Exhibit 99.1

 

Notice is hereby given of the annual general and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the holders (the “Shareholders”) of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares (collectively, the “Shares”) in the capital of Shopify Inc. (“Shopify” or the “Company”). The Meeting will be held online via live audio webcast and Shareholders will have an equal opportunity to attend the meeting, participate in real time, vote online and ask questions, regardless of geographic location. Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders can attend the Meeting online, vote their Shares electronically and submit their questions during the Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SHOP2022.

You are entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, the Meeting or any postponement(s) or adjournment(s) thereof if you are a Shareholder at the close of business on April 19, 2022.

Your vote is important regardless of how many Shares you own. The following pages tell you more about how to exercise your right to vote your Shares and provide additional information relating to the matters to be dealt with at the Meeting.

Accompanying this notice is the Circular, which provides information relating to the matters to be addressed at the Meeting. Also accompanying this notice is a form of proxy (the “Form of Proxy”) to vote your Shares. Any adjourned or postponed meeting resulting from an adjournment or postponement of the Meeting will be held at a time and place to be specified either by Shopify before the Meeting or by the Chair at the Meeting.

Please refer to the accompanying Circular for further information regarding completion and use of the Form of Proxy and other information pertaining to the Meeting.

Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend the Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SHOP2022 where they will be able to participate, vote, and submit questions, all in real time, during the Meeting's live audio webcast, provided they are connected to the internet and comply with the requirements set out in the Circular. Details on how you may participate in the proceedings can be found on our website at investors.shopify.com.

Voting instructions and proxyholder appointments must be received by Broadridge by 10:00 a.m. (ET) on June 3, 2022 (or, if the Meeting is adjourned or postponed, by 10:00 a.m. (ET) two (2) business days before the day on which the Meeting is reconvened). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chair of the Meeting has the discretion to accept proxies received after such deadline. The time limit for the deposit of proxies may also be waived or extended by the Chair of the Meeting at his or her discretion, without notice. Beneficial (non-registered) Shareholders who hold their Shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, custodian, nominee or other intermediary should carefully follow the instructions of their intermediary to ensure that their Shares are voted at the Meeting in accordance with their instructions. If you would like a person, other than the management nominees identified on the Form of Proxy or voting instruction form, to attend and participate online at the Meeting as your proxy and vote your Shares, including if you are a Beneficial (non-registered) Shareholder and wish to appoint yourself as proxyholder to vote online at the Meeting, you MUST submit your Form of Proxy or voting instruction form identifying such proxyholder or appoint such proxyholder online at www.proxyvote.com or by returning the Form of Proxy by mail in the enclosed business reply envelope, by the proxy cut-off. Shareholders must provide their appointed proxyholder with the EXACT NAME used for the appointment and the EIGHT CHARACTER APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER to allow appointees to access the Meeting and vote. Appointees can only be validated at the Meeting using the EXACT NAME and EIGHT CHARACTER APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER entered by the Shareholder. If Shareholders DO NOT CREATE AN EIGHT CHARACTER APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, THEIR APPOINTEE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS AND VOTE AT THE MEETING. Beneficial (non-registered) Shareholders who have not appointed themselves as proxyholder will be able to attend the Meeting online in real-time and submit questions, but will not be able to vote at the Meeting. If you are a Beneficial Shareholder, please refer to “Section 1: Voting Information” in the Circular for additional information on how you may appoint yourself proxyholder, attend the Meeting online and vote your Shares by online ballot at the Meeting.

If you have any questions or need assistance in your consideration of the matters to be addressed at the Meeting, please contact the Company's proxy solicitation agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated by phone at (877) 750-8310 (from the US and Canada) or (412) 232-3651 (from other locations) or Shopify's Investor Relations Department by phone at (613) 241-2828 ext. 1024 or by email at IR@shopify.com.

Dated April 11, 2022.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Jessica Hertz

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Shopify Inc.

To our shareholders:

Since Shopify's IPO in 2015, the Company has become a global commerce leader. Shopify powers commerce around the world for millions of merchants in more than 175 countries who have cumulatively made more than $450 billion in total sales through the Shopify platform, serving nearly 600 million buyers globally. At the same time, Shopify has remained unfailingly committed to its core mission of making commerce better for everyone.

The progress we have made advancing our vision for the future of commerce would not have been possible without our founder and CEO, Tobias Lütke. Tobi founded the Company to solve for a gap in commerce tools, wrote the code, and built it into a commerce giant helping merchants and making commerce better for everyone. Tobi is a proven leader, and his vision, as detailed in his 2015 IPO letter (a copy of which is reproduced below), and long-term involvement are integral in defining, supporting and executing Shopify's long-term strategy to be a 100-year company.

Shopify's market opportunity has significantly increased since the 2015 IPO. In particular, the last two years have radically changed the competitive landscape, putting Shopify at an important and exciting inflection point. Shopify sees massive opportunity to deliver more shareholder value, and to invest in the business accordingly. It is the Board's job to ensure Shopify has the governance structure in place to facilitate this next phase of growth. To that end, the Board formed a Special Committee to consider potential changes to modernize Shopify's governance structure. The Special Committee undertook a careful and thorough review process, aided by our own independent legal counsel and financial advisor, to keep the Company's governance structure aligned with its long-term market opportunities. The Board believes that the proposed updates to our governance structure detailed in the enclosed management information circular will allow Shopify to remain mission-driven and merchant-obsessed, focused on long-term value creation. The updates will also strengthen the foundation for long-term stewardship by Tobi, a proven leader who has delivered significant shareholder value.

The Board has recommended amendments to the Company's articles of incorporation to authorize and issue a new class of share, the Founder share, to Tobi. The Founder share will provide Tobi with a variable number of votes that, when combined with his Class B shares (and any Class A shares issued in the future upon conversion of his Class B shares and certain other Class A shares acquired after the proposed amendments are implemented), will represent 40% of the total voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding shares, effectively setting and preserving Tobi's voting power at that level following implementation of the proposal. The Special Committee determined the 40% threshold for Tobi's voting power was appropriate as it is generally consistent with the voting power he would hold under the current governance structure if Klister Credit Corp. were to convert its Class B shares to Class A shares, which Klister Credit Corp. has agreed to do in connection with the proposal. The proposal also modernizes the existing governance structure by providing that the Founder share will sunset if Tobi no longer serves the Company in certain capacities or Tobi, his immediate family and his affiliates no longer hold a number of Class A and Class B shares equal to at least 30% of the Class B shares currently held by Tobi and his affiliates. The Board, based on the recommendation of the Special Committee, has unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favour of the proposal, which would, if approved, also address the impact of a dilution-based sunset provision in the current governance structure and prevent intergenerational transfers of voting power associated with Class B shares held by Tobi and his affiliates.

As we look ahead to Shopify's next chapter, we are confident that this proposal will provide Shopify with added flexibility to continue to innovate and execute against its 100-year mission to make commerce better for everyone.

As detailed in this management information circular, Shopify will be holding a vote on the proposal at our annual and special meeting of shareholders on June 7, 2022. We hope to receive your support as we work to position the Company to deliver continued innovation, growth and value.

Thank you for your continued investment in Shopify.

- The Special Committee

The first Shopify store was our own. In 2004, we took something we loved, snowboarding, and built a business around it. The idea was to set up an online store and create a snowboarding empire. But there was a problem: the software landscape we encountered seemed to work against our ambitions at every step. Back then, online store software was built for existing big businesses that were transitioning online. It was incredibly expensive, unnecessarily complex, and infuriatingly inflexible.

Existing software was not designed with the new entrepreneur in mind, so we rejected the existing models and created our own. Our custom software met our needs so well that we decided to take everything we learned and shift our business away from snowboards and towards fixing the glaring hole in the ecommerce market. We knew that many future businesses would be created online first, and software needed to support the first steps of entrepreneurship, not just the established big guys. We set out to create the software that we wished would have existed, and we launched it in 2006 under the name Shopify.

Shopify is exactly this: the only platform you need to build your empire. Shopify is the first thing our merchants log into in the morning and the last thing they log out of in the evening. It's at the heart of their business – a responsibility that we take very seriously. Chances are that you've already bought products through stores that use Shopify and you didn't even realize it. More than 165,000 stores use Shopify today. Yet, as a brand, we are virtually invisible to consumers. This is by design, as our job is to make our merchants look their very best in every interaction they have with consumers.

Over $8 billion of GMV has already been transacted through our platform, with the most recent quarter coming in at over $1 billion. We've proven that there's incredible potential in early-stage entrepreneurs when they are empowered with great technology. Focusing on inspiring entrepreneurship and helping people iterate their ideas, launch new stores and scale their businesses creates a sense of solidarity: we did it together. We believe that by giving merchants an affordable, easy to use solution that helps them sell and run their business, Shopify will share in their success as they grow. We've shown that it was possible to build a single platform that works from the very beginning – an entrepreneur with an idea – to a business with millions of orders. And while many of our larger merchants switched to Shopify based on the quality of our platform, a large number of our merchants are “homegrown” and started their businesses with us. I'm incredibly proud of this.

Over the years we've also helped foster a large ecosystem that has grown up around Shopify. App developers, design agencies, and theme designers have built businesses of their own by creating value for merchants on the Shopify platform. Instead of stifling this enthusiastic pool of talent and carving out the profits for ourselves, we've made a point of supporting our partners and aligning their interests with our own. In order to build long-term value, we decided to forgo short-term revenue opportunities and nurture the people who were putting their trust in Shopify. As a result, today there are thousands of partners that have built businesses around Shopify by creating custom apps, custom themes, or any number of other services for Shopify merchants.

This is a prime example of how we approach value and something that potential investors must understand: we do not chase revenue as the primary driver of our business. Shopify has been about empowering merchants since it was founded, and we have always prioritized long-term value over short-term revenue opportunities. We don't see this changing.

In terms of the value we create, we think that the most important thing that we deliver to our merchants is simplicity. Simplicity isn't simple. It takes tremendous care, discipline, and craftsmanship to take something inherently complex like commerce and make it intuitive. We have spent the last decade democratizing commerce, simplifying it, and making it accessible for businesses of all sizes.

Today, businesses sell through dozens of different channels: online stores, retail stores, wholesale, at pop-up shops, on social networks, through mobile apps or any number of other ways. Merchants often hack together different applications and technologies in order to try to address their multi-channel requirements. We're now showing them that they don't have to; that their complex setup can be reduced to a single, simple platform. By the time we're done, we think Shopify will have established the “new normal”.

I want Shopify to be a company that sees the next century. To get us there we not only have to correctly predict future commerce trends and technology, but be the ones that push the entire industry forward. Shopify was initially built in a world where merchants were simply looking for a homepage for their business. By accurately predicting how the commerce world would be changing, and building what our merchants would need next, we taught them to expect so much more from their software.

These underlying aspirations and values drive our mission: make commerce better for everyone. I hope you'll join us.

- Tobi, Founder, Chief Executive Officer

This summary highlights some of the important information contained in this Circular. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider. You should read this entire Circular before voting your Shares.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Professional Accountants (“PWC”), the present auditors of the Company, have acted as the Company's auditors since August 2011. In 2021, 99.89% of all votes cast at the annual and special meeting of shareholders were in favour of appointing PWC as the Company's auditors.

Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, approve the Arrangement, which will provide for, among other things, an amendment to the Company's restated articles of incorporation to create a new class of share, designated as the Founder share, and the issuance of such Founder share to the Company's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lütke. The Founder share will provide Mr. Lütke with a variable number of votes that, when combined with Class B multiple voting shares beneficially owned by him, his immediate family and affiliates (including any Class A subordinate voting shares issued in the future upon conversion of his Class B multiple voting shares and certain other Class A subordinate voting shares acquired after the effective date of the Arrangement), will represent 40% of the total voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares, effectively setting and preserving Mr. Lütke's voting power at that level following implementation of the Arrangement. The Founder share will sunset if Mr. Lütke no longer serves the Company in certain capacities (as an executive officer, board member or consultant whose primary engagement is with the Company) or Mr. Lütke, his immediate family and affiliates no longer hold a number of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares equal to at least 30% of the Class B multiple voting shares currently held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates. The Founder share is not transferable by Mr. Lütke.

Please also see “Questions and Answers about the Meeting and Special Meeting Matters” and “Schedule A – Arrangement Resolution” of this Circular.

Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, approve the Share Split, authorizing an amendment to the Company's restated articles of incorporation to change the number of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares on a ten-for-one basis, such that, if and when this amendment is given effect, every Class A subordinate voting share will become ten Class A subordinate voting shares and every Class B multiple voting share will become ten Class B multiple voting shares.

Please also see “Questions and Answers about the Meeting and Special Meeting Matters” and “Schedule B – Share Split Resolution” of this Circular.

Shopify is presenting a non-binding advisory vote on the Company's approach to executive compensation. Since this is an advisory vote, the results will not be binding on the Board of Directors or the Compensation and Talent Management Committee. However, the Board of Directors and the Compensation and Talent Management Committee will take into account the outcome of the advisory vote when considering future executive compensation decisions. In 2021, 93.97% of all votes cast at the annual and special meeting of shareholders were in favour of the Company's approach to executive compensation.

Please also see “Section 3: Compensation of Executives” of this Circular for more information about the Company's approach to executive compensation.

This management information circular (the “Circular”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the management of Shopify Inc. (the “Company” or “Shopify”) for use at the annual general and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of shareholders of Shopify (the “Shareholders”), which will be held virtually via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SHOP2022 on June 7, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), or at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice of annual general and special meeting of Shareholders of Shopify (the “Notice of Meeting”).

The Meeting will be a completely “virtual meeting” of Shareholders held via live audio webcast. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting in person. A summary of the information Shareholders will need to attend and participate in the Meeting is set out below. Please see “Section 1: Voting Information.”

No person has been authorized to give any information or make any representation in connection with the matters to be considered at the Meeting other than those contained in this Circular and, if given or made, any such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company.

All information in this Circular is presented as of March 31, 2022 and based on issued and outstanding Shares as of March 31, 2022 on a non-diluted basis, unless otherwise indicated. Except for nominal changes due to ordinary course vesting of equity awards, no changes to the issued and outstanding Shares occurred between March 31, 2022 and the date hereof.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Circular to “Shopify”, “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company” include Shopify and all of its subsidiaries. Words importing the singular, where the context requires, include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender include all genders.

Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website does not constitute a part of this Circular and is not incorporated by reference herein.

We prepare and report our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Our reporting currency is U.S. dollars.

Certain statements contained in this Circular may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements under the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, statements with respect to the Arrangement and rationale therefor, the expected benefits of the Arrangement, the impact of the Share Split, the timing of various steps to be completed in connection with the Arrangement and the Share Split, our plans and objectives for future operations, growth of our business and governance structure, and other statements that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “projects”, “potential”, “continue”, or the negative of these terms or other similar words. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking. All such forward-looking statements are made under the provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.

Forward-looking statements are based upon our perception of historic trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Although we believe that the plans, intentions, expectations, assumptions and strategies reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements relate to future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other

factors, including but not limited to the risks described in detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our annual information form, that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this Circular.

The forward-looking statements in this Circular represent our views as of the date of this Circular or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law.

Readers are cautioned that the risks referred to above are not the only ones that could affect Shopify. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to Shopify or that Shopify currently deems to be immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on Shopify's financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation.

We express all amounts in this Circular in U.S. dollars, except where otherwise indicated. References to “$”, “US$”, “USD” or “U.S. dollars” are to United States dollars and references to “C$” or “CAD” are to Canadian dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, the exchange rate used is based on the December 31, 2021 Bank of Canada daily average exchange rate for the conversion of U.S. dollars into Canadian dollars which was US$1.00 = C$1.2678.

The following table sets forth the closing, high, low and average exchange rates for one (1) U.S. dollar in terms of Canadian dollars for fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, as reported by the Bank of Canada based on the daily average exchange rate published by the Bank of Canada.

On April 8, 2022, the Bank of Canada daily average exchange rate for the conversion of U.S. dollars into Canadian dollars was US$1.00 = C$1.2589.

Shopify is a corporation organized under the laws of Canada and is a foreign private issuer within the meaning of Rule 3b-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “U.S. Exchange Act”). The solicitation of proxies for the Meeting is not subject to the proxy requirements of Section 14(a) of the U.S. Exchange Act, and Regulation 14A thereunder, by virtue of an exemption available to proxy solicitations by foreign private issuers. Accordingly, the solicitation contemplated herein is being made to United States Shareholders only in accordance with Canadian corporate and securities laws and this Circular has been prepared in accordance with disclosure requirements applicable in Canada. United States Shareholders should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States applicable to proxy statements under the U.S. Exchange Act. Specifically, information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with Canadian disclosure standards, which are not comparable in all respects to United States disclosure standards.

The financial statements and other financial information included in this Circular have been presented in U.S. dollars except where otherwise noted, and were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, but are subject to Canadian auditing standards, which differ from United States auditing standards in certain material respects, and thus may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies.

The enforcement by Shareholders of civil liabilities under the United States federal and state securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that the Company is incorporated or organized outside the United States, that some or all of its officers and directors and the experts named herein are residents of a country other than the United States, and that all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company and such persons are located outside the United

States. It may be difficult for Shareholders who reside in the United States to effect service of process within the United States upon the Company, its officers and directors or the experts named herein, or to realize against them upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon civil liabilities under the federal securities laws of the United States or any state securities laws. In addition, the United States Shareholders should not assume that the courts of Canada: (a) would enforce judgments of United States courts obtained in actions against such persons predicated upon civil liabilities under the federal securities laws of the United States or any state securities laws or (b) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against such persons predicated upon civil liabilities under the federal securities laws of the United States or any state securities laws.

This Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the management of the Company for use at the Meeting. If you are a Shareholder as of the close of business on April 19, 2022, you are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.

At the Meeting, you will be asked to consider:

The Meeting will be held virtually via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SHOP2022 on June 7, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), or at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

See “Section 1: Voting Information”.

If you have any questions or need assistance in your consideration of the matters to be addressed at the Meeting, please contact the Company's proxy solicitation agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated by phone at (877) 750-8310 (from the US and Canada) or (412) 232-3651 (from other locations) or Shopify's Investor Relations Department by phone at (613) 241-2828 ext. 1024 or by email at IR@shopify.com.

A plan of arrangement is a statutory procedure under Canadian corporate law that allows a corporation to carry out transactions with the approval of its shareholders and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the “Court”). You are being asked to consider the Arrangement to effect, among other things, certain updates to the Company's governance structure, including an amendment to our restated articles of incorporation to provide for the creation of a new class of share, designated as the Founder share, and the issuance of such Founder share to our Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tobias Lütke.

The Founder share will provide Mr. Lütke with a variable number of votes that, when combined with Class B multiple voting shares beneficially owned by him, his immediate family and affiliates (including any Class A subordinate voting shares issued in the future upon conversion of his Class B multiple voting shares and certain other Class A subordinate voting shares acquired after the effective date of the Arrangement), will represent 40% of the total voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares, effectively setting and preserving Mr. Lütke's voting power at that level following implementation of the Arrangement. The Founder share will sunset if Mr. Lütke no longer serves the Company in certain capacities (as an executive officer, board member or consultant whose primary engagement is with the Company) or Mr. Lütke, his immediate family and affiliates no longer hold a number of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares equal to at least 30% of the Class B multiple voting shares currently held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates. The Founder share is not transferable by Mr. Lütke.

See “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement”.

The Arrangement benefits Shareholders by modernizing the Company's governance structure and keeping it aligned with the Company's long-term market opportunities, ensuring that Shopify remains mission-driven, merchant-obsessed and focused on long-term value creation.

See “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement – Reasons for the Recommendation of the Special Committee”.

Yes. As a result of its discussions and after careful consideration of, among other things, the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of independent directors (the “Special Committee”), the Board of Directors unanimously concluded (with Mr. Lütke abstaining from voting) that implementing the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company and fair to minority Shareholders. As a result, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement.

See “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement – Recommendation of the Special Committee” and “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement – Recommendation of the Board of Directors”.

Yes. This Circular includes a summary of the Arrangement, as well as the terms of the founder agreement, which will become effective upon completion of the Arrangement (the “Founder Agreement”), and the Founder share. See “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement” and related Schedules.

In the event the Arrangement is not approved by Shareholders, the Company's current governance structure will remain in place.

The Special Committee determined the 40% threshold for the Founder share was appropriate as it is approximately the voting power Mr. Lütke and his affiliates would hold under the current share structure if Klister (as defined herein) were to convert its Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares. As part of the Arrangement, the Class B multiple voting shares held by Klister will be converted into Class A subordinate voting shares in accordance with their terms.

See “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement – Reasons for the Recommendation of the Special Committee” and “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement – Background to the Arrangement”.

If the Arrangement Resolution is approved by Shareholders at the Meeting, the Company will apply to the Court to obtain a final order of the Court (the “Final Order”). Once the Final Order is granted, articles of arrangement (the “Articles of Arrangement”) will be filed with the Director under the Canada Business Corporations Act

(“CBCA”) for issuance of the certificate of arrangement (the “Certificate of Arrangement”) giving effect to the Arrangement, which will result in, among other things, an amendment to our restated articles of incorporation to create a new class of share, designated as the Founder share, and the issuance of such Founder share to Mr. Lütke.

See “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement – Court Approval of the Arrangement” and “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement – Events Subsequent to Shareholder Approval”.

The approval of the Arrangement will be determined by (i) not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class and (ii) a majority of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares present at the Meeting or represented by proxy (other than any Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares beneficially owned or controlled by Mr. Lütke and his associates and affiliates), voting together as a single class.

See “Section 2(3): Approval of the Arrangement – Required Shareholder Approval”.

The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares will not change after giving effect to the Arrangement.

However, if the Arrangement was effective as of March 31, 2022, the aggregate total voting power of all Class A subordinate voting shares would increase from approximately 48.9% to approximately 58.5%.

See “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement”.

The Share Split is expected to make the Class A subordinate voting shares more affordable to a broader segment of the population. Making the Class A subordinate voting shares more accessible will enable the Company to broaden and diversify its ownership base, an outcome which is expected to benefit all Shareholders.

See “Section 2(4): Approval of the Share Split”.

If all requisite approvals are received, Shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 22, 2022 will receive from Computershare, the Company's registrar and transfer agent, on June 28, 2022 nine additional Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares, as applicable, for every one share held.

See “Section 2(4): Approval of the Share Split”.

The approval of the Share Split will be determined by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class.

You will be voting on:

The Board of Directors and management recommend that you vote FOR each of the director nominees nominated in this Circular; FOR the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the auditors of the Company and authorizing the directors to fix their remuneration; FOR the Arrangement; FOR the Share Split; and FOR the advisory, non-binding resolution in respect of Shopify's approach to executive compensation.

The management of Shopify is soliciting your proxy. The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail. However, the directors, officers, employees and agents of the Company may also solicit proxies by telephone, by fax, by internet, in writing, or in person. The Company has retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated, as its shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent, to solicit proxies from Shareholders and has agreed to pay a fee of up to $750,000 for proxy solicitation services, plus a per call fee and any additional fees for other services provided.

The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company will reimburse brokers, custodians, nominees, and other fiduciaries for their reasonable charges and expenses incurred in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial Shareholders.

The holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares as at the close of business on April 19, 2022, or their duly appointed proxyholders or representatives, are entitled to vote at the Meeting.

The Company has two classes of shares currently issued and outstanding. The Class A subordinate voting shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (NYSE: SHOP) and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) (TSX: SHOP). The Company also has Class B multiple voting shares issued and outstanding, which are not listed on any exchange, but which can be converted at any time at the option of the holder into Class A subordinate voting shares on a 1:1 basis.

On March 31, 2022, the aggregate number of Class A subordinate voting shares outstanding was 114,185,448, which represents 48.9% of the aggregate voting rights attaching to all of the Company's outstanding Shares, and the aggregate number of Class B multiple voting shares outstanding was 11,951,154, which represents 51.1% of the aggregate voting rights attaching to all of the outstanding Shares.

As described in this Circular, changes to our capital structure may be made pursuant to the Arrangement. See “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement”.

Holders of the Class A subordinate voting shares have one vote for every share owned and holders of the Class B multiple voting shares have ten votes for every share owned.

The election of directors, the appointment of auditors and the approval of an advisory, non-binding resolution on the Company's approach to executive compensation will each be determined by a majority of all votes cast at the Meeting by proxy or by Shareholders attending the Meeting. For details concerning Shopify's majority voting policy with respect to the election of its directors, please refer to “Section 4 – Corporate Governance Policies and Practices – Majority Voting Policy” in this Circular.

The approval of the Arrangement will be determined by (i) not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class and (ii) a majority of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares present at the Meeting or represented by proxy (other than any Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares beneficially owned or controlled by Mr. Lütke and his associates and affiliates), voting together as a single class. Please refer to “Section 2(3): Approval of the Arrangement – Required Shareholder Approval”.

The approval of the Share Split will be determined by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class. Please refer to “Section 2(4): Approval of the Share Split”.

A quorum is present at the Meeting if the holders of at least 25% of the Shares entitled to vote at the Meeting attend the Meeting online or are represented by proxy, and at least two persons entitled to vote at the Meeting are present at the Meeting online or represented by proxy. A quorum need not be present throughout the Meeting provided that a quorum is present at the opening of the Meeting. If a quorum is not present at the time appointed for the opening of the Meeting or within a reasonable time after, the Shareholders present or represented by proxy may adjourn the Meeting to a fixed time and place but may not transact any other business.

You are a registered Shareholder if your Shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. (“Computershare”).

You are a non-registered Shareholder (also called a beneficial Shareholder) if your Shares are held in the name of a nominee, such as a securities broker, bank, trustee, or other financial institution (an “Intermediary”). Employees who hold Shares through Shopify's equity platform in connection with Shares issued under our equity plans are beneficial Shareholders.

Shopify is a company of and by the internet, whose employees work remotely in a digital by design model. Accordingly, we will hold our Meeting in virtual-only format, conducted via live audio webcast. Shareholders will have an equal opportunity to participate in real time and vote at the Meeting online through a web-based platform, regardless of their geographic location. Shareholders are encouraged to vote in advance of the Meeting at www.proxyvote.com, as further described below. If you are a beneficial (non-registered) Shareholder, please carefully follow the instructions provided below.

The Meeting will be held virtually via live audio webcast. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Meeting in person. In order to participate in real-time, submit questions and vote at the Meeting, Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders must follow the instructions below.

Registered Shareholders and duly appointed proxyholders will be able to attend, participate in and vote at the Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SHOP2022. If you are a non-registered Shareholder and wish to personally attend and vote at the Meeting, you must appoint yourself as proxyholder by following the instructions provided by your Intermediary.

To access the Meeting, registered Shareholders must enter the 16-digit control number included on their Form of Proxy. Duly appointed proxyholders, including non-registered Shareholders who appoint themselves as proxyholder, must use an eight character “Appointee Identification Number” to access the Meeting. The Appointee Identification Number must be created BEFORE the proxy deadline or the appointee will not be able to access and vote at the Meeting (see additional details below). Non-registered Shareholders who have not appointed themselves as proxyholder will be able to use the 16-digit control number located on their voting instruction form to attend the Meeting and submit questions, but will not be able to vote at the Meeting. Guests will be able to attend the Meeting, but will not be able to submit questions or vote. To attend as a guest, go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SHOP2022.

The Meeting platform is fully supported across browsers and devices running the most updated version of applicable software plug-ins. You should ensure that you have a strong, preferably high-speed, internet connection from wherever you intend to participate in the Meeting. The Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 am (Eastern Time) on June 7, 2022. Online check-in will begin starting 15 minutes prior at 9:45 am (Eastern Time). You should allow ample time for check-in procedures.

If you encounter any difficulties accessing the Meeting during check-in or during the Meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the Meeting log-in page.

If you are a registered Shareholder, you can vote your Shares using the methods described below.

By internet:

Visit www.proxyvote.com. You will need your 16-digit control number located on your Form of Proxy. The voting cut off is 10:00 am (Eastern Time) on June 3, 2022.

By telephone:

Call 1-800-474-7493 (English) or 1-800-474-7501 (French). You will need your 16-digit control number located on your Form of Proxy. The voting cut off is 10:00 am (Eastern Time) on June 3, 2022.

By mail:

Complete, sign and date the Form of Proxy and return the Form of Proxy in the mail in the business reply envelope to Broadridge at Data Processing Centre, P.O. Box 3700 STN Industrial Park, Markham, ON L3R 9Z9. Broadridge must receive the Form of Proxy by 10:00 am (Eastern Time) on June 3, 2022. If the Meeting is adjourned or postponed, Broadridge must receive the Form of Proxy at least 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, before the rescheduled meeting.

At the Meeting:

Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SHOP2022 at least 15 minutes before the Meeting begins and enter your 16-digit control number included on your Form of Proxy and click “Join Meeting”. Follow the instructions to access the Meeting and vote when prompted.

Even if you currently plan to participate in the live audio webcast for the Meeting, you are encouraged to consider voting your Shares in advance, so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not or are unable to attend the Meeting for any reason.

In accordance with National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer, the Company has distributed copies of the Notice of Meeting and the Form of Proxy to Intermediaries for onward distribution to non-registered Shareholders. Intermediaries are required to forward these materials, along with a voting instruction form, to all non-registered Shareholders for whom they hold Shares unless the Shareholder has waived its right to receive them. Every Intermediary provides its own voting instructions and deadlines, which you should follow carefully to ensure your Shares are voted at the Meeting.

The majority of Intermediaries now delegate responsibility for obtaining voting instructions from clients to Broadridge. Broadridge typically mails its own voting instruction forms, which contain instructions for non-registered Shareholders to vote their Shares by calling a toll-free telephone number, by accessing a website or by completing and returning the voting instruction form to Broadridge by mail. Broadridge then tabulates the results of

all instructions received and provides directions respecting the voting of Shares to be represented at the Meeting. A non-registered Shareholder receiving a voting instruction form from Broadridge cannot use that voting instruction form to vote Shares directly. The voting instruction form must be returned as directed by Broadridge in advance of the Meeting in order to have the Shares voted.

The persons named in the Form of Proxy and voting instruction form are officers of the Company. Each Shareholder has the right to appoint a person other than the persons designated in the Form of Proxy or voting instruction form, who need not be a Shareholder, to participate in the Meeting and vote on such Shareholder's behalf at the Meeting.

If you are a registered Shareholder, this appointment may be completed online at www.proxyvote.com or by using the Form of Proxy to designate an “Appointee Name” and an eight character “Appointee Identification Number”. Shareholders who wish to appoint a proxyholder to represent them at the Meeting (including non-registered Shareholders who wish to appoint themselves as proxyholder) must complete their appointment by 10:00 am (Eastern Time) on June 3, 2022 (the proxy deadline). Shareholders must provide their appointed proxyholder with the EXACT NAME used for the appointment and the EIGHT CHARACTER APPOINTEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER to allow appointees to access the Meeting and vote. Any vote cast at the Meeting by online ballot will revoke any proxy previously submitted. If you do not want to revoke a previously submitted proxy, you should NOT vote at the Meeting (but you may still attend and participate).

If you are a non-registered Shareholder, this appointment may be completed by following instructions in the voting instruction form provided to you by your respective Intermediary.

On the Form of Proxy, you can indicate how you want your proxyholder to vote your Shares, or you can let your proxyholder decide for you. If you have specified on the Form of Proxy how you want your Shares to be voted on a particular matter, then your proxyholder must vote your Shares accordingly.

Unless contrary instructions are provided, the Shares represented by proxies received by management will be voted:

The Form of Proxy gives the persons named on it authority to use their discretion in voting on amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Meeting or on any matter that may properly come before the Meeting or at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the Meeting.

As of the date of this Circular, management is not aware of any other matter to be presented for action at the Meeting. If, however, other matters properly come before the Meeting, the persons named on the Form of Proxy will vote on them in accordance with their judgment, pursuant to the discretionary authority conferred by the Form of Proxy.

If you are a registered Shareholder, you can change or revoke your proxy prior to it being acted upon at the Meeting by:

If you are a non-registered Shareholder, you can change or revoke your proxy by following the instructions provided to you by your respective Intermediary. Non-registered Shareholders who have voted and wish to change their voting instructions should contact their Intermediary as soon as possible to ensure changes are communicated in advance of the Meeting.

Votes are counted and tabulated by Broadridge.

The confidentiality of individual Shareholder votes is preserved, except (a) where the Shareholder clearly intends to communicate his or her individual position to management, (b) where the validity of the form is in question or (c) as necessary to comply with legal requirements.

If you have questions regarding the information contained in this Circular, you may contact the Company's proxy solicitation agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, by phone at (877) 750-8310 (from the US and Canada) or (412) 232-3651 (from other locations) or Shopify's Investor Relations Department by phone at (613) 241-2828 ext. 1024 or by email at IR@shopify.com.

If you require assistance in completing the Form of Proxy, you may contact the Company's proxy solicitation agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, by (877) 750-8310 (from the US and Canada) or (412) 232-3651 (from other locations).

The audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the management's discussion and analysis and the report of the auditors are included with the Company's annual report, which is accessible on SEDAR at sedar.com, on EDGAR at sec.gov, or on our website at investors.shopify.com, and was mailed to Shareholders with the Circular.

Our current Board of Directors consists of seven directors, Tobias Lütke, Robert Ashe, Gail Goodman, Colleen Johnston, Jeremy Levine, John Phillips, and Fidji Simo. Tobias Lütke, Robert Ashe, Jeremy Levine and John Phillips were re-elected by our shareholders at our first annual general meeting post-IPO on June 8, 2016 and have been re-elected at every subsequent annual meeting. Gail Goodman was appointed to the Board of Directors on November 2, 2016, and was subsequently elected by our shareholders at our annual general meeting held June 7, 2017 and has been re-elected by our shareholders at every subsequent annual meeting. Colleen Johnston was appointed to the Board of Directors on January 24, 2019, was subsequently elected by our shareholders at our annual general meeting held May 29, 2019, and was re-elected by our shareholders at every subsequent annual meeting. Fidji Simo was appointed to the Board of Directors on December 15, 2021.

All of our currently serving directors are standing for election at the Meeting.

Pursuant to the CBCA, at least 25% of our directors must be resident Canadians. Furthermore, under the CBCA, no business may be transacted at a meeting of the Board of Directors unless 25% of the directors present are resident Canadians. The minimum number of directors we may have is one and the maximum number we may have is ten, as set out in our articles of incorporation. The CBCA provides that any amendment to our restated articles of incorporation to increase or decrease the minimum or maximum number of our directors requires the approval of our shareholders by a special resolution.

Under the CBCA, a director may be removed with or without cause by a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders attending the meeting or by proxy at a special meeting and who are entitled to vote. The directors are elected at the annual meeting of shareholders and the term of office for each of the directors will expire at the time of our next annual shareholders meeting. Our restated articles of incorporation provide that, between annual meetings of our shareholders, the directors may appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors may not at any time exceed one-third of the number of directors who held office at the expiration of the last meeting of our shareholders.

Set forth below are the names of the seven individuals who currently serve as directors and who are proposed as nominees for election as directors of the Company, to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected or appointed. The resolution to elect directors will be voted upon by Shareholders, voting together as a single class, attending the Meeting or represented by proxy at the Meeting.

Unless authority is withheld, the management nominees named in the Form of Proxy intend to vote FOR the election of each of the nominees proposed below, all of whom are, on the date of the Meeting, serving as directors of the Company.

If any nominee is, for any reason, unavailable to serve as a director, proxies in favour of management nominees will be voted for another properly qualified nominee at their discretion unless authority has been withheld in the Form of Proxy.

Shopify has adopted a majority voting policy, see “Section 4 – Corporate Governance Policies and Practices – Majority Voting Policy”.

To the knowledge of Shopify, none of the proposed directors is at the date hereof or has been, in the last 10 years before the date hereof, a director, Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) or Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of any company, including Shopify, that (i) was subject to a cease trade order, an order similar to a cease trade order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemptions under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days (an “Order”) that was issued while the proposed director was acting in such capacity; or, (ii) was subject to an Order that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, CEO or CFO and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, CEO or CFO.

To the knowledge of Shopify, none of the proposed directors is at the date hereof or has been, in the 10 years before the date hereof, a director or executive officer of a company, including Shopify that, while that person was acting in that capacity or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets, except for:

To the knowledge of Shopify, none of the proposed directors has, within the last 10 years before the date hereof, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold his or her assets.

Under the NYSE listing standards, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company's board of directors. For purposes of the NYSE rules, an independent director means a person who, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, has no material relationship with our company. Under National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Governance Practices adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators (“NI 58-101”), a director is considered to be independent if he or she is independent within the meaning of Section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”).

Pursuant to our Board Charter, our Board of Directors shall be comprised of a majority of independent directors within the meaning of the applicable listing standards of the NYSE and National Policy 58-201 – Corporate Governance Guidelines adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators (“NP 58-201”).

Our Board of Directors has undertaken a review of the independence of each director. Based on information provided by each director concerning their background, employment and affiliations, our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Ashe, Levine, and Phillips and Mses. Goodman, Johnston and Simo are “independent” as that term is defined under the listing standards of the NYSE and NI 58-101. The majority of the current Board of Directors (six out of seven) and the director nominees (six out of seven) are independent. In making this determination, our Board of Directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with the Company and all other facts and circumstances our Board of Directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our Shares by each non-employee director. Mr. Lütke is not independent by reason of the fact that he is our Chief Executive Officer.

PWC has acted as the Company's auditors since August 2011. The resolution to reappoint PWC as the Company's auditors and to authorize the Board of Directors to fix their remuneration must be approved by a majority of all votes cast by Shareholders, voting together as a single class, attending the Meeting or represented by proxy at the Meeting. In 2021, 99.89% of all votes cast at the annual and special meeting of shareholders were in favour of appointing PWC as the Company's auditors.

Unless authority is withheld, the management nominees named in the Form of Proxy intend to vote FOR the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Professional Accountants, the present auditor of the Company, as the auditor of the Company, to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and to authorize the Board of Directors to fix their remuneration.

The Audit Committee reviews, with senior financial management and the auditors, on an annual basis, the performance of the auditors and auditor independence and rotation.

Audit fees relate to the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the review of our quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements, statutory audits of certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries' financial statements, and services in connection with our Registration Statement on Form F-10 (related to our 2021 and 2020 public offerings of Class A subordinate voting shares and 2020 offering of convertible senior notes).

Audit-related fees consist of aggregate fees for accounting consultations and other services that were reasonably related to the performance of audits or reviews of our consolidated financial statements and were not reported above under “Audit Fees”.

Tax fees relate to assistance with tax compliance, expatriate tax return preparation, tax planning and various tax advisory services.

Other fees are any additional amounts for products and services provided by the principal accountants other than the services reported above under “Audit Fees”, “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees”.

From time to time, management recommends to and requests approval from the Audit Committee for audit and non-audit services to be provided by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee considers such requests, if applicable, on a quarterly basis, and if acceptable, pre-approves such audit and non-audit services. During such deliberations, the Audit Committee assesses, among other factors, whether the services requested would be considered “prohibited services” as contemplated by the SEC, and whether the services requested and the fees related to such services could impair the independence of the Company's registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee considered and agreed that the fees paid to the Company's independent registered public accounting firm in the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are compatible with maintaining the independence of the Company's registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee determined that, in order to ensure the continued independence of the registered public accounting firm, only limited non-audit services will be provided to the Company by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Since the implementation of the Audit Committee pre-approval process in November 2015, all audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm have been pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, approve the Arrangement, which will provide for, among other things, an amendment to our restated articles of incorporation to create a new class of share, designated as the Founder share, and the issuance of such Founder share to Mr. Lütke.

The full text of the Arrangement Resolution is attached as “Schedule A – Arrangement Resolution” to this Circular. The Arrangement Resolution authorizes the Board of Directors to decide not to proceed with the Arrangement without further Shareholder approval. Shareholders are urged to read this Circular, including the Schedules, in their entirety. Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure in this Section 2(3) assumes that no changes to our capital structure or our issued and outstanding Shares are made other than pursuant to the Arrangement described below, and does not reflect changes as may be made pursuant to the Share Split as further described under “Section 2(4): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Share Split” in this Circular.

The following is a summary of certain information contained in this Circular, including its Schedules. This summary is not intended to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this Circular, including its Schedules.

If the Arrangement Resolution is approved, the Company intends to create the Founder share and issue it to Mr. Lütke, and to provide for the effectiveness of the related Founder Agreement and the conversion of the Class B multiple voting shares held by Klister Credit Corp. (“Klister”), a company that is owned and controlled by John Phillips, a director of the Company, and Catherine Phillips, by way of a court supervised and shareholder approved Arrangement pursuant to Section 192 of the CBCA (the “Plan of Arrangement”). The full text of the Plan of Arrangement is set forth in “Schedule C – Plan of Arrangement” of this Circular.

The Company's authorized share capital currently consists of an unlimited number of Class A subordinate voting shares, an unlimited number of Class B multiple voting shares, and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series. As part of the Arrangement, we are proposing to create a new class of share, designated as the Founder share, the authorized number of which will be one share, such that on completion of the Arrangement, our authorized share capital will consist of an unlimited number of Class A subordinate voting shares, an unlimited number of Class B multiple voting shares, one Founder share, and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series.

The terms of the Class A subordinate voting shares, the Class B multiple voting shares and the preferred shares will not change as a result of the Arrangement. The terms of the Class B multiple voting shares will continue to provide for an automatic conversion of all outstanding Class B multiple voting shares into an equal number of Class A subordinate voting shares on the date on which the outstanding Class B multiple voting shares represent less than 5.0% of the aggregate number of outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares. The Class B multiple voting shares will also continue to automatically convert into an equal number of Class A subordinate voting shares upon a Transfer, other than a Transfer to a Permitted Holder (each such term as defined under the heading “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Class A and Class B Shares” below). Holders of Class B multiple voting shares will continue to be entitled to convert, at their option and at any time, each Class B multiple voting share held by such holder into one Class A subordinate voting share. Under the terms of the Founder Agreement, which will become effective upon completion of the Arrangement, Mr. Lütke and his affiliate, 7910240 Canada Inc., will agree to convert or cause to be converted all outstanding Class B multiple voting shares held by them into an equal number of Class A subordinate voting shares following the occurrence of a Sunset Event and on or before the Sunset Date (as such terms are defined under the heading “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Founder Share” below) and to certain new restrictions with respect to their ability to transfer Class B multiple voting shares that they currently hold. See “ – Founder Agreement” below.

If the Arrangement Resolution is approved on the basis described herein, the Founder share will be issued to Mr. Lütke upon the Arrangement becoming effective as set out in the Plan of Arrangement. As described in more detail below under the heading “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement”, unlike the Class A subordinate voting shares, which entitle a holder to one vote per share, and the Class B multiple voting shares, which entitle a holder to ten votes per share, the Founder share will have a variable number of votes. The Founder share, subject to the limitations set forth below, and until the occurrence of the Sunset Date (as further described below, and as defined under the heading “– Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Founder Share” below), will provide Mr. Lütke with a variable number of votes that will represent, when combined with the votes attached to certain other voting shares of the Company beneficially owned or controlled by Mr. Lütke, his immediate

family and affiliates, 40% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares, provided that such variable number of votes does not cause the aggregate voting power of Mr. Lütke and his immediate family and affiliates to exceed 49.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares. Specifically, subject to the limitations set forth below, and until the occurrence of the Sunset Date, the Founder share will, as of the applicable record date, represent the lesser of:

provided, however, that the Founder share will always carry at least one vote. As a result, the Founder share will only carry one vote at any time when Mr. Lütke and his immediate family and affiliates beneficially own or control (i) an aggregate number of Class B multiple voting shares, as well as any Class A subordinate voting shares received on conversion of Class B multiple voting shares after the effective date of the Arrangement (and, in some circumstances, additional Class A subordinate voting shares acquired following a disposition of Class A subordinate voting shares resulting from a conversion of Class B multiple voting shares after the effective date of the Arrangement), representing 40% or more of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares at such time or (ii) an aggregate number of Class B multiple voting shares and Class A subordinate voting shares, representing 49.9% or more of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares at such time.

As of the date hereof, Mr. Lütke beneficially owns or controls 7,891,852 Class B multiple voting shares and 5,250 Class A subordinate voting shares, representing approximately 33.8% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares as of March 31, 2022. If the conversion of the 3,750,000 Class B multiple voting shares held by Klister as of the date hereof (including any additional Class B multiple voting shares it may receive as a result of any subdivision of such Class B multiple voting shares prior to the effective time of the Arrangement) (collectively, the “Klister shares”), as described below under “ – Klister Conversion”, were to have occurred on March 31, 2022, Mr. Lütke's beneficial ownership or control over 7,891,852 Class B multiple voting shares and 5,250 Class A subordinate voting shares would represent 39.5% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares as of such date. If the completion of the Arrangement were to have occurred on March 31, 2022, then, as a result of the issuance of the Founder share and conversion of the Klister shares, Mr. Lütke's beneficial ownership or control over 7,891,852 Class B multiple voting shares and one Founder share would provide him with aggregate voting power representing 40% of the votes attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares.

The variable voting power of the Founder share will terminate following the occurrence of a Sunset Event on the Sunset Date. Specifically, the number of votes attached to the Founder share will automatically and permanently be reduced to one vote following a transition period, to be determined by the Board that is not less than nine months and not more than 18 months following the occurrence of a Sunset Event, after the earliest of: (a) the date that Mr. Lütke is both no longer (i) providing services to the Company as an executive officer or a consultant whose primary engagement is with the Company and (ii) serving as a member of the Board of Directors, (b) the date of Mr. Lütke's death or Disability (as defined under the heading “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Founder Share” below), or (c) the date that Mr. Lütke and his immediate family and affiliates beneficially own an aggregate number of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares that is less than 2,367,556, representing 30% of the aggregate number of Class B multiple voting shares beneficially owned by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates as of the date hereof, as such number is adjusted to appropriately reflect any share split, consolidation, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, or similar event. See “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Founder Share” below.

The Founder share will be subject to redemption by the Company for nominal consideration (a) at the Company's option, at any time on or after the Sunset Date, or (b) at Mr. Lütke's option, at any time following its issuance, and will not be entitled to receive any dividends or property or assets of the Company on liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company.

In addition to the terms of the Founder share, which will form part of our amended articles of incorporation, we will enter into the Founder Agreement with Mr. Lütke and 7910240 Canada Inc., his affiliate, as part of the Arrangement. Pursuant to the Founder Agreement, Mr. Lütke will agree not to Transfer (as defined under the heading “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Founder Agreement” below), directly or indirectly, the Founder share. Mr. Lütke and 7910240 Canada Inc. (and any additional affiliate who becomes a party to the Founder Agreement pursuant to its terms) will also agree not to Transfer any Class B multiple voting shares if such Transfer would result in Mr. Lütke not retaining voting control over such shares, in which case such transferred Class B multiple voting shares shall be caused to be converted into Class A subordinate voting shares. The Founder Agreement also provides that Mr. Lütke and 7910240 Canada Inc. (and any additional affiliate who becomes a party to the Founder Agreement pursuant to its terms) will not be entitled to receive, directly or indirectly, any economic premium, additional payment or collateral benefit in connection with certain transactions involving the elimination, consolidation or collapse of the Class B multiple voting shares or the Founder share. See “ – Founder Agreement” below.

Pursuant to the Founder Agreement, Mr. Lütke and 7910240 Canada Inc. (and any additional affiliate who becomes a party to the Founder Agreement pursuant to its terms) will also agree following the occurrence of a Sunset Event to convert or cause to be converted all outstanding Class B multiple voting shares held by them into Class A subordinate voting shares on or before the Sunset Date. As a result, in addition to the automatic and permanent reduction of the Founder share to one vote on the Sunset Date, following a transition period after the occurrence of a Sunset Event, Mr. Lütke and 7910240 Canada Inc. (and any additional affiliate who becomes a party to the Founder Agreement pursuant to its terms) will, pursuant to the Founder Agreement, be required to convert any Class B multiple voting shares held by them following a Sunset Event into Class A subordinate voting shares on or before the Sunset Date. Following the occurrence of a Sunset Event and the expiry of the transition period, Mr. Lütke will only hold Class A subordinate voting shares, with one vote per share, and the Founder share, with one vote and which will be subject to redemption by the Company for nominal consideration at the Company's option. Assuming the conversion of the Klister shares occurred on March 31, 2022 and based on the Company's outstanding share capital on such date, the conversion by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates of all Class B multiple voting shares held by them into Class A subordinate voting shares would result in the automatic conversion of all other outstanding Class B multiple voting shares at such time in accordance with the current terms of the Company's restated articles of incorporation. See “ – Founder Agreement” and “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Founder Share” below.

As part of the Arrangement, the Class B multiple voting shares held by Klister will be converted into Class A subordinate voting shares in accordance with their terms. As of the date hereof, Klister owns or controls 3,750,000 Class B multiple voting shares and 16,998 Class A subordinate voting shares, representing approximately 16.1% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares as of March 31, 2022. If the conversion of the Klister shares were to have occurred on March 31, 2022, Klister would own or control 3,766,998 Class A subordinate voting shares, representing approximately 1.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares as of such date. The conversion of the Klister shares as part of the Arrangement will result in an increase of 3,750,000 issued and outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and an increase to the aggregate voting power attached to the Class A subordinate voting shares, which, assuming it occurred March 31, 2022, would increase from approximately 48.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares to approximately 58.5% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares. See “ – Klister Conversion” below.

As currently provided in the Company's restated articles of incorporation, when the number of outstanding Class B multiple voting shares represents less than 5.0% of the aggregate number of outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares, all outstanding Class B multiple voting shares will automatically convert into an equal number of Class A subordinate voting shares in accordance with their terms. As of March 31, 2022, the Class B multiple voting shares represented approximately 9.5% of the aggregate number of outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares. For illustrative purposes, based on the Company's

issued and outstanding share capital as of March 31, 2022, and without giving effect to the Arrangement, if all outstanding Class B multiple voting shares were converted into an equal number of Class A subordinate voting shares, leaving no Class B multiple voting shares outstanding, the Class A subordinate voting shares held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates on an as-converted basis would represent 6.3% of the votes attached to all outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares.

Under the same scenario, but after giving effect to the Arrangement, including the issuance of the Founder share to Mr. Lütke, assuming the Arrangement was effective on March 31, 2022, if all outstanding Class B multiple voting shares were converted into an equal number of Class A subordinate voting shares, leaving no Class B multiple voting shares outstanding, the Class A subordinate voting shares held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, on an as-converted basis, would represent 4.0% of the votes attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares (including the Founder share), and the Founder share held by Mr. Lütke would represent 36.0% of the votes attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares, such that Mr. Lütke's aggregate voting power would be 40.0% of the votes attached to all outstanding voting shares.

The following table illustrates the variable voting power of the Founder share in different scenarios and Mr. Lütke's potential aggregate voting power in such scenarios as compared to his aggregate voting power under the current governance structure and as if the Arrangement did not occur (but assuming the conversion of the Klister shares). Each scenario assumes, for illustrative purposes: (i) the total issued and outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares as of March 31, 2022 (as adjusted to reflect the conversion of the Klister shares as if it had occurred on March 31, 2022), (ii) the beneficial ownership of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates as of the date hereof and (iii) as applicable, that the Arrangement has occurred as of March 31, 2022.

As a result of the above assumptions, and subject to the specific changes described in each scenario, the below illustrative examples are based on (i) 117,935,448 Class A subordinate voting shares and 8,201,154 Class B multiple voting shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 (after giving effect to the conversion of the Klister shares as if it had occurred on March 31, 2022), (ii) Mr. Lütke and his affiliates beneficially owning 7,891,852 Class B multiple voting shares and 5,250 Class A subordinate voting shares and (iii) as applicable, Mr. Lütke holding one Founder share.

Each of the references in the below table to Mr. Lütke includes his affiliates.

Shopify's focus since its inception has been to empower merchants. Since Shopify's initial public offering in 2015 (the “IPO”), Shopify has highlighted to investors its prioritization of long-term value over short-term revenue opportunities. While Shopify's business has matured and evolved over time, Shopify's focus on becoming a “100 year company” – by not only predicting future commerce trends and technology, but by pushing the industry forward – continues to inform Shopify's approach to the creation of Shareholder value.

The values that drive Shopify's mission and long-term focus are underpinned and supported by its governance structure – a dual class share structure in which the Class A subordinate voting shares have one vote per share and the Class B multiple voting shares have ten votes per share. At the time of the IPO, Class B multiple voting shares were issued on a pro rata basis to all existing holders of Shopify's shares, which consisted of pre-IPO investors and employees. The structure was designed to enable Shopify to focus on its mission and long-term value creation.

The Class B multiple voting shares represented approximately 88.3% of Shopify's issued and outstanding shares immediately following the closing of the IPO. Over time, Shopify has continued to issue Class A subordinate voting shares to enable its growth and to reward and incentivize its talent pool. Meanwhile, many pre-IPO investors have converted their Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares for liquidity purposes. As a result, the Class B multiple voting shares currently represent approximately 9.5% of Shopify's issued and outstanding Shares. Mr. Lütke, who held approximately 14.6% of the Class B multiple voting shares immediately following the IPO, is currently the largest holder of Class B multiple voting shares, holding, directly and indirectly, approximately 66.0% of the outstanding Class B multiple voting shares. The second largest holder of Class B multiple voting shares is Klister, a company owned by Mr. Phillips, a director of the Company, and Catherine Phillips, which held approximately 7.5% of the Class B multiple voting shares immediately following the IPO and currently holds approximately 31.4% of the outstanding Class B multiple voting shares.

Since the IPO, largely as a result of maintaining his equity ownership in the Class B multiple voting shares issued to him at IPO, Mr. Lütke's aggregate voting power has increased from approximately 14.5% to approximately 33.8%. Mr. Lütke's position as founder and CEO coupled with the voting power attached to his Class B multiple voting shares have enabled him to guide a maturing and evolving company at the center of the rapidly changing future of commerce. At the same time, Mr. Lütke's leadership and vision have enabled Shopify to prioritize long-term value creation by focusing on strategic opportunities that drive long-term growth and by driving an innovative culture that attracts and retains top talent committed to Shopify's mission.

Shopify's existing restated articles of incorporation provide that when the outstanding Class B multiple voting shares represent less than 5.0% of the aggregate outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares, all Class B multiple voting shares will automatically convert into Class A subordinate voting shares (the “Dilution Sunset”), resulting in the collapse of the dual class share structure. The current governance structure also allows for intergenerational transfers of Class B multiple voting shares, meaning that a holder of Class B multiple voting shares can transfer the Class B multiple voting shares to a parent, spouse, child or other descendant without retaining voting control over the shares. In addition, Mr. Lütke is not required to continue providing services to Shopify in any capacity in order to retain his Class B multiple voting shares. In the intervening years since the IPO, the Board of Directors has had several discussions regarding the potential for, and implications of, triggering the Dilution Sunset in the context of evaluating various corporate actions.

As part of its long-term strategic planning, the Board of Directors has periodically assessed, considered and evaluated Shopify's share capital and governance structure to determine whether there are any potential changes that Shopify should pursue (the “Potential Governance Actions”). Following a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting held on February 16, 2021, the Board of Directors identified a need to consider the appropriateness of Shopify's share capital and governance structure, and specifically the potential impacts of triggering the Dilution Sunset on Shopify's growth strategy. Following consultation with representatives of Shopify's external legal counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (“Skadden”) and Stikeman Elliott LLP (“Stikeman”), representatives of Shopify's legal department discussed with Robert Ashe, the Lead Independent Director, the potential creation of a special committee of independent directors to consider changes to the share capital and governance structure.

On March 5, 2021, the members of the Board of Directors, other than Mr. Lütke and Mr. Phillips, held a meeting to discuss Shopify's share capital and governance structure. At the invitation of the Board of Directors, representatives of Shopify's legal department, Skadden and Stikeman attended. At the meeting, representatives of Skadden and

Stikeman reviewed with the Board of Directors certain key considerations relating to Potential Governance Actions, the Board of Directors' fiduciary duties and potential next steps. The Board of Directors noted that any Potential Governance Action would be based on its assessment and evaluation of what would be in the best interests of Shopify and best serve Shopify's strategic and long-term planning.

Following discussion, the Board of Directors, other than Mr. Lütke and Mr. Phillips, determined that a special committee of independent members of the Board of Directors should be constituted to evaluate any Potential Governance Action. The Board of Directors authorized the creation of the Special Committee and appointed Robert Ashe, Gail Goodman, Colleen Johnston and Jeremy Levine to the Special Committee. Mr. Ashe was appointed Chair of the Special Committee. The Special Committee assessed the interests, relationships and other factors that might be viewed as relevant to the independence of the members of the Special Committee in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and determined that each member of the Special Committee was independent. The Board of Directors determined it would not be appropriate for Mr. Phillips (an indirect holder of Class B multiple voting shares through his ownership interest in Klister) to serve on the Special Committee because no specific Potential Governance Action had been identified and therefore the impact on holders of Class B multiple voting shares remained uncertain at the time.

The mandate of the Special Committee empowered it to, among other things, (i) assess, consider and evaluate, with the assistance of Shopify's management team, Shopify's advisors and the Special Committee's advisors, the advisability of a Potential Governance Action and any alternatives (including maintaining Shopify's share capital and governance structure as it then existed), (ii) retain professional advisors, (iii) propose, negotiate or supervise the negotiations of the terms and conditions of a Potential Governance Action or related matters or alternatives, (iv) oversee the preparation of any related legal agreements or other documentation and the implementation of a Potential Governance Action, (v) assess the fairness of a Potential Governance Action to Shopify's shareholders, and determine whether any Potential Governance Action was in the best interests of Shopify, its shareholders and any other relevant stakeholders, (vi) report and make any recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to a Potential Governance Action or alternatives and (vii) oversee, together with Shopify's management team, the required public disclosures and communications to relevant stakeholders of Shopify.

On March 11, 2021, the Special Committee retained McCarthy Tétrault LLP (“McCarthy”) to act as its independent legal counsel.

In the course of its review and evaluation of a Potential Governance Action, between March 16, 2021 and April 8, 2022, the Special Committee held 16 formal meetings at which its independent legal counsel, McCarthy, was also in attendance. Representatives of the Special Committee's independent financial advisor, Blair Franklin Capital Partners Inc. (“Blair Franklin”), attended each formal meeting of the Special Committee held following Blair Franklin's engagement. In addition, the Special Committee conducted informal consultations with representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin, as well as with representatives of Shopify's management team and the Company's external advisors. At any formal meetings of the Special Committee at which any of Mr. Lütke, his advisors, other members of the Board of Directors, Shopify's management team or the Company's external advisors were invited to attend, the Special Committee held in-camera sessions without such persons present.

On March 16, 2021, the Special Committee held its first meeting, which representatives of McCarthy attended. At the meeting, the Special Committee and representatives of McCarthy re-examined the interests, relationships and any other factors that might be viewed as relevant to the independence of the members of the Special Committee in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Representatives of McCarthy advised the Special Committee that Mr. Ashe held options exercisable for 57,500 Class B multiple voting shares and, as a result, Mr. Ashe could potentially be considered not to be independent for purposes of a Potential Governance Action. Mr. Ashe agreed to sign (and on March 23, 2021 signed) an irrevocable acknowledgement addressed to Shopify that requires Mr. Ashe to convert into Class A subordinate voting shares any Class B multiple voting shares issuable to Mr. Ashe upon the exercise of his options. Each member of the Special Committee then concluded that each such member of the Special Committee was capable of acting independently of Mr. Lütke with respect to any Potential Governance Action. The Special Committee then reviewed and discussed its mandate and was briefed by representatives of McCarthy with regard to the duties and responsibilities of the Special Committee when reviewing and evaluating a proposal relating to a Potential Governance Action (a “Proposal”). The Special Committee also discussed the process of selecting an independent financial advisor, the scope of the financial advisor's engagement and the expertise required of the financial advisor to assist the Special Committee in fulfilling its mandate.

On March 23, 2021, the Special Committee conducted meetings with representatives of three prospective financial advisory firms, which representatives of McCarthy attended. Following discussion regarding the qualifications, independence and proposed fee structure of each financial advisory firm, the Special Committee unanimously resolved to select and appoint Blair Franklin as the Special Committee's independent financial advisor. Blair Franklin was formally engaged on a fixed-fee basis pursuant to an engagement letter dated March 23, 2021 which was confirmed and agreed to by Mr. Ashe, on behalf of the Special Committee, on April 5, 2021.

The scope of Blair Franklin's engagement included, among other things, reviewing with the Special Committee a broad range of considerations related to the rationale for a Potential Governance Action (including precedent transactions and multiple class share structures of other companies, relevant financial and market information, and information related to the business, operations, financial performance and share ownership of the Company) and also developing alternative transactions or structures that may be available to Shopify, including maintaining Shopify's existing share capital and governance structure. Blair Franklin's mandate also included assisting the Special Committee in reviewing and settling documentation in relation to a Potential Governance Action and providing such ancillary financial advisory and investment banking services as the Special Committee and Blair Franklin agreed were appropriate in the circumstances.

The scope of Blair Franklin's mandate did not include the delivery of a fairness opinion. The Special Committee determined, in consultation with representatives of McCarthy, that any Potential Governance Action would be unlikely to include financial or monetary elements and therefore a fairness opinion would be of limited utility to the Special Committee's assessment of whether a Potential Governance Action was in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders. The Special Committee further determined, in consultation with representatives of McCarthy, that it could explore and consider Potential Governance Actions that, in the exercise of its business judgment, would be in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders in the absence of a fairness opinion.

On March 25, 2021, the Special Committee held a meeting, which representatives of Blair Franklin and McCarthy attended. Representatives of Blair Franklin led a discussion regarding precedent transactions and representatives of McCarthy led a discussion regarding the process for developing and receiving a Proposal. Based on the discussions at the meeting, the Special Committee concluded that it would welcome a Proposal from Mr. Lütke. The Special Committee also discussed Klister's Class B multiple voting share ownership.

In late March 2021, representatives of McCarthy informed representatives of Stikeman of the Special Committee's view that it would be appropriate for a Proposal to be provided by Mr. Lütke. Representatives of McCarthy and Stikeman discussed the process of the development and delivery by Mr. Lütke of a Proposal and this information was relayed by representatives of Stikeman to representatives of Shopify's management team, who informed Mr. Lütke of the Special Committee's view. At the same time, Mr. Ashe engaged in preliminary discussions with Mr. Phillips regarding the possibility of Klister voluntarily converting its Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares in connection with a Proposal on the basis that this may simplify Shopify's capital structure, clarify the extent of Mr. Lütke's voting power and eliminate potential uncertainty for Shopify and Shareholders regarding future estate planning or other events that may affect the voting control of the Class B multiple voting shares then held by Klister.

On March 30, 2021, the Special Committee held a meeting, which representatives of Blair Franklin and McCarthy attended. At the meeting, representatives of Blair Franklin presented a draft illustrative timeline associated with a Proposal as well as a summary of various governance structures of multiple class share companies in Canada and the United States with a view to informing the members of the Special Committee of the wide range of Potential Governance Actions. The Special Committee also discussed the fact that since Shopify's dual class share structure was implemented in connection with the IPO, its long-term market opportunity had grown considerably and that the triggering of the Dilution Sunset could potentially pose an obstacle to Shopify advancing its mission. The Special Committee concluded that it would be in the best interests of Shopify and its shareholders to review a Proposal that strengthened the foundation for Mr. Lütke to continue to be in a position to execute on Shopify's long-term vision and support continued long-term growth.

In mid-April 2021, Shopify announced that its Chief Talent Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Technology Officer would each transition out of their respective roles. Concurrently, Mr. Lütke and Shopify's management team were engaged in preparing for upcoming product announcements while evaluating the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Shopify's business and operations. In light of these significant events and the time and focus required to lead the Company through them, Mr. Lütke advised Mr. Ashe that he had no intention of delivering a Proposal at that time.

On November 10, 2021, Mr. Lütke advised the Board of Directors and representatives of Shopify's management team that he was considering delivering a Proposal. Mr. Lütke also advised the Board of Directors and Shopify's management team that he anticipated retaining Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation (“Wilson Sonsini”) as his legal counsel to advise him on the contents of a Proposal. Mr. Lütke subsequently retained Wilson Sonsini and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (“Osler”) as his legal counsel. The Board of Directors authorized Shopify's management team to engage with outside legal and financial advisors to assist in a review of Shopify's current share capital and governance structure.

In November and December 2021, representatives of Shopify's finance and legal departments reviewed with representatives of Skadden and Stikeman various legal considerations regarding potential changes to Shopify's current share capital and governance structure. Morgan Stanley & Co LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) was also retained by the Company as its financial advisor to help advise on any Potential Governance Action, including analyzing, structuring, planning and executing any Potential Governance Action. During this time, representatives of Skadden and Stikeman had preliminary discussions with representatives of Wilson Sonsini to provide background regarding Shopify's existing share capital and governance structure. During the same period, the Special Committee re-engaged with representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin, and representatives of McCarthy and Stikeman engaged in several discussions relating to corporate and securities law and stock exchange considerations in the event Mr. Lütke delivered a Proposal.

On December 3, 2021, representatives of Wilson Sonsini spoke with Mr. Phillips regarding his perspectives on Shopify's share capital structure and his share ownership.

On December 6, 2021, representatives of Blair Franklin discussed with Mr. Ashe and representatives of McCarthy Mr. Lütke's recent indication that he was considering delivering a Proposal, including details of certain precedent transactions.

On December 30, 2021, Mr. Lütke delivered a formal, non-binding Proposal to the Special Committee (the “Initial Founder Proposal”). Mr. Lütke indicated that the Initial Founder Proposal was designed to calibrate Shopify's governance and capital structure to enable Shopify's continued success and to afford continued flexibility, innovation and long-term value creation, including by addressing the Dilution Sunset (and the potential impact it may have on Shopify's ability to pursue certain strategic transactions). The Initial Founder Proposal included various potential approaches for a Potential Governance Action, including: (i) replacing the Dilution Sunset with a service-based sunset provision that would result in the conversion of all Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares (a) when Mr. Lütke has determined that he will no longer serve as a member of the Board of Directors or as an officer, employee or consultant of Shopify or (b) upon Mr. Lütke's death or permanent disability, in each case, subject to an appropriate transition period prior to the conversion of the Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares, (ii) setting and preserving the then current aggregate voting power of the Class B multiple voting shares at a fixed percentage, not to exceed 49.999% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of Shopify's issued and outstanding shares (based on an estimate at the time of the Initial Founder Proposal that the total aggregate voting power of the Class B multiple voting shares was 51.4% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of Shopify's issued and outstanding shares), (iii) considering, as an alternative to clause (ii), the creation of a new class of voting shares to provide the holders of Class B multiple voting shares with a fixed percentage of the Company's aggregate voting power, which new class of voting shares would be subject to the service-based sunset provisions described in clause (i), (iv) the elimination of the ability of Messrs. Lütke and Phillips (or any of their respective affiliates) to make intergenerational transfers of Class B multiple voting shares without retaining exclusive or shared voting control with respect to such Class B multiple voting shares and (v) considering the adoption of a class of non-voting shares that could be used for acquisitions and equity grants to provide Shopify optimal flexibility going forward. The Initial Founder Proposal also suggested that the Special Committee should consider proceeding with a share split to appropriately adjust Shopify's share price to a target range between $10 and $100. The Initial Founder Proposal indicated that it was subject to the Special Committee making a recommendation in favour of any ultimate structure and the Company receiving all required Shareholder approvals and further indicated that Mr. Lütke would bear his own advisor fees incurred in connection with the negotiation and implementation of the Initial Founder Proposal.

On January 3, 2022, Shopify's General Counsel and representatives of Stikeman, Skadden, Wilson Sonsini, Osler and McCarthy held a meeting where representatives of Wilson Sonsini and Osler responded to questions seeking to clarify aspects of the Initial Founder Proposal.

On January 4, 2022, representatives of Stikeman and McCarthy undertook a detailed review of the corporate and securities law and stock exchange approval requirements applicable to the Initial Founder Proposal.

On January 5, 2022, representatives of Blair Franklin discussed with representatives of Morgan Stanley the Initial Founder Proposal as compared to precedent transactions. Later that day, the Special Committee held a meeting to discuss the Initial Founder Proposal, which representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin attended. At the request of the Special Committee, representatives of Shopify's management team, Stikeman, Skadden and Morgan Stanley attended a portion of the meeting. Representatives of Morgan Stanley provided a summary of the Initial Founder Proposal and precedent transactions in Canada and the United States. Representatives of Stikeman led a discussion regarding the corporate and securities law and stock exchange requirements to implement the terms of the Initial Founder Proposal, including requisite Shareholder approval thresholds. Representatives of Shopify's management team, Stikeman, Skadden and Morgan Stanley left the meeting following these presentations. Following a discussion with representatives of McCarthy regarding director independence, each of the members of the Special Committee re-confirmed that each such member of the Special Committee remained independent. Representatives of Blair Franklin and McCarthy then proceeded to discuss the Initial Founder Proposal with the Special Committee in detail. The Special Committee considered several factors, including (i) Shopify's current share capital and governance structure, (ii) the potential impact of the Initial Founder Proposal on Shopify and its stakeholders, including minority shareholders, (iii) Mr. Lütke's ability to implement his vision for long-term Shareholder value creation, (iv) the potential views of minority shareholders, (v) precedent transactions, (vi) the role of Mr. Phillips and Klister and (vii) the costs and benefits associated with multiple class share structures generally. At this meeting, the members of the Special Committee noted their agreement with the assertions in the Initial Founder Proposal that the dual class share structure had allowed Shopify to remain mission-driven, merchant obsessed and focused on long-term value creation, and has sustained a culture that allows the Company to attract and retain top talent committed to Shopify's mission. The members of the Special Committee also noted their agreement that it was not the time to inhibit the flexibility, innovation and long-term value creation that has propelled Shopify's growth since the IPO under the existing governance structure. The Special Committee determined that it would be in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders to strengthen the foundation for Mr. Lütke's ongoing engagement so that he continues to guide and serve Shopify in a committed, concerted and high-impact manner. The Special Committee noted the importance of keeping Shopify's governance structure aligned with the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders.

On January 10, 2022, representatives of Shopify's management team, Stikeman, Skadden, Morgan Stanley, Blair Franklin and McCarthy held a meeting to discuss certain questions raised by the Special Committee at its most recent meeting, including with respect to Shareholder approval thresholds, voting power analyses, Shareholder base considerations and precedent transactions involving the issuance of non-voting shares.

On January 12, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting to further review and evaluate the Initial Founder Proposal, which was attended by representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin. Representatives of Blair Franklin reviewed the key features of the Initial Founder Proposal and highlighted a range of potential responses to the Initial Founder Proposal that could be proposed by the Special Committee to Mr. Lütke, including with respect to preserving, increasing or capping voting power, among other things. The Special Committee was briefed by representatives of McCarthy with regard to the duties and responsibilities of the Special Committee when reviewing and evaluating any Proposal. The Special Committee also reviewed and approved a letter responding to the Initial Founder Proposal on an interim basis. The Special Committee decided not to address the share split proposed by Mr. Lütke in the Initial Founder Proposal on the basis that the entire Board of Directors could consider that matter separately from any Potential Governance Action.

On January 13, 2022, Mr. Ashe spoke with Mr. Lütke to advise him that the Special Committee was actively reviewing and evaluating the Initial Founder Proposal and that an interim response letter would follow.

On January 14, 2022, Mr. Ashe delivered the interim response letter to Mr. Lütke advising him of the Special Committee's preliminary views with respect to the Initial Founder Proposal, including some of those discussed by the Special Committee at its January 5, 2022 and January 12, 2022 meetings. The letter acknowledged the importance of keeping Shopify's governance structure aligned with the long-term best interests of Shopify and its stakeholders and advised that it was through that lens that the Special Committee would carefully consider and evaluate the Initial Founder Proposal.

On January 18, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting to continue its review and evaluation of the Initial Founder Proposal, which was attended by representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin. Representatives of Blair Franklin highlighted a wide range of options and potential responses to the Initial Founder Proposal, including (i) preserving, increasing and/or capping voting power on a class by class basis or in relation to Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, (ii) imposing selling restrictions on Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, (iii) prohibiting holders of Class B multiple voting shares from obtaining a premium in the context of a collapse of the dual class share structure, (iv) potential restrictions on dividend entitlements for holders of Class B multiple voting shares, (v) potential cash payments to Shopify by Mr. Lütke as part of a proposal, (vi) service-, ownership-, dilution- and time-based sunset provisions and ratification options, (vii) transition periods following the trigger of a sunset provision, (viii) potential governance enhancements, including requiring public disclosure of Shareholder votes cast by holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and amending Shopify's majority voting policy to require directors to consider votes cast by holders of Class A subordinate voting shares when determining director nominees, (ix) executive employment arrangements and (x) permitted transfers of Class B multiple voting shares that would not result in the automatic conversion of the Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares. The Special Committee considered the range of alternative responses to the material terms of the Initial Founder Proposal, the impact of those terms on Shopify and its stakeholders, including minority shareholders, and the execution risk associated with the implementation of certain alternatives. The Special Committee also discussed the potential impact of Klister converting its Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares in connection with the implementation of any Proposal. The Special Committee directed Mr. Ashe to invite Mr. Phillips to the next meeting of the Special Committee to discuss his perspective on the Initial Founder Proposal and his intentions with respect to Klister's Class B multiple voting shares.

Following the meeting of the Special Committee on January 18, 2022, Mr. Ashe spoke with Mr. Phillips to invite him to meet with the Special Committee. Mr. Phillips advised Mr. Ashe that he would speak to the Special Committee and indicated that he would be willing to cause Klister to voluntarily convert its Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares to facilitate a transaction that achieved the Special Committee's objectives and that was in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders.

On January 24, 2022, Mr. Phillips sent an email to Mr. Ashe outlining his intentions with respect to the Class B multiple voting shares held by Klister, confirming that he and Klister had no agreement, commitment or understanding with Mr. Lütke or his affiliates with respect to the voting of Klister's Class B multiple voting shares, expressing his confidence in Mr. Lütke's leadership and reiterating his willingness to cause Klister to convert its Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares, provided he was comfortable with the terms of a Proposal and the Proposal was in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders.

On January 26, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting to continue its review of the Initial Founder Proposal, which representatives of Blair Franklin and McCarthy attended. At the request of the Special Committee, Mr. Phillips attended a portion of the meeting. Mr. Phillips provided the Special Committee with an overview of his current intentions with respect to the Class B multiple voting shares held by Klister, including the intention to remain a long-term Shareholder. Mr. Phillips confirmed to the Special Committee that he would be willing to cause Klister to convert its Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares, subject to reviewing the terms of a Proposal and determining that it would be in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders. Mr. Phillips also confirmed to the Special Committee that there was no agreement, commitment or understanding between himself or Klister, on the one hand, and Mr. Lütke or his affiliates, on the other hand, regarding the voting of Class B multiple voting shares held by Klister.

After Mr. Phillips left the January 26, 2022 meeting of the Special Committee, representatives of Blair Franklin and McCarthy provided the Special Committee with an overview of potential responses to the Initial Founder Proposal reflecting the prior discussions and deliberations of the Special Committee. The Special Committee considered the impact of a range of alternative responses to the material terms of the Initial Founder Proposal on Shopify and its stakeholders, including its minority shareholders, including (i) setting and preserving the voting power of Mr. Lütke and his affiliates at a specified percentage, (ii) imposing selling restrictions on Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, (iii) prohibiting holders of Class B multiple voting shares from obtaining a premium in the context of the collapse of the dual class share structure, (iv) sunset provision options, (v) potential governance enhancements, including requiring public disclosure of Shareholder votes cast by holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and amending Shopify's majority voting policy to require directors to consider votes cast by holders of Class A subordinate voting shares when determining director nominees, (vi) executive employment arrangements and (vii) permitted transfers of

Class B multiple voting shares that would not result in automatic conversion of such Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares. The Special Committee directed representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin to prepare a draft response to the Initial Founder Proposal reflecting the Special Committee's deliberations for their further review and consideration. The Special Committee also directed Mr. Ashe to ask Mr. Lütke for additional context with respect to certain aspects of the Initial Founder Proposal and to highlight some of the material terms under consideration by the Special Committee in formulating a response. The Special Committee also authorized Mr. Ashe to share a draft response with Mr. Phillips to ensure he would be supportive.

On January 27, 2022, representatives of McCarthy provided the Special Committee with a draft response to the Initial Founder Proposal. The draft response was subsequently revised by representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin over the next several days to reflect comments received from the Special Committee. Mr. Ashe shared a draft response with Mr. Phillips and Mr. Phillips confirmed he was supportive of its terms.

On January 28, 2022, Mr. Ashe and Mr. Lütke discussed certain aspects of the Initial Founder Proposal and the material terms under consideration by the Special Committee in preparing a response. Mr. Ashe outlined, at a high level, alternatives to certain terms of the Initial Founder Proposal that the Special Committee was considering, including (i) setting and preserving the voting power of Mr. Lütke and his affiliates at a specified percentage, (ii) imposing selling restrictions on Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, (iii) prohibiting holders of Class B multiple voting shares from obtaining a premium in the context of a collapse of the dual class share structure and (iv) sunset provision options. Mr. Ashe also informed Mr. Lütke of the discussions between the Special Committee and Mr. Phillips.

In the morning of January 31, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting, which representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin attended. At the meeting, Mr. Ashe updated the Special Committee regarding his discussions with Mr. Lütke. The Special Committee directed representatives of McCarthy to arrange a call with Wilson Sonsini and Osler to discuss the process for responding to the Initial Founder Proposal. That afternoon, representatives of McCarthy held a meeting with representatives of Wilson Sonsini and Osler to discuss the Initial Founder Proposal. That evening, the Special Committee held another meeting at which it directed representatives of Blair Franklin and McCarthy to finalize the Special Committee's response to the Initial Founder Proposal and authorized Mr. Ashe to deliver the response to the Initial Founder Proposal to Mr. Lütke.

In the evening of January 31, 2022, representatives of Blair Franklin and McCarthy finalized the draft response to the Initial Founder Proposal and Mr. Ashe sent to Mr. Lütke the response to the Initial Founder Proposal (the “Initial Special Committee Response”). The key terms of the Initial Special Committee Response included: (i) setting and preserving the aggregate voting power attached to Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' Class B multiple voting shares at 34% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of Shopify's issued and outstanding shares, (ii) capping the aggregate voting power of all Class B multiple voting shares and Class A subordinate voting shares held by Mr. Lütke, his family and his affiliates at 49.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of Shopify's issued and outstanding shares, (iii) a liquidity-based sunset provision that would be triggered when Mr. Lütke and his affiliates sold (a) more than a pre-fixed annual limit (to be determined) of Class B multiple voting shares or (b) more than 50% of the aggregate Class B multiple voting shares held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, (iv) elimination of the Dilution Sunset, (v) preventing the ability of holders of Class B multiple voting shares to profit from a collapse of the dual class share structure and requiring that the Class A subordinate voting shares are treated in a manner that is at least as favourable as the treatment of the Class B multiple voting shares in any change of control or negotiated tender offer transaction, (vi) broadening the service-based sunset provision so that it would be triggered when (a) Mr. Lütke no longer serves as either CEO or Chair of the Board of Directors for any reason (including by removal at the discretion of the Board of Directors) or (b) Mr. Lütke is CEO or Chair of the Board of Directors but his work at Shopify ceases to be his primary engagement, (vii) providing for a transition period following the trigger of a sunset provision no later than the day prior to the record date for the next meeting of Shareholders, (viii) introducing governance enhancements requiring public disclosure of Shareholder votes cast by holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and amending Shopify's majority voting policy to require directors to consider (but not be bound by) votes cast by holders of Class A subordinate voting shares when determining director nominees, (ix) proposing that Mr. Lütke enter into certain executive employment arrangements with Shopify and (x) eliminating Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' ability to make intergenerational transfers of Class B multiple voting shares by requiring Mr. Lütke to maintain control or direction over such Class B multiple voting shares. The Initial Special Committee Response also indicated that the Special Committee wanted to discuss with Mr. Lütke whether a time-based sunset provision would be appropriate.

On February 1, 2022, representatives of McCarthy held a meeting with representatives of Shopify's management team and Stikeman to review the Initial Special Committee Response in detail and to discuss potential mechanisms for implementation.

On February 7, 2022, Mr. Lütke delivered to the Special Committee a response to the Initial Special Committee Response (the “Second Founder Proposal”). The key terms of the Second Founder Proposal included: (i) setting the aggregate voting power attached to Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' Class B multiple voting shares at 45% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of Shopify's issued and outstanding shares, (ii) capping the aggregate voting power of all Class B multiple voting shares and Class A subordinate voting shares held by Mr. Lütke, his family and his affiliates at 49.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of Shopify's issued and outstanding shares, (iii) a liquidity-based sunset provision that would be triggered when Mr. Lütke and his affiliates sold more than 80% of the aggregate Class B multiple voting shares held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, (iv) relying on the Coattail Agreement (as defined under the heading “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Class A and Class B Shares – Take-over Bid Protection” below) and the restated articles of incorporation with respect to Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' ability to profit from a collapse of the dual class share structure and the treatment of the Class A subordinate voting shares in a change of control, (v) narrowing the service-based sunset provision so that it would be triggered (a) when Mr. Lütke no longer serves as an officer, employee or consultant of Shopify as a result of termination for cause and no longer serves as a member of the Board of Directors as a result of his voluntary resignation or agreement not to be re-nominated or (b) upon Mr. Lütke's death or permanent disability and (vi) providing for a transition period following the trigger of a sunset provision of no less than nine months and not more than 18 months following such trigger of a sunset provision, as determined by the Board of Directors. The Second Founder Proposal requested that the Special Committee clarify certain aspects of the Initial Special Committee Response. The Second Founder Proposal also indicated that Mr. Lütke remained open to considering the creation of a new class of voting share as previously indicated in the Initial Founder Proposal in which case the Dilution Sunset could potentially be retained with respect to the Class B multiple voting shares. The Second Founder Proposal rejected (i) any annual limit on Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' ability to sell Class B multiple voting shares on the basis that it was overly restrictive and burdensome, (ii) the inclusion of a time-based sunset provision on the basis that it was arbitrary and not in the best interests of Shopify or its shareholders, (iii) the governance enhancements on the basis that Shopify was governed by market practice standards and a TSX compliant majority voting policy and (iv) the executive employment arrangements contemplated by the Initial Special Committee Response on the basis that they were inconsistent with the rationale for a Proposal and current and historic compensation.

Later in the day on February 7, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting, which representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin attended. At the meeting, the Special Committee discussed and reviewed the Second Founder Proposal, focusing on (i) the proposed elimination of Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' ability to make intergenerational transfers of Class B multiple voting shares without Mr. Lütke retaining voting control with respect to such Class B multiple voting shares, (ii) Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' voting power, (iii) the selling restrictions that would be imposed on Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, (iv) ensuring that, notwithstanding the existing Coattail Agreement and restated articles of incorporation, Mr. Lütke and his affiliates would not profit from a collapse of the dual class share structure, (v) the revisions to the service-based sunset provision; (vi) the rejection of a time-based sunset provision and (vii) the rejection of certain governance enhancements contemplated by the Initial Special Committee Response. The Special Committee then directed representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin to clarify the terms of the Second Founder Proposal with Wilson Sonsini and Osler and, separately, to discuss implementation considerations with representatives of Shopify's management team, Skadden, Stikeman and Morgan Stanley.

On February 8, 2022, representatives of Wilson Sonsini, Osler, McCarthy and Blair Franklin met to review and clarify the terms of the Second Founder Proposal. Later that day, representatives of McCarthy also met with representatives of Shopify's management team, Stikeman and Skadden to review the terms of the Second Founder Proposal. Mr. Ashe also spoke briefly with Mr. Lütke about the Second Founder Proposal and Mr. Lütke expressed his desire to speak with the Special Committee.

On February 9, 2022, representatives of Shopify's management team, Stikeman, Skadden, Morgan Stanley, Blair Franklin and McCarthy met to review a presentation by Morgan Stanley on recent governance structures implemented by technology companies in initial public offerings conducted in the United States. Representatives of Shopify's management team, Stikeman, Skadden, Wilson Sonsini, Osler and McCarthy met later that day to discuss certain legal matters relating to implementation of a Proposal.

Also on February 9, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting to continue its review of the Second Founder Proposal, which representatives of Blair Franklin and McCarthy attended. The Special Committee discussed the potential benefits to Shopify's governance structure associated with eliminating Mr. Lütke's and Klister's (and their respective affiliates) ability to make intergenerational transfers of Class B multiple voting shares without retaining voting control with respect to such Class B multiple voting shares. The Special Committee agreed that any Potential Governance Action should be guided by two key principles: (i) that Mr. Lütke, as the founder and current driving force of Shopify, is the individual “guiding the ship” and making decisions to steer Shopify for the long-term and (ii) that Mr. Lütke continue to have a meaningful economic interest in Shopify so that his interests remain aligned with those of other Shareholders. The Special Committee concluded that eliminating the ability of Mr. Lütke and his affiliates to make intergenerational transfers of Class B multiple voting shares without Mr. Lütke retaining voting control with respect to such Class B multiple voting shares was consistent with, and in furtherance of, those two key principles. It was further noted that not limiting such transfers involved certain risks, including in the event such intergenerational transfer rights were exercised in a manner which resulted in the transfer of Mr. Lütke's or his affiliates' voting power to one or more individuals who did not possess the same skills and vision as Mr. Lütke to create long-term value for Shareholders.

On February 10, 2022, Mr. Ashe spoke with Mr. Phillips about the Second Founder Proposal. Mr. Phillips provided Mr. Ashe with feedback related to the Second Founder Proposal, including with respect to the scope of the service-based sunset provision. Mr. Phillips also advised Mr. Ashe that he was supportive of the Special Committee's two key principles discussed at the February 9, 2022 meeting of the Special Committee.

On February 13, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting, which representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin attended. At the invitation of the Special Committee, Mr. Lütke and representatives of Wilson Sonsini and Osler also attended portions of the meeting. Mr. Lütke outlined for the Special Committee his rationale for the key elements of the Second Founder Proposal in light of his vision for Shopify as a “100-year company”. Mr. Lütke also explained his perspective with respect to the importance of addressing the Dilution Sunset, including the potential impact it may have on Shopify's ability to pursue a wide range of strategic alternatives aimed at long-term value creation, including potential acquisitions. Mr. Lütke expressed his view that the terms of the Second Founder Proposal were in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders. After Mr. Lütke and representatives of Wilson Sonsini and Osler left the meeting, representatives of Shopify's management team and Morgan Stanley joined the meeting at the invitation of the Special Committee. Representatives of Morgan Stanley summarized the range of sunset provisions included in recent initial public offerings conducted by technology companies in the United States. After representatives of Shopify's management team and Morgan Stanley left the meeting, the Special Committee continued its review of the Second Founder Proposal. In particular, the Special Committee discussed (i) the applicability of initial public offering precedents to Shopify's share capital and governance structure, (ii) the elimination of Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' ability to make intergenerational transfers of Class B multiple voting shares without Mr. Lütke retaining voting control with respect to such Class B multiple voting shares, (iii) the potential scope of engagement by Mr. Lütke in respect of a service-based sunset provision, (iv) the initial and capped level of Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' voting power, (v) selling restrictions that would be imposed on Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, (vi) potential governance enhancements, (vii) appropriate transition periods following the trigger of a sunset provision, (viii) executive employment matters and (ix) prohibiting Mr. Lütke and his affiliates from profiting from a collapse of the dual class share structure (other than in the context of a change of control transaction carried out in accordance with applicable securities laws, the Coattail Agreement and the restated articles of incorporation). The Special Committee considered a Potential Governance Action in light of Mr. Lütke's then current level of voting power, the impact of a Potential Governance Action on Shopify and its stakeholders, including minority shareholders, and the execution risks associated with implementing a Proposal. The Special Committee also considered the potential impact (both positive and negative) of maintaining Shopify's existing share capital and governance structure.

On February 15, 2022, Mr. Ashe sent to Mr. Lütke a response to the Second Founder Proposal (the “Second Special Committee Response”), which reflected input from the Special Committee provided at and subsequent to the February 13, 2022 meeting. The Second Special Committee Response highlighted the Special Committee's two key principles in reviewing the Second Founder Proposal and included the following key terms: (i) setting and preserving the aggregate voting power attached to Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' Class B multiple voting shares at 40% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of Shopify's issued and outstanding shares (taking into account the conversion of Klister's Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares), (ii) capping the aggregate voting power of all Class B multiple voting shares and Class A subordinate voting shares held by Mr. Lütke, his family and

his affiliates at 49.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of Shopify's issued and outstanding shares, (iii) a liquidity-based sunset provision that would be triggered when Mr. Lütke and his affiliates sold more than 70% of the aggregate Class B multiple voting shares held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, (iv) preventing the ability of holders of Class B multiple voting shares to profit from a collapse of the dual class share structure, other than in connection with a change of control transaction in compliance with applicable law, the Coattail Agreement and the restated articles of incorporation, (v) narrowing the service-based sunset provision so that it would be triggered (a) when Mr. Lütke no longer serves as at least one of a senior officer of Shopify on a full-time basis, a consultant of Shopify on a full-time basis or a member of the Board of Directors or (b) upon Mr. Lütke's death or permanent disability, (vi) providing for a transition period following the trigger of a sunset provision of not less than nine months and not more than 18 months, as determined by the Board of Directors and (vii) eliminating Mr. Lütke's and his affiliates' ability to make intergenerational transfers of Class B multiple voting shares by requiring Mr. Lütke to maintain control or direction over such Class B multiple voting shares. The Second Special Committee Response accepted Mr. Lütke's rejection of the inclusion of a time-based sunset provision, the governance enhancements and the executive employment arrangements contained in the Initial Special Committee Response. The Second Special Committee Response also indicated that the Special Committee's current focus was on implementing the terms of the Second Special Committee Response by authorizing and issuing to Mr. Lütke a new class of voting share.

On February 18, 2022, Mr. Lütke delivered to the Special Committee a response to the Second Special Committee Response (the “Third Founder Proposal”). The only substantive difference between the Third Founder Proposal and the Second Special Committee Response was a proposal to revise the service-based sunset provision to provide the Board of Directors with the discretion to allow Mr. Lütke to serve as a senior officer or consultant on a less than full-time basis without triggering the service-based sunset provision. The Third Founder Proposal also requested that the Special Committee clarify certain aspects of the Second Special Committee Response, including how the 40% and 49.9% voting power provisions would be calculated and as to which shares would be included in those calculations.

On February 21, 2022, representatives of Shopify's management team, Stikeman, Skadden, Wilson Sonsini, Osler and McCarthy met to discuss the terms of the Third Founder Proposal and legal considerations associated with implementation, including applicable corporate and securities law and stock exchange requirements. At the meeting, representatives of Shopify's management team, Stikeman, Skadden, Wilson Sonsini, Osler and McCarthy discussed implementing the terms of the Third Founder Proposal by authorizing and issuing a new class of voting share that would only be issued to Mr. Lütke and that certain terms of the Third Founder Proposal would be implemented by entering into a separate agreement between Shopify, Mr. Lütke and his affiliates. Representatives of McCarthy advised Wilson Sonsini and Osler that the proposal to revise the service-based sunset provision to provide the Board of Directors with the discretion to allow Mr. Lütke to serve as a senior officer or consultant on a less than full-time basis without triggering the service-based sunset provision would not be acceptable to the Special Committee.

Representatives of Wilson Sonsini, Osler and McCarthy continued to negotiate the details of the service-based sunset provision over the next several days. On March 1, 2022, Mr. Lütke and the Special Committee agreed that the service-based sunset provision would be triggered (i) when Mr. Lütke no longer serves as at least one of an executive officer (as defined by applicable securities laws), a consultant whose primary engagement is with Shopify or a member of the Board of Directors or (ii) upon Mr. Lütke's death or permanent disability.

On March 2, 2022, as part of a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors, a representative of Morgan Stanley provided an update to all members of the Board of Directors on the status of the negotiations between Mr. Lütke and the Special Committee and an overview of certain considerations relating to implementation. Representatives of Stikeman, Skadden and McCarthy also attended this portion of the meeting.

Over the course of February 25, 2022 to April 8, 2022, representatives of McCarthy, Osler, Wilson Sonsini, Stikeman and Skadden, with input from representatives of Blair Franklin and Morgan Stanley, finalized the terms and conditions of the Founder share, the Founder Agreement, the Conversion Notice (as defined below) and the Arrangement to reflect the terms of the Third Founder Proposal as modified by subsequent discussions, including discussions with the Special Committee about the service-based sunset provision and the 40% and 49.9% voting power provisions and other principles of the Third Founder Proposal agreed to between Mr. Lütke and the Special Committee (the “Final Proposal”). During the same period, Mr. Ashe and representatives of McCarthy finalized with Mr. Phillips the terms and conditions on which Klister would convert its Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares.

On March 4, 2022, representatives of Stikeman, McCarthy and Osler met with representatives of the TSX to engage in preliminary discussions regarding required stock exchange approval to issue the Founder share. A formal written application requesting consent to the issuance of the Founder share was submitted by representatives of Stikeman to the TSX on March 18, 2022 and the TSX issued its conditional approval letter on March 28, 2022.

On March 24, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting, at which representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin attended, to receive an update on the status of the negotiations of the documentation relating to the Final Proposal. Mr. Phillips and Ms. Simo, both independent members of the Board of Directors, also attended the meeting at the invitation of the Special Committee. Representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin reviewed with the Special Committee drafts of the terms and conditions of the Founder share, the Founder Agreement and the Arrangement as well as drafts of various disclosure documents relating to the Final Proposal. Representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin also discussed certain legal considerations associated with implementation of the Final Proposal, including applicable corporate and securities law and stock exchange requirements, including applicable Shareholder approval thresholds. The Special Committee reconfirmed its earlier determination, in consultation with representatives of McCarthy, that a fairness opinion would provide limited value to its assessment of whether the Arrangement is in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders and would be of limited value to Shareholders in deciding whether to vote in favour of the Arrangement.

On April 1, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting at which representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin attended, to review drafts of disclosure documents relating to the Final Proposal and to discuss implementation considerations. Mr. Phillips and Ms. Simo, each an independent member of the Board of Directors, were invited to the meeting at the invitation of the Special Committee, though only Ms. Simo was able to attend. Representatives of Morgan Stanley, representatives of Shopify's management team and certain other external advisors also attended a portion of the meeting at the invitation of the Special Committee to provide an update on considerations relating to implementation of the Final Proposal.

On April 8, 2022, the Special Committee held a meeting with representatives of McCarthy and Blair Franklin present. Mr. Phillips and Ms. Simo, both independent members of the Board of Directors, also attended the meeting at the invitation of the Special Committee. Following discussion, the Special Committee unanimously adopted resolutions in which it (i) concluded that implementing the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company and fair to minority Shareholders and (ii) recommended that the Board of Directors approve the Arrangement and recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement.

Later on April 8, 2022, the Board held a special meeting to consider the Arrangement. In attendance at the meeting were all of the members of the Board of Directors (other than Mr. Lütke) and representatives of Stikeman, Skadden, Morgan Stanley, McCarthy and Blair Franklin. The Special Committee reported to the Board of Directors and (i) advised that it had concluded that implementing the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company and fair to minority Shareholders and (ii) recommended that the Board of Directors approve the Arrangement and recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement. After receiving the report of the Special Committee, the Board of Directors discussed the Arrangement. At the end of the discussion, the Board of Directors unanimously concluded (other than Mr. Lütke who was not in attendance at the meeting and abstained from voting) that implementing the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company and fair to minority Shareholders and unanimously recommended that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement.

In its review and negotiations, culminating in its recommendation of the Arrangement, the Special Committee considered a number of factors in arriving at its conclusions. After a complete and thorough review of such factors, in the exercise of its business judgment, the Special Committee concluded that implementing the Arrangement is in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders. As a result, the Special Committee unanimously recommended that the Board of Directors approve the Arrangement and recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement.

The following discussion of factors considered by the Special Committee is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes the material factors considered by the Special Committee in making its determinations and recommendation with respect to the Arrangement. In light of the variety of factors considered, the Special Committee did not consider it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in

reaching its determinations and recommendation. The determinations and recommendation of the Special Committee were made after consideration of the following factors and in light of its own knowledge of the business of Shopify and discussions with, and advice of, its independent legal and financial advisors.

The Arrangement allows Shopify to remain mission-driven, merchant-obsessed and focused on long-term value creation and strengthens the foundation for Mr. Lütke's ongoing engagement in Shopify. Specifically, the Arrangement contemplates:

In the Special Committee's view, the Arrangement is in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders because it aligns Mr. Lütke's economic and operational interests with those of other Shareholders. The Arrangement helps to strengthen the foundation for Mr. Lütke to continue focusing on and advancing his long-term vision for Shopify and to maintain a sufficient economic interest in Shopify, all in furtherance of sustaining Shopify's innovative culture, long-term focus and strategic flexibility. The Special Committee believes that Mr. Lütke's ongoing influence has been beneficial to Shopify's growth, success and ability to focus on long-term strategy.

Assuming all holders of Class B multiple voting shares other than Mr. Lütke and his affiliates were to have converted all of their respective outstanding Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares as of March 31, 2022 (including Klister, which has agreed, concurrently with and conditional upon the implementation of the Arrangement, to convert all of its Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares), the aggregate voting power held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates would be approximately 40% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares as of such date. The Founder share will provide Mr. Lütke with a variable number of votes that, when combined with Class B multiple voting shares and any Class A subordinate voting shares resulting from a conversion of Class B multiple voting shares after the effective date of the Arrangement beneficially owned or controlled by Mr. Lütke, his immediate family and affiliates (and, in some circumstances, additional Class A subordinate voting shares acquired following a disposition of Class A subordinate voting shares resulting from a conversion of Class B multiple voting shares after the effective date of the Arrangement), will represent 40% of the total voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares, provided that such variable number of votes does not cause the aggregate voting power of Mr. Lütke and his immediate family and affiliates to exceed 49.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares.

Effectively setting and preserving Mr. Lütke's voting power through the issuance of the Founder share resolves the tension inherent in the existing governance structure where issuing Class A subordinate voting shares to raise capital, make acquisitions using share consideration and provide equity incentives to attract and retain top talent puts pressure on triggering the Dilution Sunset and otherwise dilutes Mr. Lütke's voting power. In the Special Committee's view, the Founder share enables Shopify to take advantage of additional flexibility when strategic opportunities arise. The Special Committee believes that Shopify's ability to issue Class A subordinate voting shares without decreasing Mr. Lütke's voting power (as a result of triggering the Dilution Sunset or otherwise) will enable Shopify to continue its growth and preserve its merchant-obsessed culture.

Mr. Lütke has agreed not to transfer the Founder share and to maintain voting control over the Class B multiple voting shares held by him and his affiliates. Shopify's current governance structure permits the transfer of Class B multiple voting shares to a parent, spouse, child or other descendent of the holder without the holder retaining voting control over the Class B multiple voting shares. The Founder Agreement provides that when a transfer of Class B multiple voting shares by Mr. Lütke or his affiliates would result in Mr. Lütke not retaining voting control over such Class B multiple voting shares, such Class B multiple voting shares must be converted into Class A subordinate voting shares; and prohibits the transfer by Mr. Lütke of the Founder share. In the Special Committee's view, this update improves and modernizes the Company's governance structure by ensuring that the voting power and influence associated with the Class B multiple voting shares and the Founder share is retained by to Mr. Lütke himself and is tied to his continued role in guiding Shopify's strategic direction.

To incentivize Mr. Lütke to continue to hold a minimum economic interest in Shopify, the Arrangement provides for a liquidity-based sunset that will be triggered when the number of Class B multiple voting shares and Class A subordinate voting shares held by Mr. Lütke and his immediate family and affiliates is less than 30% of the Class B multiple voting shares currently held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any share split, consolidation, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, or similar event). These provisions prevent Mr. Lütke from maintaining his Class B multiple voting shares or the Founder share if he reduces his economic interest in Shopify beyond a specific threshold.

The Arrangement provides for a service-based sunset that will be triggered (i) when Mr. Lütke is no longer providing services as an executive officer (as defined by applicable securities laws) of Shopify or a consultant whose primary engagement is with Shopify and Mr. Lütke is no longer serving as a member of the Board of Directors or (ii) upon Mr. Lütke's death or Disability. While the Special Committee recognizes that Mr. Lütke is both the founder and CEO of Shopify, the Special Committee also recognizes that the roles in which Mr. Lütke is best placed to serve Shareholders over the long-term may change. The Special Committee also recognizes that if Mr. Lütke no longer serves in any of a number of influential roles, the utility of the Founder share structure may be limited. The Arrangement reflects the importance of strengthening the foundation for Mr. Lütke to continue to guide and serve Shopify in an ongoing, committed, concerted and high-impact manner.

In the event of a Multiple Voting Share Transaction (as defined under the heading “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Founder Share” below) Mr. Lütke and his affiliates will be entitled to receive one Class A subordinate voting share as consideration for each Class B multiple voting share held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, and Mr. Lütke will be entitled to receive a C$10 redemption price for the Founder share as consideration for the Founder share. Mr. Lütke and his affiliates will not be entitled to receive, directly or indirectly, any economic premium, additional payment or collateral benefit in connection with such Multiple Voting Share Transaction. In the Special Committee's view, this prohibition provides an important protection for minority shareholders.

Upon the occurrence of a Sunset Event, the Arrangement provides for a transition period after the occurrence of such Sunset Event of not less than nine months and not more than 18 months, as determined by the Board of Directors. In the Special Committee's view, a stable and meaningful transition period ensures that the Board of Directors has sufficient time to execute the transition and allows the Board of Directors to take steps it deems appropriate to protect the best interests of Shopify.

The Board of Directors' recommendation that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement is the result of a careful and thorough process that was conducted under the supervision of the Special Committee, as described under the heading “ – Background to the Arrangement” and the implementation of the Arrangement is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions that protect the rights and interests of minority shareholders. Among other things:

Concurrently with and conditional upon the implementation of the Arrangement, Klister has agreed to convert all of the Class B multiple voting shares it holds into Class A subordinate voting shares, which will result in a loss of Klister's multiple voting rights and the ability to make intergenerational transfers of the voting power attached to such Class B multiple voting shares. In the Special Committee's view, this conversion simplifies Shopify's capital structure, clarifies the extent of Mr. Lütke's voting power and eliminates potential uncertainty for Shopify and its Shareholders regarding future estate planning or other events that may affect the voting control of the Class B multiple voting shares currently held by Klister. Furthermore, the Special Committee views Klister's agreement to relinquish the additional voting power and ability to make intergenerational transfers of the voting power attached to such Class B multiple voting shares by converting all of its Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares as a significant endorsement from Klister of both Mr. Lütke's leadership and the Arrangement as being in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority Shareholders.

Based on discussions with its legal advisors and in light of the fact that the key elements of the Founder Proposals relate to governance and strategy matters, and did not include financial or monetary elements, the Special Committee determined that a fairness opinion would provide limited value to its assessment of whether the Arrangement is in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders and would be of limited value to Shareholders in deciding whether to vote in favour of the Arrangement. As a result, Blair Franklin's mandate did not include the delivery of a fairness opinion, and the Special Committee was not presented with a fairness opinion as part of its determination that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Shopify and fair to minority shareholders.

The Special Committee considered various risks and other potentially negative factors relating to the Arrangement, including the following:

Preservation of Mr. Lütke's Voting Power Will Continue to Limit Influence of Other Shareholders Over Most Corporate Matters

After the Arrangement is implemented and until the Sunset Date, the Founder share will provide Mr. Lütke with a variable number of votes such that the aggregate voting power of Class B multiple voting shares and any Class A subordinate voting shares resulting from a conversion of Class B multiple voting shares after the effective date of the Arrangement beneficially owned or controlled by Mr. Lütke, his immediate family and affiliates (and, in some circumstances, additional Class A subordinate voting shares acquired following a disposition of Class A subordinate voting shares resulting from a conversion of Class B multiple voting shares after the effective date of the Arrangement) and the Founder share will represent 40% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares, provided that such variable number of votes does not cause the aggregate voting power of Mr. Lütke and his immediate family and affiliates to exceed 49.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares. This preservation of voting power will continue to limit the ability of other Shareholders to influence corporate matters. Until the Sunset Date, Mr. Lütke will continue to have influence over Shopify, including the ability to significantly affect the outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of Shareholders.

Given that the Arrangement maintains Mr. Lütke's influence over Shopify, the Arrangement may have the effect of limiting the likelihood of an unsolicited take-over bid or merger proposal or a proxy contest for the removal of directors. As a result, the Arrangement may have the effect of depriving Shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices and may make it more difficult for minority shareholders to replace Shopify's directors and management team. The Special Committee is not aware of any offer or proposal by any person or group to acquire any significant amount of Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares, acquire control of Shopify by means of a take-over bid, merger, solicitation in opposition to management or otherwise, or change the current Board of Directors or management team.

Having undertaken a thorough review of, and carefully considered, the Arrangement, including consulting with independent legal and financial advisors, the Special Committee unanimously concluded that implementing the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company and fair to minority Shareholders. As a result, the Special Committee unanimously recommended that the Board of Directors approve the Arrangement and recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement.

As a result of its discussions and after careful consideration of, among other things, the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board of Directors unanimously concluded (with Mr. Lütke abstaining from voting) that implementing the Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company and fair to minority Shareholders. As a result, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement.

The following description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan of Arrangement, attached as “Schedule C – Plan of Arrangement” of this Circular.

At the effective time of the Arrangement, the following events shall occur and shall be deemed to occur sequentially in the following order without any further authorization, act or formality on the part of any person, and with each event or transaction occurring and being deemed to occur immediately after the occurrence of the immediately preceding event or transaction:

Klister has delivered to the Company a notice pursuant to which Klister has consented and agreed, conditional upon the Arrangement becoming effective, to voluntarily convert the Klister shares into Class A subordinate voting shares in accordance with their terms (the “Conversion Notice”). The Klister shares represent all of the Class B multiple voting shares held by Klister as of the date hereof, and the Conversion Notice will apply to all of the Class B multiple voting shares held by Klister at the effective time of the Arrangement. The Conversion Notice also provides that since the voluntary conversion of the Klister shares is conditional upon the Arrangement becoming effective, any changes to the Arrangement that are made after the date hereof with Court and shareholder approval, or any changes to the Founder Agreement, may also require Klister's consent.

Upon completion of the Arrangement, the Company's share capital will consist of an unlimited number of Class A subordinate voting shares, an unlimited number of Class B multiple voting shares, one Founder share and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series.

As of March 31, 2022, 114,185,448 Class A subordinate voting shares, 11,951,154 Class B multiple voting shares and no preferred shares were issued and outstanding, and the Class A subordinate voting shares represented 90.5% of the total issued and outstanding shares and 48.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares. The Class B multiple voting shares represented 9.5% of the total issued and outstanding shares and 51.1% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares as of the same date.

If the Arrangement was effective as of March 31, 2022, 117,935,448 Class A subordinate voting shares, 8,201,154 Class B multiple voting shares, one Founder share and no preferred shares would be issued and outstanding, and the Class A subordinate voting shares would represent 93.5% of the total issued and outstanding shares and 58.5% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares, the Class B multiple voting shares would represent 6.5% of the total issued and outstanding shares and 40.7% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares and the Founder share would represent a de minimis percentage of the total issued and outstanding shares and 0.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares.

Although the rules of the TSX generally prohibit us from issuing additional Class B multiple voting shares, there may be certain circumstances where additional Class B multiple voting shares may be issued, including upon receiving shareholder approval and pursuant to the exercise of stock options under the Legacy Option Plan that were granted prior to the IPO. The Class A subordinate voting shares are “restricted securities” within the meaning of such term under applicable Canadian securities laws. Upon completion of the Arrangement, the Class B multiple voting shares may also be considered to become “restricted securities” within the meaning of such term under applicable Canadian securities laws. See “ – Required Shareholder Approval – Securities Law Requirements and Minority Approval”.

The following is a description of the material terms of the Class A subordinate voting shares, the Class B multiple voting shares, the Founder share and the preferred shares. The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Class A subordinate voting shares, the Class B multiple voting shares, and the preferred shares will not change after giving effect to the Arrangement. The following descriptions of the terms of the Class A subordinate voting shares, the Class B multiple voting shares and the preferred shares are qualified in their entirety by reference to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Class A subordinate voting shares, the Class B multiple voting shares and preferred shares set forth in the Company's restated articles of incorporation. The following description of the terms of the Founder share is qualified in its entirety by reference to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Founder share set forth in “Schedule F – Founder Share Terms” of this Circular.

Except as described herein, the Class A subordinate voting shares and the Class B multiple voting shares have the same rights, are equal in all respects and are treated by the Company as if they were one class of shares.

The Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares rank pari passu with respect to the payment of dividends, distribution of property and assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, or any other distribution of its assets among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and the holders of Class B multiple voting shares are entitled to participate equally in the remaining property and assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares, without preference or distinction among or between the Class A subordinate voting shares and the Class B multiple voting shares, subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares.

The holders of outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares are entitled to receive dividends on a share for share basis at such times and in such amounts and form as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, but subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares, without preference or distinction among or between the Class A subordinate voting shares and the Class B multiple voting shares. In the event of a payment of a dividend in the form of shares, Class A subordinate voting shares shall be distributed with respect to outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares shall be distributed with respect to outstanding Class B multiple voting shares, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.

Holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares are entitled to receive notice of and to attend meetings of Shareholders, except meetings at which only holders of another particular class or series have the right to vote. Each Class A subordinate voting share is entitled to one vote per share and each Class B multiple voting share is entitled to 10 votes per share.

The Class A subordinate voting shares are not convertible into any other class of shares. Each outstanding Class B multiple voting share may at any time, at the option of the holder, be converted into one Class A subordinate voting share. Upon the first date that a Class B multiple voting share is Transferred by a holder of Class B multiple voting shares, other than to a Permitted Holder or from any such Permitted Holder back to such holder of Class B multiple voting shares and/or any other Permitted Holder of such holder of Class B multiple voting shares, the holder thereof, without any further action, shall automatically be deemed to have exercised his, her or its rights to convert such Class B multiple voting share into a fully paid and non-assessable Class A subordinate voting share, effective immediately upon such Transfer, on a share for share basis.

In addition, all Class B multiple voting shares will convert automatically into Class A subordinate voting shares on the date on which the outstanding Class B multiple voting shares represent less than 5% of the aggregate number of outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares as a group.

For the purposes of the foregoing:

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such specified Person;

“Members of the Immediate Family” means with respect to any individual, each parent (whether by birth or adoption), spouse, child or other descendants (whether by birth or adoption) of such individual, each spouse of any of the aforementioned Persons, each trust created solely for the benefit of such individual and/or one or more of the aforementioned Persons, and each legal representative of such individual or of any aforementioned Persons (including without limitation a tutor, curator, mandatary due to incapacity, custodian, guardian or testamentary executor), acting in such capacity under the authority of the law, an order from a competent tribunal, a will or a mandate in case of incapacity or similar instrument. For the purposes of this definition, a Person shall be considered the spouse of an individual if such

Person is legally married to such individual, lives in a civil union with such individual or is the common law partner (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time) of such individual. A Person who was the spouse of an individual within the meaning of this paragraph immediately before the death of such individual shall continue to be considered a spouse of such individual after the death of such individual;

“Permitted Holders” means, in respect of a holder of Class B multiple voting shares that is an individual, the Members of the Immediate Family of such individual and any Person controlled, directly or indirectly, by any such holder, and in respect of a holder of Class B multiple voting shares that is not an individual, an Affiliate of that holder;

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture or limited liability company;

“Transfer” of a Class B multiple voting share shall mean any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law. A “Transfer” shall also include, without limitation, (1) a transfer of a Class B multiple voting share to a broker or other nominee (regardless of whether or not there is a corresponding change in beneficial ownership) or (2) the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control over a Class B multiple voting share by proxy or otherwise, provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer”: (a) the grant of a proxy to the Company's officers or directors at the request of the Board of Directors in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders; or (b) the pledge of a Class B multiple voting share that creates a mere security interest in such share pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction so long as the holder of the Class B multiple voting share continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such Class B multiple voting share or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer”;

“Voting Control” with respect to a Class B multiple voting share means the exclusive power (whether directly or indirectly) to vote or direct the voting of such Class B multiple voting share by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise; and

A Person is “controlled” by another Person or other Persons if: (1) in the case of a company or other body corporate wherever or however incorporated: (A) securities entitled to vote in the election of directors carrying in the aggregate at least a majority of the votes for the election of directors and representing in the aggregate at least a majority of the participating (equity) securities are held, other than by way of security only, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and (B) the votes carried in the aggregate by such securities are entitled, if exercised, to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such company or other body corporate; or (2) in the case of a Person that is not a company or other body corporate, at least a majority of the participating (equity) and voting interests of such Person are held, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and “controls”, “controlling” and “under common control with” shall be interpreted accordingly.

No subdivision or consolidation of the Class A subordinate voting shares or the Class B multiple voting shares may be carried out unless, at the same time, the Class B multiple voting shares or the Class A subordinate voting shares, as the case may be, are subdivided or consolidated in the same manner and on the same basis.

Except as required by the CBCA, applicable securities laws or the Company's restated articles of incorporation, holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares will vote together on all matters subject to a vote of holders of both those classes of shares as if they were one class of shares.

Neither the holders of the Class A subordinate voting shares nor the holders of the Class B multiple voting shares shall be entitled to vote separately as a class upon a proposal to amend the Company's restated articles of incorporation in the case of an amendment to (1) increase or decrease any maximum number of authorized shares of such class, or increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of such class; or (2) create a new class of shares equal or superior to the shares of such class, which rights are otherwise provided for in paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection 176(1) of the CBCA, respectively. Pursuant to the Company's restated articles of incorporation, neither holders of Class A subordinate voting shares nor holders of Class B multiple voting shares will be entitled to vote separately as a class on a proposal to amend the Company's restated articles of incorporation to effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all or part of the shares of such class pursuant to Section 176(1)(b) of the CBCA unless such exchange, reclassification or

cancellation: (a) affects only the holders of that class; or (b) affects the holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares differently, on a per share basis, and such holders are not already otherwise entitled to vote separately as a class under applicable law or the Company's restated articles of incorporation in respect of such exchange, reclassification or cancellation.

Pursuant to the Company's restated articles of incorporation, holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares will be treated equally and identically, on a per share basis, in certain change of control transactions that require approval of shareholders under the CBCA, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares, each voting separately as a class.

Under applicable Canadian law, an offer to purchase Class B multiple voting shares would not necessarily require that an offer be made to purchase Class A subordinate voting shares. In accordance with the rules of the TSX designed to ensure that, in the event of a take-over bid, the holders of Class A subordinate voting shares will be entitled to participate on an equal footing with holders of Class B multiple voting shares, upon the completion of the IPO the holders of over 80% of the then outstanding Class B multiple voting shares entered into a customary coattail agreement with Shopify and a trustee (the “Coattail Agreement”). The Coattail Agreement contains provisions customary for dual class, TSX listed corporations designed to prevent transactions that otherwise would deprive the holders of Class A subordinate voting shares of rights under the take-over bid provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws to which they would have been entitled if the Class B multiple voting shares had been Class A subordinate voting shares.

The undertakings in the Coattail Agreement will not apply to prevent a sale of Class B multiple voting shares by a holder of Class B multiple voting shares party to the Coattail Agreement if concurrently an offer is made to purchase Class A subordinate voting shares that:

In addition, the Coattail Agreement will not prevent the sale of Class B multiple voting shares by a holder thereof to a Permitted Holder, provided such sale does not or would not constitute a take-over bid or, if so, is exempt or would be exempt from the formal bid requirements (as defined in applicable securities laws). The conversion of Class B multiple voting shares into Class A subordinate voting shares, shall not, in of itself constitute a sale of Class B multiple voting shares for the purposes of the Coattail Agreement.

Under the Coattail Agreement, any sale of Class B multiple voting shares (including a transfer to a pledgee as security) by a holder of Class B multiple voting shares party to the Coattail Agreement will be conditional upon the transferee or pledgee becoming a party to the Coattail Agreement, to the extent such transferred Class B multiple voting shares are not automatically converted into Class A subordinate voting shares in accordance with the Company's restated articles of incorporation.

The Coattail Agreement contains provisions for authorizing action by the trustee to enforce the rights under the Coattail Agreement on behalf of the holders of the Class A subordinate voting shares. The obligation of the trustee to take such action will be conditional on Shopify or holders of the Class A subordinate voting shares providing such funds and indemnity as the trustee may require. No holder of Class A subordinate voting shares will have the right, other than through the trustee, to institute any action or proceeding or to exercise any other remedy to enforce any rights arising under the Coattail Agreement unless the trustee fails to act on a request authorized by holders of not

less than 10% of the outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and reasonable funds and indemnity have been provided to the trustee.

The Coattail Agreement provides that it may not be amended, and no provision thereof may be waived, unless, prior to giving effect to such amendment or waiver, the following have been obtained: (a) the consent of the TSX and any other applicable securities regulatory authority in Canada and (b) the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by holders of Class A subordinate voting shares represented at a meeting duly called for the purpose of considering such amendment or waiver, excluding votes attached to Class A subordinate voting shares held directly or indirectly by holders of Class B multiple voting shares, their affiliates and related parties and any persons who have an agreement to purchase Class B multiple voting shares on terms which would constitute a sale for purposes of the Coattail Agreement other than as permitted thereby.

No provision of the Coattail Agreement will limit the rights of any holders of Class A subordinate voting shares under applicable law.

The holder of the Founder share will not be entitled to receive any dividends.

The holder of the Founder share will not be entitled to receive any property or assets of the Company on the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company whether voluntarily or involuntarily, or any other distribution of assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purposes of winding up its affairs.

The holder of the Founder share will be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of shareholders of the Company, except meetings at which only holders of another particular class or series shall have the right to vote.

Subject to the limitations set forth below, at each meeting of shareholders of the Company, the Founder share shall entitle the holder thereof to the Specified Number of votes.

The Founder share will entitle the holder to only one vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Company if either (i) the Founder MVS Percentage is equal to or greater than 40% or (ii) the Founder Group MVS/SVS Percentage is equal to or greater than 49.9%. The number of votes carried by the Founder share shall be automatically and permanently reduced to one vote on the Sunset Date.

For the purposes of the foregoing:

“Disability” means, with respect to the Founder, the permanent and total disability of the Founder such that the Founder is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death within 12 months or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months as determined by a licensed medical practitioner jointly selected by a simple majority of the Independent Directors and the Founder; provided, however, that if a simple majority of the Independent Directors and the Founder (or such person or persons acting on behalf of the Founder pursuant to the following sentence) are unable to jointly agree on the selection of such licensed medical practitioner, then such licensed medical practitioner shall be jointly selected by (x) a licensed medical practitioner selected by a simple majority of the Independent Directors and (y) a licensed medical practitioner selected by the Founder (or such person or persons acting on behalf of the Founder pursuant to the following sentence). If the Founder is incapable of selecting a licensed medical practitioner, then the Founder's spouse shall make the selection on behalf of the Founder, or in the absence or incapacity of the Founder's spouse, the Founder's adult children by simple majority vote shall make the selection on behalf of the Founder, or in the absence of adult children of the Founder or their inability to act by simple majority vote, a natural person then acting as the successor trustee of a revocable living trust which was created by the Founder and which holds more aggregate shares of any class of shares of the Company than any other revocable living trust created by the Founder shall make the selection on behalf of the Founder, or in the absence of any such successor trustee, the legal guardian or conservator of the estate of the Founder shall make the selection on behalf of the Founder;

“Effective Date” means the date on which the Arrangement becomes effective;

“executive officer” has the meaning set forth in section 1.1 of National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations, as in effect on the Effective Date;

“Founder” means Tobias Lütke;

“Founder Group” means the Members of the Immediate Family of the Founder and any Person (other than the Company and its subsidiaries) controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Founder;

“Founder Group MVS/SVS Percentage” means the Founder Group MVS/SVS Votes divided by the Total Votes, expressed as a percentage;

“Founder Group MVS/SVS Votes” means, as of the applicable record date, the number of votes that may be exercised with respect to all Voting Shares that the holder of the Founder share or the Founder Group beneficially owns or exercises Voting Control over (except by way of any proxy or power of attorney granted pursuant to a general solicitation of proxies in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, or otherwise at the direction of the Board of Directors, in respect of Voting Shares over which Voting Control would otherwise be exercised by Persons other than the Founder and the Founder Group), excluding the number of votes attached to the Founder share;

“Founder MVS Percentage” means the Founder MVS Votes divided by the Total Votes, expressed as a percentage;

“Founder MVS Votes” means, as of the applicable record date, the number of votes that may be exercised with respect to: (a) all Class B multiple voting shares that the holder of the Founder share or the Founder Group beneficially owns or exercises Voting Control over (except by way of any proxy or power of attorney granted pursuant to a general solicitation of proxies in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, or otherwise at the direction of the Board of Directors, in respect of Class B multiple voting shares over which Voting Control would otherwise be exercised by Persons other than the Founder and the Founder Group), (b) all Class A subordinate voting shares that the holder of the Founder share or the Founder Group beneficially owns or exercises Voting Control over (except by way of any proxy or power of attorney granted pursuant to a general solicitation of proxies in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, or otherwise at the direction of the Board of Directors, in respect of Class A subordinate voting shares over which Voting Control would otherwise be exercised by Persons other than the Founder and the Founder Group) which resulted from the conversion of Class B multiple voting shares in accordance with subsection 1.4 and/or subsection 1.5 from and after the Effective Date (such shares, the “MVS Conversion Shares”), and (c) if any MVS Conversion Shares have been transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Founder or the Founder Group, the number of Class A subordinate voting shares equal to the lesser of (i) the number of Class A subordinate voting shares acquired by the Founder or the Founder Group from and after the Effective Date (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the MVS Conversion Shares), and (ii) the number of MVS Conversion Shares that have been transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of by the Founder or the Founder Group (and, for certainty, if the number of Class A subordinate voting shares in (i) and (ii) are equal, that number);

“Independent Directors” means the members of the Board of Directors designated as independent directors in accordance with section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees, as amended from time to time, and shall not include the Founder;

“Members of the Immediate Family” means with respect to any individual, each parent (whether by birth or adoption), spouse, child or other descendants (whether by birth or adoption) of such individual, each spouse of any of the aforementioned Persons, each trust created solely for the benefit of such individual and/or one or more of the aforementioned Persons, and each legal representative of such individual or of any aforementioned Persons (including without limitation a tutor, curator, mandatary due to incapacity, custodian, guardian or testamentary executor), acting in such capacity under the authority of the law, an order from a competent tribunal, a will or a mandate in case of incapacity or similar instrument. For the purposes of this definition, a Person shall be considered the spouse of an individual if such Person is legally married to such individual, lives in a civil union with such individual or is the common law partner (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time) of such individual. A Person who was the spouse of an individual within the

meaning of this paragraph immediately before the death of such individual shall continue to be considered a spouse of such individual after the death of such individual;

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture or limited liability company;

“Specified Number” means, as of the applicable record date, the lesser of: (a) the Variable Number, and (b) the Variable Difference;

“Sunset Date” means the date determined by the Board of Directors that is not less than 9 months and not more than 18 months following the occurrence of a Sunset Event and, if no such date is determined by the Board of Directors, the date that is 9 months following the occurrence of a Sunset Event;

“Sunset Event” means the earliest to occur of: (a) the date that both (i) the Founder is no longer providing services to the Company as (A) an executive officer of the Company or (B) a consultant whose primary engagement is with the Company, and (ii) the Founder is no longer serving as a member of the Board of Directors; (b) the date of the Founder's death or Disability; or (c) the date that the number of Class B multiple voting shares and Class A subordinate voting shares beneficially owned by the Founder and the Founder Group, in the aggregate, is less than 30% of the aggregate number of Class B multiple voting shares beneficially owned by the Founder and the Founder's affiliates as of the date hereof (as adjusted to reflect any subdivision of the Class B multiple voting shares prior to the effective time of the Arrangement), as adjusted to appropriately reflect any share split, consolidation, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, or similar event approved by the Board of Directors and effected after the Effective Date affecting the number of outstanding Class B multiple voting shares and/or Class A subordinate voting shares;

“Total Votes” means, as of the applicable record date, the number of votes that may be exercised by holders of all of the issued and outstanding Voting Shares (excluding the number of votes attached to the Founder share);

“Variable Difference” means, as of the applicable record date, the number of votes which, when added together with the Founder Group MVS/SVS Votes, is equal to 49.9% of the number of votes that may be exercised by holders of all of the issued and outstanding Voting Shares (including the number of votes attached to the Founder share);

“Variable Number” means, as of the applicable record date, the number of votes which, when added together with the Founder MVS Votes, is equal to 40% of the number of votes that may be exercised by holders of all of the issued and outstanding Voting Shares (including the number of votes attached to the Founder share);

“Voting Control” with respect to a Voting Share means the exclusive power (whether directly or indirectly) to vote or direct the voting of such Voting Share by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise;

“Voting Shares” means any outstanding shares of the Company carrying a voting right either under all circumstances or under some circumstances that have occurred and are continuing; and

A Person is “controlled” by another Person or other Persons if: (a) in the case of a company or other body corporate wherever or however incorporated: (i) securities entitled to vote in the election of directors carrying in the aggregate at least a majority of the votes for the election of directors and representing in the aggregate at least a majority of the participating (equity) securities are held, other than by way of security only, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and (ii) the votes carried in the aggregate by such securities are entitled, if exercised, to elect a majority of the board of directors of such company or other body corporate; or (b) in the case of a Person that is not a company or other body corporate, at least a majority of the participating (equity) and voting interests of such Person are held, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and “controls”, “controlling” and “under common control with” shall be interpreted accordingly.

The Founder share will vote together with the Class B multiple voting shares and the Class A subordinate voting shares as a single class except as otherwise expressly provided in the Company's restated articles of incorporation or as provided by law.

The holder of the Founder share will not be entitled to vote separately as a class (i) upon a proposal to amend the restated articles of incorporation of the Company in the case of an amendment referred to in paragraph (a) or (e) of

subsection 176(1) of the CBCA or (ii) upon a proposal to amend the restated articles of incorporation of the Company in the case of an amendment referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection 176(1) of the CBCA unless such exchange, reclassification or cancellation affects only the holder of the Founder share.

No subdivision or consolidation of the Founder share may be carried out.

Subject to the CBCA, the Company may, at any time on or after the Sunset Date, redeem the Founder share by payment of C$10 to the holder of the Founder share, and the holder of the Founder share will be entitled, at such holder's option, to require the Company to redeem the Founder share at any time upon payment by the Company of C$10 to the holder of the Founder share.

From and after redemption, the holder of the Founder share shall not be entitled to exercise any rights with respect to the Founder share.

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares issuable in series. Each series of preferred shares shall consist of such number of shares and having such rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions as may be determined by the Board of Directors prior to the issuance thereof. Holders of preferred shares, except as otherwise provided in the terms specific to a series of preferred shares or as required by law, will not be entitled to receive notice of, or attend (and vote) at any meetings of holders of shares, and will not be entitled to vote separately as a class or series upon a proposal to amend the Company's restated articles of incorporation in the case of an amendment of the kind referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (e) of subsection 176(1) of the CBCA. With respect to the payment of dividends and distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of its assets among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the preferred shares are entitled to preference over the Class A subordinate voting shares, Class B multiple voting shares and any other shares ranking junior to the preferred shares from time to time and may also be given such other preferences over Class A subordinate voting shares, Class B multiple voting shares and any other shares ranking junior to the preferred shares as may be determined at the time of creation of such series.

In addition to the terms of the Founder share, which will form part of the Company's amended articles of incorporation, we will enter into the Founder Agreement with Mr. Lütke and his affiliates as part of the Arrangement.

The form of the Founder Agreement is attached as “Schedule G – Founder Agreement” of this Circular. The following summary of the Founder Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the Founder Agreement.

Capitalized terms used herein but not defined below have their meanings specified under “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Founder Share”.

Pursuant to the Founder Agreement, Mr. Lütke and his affiliates, as applicable, will agree:

For the purposes of the foregoing:

“Founder Holders” means, collectively, the Founder, 7910240 Canada Inc., which Mr. Lütke is deemed to beneficially own, and any Permitted Holder that becomes party to the Founder Agreement pursuant to and in accordance with Section 3(a) of the Founder Agreement.

“Transfer” of a Class B multiple voting share or the Founder share, as applicable, for purposes of the Founder Agreement, means any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law. A “Transfer” shall also include, without limitation, (1) a transfer of a Class B multiple voting share or the Founder share to a broker or other nominee (regardless of whether or not there is a corresponding change in beneficial ownership) or (2) the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control over a Class B multiple voting share or the Founder share by proxy or otherwise, provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer” for purposes of the Founder Agreement: (a) the grant of a proxy or power of attorney to the Company's officers or directors at the request of the Board of Directors in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders; (b) the pledge of a Class B multiple voting share that creates a mere security interest in such share pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction so long as the holder of such Class B multiple voting share continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such Class B multiple voting share or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer”; (c) upon the death or Disability of the Founder, the transfer of a Class B multiple voting share or the Founder share to the estate of the Founder or to a legal representative of the Founder (including without limitation a tutor, curator, mandatary due to incapacity, custodian, guardian or testamentary executor), acting in such capacity under the authority of the law, an order from a competent tribunal, a will or a mandate in case of incapacity or similar instrument; or (d) the transfer of Voting Control of the Founder share to the Founder Share Attorney (as defined below) pursuant to Section 6 of the Founder Agreement.

“Voting Control” means with respect to a Class B multiple voting share or the Founder share the exclusive power (whether directly or indirectly) to vote or direct the voting of such Class B multiple voting share or Founder share, as applicable, by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise.

In addition, the Founder Agreement will provide that, in the event of a Multiple Voting Share Transaction, each of the Founder Holders shall receive one Class A subordinate voting share in consideration for each Class B multiple voting share (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any share split, consolidation, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization or similar event approved by the Board of Directors affecting the number of outstanding Class B multiple voting shares and/or Class A subordinate voting shares) held by such Founder Holder, and the holder of the Founder share shall receive the redemption price of the Founder share in consideration for the Founder share. The Founder Agreement further provides, for greater certainty, that the Founder Holders shall not be entitled to receive, directly or indirectly, any economic premium, additional payment or collateral benefit in connection with a Multiple Voting Share Transaction.

Further, pursuant to the Founder Agreement, each Founder Holder will agree not to make any short sale or engage in any hedging, monetization or derivative transaction with respect to such Founder Holder's Class B multiple voting shares or MVS Conversion Shares, or enter into any swap or other arrangement that results in such Founder Holder not retaining, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such Founder Holder's Class B multiple voting shares or MVS Conversion Shares, as applicable, in each case whether or not such arrangement is cash settled.

For the purposes of the foregoing:

“Change of Control Transaction” means an amalgamation, arrangement, recapitalization, business combination or similar transaction of the Company, other than an amalgamation, arrangement, recapitalization, business combination or similar transaction that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the continuing entity or its parent) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company, the continuing entity or its parent and more than fifty percent (50%) of the total number of outstanding shares of the Company, the continuing entity or its parent, in each case as outstanding immediately after such transaction, and the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own voting securities of the Company, the continuing entity or its parent immediately following the transaction in substantially the same proportions (vis a vis each other) as such shareholders owned the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the transaction.

“Multiple Voting Share Transaction” means an acquisition, redemption, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, issuer bid, exchange, consolidation, amalgamation, arrangement, merger or other transaction which would have the effect of, directly or indirectly, cancelling or otherwise eliminating any or all of the outstanding Class B multiple voting shares or the Founder share, or consolidating or collapsing the Class B multiple voting shares and the Class A subordinate voting shares into a single class of outstanding voting equity securities, but does not include (i) a Change of Control Transaction that complies with Section 1.2.3 of the Company's restated articles of incorporation, (ii) a transaction that complies with the Coattail Agreement, (iii) a Pro Rata Transaction, or (iv) the conversion of Class B multiple voting shares in accordance with subsection 1.4 and/or subsection 1.5 of the Company's restated articles of incorporation from and after the Effective Date.

“MVS Conversion Shares” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of “Founder MVS Votes” under “ – Capital Structure following Completion of the Arrangement – Founder Share”.

“Pro Rata Transaction” means (i) a consolidation of Class B multiple voting shares into a lesser number of Class B multiple voting shares simultaneously with the consolidation of Class A subordinate voting shares on the same basis into a lesser number of Class A subordinate voting shares; or (ii) a reorganization of the Company pursuant to which the Founder Holders and the holders of Class A subordinate voting shares are entitled to receive securities in the capital of the Company or a successor entity on a pro rata basis in exchange for all Class B multiple voting shares or the Founder share, as applicable, and all Class A subordinate voting shares held; provided, however, that, in the case of the Founder Holders, such entitlement is not greater than the entitlement of the general body of holders of Class A subordinate voting shares pursuant to such reorganization in relation to the voting and financial participating interests in the Company represented by the Class B multiple voting shares, the Founder share and the Class A subordinate voting shares, respectively.

The Founder Agreement will provide that following the occurrence of a Sunset Event, the Founder Holders will convert or cause to be converted all Class B multiple voting shares held by the Founder Holders into Class A subordinate voting shares on or before the Sunset Date pursuant to and in accordance with subsection 1.4 of the Company's restated articles of incorporation.

The terms of the Founder Agreement will provide that the Founder will constitute the Secretary of the Company in office from time to time as true and lawful attorney for the Founder with respect to the Founder share during any Incapacity Period, with full power of substitution, to vote for and on behalf of the Founder with respect to the Founder share on all matters (including the right to act by written consent), provided that the Founder Share Attorney shall exercise all voting rights attached to the Founder share in accordance with the recommendations of management of the Company set forth in any notice of meeting and management proxy circular in respect of any matter to be voted on, including with respect to any amendments or variations to matters identified in such notice of meeting and on any other items that may properly come before such meeting or any adjournment thereof.

At any time prior to the Founder's death or Disability, the Founder may revoke the power of attorney described in the preceding paragraph and replace such Founder Share Attorney by designating a Person approved by a majority of Independent Directors then in office as the true and lawful attorney for the Founder with respect to the Founder

share during any Incapacity Period to vote for and on behalf of the Founder with respect to the Founder Share on all matters (including the right to act by written consent) in such manner as the Founder Share Attorney determines in such Person's sole discretion.

For the purposes of the foregoing:

“Founder Share Attorney” means, at any time, the Person holding a power of attorney with respect to the Founder share pursuant to Section 6 of the Founder Agreement.

“Incapacity Period” means the period commencing on the death or Disability of the Founder and ending on the date on which the Founder share is redeemed by the Company on or after the Sunset Date.

The Founder Agreement will become effective on the Effective Date and will continue until no Class B multiple voting shares are held by the Founder Holders and the Founder share is no longer outstanding or until the Founder Agreement is otherwise terminated in accordance with its terms.

The Founder Agreement may be amended, varied, modified or terminated and the observance of any term thereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by the Company with the approval of (i) all of the Independent Directors then in office, (ii) the Founder acting on behalf of all Founder Holders, (iii) the TSX, provided that the Class A subordinate voting shares are listed on the TSX at the time of such amendment, variation, modification, termination or waiver, (iv) at least two-thirds of the votes cast by holders of Class A subordinate voting shares present or represented at a meeting duly called for the purpose of considering such amendment, variation, modification, termination or waiver, and (v) a majority of the votes cast by holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares (excluding votes attached to any Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares held directly or indirectly by the Founder Holders and any associate or affiliate (each as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) of the Founder Holders) present or represented at a meeting duly called for the purpose of considering such amendment, variation, modification, termination or waiver.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Founder Agreement may be amended without the approvals set forth above in (iv) and (v) to correct or rectify any ambiguities, defective provisions, inconsistencies or omissions therein or to facilitate the operation of the provisions thereof provided the rights and interests of the holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and the holders of Class B multiple voting shares (other than the Founder Holders and any associate or affiliate (each as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) of the Founder Holders) are not prejudiced by such amendment and that such amendment has been approved by all of the Independent Directors then in office.

In order for the Arrangement to be effected, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, approve the Arrangement Resolution. The Interim Order provides that for the Arrangement to be implemented, the Arrangement Resolution must be approved by: (i) not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares present or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class, and (ii) a majority of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares (other than any Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares beneficially owned or controlled by Mr. Lütke and his associates and affiliates, each as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)), voting together as a single class, present or represented by proxy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Arrangement Resolution authorizes the Board of Directors to decide not to proceed with the Arrangement without further shareholder approval.

The full text of the Arrangement Resolution and Plan of Arrangement are attached to this Circular as “Schedule A – Arrangement Resolution” and “Schedule C – Plan of Arrangement”, respectively.

Shareholders are urged to read this Circular, including the Schedules, in their entirety. The Board of Directors is unanimously recommending that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement.

Unless a holder of shares indicates otherwise, the voting rights attached to shares represented by the proxy given to our management will be voted FOR the Arrangement Resolution.

As described above, we intend to create a new class of share, which requires an amendment to our restated articles of incorporation. The amendment to our articles will be effected by way of an Arrangement pursuant to Section 192 of the CBCA. The full text of the Plan of Arrangement is set forth in “Schedule C – Plan of Arrangement” of this Circular.

Pursuant to Section 173 of the CBCA, we may, by special resolution of the Shareholders, amend our restated articles of incorporation to create a new class of shares, in this case, designated as the Founder share. The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions of the Founder share are summarized above and set forth in “Schedule F – Founder Share Terms” of this Circular. Pursuant to Section 176(1)(e) of the CBCA, unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, holders of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class of shares on a proposal to amend the articles of incorporation to create a new class of shares equal or superior to the shares of such class. The Company's restated articles of incorporation provide that neither the holders of Class A subordinate voting shares nor Class B multiple voting shares are entitled to vote separately as a class on a proposal to amend the articles of incorporation in the case of an amendment referred to in Section 176(1)(e) of the CBCA. As such, in accordance with the provisions of the CBCA and the Company's restated articles of incorporation, the Arrangement Resolution must be approved by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares present or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class.

We are a reporting issuer (or the equivalent) under applicable Canadian securities legislation and are, among other things, subject to applicable securities laws, including Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). MI 61-101 is intended to regulate certain transactions to ensure the protection and fair treatment of minority security holders. The Arrangement is a “related party transaction” under MI 61-101 because the Plan of Arrangement includes an issuance of the Founder share to Mr. Lütke, a related party of the Company.

MI 61-101 provides that in certain circumstances, unless exempted, an issuer proposing to carry out a related party transaction is required to obtain a formal valuation for the related party transaction from a qualified and independent valuator and to provide security holders with a summary of such valuation. The Company is relying on an exemption from the formal valuation requirement contained in section 5.5 of MI 61-101 for a related party transaction which provides that a formal valuation is not required if neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves interested parties, exceeds 25% of the issuer's market capitalization (the “market cap exemption”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Arrangement, the Company will create and issue the Founder share to Mr. Lütke for cash consideration of C$10. The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, determined that the fair market value of the subject matter of the related party transaction is not readily determinable as there are no precedent transactions directly comparable to this transaction and there is no active market to determine the fair market value of the Founder share that will be issued as part of the Arrangement. Notwithstanding this determination, the Board of Directors, acting in good faith and based on the recommendation of the Special Committee with the input of Blair Franklin and McCarthy, the independent financial and legal advisors to the Special Committee, concluded that the fair market value of the subject matter of the related party transaction does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company.

The subject matter of the related party transaction is the issuance of a new class of share, designated as the Founder share, to Mr. Lütke, which will, subject to certain limitations, and until the occurrence of a Sunset Event and a subsequent transition period, entitle Mr. Lütke to a variable number of votes that will represent not more than 40% of the aggregate number of votes attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares, provided that such variable number of votes does not cause the aggregate voting power of Mr. Lütke and his immediate family and affiliates to exceed 49.9% of the aggregate voting power attached to all to the Company's outstanding voting shares. As of the date hereof, Mr. Lütke beneficially owned or controlled 7,891,852 Class B multiple voting shares and 5,250 Class A subordinate voting shares, representing approximately 33.8% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares as of March 31, 2022. If conversion of the Klister shares occurred on March 31, 2022, Mr. Lütke's beneficial ownership or control of 7,891,852 Class B multiple voting shares and 5,250 Class A subordinate voting shares would represent approximately 39.5% of the aggregate voting power attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares as of such date. The Founder share preserves, but does

not materially enhance, the aggregate voting power that Mr. Lütke would have possessed upon the conversion of the Klister shares. Upon the occurrence of a Sunset Event contemplated by the Founder share, following a specified transition period, the voting power of the Founder share will be permanently reduced to one vote and the Founder share will be redeemable at the Company's option for consideration of C$10.

The consideration paid by Mr. Lütke for the Founder share will be nominal. There are no economic rights associated with the Founder share, Mr. Lütke has agreed not to transfer the Founder share, and there is no ability to receive an economic premium, additional payment or collateral benefit as consideration therefor in connection with certain transactions involving the cancellation or elimination of the Founder share. The redemption price of the Founder share is C$10. The related party transaction does not involve a purchase or issuance of securities to effect a change of control.

Blair Franklin, the financial advisor for the Special Committee, considered the value of the Founder share. Blair Franklin believes that there are no precedent transactions directly comparable to this transaction from which, and no active market whereby, the value of the Founder share could be determined. Blair Franklin did consider other analogous situations that indicate a value of voting rights independent of economic rights, including, among other things, (i) transactions whereby a collapse of multiple/dual class share structures resulted in the transfer of an economic benefit to the controlling shareholder, as well as transactions where there was no economic benefit conveyed to the controlling shareholder and (ii) the relative trading prices of multiple voting shares and subordinate voting shares (or voting and non-voting shares, as applicable) for companies with multiple publicly traded classes of shares with differential voting rights.

Given that the aggregate voting power of Mr. Lütke will be preserved by the issuance of the Founder share, but not materially enhanced, and no economic rights or potential premium are attached to the Founder share, the Board of Directors, acting in good faith and upon the recommendation of the Special Committee with input from Blair Franklin and McCarthy, determined that the fair market value of the Founder share was below 25% of the market capitalization of the Company.

MI 61-101 also requires that, in addition to any other security holder approval, unless exempted, a related party transaction must be approved by at least a majority of the votes cast by “minority” shareholders of each class of affected securities, voting separately as a class. The Arrangement is exempt from the requirement to obtain minority shareholder approval by application of the market cap exemption contained in section 5.7 of MI 61-101.

In addition to the above requirements, the Class A subordinate voting shares are “restricted securities” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law, particularly OSC Rule 56-501 – Restricted Shares (“Rule 56-501”) and National Instrument 41-101 – General Prospectus Requirements (“NI 41-101”), and the Class B multiple voting shares may also be considered to become restricted securities pursuant to Rule 56-501 and NI 41-101 as a result of the Arrangement. As such, in accordance with Rule 56-501 and NI 41-101, the Arrangement must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by all Shareholders, other than votes attaching to the securities held directly or indirectly by our affiliates and control persons (as defined under applicable securities law).

Furthermore, the TSX Company Manual requires that the TSX approve the proposed issuance of the Founder share. The TSX has conditionally approved the issuance of the Founder share as contemplated by the Arrangement, subject to, among other conditions, the approval of the Arrangement by a majority of the votes cast by all Shareholders, other than votes attaching to Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares beneficially owned by Mr. Lütke and his associates and affiliates.

Accordingly, pursuant to the requirements under the CBCA, MI 61-101, Rule 56-501, NI 41-101 and the requirements of the TSX, in order for the Arrangement to be approved, the Arrangement Resolution must be approved by, as set forth in the Interim Order:

As a foreign private issuer, the NYSE allows us to rely on foreign private issuer exemptions with respect to certain of the NYSE listing requirements. Pursuant to the NYSE Listed Company Manual, the NYSE will accept any action or issuance relating to the voting rights structure of a non-U.S. company that is not prohibited by the company's home country law. We are relying on this provision in connection with the creation and issuance of the Founder share.

An arrangement of a company under the CBCA requires sanction by the Court. On April 11, 2022, the Company obtained the Interim Order providing for the calling and holding of the Meeting and other procedural matters. A copy of the Interim Order and the Notice of Application for the Final Order are attached to this Circular as “Schedule D – Interim Order” and “Schedule E – Notice of Application for Final Order”, respectively.

If the Arrangement Resolution is approved by Shareholders at the Meeting in the manner required by the Interim Order, the Company will apply to the Court to obtain the Final Order. The hearing in respect of the Final Order is scheduled to take place at the Court located at 330 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario on June 9, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Time), or as soon after such time as counsel may be heard. Any Shareholders wishing to appear in person or to be represented by counsel at the hearing of the application for the Final Order may do so but must comply with certain procedural requirements described in the Notice of Application for the Final Order and the Interim Order, including filing a Notice of Appearance with the Court and serving same upon the Company via its counsel as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, no less than five days before such date.

The Court has broad discretion under the CBCA when making orders with respect to arrangements. The Court may approve the Arrangement in any manner it may direct and determine appropriate.

Once the Final Order is granted, the Articles of Arrangement will be filed with the Director under the CBCA for issuance of the Certificate of Arrangement giving effect to the Arrangement, which will result in, among other things, an amendment to our restated articles of incorporation to create the Founder share, and the issuance of such Founder share to Mr. Lütke.

Other than Mr. Lütke, as the recipient of the Founder share as described elsewhere in this Circular, none of our directors or executive officers, nor any person who has held such a position since the beginning of our most recently completed financial year, nor any of their respective associates or affiliates, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in the Arrangement.

The Klister shares are owned by Klister, a company that is owned and controlled by John Phillips, a director of the Company, and Catherine Phillips. As part of the Arrangement, the Klister shares will be converted into Class A subordinate voting shares in accordance with their terms. If the Arrangement was effective on March 31, 2022, the voting power attached to the Klister shares would be reduced from 16.1% of the aggregate number of votes attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares to 1.9% of the aggregate number of votes attached to all of the Company's outstanding voting shares due to the conversion. No compensation will be received by Klister or Mr. Phillips as part of the Arrangement due to the conversion of the Klister shares in accordance with their terms.

If the Arrangement Resolution is approved by Shareholders at the Meeting in the manner described above, the Company will apply to the Court to obtain the Final Order. Should the Final Order be obtained, we will file the Articles of Arrangement with the Director under the CBCA for issuance of the Certificate of Arrangement giving effect to the Arrangement promptly following receipt of the Final Order which will result in, among other things, the creation of the Founder share, and the issuance of such Founder share to Mr. Lütke.

If the Arrangement is approved at the Meeting and the Final Order is obtained, we currently expect that the Arrangement will be effective on or around June 10, 2022.

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to approve the Share Split Resolution, authorizing an amendment to the Company's restated articles of incorporation pursuant to Section 173(1)(h) of the CBCA to change the number of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares on a ten-for-one basis, such that, when and if this amendment is given effect, every Class A subordinate voting share and Class B multiple voting share will become ten shares.

The full text of the Share Split Resolution is attached as “Schedule B – Share Split Resolution” to this Circular. Shareholders are urged to read this Circular, including the Schedules, in their entirety. Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure in this Section 2(4) assumes that no changes to our capital structure or our issued and outstanding shares are made, including as may be made pursuant to the Arrangement as further described under “Section 2(3): Business of the Meeting – Approval of the Arrangement” in this Circular.

The Company is currently authorized to issue an unlimited number of Class A subordinate voting shares, an unlimited number of Class B multiple voting shares, and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series. As of March 31, 2022, 114,185,448 Class A subordinate voting shares, 11,951,154 Class B multiple voting shares and no preferred shares were issued and outstanding. The closing price of the Class A subordinate voting shares on March 31, 2022 was C$865.71 and US$693.21 on the TSX and NYSE, respectively, and on April 8, 2022 was C$757.98 and US$603.18 on the TSX and NYSE, respectively.

If implemented, the Share Split will increase the number of our issued and outstanding Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares tenfold and is expected to initially reduce the market price per Class A subordinate voting share proportionately to the Share Split ratio. The Share Split is expected to make the Class A subordinate voting shares more affordable to a broader segment of the population. Making the Class A subordinate voting shares more accessible will enable the Company to broaden and diversify its ownership base, an outcome which is expected to benefit all Shareholders.

Pursuant to the Company's restated articles of incorporation, no subdivision of the Class A subordinate voting shares may be carried out, unless at the same time, the Class B multiple voting shares are subdivided in the same manner and on the same basis. The Share Split will not change a Shareholder's proportionate ownership in the Company and there will be no change to the interest, rights or privileges of holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares. Given the Share Split will affect the Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares in the same manner, the relative voting power attached to the Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares will not change due to the Share Split. If the Share Split is given effect, there will also be certain proportionate adjustments to the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to, and outstanding awards under, the Company's share-based incentive plans, and to the conversion rate of our 0.125% convertible senior notes due 2025 pursuant to the supplemental indenture governing such notes, in each case, in order to reflect the Share Split. The Share Split will not affect the Founder share, if it is outstanding at the time the Share Split is implemented.

Based on the current provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations in force as of the date of this Circular (collectively, the “Tax Act”), all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act which have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date of this Circular, and the Company's understanding of the current administrative and assessing practices and policies of the Canada Revenue Agency published in writing prior to the date of this Circular, a holder of Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares will not be considered to have disposed of its Shares or to have acquired new Shares as a consequence of the Share Split (when and if given effect) and will not realize any taxable gain or loss in respect of the Share Split. The holder's aggregate cost of the Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares immediately after the Share Split will be equal to the holder's aggregate cost of the Shares immediately before the Share Split. The cost to the holder on a per share basis will equal the aggregate cost to the holder of the Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares divided by the number of Shares held. The above noted information is a summary of certain Canadian federal income tax considerations and should not be considered to be legal or tax advice to any particular holder of Shares. Holders of Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares are advised to consult with their own tax advisors for advice on the income tax consequences of the Share Split in their particular circumstances, including the application and effect of the income and other tax laws of any applicable country, province, state or local tax authority.

Based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and other applicable authorities, all as in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect), the Share Split is intended to be treated as a recapitalization for United States federal income tax purposes within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Assuming the Share Split so qualifies, no gain or loss would be recognized by U.S. Holders (as defined below) in the Share Split. Following the Share Split, a U.S. Holder's aggregate tax basis in the Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares received pursuant to the Share Split would be equal to the aggregate tax basis in such holder's existing Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares, as applicable, and a U.S. Holder's holding period for the Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares received should include such holder's holding period for the existing Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares, as applicable. U.S. Holders of Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares acquired on different dates and at different prices should consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of the aggregate tax basis in the existing Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares, as applicable, among the Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares, as applicable, received and regarding the holding period of such shares.

A “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of the Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares (as determined for United States federal income tax purpose) that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is, or is treated as, (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of a political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia), (iii) an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income taxation, regardless of its source, or (iv) any trust if: (a) a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (b) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. The discussion above does not address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular U.S. Holder or to U.S. Holders that are subject to special treatment under United States federal income tax laws, including, but not limited to, banks, financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons that are broker-dealers, traders in securities who elect the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities, certain former citizens or long-term residents of the U.S., or holders holding their shares as part of a straddle, hedge, or conversion transaction, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ from those summarized above. In addition, the discussion above does not address any state, local or foreign tax considerations or any tax considerations other than United States federal income tax considerations. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain a position contrary to any of the tax consequences set forth above.

The Share Split is subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals (including those of the TSX and the NYSE, as applicable) and the approval of the Share Split Resolution by Shareholders. The Share Split Resolution authorizes the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, to determine not to proceed with the Share Split without further approval from or notice to Shareholders. If requisite approvals are received, articles of amendment in prescribed form will be filed with the Director under the CBCA and such articles of amendment will become effective upon the issuance by the Director of a Certificate of Amendment.

If requisite approvals are received, Shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 22, 2022 (the “Split Record Date”) will receive from Computershare, the Company's registrar and transfer agent, on June 28, 2022 (the “Payment Date”) nine additional Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares, as applicable, for every one share held.

NYSE and TSX have determined that the Class A subordinate voting shares will trade on a due bill basis from June 21, 2022 (being one trading day prior to the Split Record Date) to the Payment Date (i.e., June 28, 2022), inclusive. A due bill is an entitlement attached to listed securities undergoing a material corporate action, such as the Share Split. In this instance, the entitlement is to the additional Class A subordinate voting shares issuable as a result of the Share Split. Any trades that are executed during the due bill period will be flagged to ensure purchasers receive the entitlement to the additional Class A subordinate voting shares issuable as a result of the Share Split. Ex-distribution trading in the Class A subordinate voting shares on a split-adjusted basis will commence on June 29, 2022, as of which date purchases of Class A subordinate voting shares will no longer have the attaching entitlement to the additional Class A subordinate voting shares. The due bill redemption date will be June 30, 2022.

Shareholders will not need to take any action. Currently outstanding share certificates representing Class A subordinate voting shares or Class B multiple voting shares will continue to be effective. They should be retained by Shareholders and should not be forwarded to the Company or Computershare. The Company will use the direct registration system (“DRS”) to electronically register the shares issued pursuant to the Share Split, rather than issuing physical share certificates. On or around June 28, 2022, Computershare will send out DRS advice statements to registered Shareholders indicating the number of additional shares that they are receiving as a result of the Share Split. This will allow Shareholders to hold their additional shares in book-entry form without having a physical share certificate issued. In addition, Computershare will electronically issue the appropriate number of Class A subordinate voting shares to CDS Clearing and Depositary Services Inc. and the Depository Trust Company for distribution to non-registered (beneficial) Shareholders. Non-registered (beneficial) Shareholders who hold their Class A subordinate voting shares in an account with their investment dealer or other Intermediary will have their accounts automatically updated to reflect the Share Split in accordance with the applicable brokerage account providers' usual procedures.

Unless a holder of shares indicates otherwise, the voting rights attached to shares represented by the proxy given to our management will be voted FOR the Share Split Resolution.

In order to be effective, the Share Split Resolution requires approval by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by all holders of Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares present or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class.

Shopify is presenting a non-binding advisory vote on the Company's approach to executive compensation.

Shopify is committed to ensuring that Shareholders fully understand the objectives, philosophy and principles that the Board of Directors has applied in its approach to executive compensation decisions, and to providing Shareholders with executive compensation disclosure that is clear and comprehensive.

Shopify endeavors to maintain an executive compensation program that aligns the interests of our executives with our Shareholder's interests, so that we may attract, motivate and retain executives who will continue to create sustainable, long-term value for our Shareholders. Please see “Section 3: Compensation of Executives” for more information about our executive compensation. In 2021, 93.97% of all votes cast at the annual and special meeting of shareholders were in favour of the Company's approach to executive compensation.

The management nominees named in the Form of Proxy intend to vote FOR the following non-binding, advisory resolution in respect of Shopify's approach to executive compensation:

“BE IT RESOLVED THAT, on an advisory basis, and not to diminish the role and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, the Shareholders accept the approach to executive compensation disclosed in the Company's management proxy circular delivered in advance of the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders.”

Approval of this resolution will require an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders, voting together as a single class, attending the Meeting or represented by proxy at the Meeting. Since this is an advisory vote, the results will not be binding on the Board of Directors or the Compensation and Talent Management Committee. However, the Board of Directors and Compensation and the Compensation and Talent Management Committee will take into account the outcome of the advisory vote when considering future executive compensation decisions.

In the event that a significant number of Shareholders oppose the resolution, the Board of Directors will consult with Shareholders, particularly those who are known to have voted against the resolution, in order to understand their concerns and will review the Company's approach to executive compensation in the context of those concerns. Shareholders who have voted against the resolution are encouraged to contact the Board of Directors to discuss their specific concerns. See “Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors” in “Section 4: Corporate Governance Policies and Practices” of this Circular.

There are no shareholder proposals to be considered at the Meeting.

Shareholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in next year's Management Proxy Circular for the Company's 2023 annual meeting of shareholders must be submitted no later than February 2, 2023, subject to adjournment or postponement of the Meeting, and must comply with section 137 of the CBCA.

We have adopted an advance notice by-law that provides that shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors must provide timely written notice to our Corporate Secretary. See “Advance Notice Requirements for Director Nominations” in “Section 4: Corporate Governance Policies and Practices”.

Full year compensation is presented in the summary compensation table below.

2021 was another year of rapid growth, enabling Shopify to offer more value to more merchants. Key business highlights for fiscal year 2021 were:

We have executed well on our growth strategy, as demonstrated by the consistent and strong expansion of revenue for the past several years.

For more information regarding our key business highlights for fiscal year 2021, please refer to our audited consolidated financial statements and the management's discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which are accessible on SEDAR at sedar.com, on EDGAR at sec.gov, or on our website at investors.shopify.com.

 

The above graph compares the total shareholder return on a US$100 investment in Shopify's Class A subordinate voting shares to the same investment in the S&P 500 Index and the S&P/TSX Composite Index over the same period. In 2021, our stock outperformed both the broader market as reflected by the S&P 500 Index and the S&P/TSX Composite Index. The above graph shows how a US$100 investment in Shopify on January 3, 2017, with a closing stock price of US$42.82 on such date, would have grown to US$3,112.95 on December 31, 2021, with a closing stock price of US$1,377.39 on such date.

Our compensation program is aimed to ensure that the compensation we pay to our executive officers, including our NEOs, is related to factors that influence shareholder value. In order to align the interests of our executive officers with those of Shopify, a substantial portion of compensation paid to our executive officers is in the form of long-term equity-based incentives such that the overall value of compensation paid to our NEOs is directly affected by our stock price, which grew by 22% between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 and by 3117% from January 3, 2017 to December 31, 2021. Therefore, there is a strong correlation between the growth trend shown in the stock performance graph above and the target and realized compensation levels our NEOs received during the same period. Stock price performance, however, is not the only predictor or outcome of the success of our leadership team, especially in the short term. It is one of many considerations that influence our executive compensation decisions, including operational and strategic performance and individual performance.

Our compensation program is designed to attract, retain, and motivate a highly talented executive team, allowing Shopify to succeed in this rapidly evolving environment and achieve our business and financial objectives. We expect our team to possess and demonstrate strong leadership and management capabilities, as well as nurture our company culture, which is the foundation of our success and remains a pivotal part of our everyday operations. We believe compensation should be structured to ensure that a significant portion of an executive's compensation opportunity is at risk, and related to factors that influence shareholder value.

Our executive compensation program is designed to achieve the following objectives:

Our Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the Compensation and Talent Management Committee that establishes the Compensation and Talent Management Committee's purpose and its responsibilities with respect to executive compensation. This charter provides that the Compensation and Talent Management Committee shall, among other things, assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of executive compensation, management development and succession, board compensation and executive compensation disclosure. The full text of the charter can be found at investors.shopify.com.

In 2021, our Compensation and Talent Management Committee and the Board of Directors considered many factors in determining adjustments to the cash and equity compensation of our executives, including our NEOs. The Compensation and Talent Management Committee considered the need to attract and retain executive talent, the highly competitive market for executive talent, and the market analysis and observations provided by the Compensation and Talent Management Committee's compensation consultant, discussed below.

Our Compensation and Talent Management Committee currently consists of Gail Goodman (Chair), Robert Ashe, and John Phillips, each of whom is considered by the Board of Directors to be independent. For more information on the skills and experience of our Compensation and Talent Management Committee members please see their biographies in “Section 2(1): Business of the Meeting – Election of Directors”.

The Compensation and Talent Management Committee retains Compensia, an independent compensation consulting firm, to advise the committee on executive and board compensation and related governance matters. In 2021, Compensia:

The fiscal year 2021 compensation comparator group was developed in 2020 by Compensia, our Compensation and Talent Management Committee's independent compensation consultant, and reviewed and approved by our Compensation and Talent Management Committee. Generally, the comparator group consisted of similar industry public companies with comparable revenue, revenue growth, market capitalization, and employee populations to Shopify.

The compensation comparator group that was used to inform compensation decisions in terms of level of pay and pay mix for NEOs for fiscal year 2021 consisted of the following companies:

The Compensation and Talent Management Committee reviews and updates these peer companies on at least an annual basis if changes in market position and company size or other company circumstances, including our own, suggest more representative comparator group companies.

The Compensation and Talent Management Committee determined the fiscal year 2021 base salary of each of our NEOs after considering market data, input from our independent consultant Compensia and the recommendations of our CEO, other than with respect to his own base salary. At the beginning of fiscal year 2021, the Compensation and Talent Management Committee determined to increase the base salaries of one of our NEOs. In making this determination, the Compensation and Talent Management Committee took into consideration the total compensation opportunity, changes in the scope or breadth of role or responsibilities and the competitive market.

For the second consecutive year, the Compensation and Talent Management Committee approved Mr. Lütke's request to receive a $1 salary, with the remainder of his market-based annual compensation in stock options subject to vesting. This reflects a strong belief from Mr. Lütke in the long-term performance of the Company, and the Board and Mr. Lütke's desire to ensure that his realized pay outcomes continue to be aligned with the interests of our shareholders over the long term.

Mr. Lütke's 2021 equity award was maintained as 100% stock options, consistent with the prior year, to continue to focus Mr. Lütke's compensation opportunity on long-term performance in alignment with investor interests by ensuring that his pay is tied solely to continued growth in Shopify's value.

The table below sets forth the annual base salaries for our NEOs for fiscal year 2021 including the percentage increase or decreases from 2020.

Mr. Lemieux, the Company's former Chief Technology Officer, departed from his role on June 30, 2021. His annualized base salary for 2021 was C$700,000 or US$558,600, based on the Bank of Canada average exchange rate on December 31, 2021.

We do not provide any form of short-term incentives (performance bonuses or other incentives) to our executive officers. We expect our executive officers to perform at a level deserving of a bonus, and have taken their performance into consideration in setting total compensation for the executive officers. We believe that having a substantial portion of our NEOs' compensation tied to equity compensation aligns more closely with our business strategy with a focus on long-term growth and innovation. We believe this structure promotes a focus on long-term retention and shareholder value creation.

In 2021, the Compensation and Talent Management Committee granted restricted share units (“RSUs”) and stock options to each of our NEOs with the exception of Mr. Leinwand who received only RSUs, after assessing whether each NEO was properly incentivized and based on its review of the factors described above. Details relating to the RSUs and stock options granted to each NEO in fiscal year 2021 are shown in the table below. Mr. Lütke's 2021 equity award was 100% an option-based award to focus Mr. Lütke's compensation on long-term pay and performance and to align compensation with investor interests by ensuring that pay is closely tied to continued growth in Shopify's value. All 2021 equity awards granted to NEOs are subject to time-based vesting at a rate of 33.33% on the first anniversary of the vesting start date, with the remainder vesting in equal quarterly installments over the next two years.