Corporations Act and all the requirements of these Articles relating to meetings of the directors or of a committee of the directors.
PART 19
BOARD COMMITTEES
19.1 Appointment and Powers of Committees
The directors may, by resolution:
19.2 Obligations of Committees
Any committee appointed under Article 19.1, in the exercise of the powers delegated to it, must:
- 29 -
19.3 Powers of Board
The directors may, at any time, with respect to a committee appointed under Article 19.1:
19.4 Committee Meetings
Subject to Article 19.2(1) and unless the directors otherwise provide in the resolution appointing the committee or in any subsequent resolution, with respect to a committee appointed under Article 19.1:
PART 20
OFFICERS
20.1 Directors May Appoint Officers
The directors may, from time to time, appoint such officers, if any, as the directors determine and the directors may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.
20.2 Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers
The directors may, for each officer:
20.3 Qualifications
No officer may be appointed unless that officer is qualified in accordance with the Business Corporations Act. One person may hold more than one position as an officer of the Company. Any person appointed as the chair of the board or as a managing director must be a director. Any other officer need not be a director.
- 30 -
20.4 Remuneration and Terms of Appointment
All appointments of officers are to be made on the terms and conditions and at the remuneration (whether by way of salary, fee, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) that the directors think fit and are subject to termination at the pleasure of the directors, and an officer may in addition to such remuneration be entitled to receive, after he or she ceases to hold such office or leaves the employment of the Company, a pension or gratuity.
PART 21
INDEMNIFICATION
21.1 Definitions
In this Part 21:
21.2 Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must indemnify an eligible party and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the Business Corporations Act.
21.3 Deemed Contract
Each director and officer is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in Article 21.2.
21.4 Permitted Indemnification
Subject to any restrictions in the Business Corporations Act, the Company may indemnify any person, including directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives of the Company.
21.5 Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act
The failure of a director or officer of the Company to comply with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under this Part 21.
- 31 -
21.6 Company May Purchase Insurance
The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:
against any liability incurred by him or her as such director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.
PART 22
DIVIDENDS
22.1 Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights
The provisions of this Part 22 are subject to the rights, if any, of shareholders holding shares with special rights as to dividends.
22.2 Declaration of Dividends
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the directors may from time to time declare and authorize payment of such dividends as they may consider appropriate.
22.3 No Notice Required
The directors need not give notice to any shareholder of any declaration under Article 22.2.
22.4 Record Date
The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend. The record date must not precede the date on which the dividend is to be paid by more than two months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the date on which the directors pass the resolution declaring the dividend.
22.5 Manner of Paying Dividend
A resolution declaring a dividend may direct payment of the dividend wholly or partly in money or by the distribution of specific assets or of fully paid shares or of bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company or any other corporation, or in any one or more of those ways.
22.6 Settlement of Difficulties
If any difficulty arises in regard to a distribution under Article 22.5, the directors may settle the difficulty as they deemed advisable, and, in particular, may:
- 32 -
22.7 When Dividend Payable
Any dividend may be made payable on such date as is fixed by the directors.
22.8 Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares
All dividends on shares of any class or series of shares must be declared and paid according to the number of such shares held.
22.9 Receipt by Joint Shareholders
If several persons are joint shareholders of any share, any one of them may give an effective receipt for any dividend, bonus or other money payable in respect of the share.
22.10 Dividend Bears No Interest
No dividend bears interest against the Company.
22.11 Fractional Dividends
If a dividend to which a shareholder is entitled includes a fraction of the smallest monetary unit of the currency of the dividend, that fraction may be disregarded in making payment of the dividend and that payment represents full payment of the dividend.
22.12 Payment of Dividends
Any dividend or other distribution payable in money in respect of shares may be paid;
The mailing of such cheque or the forwarding by electronic transfer will, to the extent of the sum represented by the cheque or transfer (plus the amount of the tax required by law to be deducted), discharge all liability for the dividend unless such cheque is not paid on presentation or the amount of tax so deducted is not paid to the appropriate taxing authority.
22.13 Capitalization of Retained Earnings or Surplus
Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, the directors may from time to time capitalize any retained earnings or surplus of the Company and may from time to time issue, as fully paid, shares or any bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as a dividend representing the retained earnings or surplus so capitalized or any part thereof.
22.14 Unclaimed Dividends
Any dividend unclaimed after a period of three years from the date on which the same has been declared to be payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company. The Company shall not be
- 33 -
liable to any person in respect of any dividend which is forfeited to the Company or delivered to any public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
PART 23
ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND AUDITOR
23.1 Recording of Financial Affairs
The directors must cause adequate accounting records to be kept to record properly the financial affairs and condition of the Company and to comply with the Business Corporations Act.
23.2 Inspection of Accounting Records
Unless the directors determine otherwise, or unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, no shareholder of the Company is entitled to inspect or obtain a copy of any accounting records of the Company.
23.3 Remuneration of Auditor
The directors may set the remuneration of the auditor of the Company.
PART 24
NOTICES
24.1 Method of Giving Notice
Unless the Business Corporations Act or these Articles provide otherwise, a notice, statement, report or other record required or permitted by the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be sent by or to a person may be sent by any one of the following methods:
- 34 -
24.2 Deemed Receipt
A notice, statement, report or other record that is:
24.3 Certificate of Sending
A certificate or other document signed by the corporate secretary, if any, or other officer of the Company or of any other corporation acting in that capacity on behalf of the Company stating that a notice, statement, report or other record was sent in accordance with Article 24.1 is conclusive evidence of that fact.
24.4 Notice to Joint Shareholders
A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the joint shareholders of a share by providing such record to the joint shareholder first named in the central securities register in respect of the share.
24.5 Notice to Legal Personal Representatives and Trustees
A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death, bankruptcy or incapacity of a shareholder by:
- 35 -
24.6 Undelivered Notices
If, on two consecutive occasions, a notice, statement, report or other record is sent to a shareholder pursuant to Article 24.1 and on each of those occasions any such record is returned because the shareholder cannot be located, the Company shall not be required to send any further records to the shareholder until the shareholder informs the Company in writing of his or her new address.
PART 25
SEAL
25.1 Who May Attest Seal
Except as provided in Articles 25.1 (2) and 25.1 (3), the Company's seal, if any, must not be impressed on any record except when that impression is attested by the signatures of:
25.2 Sealing Copies
For the purpose of certifying under seal a certificate of incumbency of the directors or officers of the Company or a true copy of any resolution or other document, despite Article 25.1, the impression of the seal may be attested by the signature of any director or officer or the signature of any other person as may be determined by the directors.
25.3 Mechanical Reproduction of Seal
The directors may authorize the seal to be impressed by third parties on share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as they may determine appropriate from time to time. To enable the seal to be impressed on any share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, whether in definitive or interim form, on which facsimiles of any of the signatures of the directors or officers of the Company are, in accordance with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles, printed or otherwise mechanically reproduced, there may be delivered to the person employed to engrave, lithograph or print such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities one or more unmounted dies reproducing the seal and such persons as are authorized under Article 25.1 to attest the Company's seal may in writing authorize such person to cause the seal to be impressed on such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities by the use of such dies. Share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities to which the seal has been so impressed are for all purposes deemed to be under and to bear the seal impressed on them.
PART 26
PROHIBITIONS
26.1 Definitions
In this Part 26:
- 36 -
26.2 Application
Article 26.3 does not apply to the Company if and for so long as it is a public company.
26.3 Consent Required for Transfer of Shares or Transfer Restricted Securities
No share or other transfer restricted security may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of without the consent of the directors and the directors are not required to give any reason for refusing to consent to any such sale, transfer or other disposition.
“PART 27”
SUBORDINATE VOTING SHARES
27.1 Rights
An unlimited number of Subordinate Voting Shares, without nominal or par value, having attached hereto the rights as set forth below:
- 37 -
PART 28
MULTIPLE VOTING SHARES
28.1 Special Rights and Restrictions
An unlimited number of Multiple Voting Shares, without nominal or par value, having attached thereto the special rights and restrictions as set forth below:
- 38 -
X =[(A x 0.45) - B] x (C/D)
Where on the Determination Date:
X = Maximum Number of Subordinate Voting Shares Available For Issue upon Conversion of Multiple Voting Shares by a holder.
A = The Number of Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares issued and outstanding on the Determination Date.
B = Aggregate number of Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares held of record, directly or indirectly, by U.S. Residents on the Determination Date.
- 39 -
C =Aggregate number of Multiple Voting Shares held by holder on the Determination Date.
D = Aggregate number of all Multiple Voting Shares on the Determination Date.
The Conversion Limitation Officer shall determine as of each Determination Date, in his or her sole discretion acting reasonably, the aggregate number of Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares held of record, directly or indirectly, by U.S. Residents, the maximum number of Subordinate Voting Shares which may be issued upon exercise of the Conversion Rights generally in accordance with the formula set forth immediately above. Upon request by a holder of Multiple Voting Shares, the Corporation will provide each holder of Multiple Voting Shares with notice of such maximum number as at the most recent Determination Date, or a more recent date as may be determined by the Conversion Limitation Officer in its discretion. To the extent that issuances of Subordinate Voting Shares on exercise of the Conversion Rights would result in the 45% Threshold being exceeded, the number of Subordinate Voting Shares to be issued will be pro-rated among each holder of Multiple Voting Shares exercising the Conversion Rights.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 28.1 (f)(iv) and (v):
- 40 -
On the Mandatory Conversion Record Date, the Corporation shall issue or shall cause its transfer agent to issue to each holder of Multiple Voting Shares certificates or other evidence representing the number of Subordinate Voting Shares into which the Multiple Voting Shares are converted, and each certificate or other evidence representing Multiple Voting Shares shall be null and void.
From the date of the Mandatory Conversion Resolution, the board of directors shall no longer be entitled to issue any further Multiple Voting Shares whatsoever.
- 41 -
- 42 -
No share certificates representing the Subordinate Voting Shares, resulting from the conversion of the Multiple Voting Shares will be delivered to the holders on whose behalf such deposit is being made. If Subordinate Voting Shares, resulting from the conversion and deposited pursuant to the offer, are withdrawn by the holder or are not taken up by the offeror, or the offer is abandoned, withdrawn or terminated by the offeror or the offer otherwise expires without such Subordinate Voting Shares being taken up and paid for, the Subordinate Voting Shares resulting from the conversion will be re-converted into Multiple Voting Shares at the inverse of the Conversion Ratio then in effect and a share certificate or other issuance evidence representing the Multiple Voting Shares will be sent to the holder by the transfer agent. In the event that the offeror takes up and pays for the Subordinate Voting Shares resulting from conversion, the transfer agent shall deliver to the holders thereof the consideration paid for such shares by the offeror.
- 43 -
- 44 -