Canada Goose - 15 - CGHI Articles (060820)
Canada Goose - 15 - CGHI Articles (060820)
ARTICLES
OF
BRITISH COLUMBIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1
INTERPRETATION
PART 2
SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
PART 3
ISSUE OF SHARES
PART 4
SHARE REGISTERS
PART 5
SHARE TRANSFERS
(i)
PART 6
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
PART 7
ACQUISITION OF COMPANY'S SHARES
PART 8
BORROWING POWERS
PART 9
ALTERATIONS
PART 10
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
PART 11
PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
(ii)
11.6 Requirement of Quorum ........................................................................................................... 18
11.7 Lack of Quorum .......................................................................................................................... 19
11.8 Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting ................................................................................. 19
11.9 Chair ............................................................................................................................................. 19
11.10 Selection of Alternate Chair ...................................................................................................... 19
11.11 Adjournments ............................................................................................................................. 19
11.12 Notice of Adjourned Meeting ................................................................................................... 20
11.13 Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll ........................................................................................ 20
11.14 Declaration of Result .................................................................................................................. 20
11.15 Motion Need Not be Seconded ................................................................................................ 20
11.16 Casting Vote ................................................................................................................................ 20
11.17 Manner of Taking Poll ............................................................................................................... 20
11.18 Demand for Poll on Adjournment ........................................................................................... 21
11.19 Chair Must Resolve Dispute ..................................................................................................... 21
11.20 Casting of Votes .......................................................................................................................... 21
11.21 No Demand for Poll on Election of Chair ............................................................................... 21
11.22 Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting ................................................... 21
11.23 Retention of Ballots and Proxies ............................................................................................... 21
PART 12
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
PART 13
DIRECTORS
(iii)
13.7 Special Remuneration for Directors ......................................................................................... 27
13.8 Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director ................................................. 27
PART 14
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
PART 15
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
PART 16
INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
PART 17
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
(iv)
17.11 Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective .................................................................... 34
17.12 Consent Resolutions in Writing................................................................................................ 34
PART 18
BOARD COMMITTEES
PART 19
OFFICERS
PART 20
INDEMNIFICATION
PART 21
DIVIDENDS
(v)
PART 22
ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND AUDITOR
PART 23
NOTICES
PART 24
SEAL
PART 25
PROHIBITIONS
PART 26
FORUM SELECTION
PART 27
SPECIAL RIGHTS OR RESTRICTIONS
(vi)
Incorporation Number BC0986206
ARTICLES
OF
(the "Company")
PART 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions
(1) "appropriate person" has the meaning assigned in the Securities Transfer Act;
(2) "board of directors", "directors" and "board" mean the directors of the Company for
the time being;
(3) "Business Corporations Act" means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)
from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations
and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;
(4) "Interpretation Act" means the Interpretation Act (British Columbia) from time to
time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and
amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;
(5) "legal personal representative" means the personal or other legal representative of a
shareholder;
(6) "protected purchaser" has the meaning assigned in the Securities Transfer Act;
(9) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force
and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto
made pursuant to that Act;
(11) "Securities Transfer Act" means the Securities Transfer Act (British Columbia) from
time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and
amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act.
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
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.
Each share certificate issued by the Company must comply with, and be signed as required
by, the Business Corporations Act.
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.
-2-
2.4 Delivery by Mail
(1) order the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, to be cancelled;
and
(2) issue a replacement share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be.
If a person entitled to a share certificate claims that the share certificate has been lost,
destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company must issue a new share certificate, if that
person:
(1) so requests before the Company has notice that the share certificate has been
acquired by a protected purchaser;
(2) provides the Company with an indemnity bond sufficient in the Company's
judgement to protect the Company from any loss that the Company may suffer by
issuing a new certificate; and
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.
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
-3-
certificate from a person to whom it was issued or any person taking under that person
other than a protected purchaser.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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.
-4-
3.3 Brokerage
The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for or in
connection with the sale or placement of its securities.
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:
(1) consideration is provided to the Company for the issue of the share by one or more
of the following:
(b) property;
(2) the value of the consideration received by the Company equals or exceeds the issue
price set for the share under Article 3.1.
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
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.
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 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.
-5-
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.
The Company must not at any time close its central securities register.
PART 5
SHARE TRANSFERS
(1) the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the class or series of share to be
transferred has received:
(a) in the case where the Company has issued a share certificate in respect of the
share to be transferred, that share certificate and a written instrument of
transfer (which may be on a separate document or endorsed on the share
certificate) made by the shareholder or other appropriate person or by an
agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person;
(b) in the case of a share that is not represented by a share certificate (including
an uncertificated share within the meaning of the Business Corporations Act
and including the case where the Company has issued a non-transferable
written acknowledgement of the shareholder's right to obtain a share
certificate in respect of the share to be transferred), a written instrument of
transfer, made by the shareholder or other appropriate person or by an agent
who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person; and
(c) such other evidence, if any, as the Company or the transfer agent or registrar
for the class or series of share to be transferred may require to prove the title
of the transferor or the transferor's right to transfer the share, that the written
instrument of transfer is genuine and authorized and that the transfer is
rightful or to a protected purchaser; or
(2) all the preconditions for a transfer of a share under the Securities Transfer Act have
been met and the Company is required under the Securities Transfer Act to register
the 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).
-6-
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.
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.
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:
(1) in the name of the person named as transferee in that instrument of transfer; or
(2) if no person is named as transferee in that instrument of transfer, in the name of the
person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the
transfer registered.
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.
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.
-7-
PART 6
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
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.
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.
PART 7
ACQUISITION OF COMPANY'S 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.
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:
(2) making the payment or providing the consideration would render the Company
insolvent.
-8-
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:
(3) must not make any other distribution in respect of the share.
PART 8
BORROWING POWERS
(1) borrow money in the manner and amount, on the security, from the sources and on
the terms and conditions that the directors consider appropriate;
(2) issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations either outright or as security for
any liability or obligation of the Company or any other person and at such discounts
or premiums and on such other terms as the directors consider appropriate;
(3) guarantee the repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any
obligation of any other person; and
(4) mortgage, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, grant a security
interest in, or give other security on, the whole or any part of the present and future
assets and undertaking of the Company.
PART 9
ALTERATIONS
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:
(a) create one or more classes or series of shares or, if none of the shares of a class
or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of
shares;
-9-
(b) increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that the
Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or
establish a maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to
issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is
established;
(c) if the Company is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par
value:
(ii) if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued,
increase the par value of those shares;
(d) change all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares with par value
into shares without par value or any of its unissued shares without par value
into shares with par value;
(f) otherwise alter its shares or authorized share structure when required or
permitted to do so by the Business Corporations Act;
(2) by resolution of the directors, subdivide or consolidate all or any of its unissued, or
fully paid issued, shares and if applicable, alter its Notice of Articles and, if
applicable, its Articles accordingly.
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:
(1) create special rights or restrictions for, and attach those special rights or restrictions
to, the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares
have been issued; or
(2) vary or delete any special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or
series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued;
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.
- 10 -
9.4 Change of Name
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
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 and 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.
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.
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.
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:
- 11 -
(1) if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;
The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of shareholders.
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.
(b) during statutory business hours on any one or more specified days before the
day set for the holding of the meeting.
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.
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
- 12 -
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:
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 10.10 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:
(i) is, at the close of business on the date of giving notice provided for in
this Article 10.10 and on the record date for notice of such meeting,
either entered in the securities register of the Company as a holder of
one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting or who
beneficially owns shares that are entitled to be voted at such meeting
and provides evidence of such beneficial ownership to the Company;
and
(ii) has given timely notice in proper written form as set forth in this
Article 10.10.
For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 10.10 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.
- 13 -
(3) Timely Notice
(b) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of
shareholders called for any purpose which includes the election of directors
to the board, not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the
Notice Date;
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 10.10(3)(a) or
10.10(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 notice must be received not later than the close of
business on the 40th day before the date of the applicable meeting.
(i) the name, age, business and residential address of the Proposed
Nominee;
- 14 -
(iv) full particulars of any relationships, agreements, arrangements or
understandings (including financial, compensation or indemnity
related) between the Proposed Nominee and the Nominating
Shareholder, or any affiliates or associates of, or any person or entity
acting jointly or in concert with, the Proposed Nominee or the
Nominating Shareholder;
(b) as to each Nominating Shareholder giving the notice, and each beneficial
owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made:
- 15 -
the voting of any securities of the Company or the nomination of
directors to the board;
(viii) any other information relating to such person that would be required
to be included in a dissident proxy circular or other filings required to
be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of
directors pursuant to the Business Corporations Act or as required by
applicable securities law.
All information to be provided in a Timely Notice pursuant to this Article 10.10 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.
- 16 -
(7) Defective Nomination Determination
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
10.10, 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.
Despite any other provision of this Article 10.10, if the Nominating Shareholder (or a
qualified representative of the Nominating Shareholder) does not appear at the meeting of
shareholders of the Company to present the nomination, such nomination shall be
disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been
received by the Company.
(9) Waiver
The board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement in this Article 10.10.
(10) Definitions
For the purposes of this Article 10.10, "public announcement" means disclosure in a press
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 or the Electronic Data
Gathering Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system at www.sec.gov.
PART 11
PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
(1) at a meeting of shareholders that is not an annual general meeting, all business is
special business except business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;
(2) at an annual general meeting, all business is special business except for the
following:
- 17 -
(d) the election or appointment of directors;
(g) business arising out of a report of the directors not requiring the passing of a
special resolution or an exceptional resolution; and
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 shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 25% of the issued
shares plus at least a majority of Multiple Voting 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.
(1) the quorum is one person who is, or who represents by proxy, that shareholder, and
(2) that shareholder, present in person or by proxy, may constitute the 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.
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
- 18 -
entitled to vote is present at the commencement of the meeting, but such quorum need not
be present throughout the meeting.
If, within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, a
quorum is not present:
(1) in the case of a meeting requisitioned by shareholders, the meeting is dissolved, and
(2) in the case of any other meeting of shareholders, the meeting stands adjourned to the
same day in the next week at the same time and place.
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
(2) if the chair of the board is absent or unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, the
president, if any.
If, at any meeting of shareholders, there is no chair of the board or president present within
15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the
president are unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the
president 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 to be chair of the meeting or if all of the directors present decline to take the
chair or fail to so choose or if no director is present, 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.
- 19 -
11.12 Notice of Adjourned Meeting
(1) for so long as any Multiple Voting Shares are outstanding, every motion put to a
vote at a meeting of shareholders will be decided by a poll; and
(2) if no Multiple Voting Shares are outstanding, 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.
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.
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.
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.
(a) at the meeting, or within seven days after the date of the meeting, as the chair
of the meeting directs; and
- 20 -
(b) in the manner, at the time and at the place that the chair of the meeting
directs;
(2) the result of the poll is deemed to be the decision of the meeting at which the poll is
demanded; and
(3) the demand for the poll may be withdrawn by the person who demanded it.
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.
On a poll, a shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not cast all the votes in the
same way.
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.
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.
- 21 -
PART 12
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
Subject to Article 27.2 and any other special rights or restrictions attached to any shares and
to the restrictions imposed on joint shareholders under Article 12.3:
(1) on a vote by show of hands, every person present who is a shareholder or proxy
holder and entitled to vote on the matter has one vote; and
(2) on a poll, every shareholder entitled to vote on the matter is entitled, in respect of
each share entitled to be voted on the matter and held by that shareholder, to that
number of votes provided by the Articles or the Business Corporations Act and may
exercise that vote either in person or by proxy.
(1) any one of the joint shareholders may vote at any meeting of shareholders,
personally or by proxy, in respect of the share as if that joint shareholder were solely
entitled to it; or
(2) if more than one of the joint shareholders is present at any meeting of shareholders,
personally or by proxy, and more than one of them votes in respect of that share,
then only the vote of the joint shareholder present whose name stands first on the
central securities register in respect of the share will be counted.
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.
- 22 -
(1) for that purpose, the instrument appointing a representative must be received:
(a) at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the
notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of
business days specified in the notice for the receipt of proxies, or if no
number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the
holding of the meeting or any adjourned or postponed meeting; or
(b) at the meeting or any adjourned or postponed meeting, by the chair of the
meeting or adjourned or postponed meeting or by a person designated by the
chair of the meeting or adjourned or postponed meeting;
(a) the representative is entitled to exercise in respect of and at that meeting the
same rights on behalf of the corporation that the representative represents as
that corporation could exercise if it were a shareholder who is an individual,
including, without limitation, the right to appoint a proxy holder; and
(b) the representative, if present at the meeting, is to be counted for the purpose
of forming a quorum and is deemed to be a shareholder present in person at
the meeting.
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.
A person must not be appointed as a proxy holder unless the person is a shareholder,
although a person who is not a shareholder may be appointed as a proxy holder if:
(2) the Company has at the time of the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be
appointed only one shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting;
(3) the shareholders present in person or by proxy at and entitled to vote at the meeting
for which the proxy holder is to be appointed, by a resolution on which the proxy
holder is not entitled to vote but in respect of which the proxy holder is to be
counted in the quorum, permit the proxy holder to attend and vote at the meeting; or
If and for so long as the Company is a public company, Articles 12.8 to 12.16 apply only
insofar as they are not inconsistent with any Canadian securities legislation applicable to the
- 23 -
Company, any U.S. securities legislation applicable to the Company or any rules of an
exchange on which securities of the Company are listed.
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.
A shareholder may appoint one or more alternate proxy holders to act in the place of an
absent proxy holder.
(1) be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in
the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of
business days specified in the notice, or if no number of days is specified, two
business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned
meeting;
(2) unless the notice provides otherwise, be received, at the meeting or any adjourned
meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting or by a person designated
by the chair of the meeting or adjourned meeting; or
(3) be received in any other manner determined by the board or the chair of the
meeting.
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.
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:
(1) at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last
business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned
meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or
- 24 -
(2) at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned
meeting, before any vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been
taken.
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]
Subject to Article 12.14, every proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing that is
received:
(1) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last
business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned
meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or
(2) at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, by the chair of the meeting or adjourned
meeting, before any vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been
taken.
- 25 -
12.14 Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed
(1) if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is an individual, the
instrument must be signed by the shareholder or his or her legal personal
representative or trustee in bankruptcy;
(2) if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is a corporation, the
instrument must be signed by the corporation or by a representative appointed for
the corporation under Article 12.5.
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, 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.
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
The number of directors is the number determined by the directors from time to time. If the
number of directors has not been determined as provided in this section, the number of
directors is the number of directors holding office immediately following the most recent
election or appointment of directors, whether at an annual or special general meeting of the
shareholders, or by the directors pursuant to Article 14.7.
(1) the shareholders may elect the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of
directors up to that number; or
(2) the directors, subject to Article 14.7, may appoint directors to fill those vacancies.
- 26 -
No decrease in the number of directors will shorten the term of an incumbent director.
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.
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.
The directors are entitled to the remuneration for acting as directors, if any, as the directors
may from time to time determine.
The Company must reimburse each director for the reasonable expenses that he or she may
incur in and about the business of the Company.
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.
PART 14
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
- 27 -
(1) the shareholders entitled to vote at the annual general meeting for the election of
directors must elect, or in the unanimous resolution appoint, a board of directors
consisting of the number of directors for the time being set by the directors under
these Articles; and
(2) all the directors cease to hold office immediately before the election or appointment
of directors under paragraph (1), but are eligible for re-election or re-appointment,
subject to being nominated in accordance with Article 10.10.
(1) that individual consents to be a director in the manner provided for in the Business
Corporations Act; or
If:
(1) the Company fails to hold an annual general meeting, and all the shareholders who
are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting fail to pass the unanimous
resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, on or before the date by which the annual
general meeting is required to be held under the Business Corporations Act; or
(2) the shareholders fail, at the annual general meeting or in the unanimous resolution
contemplated by Article 10.2, to elect or appoint any directors;
then each director then in office continues to hold office until the earlier of:
(4) when he or she otherwise ceases to hold office under the Business Corporations Act or
these Articles.
Any casual vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the directors.
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
- 28 -
vacancies on the board of directors or, subject to the Business Corporations Act, for any other
purpose.
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.
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 re-
appointment, subject to being nominated in accordance with Article 10.10.
(3) the director resigns as a director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a
lawyer for the Company; or
(4) the director is removed from office pursuant to Articles 14.9 or 14.10.
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.
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.
- 29 -
PART 15
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
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.
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 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 16
INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
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.
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.
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
- 30 -
at the meeting whether or not the director votes on any or all of the resolutions considered
at the meeting.
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.
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.
16.6 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.
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.
PART 17
PROCEEDINGS 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
- 31 -
be held at the place, at the time and on the notice, if any, as the directors may from time to
time determine.
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.
(2) in the absence of the chair of the board, the president, if any, if the president is a
director; or
(a) neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is present at the
meeting within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting;
(b) neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is willing to
chair the meeting; or
(c) the chair of the board and the president, if a director, has advised the
corporate secretary, if any, or any other director, that he or she will not be
present at the meeting.
A director may participate in a meeting of the directors or of any committee of the directors:
(1) in person;
(2) by telephone; or
(3) with the consent of all directors who wish to participate in the meeting, by other
communications medium;
- 32 -
17.5 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.
Other than for meetings held at regular intervals as determined by the directors pursuant to
Article 17.1 or as provided in Article 17.7, 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 23.1 or orally or by telephone conversation with a director.
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.
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.
17.10 Quorum
The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the directors is a majority of the
number of directors in office or such other number as the directors may determine from
time to time.
- 33 -
17.11 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.
A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors may be passed without a
meeting:
(1) in all cases, if each of the directors entitled to vote on the resolution consents to it in
writing; or
A consent in writing under this Article 17.12 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 17.12 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 18
BOARD COMMITTEES
(1) appoint one or more committees consisting of the director or directors that they
consider appropriate;
(2) delegate to a committee appointed under paragraph (1) any of the directors' powers,
except:
- 34 -
(c) the power to set the number of directors;
(d) the power to create a committee of directors, create or modify the terms of
reference for a committee of the directors, or change the membership of, or
fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors;
(e) the power to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors; and
(3) make any delegation permitted by paragraph (2) subject to the conditions set out in
the resolution or any subsequent directors' resolution.
Any committee appointed under Article 18.1, in the exercise of the powers delegated to it,
must:
(1) conform to any rules that may from time to time be imposed on it by the directors;
and
(2) report every act or thing done in exercise of those powers at such times as the
directors may require.
The directors may, at any time, with respect to a committee appointed under Article 18.1:
(1) revoke or alter the authority given to the committee, or override a decision made by
the committee, except as to acts done before such revocation, alteration or
overriding;
(2) terminate the appointment of, or change the membership of, the committee; and
Subject to Article 18.2(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 18.1:
(2) the committee may elect a chair of its meetings but, if no chair of a meeting is
elected, or if at a meeting the chair of the meeting is not present within 15 minutes
after the time set for holding the meeting, the directors present who are members of
the committee may choose one of their number to chair the meeting;
(3) a majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum of the committee;
and
- 35 -
(4) questions arising at any meeting of the committee are determined by a majority of
votes of the members present, and in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the
meeting does not have a second or casting vote.
PART 19
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.
(2) delegate to the officer any of the powers exercisable by the directors on such terms
and conditions and with such restrictions as the directors think fit; and
(3) revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any of the functions, duties and powers of the
officer.
19.3 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.
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.
- 36 -
PART 20
INDEMNIFICATION
20.1 Definitions
(1) "eligible penalty" means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an
amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding;
(3) "expenses" has the meaning set out in the Business Corporations Act;
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.
Each director and officer is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of
the indemnity contained in Article 20.2.
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.
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 20.
- 37 -
20.6 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:
(2) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the
corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company;
(3) at the request of the Company, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a
corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;
(4) at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a
director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated
entity;
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 21
DIVIDENDS
The provisions of this Part 21 are subject to the rights, if any, of shareholders holding shares
with special rights as to 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.
The directors need not give notice to any shareholder of any declaration under Article 21.2.
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.
- 38 -
21.5 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.
Any dividend may be made payable on such date as is fixed by the directors.
All dividends on shares of any class or series of shares must be declared and paid according
to the number of such shares held.
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.
Any dividend or other distribution payable in money in respect of shares may be paid;
(1) by cheque, made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, and mailed to
the registered address of the shareholder, or in the case of joint shareholders, to the
registered address of the joint shareholder who is first named on the central
securities register, or to the person and to the address the shareholder or joint
shareholders may direct in writing; or
The mailing of such cheque or the forwarding by electronic transfer will, to the extent of the
sum represented by the cheque (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.
- 39 -
21.12 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.
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 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 22
ACCOUNTING RECORDS AND AUDITOR
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.
The directors may set the remuneration of the auditor of the Company.
PART 23
NOTICES
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:
(1) mail addressed to the person at the applicable address for that person as follows:
- 40 -
(b) for a record mailed to a director or officer, the prescribed address for mailing
shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the
mailing address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or
records of that class;
(c) in any other case, the mailing address of the intended recipient;
(2) delivery at the applicable address for that person as follows, addressed to the
person:
(b) for a record delivered to a director or officer, the prescribed address for
delivery shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company
or the delivery address provided by the recipient for the sending of that
record or records of that class;
(c) in any other case, the delivery address of the intended recipient;
(3) unless the intended recipient is the Company or the auditor of the Company,
sending the record by fax to the fax number provided by the intended recipient for
the sending of that record or records of that class;
(4) unless the intended recipient is the auditor of the Company, sending the record by e-
mail to the e-mail address provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that
record or records of that class;
(6) creating and providing a record posted on or made available through a general
accessible electronic source and providing written notice by any of the foregoing
methods as to the availability of such record; or
(1) mailed to a person by ordinary mail to the applicable address for that person
referred to in Article 23.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was
mailed on the day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, following the date of
mailing;
(2) faxed to a person to the fax number provided by that person referred to in Article
23.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was faxed on the day it was
faxed;
- 41 -
(3) e-mailed to a person to the e-mail address provided by that person referred to in
Article 23.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was e-mailed on the
day it was e-mailed; and
(4) delivered in accordance with Section 23.1(6), is deemed to be received by the person
on the day such written notice is sent.
A certificate 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 23.1 is conclusive
evidence of that fact.
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.
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:
(a) by name, by the title of the legal personal representative of the deceased or
incapacitated shareholder, by the title of trustee of the bankrupt shareholder
or by any similar description; and
(b) at the address, if any, supplied to the Company for that purpose by the
persons claiming to be so entitled; or
(2) if an address referred to in paragraph (1)(b) has not been supplied to the Company,
by giving the notice in a manner in which it might have been given if the death,
bankruptcy or incapacity had not occurred.
If, on two consecutive occasions, a notice, statement, report or other record is sent to a
shareholder pursuant to Article 23.1 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.
- 42 -
PART 24
SEAL
Except as provided in Articles 24.1(2) and 24.1(3), the Company's seal, if any, must not be
impressed on any record except when that impression is attested by the signatures of:
(4) any one or more directors or officers or persons as may be determined by the
directors.
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
24.1, 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.
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 24.1 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 25
PROHIBITIONS
25.1 Definitions
- 43 -
(2) "transfer restricted security" means
(c) any other security of the Company which must be subject to restrictions on
transfer in order for the Company to satisfy the requirement for restrictions
on transfer under the "private issuer" exemption of Canadian securities
legislation or under any other exemption from prospectus or registration
requirements of Canadian securities legislation similar in scope and purpose
to the "private issuer" exemption.
25.2 Application
Article 25.3 does not apply to the Company if and for so long as it is a public company.
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 26
FORUM SELECTION
Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the
Superior Court of Justice of the Province of Ontario, Canada and the appellate Courts
therefrom, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for
(i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; (ii) any action or
proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or
other employee of the Company to the Company; (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a
claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Business Corporations Act or these Articles (as
either may be amended from time to time); or (iv) any action or proceeding asserting a claim
otherwise related to the relationships among the Company, its affiliates and their respective
shareholders, directors and/or officers, but this paragraph (iv) does not include claims
related to the business carried on by the Company or such affiliates. If any action or
proceeding the subject matter of which is within the scope of the preceding sentence is filed
in a Court other than a Court located within the Province of Ontario (a "Foreign Action") in
the name of any securityholder, such securityholder shall be deemed to have consented to
(i) the personal jurisdiction of the provincial and federal Courts located within the Province
of Ontario in connection with any action or proceeding brought in any such Court to enforce
the preceding sentence and (ii) having service of process made upon such securityholder in
any such action or proceeding by service upon such securityholder's counsel in the Foreign
Action as agent for such securityholder.
- 44 -
PART 27
SPECIAL RIGHTS OR RESTRICTIONS
27.1 Definitions
In this Part 27, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person which
directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by,
or is under common control with, such specified Person.
"Bain Group Permitted Holders" means Brent (B.C.) Participation S.à r.l. and any of
its Affiliates and entities controlled, directly or indirectly, or managed by Bain
Capital L.P. or an Affiliate of Bain Capital L.P.
"Members of the Immediate Family" means with respect to any individual, each
parent (whether by birth or adoption), spouse or child (including any step-child) or
other descendants (whether by birth or adoption) of such individual, each spouse of
any of the aforementioned Persons, each trust created solely for the benefit of such
individual and/or one or more of the aforementioned Persons, and each legal
representative of such individual or of any aforementioned Persons (including
without limitation a tutor, curator, mandatary due to incapacity, custodian, guardian
or testamentary executor), acting in such capacity under the authority of the law, an
order from a competent tribunal, a will or a mandate in case of incapacity or similar
instrument. For the purposes of this definition, a Person shall be considered the
spouse of an individual if such Person is legally married to such individual, lives in a
civil union with such individual or is the common law partner (as defined in the
Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time) of such individual. A Person
who was the spouse of an individual within the meaning of this paragraph
immediately before the death of such individual shall continue to be considered a
spouse of such individual after the death of such individual.
- 45 -
"Permitted Holders" means any of (i) the Bain Group Permitted Holders, and (ii) the
Reiss Group Permitted Holders.
"Reiss Group Permitted Holders" means (i) Dani Reiss and any Members of the
Immediate Family of Dani Reiss, and (ii) any Person controlled, directly or indirectly
by one or more of the Persons referred to in clause (i) above.
For purposes of this Part 27, a Person is "controlled" by another Person or other Persons if:
(i) in the case of a company or other body corporate wherever or however incorporated:
(A) securities entitled to vote in the election of directors carrying in the aggregate at least a
majority of the votes for the election of directors and representing in the aggregate at least a
majority of the participating (equity) securities are held, other than by way of security only,
directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and (B) the
votes carried in the aggregate by such securities are entitled, if exercised, to elect a majority
of the board of directors of such company or other body corporate; or (ii) in the case of a
Person that is not a company or other body corporate, at least a majority of the participating
(equity) and voting interests of such Person are held, directly or indirectly, by or solely for
the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and "controls", "controlling" and "under common
control with" shall be interpreted accordingly
The special rights or restrictions attached to the Subordinate Voting Shares and the
Multiple Voting Shares shall be as follows:
The Subordinate Voting Shares and the Multiple Voting Shares shall be subject to and
subordinate to the special rights or restrictions attached to the Preferred Shares and the
shares of any other class ranking senior to the Subordinate Voting Shares and the Multiple
Voting Shares and shall rank pari passu, share for share, as to the right to receive dividends
and any amount payable on any distribution of assets constituting a return of capital and to
receive the remaining property and assets of the Company on the liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of the Company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, or any other distribution
of assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purposes of winding up its affairs.
For the avoidance of doubt, holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting
Shares shall, subject always to the rights of the holders of Preferred Shares and the shares of
any other class ranking senior to the Subordinate Voting Shares and the Multiple Voting
Shares, be entitled to receive (i) such dividends and any amount payable on any distribution
of assets constituting a return of capital as and when declared by the Board of Directors of
the Company, and (ii) in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, or any other distribution of assets of the
Company among its shareholders for the purposes of winding up its affairs, the remaining
- 46 -
property and assets of the Company, in the case of (i) and (ii) an identical amount per share,
at the same time and in the same form (whether in cash, in specie or otherwise) as if such
shares were of one class only; provided, however, that in the event of the payment of a
dividend in the form of shares, holders of Subordinate Voting Shares shall receive
Subordinate Voting Shares and holders of Multiple Voting Shares shall receive Multiple
Voting Shares, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Each holder of Multiple Voting Shares and each holder of Subordinate Voting Shares shall
be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of shareholders of the Company,
except meetings at which only holders of another class or of a particular series shall have the
right to vote. At each such meeting, each Multiple Voting Share shall entitle the holder
thereof to ten (10) votes and each Subordinate Voting Share shall entitle the holder thereof
to one (1) vote.
(4) Conversion
The Subordinate Voting Shares cannot be converted into any other class of shares. Each
outstanding Multiple Voting Share may at any time, at the option of the holder, be
converted into one fully paid and non-assessable Subordinate Voting Share, in the following
manner:
(a) The conversion right which provision is made in subsection 27.2(4) shall be
exercised by notice in writing given to the transfer agent of the Company, if
one exists, and if not, to the Company at its registered office, accompanied by
a certificate or certificates representing the Multiple Voting Shares in respect
of which the holder desires to exercise such conversion right or the
equivalent in any non-certificated inventory system (such as, for example, a
Direct Registration System) administered by any applicable depository or
transfer agent of the Company. Such notice shall be signed by the holder of
the Multiple Voting Shares in respect of which such conversion right is being
exercised, or by the duly authorized representative thereof, and shall specify
the number of Multiple Voting Shares which such holder desires to have
converted. On any conversion of Multiple Voting Shares, the Subordinate
Voting Shares resulting therefrom shall be registered in the name of the
registered holder of the Multiple Voting Shares converted or, subject to
payment by the registered holder of any stock transfer or applicable taxes
and compliance with any other reasonable requirements of the Company in
- 47 -
respect of such transfer, in such name or names as such registered holder
may direct in writing.
(b) Upon receipt of such notice and certificate or certificates and, as applicable,
compliance with such other requirements, the Company shall, at its expense,
effective as of the date of such receipt and, as applicable, compliance, remove
or cause the removal of such holder from the register of holders in respect of
the Multiple Voting Shares for which the conversion right is being exercised,
add the holder (or any person or persons in whose name or names such
converting holder shall have directed the resulting Subordinate Voting
Shares to be registered) to the securities register of holders in respect of the
resulting Subordinate Voting Shares, cancel or cause the cancellation of the
certificate or certificates representing such Multiple Voting Shares and issue
or cause to be issued a certificate or certificates, or the equivalent in any non-
certificated inventory system (such as, for example, a Direct Registration
System) administered by any applicable depository or transfer agent of the
Company, representing the Subordinate Voting Shares issued upon the
conversion of such Multiple Voting Shares. If less than all of the Multiple
Voting Shares represented by any certificate are to be converted, the holder
shall be entitled to receive a new certificate representing the Multiple Voting
Shares represented by the original certificate which are not to be converted.
(c) A Multiple Voting Share that is converted into Subordinate Voting Shares as
provided for in this subsection 27.2(4) will automatically be cancelled.
(a) Upon the first date that any Multiple Voting Share shall be held by a person
other than by a Permitted Holder, the Permitted Holder which held such
Multiple Voting Share until such date, without any further action, shall
automatically be deemed to have exercised his, her or its rights under
subsection 27.2(4) to convert such Multiple Voting Share into one fully paid
and non-assessable Subordinate Voting Share.
(b) In addition:
(i) all Multiple Voting Shares held by the Bain Group Permitted Holders
will convert automatically, without any further action, into
Subordinate Voting Shares at such time as the Bain Group Permitted
Holders that hold Multiple Voting Shares no longer as a group
beneficially own, directly or indirectly and in the aggregate, at least
15% of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis; and
(ii) all the Multiple Voting shares held by the Reiss Group Permitted
Holders will convert automatically, without any further action, into
Subordinate Voting Shares at such time that is the earlier to occur of
the following:
- 48 -
(A) the Reiss Group Permitted Holders that hold Multiple Voting
Shares no longer as a group beneficially own, directly or
indirectly and in the aggregate, at least 15% of the issued and
outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis; and
(c) A Multiple Voting Share that is converted into Subordinate Voting Shares as
provided for in subsection 27.2(5)(a) or 27.2(5)(b) will automatically be
cancelled.
Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple
Voting Shares are equal in all respects and shall be treated as shares of a single class for all
purposes under the Business Corporations Act.
In connection with any Change of Control Transaction requiring approval of the holders of
Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares under the Business Corporations Act,
holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares shall be treated equally
and identically, on a per share basis, unless different treatment of the shares of each such
class is approved by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of outstanding Subordinate
Voting Shares or their proxyholders in respect of a resolution approving such Change of
Control Transaction and by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of outstanding
Multiple Voting Shares or their proxyholders in respect of a resolution approving such
Change of Control Transaction, each voting separately as a class at a meeting of the holders
of that class called and held for such purpose.
In addition to any other voting right or power to which the holders of Subordinate Voting
Shares shall be entitled by law or regulation or other provisions of these Articles, but subject
to the provisions of these Articles, holders of Subordinate Voting Shares shall be entitled to
vote separately as a class, in addition to any other vote of shareholders that may be
required, in respect of any alteration, repeal or amendment of these Articles which would
adversely affect the rights or special rights of the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares or
affect the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares differently, on a
per share basis, including an amendment to the terms of these Articles that provides that
any Multiple Voting Shares sold or transferred to a Person that is not a Permitted Holder
shall be automatically converted into Subordinate Voting Shares, and such alteration, repeal
or amendment shall not be effective unless a resolution in respect thereof is approved by a
majority of the votes cast by holders of outstanding shares of such class or their
proxyholders.
- 49 -
27.3 Preferred Shares
The special rights or restrictions attached to the Preferred Shares shall be as follows:
(a) The Preferred Shares may at any time and from time to time be issued in one
or more series.
(b) Subject to Article 9.3 and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may
from time to time, by directors' resolution or ordinary resolution, if none of
the Preferred Shares of any particular series are issued, alter these Articles
and authorize the alteration of the Notice of Articles of the Company, as the
case may be, to do one or more of the following:
(ii) create an identifying name by which the shares of any of those series
of Preferred Shares may be identified, or alter any identifying name
created for those shares; and
(iii) attach special rights or restrictions to the shares of any of those series
of Preferred Shares or alter any special rights or restrictions attached
to those shares, including, but without limiting or restricting the
generality of the foregoing, special rights or restrictions with respect
to:
- 50 -
(E) any voting rights and restrictions;
(c) No special rights or restrictions attached to any series of Preferred Shares will
confer upon the shares of that series a priority over the shares of any other
series of Preferred Shares in respect of dividends or a return of capital in the
event of the dissolution of the Company or on the occurrence of any other
event that entitles the shareholders holding the shares of all series of the
Preferred Shares to a return of capital. The Preferred Shares of each series
will, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets
or return of capital in the event of dissolution or on the occurrence of any
other event that entitles the shareholders holding the shares of all series of
the Preferred Shares to a return of capital, rank on a parity with the shares of
every other series.
(c) The Preferred Shares may also be given such other preferences over the
Multiple Voting Shares, the Subordinate Voting Shares and any other shares
ranking junior to the Preferred Shares as may be fixed by directors' resolution
or ordinary resolution as to the respective series authorized to be issued.
- 51 -