As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2019

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Village Farms International, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Canada   98-1007671

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

4700-80 th Street

Delta, British Columbia V4K 3N3

Canada

(Address, Including Zip Code of Principal Executive Offices)

Village Farms International, Inc. Share-Based Compensation Plan

(Full title of Plans)

CT Corporation

111 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10011

(212) 894-8940

(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Steven M. Skolnick, Esq.

Lowenstein Sandler LLP

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Telephone: (212) 262-6700

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title Of Securities

To Be Registered

 

Amount

To Be

Registered(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Share

 

Proposed

Maximum
Aggregate

Offering Price

 

Amount Of

Registration Fee

Common Shares, no par value per share

  4,766,034   $13.49(2)   $64,293,799(2)   $7,792.41(2)

 

 

(1)

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (this “Registration Statement”) covers (i) common shares, no par value per share (“Common Shares”), of Village Farms International, Inc. (the “Registrant”) issuable pursuant to the Village Farms International, Inc. Share-Based Compensation Plan (the “Plan”); and (ii) pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), any additional Common Shares that become issuable under the Plan by reason of any share dividend, share split, recapitalization or other similar transaction.

(2)

Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) and Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act, solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee for Common Shares to be issued pursuant to the Plan, based on the average of the high and low prices reported for a Common Share on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on March 12, 2019.

 

 

 


PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The documents containing the information specified in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of Form S-8 will be delivered to participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions to Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents are incorporated herein by reference:

(a) The Registrant’s effective Registration Statement on Form 40-F filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on January 18, 2019;

(b) The report on Form 6-K/A furnished by the Registrant to the Commission on March 15, 2019, excluding Exhibits 99.2 and 99.3 thereto;

(c) All reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since January 18, 2019; and

(d) The description of the Common Shares contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 40-F, as filed with the Commission on January 18, 2019, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of amending such description.

In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein) modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 124 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”), as amended, provides as follows:

Indemnification

(1) A corporation may indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or another individual who acts or acted at the corporation’s request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with the corporation or other entity.


Advance of costs

(2) A corporation may advance moneys to a director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to in subsection (1). The individual shall repay the moneys if the individual does not fulfill the conditions of subsection (3).

Limitation

(3) A corporation may not indemnify an individual under subsection (1) unless the individual

(a) acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at the corporation’s request; and

(b) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.

Indemnification in derivative actions

(4) A corporation may with the approval of a court, indemnify an individual referred to in subsection (1), or advance moneys under subsection (2), in respect of an action by or on behalf of the corporation or other entity to procure a judgment in its favour, to which the individual is made a party because of the individual’s association with the corporation or other entity as described in subsection (1) against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with such action, if the individual fulfils the conditions set out in subsection (3).

Right to indemnity

(5) Despite subsection (1), an individual referred to in that subsection is entitled to indemnity from the corporation in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with the defence of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which the individual is subject because of the individual’s association with the corporation or other entity as described in subsection (1), if the individual seeking indemnity

(a) was not judged by the court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the individual ought to have done; and

(b) fulfils the conditions set out in subsection (3).

Insurance

(6) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an individual referred to in subsection (1) against any liability incurred by the individual

(a) in the individual’s capacity as a director or officer of the corporation; or

(b) in the individual’s capacity as a director or officer, or similar capacity, of another entity, if the individual acts or acted in that capacity at the corporation’s request.

Application to court

(7) A corporation, an individual or an entity referred to in subsection (1) may apply to a court for an order approving an indemnity under this section and the court may so order and make any further order that it sees fit.

Notice to Director

(8) An applicant under subsection (7) shall give the Director notice of the application and the Director is entitled to appear and be heard in person or by counsel.


Other notice

(9) On an application under subsection (7) the court may order notice to be given to any interested person and the person is entitled to appear and be heard in person or by counsel.

Registrant By-laws

Section 5 of By-law No. 2 of the Registrant provides as follows:

5.1 Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Registrant shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Registrant’s request as a director or officer, or in a similar capacity of another entity, and the heirs and legal representatives of such a person to the extent permitted by the CBCA.

5.2 Insurance. The Registrant may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person referred to in the preceding section to the extent permit by the CBCA.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore, unenforceable.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed

Not Applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

    
4.1    Articles of Amalgamation of the Registrant (filed herewith)
4.2    By-laws of the Registrant (filed herewith)
4.3    Specimen Common Share Certificate of the Registrant (filed herewith)
5.1    Opinion of Torys LLP, Canadian counsel to the Registrant (filed herewith)
23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (filed herewith)
23.2    Consent of Torys LLP, Canadian counsel to the Registrant (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24    Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages hereof)
99.1    Village Farms International, Inc. Share-Based Compensation Plan (filed herewith)

Item 9. Undertakings.

(a) The Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment hereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

provided, however,  that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.


(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in such Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

    
  4.1    Articles of Amalgamation of the Registrant (filed herewith)
  4.2    By-laws of the Registrant (filed herewith)
  4.3    Specimen Common Share Certificate of the Registrant (filed herewith)
  5.1    Opinion of Torys LLP, Canadian counsel to the Registrant (filed herewith)
23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (filed herewith)
23.2    Consent of Torys LLP, Canadian counsel to the Registrant (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24    Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages hereof)
99.1    Village Farms International, Inc. Share-Based Compensation Plan (filed herewith)


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing this Registration Statement and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Delta, British Columbia on this 15th day of March, 2019.

 

Village Farms International, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Michael A. DeGiglio

  Name: Michael A. DeGiglio
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Michael A. DeGiglio and Stephen C. Ruffini and each of them, individually, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities, in connection with this Registration Statement, including to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, this Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments and registrations filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Michael A. DeGiglio

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 
Michael A. DeGiglio    (principal executive officer)   March 15, 2019

/s/ Stephen C. Ruffini

  

Chief Financial Officer and Director

 
Stephen C. Ruffini   

(principal financial officer and

principal accounting officer)

  March 15, 2019

/s/ John P. Henry

  

Director

  March 15, 2019
John P. Henry     

/s/ John R. McLernon

  

Director, Chair

  March 15, 2019
John R. McLernon     

/s/ Christopher C. Woodward

  

Director

  March 15, 2019
Christopher C. Woodward     

     

  

Director

 
David Holewinski     

     

  

Director

 
Dr. Roberta Cook     

Exhibit 4.1

 

1 + 1 Industry Canada    Industrie Canada
Certificate    Certificat
of Amalgamation    de fusion

 

Canada Business

   Loi canadienne sur
Corporations Act    les societes par actions

 

HOT HOUSE GROWERS INC.    421234-7

 

  

 

Name of corporation-Denomination de la societe    Corporation number-Numero de la societe

 

I hereby certify that the above-named corporation resulted from an amalgamation, under section 185 of the Canada Business Corporations Act, of the corporations set out in the attached articles of amalgamation.

  

 

Je certifie que la societe susmentiormee est issue d’une fusion, en vertu de l’article 185 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, des societes dont les denominations apparaissent dans les statuts de fusion ci-joints.

 

LOGO

 

   December 23, 2003 / le 23 decembre 2003
Director - Directeur   

 

Date of Amalgamation - Date de fusion

Canada


LOGO


SCHEDULE I

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHING TO THE COMMON SHARES

1.1 The holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at all meetings of the Shareholders of the Corporation, except meetings at which only holders of a specified class of shares are entitled to vote. Each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote at all such meetings.

1.2 Subject to the rights of the holders of the Class A Shares, the holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to receive, out of monies of the Corporation properly applicable to the payment of dividends, dividends from time to time as and when declared by the directors.

1.3 Subject to the rights of the holders of the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares, in the event of a Liquidation (as hereinafter defined), the holders of the Common Shares, after payment of or other proper provisions for all of the liabilities of the Corporation and the payment of the amounts payable to the holders of the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares, will be entitled to share rateably in all remaining assets of the Corporation.

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHING TO THE CLASS A SHARES

The Class A Shares shall have the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:

ARTICLE 1

INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

For the purposes of these share provisions:

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Corporation;

“Business Day” means a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday, when banks are generally open in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, for the transaction of banking business;

“Catch-Up Dividend” means the dividend declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Governance Agreement and the provisions hereof immediately prior to the redemption or exchange of any Class A Share ;

“CBCA” means Canada Business Corporations Act, as amended from time to time;

“Class A Shares” mean the non-voting Class A Shares in the capital of the Corporation, having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth herein;


“Class B Shares” means the non-voting Class B Shares in the capital of the Corporation, having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth herein;

“Common Shares” means the Common Shares in the capital of the Corporation, having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth herein;

“Corporation” means Hot House Growers Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada;

“Declaration of Trust” means the declaration of trust dated November 10, 2003 by which the Fund is governed, as amended, restated and supplemented from time to time;

“Exchange Agreement” means the agreement made between the Fund, the Corporation and Canagro Century Holdings Inc. providing for, inter olio, the right of a holder of Class A Shares and Common Shares to exchange, directly or indirectly, such Class A Shares and Common Shares for Units of the Fund with such changes thereto as the parties thereto, acting reasonably, may agree;

“Fund” means Hot House Growers Income Fund, a trust governed by the Declaration of Trust;

“Governance Agreement” means the agreement made between the Fund, Canagro Century Holdings Inc. and the Corporation providing for, inter alia, certain matters related to the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation with such changes thereto as the parties thereto, acting reasonably, may agree;

“holder” means, when used with reference to the Class A Shares, a holder of a Class A Share shown from time to time in the register maintained by or on behalf of the Corporation in respect of the Class  A Shares;

“Liquidation” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.1 of these share provisions;

“Liquidation Amount” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1 of these share provisions;

“Liquidation Call Right” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Governance Agreement;

“Liquidation Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1 of these share provisions;

“Note Indenture” means the note indenture providing for the issuance of the Notes by the Corporation and made between the Corporation and the Note Trustee;

“Note Trustee” means Computershare Trust Company of Canada, or any successor thereof;

 

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“Notes” means the 12.75% unsecured, subordinated notes of the Corporation to be issued by the Corporation pursuant to the Note Indenture;

“Offering” means the offering of Units pursuant to the prospectus (final) of the Fund dated December 15, 2003;

“Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, trust, body corporate, government, governmental body, agency or instrumentality, unincorporated body of persons or association;

“Redemption Amount” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6,4;

“Redemption Date” means the date, if any, established by the Board of Directors from time to time for the redemption by the Corporation of the whole or any part of the outstanding Class A Shares pursuant to Article 6 of these share provisions;

“Redemption Notice” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.3 of these share provisions;

“Redemption Price” means $10 with respect to each Class A Share;

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act (British Columbia) and the rules, regulations and policies made thereunder, as now in effect;

“Subscription” means the subscription by the holder of a Class A Share in the form of Schedule A hereto by which the holder of the Class A Shares refen•ed to therein agrees to subscribe for, and take up and pay for, Notes in the principal amount of $10 for each Class  A Share to be redeemed; and

“Transfer Agent” means Computershare Investor Services Inc., or such other Person as may from time to time be appointed by the Corporation as the registrar and transfer agent for the Common Shares, the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares.

ARTICLE 2

RANKING OF CLASS A SHARES

2.1 The Class A Shares shall be entitled to a preference over the Common Shares and any other shares ranking junior to the Class A Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and to a preference over the Common Shares and any shares of the Corporation ranking junior to the Class A Shares, but the Class A Shares shall be junior to the Class B Shares, with respect to the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation, among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs (a “ Liquidation ”).

 

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ARTICLE 3

DIVIDENDS

3.1 The holders of the Class A Shares, in priority to the holders of the Common Shares, shall be entitled to receive and the Corporation shall pay thereon, as and when declared by the Board of Directors out of moneys of the Corporation properly applicable to the payment of dividends, fixed preferential cumulative cash dividends at the rate of $1.275 per share per annum. If dividends on the Class A Shares are not declared by the Board of Directors within 12 months from the last day of the fiscal quarter in which such dividends accrued, the entitlement of the holder of such shares to such dividends shall cease. Dividends on the Class A Shares will be declared by the Board of Directors in the order in which such dividends accrued. Such dividends shall accrue from day to day from and including the date of issue of any such shares. Subject to Section 3.1 of the Governance Agreement, dividends on the Class A Shares if declared, will be payable on or before the last day of each calendar month immediately following the month for which the dividend accrues or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next following Business Day (other than a dividend that accrues in December in which case “next following” will be read as “immediately preceding”).

3.2 Cheques of the Corporation payable at par at any branch of the bankers of the Corporation shall be issued in respect of any cash dividends contemplated by Section 3.1 and the sending of such a cheque to each holder of a Class A Share shall satisfy the cash dividend represented thereby unless the cheque is not paid on presentation. No holder of a Class A Share shall be entitled to recover by action or other legal process against the Corporation any dividend that is represented by a cheque that has not been duly presented to the Corporation’s bankers for payment or that otherwise remains unclaimed for a period of six years from the date on which such dividend was first payable. The Corporation may pay the Catch-Up Dividend at the time of declaration thereof by the issuance and delivery of a promissory note of the Corporation in a principal amount equal to the amount of the Catch-Up Dividend as determined pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Governance Agreement and the issuance and delivery of such a note to the holders of Class A Shares shall satisfy the obligation to pay the Catch-Up Dividend.

3.3 The record date for the determination of the holders of Class A Shares entitled to receive payment of, and the payment date for, any dividend payable on the Class A Shares pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be the 15111 day of the calendar month immediately following the month for which the dividend accrues or such other date as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

3.4 Except as provided in this Article 3, the holders of Class A Shares shall not be entitled to receive dividends in respect thereof.

ARTICLE 4

CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS

4.1 So long as any of the Class A Shares are outstanding, without first obtaining any approval that may then be prescribed by applicable law and the approval of the registered holders of the outstanding Class A Shares pursuant to Section 9.2, the Corporation shall not at any time:

 

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  (a)

declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend on the Common Shares or any other shares of the Corporation ranking junior to the Class A Shares with respect to the payment of dividends;

 

  (b)

redeem, purchase or otherwise retire or make any capital distribution on or in respect of any Common Shares or any other shares of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Class A Shares with respect to the payment of amounts upon a Liquidation;

 

  (c)

redeem, purchase or otherwise retire less than all the Class A Shares then outstanding; or

 

  (d)

redeem, purchase or otherwise retire any other shares of the Corporation ranking as to the payment of dividends or the return of capital junior to or on a parity with the Class A Shares,

unless all dividends then accrued upon the Class A Shares shall have been declared and paid or set apart for payment in respect of the Class A Shares.

ARTICLE 5

DISTRIBUTION ON LIQUIDATION

5.1 In the event of a Liquidation, a holder of Class A Shares shall be entitled, subject to applicable law and to the exercise by the Fund of the Liquidation Call Right, to receive from the assets of the Corporation in respect of each Class  A Share held by such holder on the effective date (the “ Liquidation Date ”) of such liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or distribution of assets, before any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation among the holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class A Shares and after distribution of the assets of the Corporation among the holders of the Class B Shares with respect to the payment of amounts upon a Liquidation, an amount per share equal to $10 per share plus all declared and unpaid dividends thereon (the total herein called the “ Liquidation Amount ”),

5.2 On or promptly after the Liquidation Date, and subject to the exercise by the Fund of the Liquidation Call Right, the Corporation shall cause to be delivered to the holders of the Class A Shares the Liquidation Amount for each such Class A Share upon presentation and surrender of the certificates representing such Class A Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of Class A Shares under the CBCA and the articles and by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Transfer Agent and the Corporation may reasonably require, at the registered office of the Corporation or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Corporation by notice to the holders of the Class A Shares. Payment of the total Liquidation Amount for such Class A Shares shall be made by delivery to each holder, at the address of the holder recorded in the register of the Corporation for the Class A Shares or by holding for pick-up by the holder at the registered office of the Corporation or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Corporation by notice to the holders of Class A Shares. On and after the Liquidation Date, the holders of the Class A Shares shall cease to be holders of such Class A Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect thereof (including any rights

 

- 5 -


under the Exchange Agreement), other than the right to receive their proportionate part of the total Liquidation Amount, unless payment of the total Liquidation Amount for such Class A Shares shall not be made upon presentation and sun-ender of share certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the holders shall remain unaffected until the total Liquidation Amount to which such holders are entitled shall have been paid to such holders in the manner hercinbcforc provided. The Corporation shall have the right at any time on or after the Liquidation Date to deposit or cause to be deposited the Liquidation Amount in respect of the (lass A Shares represented by certificates that have not at the Liquidation Date been surrendered by the holders thereof in a custodial account with any chartered bank or trust company in Canada. Upon such deposit being made, the rights of the holders of Class A Shares, after such deposit, shall be limited to receiving their proportionate part of the total Liquidation Amount for such Class A Shares so deposited, against presentation and sun-ender of the said certificates held by them, respectively, in accordance with the foregoing provisions.

5.3 After the Corporation has satisfied its obligations to pay the holders of the Class A Shares the Liquidation Amount per Class A Share, such holders shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of the assets of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 6

REDEMPTION OF CLASS A SHARES BY THE CORPORATION

6.1 Subject to applicable law and the restrictions contemplated in the Governance Agreement, the Corporation may redeem at any time the whole or from time to time any part of the then outstanding Class A Shares for, and require the holder of any Class A Shares to be redeemed to subscribe for Notes with a principal amount equal to, the Redemption Nee. Immediately prior to a redemption of Class A Shares, the holders of the Class A Shares to be redeemed must subscribe for, take up and pay for in cash, a Note in the principal amount of $10 for each Class A Share to be redeemed.

6.2 Subject to Section 4.1(c), if less than all of the then outstanding Class A Shares are to be redeemed at any time under this Article 6, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected by lot or in such other manner as the Board of Directors in its discretion may deem equitable or, if the Board of Directors so determines by resolution, on a pro rata basis, disregarding fractions, according to the number of Class A Shares held by each of the holders of Class A Shares. If only a part of the Class A Shares represented by any certificate arc to be redeemed under this Article 6, a new certificate representing the balance of such shares shall be issued to the holder thereof at the expense of the Corporation upon presentation and surrender of the first mentioned certificate.

6.3 In any case of a redemption of Class A Shares under this Article 6, the Corporation shall, at least 40 days before the Redemption Date send or cause to be sent to each holder of Class A Shares to be redeemed a notice (the “Redemption Notice”) in writing of the redemption by the Corporation of the Class A Shares to be redeemed and held by such holder. The Redemption Notice shall set out the number of Class A Shares which are to be redeemed held by the holder to whom it is addressed, the Redemption Price, the Redemption Date, and the office or offices of the Corporation and any other place or places within Canada at which the holders of the Class A Shares to be redeemed may present and surrender certificates representing such shares for redemption together with a Subscription to be executed and delivered by the holder of such Class A Shares.

 

- 6 -


6.4 On or after the Redemption Date, and after a holder of the Class A Shares to be redeemed has paid the subscription price for the Notes to be taken up and subscribed for by such holder, the Corporation shall pay the Redemption Price and any declared and unpaid dividends on each Class A Share to be redeemed (in aggregate, the “Redemption Amount”) to such holders for each Class A Share redeemed, upon presentation and surrender at the registered office of the Corporation or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Corporation in the Redemption Notice of the certificates representing such Class A Shares, together with such other documents and instniments as may be required to effect a transfer of Class A Shares under the CBCA and the articles and by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the Transfer Agent and the Corporation may reasonably require.

6.5 Payment of the total Redemption Amount for such Class A Shares shall be made by delivery to each holder, at the address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the Corporation or by holding for pick-up by the holder at the registered office of the Corporation or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Corporation in the Redemption Notice, of a cheque of the Corporation for the total Redemption Amount of the Class A Shares of such holder to be redeemed, and such delivery shall satisfy arid discharge all liability of the Corporation for the Redemption Amount, unless such cheque is not paid on due presentation. Subject as hereinafter provided, from and after the Redemption Date specified for redemption in any such Redemption Notice, the Class A Shares called for redemption shall cease to be entitled to dividends or any other participation in the assets of the Corporation and the holders thereof shall not be entitled to exercise any of their other rights as shareholders in respect thereof unless payment of the Redemption Amount shall not be made upon presentation and surrender of the certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the holders shall remain unaffected until the total Redemption Amount has been paid in the manner hereinbe fore provided.

6.6 The Corporation shall have the right at any time after the sending of a Redemption Notice to deposit or cause to be deposited with any chartered bank or trust company in Canada the amount of the declared and unpaid dividends and Notes with an aggregate principal amount equal to the Redemption Price in respect of the Class A Shares so called for redemption, or with respect to such Class A Shares represented by certificates that have not at the date of such deposit been surrendered by the holders thereof in connection with such redemption. Upon such deposit being made or upon the Redemption Date, whichever is u ater, the Class A Shares in respect of which such deposit shall have been made shall be deemed to have been redeemed and the rights of the holders thereof after such deposit or such Redemption Date, as the case may he, shall he limited to receiving their proportion of the amount so deposited without interest, and the Notes, upon presentation and surrender of the certificate or certificates representing the Class A Shares being redeemed and payment of the subscription price for the Notes to be taken up and subscribed for by such holder, or provision for the payment of the amount to be paid in order to take up such shares subject only to the Corporation paying the Redemption Amount for the Class A Shares being redeemed in accordance with the foregoing provisions. Any interest allowed on any such deposit shall belong to the Corporation.

 

- 7 -


ARTICLE 7

VOTING RIGHTS

7.1 Except as required by applicable law (including under the CBCA) and by Article 8, the holders of the Class A Shares shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting.

ARTICLE 8

AMENDMENT AND APPROVAL

8.1 The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Class A Shares may be added to, changed or removed but only with the approval of the holders of the Class A Shares given as hereinafter specified

8.2 Any approval given by the holders of the Class A Shares to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Class A Shares or any other matter requiring the approval or consent of the holders of the Class A Shares shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given if it shall have been given in accordance with applicable law subject to a minimum requirement that such approval be evidenced by (1) a resolution in writing signed by all the holders of Class A Shares entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of holders of Class A Shares, or (ii) a resolution passed by not less than 662/3% of the votes cast on such resolution by holders represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of holders of Class A Shares duly called and held at which the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding Class A Shares at that time are present or represented by proxy; provided that if at any such meeting the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding Class A Shares at that time are not present or represented by proxy within one-half hour after the time appointed for such meeting, then the meeting shall be adjourned to such date not less than five days thereafter and to such time and place as may be designated by the Chair of such meeting. At such adjourned meeting, the holders of Class A Shares present or represented by proxy thereat may transact the business for which the meeting was originally called and a resolution passed thereat by the affirmative vote of not less than 662/3% of the votes cast on such resolution by holders represented in person or by proxy at such meeting shall constitute the approval or consent of the holders of the Class A Shares. For purposes of this section, any spoiled votes, illegible votes, defective votes and abstentions shall be deemed to be votes not cast.

ARTICLE 9

LIQUIDATION CALL RIGHT

9.1 Each holder of a Class A Share, whether of record or beneficial, by virtue of becoming and being such a holder shall be deemed to acknowledge the Liquidation Call Right in favour of the Fund, and the overriding nature thereof in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, or the redemption of Class A Shares and to be bound thereby in favour of the Fund as therein provided.

 

- 8 -


ARTICLE 10

GENERAL

10.1 Any notice, request or other communication to be given to the Corporation by a holder of Class A Shares shall be in writing and shall be valid and effective if given by mail (postage prepaid) or by telecopy or by delivery to the registered office of the Corporation and addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the Corporation. Any such notice, request or other communication, if given by mail, telecopy or delivery, shall only be deemed to have been given and received upon actual receipt thereof by the Corporation.

10.2 Any notice, request or other communication to be given to a holder of Class A Shares by or on behalf of the Corporation shall be in writing and shall be valid and effective if given by mail (postage prepaid) or by delivery to the address of the holder recorded in the register of the Corporation or, in the event of the address of any such holder not being so recorded, then at the last address of such holder known to the Corporation. Any such notice, request or other communication, if given by mail, shall be deemed to have been given and received on the third Business Day following the date of mailing and, if given by delivery, shall be deemed to have been given and received on the date of delivery. Accidental failure or omission to give any notice, request or other communication to one or more holders of Class A Shares shall not invalidate or otherwise alter or affect any action or proceeding intended to be taken by the Corporation pursuant thereto.

 

- 9 -


SCHEDULE A - SUBSCRIPTION

To         HOT HOUSE GROWERS INC. (the “Corporation”)

This notice is given pursuant to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions (the “Share Provisions”) attaching to the Class A Shares of the Corporation represented by the certificates accompanying this Subscription and all capitalized words and expressions used in this notice that are defined in the Share Provisions have the meanings ascribed to such words and expressions in such Share Provisions.

This Subscription is being delivered as a condition to the redemption of the Class A Shares referred to in a Redemption Notice.

The undersigned hereby subscribes for and agrees to take up and pay for Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $10 for each Class A Share that is to be redeemed by the Corporation as referred to in the Redemption Notice (the “Subscription”). The amount paid to the Corporation for the Notes is to be used by the Corporation to redeem the Class A Shares to be redeemed pursuant to the Redemption Notice.

 

 

  

 

  

 

(Date)    (Signature of Shareholder)    (Guarantee of Signature)

 

Please check box if the Notes are to be held for pick-up by the shareholder from the Transfer Agent of the Corporation, failing which the Notes will be mailed to the last address of the shareholder as it appears on the register.

The Notes will be issued and registered in the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation and the Notes will be delivered to such shareholder as indicated above, unless the form appearing immediately below is duly completed.

 

1)atc:  

 

 

Name of Person in Whose Name Notes are to be Registered, Issued or

Delivered (please print):

Street Address or P.O. Box: Signature of Shareholder:

City, Province and Postal Code:

Signature Guaranteed by:

The signature must be guaranteed by a Canadian Chartered Bank or trust company, by a member firm of a recognized stock exchange in Canada or by a member of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program.


RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHING TO THE CLASS B SHARES

The Class B Shares shall have the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:

ARTICLE 1

VOTING

1.1 Except as required by applicable law (including under the CI3CA), the holders of the Class 13 Shares shall not he entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting.

ARTICLE 2

ISSUE PRICE

2.1 Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors on the date of issuance of the Class B Shares, the Class B Shares shall be issued at a price of $1.00 per share.

ARTICLE 3

DIVIDENDS

3.1 The holders of the Class B Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends.

ARTICLE 4

LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING-UP

4.1 In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Class  B Shares shall be entitled to receive, before any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation among the holders of the Common Shares and Class A shares, an amount equal to the redemption amount of the Class B Shares (as hereinafter defined) together with any declared but unpaid dividends thereon. After payment to the holders of the Class B Shares of any amounts so payable to them, the holders thereof shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of assets of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 5

REDEMPTION

5.1 Subject to the provisions of the CBCA, the Corporation may at any time or times at the discretion of the directors redeem all or any of the Class B Shares by paying to the registered holder or holders thereof the amount of $1.00 per share (the “Class B Redemption Amount”).

5.2 If less than all of the outstanding Class  B Shares are to be redeemed at any time and such shares are held by more than one registered holder, the Class B Shares to be redeemed shall be selected in such manner as determined by the directors.


5.3 The Corporation shall give notice of any redemption to each holder of Class B Shares by delivering the same to such holder not less than 24 hours prior to the date fixed for redemption. Such notice shall specify the provisions hereof under which such redemption shall be effected, the date fixed for redemption, the place in the Province of British Columbia where redemption shall be effected, the Class B Redemption Amount and, in case of partial redemption, the number or portion of each holder’s Class B Shares to be redeemed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of Class 13 Shares may waive notice of any such redemption by instrument or instruments in writing.

5.4 On the date fixed for any redemption, the Corporation shall pay or cause to be paid the Class 13 Redemption Amount to or to the order of the holders of the Class B Shares to be redeemed upon presentation and surrender at the place of redemption of the respective certificates representing such shares. The holders of the Class B Shares so redeemed shall cease to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect thereof unless payment of the Class B Redemption Amount is not to be made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which ease the rights of such holder shall remain unimpaired.

5.5 The Corporation shall have the right at any time after delivering a notice of redemption to deposit the Class B Redemption Amount of the shares thereby called for redemption or such part thereof as at the time of deposit has not been claimed by the shareholders entitled thereto, in any branch of the Corporation’s bankers in Canada specified in such notice or in a subsequent notice to the holders of shares in respect of which the deposit is made, in a special account for the holders of such shares, and upon deposit being made or upon the date fixed for redemption, whichever is the later, the Class B Shares in respect of which such deposit shall have been made shall be deemed to be redeemed and the rights of each holder thereof shall be limited to receiving without interest, its proportionate part of the Class B Redemption Amount so deposited upon presentation and surrender of the certificate or certificates representing the Class B Shares so redeemed. Any interest on such deposit shall belong to the Corporation. Redemption monies that are represented by a cheque which has not been presented to the Corporation’s bankers for payment or that otherwise remain unclaimed (including monies held on deposit in a special account as provided for above) for a period of two years from the date specified for redemption shall he forfeited to the Corporation.

5.6 If less than all of the Class B Shares represented by any certificate shall be redeemed, a new certificate for the balance shall be issued at the expense of the Corporation.

5.7 Upon payment of the Class B Redemption Amount for the Class B Shares redeemed by the Corporation, the holders of the Class B Shares so redeemed shall cease to be entitled to dividends or to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect of the Class B Share so redeemed.

ARTICLE 6

RETRACTION

6.1 Each holder of Class B Shares may at any time, demand by notice in writing that the Corporation redeem all or any of the Class B Shares held by him by payment to him of the Class B Redemption Amount thereof, together with all dividends declared and unpaid thereon.

 

- 2 -


6.2 All demands for redemption shall be made in writing and signed by the holder demanding redemption and shall be delivered or mailed to the registered office of the Corporation. Such demand for redemption shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery if delivered and on the third business day following the date of mailing if mailed.

6.3 If there is only one holder of Class B Shares the Corporation shall redeem the Class B Shares referred to in any demand for redemption forthwith upon receipt thereof If there is more than one holder of Class B Shares:

 

  (a)

the Corporation shall deliver or mail to all other holders of Class B Shares, forthwith upon receipt of a demand for redemption, a copy of the demand for redemption. The rationale for this mailing shall be to allow other holders of Class B Shares to submit demands for redemption; and

 

  (b)

the Corporation shall redeem, upon the expiration of thirty-one (31) days after the receipt or deemed receipt of the initial demand for redemption, all Class B Shares for which it has received demands for redemption,

6.4 If the assets of the Corporation arc not sufficient to redeem all Class B Shares in respect of which demands for redemption have been made, redemption shall be made pro rata among the holders of Class B Shares in proportion to the number of Class B Shares specified in the notices given by the holders demanding redemption.

6.5 Upon payment of the Class B Redemption Amount for the Class B Shares redeemed by the Corporation, the holders of the Class B Shares so redeemed shall cease to he entitled to dividends or to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect of the Class B Shares so redeemed.

 

- 3 -


Hot House Growers Inc.

Schedule II

 

1.

The Articles of the Corporation may be amended by special resolution pursuant to Section 173 of the Act, as amended from time to time, to:

 

  (a)

increase or decrease any maximum number of authorized shares of any class, or increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of another class;

 

  (b)

effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all or any part of the shares of any class; or

 

  (c)

create a new class of shares equal or superior to the shares of another class;

and no separate class or series vote shall be required under Section 176 of the Act, as amended from time to time, in respect to the amendment except that the holders of any class of preferred shares shall be entitled to vote separately as a class or series on such amendment to the extent provided in the Act and in the Articles.

 

2.

The directors may, within the maximum number permitted by the Articles, appoint one or more directors, who shall hold office for a term expiring not later than the close of the next annual meeting of the shareholders, but the total number of directors so appointed may not exceed one-third of the number of directors elected at the previous annual meeting of shareholders.


1 +1 Industry Canada    Industrie Canada
Certificate                        Certificat
of Amendment                        de modification
Canada Business                        Loi canadienne sur
Corporations Act                        les societes par actions

 

 

HOT HOUSE GROWERS INC.

     

 

421234-7

 

Name of corporation-Denomination de la societe

     

 

Corporation number-Numero de la societe

I hereby certify that the articles of the above-named corporation were amended:       Je certifie que les statuts de la societe susmentionnee ont ete modifies:

a)  under section 13 of the Canada Business Corporations Act in accordance with the attached notice;

     

a)  en vertu de Particle 13 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, conformement a l’avis ci-joint;

b)  under section 27 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment designating a series of shares;

     

b)  en vertu de Particle 27 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, tel qu’il est indique dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes designant une serie d’actions;

c)  under section 179 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment;

     

c)  en vertu de Particle 179 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, tel qu’il est indique dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes;

d)  under section 191 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of reorganization;

     

d)  en vertu de Particle 191 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, tel qu’il est indique dans les clauses de reorganisation ci-jointes;

LOGO      

October 16, 2006 / le 16 octobre 2006

 

Richard G. Shaw

     

 

Date of Amendment - Date de modification

Director - Directeur      

Canada.

 


1 4 01 Industry Canada    Industrie Canada    ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION REPORT    RAPPORT DE LA TRANSACTION ELECTRONIQUE
            Canada Business    Loi canadienne sur les      
            Corporations Act    societes par actions    ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT CLAUSES MODIFICATRICES
      (SECTIONS 27 OR 177)    (ARTICLES 27 OU 177)

 

Processing Type - Mode de traitement:    E-Commerce/Commerce-E   

        

 

 

Name of Corporation - Denomination de la societe

             

    .   Corporation No. - N° de la societe

 

              

 
HOT HOUSE GROWERS INC.      421234-7
 
               

        

 

  The articles of the above-named corporation are amended as follows:         
             Les statuts de la societe mentionnee ci-dessus sont modifies de la facon suivante:     

Article 3 of the articles of the corporation be amended by creating a new class of an unlimited number of Class C Shares and attaching thereto the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions as set out in Schedule I attached hereto.

SCHEDULE I

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHING TO THE CLASS C SHARES

The Class C Shares shall have the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:

ARTICLE 1

VOTING

1.1 Except as required by applicable law (including under the Canada Business Corporations Act), the holders of the Class C Shares shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting.

ARTICLE 2

DIVIDENDS

2.1 The holders of the Class C Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends.

ARTICLE 3

LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING-UP

3.1 In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Class C Shares shall be entitled to receive pro rata with the holders of the Class B Shares, but before the payment of any amounts payable to the holders of the Class A Shares and before any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation among the holders of the Common Shares an amount equal to $0.001 per Class C Share. After payment to the holders of the Class C Shares of any amounts so payable to them, the holders thereof shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of assets of the Corporation.

 


Date    Name—Nom    Signature    Capacity of—en qualite
2006-10-16    STEVE FANE         AUTHORIZED OFFICER

Page 1 of 1

Canadq

 


1 +1 Industry Canada    Industrie Canada

Certificate

of Amendment

  

                    Certificat

                    de modification

Canada Business

Corporations Act

  

                    Loi canadienne sur

                    les societes par actions

 

 

Village Farms Canada Inc.

     

 

421234-7

     

 

Name of corporation-Denomination de la societe

     

 

Corporation number-Numero de la societe

I hereby certify that the articles of the above-named corporation were amended:       Je certifie que les statuts de la societe susmentionnee ont ete modifies:

a)  under section 13 of the Canada Business Corporations Act in accordance with the attached notice;

     

a)  en vertu de Particle 13 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, conformement a l’avis ci-joint;

b)  under section 27 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment designating a series of shares;

     

b)  en vertu de Particle 27 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, tel qu’il est indique dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes designant une serie d’actions;

c)  under section 179 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment;

     

c)  en vertu de Particle 179 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, tel qu’il est indique dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes;

d)  under section 191 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of reorganization;

     

d)  en vertu de Particle 191 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, tel qu’il est indique dans les clauses de reorganisation ci-jointes;

LOGO            October 19, 2006 / le 19 octobre 2006

 

Richard G. Shaw

      Date of Amendment - Date de modification
Director - Directeur      

Canad’d

 

-20-


LOGO

 


SCHEDULE I

INTERPRETATION

1.1 For the purposes of these share provisions:

“CBCA” means Canada Business Corporations Act, as amended from time to time;

“Class C Shares” means the non-voting Class C Shares in the of the Corporation, having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth herein;

“Common Shares” means the Common Shares in the capital of the Corporation, having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth herein; and

“Corporation” means Village Farms Canada Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada.

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHING TO THE COMMON SHARES

The Common Shares shall have the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:

ARTICLE 1

VOTING

1.1 The holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at all meetings of the Shareholders of the Corporation, except meetings at which only holders of a specified class of shares are entitled to vote. Each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote at all such meetings.

1.2 The holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to receive, out of monies of the Corporation properly applicable to the payment of dividends, dividends from time to time as and when declared by the directors.

1.3 Subject to the rights of the holders of the Class C Shares, in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Common Shares, after payment of or other proper provisions for all of the liabilities of the Corporation and the payment of the amounts payable to the holders of the Class C Shares, will be entitled to share rateably in all remaining assets of the Corporation.


RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHING TO THE CLASS C SHARES

The Class C Shares shall have the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:

ARTICLE 1

VOTING

1.1 Except as required by applicable law (including under the CBCA), the holders of the Class C Shares shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to vote at any such meeting.

ARTICLE 2

DIVIDENDS

2.1 The holders of the Class C Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends.

ARTICLE 3

LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING-UP

3.1 In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Class C Shares shall be entitled to receive, before any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation among the holders of the Common Shares an amount equal to $10.00 per Class C Share. After payment to the holders of the Class C Shares of any amounts so payable to them, the holders thereof shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of assets of the Corporation.


1 + 1 Industry Canada    Industrie Canada
Certificate    Certificat
of Amendment    de modification
Canada Business    Loi canadienne sur
Corporations Act    les societes par actions

 

Village Farms Canada Inc.    421234-7

 

Name of corporation-Denomination de la societe

  

 

Corporation number-Numero de la societe

I hereby certify that the articles of the above-named corporation were amended:    Je certifie que les statuts de la societe susmentionnee ont ete modifies:
a) under section 13 of the Canada Business Corporations Act in accordance with the attached notice;    a) en vertu de Particle 13 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, conformement a l’avis ci-joint;
b) under section 27 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment designating a series of shares;    b) en vertu de Particle 27 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, tel qu’il est indique dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes designant une serie d’actions;
c) under section 179 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment;    c) en vertu de Particle 179 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, tel qu’il est indique dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes;
d) under section 191 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of reorganization;    d) en vertu de Particle 191 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions, tel qu’il est indique dans les clauses de reorganisation ci-jointes;

LOGO

 

   December 10, 2009 / le 10 decembre 2009

 

Richard G. Shaw

   Date of Amendment - Date de modification
Director - Directeur   

Canada


LOGO


1 + 1 Industry Canada Industrie Canada   
Certificate of Arrangement    Cer tificat d tar rangement
Canada Business Corporations Act    Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions

 

   421234-7
Village Farms Canada Inc   

 

Name of CBCA corporation(s) involved -

  

 

Corporation number—Numero de to socidte

Ddnornination(s) de la (des) socidte(s)

L C S A concernee(s)

  
I hereby certify that the arrangement set out in the attached articles of arrangement, involving the above-referenced corporation(s), has been effected under section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act.    Je certifie que 1’arrangement mentionne dans les clauses diarrangement annexees, concernant la (les) societe(s) susmentionnee(s), a !xis effet en vertu de Particle 192 de la Loi canadienne sur les societes par actions

LOGO

 

   December 30, 2009 / le 30 decembre 2009
Richard G Shaw    Date of Arrangement - Date de Parrangement
Director - Directeur   

Canacr3


LOGO


SCHEDULE A

 

9

Name of other corporations involved, if applicable

 

Name

  

Corporation No.

Village Farms Income Fund    N/A
Village Farms Operating Trust    N/A
Village Farms Canada GP Inc.    4370830
Village Farms Canada Limited Partnership    N/A
VF Operations Canada Inc.    4370805
VF U S. Holdings Inc.    Delaware

 


SCHEDULE B

The articles of Village Farms Canada Inc. are amended as follows, all in accordance with the plan of arrangement attached hereto:

 

1.

to change the name of Village Farms Canada Inc.. to Village Farms. International, Inc

 

2.

to delete the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Class C Shares and to provide that Village Farms Canada Inc shall no longer be authorized to issue such shares.

 

3..

to create a new class of shares, unlimited in number, to be designated as Special Shares and to have attached thereto the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth in the attached pages lA to 1C.

to create a new class of shares, unlimited in number and issuable in series, to be designated as Preferred Shares and to have attached thereto the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth in the attached pages ID to IF.

to delete the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Common Shares and to replace them with those set forth in the attached page 1G.

 

6..

to delete article 4 of the articles of incorporation of Village Farms Canada Inc. and replace it with the term “N/A”.

 

7..

to delete paragraph 1 of article 7 of the articles of incorporation of Village Farms Canada Inc.

to change the number of directors to a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10.

 


1A

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHING TO SPECIAL SHARES

The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Special Shares, which shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions.

1. VOTING

1 ..1 The holders of the Special Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each Special Share held at all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation, other than meetings at which only the holders of another class of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class; provided that in no event shall the votes attached to the Special Shares exceed 45% of the votes otherwise attached to the Common Shares and the Special Shares then outstanding. Subject to applicable law, with respect to all meetings of• the shareholders of the Corporation and with respect to any written consents sought by the Corporation from the shareholders of the Corporation, all shareholders of the Corporation entitled to vote, shall vote together as a single class

1.2 The holders of the Special Shares shall not be entitled to vote separately as a class, and shall not be entitled to dissent, upon a proposal to amend the articles of the Corporation to:

1.2,1 Increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class or series of a class having rights or privileges equal or superior to the Special Shares; or

1.22 Create a new class or series of a class of shares equal or superior to the Special Shares.

2. DIVIDENDS

2..1 The holders of the Special Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends.

3. REDEMPTION

3.1 The Corporation may, from time to time, upon giving notice as hereinafter provided, redeem the Special Shares where the holders of shares of participating preferred stock of VF U.S.. Holdings Inc.. (“Participating Preferred Shares”) have given notice that they wish to exchange some or all of their Participating Preferred Shares pursuant to the amended and restated securityholders’ agreement dated December 31, 2009 among the Corporation, VP Operations Canada Inc. and the VF Owners (as defined therein) (the “Securityholders’ Agreement”).. The number of Special Shares that the Corporation redeems at that time will be equal to the number of Common Shares issued upon the exchange of the applicable Participating Preferred Shares. The Special Shares will be redeemed at a price per share equal to $0..000001 (the “Redemption Amount”).

 


1B

3.2 Redemption Notice

In order to effect the redemption referred to in section 3..1, the Corporation shall send to the holder of the Special Shares to be redeemed a notice in writing of the intention of the Corporation to redeem the Special Shares (the “Redemption Notice”), which shall be sent together with the Exchange Consideration (as defined in the Securityholders’ Agreement) pursuant to the procedure set out in the Securityholders’ Agreement,. Accidental failure or omission to give the Redemption Notice to one or more holders shall not affect the validity of any redemption, but if such failure or omission is discovered, a Redemption Notice shall be given forthwith to such holder or holders and shall have the same force and effect as if given in due time., the Redemption Notice shall set out (i) the aggregate number of redeemed Special Shares, as applicable; (ii) the number of redeemed Special Shares, as applicable, held by the person to whom it is addressed; (iii) the Redemption Amount and the manner in which it was calculated; and (iv) the place or places in Canada at which holders of Special Shares may present and surrender the certificate or certificates representing the Special Shares for redemption..

3.3 Method of Redemption

The redemption and cancellation of the redeemed shares will be effective upon the delivery of the Redemption Notice in accordance with Section 3.2 (the “Effective Time”). On and after the Effective Time, the Corporation shall pay or cause to be paid to or to the order of the holders of the redeemed shares the Redemption Amount of such shares on presentation and surrender, at the registered office of the Corporation or any other place or places in Canada specified in the Redemption Notice, of the certificate or certificates representing the redeemed shares.. Payment in respect of the redeemed shares shall be made by cheque payable to the respective holders thereof’ in lawful money of Canada at any branch in Canada of the Corporation’s bankers.

From and after the Effective Time, the holders of the redeemed shares shall cease to be entitled to exercise any of their other rights as shareholders in respect thereof.

4. LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING-UP

4. 1 In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in the event of any other distribution of assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, the holders of the Special Shares shall not be entitled to share in any distribution of the property ox’ assets of the Corporation.


1C

5. SUBDIVISION OR CONSOLIDATION

5..1 None of the Special Shares will be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed unless contemporaneously therewith the Common Shares are subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed in the same proportion or the same manner.

6. MODIFICATION

61 The provisions attached to the Special Shares will not be added to, changed or removed unless the addition, removal or change is fast approved by the separate affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast at meetings of the holders of the shares of such class.


ID

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHING TO PREFERRED SHARES

The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Preferred Shares, which shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions

1. DIRECTORS’ RIGHT TO ISSUE IN ONE OR MORE SERIES

1..1 The Preferred Shares may be issued at any time or from time to time in one or more series.. Before any shares of a series are issued, the board of directors of the Corporation shall fix the number of shares that will form such series and shall, subject to the limitations set out in the Articles, determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions to be attached to the Preferred Shares of such series, the whole subject to the filing with the Director (as defined in the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Act”)) of Articles of Amendment containing a description of such series including the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions determined by the board of directors of the Corporation

2. RANKING OF THE PREFERRED SHARES

2..1 The Preferred Shares of each series shall rank on a parity with the Preferred Shares of every other series with respect to dividends and return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, and shall be entitled to a preference over the Common Shares of the Corporation and over any other’ shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to priority in payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for’ the purpose of winding-up its affairs„ Ti any cumulative dividends, whether or not declared, or declared non-cumulative dividends or amounts payable on a return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution Or winding-up of the Corporation are not paid in full in respect of any series of the Preferred Shares, the Preferred Shares of all series shall participate rateably in respect of such dividends in accordance with the sums that would be payable on such shares if all such dividends were declared and paid in full, and in respect of such return of capital in accordance with the sums that would be payable on such return of capital if all sums so payable were paid in full; provided, however; that if there are insufficient assets to satisfy in full all such claims as aforesaid, the claims of the holders of the Preferred Shares with respect to return of capital shall be paid and satisfied first and any assets remaining thereafter’ shall be applied towards the payment and satisfaction of claims in respect of dividends. The Preferred Shares of any series may also be given such other preference not inconsistent with the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Preferred Shares as a class Over the Common Shares of the Corporation and over any other shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares as may be determined in the case of such series of’ Preferred Shares.


1E

3. VOTING RIGHTS

3.1 Except as hereinafter referred to or as required by law or unless provision is made in the Articles relating to any series of Preferred Shares that such series is entitled to vote, the holders of the Preferred Shares as a class shall not be entitled as such. to receive notice of; to attend or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation., Except as hereinafter provided or as required by law or as provided in the Articles relating to any series of Preferred Shares, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of; to attend or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation until such time as dividends on any Preferred Shares in an aggregate amount equal to the dividends payable thereon over a two year period have not been paid, whether or not such dividends in arrears are consecutive, whether or not such dividends have been declared and whether ox not there are or were any moneys of the Corporation properly applicable to the payment of dividends, and thereafter and so long as any dividends on any of the Preferred Shares remain in arrears, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation at which directors are to be elected, other• than separate meetings of the holders of another• class or series of shares, and to elect, voting separately as a class; two directors of the Corporation. Nothing contained in these provisions shall be deemed or construed to limit the ability of the Corporation from time to time to increase or decrease the number of its directors.. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to notice of meetings of shareholders called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all the property of the Corporation other than in the ordinary course of the business of’ the Corporation.

4. AMENDMENT WITH APPROVAL OF HOLDERS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES

4.1 The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Preferred Shares as a class may be added to, changed or removed but only with the approval of the holder’s of the Preferred Shares given as hereinafter specified,.

5. APPROVAL OF HOLDERS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES

5 .1 The approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Preferred Shares as a class or in respect of any other matter requiring the consent of the holders of the Preferred Shares may be given in such manner as may then be required by law, subject to a minimum requirement that such approval be given by resolution signed by all the holders of the Preferred Shares or passed by the affirmative vote of at least 2/.3 of the votes cast at a meeting of’ the holders of the Preferred Shares duly called far that purpose.


1F

5.2 The formalities to be observed with respect to the giving of’ notice of any such meeting or any adjourned meeting, the quorum required therefor and the conduct thereof shall be those from time to time prescribed by the by-laws of the Corporation with respect to meetings of shareholders, or if not so prescribed, as required by the Act as in force at the time of the meeting. On every poll taken at every meeting of the holders of the Preferred Shares as a class, or at any ,joint meeting of the holders of two or more series of Preferred Shares, each holder of Preferred Shares entitled to vote thereat shall have one vote in respect of’ each $1.00 of the issue price of each Preferred Share held,


1G

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

ATTACHING TO COMMON SHARES

The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares, which shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions.

1. VOTING

1 .1 The holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each Common Share held at all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation, other than meetings at which only the holders of another class of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class.. Subject to applicable law, with respect to all meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation and with respect to any written consents sought by the Corporation from the shareholders of the Corporation, all shareholders of• the Corporation entitled to vote, shall vote together as a single class..

DIVIDENDS

2.1 After payment to the holders of the Preferred Shares of the amount or amounts to which they may be entitled, the holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to receive any dividend declared by the board of directors of the Corporation.

3. LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING-UP

3..1 In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in the event of any other distribution of assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, after payment to the holders of the Preferred Shares of the amount or amounts to which they may be entitled, the holders of the Conimon Shares shall be entitled to share pr o rata in any distribution of the property or assets of the Corporation.

4. SUBDIVISION OR CONSOLIDATION

4.1 None of the Common Shares will be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed unless contemporaneously therewith the Special Shares are subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed in the same proportion or the same manner.

 


EXHIBIT A

PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT

UNDER SECTION 192 OF THE

CANADA BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT

ARTICLE 1

INTERPRETATION

1..1 in this Plan of Arrangement, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

(a)

“Arrangement”, “herein”, “hereof’, “hereto”, “hereunder” and sintitnr expressions mean and refer to the arrangement pursuant to Section 192 of the CBCA set forth in this Plan of Arrangement as supplemented, modified or amended, and not to any particular article, section or other portion hereof;

 

(b)

“Arrangement Agreement” means the agreement dated as of November 2, 2009, among the Fund, VF OT, VF Canada GP, VF Canada II’, VF Opco, U S. Holdings and ParentCo with respect to the Arrangement and all amendments thereto;

 

(c)

“Articles of Arrangement” means the articles in respect of the Arrangement required under subsection 192(6)of the CBCA to be filed with the Director after the Final Order has been granted;

 

(d)

“Attorney” means the attorney of the Fand, currently VF Canada GP;

 

(e)

“Book Entry System” has the meaning ascribed to it under Section 4 2;

 

(f)

“Business Day” means a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday, when banks are generally open for business in the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, for the transaction of banking business;

 

(g)

“CBCA” n”“s the Canada Burineys Corporations Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.. C-44, as amended, including the regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

(h)

“CDS” means CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc..;

 

(i)

“CDS Participant” has the meaning ascribed to it under Section  4.. 2;

 

(j)

“Certificate” means the certificate which may be issued by the Director pursuant to subsection 192(7) of the CBCA;

 

(k)

“Class A Unit” means the Class A unit of the Fund;

 

(1)

“Conversion Resolution” means the special resolution of the Voting Unitholders approving the Arrangement;

 

(rn)

“Court” means the Ontario Superior Court of Justice;

 

(n)

“Director” means the Director appointed under Section 260 of the CBCA;

 

(o)

“Effective Date” means the date the Arrangement is effective under the CECA;

 

(p)

“Effective Time” means the time at which the Articles of Arrangement and Plan of Arrangement are filed with the Director on the Effective Date;

 

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(q)

“Final Order” means the final order of the Court approving this Arrangement pursuant to subsection 192(4) of the CBCA, as such order may be affirmed, amended or modified by any court of competent jurisdiction;

 

(r)

“Fund” means Village Farms Income Fund;

 

(s)

“Information Circular” means the management information circular of the Fund dated on or about November 10, 2009, together with all appendices thereto, and forwarded as part of the proxy solicitation materials to Voting Unitholders in respect of the Meeting;

 

(t)

“Interim Order” means the interim order of the Court under subsection 192(4) of the CBCA containing declarations and directions with respect to this Arrangement, as such order may be affirmed, amended or modified by any court of competent jurisdiction;

 

(u)

“Letter of Transmittal’ means the letter of transmittal sent by the Fund to CDS & Co., as the sole registered holder of Units;

 

(v)

“Meeting” means the special meeting of Voting Unitholders scheduled to be held on December 9, 2009 to consider the Arrangement and related matters, and any adjournment thereof;

 

(w)

“Non-Resident” means: (1) a Person who for the purposes of the Tax Act is neither a resident nor deemed to be resident in Canada (including as a consequence of an applicable income tax treaty or convention); or

 

(ii)

a partnership that is not a Canadian partnership for the purposes of the Tax Act;

 

(x)

“ParentCo” means Village Farms Canada Inc., a corporation incorporated under the CBCA and, prior to the completion of the Arrangement, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund;

 

(y)

“Participating Preferred Shares” means the participating preferred shares of U.S Holdings;

 

(z)

“Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust” means the declaration of trust dated November 10, 2003, as attended and restated on December 19, 2003 and as further amended and restated on October 18, 2006, pursuant to which the Fund was created, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time;

 

(as)

“Shares” means the common shares in the capital of ParentCo;

 

(bb)

“Special Shares” means the special voting shares in the capital of ParentCo;

 

(cc)

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, a subsidiary (as that term is defined in the CBCA) for such purposes, if such person is not a corporation, as if such person were a corporation of such Person and includes any limited partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, unlimited liability company or other entity, whether or not having legal status, that would constitute a subsidiary (as described above) if such entity were a corporation;

 

(dd)

“lax Act” means the Income Tax Act, RS C 1985, c. 1. (5th Supp), as amended, including the regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

(ee)

“Trust Units” means, collectively, the Units and the Class A Unit; (ff) “Units” means the ordinary trust units of the Fund;

 

(gg)

“U.S.. Holdings” means VF U.S..Holdings Inc.;

 

(hh)

“VF Canada GP” means Village Farms Canada GP Inc-;

 

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(ii)

“VF Canada LP” means Village Farms Canada Limited Partnership; (jj) “VI? Opco” means Village Farms Operations Canada Inc.;

 

(kk)

“VFOT” means Village Farms Operating Trust; and

 

(11)

“Voting Unitholdere means the holders of the Trust Units.

1 2 The division of this Plan of Arrangement into articles and sections and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Plan of Arrangement.

1.3 Unless reference is specifically made to some other document or instrument, all references herein to articles and sections are to articles and sections of this Plan of Arrangement

1.4 Unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa; words importing any gender shall include all genders; and words importing persons shall include individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, funds, unincorporated organizations, governments, regulatory authorities, and other entities.

1 5 In the event that the date on which any action is required to be taken hereunder by any of the parties is not a Business Day in the place where the action is required to be taken, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day in such place..

I.6 References in this Plan of Arrangement to any statute or sections thereof shall include such statute as amended or substituted and any regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect

ARTICLE 2

ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT

2.1 This Plan of Arrangement is made pursuant to, and is subject to the provisions of, and forms part of, the Arrangement Agreement

2 1 This Plan of Arrangement, upon the filing of the Articles of Arrangement and the issue of the Certificate, if any, shall become effective on, and be binding on and after, the Effective Time on: (i) Voting Unitholders; (ii) the Fund; (iii) VFOT; (iv) VF Canada GP; (v) VF Canada IP; (vi) VF Opco; (vii) U.S.. Holdings; and (viii) ParentC,o

2.3 The Articles of Arrangement and Certificate shall be filed and issued, respectively, with respect to this Arrangement in its entirety. The Certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the Arrangement has become effective and that each of the provisions of Article 3 has become effective in the sequence and at the limes set out therein. If’ no Certificate is required to be issued by the Director pursuant to section 192 of the CBCA, the Arrangement shall become effective on the date the Articles of Arrangement are filed with the Director pursuant to subsection 192(6) of the CBCA.

2.4 Other than as expressly provided for herein, no portion of this Plan of Arrangement shall take effect with respect to any party or Person until the Effective Time. Furthermore, each of the events listed in Article 3 shall be, without affecting the tinting set out in Article 3, mutually conditional, such that no event described in said Article 3 may occur without all steps occurring, and those events shall effect the integrated transaction which constitutes the Arrangement.

ARTICLE 3

ARRANGEMENT

3 1 Commencing at the Effective Time, each of the events set out below shall occur and shall be deemed to occur in the following order without any further act or formality except as otherwise provided herein:

 

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Amendment of PstrentCo’s Articles of Incorporation

 

(a)

ParentCo shall amend its constating documents to the extent necessary to facilitate the Arrangement and, in connection therewith, will change its name to Village Farms International, Inc.,;

Redemption of the Class A Unit

 

(b)

the Class A Unit held by U.S.. Holdings shall be redeemed by the Fund for $10 in cash;

Subscription for Special Shares

 

(c)

U S. Holdings shall subscribe for 25,267,000 Special Shares (representing the number of Units for which the issued and outstanding Participating Preferred Shares are exchangeable at the date of this Agreement, subject to any changes as a result of exchanges prior to the Effective Date) for $10 in cash;

Exchange of Units for Shares

 

(d)

the Units held by the Unitholders shall be transferred to ParentCo in consideration for Shares on the basis of one Share for each Unit so transferred;

Cancellation of the Common Shares of PareutCo

 

(e)

the issued and outstanding Shares a ParentCo held by the Fund shall be purchased for cancellation by ParentCo for nominal consideration, and shall be cancelled;

Dissolution of VFO I

 

(f)

VFOI win be dissolved in accordance with the VFOT• Declaration of trust and its assets and liabilities shall be distributed to, or assumed by, the Fund;

Dissolution of the Fund

the Fund will be dissolved in accordance with the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and its assets and liabilities shall be distributed to, or assumed by, ParentCo;

Reduction of Stated Capital

 

(h)

there ,shall have been added to the stated capital account maintained for the Shares an amount determined by the directors in accordance with Section 25 of the CB CA in respect of the Shares issued in consideration for Units, and ParentCo shall be authorized to reduce its stated capital in an amount determined by the directors, in accordance with Section 38(1) of the CBCA..

 

32

Upon the exchange at the Effective Time of Units for Shares pursuant to Section 3.1:

 

(i)

each former holder of Units shall cease to be the holder of the Units so exchanged and the name of each such holder shall be removed from the register of holders of Units;

 

(ii)

each such holder of Units shall become the holder of the Shares exchanged for the Units by such holder and shall be added to the register of holders of Shares in respect thereof;

ParentCo shall become the holder of the Units so exchanged and shall be added to the register of holders of Units in respect thereof; and

 

(iv)

ParentCo shall issue 25,267,000 Special Shares in connection with the subscription by U.S Holdings, and such Special Shares shall be added to the register of holders.

 

-14-


ARTICLE 4

OUTSTANDING CERTIFICATES

4. I Any certificates formerly representing Units that are not deposited, together with a duly completed Letter of Transmittal (where applicable) and any other documents as may reasonably be required shall, from and after the Effective Date, represent only the right to receive Shares in respect thereof. If certificates formerly representing Units have pot been so deposited on or before the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date, such certificates shall cease to represent a right or claim of any kind or nature and the right of the holder of the Units previously represented thereby to receive Shares shall be deemed to be surrendered to ParentCo, together with all interest or distributions thereon held for such holder..

4.2 Registration of interests in and transfers of the Shares will be made through a book-based system (the “Book Entry System”) administered by CDS. On or about the Effective Date, ParentCo will deliver to CDS one or more certificates evidencing the aggregate number of Shares issued in connection with the Arrangement.

4..3 Shares maybe purchased, transferred or surrendered for redemption through a participant in the CDS depository service (a “CDS Participant”). MI rights of holders of Shares may be exercised through, and all payments or other property to which such holder is entitled, may be made or delivered by CDS or the CDS Participant through which the holder holds such Shares. Upon purchase of such Shares, the holders will receive only a customer confirmation from the registered dealer which is a CDS Participant and from or through which the Shares are purchased.

4.4 Parente° may issue certificates representing Shares to one or more shareholders, where such issuances is warranted in the opinion of ParentCo ParentCo also has the option to terminate registration of the Shares through the Book Entry System, in which case certificates for the Shares in fully registered form would be issued to beneficial owners of such Shares or their nominees..

4.5 If any certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented an interest in outstanding Units that were tcansfened pursuant to subsections 4.1 hereof has been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such certificate to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the registered holder thereof in the Unit Register shall, as a condition precedent to the receipt of any Shares to be issued to such person, provide to ParentCo a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to ParentCo, or otherwise indemnify ParentCo to its satisfaction, in its sole and absolute discretion, against any claim that may be made against them with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

A.R.IICLE 5

AMENDMENTS

5.1 the Fund, VFOT, VF Canada GP, VF Canada 12, VF Opco, U. S,. Holdings and ParentCo may amend this Plan of Arrangement at any time and from time to time prior to the Effective Time, provided that each such amendment ntust be: (i) set out in writing; (ii) approved by the other parties; and (iii) filed with the Court.

5.2 Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may be made prior to the Effective Date by the Fund, VFOT, VP Canada GP, VF Canada LP, VF Opco, U.S. Holdings and Parente° (or, if following the Arrangement, ParentCo) without the approval of the Court or the Voting Unitholders, provided that it concerns a matter which, in the reasonable opinion of the Fund, VFOT, VF Canada GP, VF Canada LP, VF Opco,

U.S. Holdings and ParentCo (or, if following the Arrangement, ParentCo), is of an administrative nature required to better give effect to the implementation of this Plan of Arrangement or is not adverse to the financial or economic interests of any former holder of Trust Units

5.3 Subject to Section 6 2, any amendment to this Plan. of Arrangement may be proposed by the Fund, VFOT, VF Canada GP, VP Canada LP, VF Open, U.S Holdings and ParentCo at any time prior to or at the Meeting (provided that the other parties shall have consented thereto) with or without any other prior notice or communication to Voting Unitholders, and if so proposed and accepted by the persons voting at the Meeting (other than as may be required under the Interim Order), shall become part of this Plan of Arrangement for all purposes

 

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5..4 Subject to Section 6,2, the Fund, VFOT, VF Canada GP, VF Canada LP, VP Opco, U.S. Holdings and ParentCo may amend, modify and/or supplement this Plan of Arrangement at any time and from time to time after the Meeting and prior to the Effective Time with the approval of the Court and, if and as required by the Court, after communication to Voting Unitholders.

ARTICLE 6

GENERAL

6.1 Notwithstanding that the transactions and events set out herein shall occur and be deemed to occur in the order set out in this Plan of Arrangement without any further act or formality, each of the parties to the Arrangement Agreement shall make, do and execute, or cause to be made, done and executed, all such further acts, deeds, agreements, transfers, assurances, instruments or documents as may reasonably be required by any of them in order to further document or evidence any of the transactions or events set out herein.

6.2 It; prior to the Effective Date, any term or provision of this Plan of Arrangement is held by the Court to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the Court, at the request of any parties, shall have the power to alter and interpret such term or provision to make it valid or enforceable to the maximum extent practicable,sonsistent with the original purpose of the term or provision held to be invalid, void or unenforceable, and such term or provision shall then be applicable as altered or interpreted. Notwithstanding any such holding, alteration or interpretation, the remainder of the terms and provisions of this Plan of Arrangement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalirlate,d by such holding, alteration or interpretation.

This Plan of Arrangement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Any questions as to the interpretation or application of this Plan of Arrangement and all proceedings taken in connection with this Plan of Arrangement and its provisions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court

 

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Exhibit 4.2

BY-LAW NO. 2

of

VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(the “Corporation”)

INTERPRETATION

1.1 Expressions used in this By-law shall have the same meanings as corresponding expressions in the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Act”).

2. FINANCIAL YEAR

2.1 Until changed by the directors, the financial year of the Corporation shall end on the last day of December in each year.

3. DIRECTORS

3.1 Number. The number of directors shall be not fewer than the minimum and not more than the maximum provided in the articles. At each election of directors, the number elected shall be the number of directors then in office unless the directors or the shareholders otherwise determine.

3.2 Quorum. A quorum of directors shall be a majority of the directors or such greater or lesser number as the directors or shareholders may from time to time determine.

3.3 Calling of Meetings. Meetings of the directors shall be held at such time and place as the Chair of the Board, the President or any two directors may determine.

3.4 Notice of Meetings. Notice of the time and place of each meeting of directors shall be given to each director by telephone not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting or by written notice not less than four days before the date of the meeting, provided that the first meeting immediately following a meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected may be held without notice if a quorum is present. Meetings may be held without notice if the directors waive or are deemed to waive notice.

3.5 Meeting by Telephonic or Electronic Facility . If all the directors of the Corporation consent, a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors may be held by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all persons participating in the meeting to communicate adequately with each other, and a director participating in a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at that meeting.


3.6 Chair. The Chair of the Board, or in the Chair’s absence the President if a director, or in the President’s absence a director chosen by the directors at the meeting, shall be chair of any meeting of directors.

3.7 Voting at Meetings. At meetings of directors, each director shall have one vote and questions shall be decided by a majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

4. OFFICERS

4.1 General. The directors may from time to time appoint a Chair of the Board, a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as the directors may determine.

4.2 Chair of the Board. The Chair of the Board, if any, shall be appointed from among the directors and when present shall be chair of meetings of directors and shareholders and shall have such other powers and duties as the directors may determine.

4.3 President. Unless the directors otherwise determine, the President shall be appointed from among the directors and shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall have general supervision of its business and affairs and in the absence of a Chair of the Board shall be chair of meetings of directors and shareholders when present.

4.4 Vice-President. A Vice-President shall have such powers and duties as the directors or the chief executive officer may determine.

4.5 Secretary. The Secretary shall give required notices to shareholders, directors, auditors and members of committees, act as secretary of meetings of directors and shareholders when present, keep and enter minutes of such meetings, maintain the corporate records of the Corporation, have custody of the corporate seal and shall have such other powers and duties as the directors or the chief executive officer may determine.

4.6 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep proper accounting records in accordance with the Act, have supervision over the safekeeping of securities and the deposit and disbursement of funds of the Corporation, report as required on the financial position of the Corporation, and have such other powers and duties as the directors or the chief executive officer may determine.


4.7 Assistants. Any of the powers and duties of an officer to whom an assistant has been appointed may be exercised and performed by such assistant unless the directors or the chief executive officer otherwise direct.

4.8 Variation of Duties, The directors may, from time to time, vary, add to or limit the powers and duties of any officer.

4.9 Term of Office. Each officer shall hold office until the officer’s successor is elected or appointed, provided that the directors may at any time remove any officer from office but such removal shall not affect the rights of such officer under any contract of employment with the Corporation.

5. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

5.1 Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Corporation shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Corporation’s request as a director or officer, or in a similar capacity of another entity, and the heirs and legal representatives of such a person to the extent permitted by the Act.

5.2 Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person referred to in the preceding section to the extent permitted by the Act.

6. SHAREHOLDERS

6.1 Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders shall be two persons present and each entitled to vote at She meeting.

6.2 Casting Vote. In case of an equality of votes at a meeting of shareholders, the Chair of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

6.3 Scrutineers, The Chair at any meeting of shareholders may appoint one or more persons (who need not be shareholders) to act as scrutineer or scrutineers at the meeting.

6.4 Electronic Meetings and Voting. If the directors call a meeting of shareholders, they may determine that the meeting of shareholders shall be held entirely by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting, and any vote at that meeting of shareholders shall be held entirely by means of that communication facility. A meeting of shareholders may also be held at which some, but not all, persons entitled to attend may participate and vote by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication


facility that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting/such a communication facility, if the Corporation makes one available. A person participating in a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting. Any vote at a meeting of shareholders may be also held entirely by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility, if the Corporation makes one available, even if none of the persons entitled to attend otherwise participates in the meeting by means of a communication facility. For the purpose of voting, a communication facility that is made available by the Corporation must enable the votes to be gathered in a manner that permits their subsequent verification and permits the tallied votes to be presented to the Corporation without it being possible for the Corporation to identify how each shareholder or group of shareholders voted.

7. DIVIDENDS AND RIGHTS

7.1 Declaration of Dividends. Subject to the Act, the directors may from time to time declare dividends payable to the shareholders according to their respective rights and interests in the Corporation.

7.2 Cheques. A dividend payable in money shall be paid by cheque to the order of each registered holder of shares of the class or series in respect of which it has been declared and mailed by prepaid ordinary mail to such registered holder at the address of such holder in the Corporation’s securities register, unless such holder otherwise directs. In the case of joint holders, the cheque shall, unless such joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of all of such joint holders and mailed to them at their address in the Corporation’s securities register. The mailing of such cheque as aforesaid, unless the same is not paid on due presentation, shall satisfy and discharge the liability for the dividend to the extent of the sum represented thereby plus the amount of any tax which the Corporation is required to and does withhold.

7.3 Non-Receipt of Cheques. In the event of non-receipt of any dividend cheque by the person to whom it is sent as aforesaid, the Corporation shall issue to such person a replacement cheque for a like amount on such terms as to indemnity, reimbursement of expenses and evidence of non-receipt and of title as the directors may from time to time prescribe, whether generally or in any particular case.

7.4 Unclaimed Dividends. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of six years from the date on which the same has been declared to be payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Corporation.


8. EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS

8.1 Deeds, transfers, assignments, agreements, proxies and other instruments may be signed on behalf of the Corporation by any director or officer or in such other manner as the directors may determine.

9. NOTICE

9.1 A notice mailed to a shareholder, director, auditor or member of a committee shall be deemed to have been received at the time it would be delivered in the ordinary course of mail unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that the shareholder or director did not receive the notice or the document at that time or at all.

9.2 Electronic Delivery. Provided the addressee has consented in writing or electronically in accordance with the Act and the regulations thereunder, the Corporation may satisfy the requirement to send any notice or document referred to in section 9.1 by creating and providing an electronic document in compliance with the Act and the regulations under the Act. An electronic document is deemed to have been received when it enters the information system designated by the addressee or, if the document is posted on or made available through a generally accessible electronic source, when the addressee receives notice in writing of the availability and location of that electronic document, or, if such notice is sent electronically, when it enters the information system designated by the addressee.

9.3 Accidental omission to give any notice to any shareholder, director, auditor or member of a committee or non-receipt of any notice or any error in a notice not affecting the substance thereof shall not invalidate any action taken at any meeting held pursuant to such notice.


Schedule B

BY-LAWS

By-laws relating generally to the transaction

of the business and affairs of

HOT HOUSE GROWERS INC.

(the “Corporation”)

MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS

1. Convening Of Meetings

1.1 Meetings of directors may be held at such time and place as the directors may from time to time determine, and may be convened by the Chairman, the President, a Vice-President or any two directors.

2. Chairman of the Meeting

2.1 The Chairman, if any, or if he is absent, the President, if any, or if he is absent, such director as shall be chosen by the directors present from amongst their number shall act as Chairman at a meeting of the directors.

3. Notice of Meeting

3.1 Subject to By-Law 3.2, notice of a meeting of directors shall be delivered, mailed or faxed to each director not less then two days (exclusive of the day on which notice is delivered, mailed or faxed but inclusive of the day for which notice is given) before the meeting is to take place.

32 A notice of a meeting of directors need not be given:

(a) for the meeting held immediately after an election of directors; or

(b) to a director appointed by the directors to fill a vacancy amongst the directors for the meeting at which he is so appointed.

4. Quorum

4.1 The quorum necessary for the transaction of business of the directors or committee of directors shall be fixed by the directors and if not so fixed shall be a majority of the directors or committee of directors or, if there is only one director the quorum shall be one.

5. Voting

5.1 Questions arising at a meeting of directors or committee of directors shall be decided by a majority vote of the directors or committee present.

 


5.2. If there is an equality of votes cast on a question arising at a meeting of directors or at a meeting of a committee of directors, the Chairman of the meeting shall not have a second or casting vote.

6. Meeting by Conference Call

6.1 A director may, if all the directors of the Corporation consent, participate in a meeting of the board or any committee of the directors by means of such telephone or other communications facilities as permit all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other. A director participating in a meeting at the meeting, shall be counted in the quorum and shall be entitled to speak and vote.

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

By-Laws 7 to 9.3 apply at meetings of every class and series of shareholders.

7. Quorum

7.1 Unless the articles otherwise provide, two shareholders or proxyholders present in person and holding in person or by proxy not less than 10% of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders.

8. Chairman of the Meeting

8.1 The Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his absence the President, if any, or in his absence a Vice-President, if any, shall be entitled to preside as Chairman at every general meeting of the Corporation.

8.2 If at any general meeting neither the Chairman of the Board nor President nor a Vice- President is present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or is willing to act as chairman, or if the Corporation has not appointed officers, the directors present shall choose someone of their number to be chairman or if all the directors present decline to take the chair or shall fail to so choose or if no director is present, the members present shall choose one of their number to be chairman.

8.3 The Chairman presiding at a meeting of shareholders shall conduct the proceedings thereat, and his decision on all things including, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, any question regarding the validity of a proxy, shall be final.

8.4 The Chairman presiding at a meeting of shareholders, or the meeting, may invite any person not otherwise entitled to attend the meeting.

8.5 Unless a ballot is demanded, a declaration by the Chairman presiding at a meeting of shareholders that a resolution has carried, has carried by a particular majority or has not carried on a vote by a show of hands, and an entry to that effect in the minutes of the meeting shall be conclusive evidence of the result of the vote without proof of the number or proportion of the votes cast in favour of or against the resolution.

 

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Voting

9.1 A vote taken by ballot is deemed to be the decision of the meeting notwithstanding a vote taken by a show of hands on the same question.

9.2 If there is an equality of votes cast, either by a show of hands or by ballot, on a question arising at a meeting of shareholders, the Chairman presiding at the meeting shall not have a second or casting vote.

9.3 No motion proposed at a meeting of shareholders need be seconded, and the Chairman presiding at the meeting may propose or second a motion.

SEAL

10. Corporate Seal

10.1 The directors may provide a seal for the Corporation and, if they do so, shall provide for the safe custody of the seal which shall not be affixed to any instrument except in the presence of the following person, namely:

 

  (a)

any two directors; or

 

  (b)

one of the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Managing Director, a director and a Vice-President together with one of the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Secretary-Treasurer, an Assistant Secretary, an Assistant Treasurer and an Assistant Secretary-Treasurer; or

 

  (c)

if the Corporation has only one shareholder, the President or the Secretary; or

 

  (d)

such person or persons as the directors may from time to time by resolution appoint,

and the said directors, officers, person or persons in whose presence the seal is so affixed to an instrument shall sign such instrument. For the purpose of certifying under the seal true copies of any document or resolution the seal may be affixed in the presence of any one of the foregoing persons.

PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS

11. Limitation Of Liability

11.1 Every director and officer of the Corporation in exercising his powers and discharging his duties shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation and exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. Subject to the foregoing, no director or officer shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other director or officer or employee, or for joining in

 

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any receipt or other act for conformity, or for any loss, damage or expense happening to the Corporation through the insufficiency or deficiency of title to any property acquired for or on behalf of the Corporation, or for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security in or upon which any of the monies of the Corporation shall be invested, or for any loss or damage arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortious acts of any person with whom any of the monies, securities or effects of the Corporation shall be deposited, or for any loss occasioned by an error, damage or misfortune whatever which shall happen in the execution of the duties of his office or in relation thereto; provided that nothing herein shall relieve any director or officer from the duty to act in accordance with the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Act”) and the regulations thereunder or form liability for any breach thereof

12. Indemnity

12.1 Subject to the limitations contained in the Act, the Corporation shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or a person who acts or acted at the Corporation’s request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the Corporation is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses, including any amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the Corporation of such body corporate, if:

 

  (a)

he acted honestly in good faith with a view to the best interest of the Corporation; and

 

  (b)

in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.

 

  The

Corporation shall also indemnify such person in such other circumstances as the Act permits or requires.

13. Insurance

13.1 The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person referred to in section 11 hereof against such liabilities and in such amounts as the Board may from time to time determine as permitted by the Act.

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAW NO. 3

of

VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(the “Corporation”)

1. ADVANCE NOTICE PROVISIONS

1.1 For purposes of this By-Law No. 3:

“Act” means the Canada Business Corporations Act and the regulations thereunder, as from time to time amended, and every statute or regulation that may be substituted therefor and, in the case of such amendment or substitution, any reference in this By-Law No. 3 shall be read as referring to the amended or substituted provisions;

“Applicable Securities Laws” means the applicable securities legislation of each relevant province and territory of Canada, as amended from time to time, the rules, regulations and forms made or promulgated under any such statute and the published national instruments, multilateral instruments, policies, bulletins and notices of the securities commission and similar regulatory authority of each province and territory of Canada;

“public announcement” means disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service in Canada, or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation under its profile on the System of Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com; and

“Representatives” of a person means the affiliates and associates of such person, all persons acting jointly or in concert with any of the foregoing, and the affiliates and associates of any of such persons acting jointly or in concert, and “Representative” means any one of them.

1.2 Subject only to the Act, and for so long as the Corporation is a distributing corporation, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may be made at any annual meeting of shareholders, or at any special meeting of shareholders if one of the purposes for which the special meeting was called was the election of directors,

1.2.1 by or at the direction of the Board, including pursuant to a notice of meeting;

 


1.2.2 by or at the direction or request of one or more shareholders pursuant to a proposal made in accordance with the provisions of the Act or a requisition of the shareholders made in accordance with the provisions of the Act; or

1.2.3 by any person (a “Nominating Shareholder”):

 

  1.2.3.1.

who, at the close of business on the date of the giving of the notice provided for below in this Section 1 and at the close of business on the record date for notice of such meeting of shareholders, is entered in the securities register of the Corporation as a holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting or who beneficially owns shares that are entitled to be voted at such meeting; and

 

  1.2.3.2.

who complies with the notice procedures set forth below in this Section 1.

1.3 In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a Nominating Shareholder, such person must have given timely notice thereof (in accordance with Section

1.4 below) in proper written form to the Board (in accordance with Section 1.5 below).

1.4 To be timely, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Board must be made:

1.4.1  in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders (which includes an annual and special meeting), not less than 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting of shareholders is called for a date that is less than 50 days after the date (the “Notice Date”) that is the earlier of the date that a notice of meeting is filed for such meeting or the date on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be made not later than the close of business on the tenth (10 th ) day following the Notice Date;

1.4.2  in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes as well), not later than the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the day that is the earlier of the date that a notice of meeting is filed for such meeting or the date on which the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting of shareholders was made; and

 


1.4.3 in the event of any adjournment or postponement of a meeting of shareholders, or an announcement thereof, the required time periods for the giving of a Nominating Shareholder’s notice as described above shall apply using the date of the adjourned or postponed meeting, or the date of announcement thereof, as the case may be. This means that a Nominating Shareholder who failed to deliver a timely Nominating Shareholder’s notice in proper written form to the directors for purposes of the originally scheduled shareholders’ meeting shall nonetheless be entitled to provide a Nominating Shareholder’s notice for purposes of any adjourned or postponed meeting of shareholders as the determination as to whether a Nominating Shareholder’s notice is timely is to be determined based off of the adjourned or postponed shareholders’ meeting date and not the original shareholders’ meeting date.

1.5 To be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Board must set forth the information below, which includes information that is required to be included in a dissident proxy circular or that is necessary for the Corporation to determine director nominee qualifications, relevant experience, shareholding or voting interest in the Corporation, or independence in the same manner as would be required and disclosed for management nominees:

1.5.1 set forth, as to each person whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”):

 

  1.5.1.1.

the name, age, business address and residential address of the person;

 

  1.5.1.2.

the principal occupation or employment of the person for the past five years;

 

  1.5.1.3.

the status of such person as a “resident Canadian” (as such term is defined in the Act);

 

  1.5.1.4.

the class or series and number of shares which are controlled or which are owned beneficially or of record by the person as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice;

 

  1.5.1.5.

full particulars regarding any contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship (collectively, “Arrangements”), including without limitation financial, compensation and indemnity related Arrangements, between the Proposed Nominee or any associate or affiliate of the Proposed Nominee and any Nominating Shareholder or any of its Representatives; and

 


  1.5.1.6.

any other information relating to the Proposed Nominee or his or her associates or affiliates that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act and Applicable Securities Laws.

1.5.2 set forth, as to each Nominating Shareholder giving the notice and each beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made:

 

  1.5.2.1.

the name, age, business address and, if applicable, residential address of such person;

 

  1.5.2.2.

their direct or indirect beneficial ownership in, or control or direction over, any class or series of securities of the Corporation, including the number or principal amount;

 

  1.5.2.3.

full particulars regarding (1) any proxy or other Arrangement pursuant to which such person or any of its Representatives has a right to vote or direct the voting of any shares of the Corporation, and (2) any other Arrangement of such person or any of its Representatives relating to the voting of any shares of the Corporation or the nomination of any person(s) to the Board;

 

  1.5.2.4.

full particulars regarding any Arrangement of such person or any of its Representatives, the purpose or effect of which is to alter, directly or indirectly, the economic interest of such person or any of its Representatives in a security of the Corporation or the economic exposure of any such person or any of its Representatives to the Corporation;

 

  1.5.2.5.

full particulars regarding any Arrangement, including without limitation financial, compensation and indemnity related Arrangements, between the Proposed Nominee or any associate or affiliate of the Proposed Nominee and such person or any of its Representatives;

 

  1.5.2.6.

proof that the Nominating Shareholder is a holder of record of securities of the Corporation, or a beneficial owner, entitled to vote at such meeting;

 


  1.5.2.7.

whether such person or any of its Representatives intends to deliver a proxy circular and/or form of proxy to any shareholder of the Corporation in connection with such nomination or otherwise solicit proxies or votes from shareholders of the Corporation in support of such nomination; and

 

  1.5.2.8.

any other information relating to such person or any of its Representatives that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act and Applicable Securities Laws.

The Corporation may require any Proposed Nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such Proposed Nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation or a member of any committee of the Board, including with respect to independence or any other relevant criteria for eligibility (including any stock exchange requirements) or that could be material to a reasonable shareholder’s understanding of the independence or eligibility, or lack thereof, of such Proposed Nominee.

1.6 All information to be provided in a timely notice pursuant to Section 1.5 above shall be provided as of the record date for determining shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date shall then have been publicly announced) and as of the date of such notice. The Nominating Shareholder shall update such information forthwith if there are any material changes in the information previously disclosed.

1.7 For the avoidance of doubt, Section 1.2 above shall be the exclusive means for any person to bring nominations for election to the Board before any annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless such person has been nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by a shareholder (as distinct from the nomination of directors) at a meeting of shareholders of any matter in respect of which such shareholder would have been entitled to submit a proposal pursuant to the Act. The chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the foregoing provisions and, if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such foregoing provisions, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 


1.8 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 1 or any other by-law of the Corporation, any notice or other document or information required to be given to the Board pursuant to this Section may only be given by personal delivery, facsimile transmission or by email (at such email address as may be stipulated from time to time by the Board for purposes of this notice), and shall be deemed to have been given and made only at the time it is served by personal delivery to the Board at the address of the principal executive offices of the Corporation, emailed (to the address as aforesaid) or sent by facsimile transmission (provided that receipt of confirmation of such transmission has been received); provided that if such delivery or electronic communication is made on a day which is a not a business day or later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on a day which is a business day, then such delivery or electronic communication shall be deemed to have been made on the next following day that is a business day.

1.9 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its sole discretion, waive all or any of the requirements in this Section.

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAW NO. 3 amends and restates the Corporation’s original By-Law No. 3 that was previously in effect.

APPROVED by the directors of the Corporation on March 23, 2017.

CONFIRMED by the shareholders of the Corporation on June 27, 2017.

 

Exhibit 4.3

LOGO

C0000000230 | M VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. Number Shares * * * * 0 * * * * * * * * * 00000000 INCORPORATED UNDER THE CANADA BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT * * * * * 0 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 0 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 0 * * * * * * **SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zer THIS CERTIFIES THAT o****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC. * * * * * * * * 0 * * * * * zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*I NC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL ,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIO NAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC. SPECIMEN zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNA TIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTE RNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*I NTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARM S*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*F CUSIP 92707Y108 ARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****SPECIMEN92707Y10800000000VILLAG **092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10 IS THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF 800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VI ISIN CA92707Y1088 LLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS *INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIO NAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC. * * * 0 * zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC. * * ze ro****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****09270 7Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y108000000 00VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*F SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS ARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERN ATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*INC.zero****092707Y10800000000VILLAGE*FARMS*INTERNATIONAL,*IN FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE COMMON SHARES WITHOUT PAR VALUE IN THE CAPITAL OF VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. transferable on the books of the Company only upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Company. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Company has caused this certificate to be signed on its behalf by the facsimile signature of its duly CSAE_WIP_HGGQ_C01. authorized officer. mtl. Dated: Mar 08, 2019 Executive Vice-President and Chief COUNTERSIGNED By: COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED Financial Officer Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC. 1 State Street, 30th Floor (VANCOUVER) (TORONTO) New York, NY 10004-1561 OR TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR pulls/000001/000001/i Co-Transfer Agent By ____________________________ By ____________________________ Authorized Officer Authorized Officer The shares represented by this certificate are transferable at the offices of Computershare Investor Services Inc. in Vancouver, BC and Toronto, ON, or at the office of Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company in New York, NY, USA.


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The following abbreviations shall be construed as though the words set forth below opposite each abbreviation were written out in full where such abbreviation appears: TEN COM—as tenants in common (Name) CUST (Name) UNIF—(Name) as Custodian for (Name) under the TEN ENT—as tenants by the entireties GIFT MIN ACT (State) (State) Uniform Gifts to Minors Act JT TEN—as joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. For value received the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto Insert name and address of transferee shares represented by this certificate and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint the attorney of the undersigned to transfer the said shares on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises. DATED:                Signature of Shareholder Signature of Guarantor Signature Guarantee: The signature on this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate(s), in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any change whatsoever and must be guaranteed by a major Canadian Schedule I chartered bank or a member of an acceptable Medallion Signature Guarantee Program (STAMP, SEMP, MSP). The Guarantor must affix a stamp bearing the actual words “Signature Guaranteed”. In the USA, signature guarantees must be done by members of a “Medallion Signature Guarantee Program” only. Signature guarantees are not accepted from Treasury Branches, Credit Unions or Caisses Populaires unless they are members of the Stamp Medallion Program. SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS â– INSTRUCTIONS DE SECURITE THIS IS WATERMARKED PAPER, DO NOT ACCEPT WITHOUT NOTING WA1ERMARK HOLD TO LIGHT TO VERIFY WATERMARK PAPIER HI IGHANf, DU EN_COMP_V2_Q1

Exhibit 5.1

 

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79 Wellington St. W., 30th Floor

Box 270, TD South Tower

Toronto, Ontario M5K 1N2 Canada

P. 416.865.0040 | F. 416.865.7380

www.torys.com

March 15, 2019

Village Farms International, Inc.

4700-80th Street

Delta, British Columbia V4K 3N3

Canada

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as Canadian counsel to Village Farms International, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on the date hereof of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Form S-8”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to 4,766,034 common shares of the Corporation (the “Shares”) issuable pursuant to the Village Farms International, Inc. Share-Based Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). We have made such investigations and examined originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, records and certificates of the Corporation as we have considered necessary or relevant for the purposes of this opinion including:

 

  (a)

the Form S-8;

 

  (b)

the articles, as amended to date, and by-laws of the Corporation;

 

  (c)

the Plan;

 

  (d)

resolutions of the directors of the Corporation relating to the registration of the Shares and related matters and authorizing the Plan;

 

  (e)

resolutions of the shareholders of the Corporation authorizing and renewing the Plan; and

 

  (f)

a certificate of an officer of the Corporation dated the date hereof regarding certain factual matters (the “Officer’s Certificate”).

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed with respect to all documents examined by us, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, telecopied or photostatic copies and the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of such documents. We have relied exclusively on the Officer’s Certificate with respect to the accuracy of the factual matters contained therein. We have not performed any independent check or verification of such factual matters.

Based and relying upon and subject to the foregoing we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued and paid for in full in accordance with the Plan, will be validly issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Form S-8. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Torys LLP

Torys LLP

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on Form S-8 of Village Farms International, Inc. of our report dated March 13, 2019 relating to the financial statements of Village Farms International, Inc., which appears in Village Farms International, Inc.’s Report on Form 6-K/A furnished on March 15, 2019.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants

Vancouver, Canada

March 15, 2019

Exhibit 99.1

VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN

ARTICLE 1

PURPOSE

1.1     Purpose . The purpose of this share-based compensation plan of the Corporation is to advance the interests of the Corporation and its Affiliates by encouraging Eligible Persons to increase their proprietary interest in the Corporation and to remain associated with the Corporation, rewarding significant performance achievements and providing Eligible Persons with additional incentive in their efforts on behalf of the Corporation and its Affiliates.

1.2     Effective Date . The effective date of the Plan is December 31, 2009.

ARTICLE 2

DEFINED TERMS

2.1     Definitions . The following terms used herein shall have the following meanings:

 

  (a)

Affiliate ” means an entity which is an “affiliate” of the Corporation for the purposes of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus and Registration Exemptions as amended or replaced from time to time;

 

  (b)

Award ” means an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Share Unit, Deferred Share Unit, Restricted Stock or other Share-Based Award granted pursuant to the Plan;

 

  (c)

Award Shares ” has the meaning set out in Section 6.1;

 

  (d)

Black-Out Period ” means a time when, pursuant to any policies of the Corporation, any securities of the Corporation may not be traded by certain persons as designated by the Corporation, including any holder of an Award;

 

  (e)

Board ” means the board of directors of the Corporation or, if established and duly authorized to act in respect of the Plan, a committee of the board of directors of the Corporation;

 

  (f)

Business Day ” means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, on which the Exchange is open for trading;

 

  (g)

Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or replaced from time to time;

 

  (h)

Consultant ” means an individual or Consultant Company, other than a Director, Officer, Employee or Management Company Employee that:

 

  (i)

is engaged to provide on an ongoing bona fide basis, consulting, technical, management or other services to the Corporation or an Affiliate, other than services provided in relation to a distribution of securities;


  (ii)

provides the services under a written contract with the Corporation or an Affiliate; and

 

  (iii)

spends or will spend a significant amount of time on the affairs and business of the Corporation or an Affiliate;

 

  (i)

Consultant Company ” means for an individual consultant, a company or partnership of which the individual is an employee, shareholder or partner;

 

  (j)

Corporation ” means Village Farms International Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada, and any successor corporation;

 

  (k)

Deferred Share Units ” has the meaning set out in Section 10.1;

 

  (l)

Director ” means a member of the board of directors of the Corporation or of any of its Affiliates;

 

  (m)

Eligible Person ” means any Director, Officer, Employee or Consultant of the Corporation or any Affiliate determined by the Board as eligible for participation in the Plan;

 

  (n)

Employee ” means an individual who is considered an employee of the Corporation or its Affiliates for the purposes of applicable income tax legislation;

 

  (o)

Exchange ” means the TSX or, if the Shares are not then issued and posted for trading on the TSX, on such stock exchange in Canada on which such Shares are listed and posted for trading as may be selected for such purpose by the Board;

 

  (p)

Fixed Term ” means the period of time during which the Options must be exercised pursuant to the terms of the Plan;

 

  (q)

Insider ” has the meaning given under applicable securities legislation, as amended or replaced from time to time, and also includes associates and affiliates of such an insider;

 

  (r)

Management Company Employee ” means an individual employed by a person providing management services to the Corporation, who is required for the ongoing successful operation of the business enterprise of the Corporation;

 

  (s)

Market Price ” means the closing price of the Shares on the Exchange on the date immediately preceding the applicable date rounded up to the nearest cent. In the event that such Shares are not then listed and posted for trading on any Exchange, the Market Price in respect thereof shall be the fair market value of such Shares as determined by the reasonable application by the Board of a reasonable valuation method in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and that is acceptable to the Canada Revenue Agency;

 

  (t)

Offer ” has the meaning set out in Section 6.1;

 

  (u)

Officer ” means a senior officer of the Corporation or its Affiliates;

 

  (v)

Option ” means an option granted to purchase Shares for the Option Price under the terms of the Plan;


  (w)

Option Price ” means the price per share at which Shares may be purchased under the Option and based on which the SAR Amount is determined, as the same may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Article 6 hereof;

 

  (x)

Other Awards ” has the meaning set out in Section 12.1;

 

  (y)

Participant ” means an Eligible Person who holds an Award under the terms of the Plan;

 

  (z)

Plan ” means this share-based compensation plan;

 

  (aa)

Restricted Share Units ” has the meaning set out in Section 9.1;

 

  (bb)

Restricted Stock ” has the meaning set out in Section 11.1;

 

  (cc)

SAR Amount ” has the meaning set out in Section 8.2;

 

  (dd)

Separation from Service ” means with respect to a US Participant a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of, and that satisfies the requirements of, Section 409A of the Code, including Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(h); provided that it shall only include a circumstance where the employee dies, retires or otherwise has a termination of employment;

 

  (ee)

Shares ” mean the common shares of the Corporation as currently constituted or, in the event of an adjustment as contemplated by Article 6, such other shares or securities to which a Participant may be entitled or on which the value of an Award may be based, as a result of such adjustment;

 

  (ff)

Specified Employee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code;

 

  (gg)

Stock Appreciation Rights ” has the meaning set out in Section 8.1;

 

  (hh)

Termination Date ” means the date a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person and does not include any period of statutory, contractual or reasonable notice or any period of salary continuance or deemed employment;

 

  (ii)

Treasury Regulations ” means the United States Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code;

 

  (jj)

TSX ” means the Toronto Stock Exchange; and

 

  (kk)

U.S. Participant ” means any Eligible Person that is subject to tax under the laws of the United States.

ARTICLE 3

ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN

3.1     General . This Plan shall be administered by the Board which shall have the power, subject to the specific provisions of the Plan:


  (a)

to establish policies and to adopt rules and regulations for carrying out the purposes, provisions and administration of the Plan;

 

  (b)

to interpret and construe the Plan and to determine all questions arising out of the Plan and any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, where every such interpretation, construction or determination made by the Board shall be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes;

 

  (c)

to determine the Eligible Persons to whom Awards are granted and to grant Awards;

 

  (d)

to determine the number of Awards;

 

  (e)

to determine the Option Prices provided that the Option Price shall not be less than the Market Price;

 

  (f)

to determine the time or times when Awards will be granted and exercisable or redeemable;

 

  (g)

to determine if the Shares that are subject to an Award will be subject to any restrictions upon the exercise or redemption of such Award; and

 

  (h)

to prescribe the form of the instruments relating to the grant, exercise, redemption and other terms of Awards.

The power described in this Section 3.1 shall be exercised in accordance with applicable securities laws and rules and policies of the Exchange.

3.2     Award Agreement . Each Participant shall execute an award agreement in the form determined by the Board from time to time. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of any award agreement and this Plan, the terms of this Plan shall govern.

3.3     Section  409A . This Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. All Awards under the Plan shall be structured in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto and payments with respect thereto shall only be made in a manner and upon an event permitted under Section 409A. To the extent required under Section 409A, payments to a U.S. Participant who is a Specified Employee upon his or her Separation from Service shall be postponed and subject to a 6 month delay and shall be paid on the first business day of the seventh month following Separation from Service, or if such U.S. Participant dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of postponed amount, the amounts withheld on account of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the personal representative of such U.S. Participant’s estate within 60 days after the date of such U.S. Participant’s death. Except where otherwise expressly provided, to the extent that any provision of the Plan would cause a conflict with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, or would cause the administration of the Plan to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, such provision shall be deemed null and void to the extent permitted by applicable law.

ARTICLE 4

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

4.1     10% Rolling Plan . Subject to adjustment as provided in Article 6, the Shares to be offered under the Plan shall consist of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued Shares. The aggregate number of Shares to be delivered upon the exercise or redemption of all Awards granted under the Plan shall not exceed the greater of ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares at the time of granting of Awards (on a non-diluted basis) or such other number or percentage as may be approved by the Exchange and the shareholders of the Corporation from time to time.


4.2     Awards to Insiders . Under no circumstances shall this Plan, together with all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Corporation, result, at any time, in:

 

  (a)

the number of Shares issuable to Insiders exceeding ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis); or

 

  (b)

the issuance to Insiders, within a one-year period, of a number of Shares exceeding ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares (on a non-diluted basis).

4.3     Exercise or Redemption of Awards . Any exercise of Options or redemption of Awards will make new grants available under the Plan effectively resulting in a re-loading of the number of Shares available to grant under the Plan.

4.4     Awards That Expire or Terminate . If any Award granted hereunder shall expire or terminate for any reason without having been exercised or redeemed in full, the Shares underlying the Award shall again be available for the purpose of the Plan.

4.5     Restrictions on Exercise or Redemption . Notwithstanding any of the provisions contained in the Plan or any Award, the Corporation’s obligation to issue Shares to a Participant pursuant to the exercise or redemption of an Award shall be subject to:

 

  (a)

completion of such registration or other qualification of such Shares or obtaining approval of the Exchange or such regulatory authority as the Corporation shall determine to be necessary or advisable in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale thereof;

 

  (b)

the admission of such Shares to listing on the Exchange; and

 

  (c)

the receipt from the Participant of such representations, agreements and undertakings, including as to future dealings in such Shares as the Corporation or its counsel determines to be necessary or advisable in order to safeguard against the violation of the securities laws of any jurisdiction.

In this connection, the Corporation shall, to the extent necessary, take all reasonable steps to obtain such approvals, registrations and qualifications as may be necessary for the issuance of such Shares in compliance with applicable securities laws and for the listing of such Shares on the Exchange. If any Shares cannot be issued to any Participant for any reason including, without limitation, the failure to obtain necessary shareholder, regulatory or stock exchange approval, then the obligation of the Corporation to issue such Shares shall terminate and any amounts paid by the Participant to the Corporation to exercise or redeem an Award shall be returned to the Participant.

4.6     Non-Assignable . An Award is personal to the Participant and is non-assignable and non-transferable. Where an Award is granted to a company wholly-owned by a Participant, such company must agree, at the time of the grant, not to effect or permit any transfer of ownership of the Award or shares of such company, nor issue any additional shares to any individual or entity for so long as the Award remain outstanding to the credit of that company, except with the prior written consent of the Corporation and any required consent of the Exchange and any other applicable regulatory authority.


ARTICLE 5

ELIGIBILITY AND CEASING TO BE AN ELIGIBLE PERSON

5.1     Eligible Persons . Awards may only be granted to Eligible Persons.

5.2     Compliance with Laws . Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Plan, no Participant may exercise or redeem any Award granted under this Plan and no Shares may be issued upon exercise or redemption of an Award unless such exercise or redemption and issuance are in compliance with all applicable securities laws or other legislation of the jurisdiction of residence of such person. Unless the potential Participant is a resident of Canada, the Corporation may require, as a condition of the grant of an Award, that the potential Participant provide a written acknowledgement that the grant of the Award does not violate any such laws.

5.3     Termination Date . Subject to Section 5.4, Section 5.5 and any express resolution passed by the Board, all Awards, and all rights to acquire Shares pursuant thereto, granted to an Eligible Person shall expire and terminate immediately upon the Participant’s Termination Date.

5.4     Circumstances When Options and Stock Appreciation Rights are Exercisable . If, before the expiry of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right in accordance with the terms thereof, a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Person for any reason whatsoever, other than termination by the Corporation for cause (in which case all unexercised Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (vested or unvested) shall cease immediately), such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised, subject to:

 

  (i)

the terms set out in the award agreement;

 

  (ii)

any determination made by the Board to accelerate the vesting of or to extend the expiry of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right; and

 

  (iii)

any other terms of the Plan

 

  (b)

if the Participant is deceased, by the heirs of the Participant or by legal personal representative(s) of the estate of the Participant at any time within six (6) months following the death of the Participant; or

 

  (c)

by the Participant at any time within ninety (90) days following the Termination Date.

But, in any case, the exercise of the Option or Share Appreciation Right must be: (i) prior to the expiry of the Fixed Term of the Option or the expiry of the Stock Appreciation Right with the terms thereof, and (ii) only to the extent that the Option or Share Appreciation Right was vested and the Participant was otherwise entitled to exercise the Option or Share Appreciation Right at the Termination Date.

5.5     Another Listed Category . Awards shall not be affected in the event the Participant ceases to fall within a listed category contained in the definition of an “ Eligible Person ” hereunder where such Participant falls within another listed category of such definition.

ARTICLE 6

CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS

6.1     Offer for Shares . If a bona fide offer (“ Offer ”) for Shares is made to the Participant or to shareholders generally or to a class of shareholders which includes the Participant, which Offer, if accepted in whole or in part, would result in the offeror exercising control over the Corporation within the meaning of subsection 1(3) of the Securities Act (Ontario) (as amended from time to time), then the Board may, in its discretion, notify each Participant of the Offer, with full particulars thereof, whereupon, the Board may in its discretion, provide that notwithstanding the terms of the Award, such Award (other than a Deferred Share Unit) may be exercised in whole or in part by the Participant so as to permit the Participant to tender the Shares received upon such exercise (the “ Award Shares ”) pursuant to the Offer.


6.2     Changes in Shares . In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, amalgamation, acquisition, divestiture, consolidation, spin-off or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of the Corporation’s assets to shareholders, or any other change in the capital of the Corporation affecting Shares, the Board will make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Board in its discretion may deem appropriate, in compliance with Section 409A of the Code, to reflect such change, with respect to (i) the number or kind of shares or other securities reserved for issuance pursuant to this Plan; (ii) the number or kind of shares or other securities subject to unexercised or unredeemed Awards previously granted; and (iii) the Option Price, if applicable, of Awards.

6.3     No Fractional Shares . The Corporation will not issue fractional Shares in satisfaction of any of its obligations hereunder.

6.4     Accelerated Exercise or Redemption of Awards . Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the Board may at any time give written notice to all Participants advising that their respective Awards (other a than Deferred Share Unit) are all immediately exercisable or redeemable and may be exercised or redeemed only within 30 days of such written notice or such other period as determined by the Board and not thereafter and that all rights of the Participants under any Awards (other than a Deferred Share Unit) not exercised or redeemed within such period will terminate all the expiration of such period; provided that with respect to any U.S. Participant, the acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment of compensation under the Plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Code is prohibited, except as provided in the Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance promulgated under Section 409A of the Code.

ARTICLE 7

OPTIONS

7.1     Grant of Options . The Board may grant Options to Eligible Persons.

7.2     Option Exercise Term . Options shall be for a Fixed Term and exercisable from time to time as determined in the discretion of the Board at the time of grant, provided that, subject to Section 7.3, no Option shall have a term exceeding ten (10) years (or such shorter period as is permitted by the Exchange from time to time).

7.3     Black-Out Period . Except where not permitted by the Exchange, where an Option would expire during a Black-Out Period or within ten (10) Business Days following the end of a Black-Out Period, the term of such Option shall be extended to the date which is ten (10) Business Days following the end of such Black-Out Period.

7.4     Terms of Options . Subject to this Article, the number of Shares subject to each Option, the Option Price, the expiration date of each Option, the extent to which each Option is exercisable from time to time during the term of the Option and other terms and conditions relating to each such Option shall be determined by the Board; provided, however, if no specific determination is made by the Board with respect to any of the following matters, each Option shall, subject to any other specific provisions of the Plan, contain the following terms and conditions:


  (a)

the Fixed Term shall be ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted to the Participant; and

 

  (b)

the Option shall vest in installments, with 1 3 of such Option exercisable in whole or in part on or after the first anniversary following the grant of the Option, and a further 1 3 vesting and becoming exercisable on each of the second and third anniversaries following the grant of the Option.

7.5     Restrictions on Option Price . The Option Price shall in no circumstances be lower than the greatest of: (i) the price permitted by the Exchange; (ii) the price permitted by any other regulatory body having jurisdiction; or (iii) the Market Price.

7.6     Exercise of Options . Subject to the provisions of the Plan and award agreement, an Option may be exercised from time to time by delivery to the Corporation at its principal office of a written notice of exercise addressed to the Secretary or the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation in a form approved by the Board from time to time and accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price for the Shares to be purchased. Upon receipt of payment in full and subject to the terms of this Plan, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised will be duly issued to the Participant as fully paid and non-assessable. Upon the exercise of any Option with a related Stock Appreciation Right, the corresponding portion of the related Stock Appreciation Right shall be surrendered to the Corporation and cancelled.

ARTICLE 8

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

8.1     Grants of Share Appreciation Rights . The Board may grant rights (“ Stock Appreciation Rights ”) to Eligible Persons either on a stand-alone basis or in relation to any Option. Where a Stock Appreciation Right is granted in relation to an Option, it shall be a right in respect of the same number of Shares and shall have the same Option Price as the Option. Where a Stock Appreciation Right is granted on a stand-alone basis, the Board shall designate the number of Shares in respect of which the Stock Appreciation Right is granted and shall designate the Option Price, which shall be not less than the Market Price on the date of grant.

8.2     Stock Appreciation Rights . A Stock Appreciation Right is the right to the excess, if any, of:

 

  (a)

the Market Price of a Share on the date such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised over

 

  (b)

the Option Price

multiplied by the number of Shares in respect of which the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised, less any amount required to be withheld by applicable law (the “ SAR Amount ”).

8.3     Terms of Stock Appreciation Rights Granted in Connection with an Option . Stock Appreciation Rights granted in relation to an Option shall be exercisable only at the same time, by the same persons and to the same extent, that the related Option is exercisable. Upon exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right related to an Option, the corresponding portion of the related Option shall be surrendered to the Corporation and cancelled. In the sole discretion of the Corporation, the Corporation may elect to satisfy the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right by issuing to the Participant Shares which have a Market Price as at the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right, equal to the SAR Amount.


8.4     Terms of Stock Appreciation Rights Granted on a Stand Alone Basis . Stock Appreciation Rights granted on a stand-alone basis shall be granted on such terms as shall be determined by the Board and set out in the award agreement, provided that the Option Price shall not be less than the Market Price on the date of grant.

8.5     Exercise of Stand Alone Stock Appreciation Rights . Subject to the provisions of the Plan and award agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised from time to time by delivery to the Corporation at its principal office of a written notice of exercise addressed to the Secretary or the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. Upon receipt of the notice and subject to the terms of this Plan, the Corporation shall within ten (10) business days pay to the Participant the SAR Amount or issue to the Participant a number of Shares (disregarding fractions) having an aggregate value, based on Market Price at the date of exercise, equal to the SAR Amount or any combination of payment and issuance of Shares.

ARTICLE 9

RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

9.1     Grants of Restricted Share Units . The Board may grant rights (“ Restricted Share Units ”) to Eligible Persons. The Board shall designate the number of Restricted Share Units granted.

9.2     Restricted Share Units . A Restricted Share Unit is the right to receive one Share issued from treasury for each Restricted Share Unit redeemed or, at the election of the Corporation, a payment equal to the number of Restricted Share Units redeemed, multiplied by the Market Price on the date of vesting or any combination of payment and issuance of Shares. When dividends are paid on the Shares an additional number of Restricted Share Units will be credited to the Participant determined as the amount of the dividend multiplied by the number of Restricted Share Units credited to the Participant at the dividend payment date divided by the Market Price on the dividend payment date.

9.3     Terms of Restricted Share Units . Restricted Share Units shall be granted on such terms as shall be determined by the Board and set out in the award agreement.

9.4     Redemption of Restricted Share Units . Subject to the provisions of the Plan and award agreement, a Restricted Share Unit shall be redeemed and paid (or Shares issued) on, or as soon as practical following, the date the Restricted Share Unit vests, but in any event not later than the earlier of: (i) December 31 of the third year following the year in respect of which they were granted; and (ii) March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such Restricted Share Units are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

ARTICLE 10

DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

10.1     Grants of Deferred Share Units . The Board may grant rights (“ Deferred Share Units ”) to Eligible Persons, other than Consultants. The Board shall designate the number of Deferred Share Units granted.

10.2     Deferred Share Units . A Deferred Share Unit is the right to receive one Share issued from treasury for each Deferred Share Unit redeemed or, at the election of the Corporation, a payment equal to the number of Deferred Share Units redeemed, multiplied by the Market Price on the date of redemption or any combination of payment and issuance of Shares. When dividends are paid on the Shares an additional number of Deferred Share Units will be credited to the Participant determined as the amount of the dividend multiplied by the number of Deferred Share Units credited to the Participant at the dividend payment date divided by the Market Price on the dividend payment date.


10.3     Terms of Deferred Share Units . Deferred Share Units shall be granted on such terms as shall be determined by the Board and set out in the award agreement.

10.4     Redemption of Deferred Share Units . Subject to the provisions of the Plan and award agreement, a Deferred Share Unit held by a Participant other than a U.S. Participant may be redeemed from time to time by delivery to the Corporation at its principal office of a written notice of redemption addressed to the Secretary or the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation in a form approved by the Board from time to time, provided that Deferred Share Units may not be redeemed earlier that the date the Participant ceases to hold all positions with the Corporation and may not be redeemed later than December 15 of the year following the year in which the Participant ceased to hold all positions with the Corporation. Upon receipt of the notice and subject to the terms of this Plan, the Deferred Share Unit shall be redeemed.

10.5     Redemption of Deferred Share Units Held by U.S. Participants . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, with respect to any U.S. Participants, all Deferred Share Units shall be redeemed and paid (or Shares issued) within thirty days of such U.S. Participant’s Separation from Service; provided that in the event that a U.S. Participant is a Specified Employee such payment shall be made (or Shares issued) at the time described in Section 3.3 hereof, provided that notwithstanding Section 3.3 hereof such payment shall not be made later than the end of the first calendar year commencing after the year in which the Separation from Service occurred. Any cash payment shall be based on the Market Price of a Share on the date of such U.S. Participant’s Separation from Service.

ARTICLE 11

RESTRICTED STOCK

11.1     Grants of Restricted Stock . The Board may grant shares (“ Restricted Stock ”) to Eligible Persons.

11.2     Restricted Stock . Restricted Stock is a Share which vests based on the achievement of performance targets, the passage of time or both.

11.3     Terms of Restricted Stock . Restricted Stock shall be granted on such terms as shall be determined by the Board and set out in the award agreement.

11.4     Lapse of Restrictions . Subject to the provisions of the Plan and award agreement, Restricted Stock may be sold, transferred or otherwise dealt with, only when all restrictions have lapsed.

ARTICLE 12

OTHER AWARDS

12.1     Grants of Other Awards . The Board may grant other share-based awards (“ Other Awards ”) to Eligible Persons. Other Awards shall be granted on such terms as shall be determined by the Board and set out in the award agreement and will be subject to the approval of the TSX.


ARTICLE 13

AMENDMENT PROCEDURE

13.1     Amendment Procedure . The Corporation retains the right to amend or terminate the terms and conditions of the Plan by resolution of the Board. If required, any amendments shall be subject to the prior consent of any applicable regulatory bodies, including the Exchange. Any amendment to the Plan shall take effect with respect to all outstanding Awards on the date of, and all Awards granted after, the effective date of such amendment, provided that in the event any amendment materially and adversely effects any outstanding Options it may apply to such outstanding Awards only with the mutual consent of the Corporation and the Participants to whom such Awards have been granted. The Board shall have the power and authority to approve amendments relating to the Plan or to Awards, without further approval of the shareholders of the Corporation, including the following non-exhaustive list of such amendments:

 

  (a)

altering, extending or accelerating the terms and conditions of vesting of any Awards;

 

  (b)

amending the termination provisions of an Award, which amendment shall include determining that any provisions of Article 5 concerning the effect of the Participant ceasing to be an Eligible Person shall not apply for any reason acceptable to the Board;

 

  (c)

accelerating the expiry of the Fixed Term of any Option;

 

  (d)

determining adjustments pursuant to Article 6 hereof;

 

  (e)

amending the definitions contained within the Plan, including but not limited to the definition of “Eligible Person” under the Plan except as provided in Section 13.2(e);

 

  (f)

amending or modifying the mechanics of exercise or redemption of the Awards as set forth in the Plan;

 

  (g)

effecting amendments of a “housekeeping” nature including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any amendment for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, error, inconsistency or omission in or from the Plan;

 

  (h)

effecting amendments necessary to comply with the provisions of applicable laws (including, without limitation, the rules, regulations and policies of the Exchange);

 

  (i)

effecting amendments respecting the administration of the Plan;

 

  (j)

effecting amendments necessary to suspend or terminate the Plan;

provided that no amendment shall be made with respect to any Award of a U.S. Participant if such amendment would cause such Award to be subject to tax under Section 409A of the Code.

13.2     Shareholder Approval . Notwithstanding the foregoing, approval of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be required for the following types of amendments:

 

  (a)

increasing the number of Shares issuable under the Plan, except such increase by operation of Section 4.1 and in the event of an adjustment contemplated by Article 6;


  (b)

amending the Plan which amendment could result in the aggregate number of Shares of the Corporation issued to Insiders within any one (1) year period under the Plan together with any other security-based compensation arrangement, or issuable to Insiders at any time under the Plan together with any other security-based compensation arrangement, exceeding ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares;

 

  (c)

extending the Fixed Term of an Option;

 

  (d)

reducing the Option Price of an Option or cancelling an Option and replacing such Option with a lower Option Price under such replacement Option, except as permitted pursuant to Article 6;

 

  (e)

amending the listed categories contained in the definition of “Eligible Persons” hereunder which would have the potential of broadening or increasing participation in the Plan by Insiders;

 

  (f)

extending the term (fixed or otherwise) of an Option held by an Insider beyond the expiry of the original Fixed Term of the Option;

 

  (g)

amending Section 13.1 hereof and this Section 13.2; and

 

  (h)

making any amendments required to be approved by shareholders under applicable law (including, without limitation, pursuant to the rules, regulations and policies of the Exchange).

Where required by the policies of the Exchange, the shareholder approval required by this Section 13.2 shall be by the majority vote of the shareholders of the Corporation excluding any votes cast by Insiders who are entitled to participate as Eligible Persons under the Plan or who will specifically benefit from the proposed amendment.

13.3     Conflict . In the event of any conflict between Sections 13.1 and Section 13.2, the latter shall prevail to the extent of the conflict.

ARTICLE 14

GENERAL

14.1     No Rights as Shareholder . The holder of an Award, other than Restricted Stock, shall not have any rights as a Shareholder of the Corporation with respect to any Shares covered by such Award until such holder shall have exercised or redeemed such Award and been issued Shares in accordance with the terms of the Plan (including tender of payment in full of the Option Price of the Shares in respect of which an Option is being exercised) and the Corporation shall issue such Shares to the Participant in accordance with the terms of the Plan in those circumstances.

14.2     No Rights Conferred .

 

  (a)

Nothing contained in this Plan or any Award shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect continuance as a Director, Officer, Employee, Consultant or Management Company Employee of the Corporation or its Affiliates, or interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or its Affiliates to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.


  (b)

Nothing contained in this Plan or any Award shall confer on any Participant who is not a Director, Officer, Employee, Consultant or Management Company Employee any right to continue providing ongoing services to the Corporation or its Affiliates or affect in any way the right of the Corporation or its Affiliates to determine to terminate his, her or its contract at any time.

14.3     Tax Consequences . It is the responsibility of the Participant to complete and file any tax returns which may be required under any applicable tax laws within the periods specified in those laws as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Corporation shall not be responsible for any tax consequences to the Participant as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Corporation shall make any withholdings or deductions in respect of taxes as required by law or the interpretation or administration thereof. The Corporation shall be entitled to make arrangements to sell a sufficient number of Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award to fund the payment and remittance of such taxes that are required to be deducted or withheld and any associated costs.

14.4     No Representation . The Corporation makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of any Shares issued in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

14.5     Governing Law . This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

14.6     Severance . If any provision of this Plan or any agreement entered into pursuant to this Plan contravenes any law or any order, policy, by-law or regulation of any regulatory body or Exchange having authority over the Corporation or this Plan then such provision shall be deemed to be amended to the extent required to bring such provision into compliance therewith.

ARTICLE 15

SHAREHOLDER AND REGULATORY APPROVAL

This Plan shall be subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Corporation to be given by a resolution passed at a meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, and to acceptance by the Exchange and any other relevant regulatory authority. Any Awards granted hereunder prior to such approval and acceptance shall be conditional upon such approval and acceptance being given, and no such Awards may be exercised unless and until such approval and acceptance is given.