UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 22, 2018

 

ICOX INNOVATIONS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada   000-55049   27-3098487
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)

 

4101 Redwood Ave., Building F, Los Angeles, CA 90066
(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 424.570.9446

 

Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company [  ]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

 

 

 

 
 

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On November 22, 2018, our board of directors amended our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan in connection with our application to list our common stock on the TSX Venture Exchange.

 

The plan was amended to provide:

 

  that a total of 4,174,904 shares of our common stock will be available for the grant of stock options and no shares will be available for the grant of non-stock option awards;
     
  that any shares underlying an award that is cancelled, forfeited or expires prior to exercise or realization, either in full or in part, will become available for issuance under the plan;
     
  that while our common stock is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange:
       
    a participant must either be a Director, Employee or Consultant (as defined by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) of our company or a subsidiary of our company at the time of grant of the awards, except as otherwise provided by the polices of the TSX Venture Exchange and, for awards granted to Employees, Consultants or Management Company Employees (as defined by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), we must ensure that the participant is a bona fide Employee, Consultant or Management Company Employee, as the case may be;
       
    except in relation to Consultant Companies (as defined by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), the awards may be granted only to an individual or to a company that is wholly owned by individual eligible for a grant of an award;
       
    the aggregate number shares of our common stock subject to stock options granted, within a 12 month period, to a participant who is a Consultant (as defined by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) is limited to an amount equal to 2% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date a stock option is granted to the participant;
       
    aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to stock options granted, within a 12 month period, to all participants (as a group) who are employed to perform Investor Relations Activities (as defined by the policies of the TSXV) is limited to an amount equal to 2% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date a stock option is granted to any participant, provided that such stock options must vest in stages over a 12 month period with no more than 1/4 of the stock options vesting in any 3 month period;
       
    the exercise price of a stock option must be determined by the committee (currently our board of directors) and the exercise price must not be less than the price permitted by the TSX Venture Exchange or other regulatory body having jurisdiction and a minimum exercise price must not be established unless the stock options are allocated to particular persons and we must not grant stock options unless and until the stock options have been allocated to a particular person or persons;
       
    the exercise price of a stock option must be paid in cash; and

 

 
 

 

    stock options granted to participants engaged in Investor Relations Activities (as defined by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) on behalf of our company must expire 30 days after such participants cease to perform such Investor Relations Activities for our company;
       
  if shares of our common stock are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, unless disinterested shareholder approval is obtained, under no circumstances will the plan, together with all of our other previously established and outstanding stock option or equity incentive plans or grants, result in:
       
    the aggregate number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under awards granted to insiders (as a group) at any point in time exceeding 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a non-diluted basis);
       
    the grant to insiders (as a group), within a 12 month period, of stock options where an aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to such stock options exceeds 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an award is granted to any insider;
       
    the grant to insiders (as a group), within a 12 month period, of non-stock option awards where an aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to such non-stock option awards exceeds 2% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date a non-stock option award is granted to any insider;
       
    the aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to awards granted to any one participant within a 12 month period exceeding 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an award is granted to the participant;
       
    the aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to non-stock option awards granted to any one participant within a 12 month period exceeding 1% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date a non-stock option award is granted to the participant;
       
    the aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to awards granted to any one participant who is a Consultant (as defined by the policies of the TSXV)  within a 12 month period exceeding 2% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an award is granted to the participant; or
       
    the aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to awards granted to all participants (as a group) who are employed to perform Investor Relations Activities (as defined by the Policies of the TSXV) within a 12 month period exceeding 2% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an award is granted to the participant; and
       
  if the shares of our common stock are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, we must obtain disinterested shareholder approval for any amendment to stock options held by insiders that would have the effect of decreasing the exercise price of the stock options.

 

 
 

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

On November 22, 2018, our board of directors amended and restated our bylaws in connection with our application to list our common stock on the TSX Venture Exchange. Among other things, our board of directors amended and restated bylaws to: (i) decrease the quorum requirement for stockholders’ meetings to stockholders holding at least 10% of the shares entitled to vote (previously the bylaws required a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote); (ii) change the votes required to be the act of stockholders to (A) the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at a meeting of stockholders and entitled to vote on any matter (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute a majority of the required quorum), except for the election of directors and (B) for the election of directors, a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director at any meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, except for certain limited circumstances (previously the bylaws required a majority vote of those shares present and voting at a duly organized meeting of stockholders); (iii) make the indemnification of a director, officer, employee or other agent of our company permissive (previously the bylaws required mandatory indemnification of any individual made a party to a proceeding because he is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of our company); (iv) remove the provisions relating to the stockholders’ rights to inspect corporate records (stockholders’ rights to inspect corporate records under the Nevada corporate law are not affected); and (v) for so long as our company is listed on a Canadian stock exchange and for a period of 90 days thereafter, provide similar protections to our stockholders as are found in Canadian corporate statutes , including a requirement for holding an annual stockholder meeting, a prohibition on the issuance of shares for consideration in the form of promissory notes or future services, a requirement that the shares of our common stock be issued for fair market value and a provision for recourse against our board of directors if shares of our common stock are issued for less than fair market value, a requirement that all directors and classes of directors have the same voting rights and a provision for stockholders’ right to dissent if, among other things, we amend our articles of incorporation or bylaws to add, change or remove any provisions restricting or constraining the issue, transfer or ownership of shares of any class of our company, sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of our property or carry out a going-private transaction or a squeeze-out transaction.

 

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
     
3.1   Amended and Restated Bylaws
     
10.1   2017 Equity Incentive Plan

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

ICOX INNOVATIONS INC.

 

/s/ Bruce Elliott  
Bruce Elliott  
President  
   
November 23, 2018  

 

 
 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

 

OF

 

ICOX INNOVATIONS INC.

 

A Nevada Corporation

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF

ICOX INNOVATIONS INC.

 

A rticle 1 - OFFICES 1
         
  1.1   Registered Office 1
  1.2   Principal Executive Office 1
  1.3   Change of Location 1
  1.4   Other Offices 1
     
Article 2 - MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS 1
         
  2.1   Place of Meetings 1
  2.2   Annual Meetings 1
  2.3   Special Meetings 1
  2.4   Notice of Shareholders’ Meetings 2
  2.5   Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice 2
  2.6   Adjourned Meetings and Notice Thereof 2
  2.7   Voting at Meetings of Shareholders 3
  2.8   Record Date for Shareholder Notice, Voting and Giving Consents 3
  2.9   Quorum 4
  2.1 0 Waiver of Notice or Consent by Absent Shareholders 4
  2.11   Shareholder Action by Written Consent Without Meeting 4
  2.12   Proxies 5
  2.13   Inspectors of Election 5

 

 
 

 

Article 3 - DIRECTORS 6
         
  3.1   Powers 6
  3.2   Number and Qualification of Directors 6
  3.3   Election and Term of Office 6
  3.4   Vacancies 6
  3.5   Removal of Directors 7
  3.6   Resignation of Directors 7
  3.7   Place of Meeting 7
  3.8   Annual Meeting 7
  3.9   Special Meetings 8
  3.1 0 Adjournment 8
  3.11   Notice of Adjournment 8
  3.12   Waiver of Notice 8
  3.13   Quorum and Voting 8
  3.14   Fees and Compensation 9
  3.15   Action Without Meeting 9
  3.16   Duty of Care of Directors and Officers 9
     
Article 4 - OFFICERS 9
         
  4.1   Number; Term of Office 9
  4.2   Removal 10
  4.3   Resignation 10
  4.4   Chairman of the Board 10
  4.5   President 10
  4.6   Vice Presidents 10
  4.7   Treasurer 10
  4.8   Secretary 10
  4.9   Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries 11
  4.10   Additional Matters 11
     
Article 5 - SHARES OF STOCK 11
         
  5.1   Share Certificates 11
  5.2   Transfer of Shares 11
  5.3   Lost or Destroyed Certificate 11

 

- ii  -
 

 

  5.4   Consideration for Shares 12
  5.5   Value of Consideration 12
  5.6   Directors Obligations 12
     
Article 6 - COMMITTEES 12
         
  6.1   Committees 12
     
Article 7 - INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER AGENTS 13
         
  7.1   Agents, Proceedings and Expenses 13
  7.2   Indemnification 13
  7.3   Insurance 13
     
Article 8 – SHAREHOLDER DISSENT RIGHTS 13
         
  8.1   Shareholders’ Right to Dissent 13
  8.2   Further Right 14
  8.3   If One Class of Shares 14
  8.4   Payment for Shares 14
  8.5   No Partial Dissent 14
  8.6   Objection 14
  8.7   Notice of Resolution 14
  8.8   Demand for Payment 14
  8.9   Share Certificate 15
  8.1 0 Forfeiture 15
  8.11   Endorsing Certificate 15
  8.12   Suspension of Rights 15
  8.13   Offer to Pay 15
  8.14   Same Terms 16
  8.15   Payment 16
  8.16   Corporation May Apply to Court 16
  8.17   Shareholder Application to Court 16
  8.18   Venue 16
  8.19   No Security For Costs 16

 

- iii  -
 

 

  8.2 0 Parties 16
  8.21   Powers of Court 17
  8.22   Appraisers 17
  8.23   Final Order 17
  8.24   Interest 17
  8.25   Notice that Section 8.27 Applies 17
  8.26   Effect Where Section 8.27 Applies 17
  8.27   Limitation 17
     
Article 9 - MISCELLANEOUS 18
         
  9.1   Checks, Drafts, Evidence of Indebtedness 18
  9.2   Contracts, Etc., How Executed 18
  9.3   Representation of Shares of Other Corporations 18
  9.4   Suspension of Certain Rights 18
     
Article 10 - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS 18
         
  10.1   Amendment by Shareholders 18
  10.2   Amendment by Directors 18

 

- iv  -
 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

 

OF

 

ICOX Innovations Inc.

 

Article 1 - OFFICES

 

1.1 Registered Office

 

The registered office of ICOX Innovations Inc. (the “ Corporation ”) shall be in the State of Nevada.

 

1.2 Principal Executive Office

 

The Corporation’s board of directors (the “ Board ”) is hereby granted full power and authority to fix the location of the principal executive office for the transaction of the business of the Corporation.

 

1.3 Change of Location

 

The Board is hereby granted full power and authority to change the registered office from one location to another, and to fix the location of the principal executive office of the Corporation at any place within or outside the State of Nevada.

 

1.4 Other Offices

 

Branch or subordinate offices may at any time be established by the Board, at its discretion, at any place or places where the Corporation carries on any business activities.

 

Article 2 - MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

2.1 Place of Meetings

 

All annual and all other meetings of shareholders shall be held at the location designated by the Board pursuant to a resolution or as set forth in a notice of the meeting, within or outside of the State of Nevada.

 

2.2 Annual Meetings

 

For so long as the Corporation is listed on a Canadian stock exchange and for a period of ninety (90) days thereafter, annual meetings of the shareholders shall be held each year on a date and time designated by the Board provided that such date is no later than 15 months after its last preceding annual meeting of the shareholders.

 

2.3 Special Meetings

 

Except as otherwise required by applicable law or by the Articles of Incorporation, special meetings of the shareholders, for any purpose or purposes whatsoever, may be called at any time by the President or by the Board or by the Chairman of the Board. Special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons. Each special meeting shall be held on such date and at such time as is determined by the person or persons calling the meeting.

 

 
 

 

2.4 Notice of Shareholders’ Meetings

 

All notices of meetings of shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 2.5 hereof not less than ten (10) or more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat. The notice shall specify the place, date and hour of the meeting.

 

2.5 Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice

 

Notice of any shareholders’ meeting or any distribution of reports required by law to be given to shareholders shall be given to shareholders either personally or by mail, by telegraph, facsimile, e-mail or any other form of communication permitted by law, charges prepaid, sent to each shareholder at the address of that shareholder appearing on the books of the Corporation or given by the shareholder to the Corporation for the purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the Corporation’s books or has been so given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that shareholder by mail, by telegraph, facsimile, email or other form of written communication permitted by law to the Corporation’s principal executive office, or if published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where that office is located. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally, deposited in the mail, delivered to a common carrier for transmission to the recipient, or actually transmitted by facsimile or other electronic means to the recipient by the person giving the notice.

 

An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any shareholders’ meeting or report may be executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, any transfer agent, or other agent of the Corporation giving the notice, and filed and maintained in the minute book of the Corporation.

 

2.6 Adjourned Meetings and Notice Thereof

 

Any shareholders’ meeting, annual or special, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the Chairman of the meeting or by the vote of the holders of the majority of the shares which are either present in person or represented by proxy thereat, but in the absence of a quorum, no other business may be transacted at such meeting except in the case of the withdrawal of a shareholder from a quorum as provided in Section 2.9 hereof.

 

When any shareholders’ meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for more than forty-five (45) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 hereof. Except as provided above, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than by announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken. The Corporation may transact any business at any adjourned meetings that might have been transacted at the regular meeting.

 

- 2 -
 

 

2.7 Voting at Meetings of Shareholders

 

The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof, subject to the provisions of applicable law. Each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock registered on the books of the Corporation in his name, whether represented in person or by proxy. Every shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to vote in person or by proxy as provided in Section 2.12 hereof. The shareholders’ vote may be by voice vote, by hand or by ballot; provided, however, that any election for directors must be by ballot if demanded by any shareholder before the voting has begun. On any matter other than the election of directors, any shareholder may vote part of the shares in favor of or in opposition to the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares, but if the shareholder fails to specify the number of shares which the shareholder is voting, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder’s vote is with respect to all shares that the shareholder is entitled to vote.

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on any matter (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute a majority of the required quorum), except for the election of directors, shall be the act of the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by applicable law or by the Articles of Incorporation.

 

2.8 Record Date for Shareholder Notice, Voting and Giving Consents

 

In order that the Corporation may determine the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at, any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and which record date:

 

  (a) in the case of determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be less than ten (10) or more than sixty (60) days before the date of such meeting;
     
  (b) in the case of determination of shareholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, shall not be more than ten (10) days from the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board; and
     
  (c) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action.

 

If no record date is fixed:

 

  (a) the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the date next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held;
     
  (b) the record date for determining shareholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting when no prior action of the Board is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, or, if prior action by the Board is required by law, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action; and
     
  (c) the record date for determining shareholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

- 3 -
 

 

A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

2.9 Quorum

 

Shareholders holding at least ten percent (10%) of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at the meeting of shareholders. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum and by any greater number of shares otherwise required to take such action by applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of shareholders may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares represented either in person or by proxy, but no business may be transacted except as hereinabove provided.

 

2.10 Waiver of Notice or Consent by Absent Shareholders

 

The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, however called and noticed and wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the shareholders entitled to vote, who was not present in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of such meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose of any annual or special meeting of shareholders, except that if action is taken or proposed to be taken for approval of any of those matters specified in Section 8.1 hereof, the waiver of notice or consent shall state the general nature of the proposal. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

 

Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters not included in the notice of the meeting if the objection is expressly made at the meeting.

 

2.11 Shareholder Action by Written Consent Without Meeting

 

Any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

 

- 4 -
 

 

2.12 Proxies

 

Every shareholder entitled to vote for directors or on any other matter shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the shareholder. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the shareholder’s name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission, facsimile or other electronic transmission, or otherwise) by the shareholder or the shareholder’s attorney in fact. A validly executed proxy that does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless:

 

  (a) revoked by the person executing it, before the vote pursuant to that proxy, by a writing delivered to the Corporation stating that the proxy is revoked, or by a subsequent proxy executed by, or as to any meeting by attendance at the meeting and voting in person by, the person executing the proxy; or
     
  (b) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the Corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted;

 

provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date of the proxy, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of applicable law.

 

2.13 Inspectors of Election

 

Before any meeting of shareholders, the Board may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If inspectors of election are not so appointed, the Chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholder’s proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the meeting shall determine whether one (1) or three (3) inspectors are to be appointed. If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the Chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any shareholder or a shareholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.

 

These inspectors shall:

 

  (a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies;
     
  (b) receive votes, ballots or consents;
     
  (c) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;
     
  (d) count and tabulate all votes or consents;
     
  (e) determine when the polls shall close;
     
  (f) determine the result; and
     
  (g) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.

 

- 5 -
 

 

Article 3 - DIRECTORS

 

3.1 Powers

 

Subject to the provisions of applicable law, any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation and the bylaws of the Corporation relating to action required to be approved by the shareholders or by the outstanding shares, or by a less than majority vote of a class or series of preferred shares, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board. The Board may delegate the management of the day-to-day operation of the business of the Corporation to a management company or other person provided that the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and all corporate powers shall be exercised under the ultimate direction of the Board.

 

3.2 Number and Qualification of Directors

 

The authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall not be less than one (1) nor more than ten (10) with the exact number of directors to be fixed from time to time, within the limits specified, by approval of the Board. A director need not be a shareholder of the Corporation or a resident of the State of Nevada.

 

3.3 Election and Term of Office

 

Except as provided in applicable law, at each annual meeting of shareholders, directors shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting. Except as otherwise mandated by statute, each director shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director at any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present; provided, however, that the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of stockholders for which (i) the Secretary of the Corporation receives written notice that a stockholder has nominated a person for election to the Board of Directors in compliance with advance notice requirements, if any, and (ii) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such stockholder on or prior to the tenth day preceding the date that the Corporation first mails its notice of the meeting to the shareholders. For purposes of this Section, a vote of the majority of the shares cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director. Each director, including the director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified.

 

3.4 Vacancies

 

Vacancies in the Board may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Each director so elected shall hold office until his successor is elected at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders or until his death, resignation or removal.

 

A vacancy or vacancies in the Board shall be deemed to exist in case of the death, resignation or removal of any director, or if the Board by resolution declares vacant the office of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or convicted of a felony, or if the authorized number of directors is increased, or if the shareholders fail, at any annual or special meeting of shareholders at which any director or directors are elected, to elect the full authorized number of directors to be voted for at that meeting.

 

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The shareholders may elect a director or directors at any time to fill any vacancy or vacancies not filled by the directors. If, after the filling of any vacancy by the directors, the directors then in office who have been elected by the shareholders shall constitute less than a majority of the directors then in office, any holder or holders of an aggregate of ten percent (10%) or more of the total number of shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders, to be held to elect the entire Board. If the Board accepts the resignation of a director tendered to take effect at a future time, the Board or the shareholders shall have the power to elect a successor to take office when the resignation is to become effective.

 

No reduction of the authorized number of directors or amendment reducing the number of classes of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.

 

3.5 Removal of Directors

 

Any or all of the directors may be removed without cause if such removal is effected in accordance with the provisions of applicable law.

 

3.6 Resignation of Directors

 

Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary or the Board, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. If the resignation is effective at a future date, a successor may be elected to take office when the resignation becomes effective.

 

3.7 Place of Meeting

 

Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at any place within or outside the State of Nevada which has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board.

 

Special meetings of the Board may be held either at a place within or outside the State of Nevada which has been designated by resolution of the Board or as set forth in a notice of the meeting.

 

Members of the Board may participate in a meeting through use of a conference telephone or similar communication equipment or the Internet, so long as all members participating in such meeting can hear one another. Participation in a meeting by means of the above-described procedure shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

3.8 Annual Meeting

 

Immediately following each annual meeting of shareholders, the Board shall hold a regular meeting for the purpose of organization, election of officers and committees of the Board and the transaction of other business. Notice of such meeting is hereby dispensed with.

 

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3.9 Special Meetings

 

Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or any two directors.

 

Written notice of the date, time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally to each director or sent to each director by mail, telegraph, facsimile, e-mail or by other form of written communication, charges prepaid, sent to him at his address as it appears upon the records of the Corporation or, if it is not so shown or is not readily ascertainable, at the place in which the meetings of directors are regularly held. The notice need not state the purpose for the meeting. In case such notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least five (5) days prior to the time of the meeting. In case such notice is delivered personally, transmitted by facsimile or other electronic means, or telegraphed, it shall be so delivered, deposited with the telegraph company or electronically transmitted at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the meeting. Such delivery, mailing, telegraphing, or transmitting as above provided, shall be due, legal and personal notice to such director. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who signs a waiver of notice, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such director.

 

3.10 Adjournment

 

A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn any directors’ meeting to another time and place.

 

3.11 Notice of Adjournment

 

If a meeting of the Board is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, notice of any adjournment to another time or place shall be given prior to the time of the adjourned meeting to the directors who were not present at the time of adjournment.

 

3.12 Waiver of Notice

 

The transactions at any meeting of the Board, however called and noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though such transactions had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present signs a written waiver of notice of or consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. The waiver of notice need not state the purpose for which the meeting is or was held.

 

3.13 Quorum and Voting

 

A majority of the directors then in office shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as hereinabove provided. In no event shall a quorum be less than two (2) unless the number of directors is one (1), in which case one (1) director constitutes a quorum. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as an act of the Board subject to the provisions of applicable law. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for such meeting.

 

For so long as the Corporation is listed on a Canadian stock exchange and for a period of ninety (90) days thereafter, each director shall have one vote for any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof or without a meeting as provided herein. All directors and classes of directors shall have the same voting rights.

 

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3.14 Fees and Compensation

 

Directors may receive a stated salary for their services as directors if permitted by resolution of the board, or the directors may receive a fixed fee, with or without expenses of attendance, if they not receiving monthly compensation for attendance at each meeting. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity, as an officer, agent, employee or otherwise, or from receiving compensation therefor.

 

3.15 Action Without Meeting

 

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board under applicable law may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Such consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of such directors. Any certificate or other document filed under the provisions of applicable law which relates to action so taken shall state that the action was taken by unanimous written consent of the Board without a meeting and that the bylaws authorized the directors to so do.

 

3.16 Duty of Care of Directors and Officers

 

Every director and officer of the Corporation in exercising their powers and discharging their duties shall:

 

  (a) act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation; and
     
  (b) exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.

 

Every director and officer of the Corporation shall be liable for a breach of the duties set forth in this Section 3.16.

 

Article 4 - OFFICERS

 

4.1 Number; Term of Office

 

The officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall consist of a President, a Treasurer and a Secretary and such other officers and agents with such titles and such duties as the Board may from time to time determine, each to have such authority, functions or duties as in these by-laws provide or as the Board may from time to time determine, and each to hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board and until such person’s successor shall have been chosen and shall qualify, or until such person’s death or resignation, or until such person’s removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. All officers must be natural persons and any natural person may hold two or more offices.

 

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4.2 Removal

 

Subject to the provisions of these by-laws, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board at any meeting thereof called for the purpose.

 

4.3 Resignation

 

Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the Board, the President or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later date specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

4.4 Chairman of the Board

 

The Chairman of the Board may also be an officer of the Corporation, subject to the control of the Board, and shall report directly to the Board.

 

4.5 President

 

The President shall have general supervision and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject to the control of the Board, and shall report directly to the Board.

 

4.6 Vice Presidents

 

Any Vice President shall have such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by his superior officer or the Board. A Vice President shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as he may agree with the President or as the Board may from time to time determine. A Vice President need not be an officer of the Corporation and shall not be deemed an officer of the Corporation unless elected by the Board.

 

4.7 Treasurer

 

The Treasurer, if one shall have been elected, shall supervise and be responsible for all the funds and securities of the Corporation; the deposit of all moneys and other valuables to the credit of the Corporation in depositories of the Corporation; borrowings and compliance with the provisions of all indentures, agreements and instruments governing such borrowings to which the Corporation is a party; the disbursement of funds of the Corporation and the investment of its funds; and in general shall perform all of the duties incident to the office of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as he may agree with the President or as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

4.8 Secretary

 

It shall be the duty of the Secretary to act as secretary at all meetings of the Board, of the committees of the Board and of the stockholders and to record the proceedings of such meetings in a book or books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall see that all notices required to be given by the Corporation are duly given and served, shall be custodian of the seal of the Corporation if the Corporation has a seal, and shall affix the seal or cause it to be affixed to all certificates of stock of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided). The Secretary shall have charge of the books, records and papers of the Corporation and shall see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general shall perform all of the duties incident to the office of Secretary. The Secretary shall, when requested, counsel with and advise the other officers of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties as he may agree with the President or as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

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4.9 Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries

 

Any Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Board or by the Treasurer or Secretary, respectively, or by the President. An Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary need not be an officer of the Corporation and shall not be deemed an officer of the Corporation unless appointed by the Board.

 

4.10 Additional Matters

 

The Board shall have the authority to designate employees of the Corporation to have the title of Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary. Any employee so designated shall have the powers and duties determined by the Board. Salaries of officers and other shareholders employed by the Corporation shall be fixed periodically by the Board or established under agreements with the officers or shareholders approved by the Board. No officer shall be prevented from receiving this salary because he is also a director of the Corporation.

 

Article 5 - SHARES OF STOCK

 

5.1 Share Certificates

 

The certificates of shares of the Corporation shall be in such form consistent with the Articles of Incorporation and applicable law and shall be approved by the Board. Except as may be permitted by applicable law, a certificate or certificates for shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be issued to each shareholder when any of these shares are fully paid. All such certificates shall be signed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant financial officer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by the shareholder. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile.

 

5.2 Transfer of Shares

 

Subject to the provisions of applicable law, upon the surrender to the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

 

5.3 Lost or Destroyed Certificate

 

The holder of any shares of stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss or destruction of the certificate therefor, and the Corporation may issue a new certificate in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon approval of the Board. The Board may, in its discretion, as a condition to authorizing the issue of such new certificate, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to make proof satisfactory to the Board of the loss or destruction thereof and to give the Corporation a bond or other security, in such amount and with such surety or sureties as the Board may determine, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of any such certificate so alleged to have been lost or destroyed.

 

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5.4 Consideration for Shares

 

For so long as the Corporation is listed on a Canadian stock exchange and for a period of ninety (90) days thereafter, the Board may authorize shares to be issued for consideration consisting of any tangible or intangible property or benefit to the Corporation including cash, services performed or other securities of the Corporation, provided that neither promissory notes nor future services shall constitute valid consideration for the issuance of shares by the Corporation. When the Corporation receives the consideration for which the Board authorized the issuance of shares, such shares shall be fully paid and non-assessable and the shareholders shall not be liable to the Corporation or to its creditors in respect thereof.

 

5.5 Value of Consideration

 

For so long as the Corporation is listed on a Canadian stock exchange and for a period of ninety (90) days thereafter, the Corporation shall not issue and the Board shall not authorize the issuance of, shares for consideration which is less than the fair market value of such shares. In determining whether any property, benefit or services are equal to the fair market value of the shares, the Board may take into account reasonable charges and expenses of organization and reorganization and payments for property and services already received or performed that are reasonably expected to benefit the Corporation. Absent evidence to the contrary, the determination of the board as to the value of the consideration received by the Corporation for the issuance of shares shall be final and conclusive.

 

5.6 Directors Obligations

 

Members of the Board who vote for or consent to a resolution authorizing the issuance of a share for consideration other than money are liable to the Corporation to make good any amount by which the consideration received is less than the fair market value of such shares on the date of such resolution.

 

Article 6 - COMMITTEES

 

6.1 Committees

 

The Board may designate one or more committees, each consisting of one (1) or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee.

 

The provisions of these bylaws for notice to directors of meetings, place of meetings, regular meetings, special meetings and notice, quorum, waiver of notice, adjournment, notice of adjournment, and actions without meetings, without such changes in the context of those bylaws as may be necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members, apply also to the committees of the Board and action by such committees, except that the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board or by resolution of the committee.

 

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Article 7 - INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS,
OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER AGENTS

 

7.1 Agents, Proceedings and Expenses

 

For purposes of this Article, an “agent” of the Corporation includes any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Corporation; or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the Corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation; “proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative; and “expenses” include, without limitation, all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the fact any such person is or was an agent of the Corporation.

 

7.2 Indemnification

 

The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, have the power to indemnify each of its agents against expenses and shall have the power to advance to each such agent expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by that law.

 

7.3 Insurance

 

The Corporation may, upon the resolution of the directors, purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the Corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against such liability under the provisions of this Article 7.

 

Article 8 – SHAREHOLDER DISSENT RIGHTS

 

8.1 Shareholders’ Right to Dissent

 

Subject to applicable law and for so long as the Corporation is listed on a Canadian stock exchange and for a period of ninety (90) days thereafter, a holder of shares of any class of the Corporation may dissent if the Corporation is subject to a Court order that grants to the holder dissent rights or if the Corporation resolves to:

 

  (a) amend its Articles of Incorporation or these by-laws to add, change or remove any provisions restricting or constraining the issue, transfer or ownership of shares of any class of the Corporation;
     
  (b) amend its Articles of Incorporation or these by-laws to add, change or remove any restriction on the business or businesses that the Corporation may carry on;
     
  (c) merge with another corporation unless such merger does not require approval from the shareholders of the Corporation;
     
  (d) be continued or migrated to another jurisdiction;
     
  (e) sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all its property; or
     
  (f) carry out a going-private transaction or a squeeze-out transaction.

 

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8.2 Further Right

 

A holder of shares of any class or series of shares may dissent if the Corporation resolves to amend its articles to alter its share capital or change the rights and restrictions attaching to any class of shares.

 

8.3 If One Class of Shares

 

The right to dissent described in Section 8.2 applies even if there is only one class of shares.

 

8.4 Payment for Shares

 

In addition to any other right a shareholder may have, but subject to Section 8.27, a shareholder who complies with this section is entitled, when the action approved by the resolution from which the shareholder dissents or an order granting dissent rights becomes effective, to be paid by the Corporation the fair value of the shares in respect of which the shareholder dissents, determined as of the close of business on the day before the resolution was adopted or the order was made.

 

8.5 No Partial Dissent

 

A dissenting shareholder may only claim under this section with respect to all the shares of a class held on behalf of any one beneficial owner and registered in the name of the dissenting shareholder.

 

8.6 Objection

 

A dissenting shareholder shall send to the Corporation, at or before any meeting of shareholders at which a resolution referred to in Section 8.1 or 8.2 is to be voted on, a written objection to the resolution, unless the Corporation did not give notice to the shareholder of the purpose of the meeting and of their right to dissent.

 

8.7 Notice of Resolution

 

The Corporation shall, within ten (10) days after the shareholders adopt the resolution, send to each shareholder who has filed the objection referred to in Section 8.6 notice that the resolution has been adopted, but such notice is not required to be sent to any shareholder who voted for the resolution or who has withdrawn their objection.

 

8.8 Demand for Payment

 

A dissenting shareholder shall, within twenty (20) days after he receives a notice under Section 8.7 or, if the shareholder does not receive such notice, within twenty (20) days after learning that the resolution has been adopted, send to the Corporation a written notice containing:

 

  (a) the shareholder’s name and address;
     
  (b) the number and class of shares in respect of which the shareholder dissents; and
     
  (c) a demand for payment of the fair value of such shares.

 

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8.9 Share Certificate

 

A dissenting shareholder shall, within thirty (30) days after sending a notice under Section 8.8, send the certificates representing the shares in respect of which the shareholder dissents to the Corporation or its transfer agent.

 

8.10 Forfeiture

 

A dissenting shareholder who fails to comply with Section 8.9 has no right to make a claim under this Article.

 

8.11 Endorsing Certificate

 

The Corporation or its transfer agent shall endorse on any share certificate received under Section 8.9 a notice that the holder is a dissenting shareholder under this Article and shall forthwith return the share certificates to the dissenting shareholder.

 

8.12 Suspension of Rights

 

On sending a notice under Section 8.8, a dissenting shareholder ceases to have any rights as a shareholder other than the right to be paid the fair value of their shares as determined under this Article except where:

 

  (a) the dissenting shareholder withdraws that notice before the Corporation makes an offer under Section 8.13;
     
  (b) the Corporation fails to make an offer in accordance with Section 8.13 and the shareholder withdraws the notice; or
     
  (c) the directors revoke or do not proceed with the resolution or action which resulted in the shareholder having a right to dissent under this Article;

 

in which case the shareholder’s rights are reinstated as of the date the notice was sent.

 

8.13 Offer to Pay

 

The Corporation shall, not later than seven (7) days after the later of the day on which the action approved by the resolution is effective or the day the Corporation received the notice referred to in Section 8.8, send to each dissenting shareholder who has sent such notice:

 

  (a) a written offer to pay for their shares in an amount considered by the Board to be the fair value, accompanied by a statement showing how the fair value was determined; or
     
  (b) if Section 8.27 applies, a notification that it is unable lawfully to pay dissenting shareholders for their shares.

 

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8.14 Same Terms

 

Every offer made under Section 8.13 for shares of the same class or series shall be on the same terms.

 

8.15 Payment

 

Subject to Section 8.27, the Corporation shall pay for the shares of a dissenting shareholder within ten (10) days after an offer made under Section 8.13 has been accepted, but any such offer lapses if the Corporation does not receive an acceptance thereof within thirty (30) days after the offer has been made.

 

8.16 Corporation May Apply to Court

 

Where the Corporation fails to make an offer under Section 8.13, or if a dissenting shareholder fails to accept an offer, the Corporation may, within fifty (50) days after the action approved by the resolution is effective or within such further period as a court may allow, apply to a court to fix a fair value for the shares of any dissenting shareholder.

 

8.17 Shareholder Application to Court

 

If the Corporation fails to apply to a court under Section 8.16, a dissenting shareholder may apply to a court for the same purpose within a further period of twenty (20) days or within such further period as a court may allow.

 

8.18 Venue

 

An application under Section 8.16 or 8.17 shall be made to a court having jurisdiction in the place where the Corporation has its registered office or in the province or state where the dissenting shareholder resides if the Corporation carries on business in that province or state.

 

8.19 No Security For Costs

 

A dissenting shareholder is not required to give security for costs in an application made under Section 8.16 or 8.17.

 

8.20 Parties

 

On an application to a court under Section 8.16 or 8.17, the Corporation or shareholder, as applicable, shall use its best efforts to seek an order from the court ordering that:

 

  (a) all dissenting shareholders whose shares have not been purchased by the Corporation shall be joined as parties and are bound by the decision of the court; and
     
  (b) the Corporation shall notify each affected dissenting shareholder of the date, place and consequences of the application and of their right to appear and be heard in person or by counsel.

 

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8.21 Powers of Court

 

On an application to a court under Section 8.16 or 8.17 and if permitted by applicable law, the court may determine whether any other person is a dissenting shareholder who should be joined as a party, and the court shall then fix a fair value for the shares of all dissenting shareholders.

 

8.22 Appraisers

 

If permitted by applicable law, a court may in its discretion appoint one or more appraisers to assist the court to fix a fair value for the shares of the dissenting shareholders.

 

8.23 Final Order

 

If permitted by applicable law, the final order of a court shall be rendered against the Corporation in favour of each dissenting shareholder and for the amount of the shares as fixed by the court.

 

8.24 Interest

 

If permitted by applicable law, a court may in its discretion allow a reasonable rate of interest on the amount payable to each dissenting shareholder from the date the action approved by the resolution is effective until the date of payment.

 

8.25 Notice that Section 8.27 Applies

 

If Section 8.27 applies, the Corporation shall, within ten (10) days after the pronouncement of an order under Section 8.23, notify each dissenting shareholder that it is unable lawfully to pay dissenting shareholders for their shares.

 

8.26 Effect Where Section 8.27 Applies

 

If Section 8.27 applies, a dissenting shareholder, by written notice delivered to the Corporation within thirty (30) days after receiving a notice under Section 8.25, may:

 

  (a) withdraw their notice of dissent, in which case the Corporation is deemed to consent to the withdrawal and the shareholder is reinstated to their full rights as a shareholder; or
     
  (b) retain a status as a claimant against the Corporation, to be paid as soon as the Corporation is lawfully able to do so or, in a liquidation, to be ranked subordinate to the rights of creditors of the Corporation but in priority to its shareholders.

 

8.27 Limitation

 

The Corporation shall not make a payment to a dissenting shareholder under this Article if such payment is prohibited by any applicable law or if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:

 

  (a) the Corporation is or would after the payment be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or
     
  (b) the realizable value of the Corporation’s assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of its liabilities.

 

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Article 9- MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1 Checks, Drafts, Evidence of Indebtedness

 

All checks, drafts or other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of or payable to the Corporation, shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner as from time to time shall be determined by resolution of the Board.

 

9.2 Contracts, Etc., How Executed

 

The Board, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances; and, unless so authorized by the Board, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit to render it liable for any purpose or to any amount.

 

9.3 Representation of Shares of Other Corporations

 

The President or, in the event of his absence or inability to serve, any Vice President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation are authorized to vote, represent and exercise, on behalf of the Corporation, all rights incidental to any and all shares of any other corporation standing in the name of the Corporation. The authority herein granted to the officers to vote or represent on behalf of the Corporation any and all shares held by the Corporation in any other corporation may be exercised either by such officers in person or by any person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by the officers.

 

9.4 Suspension of Certain Rights

 

Any rights of the Board under Nevada law to take action to protect the interest of the Corporation and its shareholders by granting or denying any rights, privileges, power or authorities of the Corporation’s shareholders shall not be exercised by the Board for so long as the Corporation is listed on a Canadian stock exchange.

 

Article 10 - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

 

10.1 Amendment by Shareholders

 

For so long as the Corporation is listed on a Canadian stock exchange and for a period of ninety (90) days thereafter, this Section 10.1 of Article 10, Section 2.2 of Article 2, Section 3.13 of Article 3, Sections 5.4 and 5.5 of Article 5 and Sections 8.1 through 8.27 of Article 8 of these bylaws may be amended by (i) the affirmative vote of a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum is present, provided notice of intention to amend shall have been contained in the notice of the meeting, or (ii) a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, signed by the holders of at least a majority of all the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote; provided that for so long as the Corporation is listed on a Canadian stock exchange the Corporation and/or its shareholders will not amend or repeal these bylaws without the prior written approval of such Canadian stock exchange.

 

10.2 Amendment by Directors

 

The Board by a majority vote of the Board at any meeting may amend these bylaws, including any bylaws adopted by the shareholders, but the shareholders may from time to time specify particular provisions of these bylaws, which shall not be amended by the Board; provided that for so long as the Corporation is listed on a Canadian stock exchange the Corporation and/or the Board will not amend or repeal these bylaws without the prior written approval of such Canadian stock exchange.

 

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ICOX INNOVATIONS INC.
(the “ Company ”)

 

2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Purpose

 

1.1 Purpose . The purpose of this 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (this “ Plan ”) is to: (a) enable the Company and any Affiliate to attract and retain the types of Employees, Consultants and Directors who will contribute to the Company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of Employees, Consultants and Directors with those of the Shareholders; and (c) promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

2. Eligibility

 

2.1 Eligible Award Recipients . The persons eligible to receive Awards are the Employees, Consultants and Directors of the Company and its Affiliates and such other individuals designated by the Committee who are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Directors after the receipt of Awards.

 

2.2 While the Common Stock is listed on the TSXV, a Participant must be a Director, Employee or Consultant (as defined by the policies of the TSXV) of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company at the time of grant of the Awards, except as otherwise provided by the polices of the TSXV and, for Awards granted to Employees, Consultants or Management Company Employees (as defined by the policies of the TSXV), the Company will ensure that the Participant is a bona fide Employee, Consultant or Management Company Employee, as the case may be.

 

2.3 While the Common Stock is listed on the TSXV, except in relation to Consultant Companies (as defined by the policies of the TSXV), the Awards may be granted only to an individual or to a company that is wholly owned by individual eligible for a grant of an Award.

 

3. Definitions

 

3.1 For the purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context indicates otherwise:

 

Affiliate ” means a corporation or other entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company.

 

Applicable Laws ” means the requirements related to, or implicated by, the administration of this Plan under applicable state corporate laws, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, the rules or policies of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted.

 

 
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Award ” means any right granted to a Participant under this Plan, which may include the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Non-qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Awards or Performance Compensation Awards.

 

Award Agreement ” means a written agreement, contract, certificate or other document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under this Plan, which may, in the discretion of the Company, be transmitted electronically to any Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

 

Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that, in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time.

 

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company, as constituted at an applicable time.

 

Cause ” means:

 

  (a) with respect to any Employee or Consultant:
       
    (i) if the Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or any Affiliate and such agreement provides for a definition of “cause” or other similar term, the definition contained therein, or
       
    (ii) if no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define “cause” or other similar term: (A) the commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, (B) conduct that results in, or is reasonably likely to result in, harm to the reputation or business of the Company or any Affiliate, (C) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, or (D) material violation of any applicable securities laws;
       
  (b) with respect to any Director, a determination by a majority of the disinterested Board members that the Director has engaged in any of the following:
       
    (i) malfeasance in office with respect to the Company or an Affiliate,
       
    (ii) gross misconduct or neglect with respect to the Company or an Affiliate,
       
    (iii) any false or fraudulent misrepresentation that has induced the Company or any Shareholder to elect or appoint the Director,
       
    (iv) wilful conversion of funds of the Company or an Affiliate, or
       
    (v) repeated failure to participate in Board meetings on a regular basis, despite having received proper notice of the meetings in advance.

 

 
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The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause.

 

Change in Control ” means:

 

  (a) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than in a transaction contemplated by subsection (e)), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person that is not an Affiliate;
     
  (b) the Incumbent Directors ceasing for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;
     
  (c) the date which is 10 business days prior to the consummation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
     
  (d) the acquisition by any Person of Beneficial Ownership of 50% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of either (i) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, taking into account as outstanding for this purpose such Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock (the “ Outstanding Common Stock ”); or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Voting Securities ”); provided, however, that for purposes of this Plan, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition by the Company or any Affiliate, (B) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, (C) any acquisition which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (e) of this definition, or (D) in respect of an Award held by a particular Participant, any acquisition by the Participant or any group of Persons including the Participant (or any entity controlled by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant); or
     
  (e) the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, business combination or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company that requires the approval of the Shareholders, whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in connection with such transaction (in any case, a “ Business Combination ”), unless immediately following such Business Combination: (i) more than 50% of the total voting power of (A) the entity resulting from such Business Combination (the “ Surviving Company ”), or (B) if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of sufficient voting securities eligible to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “ Parent Company ”), is represented by the Outstanding Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination; (ii) no Person (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors of the Parent Company (or the analogous governing body) (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company); and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination.

 

 
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Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code , as it may be amended from time to time, and any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Committee ” means the Board or a committee of the Board appointed by the Board to administer this Plan in accordance with Section 4.3 and Section 4.4.

 

Common Stock ” means the common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company or such other securities of the Company as may be designated by the Committee from time to time in substitution thereof.

 

Company ” means ICOX Innovations Inc., a Nevada corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

Consultant ” means any individual who is engaged by the Company or any Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services.

 

Continuous Service ” means that a Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Consultant or Director, is not interrupted or terminated. A Participant’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which such Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director, or a change in the entity for which such Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of such Participant’s Continuous Service; and provided further that if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this sentence shall only be given effect to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Director of an Affiliate will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal or family leave of absence.

 

 
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Covered Employee ” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code, as interpreted by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Director ” means a member of the Board or of the board of directors of any Affiliate.

 

Disability ” means that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment; provided, however, that for the purposes of determining the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 7.1(i), “Disability” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The determination of whether a Participant has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee. Except in situations where the Committee is determining whether a Participant has a Disability for purposes of the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 7.1(i) hereof within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates.

 

Disqualifying Disposition ” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.11.

 

Effective Date ” shall mean the date as of which this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

Employee ” means any individual, including any Officer or Director, employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, that, for the purposes of determining eligibility to receive Incentive Stock Options, “Employee” shall mean an employee of the Company or an Affiliate within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code. Mere service as a Director or payment of a director’s fee to a Participant by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or such Affiliate.

 

Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended.

 

Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date: (a) if the Shares are listed or quoted on any established stock exchange or public market, including the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ, the OTCQB, the OTCQX, the TSX Venture Exchange or the Canadian Securities Exchange, the closing price per Share (or if no sales were reported the closing price on the date immediately preceding such date) as quoted on such exchange or public market on the day of determination, as reported in such source as the Committee deems reliable, multiplied by the number of Shares underlying the applicable Award; or (b) if the Shares are not listed or quoted on any established stock exchange or public market, such value as is determined in good faith by the Committee in its sole discretion, which determination shall be conclusive and binding on all Persons.

 

Free Standing Rights ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(a).

 

 
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Good Reason ” means:

 

  (a) if an Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or an Affiliate and such agreement provides for a definition of “good reason” or other similar term, the definition contained therein; or
     
  (b) if no such agreement exists or if such agreement does not define “good reason”, the occurrence of one or more of the following without the Participant’s express written consent, if such circumstances are not remedied by the Company within 30 days of its receipt of a written notice from the Participant describing the applicable circumstances (which notice must be provided by the Participant within 90 days of the Participant’s knowledge of the applicable circumstances): (i) any material, adverse change in the Participant’s duties, responsibilities, authority, title, status or reporting structure, (ii) a material reduction in the Participant’s base salary or bonus opportunity, or (iii) a geographical relocation of the Participant’s principal office location by more than 50 miles.

 

Grant Date ” means the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later date of grant for the Award is set forth in such resolution, then such date as is set forth in such resolution.

 

Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

Incumbent Directors ” means individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board, provided that any individual becoming a Director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such individual is named as a nominee for Director without objection to such nomination) shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director. No individual initially elected or nominated as a Director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the Incumbent Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any Person other than the Incumbent Directors shall be an Incumbent Director.

 

Negative Discretion ” means the discretion authorized by this Plan to be applied by the Committee to eliminate or reduce the size of a Performance Compensation Award in accordance with Section 8.3(d)(iv); provided that the exercise of such discretion would not cause such Performance Compensation Award to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

Non-Employee Director ” means a Director who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

 

Non-Option Award ” means any Award other than an Option.

 

Non-Qualified Stock Option ” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify as, or is not intended to qualify as, an Incentive Stock Option.

 

Officer ” means a Person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 
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Option ” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option granted pursuant to this Plan.

 

Option Exercise Price ” means the price at which a Share may be purchased upon the exercise of an Option.

 

Optionholder ” means a Person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to this Plan or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

Outside Director ” means a Director who is an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(e)(3) or any successor to such statute and regulation.

 

Participant ” means an eligible Person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to this Plan or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an outstanding Award.

 

Performance Compensation Award ” means any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 8.3.

 

Performance Criteria ” means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) shall be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (or an Affiliate, division, business unit or operational unit thereof), and shall be limited to:

 

  (a) net earnings or net income (before or after taxes);
     
  (b) basic or diluted earnings per Share (before or after taxes);
     
  (c) net revenue or net revenue growth;
     
  (d) gross revenue;
     
  (e) gross profit or gross profit growth;
     
  (f) net operating profit (before or after taxes);
     
  (g) return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, or sales;
     
  (h) cash flow (including operating cash flow, free cash flow and cash flow return on capital);
     
  (i) earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization;
     
  (j) gross or operating margins;
     
  (k) improvements in capital structure;

 

 
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  (l) budget and expense management;
     
  (m) productivity ratios;
     
  (n) economic value added or other value added measurements;
     
  (o) Share price (including growth measures and total Shareholder return);
     
  (p) expense targets;
     
  (q) margins;
     
  (r) operating efficiency;
     
  (s) working capital targets;
     
  (t) enterprise value;
     
  (u) safety record; and
     
  (v) completion of acquisitions or business expansion.

 

Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or an Affiliate as a whole, or any division, business unit or operational unit of the Company and/or an Affiliate, or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate. The Committee may make comparisons to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or data set out in a published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Committee may make comparisons of matters related to Share price as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of Performance Goals pursuant to the Performance Criteria. To the extent required under Section 162 (m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit the Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Criteria without obtaining Shareholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining Shareholder approval.

 

Performance Formula ” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulas applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of the Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.

 

 
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Performance Goals ” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. The Committee is authorized at any time during the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or at any time thereafter (but only to the extent the exercise of such authority after such period would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for the Performance Period to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code), in its sole and absolute discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of a Participant in connection with any of the following:

 

  (a) asset write-downs;
     
  (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements;
     
  (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results;
     
  (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs;
     
  (e) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 (or any successor or pronouncement thereto) and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations as filed with applicable securities regulators;
     
  (f) acquisitions or divestitures;
     
  (g) any other specific unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof;
     
  (h) foreign exchange gains and losses; or
     
  (i) a change in the Company’s fiscal year.

 

Performance Period ” means such one or more periods of time (in any case being not less than one fiscal quarter in duration) as the Committee may determine, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Compensation Award.

 

 
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Permitted Transferee ” means:

 

  (a) a member of an Optionholder’s immediate family (child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships), any Person sharing the Optionholder’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which any of the foregoing Persons have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which any of the foregoing Persons (or the Optionholder) control the management of assets, or any other entity in which any of the foregoing Persons (or the Optionholder) own more than 50% of the voting interests;
     
  (b) any Person designated by the Committee in connection with a program established and approved by the Committee pursuant to which Participants may receive a cash payment or other consideration in consideration for the transfer of a Non-Qualified Stock Option; and
     
  (c) such other transferees as may be permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

Person ” is to be construed broadly and includes an individual, corporation, trust, partnership, governmental authority, or any administrator or executor of any of the foregoing.

 

Plan ” means this 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.

 

Related Rights ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(a).

 

Restricted Award ” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 8.2(a).

 

Restricted Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(a).

 

Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

 

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933 , as amended.

 

Share ” means a share of Common Stock.

 

Shareholder ” means a holder of Shares.

 

Stock Appreciation Right ” means the right, pursuant to an Award granted under Section 8.1, to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash or Shares equal to the number of Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of: (a) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date the Award is exercised, over (b) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement.

 

Stock for Stock Exchange ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(c).

 

 
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Ten Percent Shareholder ” means a Person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) shares possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.

 

TSXV ” means the TSX Venture Exchange.

 

4. Administration

 

4.1 Authority of Committee . This Plan shall be administered initially by the Committee. Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Committee’s charter and Applicable Laws, and in addition to other express powers and authorization conferred by this Plan, the Committee shall have the authority:

 

  (a) to construe and interpret this Plan and apply its provisions;
     
  (b) to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of this Plan;
     
  (c) to authorize any Person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of this Plan;
     
  (d) to delegate its authority to one or more Officers with respect to Awards that do not involve Covered Employees or “insiders” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act ;
     
  (e) to determine when Awards are to be granted and the applicable Grant Date;
     
  (f) from time to time to select, subject to the limitations set forth in this Plan, those Participants to whom Awards shall be granted;
     
  (g) to determine the number of Shares to be made subject to each Award;
     
  (h) to determine whether each Option is to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option;
     
  (i) to prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including the exercise price, medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the Award Agreement with respect thereto;
     
  (j) to designate an Award (including a cash bonus) as a Performance Compensation Award and to select the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goals;
     
  (k) to amend the terms of any outstanding Awards, including for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting, or the term of any outstanding Award; provided, however, that if any such amendment impairs a Participant’s rights or increases a Participant’s obligations under an Award, or creates or increases a Participant’s federal income tax liability with respect to an Award, such amendment shall also be subject to the Participant’s consent;

 

 
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  (l) to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of this Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to Employees under the Company’s employment policies;
     
  (m) to make decisions with respect to outstanding Awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments;
     
  (n) to interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in this Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, this Plan; and
     
  (o) to exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan.

 

The Committee also may modify the purchase price or the exercise price of any outstanding Award, provided that Shareholder approval shall be required before the repricing is effective if such Shareholder approval is necessary to satisfy any Applicable Laws.

 

4.2 Committee Decisions Final . All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of this Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.

 

4.3 Delegation . The Committee may delegate administration of the Plan to a committee or committees of one or more Directors, and the term “ Committee ” shall apply to any Person(s) to whom such authority has been delegated. The Board shall have the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Committee shall thereafter be to the committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board. From time to time, the Board may increase or decrease the size of the Committee, add additional members to, remove members (with or without cause) from, appoint new members, and fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee. The Committee shall act pursuant to a vote of the majority of its members or, in the case of a Committee comprised of only two members, the unanimous consent of its members, whether present or not, or by the written consent of the majority of its members, and minutes shall be kept of all of its meetings and copies thereof shall be provided to the Board. Subject to the limitations prescribed by this Plan and the Board, the Committee may establish and follow such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may determine to be advisable.

 

 
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4.4 Committee Composition . If the Board establishes a committee to administer the Plan, except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors who are also Outside Directors. The Board shall have discretion to determine whether or not it intends to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3 and/or Section 162(m) of the Code. However, if the Board intends to satisfy such exemption requirements, with respect to Awards to any Covered Employee and with respect to any insider subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be a compensation committee of the Board that at all times consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors who are also Outside Directors. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may: (a) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Outside Directors the authority to grant Awards to eligible Persons who are either: (i) not then Covered Employees and are not expected to be Covered Employees at the time of recognition of income resulting from such Award, or (ii) not Persons with respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code; or (b) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee Directors the authority to grant Awards to eligible Persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Nothing herein shall create an inference that an Award is not validly granted under the Plan in the event Awards are granted under the Plan by a compensation committee of the Board that does not at all times consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors who are also Outside Directors.

 

4.5 Indemnification . In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the extent allowed by Applicable Laws, the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Committee in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Committee in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that the Committee did not act in good faith and in a manner which such Person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, the Committee shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding.

 

5. Shares Subject to this Plan

 

5.1 Number of Shares Authorized. Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 12, a total of 4,174,904 Shares shall be available for the grant of Options and no Shares shall be available for the grant of Non-Option Awards. For so long as any Awards are outstanding, the Company shall keep available at all times such number of Shares as would be issuable on the due exercise of all of such Awards.

 

 
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5.2 Limitations on Shares Available for Issuance. While the Common Stock is listed on the TSXV:

 

  (a) the aggregate number of Shares subject to Options granted, within a 12 month period, to a Participant who is a Consultant (as defined by the policies of the TSXV) is limited to an amount equal to 2% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an Option is granted to the Participant; and
     
  (b) the aggregate number of Shares subject to Options granted, within a 12 month period, to all Participants (as a group) who are employed to perform Investor Relations Activities (as defined by the policies of the TSXV) is limited to an amount equal to 2% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an Option is granted to any Participant, provided that such Options must vest in stages over a 12 month period with no more than 1/4 of the Options vesting in any 3 month period.

 

5.3 Nature of Shares . Shares available for distribution under this Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner.

 

5.4 Effect of Cancellation or Forfeiture of Award . Any Shares underlying an Award that is canceled, forfeited or expires prior to exercise or realization, either in full or in part, shall become available for issuance under this Plan.

 

6. Option Eligibility

 

6.1 Eligibility for Incentive Stock Options . Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

 

6.2 Ten Percent Shareholders . A Ten Percent Shareholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the Option Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value at the Grant Date and the Incentive Stock Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date.

 

7. Option Provisions

 

7.1 Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, and shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7 and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, separate certificates will be issued for Shares purchased on exercise of each type of Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to any Participant or any other Person if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as such at any time, or if an Option is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the terms of such Option do not satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The terms of separate Options need not be identical, but each Award Agreement shall include (through incorporation by reference of provisions of this Plan in the Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

  (a) Term . Subject to the provisions of Section 6.2 regarding Ten Percent Shareholders: (i) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date, and (ii) the term of an Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant.

 

 
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  (b) Exercise Price of an Option . Subject to the provisions of Section 6.2 regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, the Option Exercise Price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the Option on the Grant Date and (ii) the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the Option on the trading date immediately preceding the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Incentive Stock Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code. While the Common Stock is listed on the TSXV, the Option Exercise Price shall be determined by the Committee and the Option Exercise Price shall not be less than the price permitted by the TSXV or other regulatory body having jurisdiction and a minimum Option Exercise Price shall not be established unless the Options are allocated to particular persons and the Company shall not grant Options unless and until the Options have been allocated to a particular person or persons.
     
  (c) Consideration . The Option Exercise Price shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations, either: (a) in cash, certified check or by wire transfer at the time the Option is exercised; or (b) in the discretion of the Committee, upon such terms as the Committee shall approve: (i) by delivery to the Company of a certificate representing Shares, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) due for the number of Shares being acquired, or by means of attestation whereby the Participant identifies for delivery specific Shares that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of attestation equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) and receives a number of Shares equal to the difference between the number of Shares thereby purchased and the number of identified attestation Shares (a “ Stock for Stock Exchange ”), (ii) pursuant to a “cashless” exercise program established with a broker, (iii) by reduction in the number of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise of such Option with a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price at the time of exercise, (iv) by any combination of the foregoing methods, or (v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Award Agreement, the exercise price of Shares acquired on exercise of an Option that is paid by delivery (or attestation) to the Company of other Shares acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by Shares that have been held for more than six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any period during which the Shares are publicly traded, an exercise by a Director or Officer that involves, or may involve, a direct or indirect extension of credit, or arrangement of an extension of credit, by the Company, directly or indirectly, in violation of Section 402(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 , shall be prohibited with respect to any Award. While the Common Stock is listed on the TSXV, the Option Exercise Price must be paid in cash.

 

 
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  (d) Transferability of an Incentive Stock Option . An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of an Optionholder only by such Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate another Person who, in the event of the death of such Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise such Optionholder’s Incentive Stock Option.
     
  (e) Transferability of a Non-Qualified Stock Option . A Non-Qualified Stock Option may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be transferable to a Permitted Transferee, upon written approval by the Committee to the extent provided in the Award Agreement. While the Common Stock is listed on the TSXV or if a Non-Qualified Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then such Non-Qualified Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of an Optionholder only by such Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate another Person who, in the event of the death of such Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise such Optionholder’s Non-Qualified Stock Option.
     
  (f) Vesting of Options . Each Option may, but need not, vest and become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal, and may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Committee may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. No Option may be exercised for a fraction of a Share. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event.
     
  (g) Termination of Continuous Service . Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, or in an employment agreement the terms of which have been approved by the Board, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder’s death or Disability), such Optionholder may exercise its Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of: (a) the date that is three months following the termination of such Optionholder’s Continuous Service; or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that, if the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service is by the Company for Cause, all outstanding Options (whether or not vested) held by such Optionholder shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable. If, after termination, an Optionholder does not exercise its Option within the time specified in the Award Agreement, such Optionholder’s Option shall terminate. While the Common Stock is listed on the TSXV, Options granted to Participants engaged in Investor Relations Activities (as defined by the policies of the TSXV) on behalf of the Company expire 30 days after such Participants cease to perform such Investor Relations Activities for the Company.

 

 
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  (h) Extension of Termination Date . An Award Agreement may provide that if the exercise of an Option following the termination of an Optionholder’s Continuous Service for any reason would be prohibited at any time because the issuance of Shares in connection therewith would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other state or federal securities laws, or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then such Option shall terminate on the earlier of: (a) the expiration of the term of the Option in accordance with Section 7.1(a); or (b) the expiration of a period after termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service that is three months after the end of the period during which the exercise of such Optionholder’s Option would be in violation of such registration or other securities law requirements.
     
  (i) Disability of Optionholder . Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of such Optionholder’s Disability, such Optionholder may exercise its Option (to the extent that such Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of: (a) the date 12 months following such termination; or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination, an Optionholder does not exercise its Option within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, such Optionholder’s Option shall terminate.
     
  (j) Death of Optionholder . Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of such Optionholder’s death, then such Optionholder’s Option may be exercised (to the extent the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder’s estate, by a Person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a Person designated to exercise the Option upon the Optionholder’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of: (a) the date that is 12 months following the date of death; or (b) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after an Optionholder’s death, such Optionholder’s Option is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, such Option shall terminate.
     
  (k) Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation . To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Shares underlying any Incentive Stock Options that are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall not be void but rather be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

 
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8. Provisions of Non-Option Awards

 

8.1 Stock Appreciation Rights .

 

  (a) General . Each Stock Appreciation Right shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, and shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8.1 and to such other conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted alone (a “ Free Standing Right ”) or in tandem with an Option (a “ Related Right ”).
     
  (b) Grant Requirements . Any Related Right that relates to a Non-Qualified Stock Option may be granted at the same time such Non-Qualified Stock Option is granted or at any time thereafter, but before the exercise or expiration of the Non-Qualified Stock Option. Any Related Right that relates to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted at the same time the Incentive Stock Option is granted.
     
  (c) Term of Stock Appreciation Rights . The term of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee and set out in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date.
     
  (d) Vesting of Stock Appreciation Rights . Each Stock Appreciation Right may, but need not, vest and become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal, and may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised as the Committee may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Stock Appreciation Rights may vary. No Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for a fraction of a Share. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability of a Stock Appreciation Right in the terms of an applicable Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event.
     
  (e) Exercise and Payment . Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to: (i) the number of Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by (ii) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, over (B) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right. Payment with respect to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made on the date of exercise. Payment shall be made in the form of Shares (with or without restrictions as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.

 

 
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  (f) Exercise Price . The exercise price of a Free Standing Right shall be determined by the Committee, but shall be not less than 100% of the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the Free Standing Right on the Grant Date and (ii) the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the Free Standing Right on the trading date immediately preceding the Grant Date. A Related Right granted simultaneously with, or subsequent to, the grant of an Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto, shall have the same exercise price as the related Option, shall be transferable only upon the same terms and conditions as the related Option, and shall be exercisable only to the same extent as the related Option; provided, however, that a Stock Appreciation Right, by its terms, shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value per Share subject to the Stock Appreciation Right and related Option exceeds the exercise price per Share thereof and no Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with an Option unless the Committee determines that the requirements of Section 8.1(b) are satisfied.
     
  (g) Reduction in Underlying Option Shares . Upon any exercise of a Related Right, the number of Shares for which any related Option shall be exercisable shall be reduced by the number of Shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised. The number of Shares for which a Related Right shall be exercisable shall be reduced upon any exercise of any related Option by the number of Shares for which such Option has been exercised.

 

8.2 Restricted Awards .

 

  (a) General . A Restricted Award is an Award of actual Shares (“ Restricted Stock ”) or hypothetical Share units (“ Restricted Stock Units ”) having a value equal to the Fair Market Value of an identical number of Shares, which may, but need not, provide that such Restricted Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of, pledged or hypothecated as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation or for any other purpose for such period (the “ Restricted Period ”) as the Committee shall determine. Each Restricted Award granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, and shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8.2 and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and reflected in the applicable Award Agreement.
     
  (b) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units .

 

  (i) Each Participant granted Restricted Stock shall execute and deliver to the Company an Award Agreement with respect to the Restricted Stock setting forth the restrictions and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock. If the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company: (A) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable; and (B) the appropriate blank stock power with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant fails to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and stock power, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in the Award, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a Shareholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends; provided that, any cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, if applicable, upon the release of restrictions on such Share and, if such Share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

 

 
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    (ii) The terms and conditions of a grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be reflected in an Award Agreement. No Shares shall be issued at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such Award. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder. At the discretion of the Committee, each Restricted Stock Unit (representing one Share) may be credited with cash and stock dividends paid by the Company in respect of one Share (“ Dividend Equivalents ”). Dividend Equivalents shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of cash Dividend Equivalents withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents credited to a Participant’s account and attributable to any particular Restricted Stock Unit (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalents and earnings, if applicable, to the Participant upon settlement of such Restricted Stock Unit and, if such Restricted Stock Unit is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such Dividend Equivalents.
       
  (c) Restrictions
       
    (i) Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant shall be subject to the following restrictions until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and to such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement: (A) if an escrow arrangement is used, the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of the Share certificate; (B) the Shares shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Award Agreement; (C) the Shares shall be subject to forfeiture to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement; and (D) to the extent such Shares are forfeited, the Share certificates shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such Shares and as a Shareholder shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.

 

 
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    (ii) Restricted Stock Units awarded to any Participant shall be subject to: (A) forfeiture until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and satisfaction of any applicable Performance Goals during such period, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, and to the extent such Restricted Stock Units are forfeited, all rights of the Participant to such Restricted Stock Units shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company; and (B) such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
       
    (iii) The Committee shall have the authority to remove any or all of the restrictions on the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are granted, such action is appropriate.
       
  (d) Restricted Period . With respect to Restricted Awards, the Restricted Period shall commence on the Grant Date and end at the time or times set forth on a schedule established by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement.
     
  (e) Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units . No Restricted Award may be granted or settled for a fraction of a Share. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in Section 8.2(c) and the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (to the nearest full share) and any cash dividends or stock dividends credited to the Participant’s account with respect to such Restricted Stock and the interest thereon, if any. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or its beneficiary, without charge, one Share for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit (“ Vested Unit ”) and cash equal to any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to each such Vested Unit in accordance with Section 8.2(b)(ii) hereof and the interest thereon or, at the discretion of the Committee, in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents and the interest thereon, if any; provided, however, that, if explicitly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay cash or part cash and part Shares in lieu of delivering only Shares for Vested Units. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering Shares, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to each Vested Unit.

 

 
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  (f) Share Restrictions . Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall bear a legend in such form as the Company deems appropriate.
     
8.3 Performance Compensation Awards .
     
  (a) General . The Committee shall have the authority, at the time of grant of any Award (other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights), to designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award in order to qualify such Award as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In addition, the Committee shall have the authority to make an Award of a cash bonus to any Participant and designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award in order to qualify such Award as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
     
  (b) Eligibility . The Committee will, in its sole discretion, designate within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), which Participants will be eligible to receive Performance Compensation Awards in respect of such Performance Period. However, designation of a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a Performance Period shall not in any manner entitle the Participant to receive payment in respect of any Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period. The determination as to whether or not such Participant becomes entitled to payment in respect of any Performance Compensation Award shall be decided solely in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.3. Moreover, designation of a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder for a particular Performance Period shall not require designation of such Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder in any subsequent Performance Period and designation of one Person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder shall not require designation of any other Person as a Participant eligible to receive an Award hereunder in such period or in any other period.
     
  (c) Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards . With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have full discretion to select the length of such Performance Period (provided any such Performance Period shall be not less than one fiscal quarter in duration), the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goal(s) that is (are) to apply to the Company and the Performance Formula. Within the first 90 days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence of this Section 8.3(c) and record the same in writing.

 

 
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  (d) Payment of Performance Compensation Awards
       
    (i) Condition to Receipt of Payment . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.
       
    (ii) Limitation . A Participant shall be eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that: (A) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved; and (B) the Performance Formula as applied against such Performance Goals determines that all or some portion of such Participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.
       
    (iii) Certification . Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, calculate and certify in writing the amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the actual size of each Participant’s Performance Compensation Award for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply Negative Discretion in accordance with Section 8.3(d)(iv) hereof, if and when it deems appropriate.
       
    (iv) Use of Discretion . In determining the actual size of an individual Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance Compensation Award earned under the Performance Formula in the Performance Period through the use of Negative Discretion if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate. The Committee shall not have the discretion to: (A) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained or (B) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the maximum amount payable under Section 8.3(d)(i) of the Plan.
       
    (v) Timing of Award Payments . Performance Compensation Awards granted for a Performance Period shall be paid to Participants as soon as administratively practicable following completion of the certifications required by this Section 8.3.

 

 
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9. Compliance

 

9.1 Compliance with Applicable Laws . Each Award Agreement shall provide that no Shares shall be purchased or sold thereunder unless and until: (a) any then applicable requirements of Applicable Laws have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel; and (b) if required to do so by the Company, the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such form and containing such provisions as the Committee may require. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over this Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell Shares upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Shares issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Shares under this Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Shares upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained.

 

10. Use of Proceeds

 

10.1 Proceeds from the sale of Shares issued pursuant to Awards, or upon exercise thereof, shall constitute general funds of the Company.

 

11. Miscellaneous

 

11.1 Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting . Subject to the rules and policies of the TSXV while the Common Stock is listed on the TSXV, the Committee shall have the power to accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with this Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

 

11.2 Shareholder Rights . Except as provided in this Plan or an Award Agreement, no Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any Shares subject to such Award unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms and no adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such Share certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 12 hereof.

 

11.3 No Employment or Other Service Rights . Nothing in this Plan or any instrument executed or Award granted pursuant hereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate: (a) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause; or (b) the service of a Director pursuant to the by-laws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

 

11.4 Transfer; Approved Leave of Absence . For purposes of this Plan, no termination of employment by an Employee shall be deemed to result from either: (a) a transfer to the employment of the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another; or (b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the Employee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing, in either case, except to the extent inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code if the applicable Award is subject thereto.

 

 
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11.5 Withholding Obligations . To the extent provided by the terms of an Award Agreement and subject to the discretion of the Committee, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Shares under an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company’s right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (a) tendering a cash payment; (b) authorizing the Company to withhold Shares from the Shares otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise of, or acquisition of Shares under, the Award, provided, however, that no Shares are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law; or (c) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered Shares.

 

12. Adjustments Upon Changes in Stock

 

In the event of changes in the outstanding Shares or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any stock or extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, an extraordinary corporate transaction such as any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange, or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the Grant Date of any Award, Awards granted under this Plan and any Award Agreements, the exercise price of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, and the maximum number of Shares underlying all Awards stated in Section 5, will be equitably adjusted or substituted, as to the number, price or kind of a Share or other consideration subject to such Awards to the extent necessary to preserve the economic intent of such Award. In the case of adjustments made pursuant to this Section 12, unless the Committee specifically determines that such adjustment is in the best interests of the Company or any Affiliate, the Committee shall, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 12 will not constitute a modification, extension or renewal of the Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code, and in the case of Non-qualified Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 12 will not constitute a modification of such Non-qualified Stock Options within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any adjustments made under this Section 12 shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Further, with respect to Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, any adjustments or substitutions will not cause the Company to be denied a tax deduction on account of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

 
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13. Effect of Change in Control

 

13.1 Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, but subject to the rules and policies of the TSXV while the Common Stock is listed on the TSXV:

 

  (a) in the event of a Change in Control, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become immediately exercisable with respect to 100% of the Shares subject to such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, and/or the Restricted Period shall expire immediately with respect to 100% of the Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit; and
     
  (b) with respect to Performance Compensation Awards, in the event of a Change in Control, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions will be deemed met.

 

To the extent practicable, any actions taken by the Committee under subsections (a) and (b) shall occur in a manner and at a time which allows affected Participants the ability to participate in the Change in Control with respect to the Shares underlying their Awards.

 

13.2 In addition, in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may, in its discretion and upon at least 10 days’ advance notice to the affected Persons, cancel any outstanding Awards and pay to the holders thereof, in cash or stock, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards based upon the price per Share received or to be received by other Shareholders in connection therewith. In the case of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price (or SAR Exercise Price in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right) that equals or exceeds the price paid for a Share in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the Option or Stock Appreciation Right without the payment of consideration therefor.

 

13.3 The obligations of the Company under this Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to all or substantially all of the assets and business of the Company and its Affiliates, taken as a whole.

 

14. Amendment of Plan and Awards

 

14.1 Amendment of Plan . The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate this Plan. However, except as provided in Section 12 relating to adjustments upon changes in Shares and Section 14.4, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the Shareholders (to the extent Shareholder approval is necessary to satisfy any Applicable Laws). At the time of such amendment, the Board shall determine, upon advice from counsel, whether such amendment will be contingent on Shareholder approval.

 

14.2 Shareholder Approval . The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment to this Plan for Shareholder approval, including, amendments to this Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder regarding the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the limit on corporate deductibility of compensation paid to certain executive officers.

 

 
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14.3 Disinterested Shareholder Approval

 

  (a) In this section the following terms have the following meanings:
       
    (i) “Disinterested Shareholder Approval” shall have the meaning as described in the TSXV Policies;
       
    (ii) “Insider” means an insider as defined in the TSXV Policies; or as defined in securities legislation applicable to the Company; and
       
    (iii) “TSXV Policies” means the rules and policies of the TSXV, as amended from time to time.
       
  (b) If the Shares are listed on the TSXV, unless Disinterested Shareholder Approval is obtained, under no circumstances will this Plan, together with all of the Company’s other previously established and outstanding stock option or equity incentive plans or grants, result in:
       
    (i) the aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance under Awards granted to Insiders (as a group) at any point in time exceeding 10% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis);
       
    (ii) the grant to Insiders (as a group), within a 12 month period, of Options where an aggregate number of Shares subject to such Options exceeds 10% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an Award is granted to any Insider;
       
    (iii) the grant to Insiders (as a group), within a 12 month period, of Non-Option Awards where an aggregate number of Shares subject to such Non-Option Awards exceeds 2% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date a Non-Option Award is granted to any Insider;
       
    (iv) the aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted to any one Participant within a 12 month period exceeding 5% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an Award is granted to the Participant;
       
    (v) the aggregate number of Shares subject to Non-Option Awards granted to any one Participant within a 12 month period exceeding 1% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date a Non-Option Award is granted to the Participant;
       
    (vi) the aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted to any one Participant who is a Consultant (as defined by the policies of the TSXV) within a 12 month period exceeding 2% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an Award is granted to the Participant; or
       
    (vii) the aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted to all Participants (as a group) who are employed to perform Investor Relations Activities (as defined by the Policies of the TSXV) within a 12 month period exceeding 2% of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis), calculated on the date an Award is granted to the Participant.

 

 
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  (c) If the Shares are listed on the TSXV, the Company must obtain Disinterested Shareholder Approval for any amendment to Options held by Insiders that would have the effect of decreasing the exercise price of the Options.

 

14.4 Contemplated Amendments . It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend this Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees, Consultants and Directors with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options or to the nonqualified deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan and/or Awards granted under it into compliance therewith.

 

14.5 No Impairment of Rights . Rights under any Award granted before amendment of this Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of this Plan unless: (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant; and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

14.6 Amendment of Awards . The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Awards; provided, however, that the Committee may not affect any amendment which would otherwise constitute an impairment of the rights under any Award unless: (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant; and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

15. General Provisions

 

15.1 Forfeiture Events . The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to applicable vesting conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in the Award Agreement or otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or any Affiliate.

 

15.2 Clawback . Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, any Award which is subject to recovery under any Applicable Laws will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such Applicable Laws (or any policy adopted by the Company pursuant to any such Applicable Laws).

 

15.3 Other Compensation Arrangements . Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to Shareholder approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

 
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15.4 Sub-plans . The Committee may from time to time establish sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying blue sky, securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company intends to grant Awards. Any sub-plans shall contain such limitations and other terms and conditions as the Committee determines are necessary or desirable. All sub-plans shall be deemed a part of this Plan, but each sub-plan shall apply only to the Participants in the jurisdiction for which the sub-plan was designed.

 

15.5 Deferral of Awards . The Committee may establish one or more programs under this Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of Shares or other consideration under an Award. The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.

 

15.6 Unfunded Plan . This Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under this Plan.

 

15.7 Delivery . Upon exercise of a right granted under this Plan, the Company shall issue Shares or pay any amounts due within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Subject to any statutory or regulatory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of this Plan, 30 days shall be considered a reasonable period of time.

 

15.8 No Fractional Shares . No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to this Plan. The Committee shall determine whether cash, additional Awards or other securities or property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether any fractional Shares should be rounded, forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

15.9 Other Provisions . The Award Agreements authorized under this Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with this Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Awards, as the Committee may deem advisable.

 

15.10 Section 409A . This Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Plan shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in this Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service (or the Participant’s death, if earlier). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Participant under Section 409A of the Code, and neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any Participant for such tax or penalty.

 

 
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15.11 Disqualifying Dispositions . Any Participant who shall make a “disposition” (as defined in Section 424 of the Code) of all or any portion of the Shares acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two years from the Grant Date of such Incentive Stock Option or within one year after the issuance of the Shares acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option (a “ Disqualifying Disposition ”) shall be required to immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such Shares.

 

15.12 Section 16 . It is the intent of the Company that this Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of this Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 15.12, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.

 

15.13 Section 162(m) . To the extent the Committee issues any Award that is intended to be exempt from the deduction limitation of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, without shareholder or grantee approval, amend this Plan or the relevant Award Agreement retroactively or prospectively to the extent it determines necessary in order to comply with any subsequent clarification of Section 162(m) of the Code required to preserve the Company’s federal income tax deduction for compensation paid pursuant to any such Award.

 

15.14 Beneficiary Designation . Each Participant may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries by whom any right under this Plan is to be exercised in case of such Participant’s death. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form reasonably prescribed by the Committee, and shall be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime.

 

15.15 Expenses . The costs of administering this Plan shall be paid by the Company.

 

15.16 Severability . If any of the provisions of this Plan or any Award Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

 

15.17 Plan Headings . The headings in this Plan are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

15.18 Non-Uniform Treatment . The Committee’s determinations under this Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who are eligible to receive, or actually receive, Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled to make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements.

 

 
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16. Effective Date of Plan

 

16.1 This Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date, but no Award shall be exercised (or, in the case of a stock Award, shall be granted) unless and until this Plan has been approved by the Shareholders, which approval shall be within 12 months before or after the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

17. Termination or Suspension of this Plan

 

17.1 This Plan shall terminate automatically on October 15, 2027. No Award shall be granted pursuant to this Plan after such date, but Awards granted before may extend beyond that date. The Board may suspend or terminate this Plan at any earlier date pursuant to Section 14.1 hereof. No Awards may be granted under this Plan while this Plan is suspended or after it is terminated. Unless the Company determines to submit Section 8.3 of this Plan and the definition of “Performance Goal” and “Performance Criteria” to the Shareholders at the first Shareholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which this Plan was last approved by Shareholders (or any earlier meeting designated by the Board), in accordance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, and such Shareholder approval is obtained, then no further Performance Compensation Awards shall be made to Covered Employees under Section 8.3 after the date of such annual meeting, but this Plan may continue in effect for Awards to Participants not in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

18. Choice of Law

 

18.1 The law of the State of Nevada shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of law rules.

 

As adopted by the Board of Directors of ICOX Innovations Inc. on October 15, 2017, as amended on January 22, 2018 and as amended on November 22, 2018.