Shopify Inc.
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(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
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151 O'Connor Street, Ground Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P 2L8
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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Form 20-F
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Form 40-F
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X
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Exhibit
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Shopify Inc. - Third Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan
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Shopify Inc. - Third Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan
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Shopify Inc.
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(Registrant)
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Date:
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June 5, 2024
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By:
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/s/ Michael L. Johnson
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Name:
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Michael L. Johnson
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Title:
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Corporate Secretary
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Section 1.1 |
Definitions
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a. |
“Active Employment” means, in the case where the Participant is a director, the period during which a Participant performs services as a director and in the case where the Participant is an officer
or employee, the period during which the Participant actually and actively performs work for the Corporation or an Affiliate, and, as applicable, shall be deemed to include any period constituting the minimum applicable period of notice of
termination that is required to be provided to an employee (including an employee who is an officer) pursuant to applicable employment standards legislation (if any), but shall exclude any other period (whether arising under law or through
contract) that follows or ought to have followed the end of the minimum applicable statutory notice period;
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b. |
“Active Engagement” means, in the case where the Participant is a Consultant or a member of an advisory board, the period during which the Consultant or member is actually and actively rendering
services to the Corporation or an Affiliate and for certainty, shall exclude any other period that follows the last day on which the Participant renders services for the Corporation or an Affiliate;
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c. |
“Affiliate” or “Affiliated” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person (for the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control
with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
agreement or otherwise);
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d. |
“Authorized Leave” means (i) in respect of an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate any approved leave of absence (paid or unpaid) for a period of equal to or more than 45 days, and includes
any statutory leave, short term or long term disability leave, approved sabbatical or other approved bona fide paid or unpaid leave of absence, but for certainty does not cover any period of vacation, and (ii) in respect of a Consultant to
the Corporation or an Affiliate any approved leave of absence for a period of equal to or more than 45 days. For the purpose of the Plan, an employee’s or Consultant’s period of Authorized Leave will end on the earliest of (A) the Authorized
Leave Return Date, (B) the date of death, (C) the date on which the employee resigns from employment or the Consultant resigns from their engagement, (D) the date on which the employee is terminated for Cause, (E) the date which is the end of
the minimum applicable statutory notice period (if any) that follows the date on which the Corporation or Affiliate terminates the employment of an employee without Cause and for certainty, shall exclude any other period (whether arising
under law or through contract) that follows or ought to have followed the end of the minimum applicable statutory notice period, and (F) the date on which the Consultant’s services are terminated by the Corporation or an Affiliate, regardless
of the reason. In the case of clauses (B) through (F), for the purpose of this Plan, the date on which such event occurs will be deemed to be the last day of Active Employment or Active Engagement, as the case may be;
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e. |
“Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period” means, with respect to an Authorized Leave for which an Authorized Leave Return Date has occurred, the number of calendar quarters, as determined by the
Corporation in accordance with its policies in effect, from time to time, equal to the Authorized Leave Suspension Multiple;
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f. |
“Authorized Leave Return Date” means the date that a Participant first returns to Active Employment or Active Engagement, as the case may be, following an Authorized Leave;
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g. |
“Authorized Leave Suspension Multiple” means, where an Authorized Leave ends because of an Authorized Leave Return Date, the quotient (as rounded in accordance with the below) determined by the
following formula:
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h. |
“Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation as constituted from time to time;
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i. |
“Business Day” means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banking institutions in Ottawa, Ontario are not authorized or obligated by law to close;
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j. |
“Cause” means, (i) in respect of the termination of an employee employed in Ontario, wilful misconduct, disobedience or wilful neglect of duty that is not trivial and is not condoned by the
Corporation or Affiliate, or (ii) in respect of an employee employed in another jurisdiction outside of Ontario, such conduct by the employee which permits the Corporation or Affiliate to terminate the employee without notice, payment in
lieu of notice or severance pay whether arising under statute, contract or at law;
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k. |
“Change in Status” means, with respect to a Participant: (i) an anticipated or otherwise likely change in their tax residency or the principal jurisdiction in which they reside, and/or (ii) any other
significant change in the terms of their employment or engagement with the Corporation, including a change in role and/or change in the compensation structure of such Participant. Whether there has been a Change in Status will be determined
by the Corporation;
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l. |
“Change of Control” means, unless the Board determines otherwise, the happening, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any of the following events:
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i. |
any transaction (other than a transaction described in clause (ii) below) pursuant to which any person or group of persons acting jointly or in concert acquires the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of securities of the Corporation
representing 50% or more of the aggregate voting power of all of the Corporation’s then issued and outstanding securities entitled to vote in the election of directors of the Corporation, other than any such acquisition that occurs (A) upon
the exercise or settlement of options or other securities granted by the Corporation under any of the Corporation’s equity incentive plans, or (B) as a result of the conversion of Multiple Voting Shares into Shares;
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ii. |
there is consummated an arrangement, amalgamation, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Corporation and, immediately after the consummation of such arrangement, amalgamation, merger,
consolidation or similar transaction, the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior thereto do not beneficially own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined
outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting entity in such amalgamation, merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving or resulting entity
in such arrangement, amalgamation merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their beneficial ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation immediately prior to such
transaction;
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iii. |
the sale, lease, exchange, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to a person or group of persons other than a person or group of persons that was/were an Affiliate or all Affiliates, as
applicable, of the Corporation at the time of such sale, lease, exchange, license or other disposition, other than a sale, lease, exchange, license or other disposition to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power
of the voting securities of which are beneficially owned by shareholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their beneficial ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation immediately prior to such
sale, lease, exchange, license or other disposition;
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iv. |
the passing of a resolution by the Board or Shareholders to substantially liquidate the assets of the Corporation or wind up the Corporation’s business or significantly rearrange its affairs in one or more transactions or series of
transactions or the commencement of proceedings for such a liquidation, winding-up or re-arrangement (except where such re-arrangement is part of a bona fide reorganization of the Corporation in circumstances where the business of the
Corporation is continued and the shareholdings remain substantially the same following the re-arrangement); or
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v. |
individuals who, on the Effective Date, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if
the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be
considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
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m. |
“Code” has the meaning given to that term in Appendix 1;
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n. |
“Consultant” has the meaning ascribed to that term in National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions;
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o. |
“Corporation” means Shopify Inc. and its respective successors and assigns;
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p. |
“Date of Grant” means the date on which a particular Option is granted by the Board as evidenced by the Grant Agreement pursuant to which the applicable Option was granted;
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q. |
“Designation” means a designation by the Corporation (or, if applicable, an Affiliate), when, pursuant to applicable tax or other laws, an Option or a Share subject to an Option may or is required to
be designated, either as of the Date of Grant or at any other time, according to a particular classification or category in order to achieve tax preferred status for the Corporation (or an Affiliate) or a Participant, and, without limitation,
“Designation” includes designation of a Share subject to an Option as a “non-qualified security” as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada);
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r. |
“Effective Date” has the meaning given to that term in Section 2.5;
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s. |
“Eligible Person” means any director, officer, employee or Consultant of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates;
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t. |
“Exercise Notice” means an election to exercise Options granted to a Participant under this Plan, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit “B” to the Grant Agreement, as may be amended from time
to time; provided, however, that an Exercise Notice need not be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “B” to the extent necessary to reflect compliance with applicable laws in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which the
Participant is employed or engaged or any other jurisdiction with taxing authority in respect of the Participant;
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u. |
“Exercise Period” means the period from the Vesting Date to the close of business on the Expiry Date during which a particular Option may be exercised in the manner described in Section 4.1;
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v. |
“Exercise Price” has the meaning given to that term in Section 3.2;
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w. |
“Expire” means, with respect to an Option or Legacy Option, the termination of such Option or Legacy Option, on the occurrence of which such Option or Legacy Option is void, incapable of exercise,
and of no value whatsoever; and Expires and Expired have a similar meaning;
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x. |
“Expiry Date” means the date on which an Option Expires;
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y. |
“Fair Market Value” means, on any particular day, the volume weighted average trading price of a Share on the New York Stock Exchange for the five (5) preceding days on which the Shares were traded,
or on any other stock exchange as selected by the Board for these purposes. In the event that such Shares are not listed and posted for trading on any stock exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the fair market value of such Shares as
determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion;
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z. |
“Founder Share” means the founder share in the capital of the Corporation;
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aa. |
“Grant Agreement” means an agreement between the Corporation and a Participant under which an Option is granted, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, as may be amended from time
to time; provided, however, that a Grant Agreement need not be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “A” to the extent necessary to reflect (a) compliance with applicable laws in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which the
Participant is employed or engaged or any other jurisdiction with taxing authority in respect of the Participant, and/or (b) the elimination of a previous, or the addition of a new, Designation pursuant to applicable laws;
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bb. |
“Incapacity” has the meaning given to that term in Section 4.3(c);
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cc. |
“Incumbent Board” has the meaning given to that term in Section 1.1(l)(v);
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dd. |
“Insider” means a “reporting insider” of the Corporation as defined in National Instrument 55-104 - Insider Reporting
Requirements and Exemptions and includes associates and affiliates (as such terms are defined in Part 1 of the TSX Company Manual) of such “reporting insider”;
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ee. |
“Legacy Option” means an option to purchase a newly issued Multiple Voting Share that is granted pursuant to the terms of the Legacy Option Plan;
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ff. |
“Legacy Option Plan” means the Corporation’s Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan, as may be amended from time to time;
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gg. |
“Long-Term Incentive Plan” means the Corporation’s long-term incentive plan, effective upon the Effective Date, as may be amended from time to time;
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hh. |
“Multiple Voting Shares” means the Class B multiple voting shares in the capital of the Corporation;
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ii. |
“Option” means an option to purchase a newly issued Share that is granted to an Eligible Person pursuant to the terms of this Plan, including the Grant Agreement;
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jj. |
“Outside Vesting Date” means the date in respect of an Option that is thirty (30) days before the earlier of (i) the Expiry Date; and (ii) the date referred to in Section 4.2(a)(i);
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kk. |
“Participant” means an Eligible Person to whom an Option has been granted;
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ll. |
“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, entity or division, or any government,
governmental department or agency or political subdivision thereof;
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mm. |
“Plan” means this Stock Option Plan, as may be amended from time to time;
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nn. |
“Share” means a Class A subordinate voting share in the capital of the Corporation;
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oo. |
“Share Compensation Arrangement” means any stock option, stock option plan, employee stock purchase plan, long-term incentive plan or any other compensation or incentive mechanism of the Corporation
involving the issuance or potential issuance of securities of the Corporation from treasury, including without limitation a Share purchase from treasury which is financially assisted by the Corporation by way of a loan, guarantee or
otherwise, but does not include any such arrangement which does not involve the issuance from treasury or potential issuance from treasury of securities of the Corporation;
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pp. |
“Shareholders” means holders of Shares, Multiple Voting Shares or the Founder Share;
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qq. |
“Stock Exchange” means the TSX or, if the Shares are not listed or posted for trading on the TSX but are listed and posted for trading on another stock exchange, the stock exchange on which the
Shares are listed or posted for trading;
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rr. |
“Surrender” has the meaning given to that term in Section 4.1(c);
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ss. |
“Surrender Notice” has the meaning given to that term in Section 4.1(c);
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tt. |
“Termination Date” has the meaning given to that term in Section 4.3(c);
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uu. |
“TSX” means the Toronto Stock Exchange; and
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vv. |
“Vesting Date” means the date or dates determined in accordance with the terms of the Grant Agreement entered into in respect of such Options (as described in Section 3.3(a)) or as deemed to be a
vesting date as contemplated in Section 3.3(b), on and after which a particular Option, or any part thereof, may be exercised, subject to amendment or acceleration from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof or the terms of the
Grant Agreement.
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Section 1.2 |
Interpretation
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a. |
Whenever the Board is to exercise discretion or authority in the administration of the terms and conditions of this Plan, the term “discretion” or “authority” means the sole and absolute discretion of the Board.
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b. |
In the Plan, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender include any other gender.
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c. |
Unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Grant Agreement, all references to money amounts are to United States currency.
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d. |
As used herein, the terms “Article” and “Section” mean and refer to the specified Article and Section of this Plan, respectively.
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e. |
The words “including” and “includes” mean “including (or includes) without limitation”.
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Section 2.1 |
Administration
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a. |
The Board shall administer this Plan. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional Share Compensation Arrangements or other compensation arrangements.
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b. |
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Board has the authority: (i) to grant Options to purchase Shares to Eligible Persons; (ii) to determine the terms, including the limitations, restrictions, vesting period and
conditions, and Designations, if any, of such grants; (iii) to interpret this Plan and all agreements entered into hereunder; (iv) to adopt, amend and rescind such administrative guidelines and other rules relating to this Plan as it may from
time to time deem advisable; and (v) to make all other determinations and to take all other actions in connection with the implementation and administration of this Plan as it may deem necessary or advisable. The Board’s guidelines, rules,
interpretations, and determinations shall be conclusive and binding upon the Corporation or Affiliate, and all Participants, Eligible Persons and their legal, personal representatives and beneficiaries.
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c. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision contained herein, the Board shall have the right to delegate the administration and operation of this Plan, in whole or in part, to a committee thereof. In such circumstances, all
references to the Board in this plan include reference to such committee, except as otherwise determined by the Board. For greater certainty, any such delegation by the Board may be revoked at any time at the Board’s sole discretion.
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d. |
No member of the Board or any person acting pursuant to authority delegated by it hereunder shall be liable for any action or determination in connection with the Plan made or taken in good faith, and each member of the Board and each such
person shall be entitled to indemnification by the Corporation with respect to any such action or determination.
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e. |
The Board may adopt such rules or regulations and vary the terms of this Plan and any grant hereunder as it considers necessary to address tax or other requirements of any applicable non-Canadian jurisdiction, including without limitation
Sections 422 and 409A of the Code (with respect to Participants who are subject to taxation in the United States).
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f. |
The Plan shall not in any way fetter, limit, obligate, restrict or constrain the Board with regard to the allotment or issue of any Shares or any other securities in the capital of the Corporation other than as specifically provided for in
the Plan.
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g. |
Where any formula or other calculation required by this Plan results in a fractional remainder, then, except as otherwise expressly provided by a provision hereof or of a Grant Agreement, the Board’s determination as to rounding up or
down, at its sole discretion, shall be determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, and shall be final and binding. A Participant shall have no entitlement to damages or other compensation as a result of
the Board’s determination to round a fractional remainder up or down, and, in the case of rounding down, to disregard and cancel the value of the fractional remainder so rounded down. The Board shall make all rounding determinations in a
manner that preserves, to the extent available, the deductions available pursuant to paragraph 110(1)(d) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
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Section 2.2 |
Shares Reserved
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a. |
Subject to Section 2.2(c), the securities that may be acquired by Participants under this Plan shall consist of authorized but unissued Shares.
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b. |
The maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance, in the aggregate, under this Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan as of the Effective Date is equal to 416,173,689. The number of Shares available for issuance, in the aggregate, under
this Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan will be automatically, and without any further action on the part of the Board or the Shareholders, increased on January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2016 and ending on January 1, 2026, in
an amount equal to 5% of the aggregate number of outstanding Shares and Multiple Voting Shares on December 31 of the preceding calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide
that there will be no January 1st increase in the maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan for such fiscal year or that any increase in the Share reserve for such year will be a lesser
number of Shares than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. If an Option Expires, is forfeited, or is cancelled for any reason, the Shares subject to that Option shall be available for grants under this Plan, subject to
any required prior approval by the Stock Exchange. If a Legacy Option Expires, is forfeited, or is cancelled for any reason, then a number of Shares equal to the number of Multiple Voting Shares subject to that Option shall be available for
grants under this Plan, subject to any required prior approval by the Stock Exchange. In addition, to the extent that any Shares become re-available for grants pursuant to the terms of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, such Shares shall
automatically become available to be made the subject of grants under this Plan.
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c. |
If there is a change in the outstanding Shares by reason of any stock dividend or split, or in connection with a reclassification, reorganization or other change of Shares, consolidation, distribution (other than an ordinary course
dividend in cash or Shares, but including for greater certainty shares or equity interests in a subsidiary or business unit of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries or cash proceeds of the disposition of such a subsidiary or business
unit), merger or amalgamation or similar corporate transaction, the Board shall make, subject to any required approval of the Stock Exchange, the appropriate substitution or adjustment in order to maintain the Participants’ economic rights in
respect of their Options in connection with such change, including without limitation:
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i. |
adjustments to the Exercise Price without any change in the total price applicable to the unexercised portion of the Option, but with a corresponding adjustment in the price for each Share covered by the Option,
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ii. |
adjustments to the number of Shares to which a Participant is entitled upon exercise of an Option,
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iii. |
adjustments permitting the immediate exercise of any outstanding Options that are not otherwise exercisable, or
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iv. |
adjustments to the number or kind of Shares or other securities reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan and to the number or kind of Shares or other securities or other property issuable upon the exercise of Options.
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Section 2.3 |
Amendment and Termination
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a. |
The Board may, in its sole discretion, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time or from time to time and/or amend or revise the terms of the Plan or of any Option granted under the Plan and any Grant Agreement relating thereto, provided
that such suspension, termination, amendment, or revision shall:
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i. |
not adversely alter or impair any Option previously granted except as permitted by the terms of this Plan;
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ii. |
be in compliance with applicable law and subject to any regulatory approvals including, where required, the approval of the Stock Exchange; and
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iii. |
be subject to Shareholder approval, where required by law, the requirements of the Stock Exchange or this Plan.
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b. |
If the Plan is terminated, the provisions of the Plan and any administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations adopted by the Board and in force with respect to outstanding Options will continue in effect as long as any such
Option or any rights pursuant thereto remain outstanding and, notwithstanding the termination of the Plan, the Board will remain able to make such interpretations and amendments to the Plan or the Options as they would have been entitled to
make if the Plan were still in effect.
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c. |
Subject to Section 2.3(a), the Board may from time to time, in its discretion and without the approval of Shareholders or Participants, make changes to the Plan or any Option that do not require the approval of Shareholders under Section
2.3(d), which may include but are not limited to:
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i. |
any amendment of a “housekeeping” nature, including without limitation those made to clarify the meaning of an existing provision of the Plan, correct or supplement any provision of the Plan that is inconsistent with any other provision of
the Plan, correct any grammatical or typographical errors or amend the definitions in the Plan regarding administration of the Plan;
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ii. |
a change to the vesting provisions of the Plan or any Option;
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iii. |
a change to the provisions governing assignability and the effect of termination of a Participant’s employment, contract or office;
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iv. |
the addition of a form of financial assistance and any amendment to a financial assistance provision which is adopted;
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v. |
a change to advance the date on which any Option may be exercised under the Plan;
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vi. |
a change to the definition of Eligible Persons;
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vii. |
a change to a Designation;
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viii. |
the addition of a deferred or performance share unit or any other provision which results in Participants receiving securities while no cash consideration is received by the Corporation; and
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ix. |
an amendment of the Plan or an Option as necessary to comply with applicable law or the requirements of the Stock Exchange or any other regulatory body having authority over the Corporation, an Affiliate, the Plan, the Participants or the
Shareholders.
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d. |
Shareholder approval is required for the following amendments to the Plan:
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i. |
any increase in the maximum number of Shares that may be issuable from treasury pursuant to Options granted under the Plan (as set out in Section 2.2), other than an adjustment pursuant to Section 2.2(c);
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ii. |
any reduction in the Exercise Price of an Option benefitting an Insider after the Option has been granted or any cancellation of such Option and the substitution of that Option with a new Option benefitting an Insider with a reduced
Exercise Price, except in the case of an adjustment pursuant to Section 2.2(c);
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iii. |
any extension of the maximum Expiry Date of an Option benefitting an Insider, except in case of an extension due to a black-out period;
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iv. |
any amendment to remove or to exceed the limits with respect to Insiders set out in Section 2.14; and
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v. |
any amendment to Section 2.3(c) and this Section 2.3(d).
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Section 2.4 |
Compliance with Legislation
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a. |
The administration of the Plan (including any amendments thereto), the terms of the grant of any Option under the Plan, the grant and exercise of any Option, and the Corporation’s obligation to sell and deliver Shares upon the exercise of
any Option, shall be subject to all applicable federal, provincial, state and foreign laws, rules and regulations, the rules and regulations of the Stock Exchange and any other stock exchange on which the Shares are listed or posted for
trading, and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency as may, in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation, be required. The Corporation shall not be obliged by any provision of the Plan or the grant of any Option hereunder
to issue or sell Shares in violation of such laws, rules and regulations or any condition of such approvals.
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b. |
The Corporation shall have no obligation to grant any Options or issue Shares where such grant or issuance would require registration or qualification of the Plan or of Options or Shares under the securities laws of any foreign
jurisdiction (other than the United States), or require the Corporation to continue in effect any such registrations or qualifications if made (other than in the United States). If the Corporation determines that it is unable to, or that it
is impracticable for it to, so register or qualify the Plan, the Options or the Shares, as applicable, under the securities laws of any foreign jurisdiction (other than the United States), or that there is no available exemption from any such
registration or qualification requirements in such foreign jurisdiction, then the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion, void any purported grant of any Option or purported issuance of any Shares made to a person in such foreign
jurisdiction or that is subject to the securities laws of such foreign jurisdiction.
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c. |
The Corporation shall have no obligation to issue any Shares pursuant to this Plan unless upon official notice of issuance such Shares shall have been duly listed with the Stock Exchange (and any other stock exchange on which the Shares
are listed or posted for trading). Shares issued and sold to Participants pursuant to the exercise of Options may be subject to limitations on sale or resale under applicable securities laws.
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d. |
If Shares cannot be issued to a Participant upon the exercise of an Option due to legal or regulatory restrictions, the obligation of the Corporation to issue such Shares shall terminate and any funds paid to the Corporation in connection
with the exercise of such Option will be returned to the applicable Participant as soon as practicable.
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Section 2.5 |
Effective Date
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a. |
the Stock Exchange; and
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b. |
the Shareholders, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes attached to the Shares, Multiple Voting Shares and the Founder Share entitled to vote, voting together as a single class, and represented and voted at an annual or
special meeting of Shareholders held, among other things, to consider and approve this Plan.
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Section 2.6 |
Tax Withholdings and Deductions
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a. |
Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the exercise of each Option granted under this Plan is subject to the condition that if at any time the Corporation determines, in its discretion, that the satisfaction of withholding
tax or other withholding liabilities is necessary or desirable in respect of such exercise, such exercise is not effective unless such withholding has been effected to the satisfaction of the Corporation. In such circumstances, the
Corporation may require that a Participant pay to the Corporation, in addition to and in the same manner as the Exercise Price for the Shares, such amount as the Corporation is obliged to remit to the relevant taxing authority in respect of
the exercise of the Option. Any such additional payment is due no later than the date as of which any amount with respect to the Option exercised first becomes includable in the gross income of the Participant for tax purposes. In addition,
the Corporation or the relevant Affiliate, as applicable, shall be entitled to withhold from any amount payable to a Participant, either under this Plan or otherwise, such amounts as may be necessary so as to ensure that the Corporation or
the relevant Affiliate is in compliance with all applicable withholding tax or other source deduction liabilities relating to the exercise of such Options.
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b. |
It is the responsibility of the Participant to complete and file any tax returns which may be required within the periods specified in applicable laws as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan. Neither the Corporation nor
any Affiliate shall be held responsible for any tax consequences to a Participant as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan and the Participant shall indemnify and save harmless the Corporation and its Affiliates from and
against any and all loss, liability, damage, penalty or expense (including legal expense), which may be asserted against the Corporation or its Affiliates or which the Corporation or its Affiliates may suffer or incur arising out of,
resulting from, or relating in any manner whatsoever to any tax liability in connection therewith.
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Section 2. 7 |
Non-Transferability
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i. |
the Participant to whom the Options were granted;
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ii. |
upon the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate or other duly authorized legal representative; or
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iii. |
upon the Participant’s Incapacity, the legal representative having authority to deal with the property of the Participant;
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Section 2.8 |
Participation in this Plan
|
a. |
No Participant has any claim or right to be granted an Option (including, without limitation, an Option granted in substitution for any Option that has Expired pursuant to the terms of this Plan), and the granting of any Option does not
and is not to be construed as giving a Participant a right to continued employment or to remain a Consultant, director, officer or employee, as the case may be, of the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation. Nothing contained in this
Plan or in any Option granted under this Plan shall interfere in any way with the rights of the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation in connection with the employment, engagement or termination of any such person.
|
b. |
No Participant or Participant’s legal representative has any rights or privileges as a shareholder in respect of Options or Shares that are issuable upon the exercise of an Option pursuant to the terms of this Plan until an Option has been
duly exercised and Shares have been issued in respect thereof to such Participant or Participant’s legal representative.
|
c. |
The Corporation makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of the Shares or with respect to any income tax matters affecting the Participant resulting from the grant or exercise of an Option or transactions in the
Shares. With respect to any fluctuations in the market price of Shares, neither the Corporation, nor any of its directors, officers, employees, shareholders or agents shall be liable for anything done or omitted to be done by such person or
any other person with respect to the price, time, quantity or other conditions and circumstances of the issuance of Shares hereunder, or in any other manner related to the Plan. For greater certainty, no amount will be paid to, or in respect
of, a Participant under the Plan or pursuant to any other arrangement, and no additional Options will be granted to such Participant to compensate for a downward fluctuation in the price of the Shares, nor will any other form of benefit be
conferred upon, or in respect of, a Participant for such purpose. The Corporation does not assume responsibility for the income or other tax consequences resulting to the Participant as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan,
and they are advised to consult with their own tax advisors.
|
d. |
Participation in the Plan or the grant of Options on a particular basis in any year does not create any right to or expectation of participation in the Plan or the grant of Options on the same basis, or at all, in any future year. No
Participant will have a claim for compensation or damages in lieu of not receiving a grant of Options.
|
e. |
The terms of the Plan do not entitle the Eligible Person to the exercise of any discretion in his or her favour.
|
f. |
No Eligible Person has any right to compensation or damages for any loss in relation to the Plan, including any loss in relation to:
|
i. |
the circumstances described in Section 2.8(c) above;
|
ii. |
any loss or reduction of rights or expectations under the Plan in any circumstances (including any termination of employment or engagement, regardless of whether such termination is with or without advance notice, lawful or unlawful, or
with or without Cause, and including any Change in Status);
|
iii. |
any exercise of a discretion or decision taken in relation to Options or to the Plan, or any failure to exercise a discretion or take a decision; or
|
iv. |
the operation, suspension, termination or amendment of the Plan.
|
Section 2.9 |
Notice
|
Section 2.10 |
Right to Issue Other Shares
|
Section 2.11 |
Quotation of Shares
|
Section 2.12 |
No Fractional Shares
|
Section 2.13 |
Governing Law
|
Section 2.14 |
Limits with Respect to Insiders
|
a. |
The maximum number of Shares and Multiple Voting Shares issuable to Insiders at any time pursuant to the exercise of Options granted under this Plan, options granted under the Legacy Option Plan and any other Share Compensation
Arrangement, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Shares and Multiple Voting Shares issued and outstanding from time to time (calculated on a non-diluted basis).
|
b. |
The maximum number of Shares and Multiple Voting Shares issued to Insiders within any one year period pursuant to the exercise of Options granted under this Plan, options granted under the Legacy Option Plan and any other Share
Compensation Arrangement, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Shares and Multiple Voting Shares issued and outstanding from time to time (calculated on a non-diluted basis).
|
c. |
Any Option granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan, or securities issued to a Participant under the Legacy Option Plan and any other Share Compensation Arrangement, prior to the Participant becoming an Insider, shall be excluded for
the purposes of the limits set out in Section 2.14(a) and Section 2.14(b) above.
|
Section 3.1 |
Grant
|
a. |
Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Board may grant Options to any Eligible Person upon the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein or such other terms, conditions and limitations as the Board may determine and set forth
in the Grant Agreement; provided that no Option in respect of which Shareholder approval is required under the rules of the Stock Exchange is granted until the time that such grant has been approved by the Shareholders.
|
b. |
An Option shall be evidenced by a Grant Agreement, signed on behalf of the Corporation.
|
c. |
The grant of an Option to, or the exercise of an Option by, a Participant under the Plan shall neither entitle such Participant to receive nor preclude such Participant from receiving subsequently granted Options.
|
d. |
A Grant Agreement may provide, or the grant of an Option may otherwise be accompanied by, a Designation to the extent required by applicable law or deemed prudent or advisable by the Corporation, it is sole discretion.
|
Section 3.2 |
Exercise Price
|
Section 3.3 |
Vesting
|
a. |
Subject to Sections 3.3(b) through (d) below, all Options granted hereunder shall vest in accordance with the terms of the Grant Agreement entered into in respect of such Options; provided however that Options will not vest if the
Participant is not in Active Employment or in Active Engagement with the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation on the Vesting Date for such Options. The Board has the right to accelerate the date upon which any Option becomes
exercisable notwithstanding the vesting schedule set forth for such Option, regardless of any adverse or potentially adverse tax consequences resulting from such acceleration.
|
b. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise approved by the Board or required by applicable legislation, the vesting of any Options granted hereunder shall be suspended with effect from the first day of the absence
that constitutes an Authorized Leave. Upon a Participant’s Authorized Leave Return Date, (i) the vesting of such Options shall recommence on the first Vesting Date that follows the end of the Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period;
provided, however, that if there are no scheduled Vesting Dates for the Grant Agreement following the end of the Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period, vesting shall recommence on the Corporation’s first scheduled Vesting Date that occurs
after the end of the Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period, and (ii) the overall vesting period of such Options shall continue and be extended by a period equal to the Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period, provided that vesting will
not extend past the Outside Vesting Date. During that portion of the overall vesting period of such Options that is extended by a period equal to the Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period, vesting will occur at the same frequency and at
the same percentage as reflected in the Grant Agreement, provided that vesting will not extend past the Outside Vesting Date.
|
c. |
Notwithstanding Section 3.3(b), upon a Participant’s (who is an employee) Authorized Leave Return Date in respect of an Authorized Leave that was a statutory leave or a disability leave, the percentage of Options that vest on each Vesting
Date that follows the end of the Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period shall be accelerated to twice the percentage as provided for in the Participant’s Grant Agreement, provided that (x) the acceleration of vesting shall cease when and if
the Participant holds vested Options in accordance with the original schedule of Vesting Dates provided for in the Participant’s Grant Agreement (that is, as of the first date that the Participant’s vested Options equal or exceed the Options
that would have vested had the Authorized Leave not occurred), and (y) the foregoing acceleration shall not apply if, on the first Vesting Date that follows the end of the Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period, the number of Options that
vest on such date in the absence of acceleration equals or exceeds the Options that would have vested on such date had the Authorized Leave not occurred, and provided further that, in each case, vesting will not extend past the Outside
Vesting Date.
|
d. |
For certainty, the treatment of Options upon return from Authorized Leave as described in this Section 3.3 including the acceleration provided for herein (if applicable) or the extension of the overall vesting period of such Options by a
period equal to an Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period may not be sufficient to allow for full vesting of all Options granted under a Participant’s Grant Agreement, and for certainty, nothing contained herein shall limit the ability of
the Corporation or an Affiliate to terminate the employment or engagement of a Participant during the period of Authorized Leave or limit the effect of Section 4.3 of the Plan upon the termination of any Participant’s employment or
engagement. For certainty, unless otherwise approved by the Board or in the case of an employee, required by the minimum applicable requirements of the employment standards legislation no additional grant of Options will be made to an
employee or Consultant while they are on an Authorized Leave and no employee or Consultant will have any claim for compensation or damages in lieu of not having received an additional grant.
|
Section 4.1 |
Conditions of Exercise
|
a. |
Vested Options may only be exercised during the Exercise Period by the Participant or upon the Participant’s death or Incapacity, his or her legal representative (provided that such legal representative shall first deliver evidence
satisfactory to the Corporation of entitlement to exercise such vested Options). Subject to the restrictions set out in this Plan and to any alternative exercise procedure which may be established from time to time by the Board, Options to
acquire Shares may be exercised by delivering to the Corporation an Exercise Notice, together with a bank draft, certified cheque or other form of payment acceptable to the Corporation in an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the
Shares to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Options and, if required by Section 2.6, the amount necessary to satisfy any source deductions or withholding taxes and any applicable settlement fees.
|
b. |
Pursuant to the Exercise Notice, a Participant may choose to undertake a “cashless exercise” with the assistance of a broker in order to facilitate the exercise of such Participant’s Options. The “cashless exercise” procedure may include a
sale of such number of Shares as is necessary to raise an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for all Options being exercised by that Participant under an Exercise Notice. Pursuant to the Exercise Notice, the Participant may
authorize the broker to sell Shares on the open market by means of a short sale and forward the proceeds of such short sale to the Corporation to satisfy the Exercise Price, promptly following which the Corporation shall issue the Shares
underlying the number of Options as provided for in the Exercise Notice. The Participant shall also comply with Section 2.6 of this Plan with regards to any applicable withholding tax and any applicable settlement fees, and shall comply with
all such other procedures and policies as the Corporation may prescribe or determine to be necessary or advisable from time to time in connection with such “cashless exercise.”
|
c. |
In addition, in lieu of exercising any vested Option in the manner elsewhere described in this Article 4, and pursuant to the terms of this Section 4.1(c), a Participant may, by surrendering an Option (“Surrender”)
with a properly endorsed notice of Surrender to the Secretary of the Corporation, substantially in the form of Exhibit “C” hereto (a “Surrender Notice”), elect to receive that number of Shares
calculated using the following formula, after deduction of any income tax and other amounts required by law to be withheld pursuant to Section 2.6 and any applicable settlement fees:
|
d. |
Where Shares are to be issued to the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Section 4.1, as soon as practicable following the receipt of the Exercise Notice and, if Options are exercised only in accordance with the terms of Section
4.1(a), the required bank draft, certified cheque or other acceptable form of payment, the Corporation shall duly issue such Shares to the Participant as fully paid and non-assessable.
|
Section 4.2 |
Exercise Period
|
a. |
The Exercise Period shall be determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion at the time the Option is granted, and unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Grant Agreement:
|
i. |
each Option shall Expire ten (10) years after the Date of Grant;
|
ii. |
the Exercise Period shall be automatically reduced or the Expiry Date postponed in accordance with this Article 4 upon the occurrence of any of the events referred to therein; and
|
iii. |
no Option in respect of which Shareholder approval is required under the rules of the Stock Exchange shall be exercisable until the time that such Option has been approved by the Shareholders.
|
b. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if the Expiry Date of an Option falls on a date upon which such Participant is prohibited from exercising such Option due to a black-out period or other trading restriction imposed by the
Corporation, then the Expiry Date of such Option shall be automatically extended to the tenth (10th) Business Day following the date the relevant black-out period or other trading restriction imposed by the Corporation is lifted, terminated
or removed; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Expiry Date of an Option shall in no case extend beyond the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is granted.
|
Section 4.3 |
Termination
|
a. |
Subject to Section 4.2, and unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Grant Agreement or approved by the Board in its sole discretion:
|
i. |
if, at any time, a Participant ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate as a result of the Participant’s retirement with the concurrence of the Board, any Options granted to such Participant and vested as of the
Termination Date shall remain exercisable by such Participant until the earlier of: (i) the third anniversary of the Termination Date, and (ii) the expiration of such vested Options in accordance with their terms, after which such Options
Expire. All Options of such Participant that have not vested as of the Termination Date shall Expire on the Termination Date and be of no further force or effect and such Participant shall no longer be eligible for a grant of Options or
compensation or damages in respect of such Options or for not having received a further grant of Options;
|
ii. |
if, at any time, a Participant ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate as a result of the Participant’s death or Incapacity, any Options granted to such Participant and vested as of the Termination Date shall remain
exercisable by such Participant (or, in accordance with Section 2.7, the Participant’s legal representative) until the earlier of: (i) one year following the Termination Date, and (ii) the expiration of such vested Options in accordance with
their terms, after which such Options Expire. All Options of such Participant that have not vested as of the Termination Date shall Expire on the Termination Date and be of no further force or effect and neither the Participant nor the
Participant’s legal representative shall be eligible for a grant of Options or compensation or damages in respect of such Options or for not having received a further grant of Options;
|
iii. |
if, at any time, a Participant ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate as a result of the Participant’s termination for Cause, then all Options granted to such Participant, whether vested or unvested, shall Expire on
the Termination Date and be of no further force or effect and such Participant shall no longer be eligible for a grant of Options or compensation or damages in respect of such Options or for not having received a further grant of Options;
|
iv. |
if, at any time, a Participant ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate as a result of the Participant’s resignation, then any Options granted to such Participant and vested as of the Termination Date shall remain
exercisable by such Participant until the earlier of: (i) the third anniversary of the Termination Date, and (ii) the expiration of such vested Options in accordance with their terms, after which such Options Expire. All Options granted to
such Participant that have not vested as of the Termination Date shall Expire on the Termination Date and be of no further force or effect and such Participant shall no longer be eligible for a grant of Options or compensation or damages in
respect of such Options or for not having received a further grant of Options;
|
v. |
if, at any time, a Participant ceases to be an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate as a result of the Participant’s dismissal without Cause, any Options granted to such Participant and vested as of the Termination Date shall remain
exercisable by such Participant until the earlier of: (i) the third anniversary of the Termination Date, and (ii) the expiration of such vested Options in accordance with their terms, after which such Options Expire. All Options that have
not vested as of the Termination Date of such Participant shall Expire on the Termination Date (for certainty, without regard to any period of non-statutory reasonable or contractual notice that the Corporation or an Affiliate may be required
at law or pursuant to a contract to provide to the Participant) and such Participant shall no longer be eligible for a grant of Options or compensation or damages in respect of such Options or for not having received a further grant of
Options;
|
vi. |
where, in the case of a Consultant, the Participant’s consulting agreement or arrangement terminates by reason of: (i) non-renewal or expiration of the Participant’s consulting agreement in accordance with its terms; (ii) termination by
the Corporation or an Affiliate for any reason whatsoever other than for material breach of the consulting agreement or arrangement (whether or not such termination is effected in compliance with any termination provisions contained in the
Participant’s consulting agreement or arrangement); or (iii) voluntary termination by the Participant, then any Options held by the Participant that are exercisable at the Termination Date continue to be exercisable by the Participant until
the earlier of: (A) the third anniversary of the Termination Date; and (B) the date on which the particular Options Expire in accordance with their terms, after which such Options Expire. All Options of such Participant that have not vested
as of the Termination Date shall Expire on the Termination Date and such Participant shall no longer be eligible for a grant of Options or compensation or damages in respect of such Options or for not having received a further grant of
Options;
|
vii. |
where, in the case of a Consultant, the Participant’s consulting agreement or arrangement terminates by reason of the death or Incapacity of the Participant, then any Options held by the Participant that are exercisable at the date of the
death or Incapacity of the Participant continue to be exercisable by the Participant (or, in accordance with Section 2.7, the Participant’s legal representative) until the earlier of: (A) the date that is one year from the date of the death
or Incapacity of the Participant; and (B) the date on which the particular Options Expire in accordance with their terms, after which such Options Expire. All Options of such Participant that have not vested as of the date of death or
Incapacity shall Expire on the Termination Date and be of no further force or effect and neither such Participant nor the Participant’s legal representative shall be eligible for a grant of Options or compensation or damages in respect of
such Options or for not having received a further grant of Options;
|
viii. |
where, in the case of a Consultant, the Participant’s consulting agreement or arrangement is terminated by the Corporation or an Affiliate for material breach of the consulting agreement or arrangement (whether or not such termination is
effected in compliance with any termination provisions contained in the Participant’s consulting agreement or arrangement), then all Options granted to such Participant, whether vested or unvested, shall Expire on the Termination Date and be
of no further force or effect and such Participant shall no longer be eligible for a grant of Options or damages in respect of such Options or for not having received a further grant of Options;
|
ix. |
if, at any time, a Participant ceases to be a director or member of an advisory board of the Corporation or an Affiliate (and is not or does not continue as an employee or Consultant of the Corporation or an Affiliate) for a reason other
than the death or Incapacity of the Participant, the Options granted to such Participant and vested as of the Termination Date may be exercised by such Participant until the earlier of: (i) the third anniversary of the Termination Date, and
(ii) the expiration of such vested Options in accordance with their terms, after which such Options Expire. As of the Termination Date, the unvested Options granted to such Participant shall Expire and be of no further force or effect and
such Participant shall no longer be eligible for a grant of Options or damages in lieu of further vesting of for not having received a further grant of Options;
|
x. |
if, at any time, a Participant ceases to be a director or member of an advisory board of the Corporation or a subsidiary (and is not or does not continue as an employee of the Corporation or a subsidiary) as a result of the Participant’s
death or Incapacity, any Options granted to such Participant and vested as of the Termination Date shall remain exercisable by such Participant (or, in accordance with Section 2.7, the Participant’s legal representative) until the earlier of:
(i) the date that is one year from the date of the death or Incapacity of the Participant; and (ii) the expiration of such vested Options in accordance with their terms, after which such Options Expire. As of the Termination Date, the
unvested Options granted to such Participant shall Expire and be of no further force or effect and such Participant shall no longer be eligible for a grant of Options or damages in lieu of further vesting of for not having received a further
grant of Options; and
|
xi. |
for greater certainty, if a Participant changes his or her status with the Corporation (or any of its Affiliates) and, despite such change, does not experience a Change in Status and remains an Eligible Person in Active Employment or
Active Engagement, any unvested Options granted to such Participant shall not Expire but shall continue vesting in accordance with their terms, and Section 4.3(a)(i) through (x) will, as applicable, apply to such Participant according to the
status such Participant held when the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person in Active Employment or Active Engagement.
|
b. |
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.3, the Board may in its absolute and sole discretion, extend the period during which vested and unvested Options of a Participant who ceases to be an employee, Consultant, officer or
director of the Corporation or an Affiliate may be exercised (beyond the dates set out above), provided that such period is not later than the initial assigned maximum expiry date of any such Option.
|
c. |
For purposes of the foregoing:
|
Section 4.4 |
Change of Control
|
a. |
Notwithstanding anything else in this Plan or any Grant Agreement, the Board has the right to provide for the conversion or exchange of any outstanding Options into or for options, rights or other securities in any entity participating in
or resulting from a Change of Control, provided that the value of previously granted Options and the rights of Participants are not materially adversely affected by any such changes.
|
b. |
Upon the Corporation entering into an agreement relating to a transaction which, if completed, would result in a Change of Control, or otherwise becoming aware of a pending Change of Control, the Corporation shall give written notice of
the proposed Change of Control to the Option holders, together with a description of the effect of such Change of Control on outstanding Options, not less than seven (7) days prior to the closing of the transaction resulting in the Change of
Control.
|
c. |
The Board may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting and/or the expiry date of any or all outstanding Options to provide that, notwithstanding the vesting provisions of such Options or any Grant Agreement, such designated
outstanding Options shall be fully vested and conditionally exercisable upon (or prior to) the completion of the Change of Control provided that the Board shall not, in any case, authorize the exercise of Options pursuant to this Section
4.4(c) beyond the expiry date of the Options. If the Board elects to accelerate the vesting and/or the expiry date of the Options, then if any of such Options are not exercised within seven (7) days after the Option holders are given the
notice contemplated in Section 4.4(b) (or such later expiry date as the Board may prescribe), such unexercised Options shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, terminate and Expire following the completion of the proposed Change of
Control. If, for any reason, the Change of Control does not occur within the contemplated time period, the acceleration of the vesting and the expiry date of the Options shall be retracted and vesting shall instead revert to the manner
provided in the Grant Agreement.
|
d. |
To the extent that the Change of Control would also result in a capital reorganization, arrangement, amalgamation or reclassification of the share capital of the Corporation and the Board does not accelerate the vesting and/or the expiry
date of Options pursuant to Section 4.4(c), the Corporation shall make adequate provisions to ensure that, upon completion of the proposed Change of Control, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Options and/or the Exercise
Price per share of Options shall be appropriately adjusted (including by substituting the Options for options to acquire securities in any successor entity to the Corporation) in such manner as the Board considers equitable to prevent
substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to Option holders in a manner that ensures the tax-free exchange of the Options under applicable tax laws, where such laws provide for tax-free exchanges of Options. The Board may make
changes to the terms of the Options or the Plan to the extent necessary or desirable to comply with any rules, regulations or policies of any stock exchange on which any securities of the Corporation may be listed, provided that the value of
previously granted Options and the rights of Option holders are not materially adversely affected by any such changes.
|
e. |
Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, in the event of a potential Change of Control, the Board shall have the power, in its sole discretion, to modify the terms of this Plan and/or the Options (including, for greater
certainty, to cause the vesting of all unvested Options) to assist the Participants to tender into a take-over bid or other transaction leading to a Change of Control. For greater certainty, in the event of a take-over bid or other
transaction leading to a Change of Control, the Board shall have the power, in its sole discretion, to permit Participants to conditionally exercise their Options, such conditional exercise to be conditional upon the take-up by such offeror
of the Shares or other securities tendered to such take-over bid in accordance with the terms of such take-over bid (or the effectiveness of such other transaction leading to a Change of Control). If, however, the potential Change of Control
referred to in this Section 4.4(e) is not completed within the time specified therein (as the same may be extended), then notwithstanding this Section 4.4(e) or the definition of “Change of Control”: (i) any conditional exercise of vested
Options shall be deemed to be null, void and of no effect, and such conditionally exercised Options shall for all purposes be deemed not to have been exercised, (ii) Shares which were issued pursuant to exercise of options which vested
pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be returned by the Participant to the Corporation and reinstated as authorized but unissued Shares, and (iii) the original terms applicable to Options which vested pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be
reinstated.
|
Section 4.5
|
Change in Status
|
Section 5.1 |
Adoption
|
1. |
Interpretation
|
a. |
For the purposes of this Appendix, the following terms have the following meanings:
|
i. |
“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable United States Treasury Regulations and other binding regulatory guidance thereunder;
|
ii. |
“Incentive Stock Option” means any Option granted under the Plan which is designated in the Grant Agreement (at the time it is granted) as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section
422 of the Code or any successor thereto and satisfies the requirements of such section;
|
iii. |
“Non-Qualified Option” means any Option granted under the Plan to a U.S. Participant which is not an Incentive Stock Option;
|
iv. |
“Ten Percent Shareholder” means a U.S. Participant who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation, as applicable (determined in accordance with Section 422 of the Code);
|
v. |
“Separation From Service” shall have the meaning as set forth in United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein); and
|
vi. |
“U.S. Participant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a), below.
|
b. |
The Plan and this Appendix are complementary to each other and shall, with respect to Options granted to U.S. Participants, be read and deemed as one. In the event of any contradiction, whether explicit or implied, between the provisions
of this Appendix and the Plan, the provisions of this Appendix shall prevail with respect to Options granted to U.S. Participants. Options may be granted under this Appendix either as Incentive Stock Options or as Non-Qualified Options,
subject to any applicable restrictions or limitations as provided under applicable law.
|
2. |
Application
|
a. |
The following special rules and limitations are applicable to Options issued under the Plan to Participants subject to taxation in the United States (referred to hereunder as “U.S. Participants”)
at the time of grant.
|
b. |
Incentive Stock Options may be granted with respect to a maximum of 2,500,000 Shares.
|
c. |
To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the U.S. Participant under all Share
Compensation Arrangements of the Corporation and/or its Affiliates (if applicable) exceeds US$100,000 during any calendar year, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they are granted) shall
be treated as Non-Qualified Options in accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code or any successor thereto, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan and/or Grant Agreement.
|
d. |
No U.S. Participant shall be permitted to defer the recognition of income beyond the exercise date of a Non-Qualified Option or beyond the date that the Shares received upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option are sold.
|
e. |
Each U.S. Participant is solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or for the account of such U.S. Participant in connection with the Plan (including any taxes and penalties
under Section 409A), and neither the Corporation nor any Affiliate of the Corporation shall have any obligation to pay, indemnify or otherwise hold such U.S. Participant (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes or
penalties. None of the Corporation nor any Affiliate of the Corporation makes any representation regarding the tax treatment of any award under the Plan, including, with limitation, Sections 422 and 409A. None of the Corporation nor any
Affiliate of the Corporation nor any person acting on behalf of them, shall be liable to any Participant or to the estate or beneficiary of any Participant by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax, asserted by reason
of the failure of an award hereunder to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A.
|
f. |
The Corporation and its Affiliates, if applicable, shall withhold taxes according to the requirements of applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including the withholding of taxes at source to satisfy any applicable federal, provincial,
state, or local tax withholding obligation and employment taxes.
|
g. |
Each recipient of an Option hereunder who is or who becomes a U.S. Participant is advised to consult with his or her personal tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences under federal, state, local and other tax laws of the receipt
and/or exercise of an Option hereunder.
|
h. |
Without derogating from the powers and authorities of the Board detailed in the Plan, and unless specifically required under applicable law, the Board shall also have the sole and full discretion and authority to administer the
provisions of this Appendix and all actions related thereto including, in addition to any powers and authorities specified in the Plan, the performance, from time to time and at any time, of either or both of the following:
|
i. |
deciding whether to issue Options as Incentive Stock Options or as Non-Qualified Options; and
|
ii. |
adopting standard forms of Grant Agreements to be applied with respect to U.S. Participants, incorporating and reflecting, inter alia, relevant provisions regarding the grant of Options in accordance with this Appendix, and amending or
modifying the terms of such standard forms from time to time.
|
3. |
Exercise Price
|
4. |
Expiry of Option/Trading Blackouts
|
5. |
Disqualifying Disposition
|
6. |
Adjustments to Options
|
7. |
Amendment of Appendix
|
8. |
Ten Percent Shareholders
|
a. |
If any U.S. Participant to whom an Incentive Stock Option is to be granted under this Plan is, at the time of the grant of such Option, a Ten Percent Shareholder, then the following special provisions shall apply:
|
i. |
the per share price at which Shares may be purchased upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option shall be no less 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share at such time as the Option is granted (as determined under the applicable
provisions of the Code), and
|
ii. |
the maximum term of the Option shall not exceed five (5) years from the date the Option is granted.
|
b. |
Subject to the provisions of this Section 8 regarding Ten Percent Shareholders, no Incentive Stock Option may be granted hereunder to a U.S. Participant following the expiry of ten (10) years after the date on which this Plan is adopted
by the Board.
|
(a)
|
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Plan.
|
(b)
|
Words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender include any other gender.
|
(c)
|
Unless otherwise specified herein, all references to money amounts are to United States currency.
|
(d)
|
The words “including” and “includes” mean “including (or includes) without limitation”.
|
Section 2.1 |
Options
|
Section 3.1 |
Participation in the Plan
|
Section 3.2 |
Binding Agreement
|
Section 3.3 |
Taxes and Fees
|
(a)
|
The exercise of each Option is subject to the condition that if at any time the Corporation or its Affiliates determine, in their discretion, that the satisfaction of
withholding tax or other withholding liabilities and any applicable settlement fees is necessary or desirable in respect of such exercise, such exercise is not effective unless such withholding has been effected to the satisfaction of
the Corporation.
|
(b)
|
It is the responsibility of the Participant to complete and file any tax returns which may be required within the periods specified in applicable laws as a result of the
Participant’s participation in the Plan. Neither the Corporation nor any Affiliate shall be held responsible for any tax consequences to a Participant as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan and the Participant shall
indemnify and save harmless the Corporation and its Affiliates from and against any and all loss, liability, damage, penalty or expense (including legal expense), which may be asserted against the Corporation or its Affiliates which the
Corporation or its Affiliates may suffer or incur arising out of, resulting from, or relating in any manner whatsoever to any tax liability in connection therewith.
|
Section 3.4 |
Acknowledgement of Participant
|
(a)
|
the Participant has not been induced to participate in the Plan by expectation of continued employment or engagement, as applicable, with the Corporation or its
Affiliates;
|
(b)
|
the Participant has received or has had the opportunity to receive independent legal advice in connection with the terms of the Plan and this Grant Agreement (including
the consequences of the Participant’s cessation of employment or engagement as the case may be, and the consequences of the Participant taking an Authorized Leave, if applicable);
|
(c)
|
the grant of Options does not create the right or expectation for any additional grants of Options under the Plan, even if the Participant has been repeatedly awarded
grants of Options;
|
(d)
|
the Participant understands that there is no promise of a particular monetary value associated with the vesting of such Options;
|
(e)
|
Options do not form an integral part of the Participant’s compensation from employment or engagement, as applicable, and will not be counted for any purpose including
relating to the calculation of any overtime, severance, bonuses or retirement income;
|
(f)
|
in the event the Participant is not an employee, the grant of Options will not be interpreted to create an employment relationship with the Corporation or an Affiliate;
|
(g)
|
the Participant has received a copy of the Plan and warrants that the terms of the Plan and this Grant Agreement are fair and reasonable and will not make a claim to the
contrary; and
|
(h)
|
the Participant has read the terms of the Plan and this Grant Agreement and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Grant Agreement.
|
Section 3.5 |
Understanding the Consequences arising from an Authorized Leave and/or Termination of Employment/ Engagement or Change of Status
|
Section 3.6 |
Shareholder Rights
|
Section 3.7 |
Transfer of Options
|
Section 3.8 |
Notice
|
Section 3.9 |
Governing Law
|
Section 3.10 |
Compliance with Employment Standards Legislation
|
Section 3.11 |
French Language
|
SHOPIFY INC.
|
|
Per: ###SIGNATURE###
|
|
Authorized Signing Officer
|
NAME OF PARTICIPANT: ###PARTICIPANT_NAME###
|
||
Address:
|
###HOME_ADDRESS###
|
|
Accepted and agreed to this ###ACCEPTANCE_DATE###
|
Participant:
|
[●]
|
Number of Options
|
[●]
|
Exercise Price:
|
[●]
|
Date of Grant:
|
[●]
|
Vesting Schedule
|
[●]
|
Expiry Date
|
[●]
|
Type of Option
|
[Incentive Stock Option/Non-Qualified Option]
|
“vesting year” of Option
|
Shares that are “non-qualified securities”
|
[●]
|
[●]
|
TO:
|
SHOPIFY INC. (the “Corporation”) or an Agent of the Corporation
|
Signature of Option Holder
|
|
Name of Option Holder (Please Print)
|
Signature of Option Holder
|
|
Name of Option Holder (Please Print)
|
Section 1.1 |
Definitions
|
a.
|
“Active Employment” means, in the case where the Participant is a director, the period during which a Participant performs services as a director and in the case where the Participant is an officer
or employee, the period during which the Participant actually and actively performs work for the Corporation or an Affiliate, and, as applicable, shall be deemed to include any period constituting the minimum applicable period of notice of
termination that is required to be provided to an employee (including an employee who is an officer) pursuant to applicable employment standards legislation (if any), but shall exclude any other period (whether arising under law or through
contract) that follows or ought to have followed the end of the minimum applicable statutory notice period;
|
b.
|
“Active Engagement” means, in the case where the Participant is a Consultant, or a member of an advisory board, the period during which the Consultant or member is actually and actively rendering
services to the Corporation or an Affiliate and for certainty, shall exclude any other period that follows the last day on which the Participant renders services for the Corporation or an Affiliate;
|
c. |
“Affiliate” or “Affiliated” means, with respect to any specified person, any other person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person (for the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control
with”), as used with respect to any person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
agreement or otherwise);
|
d. |
“Annual Board Retainer” means the annual retainer paid by the Corporation to a director in a Fiscal Year for service on the Board, together with Board committee fees, attendance fees and additional
fees and retainers to committee chairs;
|
e. |
“Applicable Withholding Taxes” has the meaning given to that term in Section 2.6(1);
|
f. |
“Authorized Leave” means (i) in respect of an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate any approved leave of absence (paid or unpaid) for a period of equal to or more than 45 days, and includes
any statutory leave, short term or long term disability leave, approved sabbatical or other approved bona fide paid or unpaid leave of absence, but for certainty does not cover any period of vacation, and (ii) in respect of a Consultant to
the Corporation or an Affiliate any approved leave of absence for a period of equal to or more than 45 days. For the purpose of the Plan, an employee’s or Consultant’s period of Authorized Leave will end on the earliest of (A) the Authorized
Leave Return Date, (B) the date of death, (C) the date on which the employee resigns from employment or the Consultant resigns from their engagement, (D) the date on which the employee is terminated for Cause, (E) the date which is the end of
the minimum applicable statutory notice period (if any) that follows the date on which the Corporation or Affiliate terminates the employment of an employee without Cause and for certainty, shall exclude any other period (whether arising
under law or through contract) that follows or ought to have followed the end of the minimum applicable statutory notice period, and (F) the date on which the Consultant’s services are terminated by the Corporation or an Affiliate, regardless
of the reason. In the case of clauses (B) through (F), for the purposes of this Plan, the date on which such event occurs will be deemed to be the last day of Active Employment or Active Engagement, as the case may be;
|
g. |
“Authorized Leave Extended Vesting Period” means, with respect to an Authorized Leave for which an Authorized Return Date has occurred the number of calendar quarters, as determined by the
Corporation in accordance with its policies in effect, from time to time, equal to the Authorized Leave Suspension Multiple;
|
h. |
“Authorized Leave Return Date” means the date that a Participant first returns to Active Employment or Active Engagement, as the case may be, following an Authorized Leave;
|
i. |
“Authorized Leave Suspension Multiple” means, where an Authorized Leave ends because of an Authorized Leave Return Date, the quotient (as rounded in accordance with the below) determined by the
following formula:
|
j. |
“Award Date” means the date(s) during the Fiscal Year on which the Annual Board Retainer is awarded;
|
k. |
“Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation as constituted from time to time;
|
l. |
“Business Day” means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banking institutions in Ottawa, Ontario are not authorized or obligated by law to close;
|
m. |
“Cash Equivalent” means the amount of money expressed in U.S. dollars equal to the Market Value multiplied by the number of vested Units in the Participant’s notional account, net of any Applicable
Withholding Taxes, on the PSU Settlement Date, RSU Settlement Date or DSU Termination Date, as applicable;
|
n. |
“Cause” means, (i) in respect of the termination of an employee employed in Ontario, wilful misconduct, disobedience or wilful neglect of duty that is not trivial and is not condoned by the
Corporation or Affiliate, or (ii) in respect of an employee employed in another jurisdiction outside of Ontario, such conduct by the employee which permits the Corporation or Affiliate to terminate the employee without notice, payment in lieu
of notice or severance pay whether arising under statute, contract or at law;
|
o. |
“Change in Status” means, with respect to a Participant: (i) an anticipated or otherwise likely change in their tax residency or the principal jurisdiction in which they reside, and/or (ii) any other
significant change in the terms of their employment or engagement with the Corporation, including a change in role and/or change in the compensation structure of such Participant. Whether there has been a Change in Status will be determined
by the Corporation;
|
p. |
“Change of Control” means, unless the Board determines otherwise, the happening, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any of the following events:
|
i. |
any transaction (other than a transaction described in clause (ii) below) pursuant to which any person or group of persons acting jointly or in concert acquires the direct or indirect beneficial ownership of securities of the Corporation
representing 50% or more of the aggregate voting power of all of the Corporation’s then issued and outstanding securities entitled to vote in the election of directors of the Corporation, other than any such acquisition that occurs (A) upon
the exercise or settlement of options or other securities granted by the Corporation under any of the Corporation’s equity incentive plans, or (B) as a result of the conversion of Multiple Voting Shares into Shares;
|
ii. |
there is consummated an arrangement, amalgamation, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Corporation and, immediately after the consummation of such arrangement, amalgamation, merger,
consolidation or similar transaction, the shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior thereto do not beneficially own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined
outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting entity in such amalgamation, merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving or resulting entity
in such arrangement, amalgamation merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their beneficial ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation immediately prior to such
transaction;
|
iii. |
the sale, lease, exchange, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to a person or group of persons other than a person or group of persons that was/were an Affiliate or all Affiliates, as
applicable, of the Corporation at the time of such sale, lease, exchange, license or other disposition, other than a sale, lease, exchange, license or other disposition to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power
of the voting securities of which are beneficially owned by shareholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their beneficial ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Corporation immediately prior to such
sale, lease, exchange, license or other disposition;
|
iv. |
the passing of a resolution by the Board or Shareholders to substantially liquidate the assets of the Corporation or wind up the Corporation’s business or significantly rearrange its affairs in one or more transactions or series of
transactions or the commencement of proceedings for such a liquidation, winding-up or re-arrangement (except where such re-arrangement is part of a bona fide reorganization of the Corporation in circumstances where the business of the
Corporation is continued and the shareholdings remain substantially the same following the re-arrangement); or
|
v. |
individuals who, on the Effective Date, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if
the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member will, for purposes of this Plan, be
considered as a member of the Incumbent Board;
|
q. |
“Code” has the meaning given to that term in Section 2.19(1);
|
r. |
“Consultant” has the meaning ascribed to that term in National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions;
|
s. |
“Corporation” means Shopify Inc. and its respective successors and assigns;
|
t. |
“Date of Grant” means the date on which a particular Unit is granted by the Board as evidenced by the Grant Agreement pursuant to which the applicable Unit was granted;
|
u. |
“Deferred Share Unit” or “DSU” means a unit designated as a Deferred Share Unit representing the right to receive one Share or the Cash Equivalent in
accordance with the terms set forth in the Plan, including in the Grant Agreement;
|
v. |
“Designation” means a designation by the Corporation (or, if applicable, an Affiliate), when, pursuant to applicable tax or other laws, a Unit or a Share subject to a Unit may or is required to be
designated, either as of the Date of Grant or at any other time, according to a particular classification or category in order to achieve tax preferred status for the Corporation (or an Affiliate) or a Participant, and, without limitation,
“Designation” includes designation of a Share subject to a Unit as a “non-qualified security” as defined in the ITA;
|
w. |
“Discretionary-Settled PSU” means a PSU in respect of which the applicable Grant Agreement permits the Corporation to settle such PSU through either one Share or the Cash Equivalent, at the
discretion of the Corporation;
|
x. |
“Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Date” has the meaning given to that term in Section 7.1(1)(a);
|
y. |
“Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Notice” means a notice, in a form substantially similar to that contained in Schedule “J” attached hereto, as such may be amended from time to time; provided,
however, that a Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Notice need not be substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule “J” to the extent necessary to reflect compliance with applicable laws in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which
the Participant is employed or engaged or any other jurisdiction with taxing authority in respect of the Participant;
|
z. |
“Discretionary-Settled RSU” means an RSU in respect of which the applicable Grant Agreement permits the Corporation to settle such RSU through either one Share or the Cash Equivalent, at the
discretion of the Corporation;
|
aa. |
“Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.1(1)(a);
|
bb. |
“Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Notice” means a notice, in a form substantially similar to that contained in Schedule “C” attached hereto, as such may be amended from time to time; provided,
however, that an RSU Settlement Notice need not be substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule “C” to the extent necessary to reflect compliance with applicable laws in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which the Participant is
employed or engaged or any other jurisdiction with taxing authority in respect of the Participant;
|
cc. |
“DSU Participant” means a director of the Corporation (who for greater certainty may also be an employee, if applicable) who has been designated by the Corporation for participation in the Plan, who
has agreed to participate in the Plan and to whom Deferred Share Units have or will be granted thereunder;
|
dd. |
“DSU Payment Date” means (i) with respect to a Deferred Share Unit granted to a DSU Participant who is not a U.S. Participant, no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which the DSU Termination Date occurred, and (ii) with respect to a Deferred Share Unit granted to a DSU Participant who is a U.S. Participant, the later of (A) December 31 of the calendar year in which the DSU Termination Date
occurred, and (B) the date that is two and one half months after the DSU Termination Date;
|
ee. |
“DSU Settlement Notice” means a notice, in a form substantially similar to that contained in Schedule “G” attached hereto, electing the desired form of settlement of Deferred Share Units, as such may
be amended from time to time; provided, however, that a DSU Settlement Notice need not be substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule “G” to the extent necessary to reflect compliance with applicable laws in the jurisdiction or
jurisdictions in which the Participant is employed or engaged or any other jurisdiction with taxing authority in respect of the Participant;
|
ff. |
“DSU Termination Date” means (i) with respect to a DSU Participant who is not a U.S. Participant, (A) in the case where such DSU Participant is not also an employee, the day the DSU Participant
ceases to be a director and (B) in the case where the DSU Participant is also an employee, the last day of the DSU Participant’s Active Employment with the Corporation or an Affiliate whether such day is selected by agreement with the DSU
Participant, or unilaterally by the DSU Participant or the Corporation or Affiliate, and whether with or without advance notice to the DSU Participant and regardless of whether the termination of the DSU Participant’s employment was lawful or
unlawful; and (ii) with respect to a DSU Participant who is a U.S. Participant, the date on which such DSU Participant has a “separation from service” as described in Section 409A;
|
gg. |
“Effective Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.5;
|
hh. |
“Elected Amount” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.3(1);
|
ii. |
“Election Notice” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.3(1);
|
jj. |
“Eligible Person” means any director, officer, employee or Consultant of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates;
|
kk. |
“Expire” means, with respect to a Unit, the termination of such Unit, on the occurrence of which such Unit is void, incapable of settlement, and of no value whatsoever; and Expires and Expired have a
similar meaning;
|
ll. |
“Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Corporation, which as of the Effective Date is the annual period commencing January 1 and ending the following December 31;
|
mm. |
“Founder Share” means the founder share in the capital of the Corporation;
|
nn. |
“Grant Agreement” means an agreement between the Corporation or an Affiliate and a Participant under which a Unit is granted, substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule “A” in reference to
RSUs, Schedule “E” in reference to DSUs, and Schedule “H” in reference to PSUs, as each may be amended from time to time; provided, however, that a Grant Agreement need not be substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule “A” in
reference to RSUs, Schedule “E” in reference to DSUs, and Schedule “H” in reference to PSUs to the extent necessary to reflect (i) compliance with applicable laws in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which the Participant is employed or
engaged or any other jurisdiction with taxing authority in respect of the Participant, and/or (ii) the elimination of a previous, or the addition of a new, Designation pursuant to applicable laws;
|
oo. |
“Incapacity” means the permanent and total incapacity of a Participant as determined by a licensed physician;
|
pp. |
“Incumbent Board” has the meaning given to that term in Section 1.1(p)(v);
|
qq. |
“Insider” means a “reporting insider” of the Corporation as defined in National Instrument 55-104 - Insider Reporting
Requirements and Exemptions and includes associates and affiliates (as such terms are defined in Part 1 of the TSX Company Manual) of such “reporting insider”;
|
rr. |
“ITA” means the Income Tax Act (Canada), and the regulations thereunder;
|
ss. |
“Legacy Option Plan” means the Corporation’s Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan, as may be amended from time to time;
|
tt. |
“Market Value” means, on any particular day, the volume weighted average trading price of a Share on the New York Stock Exchange for the five (5) preceding days on which the Shares were traded, or on
any other stock exchange as selected by the Board for these purposes. In the event that such Shares are not listed and posted for trading on any stock exchange, the Market Value shall be the fair market value of such Shares as determined by
the Board in its sole and absolute discretion;
|
uu. |
“Multiple Voting Shares” means the Class B multiple voting shares in the capital of the Corporation;
|
vv. |
“Outside RSU Vesting Date” has the meaning given to that term in Section 3.5;
|
ww. |
“Outside Settlement Date” means, with respect to a Discretionary-Settled RSU or a Discretionary-Settled PSU, December 31 of the third year following the year in which the Date of Grant occurs;
|
xx. |
“Participant” means an RSU Participant, a DSU Participant, or a PSU Participant, as applicable;
|
yy. |
“Performance Criteria” shall mean criteria, if any, established by the Board, which may include criteria based on the financial performance of the Corporation and/or an Affiliate;
|
zz. |
“Performance Share Unit” or “PSU” means a unit granted or credited to a PSU Participant’s notional account pursuant to the terms of this Plan that, subject to
the provisions hereof, entitles a PSU Participant to receive one Share or, subject to Section 1.1(mmm), the Cash Equivalent in accordance with the terms set forth in the Plan, including in the Grant Agreement;
|
aaa. |
“Plan” means this Long Term Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time;
|
bbb. |
“PSU Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been designated by the Corporation for participation in the Plan and who has agreed to participate in the Plan and to whom a Performance Share Unit
has been granted or will be granted thereunder;
|
ccc. |
“PSU Settlement Date” means either a Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Date or a Share-Settled PSU Settlement Date, as applicable;
|
ddd. |
“PSU Termination Date” means the date on which a PSU Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person as a result of a termination of employment or retention with the Corporation or an Affiliate for any
reason, including death, retirement, or resignation or termination with or without Cause. For the purposes of the Plan, a PSU Participant’s employment or retention with the Corporation or an Affiliate shall be considered to have terminated
effective on the last day of the PSU Participant’s Active Employment or Active Engagement with the Corporation or Affiliate, as the case may be, whether such day is selected by agreement with the PSU Participant, or unilaterally by the PSU
Participant or the Corporation or Affiliate, and whether with or without advance notice to the PSU Participant and regardless of whether the termination of the PSU Participant’s employment or engagement was lawful or unlawful.
|
eee. |
“PSU Vesting Date” means the date or dates determined in accordance with the terms of the Grant Agreement entered into in respect of such Performance Share Units (as described in Section 6.4), on and
after which a particular Performance Share Unit will be settled, subject to earlier termination, amendment or acceleration in accordance with the terms of the Plan, including the Grant Agreement;
|
fff. |
“Restricted Share Unit” or “RSU” means a unit granted or credited to an RSU Participant’s notional account pursuant to the terms of this Plan that, subject to
the provisions hereof, entitles an RSU Participant to receive one Share or, subject to Section 1.1(ppp), the Cash Equivalent in accordance with the terms set forth in the Plan, including the Grant Agreement;
|
ggg. |
“RSU Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been designated by the Corporation for participation in the Plan and who has agreed to participate in the Plan and to whom a Restricted Share Unit
has been granted or will be granted thereunder;
|
hhh. |
“RSU Settlement Date” means either a Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Date or a Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date, as applicable;
|
iii. |
“RSU Termination Date” means the date on which an RSU Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person as a result of a termination of employment or retention with the Corporation or an Affiliate for any
reason, including death, retirement, resignation or termination with or without Cause. For the purposes of the Plan, an RSU Participant’s employment or retention with the Corporation or an Affiliate shall be considered to have terminated
effective on the last day of the RSU Participant’s Active Employment or Active Engagement with the Corporation or Affiliate, as the case may be, whether such day is selected by agreement with the RSU Participant, or unilaterally by the RSU
Participant or the Corporation or Affiliate, and whether with or without advance notice to the RSU Participant and regardless of whether the termination of the RSU Participant’s employment or engagement was lawful or unlawful;
|
jjj. |
“RSU Vesting Date” means the date or dates determined in accordance with the terms of the Grant Agreement entered into in respect of such Restricted Share Units (as described in Section 3.4) or such
dates that result from an Authorized Leave (as described in Section 3.5), on and after which a particular Restricted Share Unit will be settled, subject to earlier termination, amendment or acceleration in accordance with the terms of the
Plan, including the Grant Agreement;
|
kkk. |
“Section 409A” has the meaning given to that term in Section 2.19(2);
|
lll. |
“Share” means a Class A subordinate voting share in the capital of the Corporation;
|
mmm. |
“Share-Settled PSU” means a PSU in respect of which the applicable Grant Agreement requires the Corporation to settle such PSU through one Share or, if such Grant Agreement provides and at the PSU
Participant’s election, the Cash Equivalent;
|
nnn. |
“Share-Settled PSU Settlement Date” has the meaning given to that term in Section 7.2(1)(a);
|
ooo. |
“Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice” means a notice, in a form substantially similar to that contained in Schedule “I” attached hereto electing the desired form of settlement of Share-Settled PSUs
on vesting, as such may be amended from time to time; provided, however, that a Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice need not be substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule “I” to the extent necessary to reflect compliance with
applicable laws in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which the Participant is employed or engaged or any other jurisdiction with taxing authority in respect of the Participant;
|
ppp. |
“Share-Settled RSU” means an RSU in respect of which the applicable Grant Agreement requires the Corporation to settle such RSU through one Share or, if such Grant Agreement provides and at the RSU
Participant’s election, the Cash Equivalent;
|
qqq. |
“Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date” has the meaning given to that term in Section 4.2(1)(a);
|
rrr. |
“Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice” means a notice, in a form substantially similar to that contained in Schedule “B” attached hereto electing, if applicable, the desired form of settlement of
Share-Settled RSUs on vesting, as such may be amended from time to time; provided, however, that a Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice need not be substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule “B” to the extent necessary to reflect
compliance with applicable laws in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which the Participant is employed or engaged or any other jurisdiction with taxing authority in respect of the Participant;
|
sss. |
“Share Compensation Arrangement” means any stock option, stock option plan, employee stock purchase plan, long-term incentive plan or any other compensation or incentive mechanism of the Corporation
involving the issuance or potential issuance of securities of the Corporation from treasury, including a Share purchase from treasury which is financially assisted by the Corporation by way of a loan, guarantee or otherwise, but does not
include any such arrangement which does not involve the issuance from treasury or potential issuance from treasury of securities of the Corporation;
|
ttt. |
“Shareholders” means holders of Shares, Multiple Voting Shares or the Founder Share;
|
uuu. |
“Stock Exchange” means the TSX or, if the Shares are not listed or posted for trading on the TSX but are listed and posted for trading on another stock exchange, the stock exchange on which the
Shares are listed or posted for trading;
|
vvv. |
“Stock Option Plan” means the Corporation’s Stock Option Plan, as may be amended from time to time;
|
www. |
“Termination Notice” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.4(1);
|
xxx. |
“TSX” means the Toronto Stock Exchange;
|
yyy. |
“U.S. Participant” has the meaning given to that term in Section 2.19(1); and
|
zzz. |
“Units” means DSUs, PSUs and RSUs, as applicable.
|
Section 1.2 |
Interpretation
|
1. |
Whenever the Board is to exercise discretion or authority in the administration of the terms and conditions of this Plan, the term “discretion” or “authority”
means the sole and absolute discretion of the Board.
|
2. |
In the Plan, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing any gender include any other gender.
|
3. |
Unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Grant Agreement, all references to money amounts are to United States currency.
|
4. |
As used herein, the terms “Article” and “Section” mean and refer to the specified Article and Section of this Plan, respectively.
|
5. |
The words “including” and “includes” mean “including (or includes) without limitation”.
|
6. |
Unless expressly indicated in a Grant Agreement, grants of Units are to be construed as remuneration solely for services rendered on, and if applicable following, the relevant Date of Grant.
|
Section 2.1 |
Administration
|
1. |
The Board shall administer this Plan. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional Share Compensation Arrangements or other compensation arrangements.
|
2. |
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Board has the authority: (i) to grant Restricted Share Units to RSU Participants; (ii) to grant Deferred Share Units to DSU Participants; (iii) to grant Performance Share Units to
PSU Participants; (iv) to determine the terms, including the limitations, restrictions, vesting period, Performance Criteria and conditions (including any Performance Criteria), and Designations, if any, of such grants; (v) to interpret this
Plan and all agreements entered into hereunder; (vi) to adopt, amend and rescind such administrative guidelines and other rules relating to this Plan as it may from time to time deem advisable; and (vii) to make all other determinations and
to take all other actions in connection with the implementation and administration of this Plan as it may deem necessary or advisable. The Board’s guidelines, rules, interpretations, and determinations shall be conclusive and binding upon the
Corporation or Affiliate, and all RSU Participants, DSU Participants, PSU Participants, Eligible Persons and their legal, personal representatives and beneficiaries.
|
3. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision contained herein, the Board shall have the right to delegate the administration and operation of this Plan, in whole or in part, to a committee thereof. In such circumstances, all
references to the Board in this plan include reference to such committee, except as otherwise determined by the Board. For greater certainty, any such delegation by the Board may be revoked at any time at the Board’s sole discretion.
|
4. |
No member of the Board or any person acting pursuant to authority delegated by it hereunder shall be liable for any action or determination in connection with the Plan made or taken in good faith, and each member of the Board and each such
person shall be entitled to indemnification by the Corporation with respect to any such action or determination.
|
5. |
The Board may adopt such rules or regulations and vary the terms of this Plan and any grant hereunder as it considers necessary to address tax or other requirements of any applicable non-Canadian jurisdiction.
|
6. |
The Plan shall not in any way fetter, limit, obligate, restrict or constrain the Board with regard to the allotment or issue of any Shares or any other securities in the capital of the Corporation other than as specifically provided for in
the Plan.
|
7. |
Where any formula or other calculation required by this Plan results in a fractional remainder, then, except as otherwise expressly provided by a provision hereof or of a Grant Agreement, the Board’s determination as to rounding up or
down, at its sole discretion, shall be final and binding. A Participant shall have no entitlement to damages or other compensation as a result of the Board’s determination to round a fractional remainder up or down, and, in the case of
rounding down, to disregard and cancel the value of the fractional remainder so rounded down.
|
Section 2.2. |
Grant of Units and Shares Reserved
|
1. |
Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Board may grant Units to Participants upon the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein and such other terms, conditions and limitations permitted by this Plan as the Board may
determine, including those set out in a Grant Agreement, provided that:
|
a. |
The maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance, in the aggregate, under this Plan and the Stock Option Plan as of the Effective Date is equal to 416,173,689. The number of Shares available for
issuance, in the aggregate, under this Plan and the Stock Option Plan will be automatically, and without any further action on the part of the Board or the Shareholders, increased on January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2016 and
ending on January 1, 2026, in an amount equal to 5% of the aggregate number of outstanding Shares and Multiple Voting Shares on December 31 of the preceding calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to January 1 of
a given year to provide that there will be no January 1 increase in the maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan and the Stock Option Plan for such fiscal year or that any increase in the Share reserve for such year will
be a lesser number of Shares than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence; and
|
b. |
The number of Shares subject to any grants of Units (or portions thereof) that (i) Expire or are forfeited, surrendered, cancelled or otherwise terminated prior to the delivery of the Shares pursuant to a grant of Units, (ii) are settled
through purchases on the open market or (iii) are settled in cash in lieu of settlement in Shares shall, in each case, automatically become available to be made and subject to new grants under this Plan. In addition, if an option under the
Stock Option Plan or the Legacy Option Plan expires, is forfeited, or is cancelled for any reason, the Shares subject to that option or the number of Shares equal to the number of Multiple Voting Shares subject to that legacy option, as
applicable, shall be available for grants under this Plan, subject to any required prior approval by the Stock Exchange.
|
Section 2.3 |
Amendment and Termination
|
1. |
The Board may, in its sole discretion, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time or from time to time and/or amend or revise the terms of the Plan or of any Unit granted under the Plan and any Grant Agreement relating thereto provided that
such suspension, termination, amendment, or revision shall:
|
a. |
not adversely alter or impair any Unit previously granted except as permitted by the terms of this Plan;
|
b. |
be in compliance with applicable law and subject to any regulatory approvals including, where required, the approval of the Stock Exchange; and
|
c. |
be subject to Shareholder approval, where required by law, the requirements of the Stock Exchange or this Plan.
|
2. |
If the Plan is terminated, the provisions of the Plan and any administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations adopted by the Board and in force with respect to outstanding Units will continue in effect as long as any such Unit or
any rights pursuant thereto remain outstanding and, notwithstanding the termination of the Plan, the Board will remain able to make such interpretations and amendments to the Plan or the Units as they would have been entitled to make if the
Plan were still in effect.
|
3. |
Subject to Section 2.3(1), the Board may from time to time, in its discretion and without the approval of Shareholders or Participants, make changes to the Plan or any Unit that do not require the approval of Shareholders under Section
2.3(4), which may include but are not limited to:
|
a. |
any amendment of a “housekeeping” nature, including those made to clarify the meaning of an existing provision of the Plan, correct or supplement any provision of the Plan that is inconsistent with any other provision of the Plan, correct
any grammatical or typographical errors or amend the definitions in the Plan regarding administration of the Plan;
|
b. |
changes that alter, extend or accelerate the terms of vesting or settlement applicable to any Units;
|
c. |
a change to the provisions governing assignability and the effect of termination of a Participant’s employment, contract or office;
|
d. |
the addition of a form of financial assistance and any amendment to a financial assistance provision which is adopted;
|
e. |
any amendment to the Plan respecting administration and eligibility for participation under the Plan;
|
f. |
any amendment to the Plan to preserve the tax treatment of the awards hereunder, including for purposes of Section 409A (except to the extent that Shareholder approval would be required by law or the requirements of the Stock Exchange in
respect of such amendment);
|
g. |
a change to a Designation; and
|
h. |
an amendment of the Plan or a Unit as necessary to comply with applicable law or the requirements of the Stock Exchange or any other regulatory body having authority over the Corporation, an Affiliate, the Plan, the Participants or the
Shareholders.
|
4. |
Shareholder approval is required for the following amendments to the Plan:
|
a. |
any increase in the maximum number of Shares that may be issuable from treasury pursuant to Units granted under the Plan (as set out in Section 2.2), other than an adjustment pursuant to Section 2.15;
|
b. |
any amendment to remove or to exceed the limits with respect to Insiders set out in Section 2.18; and
|
c. |
any amendment to Section 2.3(3) and this Section 2.3(4).
|
Section 2.4 |
Compliance with Legislation
|
1. |
The administration of the Plan (including any amendments thereto), the terms of the grant of any Unit under the Plan, the grant of Units, and the Corporation’s obligation to issue Shares or deliver a Cash Equivalent shall be subject to all
applicable federal, provincial, state and foreign laws, rules and regulations, the rules and regulations of the Stock Exchange and any other stock exchange on which the Shares are listed or posted for trading, and to such approvals by any
regulatory or governmental agency as may, in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation, be required. The Corporation shall not be obliged by any provision of the Plan or the grant of any Unit hereunder to issue Shares or deliver a Cash
Equivalent in violation of such laws, rules and regulations or any condition of such approvals.
|
2. |
The Corporation shall have no obligation to grant any Units or issue Shares where such grant or issuance would require registration or qualification of the Plan or of the Units or Shares under the securities laws of any foreign
jurisdiction (other than the United States), or require the Corporation to continue in effect any such registrations or qualifications if made (other than in the United States). If the Corporation determines that it is unable to, or that it
is impracticable for it to, so register or qualify the Plan, the Units or the Shares, as applicable, under the securities laws of any foreign jurisdiction (other than the United States), or that there is no available exemption from any such
registration or qualification requirements in such foreign jurisdiction, then the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion, void any purported grant of any Unit or purported issuance of any Shares made to a person in such foreign
jurisdiction or that is subject to the securities laws of such foreign jurisdiction.
|
3. |
The Corporation shall have no obligation to issue any Shares pursuant to this Plan unless upon official notice of issuance such Shares shall have been duly listed with the Stock Exchange (and any other stock exchange on which the Shares
are listed or posted for trading). Shares issued to Participants pursuant to the settlement of Units may be subject to limitations on sale or resale under applicable securities laws.
|
4. |
Should the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine that it is not desirable or feasible to provide for the settlement of Restricted Share Units, Deferred Share Units or Performance Share Units, as applicable, including by
reason of any such laws, regulations, rules, orders or requirements, it shall notify the Participants of such determination and on receipt of such notice each Participant shall have the option of electing that such settlement obligations be
satisfied by means of a cash payment by the Corporation equal to the Cash Equivalent of the Restricted Share Units, Deferred Share Units or Performance Share Units, as applicable. Each Participant shall comply with all such laws, regulations,
rules, orders and requirements, and shall furnish the Corporation with any and all information and undertakings, as may be required to ensure compliance therewith.
|
Section 2.5 |
Effective Date
|
1. |
The Plan was initially made effective on May 27, 2015, being the date of the closing of the initial public offering of the Shares. The amendment and restatement of the Plan will be effective on the date (the “Effective Date”) upon which this Plan is approved by:
|
a. |
the Stock Exchange; and
|
b. |
the Shareholders, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes attached to the Shares, Multiple Voting Shares and the Founder Share entitled to vote, voting together as a single class, and represented and voted at an annual or
special meeting of Shareholders held, among other things, to consider and approve this Plan.
|
Section 2.6 |
Applicable Tax Withholdings and Deductions
|
1. |
Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein but subject to Section 2.6(3)(c) as it relates to Share-Settled PSUs or Share-Settled RSUs, the Corporation or the relevant Affiliate, as applicable, shall be entitled to withhold from
any amount payable to a Participant, either under this Plan or otherwise, such amounts as may be necessary so as to ensure that the Corporation or the relevant Affiliate is in compliance with all applicable withholding tax or other source
deduction liabilities relating to the settlement of such Units (the “Applicable Withholding Taxes”).
|
2. |
It is the responsibility of the Participant to complete and file any tax returns which may be required within the periods specified in applicable laws as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan. Neither the Corporation nor
any Affiliate shall be held responsible for any tax consequences to a Participant as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan and the Participant shall indemnify and save harmless the Corporation and its Affiliates from and
against any and all loss, liability, damage, penalty or expense (including legal expense), which may be asserted against the Corporation or its Affiliates or which the Corporation or its Affiliates may suffer or incur arising out of,
resulting from, or relating in any manner whatsoever to any tax liability in connection therewith.
|
3. |
For greater certainty, unless not required under the ITA or any other applicable law, no cash payment will be made nor will Shares be issued until:
|
a. |
an amount sufficient to cover the Applicable Withholding Taxes and any applicable settlement fees payable on the settlement of Units has been received by the Corporation (or withheld by the Corporation from the Cash Equivalent and/or cash
payment noted above if applicable);
|
b. |
the Participant undertakes to arrange for such number of Shares to be sold as is necessary to raise an amount equal to the Applicable Withholding Taxes and any applicable settlement fees, and to cause the proceeds from the sale of such
Shares to be delivered to the Corporation; or
|
c. |
where permitted by the terms of this Plan, the Participant elects to settle for cash such number of Units as is necessary to raise funds sufficient to cover the Applicable Withholding Taxes and any applicable settlement fees with such
amount being withheld by the Corporation.
|
Section 2.7 |
No Interest
|
Section 2.8 |
Non-Transferability
|
a. |
the Participant to whom the Units were granted;
|
b. |
upon the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate or other duly authorized legal representative; or
|
c. |
upon the Participant’s Incapacity, the legal representative having authority to deal with the property of the Participant;
|
Section 2.9 |
Participation in this Plan
|
1. |
No Participant has any claim or right to be granted a Unit (including a Unit granted in substitution for any Unit that has Expired pursuant to the terms of this Plan), and the granting of any Unit does not and is not to be construed as
giving a Participant a right to continued employment or to remain a Consultant, director, officer or employee, as the case may be, of the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation. Nothing contained in this Plan or in any Unit granted
under this Plan shall interfere in any way with the rights of the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation in connection with the employment, engagement or termination of any such person.
|
2. |
No Participant or Participant’s legal representative has any rights or privileges as a Shareholder in respect of Units or Shares that are issuable upon the settlement of a Unit pursuant to the terms of this Plan until a Unit has been duly
settled and Shares have been issued in respect thereof to such Participant or Participant’s legal representative.
|
3. |
The Corporation makes no representation or warranty as to the future Market Value or other price/value of the Shares or with respect to any income tax matters affecting the Participant resulting from the grant or settlement of a Unit or
transactions in the Shares. With respect to any fluctuations in the Market Value or other price/value of Shares, neither the Corporation, nor any of its directors, officers, employees, Shareholders or agents shall be liable for anything done
or omitted to be done by such person or any other person with respect to the price, time, quantity or other conditions and circumstances of the issuance of Shares hereunder, or in any other manner related to the Plan. For greater certainty,
no amount will be paid to, or in respect of, a Participant under the Plan or pursuant to any other arrangement, and no additional Units will be granted to such Participant to compensate for a downward fluctuation in the Market Value or other
price/value of the Shares, nor will any other form of benefit be conferred upon, or in respect of, a Participant for such purpose. The Corporation does not assume responsibility for the income or other tax consequences resulting to the
Participant as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan, and they are advised to consult with their own tax advisors.
|
4. |
Participation in the Plan or the grant of Units on a particular basis in any year does not create any right to or expectation of participation in the Plan or the grant of Units on the same basis, or at all, in any future year. No
Participant will have a claim for compensation or damages in lieu of not receiving a grant of Units.
|
5. |
The terms of the Plan do not entitle the Eligible Person to the exercise of any discretion in his or her favour.
|
6. |
No Eligible Person has any right to compensation or damages for any loss in relation to the Plan, including any loss in relation to:
|
a. |
the circumstances described in Section 2.9(3) above;
|
b. |
any loss or reduction of rights or expectations under the Plan in any circumstances (including any termination of employment or engagement, regardless of whether such termination is with or without advance notice, lawful or unlawful, or
with or without Cause, and including any Change in Status);
|
c. |
any exercise of a discretion or decision taken in relation to Units or to the Plan, or any failure to exercise a discretion or take a decision; or
|
d. |
the operation, suspension, termination or amendment of the Plan.
|
7. |
Units shall be credited to an unfunded notional bookkeeping account established and maintained by the Corporation in the name of each Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, a Unit shall not be
considered or construed as an actual investment in Shares. Participants shall have no legal or equitable rights, claims, or interest in any specific property or assets of the Corporation or any Affiliate. No assets of the Corporation or any
Affiliate shall be held in any way as collateral security for the fulfillment of the obligations of the Corporation or any Affiliate under this Plan. Any and all of the Corporation’s or any Affiliate’s assets shall be, and remain, the general
unrestricted assets of the Corporation or Affiliate.
|
8. |
The Corporation’s or any of its Affiliates’ obligation under this Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Corporation or such Affiliate to pay money in the future, and the rights of Participants shall be no
greater than those of unsecured general creditors.
|
Section 2.10 |
Notice
|
Section 2.11 |
Right to Issue Other Shares
|
Section 2.12 |
Quotation of Shares
|
Section 2.13 |
Conformity to Plan
|
Section 2.14 |
Dividend Equivalents
|
Section 2.15 |
Adjustments
|
Section 2.16 |
Cancellation of Units
|
Section 2.17 |
Governing Law
|
Section 2.18 |
Limits with Respect to Insiders
|
1. |
The maximum number of Shares and Multiple Voting Shares issuable to Insiders at any time pursuant to the settlement of Units granted under this Plan, options granted under the Stock Option Plan and Legacy Option Plan and any other Share
Compensation Arrangement, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Shares and Multiple Voting Shares issued and outstanding from time to time (calculated on a non-diluted basis).
|
2. |
The maximum number of Shares and Multiple Voting Shares issued to Insiders within any one year period pursuant to the settlement of Units granted under this Plan, options granted under the Stock Option Plan and the Legacy Option Plan and
any other Share Compensation Arrangement, shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Shares and Multiple Voting Shares issued and outstanding from time to time (calculated on a non-diluted basis).
|
3. |
Any Unit granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan, or securities issued to a Participant under the Stock Option Plan or Legacy Option Plan and any other Share Compensation Arrangement, prior to the Participant becoming an Insider,
shall be excluded for the purposes of the limits set out in Section 2.18(1) and Section 2.18(2) above.
|
Section 2.19 |
Section 409A Compliance
|
1. |
The following special rules and limitations are applicable to Units issued under this Plan to Participants subject to taxation in the United States (referred to hereunder as “U.S. Participants”). “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable United States Treasury Regulations and other binding regulatory guidance thereunder.
|
2. |
With respect to U.S. participants, this Plan as well as payments and benefits under this Plan are intended to be exempt from, or to the extent subject thereto, to comply with Section 409A of the Code (“Section
409A”), and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Plan shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, to the extent required in order to avoid accelerated
taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A, the Participant shall not be considered to have terminated employment or service with the Corporation for purposes of this Plan and no payment shall be due to the Participant under this Plan
or any Award until the Participant would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Corporation and its Affiliates within the meaning of Section 409A. Any payments described in this Plan that are due within the “short
term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, to the extent that any Awards (or any other
amounts payable under any plan, program or arrangement of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates) are payable upon a separation from service and such payment would result in the imposition of any individual tax and penalty interest charges
imposed under Section 409A, the settlement and payment of such awards (or other amounts) shall instead be made on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following such separation from service (or death, if earlier). Each
amount to be paid or benefit to be provided under this Plan shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A. Neither the Corporation nor any of its Affiliates makes any representation that any or all of the
payments or benefits described in this Plan will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to any such payment. Neither the Corporation nor any person acting on its behalf shall
be liable to any Participant or to the estate or beneficiary of any Participant by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax, asserted by reason of the failure of an award hereunder to satisfy the requirements of Section
409A. The Participant shall be solely responsible for the payment of any taxes and penalties incurred under Section 409A.
|
Section 3.1 |
Grant of Restricted Share Units
|
1. |
Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Board may grant Restricted Share Units to any Eligible Person upon the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein and such other terms, conditions and limitations permitted by this Plan
as the Board may determine.
|
2. |
The grant of a Restricted Share Unit shall be evidenced by a Grant Agreement, signed on behalf of the Corporation, which shall, among other things, indicate whether the Restricted Share Units subject to such Grant Agreement are
Discretionary-Settled RSUs or Share-Settled RSUs.
|
3. |
The Corporation shall maintain a notional account for each RSU Participant, in which shall be recorded (a) the number of vested and unvested Restricted Share Units granted or credited to such Participant; and (b) which Restricted Share
Units are Discretionary-Settled RSUs and which Restricted Share Units are Share-Settled RSUs.
|
4. |
The grant of a Restricted Share Unit to an RSU Participant, or the settlement of a Restricted Share Unit, under the Plan shall neither entitle such RSU Participant to receive nor preclude such RSU Participant from receiving subsequently
granted Restricted Share Units.
|
5. |
A Grant Agreement may provide, or the grant of an RSU may otherwise be accompanied by, a Designation to the extent required by applicable law or deemed prudent or advisable by the Corporation, in its sole discretion.
|
Section 3.2 |
Equivalence
|
Section 3.3 |
Calculation
|
Section 3.4 |
Vesting
|
1. |
Subject to the terms of the Plan, the RSUs will vest in accordance with the terms of the RSU Participant’s Grant Agreement, provided however:
|
a. |
all Restricted Share Units credited pursuant to Section 2.14 shall vest simultaneously with the Restricted Share Units to which they relate;
|
b. |
the Participant must be continuously in Active Employment or continuously in Active Engagement with the Corporation, or any of its Affiliates, from the Date of Grant until the RSU Vesting Date (except in the case of an Authorized Leave);
and
|
c. |
in the event of any Change of Control, any unvested Restricted Share Units shall vest on the date which the Board determines in accordance with Article 8.
|
Section 3.5 |
Authorized Leave
|
Section 4.1 |
Settlement of Discretionary-Settled RSUs
|
1. |
Except as otherwise provided in an RSU Participant’s Grant Agreement or any other provision of this Plan:
|
a. |
all of the vested Discretionary-Settled RSUs covered by a particular grant and the related Discretionary-Settled RSUs credited pursuant to Section 2.14 may be settled on the first Business Day following their RSU Vesting Date (the “Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Date”);
|
b. |
the Corporation is entitled to deliver to the Participant, within five (5) Business Days following the Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Date, a Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Notice providing for the method of settlement for the
Discretionary-Settled RSUs in respect of any or all vested Discretionary-Settled RSUs held by the Participant; and
|
c. |
in the Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Notice, the Corporation will elect, in the Corporation’s sole discretion, to settle vested Discretionary-Settled RSUs for their Cash Equivalent (determined in accordance with Section 4.4(1)),
Shares (determined in accordance with Section 4.4(2)) or a combination thereof; provided, however, that the Corporation shall at all relevant times reserve the right to modify the method of settlement (even if a Discretionary-Settled RSU
Settlement Notice has already been delivered to the Participant).
|
2. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan (including, for greater certainty, Section 3.5), in no event will the Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Date (and any subsequent payment with respect thereof) for any Discretionary-Settled
RSUs granted hereunder be made later than the Outside Settlement Date, and any Discretionary-Settled RSUs that have not settled and been paid by such date will automatically Expire or will accelerate and be settled and paid out by such date,
at the sole discretion of the Board.
|
3. |
Except as otherwise provided in an RSU Participant’s Grant Agreement, if a Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Notice is not received by the RSU Participant within five (5) Business Days following the Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement
Date, settlement shall take the form of Shares as set out in Section 4.4(2).
|
Section 4.2
|
Settlement of Share-Settled RSUs |
1. |
Except as otherwise provided in a RSU Participant’s Grant Agreement or any other provision of this Plan:
|
a. |
all of the vested Share-Settled RSUs covered by a particular grant and the related vested Share-Settled RSUs credited pursuant to Section 2.14 may be settled on the first Business Day following their RSU Vesting Date (the “Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date”);
|
b. |
if, pursuant to the terms of an RSU Participant’s Grant Agreement, such RSU Participant is entitled to elect whether the RSUs subject to such Grant Agreement may be settled for their Cash Equivalent (determined in accordance with Section
4.4(1)), Shares (determined in accordance with Section 4.4(2)) or a combination thereof, such RSU Participant shall become entitled to deliver to the Corporation, on or before the Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date, a Share-Settled RSU
Settlement Notice in respect of any or all vested Share-Settled RSUs held by the RSU Participant; and
|
c. |
if applicable, in the Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice, the RSU Participant may elect, in the RSU Participant’s sole discretion to settle vested Share-Settled RSUs for their Cash Equivalent (determined in accordance with Section
4.4(1)), Shares (determined in accordance with Section 4.4(2)) or a combination thereof.
|
2. |
Subject to Section 4.2(3), and except as otherwise provided for in a RSU Participant’s Grant Agreement, settlement of Share-Settled RSUs shall take the form set out in the Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice through delivery of:
|
a. |
in the case of settlement of Share-Settled RSUs for their Cash Equivalent, an amount to the RSU Participant representing the Cash Equivalent;
|
b. |
in the case of settlement of Share-Settled RSUs for Shares, issuance of Shares to the Participant; or
|
c. |
in the case of settlement of Share-Settled RSUs for a combination of Shares and the Cash Equivalent, a combination of (a) and (b) above.
|
3. |
Except as otherwise provided in a RSU Participant’s Grant Agreement and if applicable, if a Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice is not received by the Corporation on or before the Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date, settlement shall take
the form of Shares as set out in Section 4.4(2)(b).
|
4. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, in the event that a Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date falls during a closed trading period or other trading restriction imposed by the Corporation and a RSU Participant has not delivered a
Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice, then such Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date shall be automatically extended to the tenth (10th) Business Day following the date that such closed trading period or other trading restriction is lifted,
terminated or removed.
|
Section 4.3
|
U.S. Participants
|
Section 4.4
|
Determination of Amounts
|
1. |
Cash Equivalent of Restricted Share Units. For purposes of determining the Cash Equivalent of
Restricted Share Units to be made pursuant to Section 4.1(1) or Section 4.2(1), such calculation will be made on the Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Date or the Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date, as applicable, based on the Market
Value on such date multiplied by the number of corresponding vested Restricted Share Units in the Participant’s Restricted Share Unit notional account which is to be settled in cash pursuant to the Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement
Notice or Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice, as applicable.
|
2. |
Payment in Shares; Issuance of Shares. For the purposes of determining the number of Shares to be
issued and delivered to an RSU Participant upon settlement of Restricted Share Units pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, such calculation will be made on the Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Date or the Share-Settled RSU Settlement
Date, as applicable, based on the whole number of Shares equal to the whole number of corresponding vested Restricted Share Units then recorded in the Participant’s Restricted Share Unit notional account which is to be settled pursuant to
the Discretionary-Settled RSU Settlement Notice or the Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice, as applicable. The entitlement of the RSU Participant under this Plan shall be satisfied in full by such issuance of Shares. If applicable and if
elected by the RSU Participant in a Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice, the Corporation shall also make a cash payment to the RSU Participant with respect to the value of fractional Restricted Share Units standing to the RSU Participant’s
credit after the maximum number of whole Shares have been issued by the Corporation, calculated by multiplying (i) the number of such fractional Restricted Share Units by (ii) the Market Value on the Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any particular vested fractional Share-Settled RSUs, if not so elected to be paid in cash by the RSU Participant in a Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice and if no further vested or unvested
Share-Settled RSUs remain in such RSU Participant’s Restricted Share Unit notional account, the Corporation reserves the right to cancel such vested fractional Share-Settled RSUs, and such fractional Share-Settled RSUs shall then be deemed
to have Expired. For clarity, in no event shall the Corporation have the right to settle a fractional Share-Settled RSU in cash without the prior election of the RSU Participant.
|
Section 4.5 |
Termination of Employment or Engagement
|
Section 5.1 |
Grant of Deferred Share Units
|
1. |
Subject to this Article 5, the Board may recommend the grant of, from time to time, Deferred Share Units to a DSU Participant.
|
2. |
The grant of a Deferred Share Unit shall be evidenced by a Grant Agreement, signed on behalf of the Corporation.
|
3. |
The Corporation shall maintain a notional account for each DSU Participant, in which shall be recorded the number of Deferred Share Units granted or credited to such Participant.
|
4. |
The grant of a Deferred Share Unit to a DSU Participant, or the settlement of a Deferred Share Unit, under the Plan shall neither entitle such DSU Participant to receive nor preclude such DSU Participant from receiving subsequently granted
Deferred Share Units.
|
Section 5.2 |
Equivalence
|
Section 5.3 |
Election Notice; Elected Amount
|
1. |
Subject to Board approval, a DSU Participant may elect by filing an election notice in the form of Schedule “D” attached hereto (the “Election Notice”), once each Fiscal Year, to be paid up to one
hundred percent (100%) of his or her Annual Board Retainer in the form of Deferred Share Units (the “Elected Amount”), with any balance being paid in cash in accordance with the Corporation’s regular
practices of paying such cash compensation. In the case of an existing DSU Participant, the election must be completed, signed and delivered to the Corporation by the end of the Fiscal Year preceding the Fiscal Year to which such election is
to apply. In the case of a new DSU Participant, the election must be completed, signed and delivered to the Corporation as soon as possible, and, in any event, no later than 30 days, after the director’s appointment, with such election to be
effective on the first day of the fiscal quarter of the Corporation next following the date of the Corporation’s receipt of the election until the final day of such Fiscal Year. If no election is made in respect of a particular Fiscal Year,
the new or existing DSU Participant will be paid in cash in accordance with the Corporation’s regular practices of paying such cash compensation.
|
2. |
The Election Notice shall, subject to any minimum amount that may be required by the Board, from time to time, designate the percentage of the Annual Board Retainer for the applicable Fiscal Year that is to be deferred into Deferred Share
Units, with the remaining percentage to be paid in cash in accordance with the Corporation’s regular practices of paying such cash compensation.
|
3. |
In the absence of a designation to the contrary (including delivery of an Election Notice by a DSU Participant requesting that a greater or lesser percentage of his or her Annual Board Retainer be payable in the form of Deferred Share
Units relative to the percentage previously elected by such DSU Participant), the DSU Participant’s Election Notice shall remain in effect unless otherwise terminated.
|
4. |
With respect to U.S. Participants and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, to the extent any Deferred Share Unit would constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A, any
election to defer Deferred Share Units shall be made in compliance with Section 409A.
|
Section 5.4 |
Termination Right
|
1. |
Each DSU Participant is entitled to terminate his or her participation in the Plan by filing with the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, or such other officer of the Corporation designated by the Board, a notice electing to
terminate the receipt of additional Deferred Share Units in the form of Schedule “F” attached hereto (“Termination Notice”).
|
2. |
Such Termination Notice shall be effective as of the date received by the Corporation, provided that, for U.S. Participants, such Termination Notice shall be effective on a prospective basis as provided for in, and in compliance with,
Section 409A.
|
3. |
Thereafter, any portion of such DSU Participant’s Annual Board Retainer payable, and subject to compliance with Section 5.3, all subsequent Annual Board Retainers shall be paid in cash in accordance with the Corporation’s regular practices
of paying such cash compensation.
|
4. |
For greater certainty, to the extent a DSU Participant terminates his or her participation in the Plan, he or she shall not be entitled to become a DSU Participant again until the Fiscal Year following the Fiscal Year in which the
Termination Notice becomes effective.
|
Section 5.5 |
Calculation
|
1. |
The number of Deferred Share Units (including fractional Deferred Share Units) granted at any particular time pursuant to this Plan will be calculated by:
|
a. |
in the case of an Elected Amount, by dividing (i) the dollar amount of the Elected Amount allocated to the DSU Participant by (ii) the Market Value of a Share on the applicable Award Date; or
|
b. |
in the case of a grant of Deferred Share Units pursuant to Section 5.1, by dividing (i) the dollar amount of such grant by (ii) the Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant.
|
Section 5.6 |
Vesting
|
1. |
All Deferred Share Units recorded in a DSU Participant’s Deferred Share Unit notional account shall vest on the DSU Termination Date, unless otherwise determined by the Board at its sole discretion but subject to a determination of the
Board made in accordance with Article 8, and, in any event, subject also to paragraph 6801(d) of the Regulations promulgated under the ITA if applicable to such Deferred Share Units.
|
2. |
DSU Participants will not have any right to receive any benefit under the Plan in respect of a Deferred Share Unit until the DSU Termination Date.
|
Section 5.7 |
Settlement in respect of Deferred Share Units
|
1. |
In respect of an award of Deferred Share Units granted to a DSU Participant, on and after January 1, 2022, settlement shall be made to the DSU Participant as soon as practicable following the DSU Termination Date and no later than the DSU
Payment Date and, except as otherwise provided in a DSU Participant’s Grant Agreement (subject to any outside date applicable under paragraph 6801(d) of the Regulations promulgated under the ITA). The Corporation shall, on the DSU Payment
Date, deliver to the DSU Participant such Cash Equivalent (determined in accordance with Section 5.8(1)), Shares (determined in accordance with Section 5.8(2)) or a combination thereof as the Corporation elects, in its sole discretion. If
such DSU Settlement Notice is not received by the Corporation within 30 days prior to the DSU Payment Date, such notice shall be deemed to have been delivered by the DSU Participant and received by the Corporation on the date that is 30 days
prior to the DSU Payment Date.
|
2. |
In respect of an award of Deferred Share Units granted to a DSU Participant prior to January 1, 2022, settlement shall be as soon as practicable following the DSU Termination Date and no later than the DSU Payment Date and, except as
otherwise provided in a DSU Participant’s Grant Agreement:
|
a. |
Subject to Section 5.7(3), the DSU Participant will deliver to the Corporation a DSU Settlement Notice, in the DSU Participant’s sole discretion, to elect to settle all Deferred Share Units in such DSU Participant’s notional account for
their Cash Equivalent (determined in accordance with Section 5.8(1)), Shares (determined in accordance with Section 5.8(2)) or a combination thereof.
|
b. |
If such DSU Settlement Notice is not received by the Corporation within 30 days prior to the DSU Payment Date, settlement shall take the form of the Cash Equivalent determined in accordance with Section 5.8(1), among other provisions of
this Plan.
|
3. |
Settlement of Deferred Share Units shall take place on the DSU Payment Date, and, if applicable, in the form set out in the DSU Settlement Notice through:
|
a. |
in the case of settlement of Deferred Share Units for their Cash Equivalent, delivery of an amount to the DSU Participant representing the Cash Equivalent;
|
b. |
in the case of settlement of Deferred Share Units for Shares, delivery of a share certificate to the DSU Participant, or the entry of the DSU Participant’s name on the share register for the Shares; or
|
c. |
in the case of settlement of Deferred Share Units for a combination of Shares and the Cash Equivalent, a combination of (a) and (b) above.
|
Section 5.8 |
Determination of Amounts
|
1. |
Cash Equivalent of Deferred Share Units. For purposes of determining the Cash Equivalent of
Deferred Share Units, such calculation will be made based on the Market Value on the DSU Termination Date multiplied by the number of Deferred Share Units in the Participant’s Deferred Share Unit notional account as of the DSU Termination
Date.
|
2. |
Payment in Shares; Issuance of Shares. For the purposes of determining the number of Shares to be
issued and delivered to a DSU Participant upon settlement of Deferred Share Units, such calculation will be made on the DSU Termination Date, or if the DSU Termination Date is not a Business Day, on the next such Business Day, based on the
whole number of Shares equal to the whole number of Deferred Share Units then recorded in the Participant’s Deferred Share Unit notional account. The entitlement of the DSU Participant under this Plan shall be satisfied in full by such
issuance of Shares. If applicable, the Corporation shall also make a cash payment to the DSU Participant with respect to the value of fractional Deferred Share Units standing to the DSU Participant’s credit after the maximum number of whole
Shares have been issued by the Corporation, calculated by multiplying (i) the number of such fractional Deferred Share Units by (ii) the Market Value on the DSU Termination Date.
|
Section 6.1 |
Grant of Performance Share Units
|
1. |
Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Board may grant Performance Share Units upon the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein and such other terms, conditions and limitations permitted by and not inconsistent with this
Plan as the Board may determine.
|
2. |
The grant of a Performance Share Unit shall be evidenced by a Grant Agreement, signed on behalf of the Corporation, which shall, among other things, indicate whether the Performance Share Units subject to such Grant Agreement are
Discretionary-Settled PSUs or Share-Settled PSUs.
|
3. |
The Corporation shall maintain a notional account for each PSU Participant, in which shall be recorded (a) the number of vested and unvested Performance Share Units granted or credited to such Participant; and (b) which Performance Share
Units are Discretionary-Settled PSUs and which Performance Share Units are Share-Settled PSUs.
|
4. |
The grant of a Performance Share Unit to a PSU Participant, or the settlement of a Performance Share Unit, under the Plan shall neither entitle such PSU Participant to receive nor preclude such PSU Participant from receiving subsequently
granted Performance Share Units.
|
Section 6.2 |
Equivalence
|
Section 6.3 |
Calculation
|
Section 6.4 |
Vesting
|
Section 7.1 |
Settlement of Discretionary-Settled PSUs
|
1. |
Except as otherwise provided in a PSU Participant’s Grant Agreement or any other provision of this Plan:
|
a. |
all of the vested Discretionary-Settled PSUs covered by a particular grant and the related Discretionary-Settled PSUs credited pursuant to Section 2.14 may be settled on the first Business Day following their PSU Vesting Date (the “Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Date”);
|
b. |
the Corporation is entitled to deliver to the Participant, within five (5) Business Days following the Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Date, a Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Notice providing for the method of settlement for the
Discretionary-Settled PSUs in respect of any or all vested Discretionary-Settled PSUs held by the Participant; and
|
c. |
in the Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Notice, the Corporation will elect, in the Corporation’s sole discretion, including with respect to any fractional Discretionary-Settled PSUs, to settle vested Discretionary-Settled PSUs for
their Cash Equivalent (determined in accordance with Section 7.4(1)), Shares (determined in accordance with Section 7.4(2)) or a combination thereof; provided, however, that the Corporation shall at all relevant times reserve the right to
modify the method of settlement (even if a Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Notice has already been delivered to the Participant).
|
2. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in no event will the PSU Vesting Date (and any subsequent payment with respect thereof) for any Discretionary-Settled PSUs granted hereunder be made later than the Outside Settlement Date,
and any Discretionary-Settled PSUs that have not settled and been paid by such date will automatically Expire or will accelerate and be settled and paid out by such date, at the sole discretion of the Board.
|
Section 7.2 |
Settlement of Share-Settled PSUs
|
1. |
Except as otherwise provided in a PSU Participant’s Grant Agreement or any other provision of this Plan:
|
a. |
all of the vested Share-Settled PSUs covered by a particular grant and the related vested Share-Settled PSUs credited pursuant to Section 2.14 may be settled on the first Business Day following their PSU Vesting Date (the “Share-Settled PSU Settlement Date”);
|
b. |
a PSU Participant shall become entitled to deliver to the Corporation, on or before the Share-Settled PSU Settlement Date, a Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice in respect of any or all vested Share-Settled PSUs held by the PSU
Participant; and
|
c. |
in the PSU Settlement Notice, the PSU Participant may elect, in the PSU Participant’s sole discretion, including with respect to any fractional PSUs, to settle vested Share-Settled PSUs for their Cash Equivalent (determined in accordance
with Section 7.4(1)), Shares (determined in accordance with Section 7.4(2)) or a combination thereof.
|
2. |
Subject to Section 7.2(3), settlement of Share-Settled PSUs shall take the form set out in the Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice through delivery of:
|
a. |
in the case of settlement of Performance Share Units for their Cash Equivalent, an amount to the PSU Participant representing the Cash Equivalent;
|
b. |
in the case of settlement of Performance Share Units for Shares, issuance of Shares to the Participant; or
|
c. |
in the case of settlement of Performance Share Units for a combination of Shares and the Cash Equivalent, a combination of (a) and (b) above.
|
3. |
Except as otherwise provided in a PSU Participant’s Grant Agreement, if a Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice is not received by the Corporation on or before the Share-Settled PSU Settlement Date, settlement shall take the form of Shares
as set out in Section 7.4(2)(b).
|
4. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, in the event that a Share-Settled PSU Settlement Date falls during a closed trading period or other trading restriction imposed by the Corporation and a PSU Participant has not delivered a
Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice, then such Share-Settled PSU Settlement Date shall be automatically extended to the tenth (10th) Business Day following the date that such closed trading period or other trading restriction is lifted,
terminated or removed.
|
Section 7.3 |
U.S. Participants
|
Section 7.4 |
Determination of Amounts
|
1. |
Cash Equivalent of Performance Share Units. For purposes of determining the Cash Equivalent of
Performance Share Units to be made pursuant to Section 7.1(1) or Section 7.2(1), such calculation will be made on the Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Date or the Share-Settled PSU Settlement Date, as applicable, based on the Market
Value on such date multiplied by the number of corresponding vested Performance Share Units in the Participant’s Performance Share Unit notional account which is to be settled in cash pursuant to the Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement
Notice or Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice, as applicable.
|
2. |
Payment in Shares; Issuance of Shares. For the purposes of determining the number of Shares to be
issued and delivered to a PSU Participant upon settlement of Performance Share Units pursuant to Section 7.1 or Section 7.2, such calculation will be made on the Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Date or the Share-Settled PSU Settlement
Date, as applicable, based on the whole number of Shares equal to the whole number of corresponding vested Performance Share Units then recorded in the Participant’s Performance Share Unit notional account which is to be settled pursuant to
the Discretionary-Settled PSU Settlement Notice or the Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice, as applicable. The entitlement of the PSU Participant under this Plan shall be satisfied in full by such issuance of Shares. If applicable and if
elected by the PSU Participant in a Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice, the Corporation shall also make a cash payment to the PSU Participant with respect to the value of fractional Performance Share Units standing to the PSU Participant’s
credit after the maximum number of whole Shares have been issued by the Corporation, calculated by multiplying (i) the number of such fractional Performance Share Units by (ii) the Market Value on the Share-Settled PSU Settlement Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any particular vested fractional Share-Settled PSUs, if not so elected to be paid in cash by the PSU Participant in a Share-Settled PSU Settlement Notice and if no further vested or unvested
Share-Settled PSUs remain in such PSU Participant’s Performance Share Unit notional account, the Corporation reserves the right to cancel such vested fractional Share-Settled PSUs, and such fractional Share-Settled PSUs shall then be deemed
to have Expired. For clarity, in no event shall the Corporation have the right to settle a fractional Share-Settled PSU in cash without the prior election of the PSU Participant.
|
Section 7.5 |
Termination of Employment or Engagement
|
Section 8.1 |
Conversion or Exchange of Units
|
Section 8.2 |
Notice to Participants
|
Section 8.3 |
Acceleration of Vesting
|
Section 9.1 |
Change in Status
|
Section 10.1 |
Adoption
|
1. |
Restricted Share Units. The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant, as of ###GRANT_DATE###, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, ###TOTAL_AWARDS### [Discretionary-Settled][Share-Settled] RSUs (the “Restricted Share Units”), vesting in accordance with the terms of this Grant Agreement and in accordance with the Plan. [Once vested, the Restricted Share Units subject to this Grant Agreement shall
be settled in Shares on the applicable Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date.] [or] [Prior to the applicable Share-Settled RSU Settlement Date, the Participant shall be entitled to deliver a Share-Settled RSU Settlement Notice in accordance
with Section 4.2(1)(b) of the Plan.]
|
2. |
Vesting of the Restricted Share Units. Subject to the terms of the Plan including but not limited to the suspension of vesting during an Authorized Leave and the requirement that the Participant continue to be in Active Employment or
Active Engagement with the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation through each RSU Vesting Date (except in the case of an Authorized Leave), the Restricted Share Units shall vest according to the following table:
|
Date
|
% of Restricted Share Units Vested
|
###VEST_SCHEDULE_TABLE###
|
|
3. |
Taxes and Fees. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if the Corporation [elects to] settle[s] the Restricted Share Units in Shares, the Participant hereby directs, at the Corporation’s discretion on each RSU Settlement
Date, that [(a)] such number of Shares are to be sold, and the proceeds of such Shares delivered to the Corporation, as is necessary to put the Corporation in funds equal to the amount that is required as full payment for all applicable
withholding taxes and any applicable settlement fees[; or (b) such number of Restricted Share Units be settled for cash as is necessary to raise funds sufficient to cover such withholding taxes with such amount being withheld by the
Corporation].
|
4. |
Acknowledgement of Participant. By voluntarily accepting and executing this Grant Agreement, the Participant represents that:
|
(a) |
the Participant has not been induced to participate in the Plan by expectation of continued employment or engagement, as applicable, with the Corporation or its Affiliates;
|
(b) |
the Participant has received or has had the opportunity to receive independent legal advice in connection with the terms of the Plan and this Grant Agreement (including the consequences of the Participant’s cessation of employment or
engagement as the case may be, and the consequences of the Participant taking an Authorized Leave, if applicable);
|
(c) |
the grant of Restricted Share Units does not create the right or expectation for any additional grants of Units under the Plan, even if the Participant has been repeatedly awarded grants of Restricted Share Units;
|
(d) |
the Participant understands that there is no promise of a particular monetary value associated with the vesting of such Restricted Share Units and if the Participant receives Shares upon the vesting of the Restricted Share Units the
value of such Shares may increase or decrease;
|
(e) |
Restricted Share Units do not form an integral part of the Participant’s compensation from employment or engagement, as applicable and will not be counted for any purpose including relating to the calculation of any overtime,
severance, bonuses or retirement income;
|
(f) |
in the event the Participant is not an employee, the grant of Restricted Share Units will not be interpreted to create an employment relationship with the Corporation or an Affiliate
|
(g) |
the Participant has received a copy of the Plan and warrants that the terms of the Plan and this Grant Agreement are fair and reasonable and will not make a claim to the contrary; and
|
(h) |
the Participant has read the terms of the Plan and this Grant Agreement and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Grant Agreement.
|
5. |
Understanding the Consequences arising from an Authorized Leave and/or
Termination of Employment/ Engagement or Change of Status. For absolute certainty, by accepting and executing this Grant Agreement, the Participant specifically
acknowledges that the Participant has read and understood the terms set out in Section 3.5 and Section 4.3 of the Plan and the associated definitions contained in the Plan and the Participant agrees that the Participant is not entitled
to and will not make any claim for vesting of Restricted Share Units or damages or compensation in lieu thereof in respect of the period that follows the earlier of the Outside RSU Vesting Date or the RSU Termination Date, as the case
may be. The Participant agrees that the Plan and this Grant Agreement fully displace any common law or civil law rights that the Participant may have with respect to the Restricted Share Units. The Participant also understands that
should they be permitted to change status from full-time to part-time service, or should they experience a Change in Status, such change in status may impact the treatment of RSUs granted hereunder. The foregoing shall apply, regardless
of: (i) the reason for the termination of Participant’s employment or engagement; (ii) whether such termination is with or without advance notice, lawful or unlawful lawful, or with or without Cause; (iii) whether it is the Participant
or the Corporation or one of its Affiliates that initiate the termination; and (iv) any fundamental changes, over time, to the terms and conditions applicable to the Participant’s employment or engagement.
|
6. |
Subject to Plan. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Restricted Share Units shall be subject in all respects to the provisions of the Plan, the terms and conditions of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference, as
same may be amended from time to time in accordance therewith.
|
7. |
Shareholder Rights. A Participant shall have no rights whatsoever as a shareholder in respect of any of the Restricted Share Units.
|
8. |
Transfer of Restricted Share Unit. The Restricted Share Units granted pursuant to this Grant Agreement shall not be assignable or transferable by the Participant, except in accordance with the Plan.
|
9. |
Notice.
Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of the Plan.
|
10. |
Governing Law. This Grant Agreement and the Restricted Share Units shall be governed by and interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
|
11. |
Compliance with Employment Standards Legislation. It is understood and agreed that all provisions of the Plan and this Grant Agreement are subject to all applicable minimum requirements of employment standards legislation and it
is the intention of Corporation and its Affiliates to comply with all such minimum requirements. Accordingly, the Plan and this Grant Agreement shall: (i) not be interpreted as in any way waiving or contracting out of employment
standards legislation; and (ii) be interpreted to achieve compliance with such legislation. In the event that the minimum applicable requirements of employment standards legislation provide the Participant with a superior right or
entitlement upon termination of employment or otherwise (“Statutory Entitlements”) than provided for under the Plan and this Grant Agreement, the Participant shall be provided with the
Participant’s minimum Statutory Entitlements in substitution for the Participant’s rights under the Plan and this Grant Agreement. There shall be no presumption of strict interpretation against Corporation or any of its Affiliates.
|
12. |
French Language. To the extent the Participant is located in Quebec, the Participant hereby acknowledges having examined a French version of this Grant Agreement and hereby confirms their express wish to accept and be bound only by
the English version of this Grant Agreement and to receive all other documents related to it, including notices, in the English language only and declare themselves satisfied with this. Je reconnais
avoir pris connaissance de la version française de la présente convention et confirme par la présente ma volonté expresse de signer et d’être lié(e) par la présente convention en langue anglaise seulement et de recevoir tous les
autres documents y afférents, y compris les avis, en langue anglaise seulement et m’en déclare satisfait.
|
SHOPIFY INC.
|
|
Per: ###SIGNATURE###
|
|
Authorized Signing Officer
|
Date
|
Participant’s Signature
|
|
(Print Name) |
Date
|
Participant’s Signature
|
|
(Print Name)
|
(a) |
I have received and reviewed a copy of the terms of the Plan and have reviewed, considered and agreed to be bound by the terms of this Election Notice and the Plan.
|
(b) |
To the extent the Participant is located in Quebec, the Participant hereby acknowledges having examined a French version of this Election Notice and hereby confirms their express wish to accept and be bound only by the English version
of this Election Notice and to receive all other documents related to it, including agreements and notices, in the English language only and declare themselves satisfied with this. Je reconnais avoir
pris connaissance de la version française du présent avis et confirme par la présente ma volonté expresse de signer et d’être lié(e) par la présent avis en langue anglaise seulement et de recevoir tous les autres documents y afférents,
y compris des conventions et des avis, en langue anglaise seulement et m’en déclare satisfait.
|
(c) |
I recognize that when Deferred Share Units are settled in accordance with the terms of the Plan, income tax and other withholdings as required will arise at that time. Upon settlement of the Deferred Share Units, the Corporation will
make or arrange with me to make all appropriate withholdings as required by law at that time.
|
(d) |
The value of Deferred Share Units is based on the value of the Shares of the Corporation and therefore is not guaranteed and I will not make any claim for compensation in addition to the value of the DSUs at the time of settlement of
the DSUs.
|
Date
|
(Name of Participant)
|
(Signature of Participant)
|
Name
|
|
Award Date
|
Signature
|
Date
|
On behalf of the Corporation:
|
Name:
|
Title:
|
Date
|
(Name of Participant)
|
(Signature of Participant)
|
(i) |
the Cash Equivalent, calculated in accordance with Section 5.8(1) of the Plan;
|
(ii) |
Shares, calculated in accordance with Section 5.8(2) of the Plan; or
|
(iii) |
the Cash Equivalent for ___________ Deferred Share Units and Shares for __________ Deferred Share Units.
|
(i) |
enclose cash, a certified cheque, bank draft or money order payable to the Corporation in the amount of $ as full payment for the applicable withholding taxes and any applicable settlement fees;
|
(ii) |
undertake to direct that such number of Shares are to be sold, and the proceeds of such Shares delivered to the Corporation, as is necessary to put the Corporation in funds equal to the amount that would
have otherwise been required in (i) above; or
|
(iii) |
elect to settle for cash such number of Deferred Share Units as is necessary raise funds sufficient to cover such withholding taxes and any applicable settlement fees with such amount being withheld by the
Corporation.
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Date
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Participant’s Signature
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(Print Name) |
1. |
Performance Share Units. The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant, as of ________________, 20____, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, _____________ [Discretionary-Settled][Share-Settled] PSUs (the “Performance Share Units”), exercisable in accordance with the terms of this Grant Agreement and in accordance with the Plan.
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2. |
Vesting of the Performance Share Units. Subject to the terms of the Plan, including the requirement that the Participant continue to be in Active Employment or Active Engagement with the Corporation or an Affiliate of the Corporation
through the PSU Vesting Date, vesting of Performance Share Units is subject to the following Performance Criteria:
|
3. |
Taxes and Fees. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if the Corporation [elects to] settle[s] the Performance Share Units in Shares, the Participant hereby directs, at the Corporation’s discretion on each PSU
Settlement Date, that [(a)] such number of Shares are to be sold, and the proceeds of such Shares delivered to the Corporation, as is necessary to put the Corporation in funds equal to the amount that is required as full payment for all
applicable withholding taxes and any applicable settlement fees[; or (b) such number of Performance Share Units be settled for cash as is necessary to raise funds sufficient to cover such withholding taxes with such amount being
withheld by the Corporation].
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4. |
Acknowledgement of Participant. By voluntarily accepting and executing this Grant Agreement, the Participant represents that:
|
(a) |
the Participant has not been induced to participate in the Plan by expectation of continued employment or engagement, as applicable, with the Corporation or its Affiliates;
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(b) |
the Participant has received or has had the opportunity to receive independent legal advice in connection with the terms of the Plan and this Grant Agreement (including the consequences of the Participant’s
cessation of employment or engagement as the case may be, and the consequences of the Participant taking an Authorized Leave, if applicable);
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(c) |
the grant of Performance Share Units does not create the right or expectation
for any additional grants of Units under the Plan, even if the Participant has been repeatedly awarded grants of Performance Share Units;
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(d) |
the Participant understands that there is no promise of a particular monetary value associated with the vesting of such Performance Share Units and if the Participant receives Shares upon the vesting of the
Performance Share Units, the value of such Shares may increase or decrease;
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(e) |
Performance Share Units do not form an integral part of the Participant’s compensation from employment or engagement, as applicable and will not be counted for any purpose including relating to the
calculation of any overtime, severance, bonuses or retirement income;
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(f) |
in the event the Participant is not an employee, the grant of Performance Share Units will not be interpreted to create an employment relationship with the Corporation or an Affiliate;
|
(g) |
the Participant has received a copy of the Plan and warrants that the terms of the Plan and this Grant Agreement are fair and reasonable and will not make a claim to the contrary; and
|
(h) |
the Participant has read the terms of the Plan and this Grant Agreement and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Grant Agreement.
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5. |
Understanding the Consequences arising from Termination of Employment/
Engagement or Change of Status. For absolute certainty, by accepting and executing this Grant Agreement, the Participant specifically acknowledges that the
Participant has read and understood the terms set out in Section 7.5 of the Plan and the definitions contained in the Plan and the Participant agrees that the Participant is not entitled to and will not make any claim for vesting of
Performance Share Units or damages or compensation in lieu thereof in respect of the period that follows the PSU Termination Date. The Participant agrees that the Plan and this Grant Agreement fully displace any common law or civil law
rights that the Participant may have with respect to the Performance Share Units. The Participant also understands that should they be permitted to change status from full-time to part-time service, or should they experience a Change in
Status, such change in status may impact the treatment of PSUs granted hereunder. The foregoing shall apply, regardless of: (i) the reason for the termination of Participant’s employment or engagement; (ii) whether such termination is
with or without advance notice, lawful or unlawful lawful, or with or without Cause; (iii) whether it is the Participant or the Corporation or one of its Affiliates that initiate the termination; and (iv) any fundamental changes, over
time, to the terms and conditions applicable to the Participant’s employment or engagement.
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6. |
Subject to Plan. Except as otherwise provided for herein, the Performance Share Units shall be subject in all respects to the provisions of the Plan, the terms and conditions of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference,
as same may be amended from time to time in accordance therewith.
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7. |
Shareholder Rights. A Participant shall have no rights whatsoever as a shareholder in respect of any of the Performance Share Units.
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8. |
Transfer of Performance Share Unit. The Performance Share Units granted pursuant to this Grant Agreement shall not be assignable or transferable by the Participant, except in accordance with the Plan.
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9. |
Notice.
Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of the Plan.
|
10. |
Governing Law. This Agreement and the Performance Share Units shall be governed by and interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
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11. |
Compliance with Employment Standards Legislation. It is understood and agreed that all provisions of the Plan and this Grant Agreement are subject to all applicable minimum requirements of employment standards legislation and it
is the intention of Corporation and its Affiliates to comply with all such minimum requirements. Accordingly, the Plan and this Grant Agreement shall: (i) not be interpreted as in any way waiving or contracting out of employment
standards legislation; and (ii) be interpreted to achieve compliance with such legislation. In the event that the minimum applicable requirements of employment standards legislation provide the Participant with a superior right or
entitlement upon termination of employment or otherwise (“Statutory Entitlements”) than provided for under the Plan and this Grant Agreement, the Participant shall be provided with the
Participant’s minimum Statutory Entitlements in substitution for the Participant’s rights under the Plan and this Grant Agreement. There shall be no presumption of strict interpretation against Corporation or any of its Affiliates.
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12. |
French Language. To the extent the Participant is located in Quebec, the Participant hereby acknowledges having examined a French version of this Grant Agreement and hereby confirms their express wish to accept and be bound only by
the English version of this Grant Agreement and to receive all other documents related to it, including notices, in the English language only and declare themselves satisfied with this. Je reconnais
avoir pris connaissance de la version française de la présente convention et confirme par la présente ma volonté expresse de signer et d’être lié(e) par la présente convention en langue anglaise seulement et de recevoir tous les
autres documents y afférents, y compris les avis, en langue anglaise seulement et m’en déclare satisfait.
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SHOPIFY INC.
|
|
Per:
|
|
Authorized Signing Officer
|
NAME OF PARTICIPANT:
|
|
SIGNATURE OF PARTICIPANT:
|
|
Address:
|
(i) |
the Cash Equivalent, calculated in accordance with Section 7.4(1) of the Plan;
|
(ii) |
Shares, calculated in accordance with Section 7.4(2) of the Plan; or
|
(iii) |
the Cash Equivalent for ______________ Performance Share Units and Shares for ______________ Performance Share Units.
|
(i) |
enclose cash, a certified cheque, bank draft or money order payable to the Corporation in the amount of $ ___________ as full payment for the applicable withholding taxes and any applicable settlement fees;
|
(ii) |
undertake to direct that such number of Shares are to be sold, and the proceeds of such Shares delivered to the Corporation, as is necessary to put the Corporation in funds equal to the amount that would
have otherwise been required in (i) above; or
|
(iii) |
elect to settle for cash such number of Performance Share Units as is necessary to raise funds sufficient to cover such withholding taxes and any applicable settlement fees with such amount being withheld
by the Corporation.
|
Date
|
Participant’s Signature
(Print Name)
|
(i) |
undertake to direct that such number of Shares are to be sold, and the proceeds of such Shares delivered to the Corporation, as is necessary to put the Corporation in funds equal to the amount required to
cover withholding taxes and any applicable settlement fees, and receive the balance as shares, the location of which I will specify with the Corporation’s equity administration software;
|
(ii) |
elect to settle for cash such number of Performance Share Units as is necessary to raise funds sufficient to cover such withholding taxes and any applicable settlement fees with such amount being withheld
by the Corporation, and receive the balance as cash.]
|
Date
|
Participant’s Signature
|
|
(Print Name) |