As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 2021

Registration No. 333-                

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

First Majestic Silver Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

British Columbia   Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

  V6C 3L2
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

Puglisi & Associates

850 Library Avenue, Suite 204

Newark, Delaware 19711

(302) 738-6680

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

 

 

with copies to:

 

Sophie Hsia

General Counsel

First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3L2

Canada

(604) 688-3033

 

Daniel M. Miller

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Suite 1070, 1095 West Pender Street

Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 2M6

Canada

(604) 630-5199

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or 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, without par value, to be issued pursuant to Options and Units to be issued under Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (2)

  13,320,725   $12.85   $171,171,317    

Common Shares, without par value, to be issued pursuant to Options outstanding under Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (3)

  6,454,121   $10.27   $66,283,823    

Common Shares, without par value, to be issued pursuant to Units outstanding under Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan (2)

  743,691   $12.85   $9,556,430    

Total

  20,518,537       $247,011,570   $26,949

 

 

 

(1)

Consists of Common Shares (without par value) issuable pursuant to exercise of options, or pursuant to units, granted under the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan. Also includes such indeterminate number of common shares of the registrant as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock dividends, stock splits or similar transactions in accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933.

(2)

Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of the average of the high and low sales price per share of the common shares of First Majestic Silver Corp. on the New York Stock Exchange on July 21, 2021.

(3)

Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of the weighted average exercise price of the outstanding options, converted from Canadian dollars into United States dollars using the daily rate of exchange reported by the Bank of Canada on July 21, 2021, of Cdn.#1.00 = US$0.7943.

 

 

 


PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The document(s) containing the information required by Item 1 of Form S-8 and the statement of availability of registrant information and any other information required by Item 2 of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants as specified by Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In accordance with Rule 428 and the requirements of Part I of Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “Commission”, either as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. First Majestic Silver Corp., or “we”, “our company” or the “Registrant”, will maintain a file of such documents in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428. Upon request, the Registrant will furnish to the Commission or its staff a copy of any or all of the documents included in such file.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are incorporated into this registration statement by reference:

 

   

The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2020;

 

   

The Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on June 1, 2021 that includes a Material Change Report;

 

   

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on May 6, 2021 that includes quarterly financial information;

 

   

The Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on May 3, 2021;

 

   

Exhibit 99.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on April 16, 2021;

 

   

Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on February  18, 2021, as amended on March 25, 2021;

 

   

The Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K furnished to the Commission on March 25, 2021;

 

   

The description of the Registrant’s common shares contained in its Registration Statement on Form 40-F filed with the Commission on November 23, 2010 under Section  12 of the Exchange Act, as amended on December 8, 2010, and all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

 

   

All other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December 31, 2020.

Each document filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of any post-effective amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. In addition, any information circular, unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, material change reports (excluding confidential material change reports) or business acquisition reports subsequently filed by the registrant with securities commissions or similar authorities in the relevant provinces and territories of Canada after the date of this registration statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement from the applicable Report on Form 6-K on which such document is furnished to the Commission. In addition, any Form 6-K furnished by the registrant during such period or portions thereof, in each case that are identified in such Form 6-K as being incorporated by reference into this registration statement, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into and to be part of this registration statement from the date of filing of each such document.


Any statement contained herein, in any amendment hereto or in a document 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 subsequently-filed amendment to this registration statement or in any document that also is incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any 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. Interest of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

We are subject to the provisions of Part 5, Division 5 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “Act”).

Under Section 160 of the Act, we may, subject to Section 163 of the Act:

 

  (1)

indemnify an individual who:

 

   

is or was a director or officer of our company;

 

   

is or was a director or officer of another corporation (i) at a time when such corporation is or was an affiliate of our company; or (ii) at our request, or

 

   

at our request, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity,

and including, subject to certain limited exceptions, the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual (collectively, an “eligible party”), against all eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable; and

 

  (2)

after final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding, where:

“eligible penalty” means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, and eligible proceeding.

“eligible proceeding” means a proceeding in which an eligible party or any of the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation (a) is or may be joined as a party, or (b) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding.

“proceeding” includes any legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened , pending or completed.

Under Section 161 of the Act, and subject to Section 163 of the Act, we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses, and (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.


Under Section 162 of the Act, and subject to Section 163 of the Act, we may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of the proceeding, provided that we must not make such payments unless we first receive from the eligible party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses is prohibited under Section 163 of the Act, the eligible party will repay the amounts advanced.

Under Section 163 of the Act, we must not indemnify an eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable or pay the expenses of an eligible party in respect of that proceeding under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act, as the case may be, if any of the following circumstances apply:

• if the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, we were prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our memorandum or articles;

• if the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, we are prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our memorandum or articles;

• if, in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our company or the associated corporation, as the case may be; or

• in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible party’s conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful.

If an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of our company or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, we must not either indemnify the eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable, or pay the expenses of the eligible party under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act, as the case may be, in respect of the proceeding.

Under Section 164 of the Act, and despite any other provision of Part 5, Division 5 of the Act and whether or not payment of expenses or indemnification has been sought, authorized or declined under Part 5, Division 5 of the Act, on application of our company or an eligible party, the Supreme Court of British Columbia may do one or more of the following:

• order us to indemnify an eligible party against any liability incurred by the eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

• order us to pay some or all of the expenses incurred by an eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

• order the enforcement of, or payment under, an agreement of indemnification entered into by us;

• order us to pay some or all of the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any person in obtaining an order under Section 164 of the Act; or

• make any other order the court considers appropriate.

Section 165 of the Act provides that we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible party or the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party against any liability that may be incurred by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation.

Under our articles, and subject to the Act, we must indemnify a director, former director or alternate director and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each eligible party is deemed to have contracted with our company on the terms of the indemnity contained in our articles.


Under our articles, and subject to the Act, we may agree to indemnify and may indemnify any person (including an eligible party). We have entered into indemnity agreements with certain of our directors and officers.

Pursuant to our articles, the failure of an eligible party to comply with the Act or our articles does not, of itself, invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under our articles.

Under our articles, we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) against any liability incurred by him or her as a director, officer or person who holds or held such equivalent position.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

4.1    Certificate of Continuation and Certificate of Change of Name.
4.2    Notice of Articles and Articles filed under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
4.3    Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan
5.1    Opinion of Bennett Jones LLP
23.1    Consent of Deloitte LLP
23.2    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.3    Consent of Persio P. Rosario, P.Eng.
23.4    Consent of Brian Boutilier, P.Eng.
23.5    Consent of David Rowe, CPG
23.6    Consent of Joaquin Merino, P.Geo.
23.7    Consent of Maria E. Vazquez, P.Geo.
23.8    Consent of Ramon Mendoza Reyes, P. Eng.
23.9    Consent of Phillip J. Spurgeon, P.Geo.
23.10    Consent of Ryan Rodney, CPG
23.11    Consent of Gordon L. Fellows, P.E.
23.12    Consent of Chelsea Hamilton, P.Eng.
23.13    Consent of Andrew P. Hampton, P.Eng.
23.14    Consent of Jeremy Scott Collyard, MMSA
23.15    Consent of Gregory K. Kulla, P.Geo.
24.1    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages to this registration statement).


Item 9. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned 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;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section 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 Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the 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 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 Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities 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 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, First Majestic Silver Corp. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on July 23, 2021.

 

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.
By:  

/s/ Keith Neumeyer

  Name: Keith Neumeyer
  Title: President & Chief Executive Officer

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Keith Neumeyer and Raymond Polman, and each of them, either of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said 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, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents 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, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on July 23, 2021:

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ Keith Neumeyer

Keith Neumeyer

   President & Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Raymond Polman

Raymond Polman

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Douglas Penrose

Douglas Penrose

   Director (Chairman of the Board of Directors)

/s/ Ana Lopez

Ana Lopez

   Director

/s/ Marjorie Co

Marjorie Co

   Director

/s/ Thomas Fudge

Thomas Fudge

   Director

/s/ Jean des Rivieres

Jean des Rivieres

   Director

/s/ Colette Rustad

Colette Rustad

   Director


AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned has signed this Registration Statement, solely in its capacity as the duly authorized representative of First Majestic Silver Corp. in the United States, on July 23, 2021.

 

PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES
By:  

/s/ Donald J. Puglisi

  Name: Donald J. Puglisi
  Title: Managing Director

Exhibit 4.1

 

LOGO    Number: C0713891

CERTIFICATE

OF

CHANGE OF NAME

BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT

I Hereby Certify that FIRST MAJESTIC RESOURCE CORP. changed its name to FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. on November 22, 2006 at 02:50 PM Pacific Time.

 

LOGO   

Issued under my hand at Victoria, British Columbia

On November 22, 2006

 

LOGO

RON TOWNSHEND

Registrar of Companies

Province of British Columbia

Canada


LOGO  

Ministry of Finance

Corporate and Personal

Property Registries

   Number: C0713891

CERTIFICATE

OF

CONTINUATION

BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT

I Hereby Certify that First Majestic Resource Corp., which was duly registered as an extraprovincial company under the laws of British Columbia with certificate number A0026400, has continued into British Columbia from the Jurisdiction of YUKON, under the Business Corporations Act, with the name FIRST MAJESTIC RESOURCE CORP. on January 17, 2005 at 10:59 AM Pacific Time.

 

LOGO   

Issued under my hand at Victoria, British Columbia

On January 17, 2005

 

LOGO

JOHN S. POWELL

Registrar of Companies

Province of British Columbia

Canada


INFORMATION REGARDING ALTERATION TO ARTICLES

 

1.

The attached is a copy of an alteration made to the Articles of:

First Majestic Silver Corp.                                                                                                                                                   

 

2.

The alteration was:

 

  (a)

Passed by the type of resolution and on the date indicated below:

 

Director(s) resolution dated:                                                                                                                                                

 

Ordinary resolution dated:                                                                                                                                                  

 

Special resolution dated: May 23, 2019 to amend section 11.3 the Articles                                                                     

 

Exceptional resolution dated:                                                                                                                                              

 

  (b)

Became effective on the date (and time) indicated below:

 

Date/time the resolution was received for deposit at the records office being:

June 27, 2019 at 2:57 p.m.                                                                                                                                                   

 

Date/time specified in the resolution being:

 

                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Date/time the Notice of Alteration was filed with the Registrar of Companies being:

 

                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Date/time the Transition Application was filed with the Registrar of Companies being:

 

                                                                                                                                                                                              

BENNETT JONES LLP

Date: June 27, 2019


Text from the Management Information Circular dated April 16, 2019:

“IT IS RESOLVED, as a special resolution that:

(a) the alteration to the Company’s existing Articles to amend section 11.3 of the Articles to increase the quorum requirement for the Company’s shareholder meetings to two persons present or represented by proxy representing not less than 25% of the Company’s issued shares, all as fully described in the Company’s Management Information Circular dated April 16, 2019, be and is hereby authorized and approved;

(b) any one director or officer of the Company be and is hereby authorized and directed to do all such acts and things and to execute and deliver all such documents, instruments and assurances as in the opinion of such director or officer may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the foregoing resolutions.”


INFORMATION REGARDING ALTERATION TO ARTICLES

 

1.

The attached is a copy of an alteration made to the Articles of:

First Majestic Silver Corp.                                                                                                                                                     

 

2.

The alteration was:

 

  (a)

Passed by the type of resolution and on the date indicated below:

 

Director(s) resolution dated:                                                                                                                                                    

 

Ordinary resolution dated:                                                                                                                                                      

 

Special resolution dated: December 21, 2006 to amend section 9.3 of the articles                                                             

 

Exceptional resolution dated:                                                                                                                                                  

 

  (b)

Became effective on the date (and time) indicated below:

 

Date/time the resolution was received for deposit at the records office being:

March 22, 2007 at 12:11 pm.                                                                                                                                                  

 

Date/time specified in the resolution being:

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

Date/time the Notice of Alteration was filed with the Registrar of Companies being:

 

                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Date/time the Transition Application was filed with the Registrar of Companies being:

 

                                                                                                                                                                                              

MCCULLOUGH O’CONNOR IRWIN LLP

Date: March 22, 2007            


Text from the Management Information Circular dated November 16, 2006:

“Resolved that Section 9.3 of the Company’s Articles be amended to state ‘The Company may by directors’ resolution or ordinary resolution, authorize an alteration to its articles to adopt or change its name.’ subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, where required; and

any director or officer of the Company, signing alone, be authorized to execute and deliver all such documents and instruments, and to do such further acts, as may be necessary to give full effect to these resolutions or as may be required to carry out the full intent and meaning thereof.”

 


      Continuation Number
   FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.   

            C0713891             

 

     
   (the “Company”)   
   ARTICLES   

 

1.

   Interpretation      1  
   1.1    Definitions      1  
   1.2    Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable      1  

2.

   Shares and Share Certificates      1  
   2.1    Authorized Share Structure      1  
   2.2    Form of Share Certificate      1  
   2.3    Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgment      2  
   2.4    Delivery by Mail      2  
   2.5    Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement      2  
   2.6    Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificate or Acknowledgment      2  
   2.7    Splitting Share Certificates      2  
   2.8    Certificate Fee      2  
   2.9    Recognition of Trusts      3  

3.

   Issue of Shares      3  
   3.1    Directors Authorized      3  
   3.2    Commissions and Discounts      3  
   3.3    Brokerage      3  
   3.4    Conditions of Issue      3  
   3.5    Share Purchase Warrants and Rights      3  

4.

   Share Registers      4  
   4.1    Central Securities Register      4  
   4.2    Closing Register      4  

5.

   Share Transfers      4  
   5.1    Registering Transfers      4  
   5.2    Form of Instrument of Transfer      4  
   5.3    Transferor Remains Shareholder      4  
   5.4    Signing of Instrument of Transfer      4  
   5.5    Enquiry as to Title Not Required      5  
   5.6    Transfer Fee      5  

6.

   Transmission of Shares      5  
   6.1    Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death      5  
   6.2    Rights of Legal Personal Representative      5  

7.

   Purchase of Shares      5  
   7.1    Company Authorized to Purchase Shares      5  
   7.2    Purchase When Insolvent      5  
   7.3    Sale and Voting of Purchased Shares      6  

 

i


8.

   Borrowing Powers      6  

9.

   Alterations      6  
   9.1    Alteration of Authorized Share Structure      6  
   9.2    Special Rights and Restrictions      7  
   9.3    Change of Name      7  
   9.4    Other Alterations      7  

10.

   Meetings of Shareholders      7  
   10.1    Annual General Meetings      7  
   10.2    Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting      7  
   10.3    Calling of Meetings of Shareholders      7  
   10.4    Notice for Meetings of Shareholders      7  
   10.5    Record Date for Notice      8  
   10.6    Record Date for Voting      8  
   10.7    Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice      8  
   10.8    Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders      8  

11.

   Proceedings at Meetings of Shareholders      8  
   11.1    Special Business      8  
   11.2    Special Majority      9  
   11.3    Quorum      9  
   11.4    One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum      9  
   11.5    Other Persons May Attend      9  
   11,6    Requirement of Quorum      9  
   11.7    Lack of Quorum      10  
   11.8    Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting      10  
   11.9    Chair      10  
   11.10    Selection of Alternate Chair      10  
   11.11    Adjournments      10  
   11.12    Notice of Adjourned Meeting      10  
   11.13    Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll      10  
   11.14    Declaration of Result      11  
   11.15    Motion Need Not be Seconded      11  
   11.16    Casting Vote      11  
   11.17    Manner of Taking Poll      11  
   11.18    Demand for Poll on Adjournment      11  
   11.19    Chair Must Resolve Dispute      11  
   11.20    Casting of Votes      11  
   11.21    Demand for Poll      11  
   11.22    Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting      12  
   11.23    Retention of Ballots and Proxies      12  

12.

   Votes of Shareholders      12  
   12.1    Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares      12  
   12.2    Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity      12  
   12.3    Votes by Joint Holders      12  
   12.4    Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders      12  

 

ii


   12.5    Representative of a Corporate Shareholder      13  
   12.6    Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to All Companies      13  
   12.7    Appointment ofProxy Holders      13  
   12.8    Alternate Proxy Holders      13  
   12.9    When Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder      13  
   12.10    Deposit of Proxy      14  
   12.11    Validity of Proxy Vote      14  
   12.12    Form of Proxy      14  
   12.13    Revocation of Proxy      15  
   12.14    Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed      15  
   12.15    Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote      15  

13.

   Directors      15  
   13.1    First Directors; Number of Directors      15  
   13.2    Change in Number of Directors      15  
   13.3    Directors’ Acts Valid Despite Vacancy      16  
   13.4    Qualifications of Directors      16  
   13.5    Remuneration of Directors      16  
   13.6    Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors      16  
   13.7    Special Remuneration for Directors      16  
   13.8    Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director      16  

14.

   Election and Removal of Directors      16  
   14.1    Election at Annual General Meeting      16  
   14.2    Consent to be a Director      17  
   14.3    Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors      17  
   14.4    Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled      17  
   14.5    Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies      17  
   14.6    Remaining Directors Power to Act      17  
   14.7    Shareholders May Fill Vacancies      18  
   14.8    Additional Directors      18  
   14.9    Ceasing to be a Director      18  
   14.10    Removal of Director by Shareholders      18  
   14.11    Removal of Director by Directors      18  

15.

   Alternate Directors      18  
   15.1    Appointment of Alternate Director      18  
   15.2    Notice of Meetings      19  
   15.3    Alternate for More Than One Director Attending Meetings      19  
   15.4    Consent Resolutions      19  
   15.5    Alternate Director Not an Agent      19  
   15.6    Revocation of Appointment of Alternate Director      19  
   15.7    Ceasing to be an Alternate Director      19  
   15.8    Remuneration and Expenses of Alternate Director      20  

16.

   Powers and Duties of Directors      20  
   16.1    Powers of Management      20  
   16.2    Appointment of Attorney of Company      20  
   16.3    Setting Remuneration of the Auditor      20  

 

iii


17.

   Disclosure of Interest of Directors      20  
   17.1    Obligation to Account for Profits      20  
   17.2    Restrictions on Voting by Reason of Interest      20  
   17.3    Interested Director Counted in Quorum      21  
   17.4    Disclosure of Conflict of Interest or Property      21  
   17.5    Director Holding Other Office in the Company      21  
   17.6    No Disqualification      21  
   17.7    Professional Services by Director or Officer      21  
   17.8    Director or Officer in Other Corporations      21  

18.

   Proceedings of Directors      21  
   18.1    Meetings of Directors      21  
   18.2    Voting at Meetings      21  
   18.3    Chair of Meetings      22  
   18.4    Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium      22  
   18.5    Calling of Meetings      22  
   18.6    Notice of Meetings      22  
   18.7    When Notice Not Required      22  
   18.8    Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice      22  
   18.9    Waiver of Notice of Meetings      23  
   18.10    Quorum      23  
   18.11    Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective      23  
   18.12    Consent Resolutions in Writing      23  

19.

   Executive and Other Committees      23  
   19.1    Appointment and Powers of Executive Committee      23  
   19.2    Appointment and Powers of Other Committees      24  
   19.3    Obligations of Committees      24  
   19.4    Powers of Board      24  
   19.5    Committee Meetings      24  

20.

   Officers      25  
   20.1    Directors May Appoint Officers      25  
   20.2    Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers      25  
   20.3    Qualifications      25  
   20.4    Remuneration and Terms of Appointment      25  

21.

   Indemnification      25  
   21.1    Definitions      25  
   21.2    Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Former Directors      26  
   21.3    Indemnification of Other Persons      26  
   21.4    Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act      26  
   21.5    Company May Purchase Insurance      26  

22.

   Dividends      26  
   22.1    Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights      26  
   22.2    Declaration of Dividends      26  

 

iv


   22.3    No Notice Required      26  
   22.4    Record Date      27  
   22.5    Manner of Paying Dividend      27  
   22.6    Settlement of Difficulties      27  
   22.7    When Dividend Payable      27  
   22.8    Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares      27  
   22.9    Receipt by Joint Shareholders      27  
   22.10    Dividend Bears No Interest      27  
   22.11    Fractional Dividends      27  
   22.12    Payment of Dividends      27  
   22.13    Capitalization of Surplus      28  

23.

   Documents, Records and Reports      28  
   23.1    Recording of Financial Afairs      28  
   23.2    Inspection of Accounting Records      28  

24.

   Notices      28  
   24.1    Method of Giving Notice      28  
   24.2    Deemed Receipt of Mailing      29  
   24.3    Certificate of Sending      29  
   24.4    Notice to Joint Shareholders      29  
   24.5    Notice to Trustees      29  

25.

   Seal      29  
   25.1    Who May Attest Seal      29  
   25.2    Sealing Copies      29  
   25.3    Mechanical Reproduction of Seal      30  

26.

   Prohibitions      30  
   26.1    Definitions      30  
   26.2    Application      30  
   26.3    Consent Required for Transfer of Shares or Designated Securities      30  

 

v


FIRST MAJESTIC RESOURCE CORP.

(the “Company”)

ARTICLES

The Company has as its articles the following articles:

 

1.

INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

Definitions

In these Articles, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)

“board of directors”, “directors” and “board” mean the directors or sole director of the Company for the time being;

 

(b)

“Business Corporations Act” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;

 

(c)

“Interpretation Act” means the Interpretation Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;

 

(d)

“legal personal representative” means the personal or other legal representative of the shareholder;

 

(e)

“registered address” of a shareholder means the shareholder’s address as recorded in the central securities register; and

 

(f)

“seal” means the seal of the Company, if any.

 

1.2

Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable

The definitions in the Business Corporations Act and the definitions and rules of construction in the Interpretation Act, with the necessary changes, so far as applicable, and unless the context requires otherwise, apply to these Articles as if they were an enactment. If there is a conflict between a definition in the Business Corporations Act and a definition or rule in the Interpretation Act relating to a term used in these Articles, the definition in the Business Corporations Act will prevail in relation to the use of the term in these Articles. If there is a conflict between these Articles and the Business Corporations Act, the Business Corporations Act will prevail.

 

2.

SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

2.1

Authorized Share Structure

The authorized share structure of the Company consists of shares of the class or classes and series, if any, described in the Notice of Articles of the Company.

 

2.2

Form of Share Certificate

Each share certificate issued by the Company must comply with, and be signed as required by, the Business Corporations Act.


2.3

Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgment

Each shareholder is entitled, without charge, to:

 

(a)

one share certificate representing the shares of each class or series of shares registered in the shareholder’s name; or

 

(b)

a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder’s right to obtain such a share certificate;

provided that in respect of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company is not bound to issue more than one share certificate and delivery of a share certificate for a share to one of several joint shareholders or to one of the shareholders’ duly authorized agents will be sufficient delivery to all.

 

2.4

Delivery by Mail

Any share certificate or non-transferable written acknowledgment of a shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate may be sent to the shareholder by mail at the shareholder’s registered address and neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is liable for any loss to the shareholder because the share certificate or acknowledgement is lost in the mail or stolen.

 

2.5

Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement

If the directors are satisfied that a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate is worn out or defaced, they must, on production to them of the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, and on such other terms, if any, as they think fit:

 

(a)

order the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, to be cancelled; and

 

(b)

issue a replacement share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be.

 

2.6

Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificate or Acknowledgment

If a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgment of a shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, must be issued to the person entitled to that share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, if the directors receive:

 

(a)

proof satisfactory to them that the share certificate or acknowledgment is lost, stolen or destroyed; and

 

(b)

any indemnity the directors consider adequate.

 

2.7

Splitting Share Certificates

If a shareholder surrenders a share certificate to the Company with a written request that the Company issue in the shareholder’s name two or more share certificates, each representing a specified number of shares and in the aggregate representing the same number of shares as the share certificate so surrendered, the Company must cancel the surrendered share certificate and issue replacement share certificates in accordance with that request.

 

2.8

Certificate Fee

There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the issue of any share certificate under Articles 2.5, 2.6 or 2.7, the amount if any, determined by the directors, which must not exceed the amount prescribed under the Business Corporations Act.

 

2


2.9

Recognition of Trusts

Except as required by law or statute or these Articles, no person will be recognized by the Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company is not bound by or compelled in any way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or fraction of a share or (except as by law or statute or these Articles provided or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the shareholder.

 

3.

ISSUE OF SHARES

 

3.1

Directors Authorized

Subject to the Business Corporations Act and the rights of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Company may issue, allot, sell or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares, and issued shares held by the Company, at the times, to the persons, including directors, in the manner, on the terms and conditions and for the issue prices (including any premium at which shares with par value may be issued) that the directors may determine. The issue price for a share with par value must be equal to or greater than the par value of the share.

 

3.2

Commissions and Discounts

The Company may at any time, pay a reasonable commission or allow a reasonable discount to any person in consideration of that person purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares of the Company from the Company or any other person or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for shares of the Company.

 

3.3

Brokerage

The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for or in connection with the sale or placement of its securities.

 

3.4

Conditions of Issue

Except as provided for by the Business Corporations Act, no share may be issued until it is fully paid. A share is fully paid when:

 

(a)

consideration is provided to the Company for the issue of the share by one or more of the following:

 

  (i)

past services performed for the Company;

 

  (ii)

property;

 

  (iii)

money; and

 

(b)

the value of the consideration received by the Company equals or exceeds the issue price set for the share under Article 3.1.

 

3.5

Share Purchase Warrants and Rights

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may issue share purchase warrants, options and rights upon such terms and conditions as the directors determine, which share purchase warrants, options and rights may be issued alone or in conjunction with debentures, debenture stock, bonds, shares or any other securities issued or created by the Company from time to time.

 

3


4.

SHARE REGISTERS

 

4.1

Central Securities Register

As required by and subject to the Business Corporation Act, the Company must maintain in British Columbia a central securities register. The directors may, subject to the Business Corporation Act, appoint an agent to maintain the central securities register. The directors may also appoint one or more agents, including the agent which keeps the central securities register, as transfer agent for its shares or any class or series of its shares, as the case may be, and the same or another agent as registrar for its shares or such class or series of its shares, as the case may be. The directors may terminate such appointment of any agent at any time and may appoint another agent in its place.

 

4.2

Closing Register

The Company must not at any time close its central securities register.

 

5.

SHARE TRANSFERS

 

5.1

Registering Transfers

A transfer of a share of the Company must not be registered unless:

 

(a)

a duly signed instrument of transfer in respect of the share has been received by the Company;

 

(b)

if a share certificate has been issued by the Company in respect of the share to be transferred, that share certificate has been surrendered to the Company; and

 

(c)

if a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate has been issued by the Company in respect of the share to be transferred, that acknowledgment has been surrendered to the Company.

 

5.2

Form of Instrument of Transfer

The instrument of transfer in respect of any share of the Company must be either in the form, if any, on the back of the Company’s share certificates or in any other form that may be approved by the directors from time to time.

 

5.3

Transferor Remains Shareholder

Except to the extent that the Business Corporations Act otherwise provides, the transferor of shares is deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in a securities register of the Company in respect of the transfer.

 

5.4

Signing of Instrument of Transfer

If a shareholder, or his or her duly authorized attorney, signs an instrument of transfer in respect of shares registered in the name of the shareholder, the signed instrument of transfer constitutes a complete and sufficient authority to the Company and its directors, officers and agents to register the number of shares specified in the instrument of transfer or specified in any other manner, or, if no number is specified, all the shares represented by the share certificates or set out in the written acknowledgments deposited with the instrument of transfer:

 

(a)

in the name of the person named as transferee in that instrument of transfer; or

 

(b)

if no person is named as transferee in that instrument of transfer, in the name of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered.

 

4


5.5

Enquiry as to Title Not Required

Neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is bound to inquire into the title of the person named in the instrument of transfer as transferee or, if no person is named as transferee in the instrument of transfer, of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered or is liable for any claim related to registering the transfer by the shareholder or by any intermediate owner or holder of the shares, of any interest in the shares, of any share certificate representing such shares or of any written acknowledgment of a right to obtain a share certificate for such shares.

 

5.6

Transfer Fee

There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the registration of any transfer, the amount, if any, determined by the directors.

 

6.

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

6.1

Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death

In case of the death of a shareholder, the legal personal representative, or if the shareholder was a joint holder, the surviving joint holder, will be the only person recognized by the Company as having any title to the shareholder’s interest in the shares. Before recognizing a person as a legal personal representative, the directors may require proof of appointment by a court of competent jurisdiction, a grant of letters probate, letters of administration or such other evidence or documents as the directors consider appropriate.

 

6.2

Rights of Legal Personal Representative

The legal personal representative has the same rights, privileges and obligations that attach to the shares held by the shareholder, including the right to transfer the shares in accordance with these Articles, provided the documents required by the Business Corporations Act and the directors have been deposited with the Company.

 

7.

PURCHASE OF SHARES

 

7.1

Company Authorized to Purchase Shares

Subject to Article 7.2, the special rights and restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may, if authorized by a resolution of the directors, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares at the price and upon the terms specified in such resolution.

 

7.2

Purchase When Insolvent

The Company must not make a payment or provide any other consideration to purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:

 

(a)

the Company is insolvent; or

 

(b)

making the payment or providing the consideration would render the Company insolvent.

 

5


7.3

Sale and Voting of Purchased Shares

If the Company retains a share redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by it, the Company may sell, gift or otherwise dispose of the share, but, while such share is held by the Company, it:

 

(a)

is not entitled to vote the share at a meeting of its shareholders;

 

(b)

must not pay a dividend in respect of the share; and

 

(c)

must not make any other distribution in respect of the share.

 

8.

BORROWING POWERS

The Company, if authorized by the directors, may:

 

(a)

borrow money in the manner and amount, on the security, from the sources and on the terms and conditions that they consider appropriate;

 

(b)

issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations either outright or as security for any liability or obligation of the Company or any other person and at such discounts or premiums and on such other terms as they consider appropriate;

 

(c)

guarantee the repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any obligation of any other person; and

 

(d)

mortgage, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, grant a security interest in, or give other security on, the whole or any part of the present and future assets and undertaking of the Company.

 

9.

ALTERATIONS

 

9.1

Alteration of Authorized Share Structure

Subject to Article 9.2 and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may by special resolution:

 

(a)

create one or more classes or series of shares or, if none of the shares of a class or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of shares;

 

(b)

increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or establish a maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is established;

 

(c)

subdivide or consolidate all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares;

 

(d)

if the Company is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par value:

 

  (i)

decrease the par value of those shares; or

 

  (ii)

if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued, increase the par value of those shares;

 

(e)

change all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares with par value into shares without par value or any of its unissued shares without par value into shares with par value;

 

(f)

alter the identifying name of any of its shares; or

 

(g)

otherwise alter its shares or authorized share structure when required or permitted to do so by the Business Corporations Act.

 

6


9.2

Special Rights and Restrictions

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may by special resolution:

 

(a)

create special rights or restrictions for, and attach those special rights or restrictions to, the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued; or

 

(b)

vary or delete any special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued.

 

9.3

Change of Name

The Company may by special resolution authorize an alteration of its Notice of Articles in order to change its name.

 

9.4

Other Alterations

If the Business Corporations Act does not specify the type of resolution and these Articles do not specify another type of resolution, the Company may by special resolution alter these Articles.

 

10.

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

10.1

Annual General Meetings

Unless an annual general meeting is deferred or waived in accordance with the Business Corporations Act, the Company must hold its first annual general meeting within 18 months after the date on which it was incorporated or otherwise recognized, and after that must hold an annual general meeting at least once in each calendar year and not more than 15 months after the last annual reference date at such time and place as may be determined by the directors. Meetings of Shareholders shall be held in the City of Vancouver, British Columbia or such other place or places as the directors in their absolute discretion may determine from time to time.

 

10.2

Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting

If all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting consent by a unanimous resolution under the Business Corporations Act to all of the business that is required to be transacted at that annual general meeting, the annual general meeting is deemed to have been held on the date of the unanimous resolution. The shareholders must, in any unanimous resolution passed under this Article 10.2, select as the Company’s annual reference date a date that would be appropriate for the holding of the applicable annual general meeting.

 

10.3

Calling of Meetings of Shareholders

The directors may, whenever they think fit, call a meeting of shareholders.

 

10.4

Notice for Meetings of Shareholders

The Company must send notice of the date, time and location of any meeting of shareholders, in the manner provided in these Articles, or in such other manner, if any, as may be prescribed by ordinary resolution (whether previous notice of the resolution has been given or not), to each shareholder entitled to attend the meeting, to each director and to the auditor of the Company, unless these Articles otherwise provide, at least the following number of days before the meeting:

 

(a)

if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;

 

(b)

otherwise, 10 days.

 

7


10.5

Record Date for Notice

The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting of shareholders. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is to be held by more than two months or, in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders under the Business Corporations Act, by more than four months. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is held by fewer than:

 

(a)

if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;

 

(b)

otherwise, 10 days.

If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on the day immediately preceding the first date on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.

 

10.6

Record Date for Voting

The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is to be held by more than two months or, in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders under the Business Corporations Act, by more than four months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on the day immediately preceding the first date on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.

 

10.7

Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice

The accidental omission to send notice of any meeting to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any of the persons entitled to notice does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting. Any person entitled to notice of a meeting of shareholders may, in writing or otherwise, waive or reduce the period of notice of such meeting.

 

10.8

Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders

If a meeting of shareholders is to consider special business within the meaning of Article 11.1, the notice of meeting must:

 

(a)

state the general nature of the special business; and

 

(b)

if the special business includes considering, approving, ratifying, adopting or authorizing any document or the signing of or giving of effect to any document, have attached to it a copy of the document or state that a copy of the document will be available for inspection by shareholders:

 

  (i)

at the Company’s records office, or at such other reasonably accessible location in British Columbia as is specified in the notice; and

 

  (ii)

during statutory business hours on any one or more specified days before the day set for the holding of the meeting.

 

11.

PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

11.1

Special Business

At a meeting of shareholders, the following business is special business:

 

(a)

at a meeting of shareholders that is not an annual general meeting, all business is special business except business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;

 

8


(b)

at an annual general meeting, all business is special business except for the following:

 

  (i)

business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;

 

  (ii)

consideration of any financial statements of the Company presented to the meeting;

 

  (iii)

consideration of any reports of the directors or auditor;

 

  (iv)

the setting or changing of the number of directors;

 

  (v)

the election or appointment of directors;

 

  (vi)

the appointment of an auditor;

 

  (vii)

the setting of the remuneration of an auditor;

 

  (viii)

business arising out of a report of the directors not requiring the passing of a special resolution or an exceptional resolution; and

 

  (ix)

any other business which, under these Articles or the Business Corporations Act, may be transacted at a meeting of shareholders without prior notice of the business being given to the shareholders.

 

11.2

Special Majority

The majority of votes required for the Company to pass a special resolution at a meeting of shareholders is two-thirds of the votes cast on the resolution.

 

11.3

Quorum

Subject to the special rights and restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is two persons who are, or who represent by proxy, shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 5% of the issued shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.

 

11.4

One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum

If the Company has only one shareholder:

 

(a)

the quorum is one person who is, or who represents by proxy, that shareholder, and

 

(b)

that shareholder, present in person or by proxy, may constitute the meeting.

 

11.5

Other Persons May Attend

The directors, the president (if any), the secretary (if any), the assistant secretary (if any), any lawyer for the Company, the auditor of the Company and any other persons invited by the directors are entitled to attend any meeting of shareholders, but if any of those persons does attend a meeting of shareholders, that person is not to be counted in the quorum and is not entitled to vote at the meeting unless that person is a shareholder or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

11.6

Requirement of Quorum

No business, other than the election of a chair of the meeting and the adjournment of the meeting, may be transacted at any meeting of shareholders unless a quorum of shareholders entitled to vote is present at the commencement of the meeting, but such quorum need not be present throughout the meeting.

 

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11.7

Lack of Quorum

If, within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, a quorum is not present:

 

(a)

in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders, the meeting is dissolved, and

 

(b)

in the case of any other meeting of shareholders, the meeting stands adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place.

 

11.8

Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting

If, at the meeting to which the meeting referred to in Article 11.7(b) was adjourned, a quorum is not present within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of the meeting, the person or persons present and being, or representing by proxy, one or more shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting constitute a quorum.

 

11.9

Chair

The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of shareholders:

 

(a)

the chair of the board, if any; or

 

(b)

if the chair of the board is absent or unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, the president, if any.

 

11.10

Selection of Alternate Chair

If, at any meeting of shareholders, there is no chair of the board or president present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president are unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president have advised the secretary, if any, or any director present at the meeting, that they will not be present at the meeting, the directors present must choose one of their number to be chair of the meeting or if all of the directors present decline to take the chair or fail to so choose or if no director is present, the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting who are present in person or by proxy may choose any person present at the meeting to chair the meeting.

 

11.11

Adjournments

The chair of a meeting of shareholders may, and if so directed by the meeting must, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.

 

11.12

Notice of Adjourned Meeting

It is not necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting of shareholders except that, when a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as in the case of the original meeting.

 

11.13

Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, every motion put to a vote at a meeting of shareholders will be decided on a show of hands unless a poll, before or on the declaration of the result of the vote by show of hands, is directed by the chair or demanded by at least one shareholder entitled to vote who is present in person or by proxy.

 

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11.14

Declaration of Result

The chair of a meeting of shareholders must declare to the meeting the decision on every question in accordance with the result of the show of hands or the poll, as the case may be, and that decision must be entered in the minutes of the meeting. A declaration of the chair that a resolution is carried by the necessary majority or is defeated is, unless a poll is directed by the chair or demanded under Article 11.13, conclusive evidence without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution.

 

11.15

Motion Need Not be Seconded

No motion proposed at a meeting of shareholders need be seconded unless the chair of the meeting rules otherwise, and the chair of any meeting of shareholders is entitled to propose or second a motion.

 

11.16

Casting Vote

In case of an equality of votes, the chair of a meeting of shareholders does not, either on a show of hands or on a poll, have a second or casting vote in addition to the vote or votes to which the chair may be entitled as a shareholder.

 

11.17

Manner of Taking Poll

Subject to Article 11.8, if a poll is duly demanded at a meeting of shareholders:

 

(a)

the poll must be taken:

 

  (i)

at the meeting, or within seven days after the date of the meeting, as the chair of the meeting directs; and

 

  (ii)

in the manner, at the time and at the place that the chair of the meeting directs;

 

(b)

the result of the poll is deemed to be the decision of the meeting at which the poll is demanded; and

 

(c)

the demand for the poll may be withdrawn by the person who demanded it.

 

11.18

Demand for Poll on Adjournment

A poll demanded at a meeting of shareholders on a question of adjournment must be taken immediately at the meeting.

 

11.19

Chair Must Resolve Dispute

In the case of any dispute as to the admission or rejection of a vote given on a poll, the chair of the meeting must determine the dispute, and his or her determination made in good faith is final and conclusive.

 

11.20

Casting of Votes

On a poll, a shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not cast all the votes in the same way.

 

11.21

Demand for Poll

No poll may be demanded in respect of the vote by which a chair of a meeting of shareholders is elected.

 

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11.22

Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting

The demand for a poll at a meeting of shareholders does not, unless the chair of the meeting so rules, prevent the continuation of a meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which a poll has been demanded.

 

11.23

Retention of Ballots and Proxies

The Company must, for at least three months after a meeting of shareholders, keep each ballot cast on a poll and each proxy voted at the meeting, and, during that period, make them available for inspection during normal business hours by any shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting. At the end of such three month period, the Company may destroy such ballots and proxies.

 

12.

VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

12.1

Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares

Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any shares and to the restrictions imposed on joint shareholders under Article 12.3:

 

(a)

on a vote by show of hands, every person present who is a shareholder or proxy holder and entitled to vote on the matter has one vote; and

 

(b)

on a poll, every shareholder entitled to vote on the matter has one vote in respect of each share entitled to be voted on the matter and held by that shareholder and may exercise that vote either in person or by proxy.

 

12.2

Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity

A person who is not a shareholder may vote at a meeting of shareholders, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, and may appoint a proxy holder to act at the meeting, if, before doing so, the person satisfies the chair of the meeting, or the directors, that the person is a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy for a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

12.3

Votes by Joint Holders

If there are joint shareholders registered in respect of any share:

 

(a)

any one of the joint shareholders may vote at any meeting, either personally or by proxy, in respect of the share as if that joint shareholder were solely entitled to it; or

 

(b)

if more than one of the joint shareholders is present at any meeting, personally or by proxy, and more than one of them votes in respect of that share, then only the vote of the joint shareholder present whose name stands first on the central securities register in respect of the share will be counted.

 

12.4

Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders

Two or more legal personal representatives of a shareholder in whose sole name any share is registered are, for the purposes of Article 12.3, deemed to be joint shareholders.

 

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12.5

Representative of a Corporate Shareholder

If a corporation, that is not a subsidiary of the Company, is a shareholder, that corporation may appoint a person to act as its representative at any meeting of shareholders of the Company, and:

 

(a)

for that purpose, the instrument appointing a representative must:

 

  (i)

be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified in the notice calling the meeting for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice for the receipt of proxies, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting; or

 

  (ii)

be provided, at the meeting, to the chair of the meeting or to a person designated by the chair of the meeting; and

 

(b)

if a representative is appointed under this Article 12.5:

 

  (i)

the representative is entitled to exercise in respect of and at that meeting the same rights on behalf of the corporation that the representative represents as that corporation could exercise if it were a shareholder who is an individual, including, without limitation, the right to appoint a proxy holder; and

 

  (ii)

the representative, if present at the meeting, is to be counted for the purpose of forming a quorum and is deemed to be a shareholder present in person at the meeting.

Evidence of the appointment of any such representative may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.

 

12.6

Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to All Companies

Articles 12.7 to 12.15 do not apply to the Company if and for so long as it is:

 

(a)

a public company; or

 

(b)

a pre-existing reporting company which has the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions as part of its Articles or to which the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions apply.

 

12.7

Appointment of Proxy Holders

Every shareholder of the Company, including a corporation that is a shareholder but not a subsidiary of the Company, entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders of the Company may, by proxy, appoint one or more (but not more than five) proxy holders to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the powers conferred by the proxy.

 

12.8

Alternate Proxy Holders

A shareholder may appoint one or more alternate proxy holders to act in the place of an absent proxy holder.

 

12.9

When Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder

A person must not be appointed as a proxy holder unless the person is a shareholder, although a person who is not a shareholder may be appointed as a proxy holder if:

 

(a)

the person appointing the proxy holder is a corporation or a representative of a corporation appointed under Article 12.5;

 

(b)

the Company has at the time of the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed only one shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting; or

 

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(c)

the shareholders present in person or by proxy at and entitled to vote at the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed, by a resolution on which the proxy holder is not entitled to vote but in respect of which the proxy holder is to be counted in the quorum, permit the proxy holder to attend and vote at the meeting.

 

12.10

Deposit of Proxy

A proxy for a meeting of shareholders must:

 

(a)

be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting; or

 

(b)

unless the notice provides otherwise, be provided, at the meeting, to the chair of the meeting or to a person designated by the chair of the meeting.

A proxy may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.

 

12.11

Validity of Proxy Vote

A vote given in accordance with the terms of a proxy is valid notwithstanding the death or incapacity of the shareholder giving the proxy and despite the revocation of the proxy or the revocation of the authority under which the proxy is given, unless notice in writing of that death, incapacity or revocation is received:

 

(a)

at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or

 

(b)

by the chair of the meeting, before the vote is taken.

 

12.12

Form of Proxy

A proxy, whether for a specified meeting or otherwise, must be either in the following form or in any other form approved by the directors or the chair of the meeting:

 

(NAME OF COMPANY)

(the “Company”)

The undersigned, being a shareholder of the Company, hereby appoints [name] or, failing that person, [name], as proxy holder for the undersigned to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held on [month, day, year] and at any adjournment of that meeting.

Number of shares in respect of which this proxy is given (if no number is specified, then this proxy if given in respect of all shares registered in the name of the shareholder):                             

 

Signed [month, day, year]

 

[Signature of shareholder]

 

[Name of shareholder—printed]

 

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12.13

Revocation of Proxy

Subject to Article 12.14, every proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing that is:

 

(a)

received at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or

 

(b)

provided, at the meeting, to the chair of the meeting.

 

12.14

Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed

An instrument referred to in Article 12.13 must be signed as follows:

 

(a)

if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is an individual, the instrument must be signed by the shareholder or his or her legal personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy;

 

(b)

if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is a corporation, the instrument must be signed by the corporation or by a representative appointed for the corporation under Article 12.5.

 

12.15

Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote

The chair of any meeting of shareholders may, but need not, inquire into the authority of any person to vote at the meeting and may, but need not, demand from that person production of evidence as to the existence of the authority to vote.

 

13.

DIRECTORS

 

13.1

First Directors; Number of Directors

The first directors are the persons designated as directors of the Company in the Notice of Articles that applies to the Company when it is recognized under the Business Corporations Act. The number of directors, excluding additional directors appointed under Article 14.8, is set at:

 

(a)

subject to paragraphs 13.1(b) and 13.1(c), the number of directors that is equal to the number of the Company’s first directors;

 

(b)

if the Company is a public company, the greater of three and the most recent set of:

 

  (i)

the number of directors set by ordinary resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and

 

  (ii)

the number of directors set under Article 14.4:

 

(c)

if the Company is not a public company, the most recent set of:

 

  (i)

the number of directors set by ordinary resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and

 

  (ii)

the number of directors set under Article 14.4.

 

13.2

Change in Number of Directors

If the number of directors is set under Articles 13.1 (b)(i) or 13.1(c)(i):

 

(a)

the shareholders may elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number;

 

(b)

if the shareholders do not elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number contemporaneously with the setting of that number, then the directors may appoint, or the shareholders may elect or appoint, directors to fill those vacancies.

 

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13.3

Directors’ Acts Valid Despite Vacancy

An act or proceeding of the directors is not invalid merely because fewer than the number of directors set or otherwise required under these Articles is in office.

 

13.4

Qualifications of Directors

A director is not required to hold a share of the Company as qualification for his or her office but must be qualified as required by the Business Corporations Act to become, act or continue to act as a director.

 

13.5

Remuneration of Directors

The directors are entitled to the remuneration for acting as directors, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine. If the directors so decide, the remuneration of the directors, if any, will be determined by the shareholders. That remuneration may be in addition to any salary or other remuneration paid to any officer or employee or consultant of the Company as such, who is also a director.

 

13.6

Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors

The Company must reimburse each director for the reasonable expenses that he or she may incur in and about the business of the Company.

 

13.7

Special Remuneration for Directors

If any director performs any professional or other services for the Company that in the opinion of the directors are outside the ordinary duties of a director, or if any director is otherwise specially occupied in or about the Company’s business, he or she may be paid remuneration fixed by the directors, or, at the option of that director, fixed by ordinary resolution, and such remuneration may be either in addition to, or in substitution for, any other remuneration that he or she may be entitled to receive.

 

13.8

Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director

Unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, the directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any director who has held any salaried office or place of profit with the Company or to his or her spouse or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance.

 

14.

ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

14.1

Election at Annual General Meeting

At every annual general meeting and in every unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2:

 

(a)

the shareholders entitled to vote at the annual general meeting for the election of directors must elect, or in the unanimous resolution appoint, a board of directors consisting of the number of directors for the time being set under these Articles; and

 

(b)

all the directors cease to hold office immediately before the election or appointment of directors under paragraph 14.1(b), but are eligible for re-election or re-appointment.

 

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14.2

Consent to be a Director

No election, appointment or designation of an individual as a director is valid unless:

 

(a)

that individual consents to be a director in the manner provided for in the Business Corporations Act;

 

(b)

that individual is elected or appointed at a meeting at which the individual is present and the individual does not refuse, at the meeting, to be a director; or

 

(c)

with respect to first directors, the designation is otherwise valid under the Business Corporations Act.

 

14.3

Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors

If:

 

(a)

the Company fails to hold an annual general meeting, and all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting fail to pass the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, on or before the date by which the annual general meeting is required to be held under the Business Corporations’ Act; or

 

(b)

the shareholders fail, at the annual general meeting or in the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, to elect or appoint any directors;

then each director then in office continues to hold office until the earlier of:

 

(c)

the date on which his or her successor is elected or appointed; and

 

(d)

the date on which he or she otherwise ceases to hold office under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles.

 

14.4

Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled

If, at any meeting of shareholders at which there should be an election of directors, the places of any of the retiring directors are not filled by that election, those retiring directors who are not re-elected and who are asked by the newly elected directors to continue in office will, if willing to do so, continue in office to complete the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles until further new directors are elected at a meeting of shareholders convened for that purpose. If any such election or continuance of directors does not result in the election or continuance of the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles, the number of directors of the Company is deemed to be set at the number of directors actually elected or continued in office.

 

14.5

Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies

Any casual vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the directors.

 

14.6

Remaining Directors Power to Act

The directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the board of directors, but if the Company has fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the directors may only act for the purpose of appointing directors up to that number or of summoning a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of filling any vacancies on the board of directors or, subject to the Business Corporations Act, for any other purpose.

 

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14.7

Shareholders May Fill Vacancies

If the Company has no directors or fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the shareholders may elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the board of directors.

 

14.8

Additional Directors

Notwithstanding Articles 13.1 and 13.2, between annual general meetings or unanimous resolutions contemplated by Article 10.2, the directors may appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors appointed under this Article 14.8 must not at any time exceed:

 

(a)

one-third of the number of first directors, if, at the time of the appointments, one or more of the first directors have not yet completed their first term of office; or

 

(b)

in any other case, one-third of the number of the current directors who were elected or appointed as directors other than under this Article 14.8.

Any director so appointed ceases to hold office immediately before the next election or appointment of directors under Article 14.1(a), but is eligible for re-election or re-appointment.

 

14.9

Ceasing to be a Director

A director ceases to be a director when:

 

(a)

the term of office of the director expires;

 

(b)

the director dies;

 

(c)

the director resigns as a director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company; or

 

(d)

the director is removed from office pursuant to Articles 14.10 or 14.11.

 

14.10

Removal of Director by Shareholders

The Company may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office by special resolution. In that event, the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill the resulting vacancy. If the shareholders do not elect or appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy contemporaneously with the removal, then the directors may appoint or the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill that vacancy.

 

14.11

Removal of Director by Directors

The directors may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office if the director is convicted of an indictable offence, or if the director ceases to be qualified to act as a director of a company and does not promptly resign, and the directors may appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy.

 

15.

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

15.1

Appointment of Alternate Director

Any director (an “appointor”) may by notice in writing received by the Company appoint any person (an “appointee”) who is qualified to act as a director to be his or her alternate to act in his or her place at meetings of the directors or committees of the directors at which the appointor is not present unless (in the case of an appointee who is not a director) the directors have reasonably disapproved the appointment of such person as an alternate director and have given notice to that effect to his or her appointor within a reasonable time after the notice of appointment is received by the Company.

 

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15.2

Notice of Meetings

Every alternate director so appointed is entitled to notice of meetings of the directors and of committees of the directors of which his or her appointor is a member and to attend and vote as a director at any such meetings at which his or her appointor is not present.

 

15.3

Alternate for More Than One Director Attending Meetings

A person may be appointed as an alternate director by more than one director, and an alternate director:

 

(a)

will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of directors once for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, once more in that capacity;

 

(b)

has a separate vote at a meeting of directors for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, an additional vote in that capacity;

 

(c)

will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of a committee of directors once for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a director, once more in that capacity;

 

(d)

has a separate vote at a meeting of a committee of directors for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a director, an additional vote in that capacity.

 

15.4

Consent Resolutions

Every alternate director, if authorized by the notice appointing him or her, may sign in place of his or her appointor any resolutions to be consented to in writing.

 

15.5

Alternate Director Not an Agent

Every alternate director is deemed not to be the agent of his or her appointor.

 

15.6

Revocation of Appointment of Alternate Director

An appointor may at any time, by notice in writing received by the Company, revoke the appointment of an alternate director appointed by him or her.

 

15.7

Ceasing to be an Alternate Director

The appointment of an alternate director ceases when:

 

(a)

his or her appointor ceases to be a director and is not promptly re-elected or re-appointed;

 

(b)

the alternate director dies;

 

(c)

the alternate director resigns as an alternate director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company;

 

(d)

the alternate director ceases to be qualified to act as a director; or

 

(e)

his or her appointor revokes the appointment of the alternate director.

 

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15.8

Remuneration and Expenses of Alternate Director

The Company may reimburse an alternate director for the reasonable expenses that would be properly reimbursed if he or she were a director, and the alternate director is entitled to receive from the Company such proportion, if any, of the remuneration otherwise payable to the appointor as the appointor may from time to time direct.

 

16.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

 

16.1

Powers of Management

The directors must, subject to the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company and have the authority to exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Business Corporations Act or by these Articles, required to be exercised by the shareholders of the Company.

 

16.2

Appointment of Attorney of Company

The directors may from time to time, by power of attorney or other instrument, under seal if so required by law, appoint any person to be the attorney of the Company for such purposes, and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the directors under these Articles and excepting the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors, to remove a director, to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors, to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors and to declare dividends) and for such period, and with such remuneration and subject to such conditions as the directors may think fit. Any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection or convenience of persons dealing with such attorney as the directors think fit. Any such attorney may be authorized by the directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in him or her.

 

16.3

Setting Remuneration of the Auditor

The directors may from time to time determine the remuneration to be paid by the Company to the auditor, in such manner and upon such terms and conditions, as the directors, in their absolute discretion, may determine.

 

17.

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST OF DIRECTORS

 

17.1

Obligation to Account for Profits

A director or senior officer who holds a disclosable interest (as that term is used in the Business Corporations Act) in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is liable to account to the Company for any profit that accrues to the director or senior officer under or as a result of the contract or transaction only if and to the extent provided in the Business Corporations Act.

 

17.2

Restrictions on Voting by Reason of Interest

A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is not entitled to vote on any directors’ resolution to approve that contract or transaction, unless all the directors have a disclosable interest in that contract or transaction, in which case any or all of those directors may vote on such resolution.

 

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17.3

Interested Director Counted in Quorum

A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter and who is present at the meeting of directors at which the contract or transaction is considered for approval may be counted in the quorum at the meeting whether or not the director votes on any or all of the resolutions considered at the meeting.

 

17.4

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest or Property

A director or senior officer who holds any office or possesses any property, right or interest that could result, directly or indirectly, in the creation of a duty or interest that materially conflicts with that individual’s duty or interest as a director or senior officer, must disclose the nature and extent of the conflict as required by the Business Corporations Act.

 

17.5

Director Holding Other Office in the Company

A director may hold any office or place of profit with the Company, other than the office of auditor of the Company, in addition to his or her office of director for the period and on the terms (as to remuneration or otherwise) that the directors may determine.

 

17.6

No Disqualification

No director or intended director is disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Company either with regard to the holding of any office or place of profit the director holds with the Company or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, and no contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which a director is in any way interested is liable to be voided for that reason.

 

17.7

Professional Services by Director or Officer

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, a director or officer, or any person in which a director or officer has an interest, may act in a professional capacity for the Company, except as auditor of the Company, and the director or officer or such person is entitled to remuneration for professional services as if that director or officer were not a director or officer.

 

17.8

Director or Officer in Other Corporations

A director or officer may be or become a director, officer or employee of, or otherwise interested in, any person in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder or otherwise, and, subject to the Business Corporations Act, the director or officer is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him or her as director, officer or employee of, or from his or her interest in, such other person.

 

18.

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

 

18.1

Meetings of Directors

The directors may meet together for the conduct of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit, and meetings of the directors held at regular intervals may be held at the place, at the time and on the notice, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine.

 

18.2

Voting at Meetings

Questions arising at any meeting of directors are to be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.

 

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18.3

Chair of Meetings

The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of directors:

 

(a)

the chair of the board, if any;

 

(b)

in the absence of the chair of the board, the president, if any, if the president is a director; or

 

(c)

any other director chosen by the directors if:

 

(d)

neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is present at the meeting within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting;

 

(e)

neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is willing to chair the meeting; or

 

(f)

the chair of the board and the president, if a director, have advised the secretary, if any, or any other director, that they will not be present at the meeting.

 

18.4

Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium

A director may participate in a meeting of the directors or of any committee of the directors in person or by telephone if all directors participating in the meeting, whether in person or by telephone or other communications medium, are able to communicate with each other. A director may participate in a meeting of the directors or of any committee of the directors by a communications medium other than telephone if all directors participating in the meeting, whether in person or by telephone or other communications medium, are able to communicate with each other and if all directors who wish to participate in the meeting agree to such participation. A director who participates in a meeting in a manner contemplated by this Article 18.4 is deemed for all purposes of the Business Corporations Act and these Articles to be present at the meeting and to have agreed to participate in that manner.

 

18.5

Calling of Meetings

A director may, and the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company, if any, on the request of a director must, call a meeting of the directors at any time.

 

18.6

Notice of Meetings

Other than for meetings held at regular intervals as determined by the directors pursuant to Article 18.1, reasonable notice of each meeting of the directors, specifying the place, day and time of that meeting must be given to each of the directors and the alternate directors by any method set out in Article 25.1 or orally or by telephone.

 

18.7

When Notice Not Required

It is not necessary to give notice of a meeting of the directors to a director or an alternate director if:

 

(a)

the meeting is to be held immediately following a meeting of shareholders at which that director was elected or appointed, or is the meeting of the directors at which that director is appointed; or

 

(b)

the director or alternate director, as the case may be, has waived notice of the meeting.

 

18.8

Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice

The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting of directors to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any director or alternate director, does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.

 

22


18.9

Waiver of Notice of Meetings

Any director or alternate director may send to the Company a document signed by him or her waiving notice of any past, present or future meeting or meetings of the directors and may at any time withdraw that waiver with respect to meetings held after that withdrawal. After sending a waiver with respect to all future meetings and until that waiver is withdrawn, no notice of any meeting of the directors need be given to that director and, unless the director otherwise requires by notice in writing to the Company, to his or her alternate director, and all meetings of the directors so held are deemed not to be improperly called or constituted by reason of notice not having been given to such director or alternate director.

 

18.10

Quorum

The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the directors may be set by resolution of the directors and, if not so set, is deemed to be a majority of the directors or, if the number of directors is set at one, is deemed to be set at one director, and that director may constitute a meeting.

 

18.11

Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, an act of a director or officer is not invalid merely because of an irregularity in the election or appointment or a defect in the qualification of that director or officer.

 

18.12

Consent Resolutions in Writing

A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors consented to in writing by all of the directors entitled to vote on it, whether by signed document, fax, email or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages, is as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors duly called and held. Such resolution may be in two or more counterparts which together are deemed to constitute one resolution in writing. A resolution passed in that manner is effective on the date stated in the resolution or on the latest date stated on any counterpart. A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors passed in accordance with this Article 18.12 is deemed to be a proceeding at a meeting of directors or of the committee of the directors and to be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors that satisfies all the requirements of the Business Corporations Act and all the requirements of these Articles relating to meetings of the directors or of a committee of the directors.

 

19.

EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES

 

19.1

Appointment and Powers of Executive Committee

The directors may, by resolution, appoint an executive committee consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate, and this committee has, during the intervals between meetings of the board of directors, all of the directors’ powers, except:

 

(a)

the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors;

 

(b)

the power to remove a director;

 

(c)

the power to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors; and

 

(d)

such other powers, if any, as may be set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors’ resolution.

 

23


19.2

Appointment and Powers of Other Committees

The directors may, by resolution:

 

(a)

appoint one or more committees (other than the executive committee) consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate;

 

(b)

delegate to a committee appointed under paragraph 19.2(a) any of the directors’ powers, except:

 

  (i)

the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors;

 

  (ii)

the power to remove a director;

 

  (iii)

the power to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors; and

 

  (iv)

the power to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors; and

 

(c)

make any delegation referred to in paragraph 19.2(b) subject to the conditions set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors’ resolution.

 

19.3

Obligations of Committees

Any committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2, in the exercise of the powers delegated to it, must:

 

(a)

conform to any rules that may from time to time be imposed on it by the directors; and

 

(b)

report every act or thing done in exercise of those powers at such times as the directors may require.

 

19.4

Powers of Board

The directors may, at any time, with respect to a committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2:

 

(a)

revoke or alter the authority given to the committee, or override a decision made by the committee, except as to acts done before such revocation, alteration or overriding;

 

(b)

terminate the appointment of, or change the membership of, the committee; and

 

(c)

fill vacancies in the committee.

 

19.5

Committee Meetings

Subject to Article 19.3(a) and unless the directors otherwise provide in the resolution appointing the committee or in any subsequent resolution, with respect to a committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2:

 

(a)

the committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper;

 

(b)

the committee may elect a chair of its meetings but, if no chair of a meeting is elected, or if at a meeting the chair of the meeting is not present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, the directors present who are members of the committee may choose one of their number to chair the meeting;

 

(c)

a majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum of the committee; and

 

(d)

questions arising at any meeting of the committee are determined by a majority of votes of the members present, and in case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.

 

24


20.

OFFICERS

 

20.1

Directors May Appoint Officers

The directors may, from time to time, appoint such officers, if any, as the directors determine and the directors may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.

 

20.2

Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers

The directors may, for each officer:

 

(a)

determine the functions and duties of the officer;

 

(b)

entrust to and confer on the officer any of the powers exercisable by the directors on such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as the directors think fit; and

 

(c)

revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any of the functions, duties and powers of the officer.

 

20.3

Qualifications

No officer may be appointed unless that officer is qualified in accordance with the Business Corporations Act. One person may hold more than one position as an officer of the Company. Any person appointed as the chair of the board or as the managing director must be a director. Any other officer need not be a director.

 

20.4

Remuneration and Terms of Appointment

All appointments of officers are to be made on the terms and conditions and at the remuneration (whether by way of salary, fee, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) that the directors thinks fit and are subject to termination at the pleasure of the directors, and an officer may in addition to such remuneration be entitled to receive, after he or she ceases to hold such office or leaves the employment of the Company, a pension or gratuity.

 

21.

INDEMNIFICATION

 

21.1

Definitions

In this Article 21:

 

(a)

“eligible penalty” means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding;

 

(b)

“eligible proceeding” means a legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed, in which a director, former director or alternate director of the Company (an “eligible party”) or any of the heirs and legal personal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or alternate director of the Company:

 

  (i)

is or may be joined as a party; or

 

  (ii)

is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding; and

 

(c)

“expenses” has the meaning set out in the Business Corporations Act.

 

25


21.2

Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Former Directors

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must indemnify a director, former director or alternate director of the Company and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each director and alternate director is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in this Article 21.2.

 

21.3

Indemnification of Other Persons

Subject to any restrictions in the Business Corporations Act, the Company may indemnify any person.

 

21.4

Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act

The failure of a director, alternate director or officer of the Company to comply with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under this Part.

 

21.5

Company May Purchase Insurance

The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:

 

(a)

is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of the Company;

 

(b)

is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company;

 

(c)

at the request of the Company, is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;

 

(d)

at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director, alternate director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;

against any liability incurred by him or her as such derector, alternate director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.

 

22.

DIVIDENDS

 

22.1

Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights

The provisions of this Article 22 are subject to the rights, if any, of shareholders holding shares with special rights as to dividends.

 

22.2

Declaration of Dividends

Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the directors may from time to time declare and authorize payment of such dividends as they may deem advisable.

 

22.3

No Notice Required

The directors need not give notice to any shareholder of any declaration under Article 22.2.

 

26


22.4

Record Date

The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend. The record date must not precede the date on which the dividend is to be paid by more than two months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on the date on which the directors pass the resolution declaring the dividend.

 

22.5

Manner of Paying Dividend

A resolution declaring a dividend may direct payment of the dividend wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets or of fully paid shares or of bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, or in any one or more of those ways.

 

22.6

Settlement of Difficulties

If any difficulty arises in regard to a distribution under Article 22.5, the directors may settle the difficulty as they deem advisable, and, in particular, may:

 

(a)

set the value for distribution of specific assets;

 

(b)

determine that cash payments in substitution for all or any part of the specific assets to which any shareholders are entitled may be made to any shareholders on the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties; and

 

(c)

vest any such specific assets in trustees for the persons entitled to the dividend.

 

22.7

When Dividend Payable

Any dividend may be made payable on such date as is fixed by the directors.

 

22.8

Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares

All dividends on shares of any class or series of shares must be declared and paid according to the number of such shares held.

 

22.9

Receipt by Joint Shareholders

If several persons are joint shareholders of any share, any one of them may give an effective receipt for any dividend, bonus or other money payable in respect of the share.

 

22.10

Dividend Bears No Interest

No dividend bears interest against the Company.

 

22.11

Fractional Dividends

If a dividend to which a shareholder is entitled includes a fraction of the smallest monetary unit of the currency of the dividend, that fraction may be disregarded in making payment of the dividend and that payment represents full payment of the dividend.

 

22.12

Payment of Dividends

Any dividend or other distribution payable in cash in respect of shares may be paid by cheque, made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, and mailed to the address of the shareholder, or in the case of joint shareholders, to the address of the joint shareholder who is first named on the central securities register, or to the person and to the address the shareholder or joint shareholders may direct in writing. The mailing of such cheque will, to the extent of the sum represented by the cheque (plus the amount of the tax required by law to be deducted), discharge all liability for the dividend unless such cheque is not paid on presentation or the amount of tax so deducted is not paid to the appropriate taxing authority.

 

27


22.13

Capitalization of Surplus

Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, the directors may from time to time capitalize any surplus of the Company and may from time to time issue, as fully paid, shares or any bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as a dividend representing the surplus or any part of the surplus.

 

23.

DOCUMENTS, RECORDS AND REPORTS

 

23.1

Recording of Financial Afairs

The directors must cause adequate accounting records to be kept to record properly the financial affairs and condition of the Company and to comply with the Business Corporations Act.

 

23.2

Inspection of Accounting Records

Unless the directors determine otherwise, or unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, no shareholder of the Company is entitled to inspect or obtain a copy of any accounting records of the Company.

 

24.

NOTICES

 

24.1

Method of Giving Notice

Unless the Business Corporations Act or these Articles provides otherwise, a notice, statement, report or other record required or permitted by the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be sent by or to a person may be sent by any one of the following methods:

 

(a)

mail addressed to the person at the applicable address for that person as follows:

 

  (i)

for a record mailed to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address;

 

  (ii)

for a record mailed to a director or officer, the prescribed address for mailing shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the mailing address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;

 

  (iii)

in any other case, the mailing address of the intended recipient;

 

(b)

delivery at the applicable address for that person as follows, addressed to the person:

 

  (i)

for a record delivered to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address;

 

  (ii)

for a record delivered to a director or officer, the prescribed address for delivery shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the delivery address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;

 

  (iii)

in any other case, the delivery address of the intended recipient;

 

(c)

sending the record by fax to the fax number provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;

 

(d)

sending the record by email to the email address provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class; and

 

(e)

physical delivery to the intended recipient.

 

28


24.2

Deemed Receipt of Mailing

A record that is mailed to a person by ordinary mail to the applicable address for that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was mailed on the day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, following the date of mailing.

 

24.3

Certificate of Sending

A certificate signed by the secretary, if any, or other officer of the Company or of any other corporation acting in that behalf for the Company stating that a notice, statement, report or other record was addressed as required by Article 24.1, prepaid and mailed or otherwise sent as permitted by Article 24.1 is conclusive evidence of that fact.

 

24.4

Notice to Joint Shareholders

A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the joint shareholders of a share by providing the notice to the joint shareholder first named in the central securities register in respect of the share.

 

24.5

Notice to Trustees

A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death, bankruptcy or incapacity of a shareholder by:

 

(a)

mailing the record, addressed to them:

 

  (i)

by name, by the title of the legal personal representative of the deceased or incapacitated shareholder, by the title of trustee of the bankrupt shareholder or by any similar description; and

 

  (ii)

at the address, if any, supplied to the Company for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled; or

 

(b)

if an address referred to in paragraph 24.5(a)(ii) has not been supplied to the Company, by giving the notice in a manner in which it might have been given if the death, bankruptcy or incapacity had not occurred.

 

25.

SEAL

 

25.1

Who May Attest Seal

Except as provided in Articles 26.2 and 26.3, the Company’s seal, if any, must not be impressed on any record except when that impression is attested by the signatures of:

 

(a)

any two directors;

 

(b)

any officer, together with any director;

 

(c)

if the Company only has one director, that director; or

 

(d)

any one or more directors or officers or persons as may be determined by the directors.

 

25.2

Sealing Copies

For the purpose of certifying under seal a certificate of incumbency of the directors or officers of the Company or a true copy of any resolution or other document, despite Article 25.1, the impression of the seal may be attested by the signature of any director or officer.

 

29


25.3

Mechanical Reproduction of Seal

The directors may authorize the seal to be impressed by third parties on share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as they may determine appropriate from time to time. To enable the seal to be impressed on any share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, whether in definitive or interim form, on which facsimiles of any of the signatures of the directors or officers of the Company are, in accordance with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles, printed or otherwise mechanically reproduced, there may be delivered to the person employed to engrave, lithograph or print such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities one or more unmounted dies reproducing the seal and the chair of the board or any senior officer together with the secretary, treasurer, secretary-treasurer, an assistant secretary, an assistant treasurer or an assistant secretary-treasurer may in writing authorize such person to cause the seal to be impressed on such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities by the use of such dies. Share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities to which the seal has been so impressed are for all purposes deemed to be under and to bear the seal impressed on them.

 

26.

PROHIBITIONS

 

26.1

Definitions

In this Article 26:

 

(a)

“designated security” means:

 

  (i)

a voting security of the Company;

 

  (ii)

a security of the Company that is not a debt security and that carries a residual right to participate in the earnings of the Company or, on the liquidation or winding up of the Company, in its assets; or

 

  (iii)

a security of the Company convertible, directly or indirectly, into a security described in paragraph 26.1(a)(i) and 26.1(a)(ii);

 

(b)

“security” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;

 

(c)

“voting security” means a security of the Company that:

 

  (i)

is not a debt security, and

 

  (ii)

carries a voting right either under all circumstances or under some circumstances that have occurred and are continuing.

 

26.2

Application

Article 26.3 does not apply to the Company if and for so long as it is a public company or a pre-existing reporting company which has the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions as part of its Articles or to which the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions apply.

 

26.3

Consent Required for Transfer of Shares or Designated Securities

No share or designated security may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of without the consent of the directors and the directors are not required to give any reason for refusing to consent to any such sale, transfer or other disposition.

 

30


Approved by Shareholders on December 14, 2004.
Approved by the directors December 14, 2004

/s/ Keith Neumeyer

Keith Neumeyer - Director

 

 

31

Exhibit 4.2

 

LOGO   Mailing Address:    Location:
  PO Box 9431 Stn Prov Govt    2nd Floor - 940 Blanshard Street
 

Victoria BC V8W 9V3

www.corporateonline.gov.bc.ca

 

  

Victoria BC

1 877 526-1526

 

 

     CERTIFIED COPY
     Of a Document filed with the Province of
     British Columbia Registrar of Companies
  Notice of Articles    LOGO
  BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT    CAROL PREST

 

This Notice of Articles was issued by the Registrar on: July 2, 2021 09:31 AM Pacific Time

Incorporation Number:             C0713891

Recognition Date and Time: Continued into British Columbia on January 17, 2005 10:59 AM Pacific Time

NOTICE OF ARTICLES

Name of Company:

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

 

REGISTERED OFFICE INFORMATION   

Mailing Address:

   Delivery Address:

25TH FLOOR, 666 BURRARD STREET

   25TH FLOOR, 666 BURRARD STREET

VANCOUVER BC V6C 2X8

   VANCOUVER BC V6C 2X8

CANADA

   CANADA
RECORDS OFFICE INFORMATION   

Mailing Address:

   Delivery Address:

25TH FLOOR, 666 BURRARD STREET

   25TH FLOOR, 666 BURRARD STREET

VANCOUVER BC V6C 2X8

   VANCOUVER BC V6C 2X8

CANADA

   CANADA

 

Page: 1 of 3


DIRECTOR INFORMATION   
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name:   
Fudge Jr., Thomas F.   

Mailing Address:

   Delivery Address:

2536 RIMROCK AVENUE

   2536 RIMROCK AVENUE

SUITE 400-360

   SUITE 400-360

GRAND JUNCTION CO 81505

   GRAND JUNCTION CO 81505

UNITED STATES

   UNITED STATES
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name:   
des Rivieres, Jean   

Mailing Address:

   Delivery Address:

604 RUE MAIN

   604 RUE MAIN

HUDSON HEIGHTS QC J0P 1J0

   HUDSON HEIGHTS QC J0P 1J0

CANADA

   CANADA
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name:   
Rustad, Colette   

Mailing Address:

   Delivery Address:

2983 WEST 39TH AVENUE

   2983 WEST 39TH AVENUE

VANCOUVER BC V6N 2Z5

   VANCOUVER BC V6N 2Z5

CANADA

   CANADA
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name:   
Co, Marjorie   

Mailing Address:

   Delivery Address:

1800 - 925 WEST GEORGIA STREET

   1800 - 925 WEST GEORGIA STREET

VANCOUVER BC V6C 3L2

   VANCOUVER BC V6C 3L2

CANADA

   CANADA
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name:   
Penrose, Douglas   

Mailing Address:

   Delivery Address:

1800 - 925 WEST GEORGIA STREET

   1800 - 925 WEST GEORGIA STREET

VANCOUVER BC V6C 3L2

   VANCOUVER BC V6C 3L2

CANADA

   CANADA
Last Name, First Name, Middle Name:   
Lopez, Ana   

Mailing Address:

   Delivery Address:

1223 BRACKNELL CRESCENT

   1223 BRACKNELL CRESCENT

NORTH VANCOUVER BC V7R 1V4

   NORTH VANCOUVER BC V7R 1V4

CANADA

   CANADA

 

Page: 2 of 3


Last Name, First Name, Middle Name:   
Neumeyer, Keith   

Mailing Address:

   Delivery Address:

SUITE 1800 - 925 WEST GEORGIA STREET

   SUITE 1800 - 925 WEST GEORGIA STREET

VANCOUVER BC V6C 3L2

   VANCOUVER BC V6C 3L2

CANADA

   CANADA

 

AUTHORIZED SHARE STRUCTURE

1. No Maximum

   Common Shares    Without Par Value
      Without Special Rights or
      Restrictions attached
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

 

Page: 3 of 3

Exhibit 4.3

 

LOGO

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AS OF MAY 27, 2021


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. PURPOSE

     1  

2. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     1  

2.1

  Definitions      1  

2.2

  Headings      6  

2.3

  Context; Construction      6  

2.4

  Statutes      7  

2.5

  Canadian Funds      7  

2.6

  Corporate Participants      7  

3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

     7  

3.1

  Administration      7  

3.2

  Board Powers      7  

3.3

  Interpretation      8  

3.4

  Use of Administrative Agent      8  

3.5

  Copy of the Plan      9  

3.6

  Notification of Award      9  

4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION LIMITS

     9  

4.1

  Shares Subject to Awards      9  

4.2

  Shares Available for Future Grants      9  

4.3

  Participation Limits      9  

4.4

  Outside Director Limit      10  

4.5

  Fractional Shares      10  

4.6

  Financial Assistance      10  

5. OPTIONS

     10  

5.1

  Grant      10  

5.2

  Terms and Conditions of Options      10  

5.3

  Vesting      11  

5.4

  Exercise of Option      11  

5.5

  Termination of Option Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement      12  

5.6

  Conflict      14  

6. PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

     15  

6.1

  Grant      15  

6.2

  Terms and Conditions of Performance Share Units      15  

6.3

  PSU Accounts      16  

6.4

  Vesting      16  

6.5

  Settlement      16  

6.6

  Termination of Performance Share Unit Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement      17  

6.7

  Conflict      20  

 

- i -


7. RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

     20  

7.1

  Grant      20  

7.2

  Terms and Conditions of Restricted Share Units      20  

7.3

  RSU Accounts      21  

7.4

  Vesting      21  

7.5

  Settlement      21  

7.6

  Termination of Restricted Share Unit Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement      22  

7.7

  Conflict      25  

8. DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

     25  

8.1

  Grant.      25  

8.2

  Terms and Conditions of Deferred Share Units      26  

8.3

  DSU Accounts      27  

8.4

  Vesting      27  

8.5

  Settlement      27  

8.6

  Termination of Deferred Share Unit Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement      28  

8.7

  Conflict      30  

9. NON-ASSIGNABILITY AND NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

     30  

10. ADJUSTMENTS

     31  

10.1

  Adjustments      31  

10.2

  Cumulative Adjustments      31  

10.3

  Deemed Amendment      31  

11. CHANGE IN CONTROL - TREATMENT OF AWARDS

     31  

11.1

  Acceleration of Vesting      31  

11.2

  Proposed Transaction – Termination of Options      31  

11.3

  Further Assurances on Change in Control      32  

11.4

  Awards Need Not be Treated Identically      32  

12. AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF PLAN AND AWARDS

     32  

12.1

  Discretion to Amend the Plan and Awards      32  

12.2

  Amendments Requiring Shareholder Approval      33  

12.3

  Amendment, Suspension or Discontinuance      34  

12.4

  Tax Provisions      34  

13. DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

     34  

14. MISCELLANEOUS

     35  

14.1

  Approvals Required for Plan      35  

14.2

  No Rights as a Shareholder      35  

14.3

  Employment      35  

14.4

  Record Keeping      35  

14.5

  Income Taxes      36  

 

- ii -


14.6

  No Representation or Warranty      36  

14.7

  Condition of Issue      36  

14.8

  Agreement      36  

14.9

  Non-Exclusivity      37  

15. TERM OF AWARD, EXPIRY, FORFEITURE AND TERMINATION OF AWARDS / BLACKOUT PERIODS

     37  

15.1

  Term of Award      37  

15.2

  Expiry, Forfeiture and Termination of Awards      37  

15.3

  Exclusion From Severance Allowance, Retirement Allowance or Termination Settlement      37  

15.4

  Blackout Periods      37  

16. PRIOR PLANS

     38  

17. GOVERNING LAW

     38  

18. REGULATORY APPROVAL

     38  

19. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

     38  

 

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LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

AMENDED AND RESTATED

AS OF MAY 27, 2021

 

1.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Plan is to attract, retain and motivate persons of training, experience and leadership as Directors, Employees and Consultants of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, to advance the long-term interests of the Corporation by providing such persons with the opportunity and incentive, through equity-based compensation, to acquire an ownership interest in the Corporation, and to promote a greater alignment of interests between such persons and shareholders of the Corporation.

 

2.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

2.1

Definitions.

For purposes of the Plan, the following words and terms will have the following meanings:

affiliate” means, except as noted in the definition of “DSU Separation Date”, an “affiliate” determined in accordance with NI 45-106;

associate” means an “associate” determined in accordance with NI 45-106;

Award” means an Option, Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit and/or Deferred Share Unit granted under the Plan (as applicable);

Award Agreement” means an Option Award Agreement, a PSU Award Agreement, an RSU Award Agreement and/or a DSU Award Agreement (as applicable);

Blackout Period” means an interval of time during which (a) trading in securities of the Corporation is restricted in accordance with the policies of the Corporation; or (b) the Corporation has otherwise determined that one or more Participants may not trade in securities of the Corporation because they may be in possession of undisclosed material information (as defined under applicable securities laws);

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

Canadian Employee Taxpayer” means a Participant (other than a Consultant) who is resident in Canada for the purposes of the Tax Act or is otherwise liable to pay tax under the Tax Act in respect of an Award;


Change in Control” means and will be deemed to have occurred if one of the following events takes place:

 

  (a)

the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets to any person other than an affiliate of the Corporation;

 

  (b)

the Corporation completes a Corporate Transaction with another corporation at arm’s length to the Corporation and its affiliates, other than a Corporate Transaction that would result in the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or resulting entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power (on a fully diluted basis) of the surviving or resulting entity outstanding immediately after such Corporate Transaction;

 

  (c)

any Person or combination of Persons acting jointly or in concert acquires or becomes the beneficial owner of, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting securities of the Corporation, whether through the acquisition of previously issued and outstanding voting securities, or of voting securities that have not been previously issued, or any combination thereof, or any other transaction having a similar effect; or

 

  (d)

as a result of or in connection with a contested election of directors, the nominees named in the most recent management information circular of the Corporation for election to the Board will not constitute a majority of the Board;

Consultant” means a person who provides management or consulting services to the Corporation or any subsidiary on an ongoing basis under contract, but who is not an Employee;

Corporate Transaction” means a consolidation, merger, amalgamation, arrangement or other reorganization or business combination involving the Corporation;

Corporation” means First Majestic Silver Corp., or any corporate successor thereto;

Deferred Annual Amount” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.1(b);

Deferred Share Unit” means a deferred share unit granted in accordance with Section 8.1, the value of which on any particular date will be equal to the Market Price of one Share, and that represents the conditional right, on the terms and conditions set out in the Plan, to receive a cash payment equal to the Market Price of one Share on settlement of the Deferred Share Unit (or its equivalent in Shares at the discretion of the Corporation);

Director” means any individual holding the office of director of the Corporation or any subsidiary;

 

-2-


Director Cause Event” means

 

  (a)

ceasing to meet the qualifications set forth in subsection 124(2) of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), as amended, or such other qualifications required by the corporate laws in any other jurisdiction under which the Corporation is continued or amalgamated; or

 

  (b)

a special resolution having been passed by the shareholders of the Corporation pursuant to subsection 128(3) of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), as amended, or an equivalent enactment pursuant to the corporate laws in any other jurisdiction under which the Corporation is continued or amalgamated; or

 

  (c)

an order of the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission, the TSX or any other regulatory body having jurisdiction to so order, or

 

  (d)

his or her resignation, if he or she has been a Director for less than six months;

Disability” means a mental or physical disability which permanently prevents a Participant who is a Director, Employee or Consultant from continuing as a Director, Employee or Consultant as the case may be;

Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted under Section 13, to receive future payments in cash or in Shares, based on dividends declared on Shares;

DSU Account” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.3;

DSU Award Agreement” means a written confirmation agreement setting out the terms and conditions relating to a Deferred Share Unit and entered into in accordance with Section 8.2;

DSU Separation Date” means, with respect to Deferred Share Units granted to a Participant, the latest date on which the Participant ceases to be any of a Director, Employee, or otherwise an employee, within the meaning of the Tax Act, by any of the Corporation, a subsidiary, or any other “affiliate” of the Corporation (where “affiliate” has the meaning set out in CRA Income Tax Folio S2-F1-C2, Retiring Allowances (November 8, 2016) or any successor publication thereto) for any reason;

Effective Date” means May 23, 2019;

Eligible Person” means a Director, Employee or Consultant who is eligible to receive Awards under the Plan;

 

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Employee” means any individual regularly employed on a full-time or part-time basis by the Corporation or any subsidiary, provided that, for purposes of determining any and all rights and entitlements hereunder, if the employment of any such individual is terminated in a circumstance under which notice of termination is required to be provided by the Corporation or any subsidiary to the individual under, as applicable, the Employment Standards Act (British Columbia), as amended, or an equivalent enactment pursuant to the employment standards laws in any other jurisdiction that governs such employment, then that individual will be an Employee through to the end of the period of notice of termination that the Corporation or subsidiary is minimally required to provide to the individual in respect of that employment under such employment standards laws, but will not be an Employee for any additional period of contractual or common law notice of termination;

Employee Cause Event” means:

 

  (a)

termination for cause; or

 

  (b)

an order of the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission, the TSX or any other regulatory body having jurisdiction to so order,

Grant Date” means the date on which an Award is made to an Eligible Person in accordance with the provisions hereof;

Insider” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the TSX Company Manual;

Mandatory Retirement” means (a) the retirement of an Eligible Person who is an employee of the Corporation as a result of reaching the mandatory retirement age in the jurisdiction in which the Eligible Person is employed; or (b) in the case of a Director, ceasing to be a Director as a result of any term limit applicable to the directors of the Corporation pursuant to the Corporation’s policies as my exist from time to time.

Market Price”, as of a particular date, will be deemed to be the closing price of the Shares for the trading day immediately preceding such date as reported by the TSX, or, if the Shares are not listed on the TSX, on such other principal stock exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Shares are listed or quoted, as the case may be. If the Shares are not publicly traded or quoted, then the “Market Price” will be the fair market value of the Shares, as determined by the Board, on the particular date;

NI 45-106” means National Instrument 45-106: Prospectus Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators, as the same may be amended or replaced from time to time;

Option” means an option to purchase Shares granted under Section 5.1;

Option Award Agreement” means a written award agreement setting out the terms and conditions relating to an Option and entered into in accordance with Section 5.2;

Option Price” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.2(b);

Participant” means an Eligible Person selected by the Board to participate in the Plan in accordance with the Plan, or his or her Personal Representatives, as the context requires;

 

-4-


Performance Share Unit” means a performance share unit granted in accordance with Section 6.1, the value of which on any particular date will be equal to the Market Price of one Share, and that represents the conditional right, on the terms and conditions set out in the Plan or applicable PSU Award Agreement, to receive a cash payment equal to the Market Price of one Share on settlement of the Performance Share Unit (or its equivalent in Shares at the discretion of the Corporation);

Person” means any individual, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, syndicate, sole proprietorship, corporation with or without share capital, unincorporated association, trust, trustee, executor, administrator or other legal personal representative, regulatory body or agency, government or governmental agency, authority or entity however designated or constituted;

Personal Representative” means:

 

  (a)

in the case of a deceased Participant, the executor or administrator of the deceased duly appointed by a court or public authority having jurisdiction to do so; and

 

  (b)

in the case of a Participant who, for any reason, is unable to manage his or her affairs, the person entitled by law to act on behalf of such Participant;

Plan” means this First Majestic Silver Corp. Long-Term Incentive Plan as amended or amended and restated from time to time;

Prior Plans” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 16.

PSU Account” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.3;

PSU Award Agreement” means a written confirmation agreement setting out the terms and conditions relating to a Performance Share Unit and entered into in accordance with Section 6.2;

PSU Service Year” has the meaning ascribed in Section 6.1;

PSU Vesting Date” means, with respect to Performance Share Units granted to a Participant, the date determined in accordance with Section 6.4, which date, for Canadian Employee Taxpayers, will not be later than the date referred to in Section 6.2(b);

Restricted Share Unit” means a restricted share unit granted in accordance with Section 7.1, the value of which on any particular date will be equal to the Market Price of one Share, and that represents the conditional right, on the terms and conditions set out in the Plan or applicable RSU Award Agreement, to receive a cash payment equal to the Market Price of one Share on settlement of the Restricted Share Unit (or its equivalent in Shares at the discretion of the Corporation);

RSU Account” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.3;

 

-5-


RSU Award Agreement” means a written confirmation agreement setting out the terms and conditions relating to a Restricted Share Unit and entered into in accordance with Section 7.2;

RSU Service Year” has the meaning ascribed in Section 7.1;

RSU Vesting Date” means, with respect to Restricted Share Units granted to a Participant, the date determined in accordance with Section 7.4, which date, for Canadian Employee Taxpayers, will not be later than the date referred to in Section 7.2(b);

Security-Based Compensation Arrangement” has the meaning ascribed in the TSX Company Manual, as amended, restated or replaced from time to time;

Service Agreement” means any written agreement between a Participant and the Corporation or an subsidiary of the Corporation (as applicable), in connection with that Participant’s employment, service or engagement as a Director, Employee or Consultant or the termination of such employment, service or engagement, as amended, replaced or restated from time to time;

Share Units” means Deferred Share Units, Performance Share Units and Restricted Share Units;

Shares” mean common shares of the Corporation;

subsidiary” means a “subsidiary” determined in accordance with NI 45-106, provided that, for the purposes of Options granted to Canadian Employee Taxpayers, a “subsidiary” of the Corporation shall include only a corporation that does not deal at arm’s length with the Corporation for the purposes of the Tax Act and further provided that, for the purposes of Deferred Share Units granted to Canadian Employee Taxpayers, a “subsidiary” of the Corporation shall only include a corporation that is “related” to the Corporation for the purposes of the Tax Act;

Tax Act” means the Income Tax Act (Canada); and

TSX” means the Toronto Stock Exchange.

 

2.2

Headings.

The headings of all articles, sections, and paragraphs in the Plan are inserted for convenience of reference only and will not affect the construction or interpretation of the Plan.

 

2.3

Context; Construction.

Whenever the singular or masculine are used in the Plan, the same will be construed as being the plural or feminine or neuter or vice versa where the context so requires.

 

-6-


2.4

Statutes.

Any reference to a statute, regulation, rule, instrument, or policy statement will refer to such statute, regulation, rule, instrument, or policy statement as the same may be amended, replaced or reenacted from time to time.

 

2.5

Canadian Funds.

Unless otherwise specifically provided, all references to dollar amounts in the Plan are references to lawful money of Canada. Any amounts paid on exercise or in settlement of an Award will be paid in Canadian dollars.

 

2.6

Corporate Participants.

Where a Participant is a corporation, the Participant will be deemed to have died or to have become subject to a Disability if an individual employed by the Participant who is principally responsible for providing services to the Corporation on behalf of the Participant dies or becomes subject to a physical or mental disability which permanently prevents the individual from providing the services normally provided by the Participant, if, in the opinion of the Corporation, acting reasonably, by reason of the death or disability of the individual, the Participant is no longer able to provide the services for which the Corporation has contracted.

 

3.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

3.1

Administration.

The Plan will be administered by the corporate secretary of the Corporation on the instructions of the Board. The Board may make, amend and repeal at any time and from time to time such regulations not inconsistent with the Plan as it may deem necessary or advisable for the proper administration and operation of the Plan and such regulations will form part of the Plan. The Board may delegate to any committee of the Board or to the Corporate Secretary or any Director, officer or employee of the Corporation such administrative duties and powers as it may see fit.

 

3.2

Board Powers.

The Board will have the power, where consistent with the general purpose and intent of the Plan and 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 and to amend or revoke such policies, rules and regulations;

 

  (b)

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

 

-7-


  (c)

to determine the time or times when Awards will be awarded, subject to the requirements of applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements;

 

  (d)

to determine which Eligible Persons should be granted Awards;

 

  (e)

to determine the number of Awards to be awarded to Eligible Persons;

 

  (f)

to determine the term of Awards and the vesting criteria applicable to Awards (including performance vesting, if applicable);

 

  (g)

to determine if Shares which are subject to an Award will be subject to any restrictions upon the exercise or vesting of such Award;

 

  (h)

to prescribe the form of the instruments relating to the grant, exercise and other terms of Awards including the form of Option Award Agreements, PSU Award Agreements, RSU Award Agreements, DSU Award Agreements and all ancillary documents and instruments related to the Plan and Awards; and

 

  (i)

subject to Section 12, to make all other determinations under, and such interpretations of, and to take all such other steps and actions in connection with the proper administration of the Plan as it, in its sole discretion, may deem necessary or advisable.

The Board’s guidelines, rules, regulation, interpretations and determinations will be conclusive and binding upon the Corporation and all other Persons.

 

3.3

Interpretation.

The interpretation by the Board of any of the provisions of the Plan and any determination by it pursuant thereto will be final and conclusive and will not be subject to any dispute by any Participant. No member of the Board or any person acting pursuant to authority delegated by it hereunder will be liable for any action or determination in connection with the Plan made or taken in good faith and each member of the Board and each such person will be entitled to indemnification with respect to any such action or determination in the manner provided for by the Corporation.

 

3.4

Use of Administrative Agent.

The Board may in its sole discretion appoint from time to time one or more entities to act as administrative agent to administer Awards granted under the Plan and to act as trustee to hold and administer the Plan and the assets that may be held in respect of Awards granted under the Plan, the whole in accordance with the terms and conditions determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

 

-8-


3.5

Copy of the Plan.

Each Participant, concurrently with the notice of the Award, will be provided by the Corporate Secretary with a copy of the Plan. A copy of any amendment to the Plan will be promptly provided by the Corporate Secretary to each Participant.

 

3.6

Notification of Award.

Following the approval by the Board of the awarding of an Award, the Corporate Secretary will notify the Participant in writing of the Award and will enclose with such notice the Award Agreement representing the Award.

 

4.

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION LIMITS

 

4.1

Shares Subject to Awards.

Subject to adjustment under the provisions of Section 10, the aggregate number of Shares to be reserved and set aside for issue upon the exercise, redemption or settlement for all Awards granted under this Plan, together with all other Security-Based Compensation Arrangements of the Corporation, will not exceed 8% of the issued and outstanding Shares outstanding at the time of the granting of the Award (on a non-diluted basis) of which the aggregate number of Shares to be reserved and set aside for issue upon the exercise, redemption or settlement of Share Units granted under this Plan, together with all other established Security-Based Compensation Arrangements of the Corporation, will not exceed 1% of the issued and outstanding Shares outstanding at the time of the granting of the Share Unit (on a non-diluted basis). The Plan is an “evergreen” plan. Accordingly, if the Corporation issues additional Shares in the future the number of Shares issuable under Plan will be increased accordingly.

 

4.2

Shares Available for Future Grants.

Any Shares subject to an Award which for any reason expires without having been exercised or is forfeited or terminated will again be available for future. Awards under the Plan and any Shares subject to an Award that are settled in cash and not Shares will again be available for future Awards under the Plan.

 

4.3

Participation Limits.

The Plan, when combined with all of the Corporation’s other Security-Based Compensation Arrangements, will not result at any time in:

 

  (a)

a number of Shares issuable to any one person at any time exceeding 5% of the issued and outstanding Shares;

 

  (b)

a number of Shares issued to Insiders within a one-year period exceeding 8% of the issued and outstanding Shares; and

 

  (c)

a number of Shares issuable to Insiders at any time exceeding 8% of the issued and outstanding Shares.

 

-9-


Any entitlement to acquire Shares granted pursuant to the Plan or other Securities-Based Compensation Arrangement prior to the Participant becoming an Insider will be excluded for the purposes of the limits set out in this Section 4.3.

 

4.4

Outside Director Limit.

The Plan will not result at any time in (i) a number of Shares issuable to all non-executive directors of the Corporation exceeding 1% of the issued and outstanding Shares at such time, and (ii) a number of Shares issuable to any one non-executive director within a one-year period exceeding an Award value of $150,000 per such non-executive director, of which no more than $100,000 may comprise Options based on a valuation method acceptable to the Board.

 

4.5

Fractional Shares.

No fractional Shares will be issued upon the exercise of Options or the settlement of Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units in Shares, and the Board may determine the manner in which fractional share value will be treated, provided that fractions will be rounded-down to the nearest Share on the exercise of Options.

 

4.6

Financial Assistance.

The Corporation will not offer financial assistance to any Participant in regards to the exercise of any Award granted under this Plan.

 

5.

OPTIONS

 

5.1

Grant.

Options may be granted to Eligible Persons at such time or times as will be determined by the Board by resolution. The Grant Date of an Option for purposes of the Plan will be the date on which the Option is awarded by the Board, or such later date determined by the Board, subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements.

 

5.2

Terms and Conditions of Options.

Options will be evidenced by an Option Award Agreement, which will specify such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board will determine, including:

 

  (a)

the number of Shares to which the Options to be awarded to the Participant pertain;

 

  (b)

the exercise price per Share subject to each Option (the “Option Price”), which will in no event be lower than the Market Price on the Grant Date;

 

-10-


  (c)

the Option’s scheduled expiry date, which will not exceed ten years from the Grant Date (provided that if no specific determination as to the scheduled expiry date is made by the Board, the scheduled expiry date will be ten years from the Grant Date); and

 

  (d)

such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board will determine, including customary representations, warranties and covenants with respect to securities law matters.

For greater certainty, each Option Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan, provided that all Options granted to Canadian Employee Taxpayers shall have such terms as are necessary for the Options to be continuously governed by section 7 of the Tax Act.

 

5.3

Vesting.

Subject to Section 11, unless otherwise determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions hereof, or unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Service Agreement or Option Award Agreement:

 

  (a)

subject to paragraph (b) below, the Options granted will vest in equal portions over a period of 30 months, as follows:

 

Vesting Period    Total Percentage Vested  

12 months from date of award

     25

18 months from date of award

     50

24 months from date of award

     75

30 months from date of award

     100

 

  (b)

Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, Options granted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation which have an initial expiry date which is more than five years after the Grant Date will instead vest in equal portions on each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the Grant Date.

 

5.4

Exercise of Option.

Options may be exercised only to the extent vested. Options may be exercised by the Participant by delivering to the Corporation a notice of exercise, substantially in the form attached to the Option Award Agreement, specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised. Payment of the Option Price may be made by one or more of the following methods (or any combination thereof) to the extent provided in the Option Award Agreement:

 

  (a)

in cash, by certified cheque made payable to the Corporation, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, or other instrument acceptable to the Board; or

 

-11-


  (b)

if permitted by the Board, by a “cashless exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Corporation will issue that number of Shares equal to the current Market Price less the Option Price multiplied by the number of Options exercised as the numerator, divided by the current Market Price, as the denominator.

No certificates for Shares so purchased will be issued to the Participant (including pursuant to Section 5.4(b)) until the Participant and the Corporation have each completed all steps required by law to be taken in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares, including receipt from the Participant of payment or provision for all withholding taxes due as a result of the exercise of the Option. The delivery of certificates representing the Shares to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be contingent upon receipt from the Participant by the Corporation of the full purchase price for such Shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws.

 

5.5

Termination of Option Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, or unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Service Agreement or Option Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment, service or engagement terminates in any of the following circumstances, subject to Section 11, Options will be treated in the manner set forth below:

 

  (a)

If the Participant is a Director:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Vesting

  

Expiry of Option

Death or Disability    Unvested Options will automatically vest in full as of the date of death or Disability and become immediately exercisable.    The expiry date of the Options will be the earlier of (i) the expiry date established under Section 5.2(c) and (ii) one year from the date of death or Disability of the Participant.
Change in Control    Options will vest in accordance with Section 11.    Options expire in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to Hold Office but continues to be engaged as an Employee or Consultant    The vesting of the Options will continue as set out in the Option Award Agreement.    The expiry date of the Options will remain unchanged.
Ceasing to Hold Office for Director Cause Event    Any Options held by Participant on the date the Participant ceases to be a Director which are unvested as of such date will not vest.    The expiry date of the Options will be the date the Participant ceases to be a Director.

 

-12-


Reason for Termination

  

Vesting

  

Expiry of Option

Mandatory Retirement    All unvested Options of the Participant will immediately vest and become immediately exercisable    The expiry date of the Options will be the earlier of (i) the expiry date established under Section 5.2(c) and (ii) one year from the date the Participant ceases to be a Director.
Ceasing to Hold Office other than as set out above    All unvested Options of the Participant will immediately vest and become immediately exercisable.    The expiry date of the Options will be the earlier of (i) the expiry date established under Section 5.2(c) and (ii) the 90th day following the date the Participant ceases to be a Director.

 

  (b)

If the Participant is an Employee:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Vesting

  

Expiry of Option

Death or Disability    Any Options held by a Participant on the date of death or Disability and which are unvested as of such date will not vest.    The expiry date of the Options will be the earlier of (i) the expiry date established under Section 5.2(c) and (ii) one year from the date of death or Disability of the Participant.
Change in Control    Options will vest in accordance with Section 11.    Options expire in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to be Employed for Employee Cause Event    Any Options which are unvested as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee will not vest, unless determined otherwise by the Board.    The expiry date of the Options will be the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.
Mandatory Retirement    All unvested Options of the Participant will immediately vest and become immediately exercisable    The expiry date of the Options will be the earlier of (i) the expiry date established under Section 5.2(c) and (ii) one year from the date of retirement.
Ceasing to be Employed but continues to be engaged as a Director or Consultant    The vesting of the Options will continue as set out in the Option Award Agreement.    The expiry date of the Options will remain unchanged.
Ceasing to be Employed other than as set out above    Any Options which are unvested as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee will not vest, unless determined otherwise by the Board.    The expiry date of the Options will be the earlier of (i) the expiry date established under Section 5.2(c) and (ii) the 90th day following the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.

 

-13-


  (c)

If the Participant is a Consultant:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Vesting

  

Expiry of Option

Death or Disability    Any Options held by a Participant on the date of death or Disability and which are unvested as of such date will not vest.    The expiry date of the Options will be the earlier of (i) the expiry date established under Section 5.2(c) and (ii) one year from the date of death or Disability of the Participant.
Change in Control    Options will vest in accordance with Section 11.    Options expire in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to be a Consultant due to completion/termination of contract    Any Options which are unvested as of the date the Participant ceases to be a Consultant will not vest, unless determined otherwise by the Board    The expiry date of the Options will be the earlier of (i) the expiry date established under Section 5.2(c) and (ii) the 90th day following the date the Participant ceases to be a Consultant
Ceasing to be a Consultant due to completion/termination of contract but continues to be engaged as a Director or Employee    The vesting of the Options will continue as set out in the Option Award Agreement.    The expiry date of the Options will remain unchanged.
Ceasing to be a Consultant and concurrently hired and becomes an Employee    The Options previously granted to the Consultant will flow through to the Employee on the same terms and conditions of the original grant of Options.    The Options previously granted to the Consultant will flow through to the Employee on the same terms and conditions of the original grant of Options.

 

5.6

Conflict.

Notwithstanding the foregoing tables set out in Section 5.5, in the event the Participant is both a Director and an Employee or both a Director and a Consultant and ceases to be both at the same time, other than by death or Disability, then Section 5.5(a) will take precedence over Sections 5.5(b) and 5.5(c) unless the Participant ceases to be an Employee in an Employee Cause Event, in which case Section 5.5(b) will take precedence.

 

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6.

PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS

 

6.1

Grant.

Performance Share Units may be granted to Eligible Persons at such time or times as will be determined by the Board by resolution, pursuant to recommendations of the Board from time to time. All Performance Share Units granted to Canadian Employee Taxpayers shall be granted as a bonus for services rendered in a particular calendar year (the “PSU Service Year”). The Grant Date of a Performance Share Unit for purposes of the Plan will be the date on which the Performance Share Unit is awarded by the Board, or such later date determined by the Board, subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements.

 

6.2

Terms and Conditions of Performance Share Units.

Performance Share Units will be evidenced by a PSU Award Agreement, which will specify such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board will determine, including:

 

  (a)

the number of Performance Share Units to be awarded to the Participant;

 

  (b)

if applicable, the PSU Service Year in respect of which the Performance Share Units were granted, provided that, if not otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, the PSU Service Year shall be the calendar year which contains the Grant Date for the applicable Performance Share Units;

 

  (c)

the performance cycle applicable to each Performance Share Unit, which will be the period of time between the Grant Date and the date on which the performance criteria specified in Section 6.2(d) must be satisfied before the Performance Share Unit is fully vested and may be settled by the Participant, before being subject to forfeiture or termination, which period of time, for Canadian Employee Taxpayers, will in no case end later than December 15th of the calendar year which is three years after the calendar year which is the PSU Service Year;

 

  (d)

the performance criteria, which may include criteria based on the Participant’s personal performance and/or the performance of the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries, that will be used to determine the vesting of the Performance Share Units;

 

  (e)

whether and to what extent Dividend Equivalents will be credited to a Participant’s PSU Account in accordance with Section 13; and

 

  (f)

such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board will determine, including customary representations, warranties and covenants with respect to securities law matters.

 

 

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For greater certainty, each PSU Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan, provided that all Performance Share Units granted to Canadian Employee Taxpayers shall have such terms and conditions as to ensure that such Awards are exempt from the definition of “salary deferral arrangement” in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act by virtue of paragraph (k) thereto. For greater certainty, no Shares will be issued on the Grant Date and the Corporation will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such Awards.

 

6.3

PSU Accounts.

A separate notional account will be maintained for each Participant with respect to Performance Share Units granted to such Participant (a “PSU Account”) in accordance with Section 14.4. Performance Share Units awarded to the Participant from time to time pursuant to Section 6.1 will be credited to the Participant’s PSU Account and will vest in accordance with Section 6.4. On the vesting of the Performance Share Units pursuant to Section 6.4 and the corresponding payment of cash and/or issuance of Shares to the Participant pursuant to Section 6.5, or on the forfeiture or termination of the Performance Share Units pursuant to the terms of the Award, the Performance Share Units credited to the Participant’s PSU Account will be cancelled.

 

6.4

Vesting.

Subject to Section 11, unless otherwise determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions hereof, or unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Service Agreement or PSU Award Agreement, each Performance Share Unit will vest as at the date that is the end of the performance cycle (which will be the “PSU Vesting Date”), subject to any performance criteria having been satisfied and will be settled in accordance with Section 6.5.

 

6.5

Settlement.

 

  (a)

The Performance Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement date, substantially in the form attached to the PSU Award Agreement, acknowledged by the Corporation provided that no such delivery will be required in connection with a settlement pursuant to Section 6.6(a). In the event the Corporation does not receive a notice of settlement date on or before December 31st of the calendar year containing the applicable PSU Vesting Date, the settlement date will be December 31st of the calendar year containing the applicable PSU Vesting Date. On settlement, the Corporation will, for each vested Performance Share Unit being settled, deliver to the Participant a cash payment equal to the Market Price of one Share as of the PSU Vesting Date (or a Share or a combination of cash and Shares in the sole discretion of the Board). No certificates for Shares issued in settlement will be issued to the Participant until the Participant and the Corporation have each completed all steps required by law to be taken in connection with the issuance of the Shares, including receipt from the Participant of payment or provision for all withholding taxes due as a result of the settlement of the Performance Share Units. The delivery of certificates representing the Shares to be issued in settlement of Performance Share Units will be contingent upon the fulfillment of any requirements contained in the PSU Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws.

 

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  (b)

For greater certainty, for Canadian Employee Taxpayers, in no event will such settlement be later than December 31st of the calendar year containing the applicable PSU Vesting Date nor will such settlement occur after the date specified in Section 6.2(c).

 

6.6

Termination of Performance Share Unit Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, or unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Service Agreement or PSU Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment, service or engagement terminates in any of the following circumstances, Performance Share Units will be treated in the manner set forth below:

 

  (a)

If the Participant is a Director:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Performance Share Units

Death or Disability    Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death or Disability will be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the date of death or Disability. Outstanding Performance Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death or Disability will vest and be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the date of death or Disability, prorated to reflect the actual period between the commencement of the performance cycle and the date of death or Disability, based on the Participant’s performance for the applicable performance period(s) up to the date of death or Disability. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Performance Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date of death or Disability.
Change in Control    Performance Share Units vest in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to Hold Office but continues to be engaged as an Employee or Consultant    Outstanding Performance Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the PSU Award Agreement.
Ceasing to Hold Office for Director Cause Event    Outstanding Performance Share Units (whether vested or unvested) will automatically terminate on the date the Participant ceases to be a Director.
Ceasing to Hold Office other than as set out above including Mandatory Retirement    Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the date the Participant ceases to be a Director will be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of the date the Participant ceases to be a Director. Outstanding Performance Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the date the Participant ceases to be a Director, prorated to reflect the actual period between the commencement of the performance cycle and the date the Participant ceases to be a Director, based on the Participant’s performance for the applicable performance period(s) up to the date the Participant ceases to be a Director, will be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 as of such vesting date. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Performance Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be a Director.

 

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  (b)

If the Participant is an Employee:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Performance Share Units

Death or Disability    Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death or Disability will be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 provided that the settlement date will be the earlier of (i) the date set out as the settlement date in the notice delivered by the Participant pursuant to Section 6.5; (ii) the date 90 days following the date of death or Disability; and (iii) December 31st of the calendar year in which death or Disability occurs. Outstanding Performance Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death or Disability will in all respects terminate as of the date of death or Disability.
Change in Control    Performance Share Units vest in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to be Employed for Employee Cause Event    Outstanding Performance Share Units (whether vested or unvested) will automatically terminate on the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.
Mandatory Retirement    Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee will be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 provided that the settlement date will be the earlier of (i) the date set out as the settlement date in the notice delivered by the Participant pursuant to Section 6.5; (ii) the date 90 days following the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee; and (iii) December 31st of the calendar year in which the Participant ceases to be an Employee. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Performance Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.

 

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Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Performance Share Units

Ceasing to be Employed but continues to be engaged as a Director or Consultant    Outstanding Performance Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the PSU Award Agreement.
Ceasing to be Employed other than as set out above    Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee will be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 provided that the settlement date will be the earlier of (i) the date set out as the settlement date in the notice delivered by the Participant pursuant to Section 6.5; (ii) the date 90 days following the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee; and (iii) December 31st of the calendar year in which the Participant ceases to be an Employee. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Performance Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.

 

  (c)

If the Participant is a Consultant:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Performance Share Units

Death or Disability    Outstanding Performance Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death or Disability will be settled in accordance with Section 6.5 provided that the settlement date will be (i) the date set out as the settlement date in the notice delivered by the Participant pursuant to Section 6.5 (ii) the date 90 days following the date of death or Disability; and (iii) December 31st of the calendar year in which death or Disability occurs. Outstanding Performance Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death or Disability will in all respects terminate as of the date of death or Disability.
Change in Control    Performance Share Units vest in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to be a Consultant due to completion/termination of contract    Outstanding Performance Share Units (whether vested or unvested) will automatically terminate on the date the Participant ceases to be a Consultant.
Ceasing to be a Consultant due to completion/termination of contract but continues to be engaged as a Director or Employee    Outstanding Performance Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the PSU Award Agreement.

 

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Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Performance Share Units

Ceasing to be a Consultant and concurrently hired and becomes an Employee    The Performance Share Units previously granted to the Consultant will flow through to the Employee on the same terms and conditions of the original grant of Performance Share Units.

 

6.7

Conflict.

Notwithstanding the foregoing table set out in Section 6.6, in the event the Participant is both a Director and an Employee or both a Director and a Consultant and ceases to be both at the same time, other than by death or Disability, then Section 6.6(a) will take precedence over Sections 6.6(b) and 6.6(c) unless the Participant ceases to be an Employee in an Employee Cause Event, in which case Section 6.6(b) will take precedence.

 

7.

RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS

 

7.1

Grant.

Restricted Share Units may be granted to Eligible Persons at such time or times as will be determined by the Board by resolution, pursuant to recommendations of the Board from time to time. All Restricted Share Units granted to Canadian Employee Taxpayers shall be granted as a bonus for services rendered in a particular calendar year (the “RSU Service Year”). The Grant Date of a Restricted Share Unit for purposes of the Plan will be the date on which the Restricted Share Unit is awarded by the Board, or such later date determined by the Board, subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements.

 

7.2

Terms and Conditions of Restricted Share Units.

Restricted Share Units will be evidenced by an RSU Award Agreement, which will specify such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board will determine, including:

 

  (a)

the number of Restricted Share Units to be awarded to the Participant;

 

  (b)

if applicable, the RSU Service Year in respect of which the Restricted Share Units were granted, provided that, if not otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, the RSU Service Year shall be the calendar year which contains the Grant Date for the applicable Restricted Share Units;

 

  (c)

the period of time between the Grant Date and the date on which the Restricted Share Unit is fully vested and may be settled by the Participant, before being subject to forfeiture or termination, which period of time, for Canadian Employee Taxpayers, will in no case be later than December 15th of the calendar year which is three years after the calendar year which is the RSU Service Year;

 

  (d)

whether and to what extent Dividend Equivalents will be credited to a Participant’s RSU Account in accordance with Section 13; and

 

  (e)

such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board will determine, including customary representations, warranties and covenants with respect to securities law matters.

 

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For greater certainty, each RSU Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan, provided that all Restricted Share Units granted to Canadian Employee Taxpayers shall have such terms and conditions as to ensure that such Awards are exempt from the definition of “salary deferral arrangement” in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act by virtue of paragraph (k) thereto. For greater certainty, no Shares will be issued on the Grant Date and the Corporation will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such Awards.

 

7.3

RSU Accounts.

A separate notional account will be maintained for each Participant with respect to Restricted Share Units granted to such Participant (an “RSU Account”) in accordance with Section 14.4. Restricted Share Units awarded to the Participant from time to time pursuant to Section 7.1 will be credited to the Participant’s RSU Account and will vest in accordance with Section 7.4. On the vesting of the Restricted Share Units pursuant to Section 7.4 and the corresponding payment of cash and/or issuance of Shares to the Participant pursuant to Section 7.5, or on the forfeiture or termination of the Restricted Share Units pursuant to the terms of the Award, the Restricted Share Units credited to the Participant’s RSU Account will be cancelled.

 

7.4

Vesting.

Subject to Section 11, unless otherwise determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions hereof, or unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Service Agreement or RSU Award Agreement, each Restricted Share Unit will vest in three approximately equal instalments on the first three anniversaries of the Grant Date provided that all applicable restrictions will have lapsed (which will be the “RSU Vesting Date”) and will be settled in accordance with Section 7.5.

 

7.5

Settlement.

 

  (a)

The Restricted Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement date, substantially in the form to the RSU Award Agreement, acknowledged by the Corporation, provided that no such delivery will be required in connection with a settlement pursuant to Section 7.6(a). In the event the Corporation does not receive a notice of settlement date on or before December 31st of the calendar year containing the applicable RSU Vesting Date, the settlement date will be December 31st of the calendar year containing the applicable RSU Vesting Date. On settlement, the Corporation will, for each vested Restricted Share Unit being settled, deliver to the Participant a cash payment equal to the Market Price of one Share as of the RSU Vesting Date (or Shares or a combination of cash and Shares in the sole discretion of the Board). No certificates for Shares issued in settlement will be issued to the Participant until the Participant and the Corporation have each completed all steps required by law to be taken in connection with the issuance of the Shares, including receipt from the Participant of payment or provision for all withholding taxes due as a result of the settlement of the Restricted Share Units. The delivery of certificates representing the Shares to be issued in settlement of Restricted Share Units will be contingent upon the fulfillment of any requirements contained in the RSU Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws.

 

  (b)

For greater certainty, for Canadian Employee Taxpayers, in no event will such settlement be later than December 31st of the calendar year containing the applicable RSU Vesting Date nor will such settlement occur after the date specified in Section 7.2(c).

 

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7.6

Termination of Restricted Share Unit Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, or unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Service Agreement or RSU Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment, service or engagement terminates in any of the following circumstances, Restricted Share Units will be treated in the manner set forth below:

 

  (a)

If the Participant is a Director:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Restricted Share Units

Death or Disability    Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death or Disability will be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the date of death or Disability. Outstanding Restricted Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the date of death or Disability will vest and be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the date of death or Disability, prorated to reflect the actual period between the Grant Date and the date of death or Disability. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Restricted Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date of death or Disability.
Change in Control    Restricted Share Units vest in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to Hold Office but continues to be engaged as an Employee or Consultant`    Outstanding Restricted Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the RSU Award Agreement.

 

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Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Restricted Share Units

Ceasing to Hold Office for Director Cause Event    Outstanding Restricted Share Units (whether vested or unvested) will automatically terminate on the date the Participant ceases to be a Director.
Ceasing to Hold Office other than as set out above including Mandatory Retirement    Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the date the Participant ceases to be a Director will be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of the date the Participant ceases to be a Director. Outstanding Restricted Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the date the Participant ceases to be a Director will vest and be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 as of such vesting date. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Restricted Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be a Director.

 

  (b)

If the Participant is an Employee:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Restricted Share Units

Death or Disability    Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death or Disability will be settled in accordance with Section 7.5, provided that the settlement date will be the earlier of (i) the date set out as the settlement date in the notice delivered by the Participant pursuant to Section 7.5; (ii) the date 90 days following the date of death or Disability; and (iii) December 31st of the calendar year in which death or Disability occurs. Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death or Disability will in all respects terminate as of the date of death or Disability.
Change in Control    Restricted Share Units vest in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to be Employed for Employee Cause Event    Outstanding Restricted Share Units (whether vested or unvested) will automatically terminate on the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.

 

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Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Restricted Share Units

Mandatory Retirement    Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee will be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 provided that the settlement date will be the earlier of (i) the date set out as the settlement date in the notice delivered by the Participant pursuant to Section 7.5; (ii) the date 90 days following the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee; and (iii) December 31st of the calendar year in which the Participant ceases to be an Employee. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Restricted Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.
Ceasing to be Employed but continues to be engaged as a Director or Consultant    Outstanding Restricted Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the RSU Award Agreement.
Ceasing to be Employed other than as set out above    Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee will be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 provided that the settlement date will be the earlier of (i) the date set out as the settlement date in the notice delivered by the Participant pursuant to Section 7.5; (ii) the date 90 days following the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee; and (iii) December 31st of the calendar year in which the Participant ceases to be an Employee. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Restricted Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.

 

  (c)

If the Participant is a Consultant:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Restricted Share Units

Death or Disability    Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death or Disability will be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 provided that the settlement date will be the earlier of (i) the date set out as the settlement date in the notice delivered by the Participant pursuant to Section 7.5; (ii) the date 90 days following the date of death or Disability; and (iii) December 31st of the calendar year in which death or Disability occurs. Outstanding Restricted Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death or Disability will in all respects terminate as of the date of death or Disability.

 

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Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Restricted Share Units

Change in Control    Restricted Share Units vest in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to be a Consultant due to completion/termination of contract    Outstanding Restricted Share Units (whether vested or unvested) will automatically terminate on the date the Participant ceases to be a Consultant.
Ceasing to be a Consultant due to completion/termination of contract but continues to be engaged as a Director or Employee    Outstanding Restricted Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the RSU Award Agreement.
Ceasing to be a Consultant and concurrently hired and becomes an Employee    The Restricted Share Units previously granted to the Consultant will flow through to the Employee on the same terms and conditions of the original grant of Restricted Share Units.

 

7.7

Conflict.

Notwithstanding the foregoing table set out in Section 7.6, in the event the Participant is both a Director and an Employee or both a Director and a Consultant and ceases to be both at the same time, other than by death or Disability, then Section 7.6(a) will take precedence over Sections 7.6(b) and 7.6(c) unless the Participant ceases to be an Employee in an Employee Cause Event, in which case Section 7.6(b) will take precedence.

 

8.

DEFERRED SHARE UNITS

 

8.1

Grant.

 

  (a)

Discretionary Deferred Share Units. Deferred Share Units may be granted to Eligible Persons at such time or times as will be determined by the Board by resolution, pursuant to recommendations of the Board from time to time. The Grant Date of a Deferred Share Unit for purposes of the Plan will be the date on which the Deferred Share Unit is awarded by the Board, or such later date determined by the Board, subject to applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements.

 

  (b)

Mandatory or Elective Deferred Share Units. In addition to the foregoing, on fixed dates established by the Board and subject to such terms and conditions and other procedures as the Board will determine, pursuant to recommendations of the Board, the Board may require a Participant to, or may permit a Participant to irrevocably elect to, receive Deferred Share Units in satisfaction of all or a portion of the following amounts payable by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation:

 

  (i)

Director’s Retainer - in the case of a member of the Board who is not also an officer or employee of the Corporation, an amount equal to all or a portion of his or her annual directors’ retainer payable on account of his or her services as a member of the Board (which amount will not include committee chairperson retainers, committee members retainers, Board or committee meeting fees, or special remuneration for ad hoc services rendered to the Board); or

 

 

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  (ii)

Officers’ and Employees’ Annual Incentive - in the case of an officer or employee of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation (as applicable), an amount equal to all or a portion of his or her annual incentive bonus for a calendar year,

(the “Deferred Annual Amount”). In such cases, the Participant will receive an Award of Deferred Share Units equal to the greatest whole number which may be obtained by dividing (i) the amount of the Deferred Annual Amount, by (ii) the Market Price of one Share on the date of payment of such Deferred Annual Amount.

 

8.2

Terms and Conditions of Deferred Share Units.

Deferred Share Units will be evidenced by a DSU Award Agreement, which will specify such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board will determine, including:

 

  (a)

the number of Deferred Share Units to be awarded to the Participant;

 

  (b)

for Deferred Share Units awarded under Section 8.1(a):

 

  (i)

the period of time between the Grant Date and the date on which the Deferred Share Unit is fully vested, subject to Sections 8.2(c) and 8.5(b) for Canadian Employee Taxpayers;

 

  (ii)

any performance criteria, which may include criteria based on the Participant’s personal performance and/or the financial performance of the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries, that may be used to determine the vesting of the Deferred Share Units (if applicable); and

 

  (iii)

such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the Board will determine, including customary representations, warranties and covenants with respect to securities law matters; and

 

  (c)

in the case of Deferred Share Units awarded to a Canadian Employee Taxpayer, such terms and conditions as may be necessary for such Award to be exempt from the definition of “salary deferral arrangement” in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act by virtue of paragraph (l) thereto and paragraph 6801(d) of the Regulations to the Tax Act.

For greater certainty, each DSU Award Agreement may contain terms and conditions in addition to, but not in conflict with, those set forth in the Plan. For greater certainty, no Shares will be issued on the Grant Date and the Corporation will not be required to set aside a fund for the payment of any such Awards.

 

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8.3

DSU Accounts.

A separate notional account will be maintained for each Participant with respect to Deferred Share Units granted to such Participant (a “DSU Account”) in accordance with Section 14.4. Deferred Share Units awarded to the Participant from time to time pursuant to Section 8.1 will be credited to the Participant’s DSU Account and will vest in accordance with Section 8.4. On the settlement of the Deferred Share Units pursuant to Section 8.5 and the corresponding payment of cash and/or issuance of Shares to the Participant, or on the forfeiture and termination of the Deferred Share Units pursuant to the terms of the Award, the Deferred Share Units credited to the Participant’s DSU Account will be cancelled.

 

8.4

Vesting.

Subject to Section 11, unless otherwise determined by the Board in accordance with the provisions hereof, or unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Service Agreement or DSU Award Agreement:

 

  (a)

each Deferred Share Unit awarded under Section 8.1(a) will vest in accordance with the DSU Award Agreement; and

 

  (b)

each Deferred Share Unit awarded under Section 8.1(b) will immediately vest at the time it is credited to the Participant’s DSU Account.

 

8.5

Settlement.

 

  (a)

The Deferred Share Units may be settled by delivery by the Participant to the Corporation of a notice of settlement date, substantially in the form to the DSU Award Agreement, provided for greater certainty, no Deferred Share Units may be settled before the DSU Separation Date, acknowledged by the Corporation. In the event the Corporation does not receive a notice of settlement date prior to the DSU Separation Date, the settlement date will be the DSU Separation Date. On settlement, the Corporation will, for each such vested Deferred Share Unit, deliver to the Participant a cash payment equal to the Market Price of one Share as of the DSU Separation Date (or a Share or any combination of cash and Shares in the sole discretion of the Board). No certificates for Shares issued in settlement will be issued to the Participant until the Participant and the Corporation have each completed all steps required by law to be taken in connection with the issuance of the Shares, including receipt from the Participant of payment or provision for all withholding taxes due as a result of the settlement of the Deferred Share Units. The delivery of certificates representing the Shares to be issued in settlement of Deferred Share Units will be contingent upon the fulfillment of any requirements contained in the DSU Award Agreement or applicable provisions of laws.

 

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  (b)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, all settlements of Deferred Share Units granted to a Participant who is a Canadian Employee Taxpayer will take place (i) after the Participant’s DSU Separation Date; and (ii) by December 15th of the first calendar year that commences after such time.

 

8.6

Termination of Deferred Share Unit Due to Termination of Employment, Service or Engagement.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, or unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Service Agreement or DSU Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment, service or engagement terminates in any of the following circumstances, Deferred Share Units will be treated in the manner set forth below:

 

  (a)

If the Participant is a Director:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Deferred Share Units

Death or Disability    Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death or Disability will be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date of death or Disability. Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death or Disability will vest and be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date of death or Disability, prorated to reflect the actual period between the Grant Date and the date of death or Disability. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Deferred Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date of death or Disability.
Change in Control    Deferred Share Units vest in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to Hold Office but continues to be engaged as an Employee or Consultant    Outstanding Deferred Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the DSU Award Agreement.
Ceasing to Hold Office for Director Cause Event    Outstanding Deferred Share Units (whether vested or unvested) will automatically terminate on the date the Participant ceases to be a Director.
Ceasing to Hold Office other than as set out above including Mandatory Retirement    Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the date the Participant ceases to be a Director will be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date the Participant ceases to be a Director. Outstanding Deferred Share Units that would have vested on the next vesting date following the date the Participant ceases to be a Director will be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of such vesting date. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Deferred Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be a Director.

 

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  (b)

If the Participant is an Employee:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Deferred Share Units

Death or Disability    Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death or Disability will be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date of death or Disability. Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death or Disability will in all respects terminate as of the date of death or Disability.
Change in Control    Deferred Share Units vest in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to be Employed for Employee Cause Event    Outstanding Deferred Share Units (whether vested or unvested) will automatically terminate on the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.
Mandatory Retirement    Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee will be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Deferred Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.
Ceasing to be Employed but continues to be engaged as a Director or Consultant    Outstanding Deferred Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the DSU Award Agreement.
Ceasing to be Employed other than as set out above    Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee will be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee. Subject to the foregoing, any remaining Deferred Share Units will in all respects terminate as of the date the Participant ceases to be an Employee.

 

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  (c)

If the Participant is a Consultant:

 

Reason for Termination

  

Treatment of Deferred Share Units

Death or Disability    Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were vested on or before the date of death or Disability will be settled in accordance with Section 8.5 as of the date of death or Disability. Outstanding Deferred Share Units that were not vested on or before the date of death or Disability will in all respects terminate as of the date of death or Disability.
Change in Control    Deferred Share Units vest in accordance with Section 11.
Ceasing to be a Consultant due to completion/termination of contract    Outstanding Deferred Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the DSU Award Agreement.
Ceasing to be a Consultant due to completion/termination of contract but continues to be engaged as a Director or Employee    Outstanding Deferred Share Units will continue to vest pursuant to the DSU Award Agreement.
Ceasing to be a Consultant and concurrently hired and becomes an Employee    The Deferred Share Units previously granted to the Consultant will flow through to the Employee on the same terms and conditions of the original grant of Deferred Share Units.

 

8.7

Conflict.

Notwithstanding the foregoing table set out in Section 8.6, in the event the Participant is both a Director and an Employee or both a Director and a Consultant and ceases to be both at the same time, other than by death or Disability, then Section 8.6(a) will take precedence over Sections 8.6(b) and 8.6(c) unless the Participant ceases to be an Employee in an Employee Cause Event, in which case Section 8.6(b) will take precedence.

 

9.

NON-ASSIGNABILITY AND NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

An Award granted pursuant to this Plan is personal to the Participant and may not be assigned, transferred, charged, pledged or otherwise alienated, other than to a Participant’s Personal Representatives.

 

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10.

ADJUSTMENTS

 

10.1

Adjustments.

Subject to Section 12.4, the number and kind of Shares to which an Award pertains and, with respect to Options, the Option Price, will be adjusted, subject to prior approval of the relevant stock exchanges, if applicable, in the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split or subdivision, reduction, combination or consolidation, stock dividend, combination of shares, merger, reclassification, amalgamation, distribution of evidences of indebtedness or assets of the Corporation (excluding dividends paid in the ordinary course) to all holders of Shares, rights offering or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Corporation, in such manner, if any, and at such time, as the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine to prevent substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, holders of Awards as compared to holders of Shares. Failure of the Board to provide for an adjustment will be conclusive evidence that the Board has determined that it is equitable to make no adjustment in the circumstances. If an adjustment results in a fractional share, the fraction will be disregarded.

 

10.2

Cumulative Adjustments.

The adjustments provided for in this Section 10 will be cumulative.

 

10.3

Deemed Amendment.

On the happening of each and every of the foregoing events, the applicable provisions of the Plan will be deemed to be amended accordingly and the Board will take all necessary action so as to make all necessary adjustments in the number and kind of securities subject to any outstanding Award (and the Plan) and, with respect to Options, the Option Price.

 

11.

CHANGE IN CONTROL - TREATMENT OF AWARDS

 

11.1

Acceleration of Vesting.

In the event of a proposed Change in Control (as determined by the Board), the Board may, in its discretion, conditionally or otherwise and on such terms as it sees fit, accelerate the vesting of all of a Participant’s unvested Awards to a date determined by the Board, to permit each Participant, within a specified period of time to exercise all of the Participant’s outstanding Options and to settle all of the Participant’s outstanding Performance Share Units and Restricted Share Units (to the extent then vested and exercisable, including by reason of acceleration by the Board pursuant this Plan or in accordance with the Award Agreement). For greater certainty, upon a Change in Control, holders of Awards will not be treated any more favourably than holders of Shares with respect to the consideration holders of Awards would be entitled to receive for their Shares.

 

11.2

Proposed Transaction – Termination of Options.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and subject to the earlier expiry of the Options in accordance with their terms, if the Board at any time by resolution declares it advisable to do so in connection with any proposed sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation or any proposed Corporate Transaction (collectively, the “Proposed Transaction”), the Corporation may give written notice to all holders of Options advising them that, within 30 days after the date of the notice and not thereafter, each holder of an Option must advise the Board whether the holders of the Option desires to exercise its Options prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, and that upon the failure of a holder of an Option to provide such notice within the 30-day period, all rights of the holder of an Option will terminate, provided that the Proposed Transaction is completed within 180 days after the date of the notice. If the Proposed Transaction is not completed within such 180-day period, no right under any Option will be exercised or affected by the notice, except that the Option may not be exercised between the date of expiration of the 30-day period and the day after the expiration of such 180-day period, or if earlier, the date the Proposed Transaction is terminated without completion. If a holder of an Option gives notice that the holder of an Option desires to exercise its Options prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, then all Options which the holder of an Option elected by notice to exercise will be exercised immediately prior to the effective time of the Proposed Transaction or such earlier time as may be required to complete the Proposed Transaction.

 

-31-


11.3

Further Assurances on Change in Control.

The Participant will execute such documents and instruments and take such other actions, including exercise or settlement of Awards vesting pursuant to this Section 11 or the Award Agreement, as may be required consistent with the foregoing; provided, however, that the exercise or settlement of Awards vesting pursuant to this Section 11 or the Award Agreement will be subject to the completion of the Change in Control event.

 

11.4

Awards Need Not be Treated Identically.

In taking any of the actions contemplated by this Section 11, the Board will not be obligated to treat all Awards held by any Participant, or all Awards in general, identically.

 

12.

AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF PLAN AND AWARDS

 

12.1

Discretion to Amend the Plan and Awards.

Subject to Section 12.2, the Board may amend the Plan or Awards at any time, provided, however, that no such amendment may materially and adversely affect any Award previously granted to a Participant without the consent of the Participant, except to the extent required by applicable law (including TSX requirements). Any amendment under this Section will be subject to all necessary regulatory approvals. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board may make certain amendments to the Plan or Awards without obtaining the approval of the shareholders of the Corporation including, but not limited to amendments which are intended to:

 

  (a)

alter, extend or accelerate the terms and conditions of vesting of any Awards;

 

  (b)

change the termination provisions of the Plan or any Award which does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date;

 

  (c)

amend or modify the mechanics of exercise or settlement of Awards ;

 

  (d)

effect amendments of a “housekeeping” or ministerial nature including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any amendment necessary to comply with the provisions of applicable laws in Canada or in any other jurisdiction in which an Participant or proposed Participant may from time to time be resident or a citizen (including, without limitation, the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX);

 

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  (e)

effect amendments respecting the administration of the Plan;

 

  (f)

effect amendments necessary to suspend or terminate the Plan;

 

  (g)

amend the change of control provisions of Section 11. For greater certainty, any change made to such section will not allow Participants to be treated any more favourably than other holders of Shares with respect to the consideration that the Participants would be entitled to receive for their Shares upon a Change in Control;

 

  (h)

make any other amendment, whether fundamental or otherwise, not requiring shareholder approval under applicable law (including, without limitation, the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX) or that is not expected to materially adversely affect the interests of the shareholders of the Corporation.

 

12.2

Amendments Requiring Shareholder Approval.

 

  Notwithstanding

Section 12.1, no amendments to the Plan or Awards to:

 

  (a)

any increase in the number of Shares issuable under the Plan, or the percentage limit set out in Section 4.1, except such increases by operation of Section 4.1 or Section 10;

 

  (b)

with respect to Options, reduce the Option Price, or cancel and reissue any Options;

 

  (c)

extend (i) the term of an Option beyond its original expiry date, or (ii) the date on which a Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit will be forfeited or terminated in accordance with its terms, other than in accordance with Section 15.4;

 

  (d)

revise Section 9 to permit Awards granted under the Plan to be transferable or assignable other than for estate settlement purposes;

 

  (e)

revise the insider participation limits set out in Section 4.3 or the non-executive director limit set out in Section 4.4;

 

  (f)

revise the amending provisions set forth in Section 12.1 or 12.2; or

 

  (g)

any amendment required to be approved by shareholders under applicable law (including without limitation, pursuant to the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX)

will be made without obtaining approval of the shareholders of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of the TSX (or disinterested shareholder approval, if required by the policies of the TSX).

 

-33-


12.3

Amendment, Suspension or Discontinuance.

 

  (a)

No amendment, suspension or discontinuance of the Plan or of any Award may contravene the requirements of the TSX or any securities commission or other regulatory body to which the Plan or the Corporation is now or may hereafter be subject to.

 

  (b)

The Board may terminate the Plan at any time provided that such termination will not alter the terms or conditions of any Award or impair any right of any Participant pursuant to any Award awarded prior to the date of such termination and notwithstanding such termination the Corporation, such Awards, Eligible Persons and Shares will continue to be governed by the provisions of the Plan.

 

  (c)

Termination of the Plan will not affect the ability of the Board to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

12.4

Tax Provisions.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan:

 

  (a)

No amendment to the Plan or adjustment to Options shall be permitted without the consent of the affected Participant if such amendment or adjustment, as the case may be, would cause Options granted to a Canadian Employee Taxpayer to cease to be governed by section 7 of the Tax Act;

 

  (b)

no amendment to the Plan or adjustment to Performance Share Units or Restricted Share Units shall be permitted without the consent of the affected Participant if such amendment or adjustment, as the case may be, would cause Performance Share Units or Restricted Share Units, as the case may be, granted to a Canadian Employee Taxpayer to cease to be governed by paragraph (l) of the definition of “salary deferral arrangement” in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act; and

 

  (c)

no amendment to the Plan or adjustment to Deferred Share Units shall be permitted without the consent of the affected Participant if such amendment or adjustment, as the case may be, would cause Deferred Share Units granted to a Canadian Employee Taxpayer to cease to meet the conditions of paragraph 6801(d) of the Regulations to the Tax Act.

 

13.

DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

The Board may determine whether and to what extent Dividend Equivalents will be credited to a Participant’s PSU Account, RSU Account and DSU Account with respect to Awards of Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units. Dividend Equivalents to be credited to a Participant’s PSU Account, RSU Account or DSU Account will be credited with additional Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units, as applicable, on the record date established for the related dividend or distribution in an amount equal to the greatest whole number which may be obtained by dividing (i) the value of such dividend or distribution on the record date that would have been paid if the Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units, as applicable, credited to the Participant were Shares, by (ii) the Market Price of one Share on such record date, and such additional Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit, as applicable, will be subject to the same terms and conditions as are applicable in respect of the Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit, as applicable, with respect to which such dividend equivalent is granted. The crediting of any additional Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit as a dividend equivalent to any Canadian Employee Taxpayer will be credited as a bonus for services rendered by such Participant in the year of grant.

 

 

-34-


No Dividend Equivalent will be credited to or paid on Awards of Performance Share Units, Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units that have expired or that have been forfeited or terminated.

 

14.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

14.1

Approvals Required for Plan.

Prior to the implementation by the Corporation of the Plan, the Plan is subject to approvals by the shareholders of the Corporation at a general meeting and the TSX.

 

14.2

No Rights as a Shareholder.

Nothing contained in the Plan nor in any Award granted hereunder will be deemed to give any Person any interest or title in or to any Shares or any rights as a shareholder of the Corporation or any other legal or equitable right against the Corporation whatsoever with respect to Shares issuable pursuant to an Award until such Person becomes the holder of record of Shares.

 

14.3

Employment.

Nothing contained in the Plan will confer upon any Participant any right with respect to employment or continued employment or the right to continue to serve as a Director or a Consultant as the case may be, or interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation to terminate such employment or service at any time. Participation in the Plan by an Eligible Person is voluntary.

 

14.4

Record Keeping.

The Corporation will maintain appropriate registers in which will be recorded all pertinent information with respect to the granting, amendment, exercise, vesting, expiry, forfeiture and termination of Awards. Such registers will include, as appropriate:

 

  (a)

the name and address of each Participant;

 

  (b)

the number of Awards credited to each Participant’s account;

 

-35-


  (c)

any and all adjustments made to Awards recorded in each Participant’s account; and

 

  (d)

such other information which the Corporation considers appropriate to record in such registers.

 

14.5

Income Taxes.

The Corporation or any subsidiary may withhold from any amount payable to an Eligible Person, either under this Plan or otherwise, such amount as may be necessary to enable the Corporation or subsidiary to comply with the applicable requirements of any federal, provincial, state, local or foreign law, or any administrative policy of any applicable domestic or foreign tax authority, relating to the withholding of tax or any other required deductions with respect to participation in the Plan, the issuance of any Shares pursuant to the Plan or the settlement in cash and/or Shares of any Awards under the Plan (“Withholding Obligations”).

The Corporation or subsidiary may require a Participant, as a condition to exercise of an Option (including, on a cashless basis pursuant to Section 5.4(b)) or the settlement of an Award, to remit in advance, a cheque or bank draft payable to the Corporation or subsidiary in the amount of all applicable Withholding Obligations with respect to such exercise or settlement. The Corporation or subsidiary undertakes to remit any such amount to the applicable taxation or regulatory authority on account of such Withholding Obligations.

 

14.6

No Representation or Warranty.

The Corporation makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of any Shares issued pursuant to the Plan.

 

14.7

Condition of Issue.

The Awards and the issue of Shares by the Corporation pursuant to the exercise or settlement of an Award is subject to this Plan and compliance with the laws, rules and regulations of all regulatory bodies applicable to the granting of such Awards and the issuance and distribution of such Shares and to the listing requirements of any stock exchange or exchanges on which the Shares may be listed. Any Awards granted hereunder and any Shares issued on exercise or settlement of Awards granted hereunder will be subject to such policies as the Board may adopt from time to time. The Corporation is not obligated by any provision of this Plan or any grant hereunder to sell or issue Shares in violation of any applicable law. The Participant agrees to comply with all such laws, rules and regulations and agrees to furnish to the Corporation any information, reports and/or undertakings required to comply with and to fully cooperate with the Corporation in complying with such laws, rules and regulations. Shares issued and sold to Participants may be subject to limitations on sale or resale under applicable securities laws.

 

14.8

Agreement.

The Corporation and every person to whom an Award is granted hereunder will be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. By accepting an Award granted hereunder, the Participant expressly agrees with the Corporation to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

-36-


14.9

Non-Exclusivity.

Nothing contained herein will prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to any required approvals.

 

15.

TERM OF AWARD, EXPIRY, FORFEITURE AND TERMINATION OF AWARDS / BLACKOUT PERIODS

 

15.1

Term of Award.

Subject to Section 15.3, in no circumstances will the term of an Option exceed ten years from the Grant Date.

 

15.2

Expiry, Forfeiture and Termination of Awards.

If for any reason an Award expires without having been exercised or is forfeited or terminated, and subject to any extension thereof in accordance with the Plan, such Award will forthwith expire and be forfeited and will terminate and be of no further force or effect.

 

15.3

Exclusion From Severance Allowance, Retirement Allowance or Termination Settlement.

If a holder of an Award retires, resigns or is terminated from employment or engagement with the Corporation or any related entity, the loss or limitation, if any, pursuant to this Plan or the Award Agreement with respect to the right to receive or purchase Shares which were not vested at the time or which, if vested, were cancelled, will not give rise to any right to damages and will not be included in the calculation of nor form any part of any severance allowance, retiring allowance or termination settlement of any kind whatsoever in respect of such holder of an Award.

 

15.4

Blackout Periods.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if the expiry date or vesting date of an Award is (i) during a Blackout Period, or (ii) within ten trading days following the end of a Blackout Period, the expiry date or vesting date, as applicable, will be automatically extended for a period of ten trading days following the end of such Blackout Period. In the case of a Performance Share Unit, Restricted Share Unit or Deferred Share Unit awarded to a Canadian Employee Taxpayer any settlement that is effected during such Blackout Period in order to comply with Sections 6.2(b), 7.2(b) and 8.5(b) will (subject to the requirements of applicable law) be settled in cash, notwithstanding any other provision hereof.

 

-37-


16.

PRIOR PLANS

All options or other awards granted by the Corporation prior to the Effective Date will continue to be governed by the terms of the plans under which such options were granted (the “Prior Grants”). For greater certainty, all Shares issuable pursuant to the terms of the Prior Grants will be included when calculating the aggregate number of Shares that may be issuable pursuant to Section 4.1.

 

17.

GOVERNING LAW

The Plan will be construed in accordance with and be governed by the laws of British Columbia and will be deemed to have been made therein.

 

18.

REGULATORY APPROVAL

The Plan will be subject to the approval of any relevant regulatory authority whose approval is required. Any Awards granted prior to such approval and acceptance will be conditional upon such approval and acceptance being given and no such Awards may be exercised or will vest unless such approval and acceptance is given.

 

19.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

The Plan is dated with effect as of the Effective Date.

 

-38-

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

July 23, 2021

First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6C 3L2

Dear Sirs/Mesdames:

 

Re:

First Majestic Silver Corp. - Registration Statement on Form S-8

We are Canadian counsel to First Majestic Silver Corp., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the proposed offering and sale of up to 20,518,537 common shares in the capital of the Company, without par value (the “Shares”), issuable pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated long-term incentive plan dated as of May 27, 2021 (the “Plan”). The Shares are included in a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof.

This opinion is being delivered in connection with the Registration Statement, to which this opinion appears as an exhibit.

For the purposes of the opinions expressed below, we have examined such statutes, regulations, public and corporate records and other documents and have made such investigations and considered such questions of law as we have considered necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. We have also examined the Registration Statement and the Plan, which have been filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We have relied on a certificate of an officer of the Company as to various questions of fact material to our opinion that we have not verified independently.

In all such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the authority and legal capacity of all persons signing documents reviewed by us, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the completeness and conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as true, certified or notarial copies or as reproductions (including documents received by facsimile), all documents submitted to us have been executed in the form reviewed by us and have not been amended or modified since the date they were submitted to us, by written or oral agreement or by conduct of the parties thereto, or otherwise, and the truthfulness and accuracy of all certificates of public officials and officers of the Company. We have also assumed the awards granted under the Plan will be duly granted by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), a committee of the Board (a “Committee”) or pursuant to a delegation of authority granted by the Board or a Committee, all in accordance with the terms of the Plan, and all Shares issued in accordance with the Plan will be accompanied by a valid authorization of the Board or such Committee specifying that all such Shares will be validly issued by the Company as fully paid and non-assessable shares in the capital of the Company.


We are solicitors qualified to practice law in British Columbia and we express no opinion as to any laws or any matters governed by any laws other than the laws of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. The opinions expressed herein are given as at the date hereof and are based upon, and subject to, legislation and regulations in effect as of the date hereof and the facts as of the date hereof. We specifically disclaim any obligation, and make no undertaking to supplement our opinions herein, as changes in the law occur and facts come to our attention that could affect such opinions, or otherwise advise any person of any change in law or fact which may come to our attention after the date hereof.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that an aggregate of up to • Shares, when issued from time to time, pursuant to the Plan, including (i) upon the due exercise of options in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the terms and conditions of any agreement governing any such options, including the payment of any option price applicable thereto, and (ii) upon the settlement of restricted share units, performance share units and deferred share units in accordance with the terms thereof and the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued by the Company as fully paid and non-assessable common shares in the capital of the Company.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

This opinion is for the benefit of the addressee in connection with the transaction to which it relates, and may not be relied upon, used, or quoted from or referred to in any other documents, by any other person or for any other purpose without our express written consent.

 

Yours truly,
/s/ BENNETT JONES LLP
BENNETT JONES LLP

 

LOGO

Exhibit 23.1

 

LOGO

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 18, 2021 relating to the financial statements of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Company”) and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 40-F of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

LOGO

Chartered Professional Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
July 23, 2021

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Auditor

We consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated April 8, 2021, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Jerritt Canyon Canada Ltd. in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan of First Majestic Silver Corp.

 

LOGO

Chartered Professional Accountants

Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Canada

July 23, 2021

Exhibit 23.3

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Persio P. Rosario, P.Eng., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the technical reports entitled “San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, Durango and Sinaloa States, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates”, “Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, Sonora, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates”, and “La Encantada Silver Mine, Coahuila, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates”, all with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Reports”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Reports and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Reports.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Persio P. Rosario

Persio P. Rosario

Exhibit 23.4

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Brian Boutilier, P.Eng., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “La Encantada Silver Mine, Coahuila, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Brian Boutilier

Brian Boutilier

Exhibit 23.5

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, David Rowe, CPG, hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “La Encantada Silver Mine, Coahuila, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ David Rowe

David Rowe

Exhibit 23.6

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Joaquín Merino, P.Geo., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, Durango and Sinaloa States, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Joaquín Merino

Joaquín Merino

Exhibit 23.7

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, María Elena Vázquez, P.Geo., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the technical reports entitled “San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, Durango and Sinaloa States, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates”, “Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, Sonora, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates”, and “La Encantada Silver Mine, Coahuila, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates”, all with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Reports”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Reports and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Reports.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ María Elena Vázquez

María Elena Vázquez

Exhibit 23.8

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Ramón Mendoza Reyes, P.Eng., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and technical reports entitled “San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, Durango and Sinaloa States, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates”, “Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, Sonora, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates”, and “La Encantada Silver Mine, Coahuila, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates”, all with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Reports”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Reports and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Reports.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Ramón Mendoza Reyes

Ramón Mendoza Reyes

Exhibit 23.9

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Phillip J. Spurgeon, P. Geo., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, Sonora, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Phillip J. Spurgeon

Phillip J. Spurgeon

Exhibit 23.10

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Ryan Rodney, C.P.G., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “Technical Report on the Jerritt Canyon Mine, Elko County, Nevada, USA” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Ryan Rodney

Ryan Rodney

Exhibit 23.11

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Gordon L. Fellows, P.E., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “Technical Report on the Jerritt Canyon Mine, Elko County, Nevada, USA” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Gordon L. Fellows

Gordon L. Fellows

Exhibit 23.12

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Chelsea Hamilton, P.Eng., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “Technical Report on the Jerritt Canyon Mine, Elko County, Nevada, USA” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Chelsea Hamilton

Chelsea Hamilton

Exhibit 23.13

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Andrew P. Hampton, M.Sc.,P.Eng., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “Technical Report on the Jerritt Canyon Mine, Elko County, Nevada, USA” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Andrew P. Hampton

Andrew P. Hampton

Exhibit 23.14

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Jeremy Scott Collyard, MMSA QP, hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “Technical Report on the Jerritt Canyon Mine, Elko County, Nevada, USA” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Jeremy Scott Collyard

Jeremy Scott Collyard

Exhibit 23.15

July 23, 2021

To: First Majestic Silver Corp.

925 West Georgia Street, Suite 1800

Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L2

In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of First Majestic Silver Corp. (the “Registration Statement”), I, Gregory K. Kulla, P.Geo., hereby consent to the references in the Registration Statement to my name and the report entitled “Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, Sonora, Mexico, NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates” with an effective date of December 31, 2020 (the “Technical Report”) and to the inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of written disclosure from the Technical Report and extracts from or a summary of the Technical Report.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Gregory K. Kulla

Gregory K. Kulla