EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.3
THIS
AGREEMENT
made effective as of the 31st
day of January, 2008 ("Effective Date").
BETWEEN:
ELMWORTH
ENERGY CORPORATION,
a body
corporate with an office in the City of Calgary, in the Province of Alberta
(the
"Corporation")
-
and
-
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, a resident of the City of Vancouver, in the Province of British
Columbia (the "Employee").
WHEREAS
the
Corporation wishes to continue to employ the Employee and the Employee wishes
to
remain employed by the Corporation;
AND
WHEREAS
the
Corporation and the Employee have agreed that the employment of the Employee
by
the Corporation will be in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement;
NOW
THEREFORE, the
parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
1.1
|
Definitions
|
In
this
Agreement, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:
(a)
|
"Affiliate"
and "Associate"
have the meanings set forth in the Business
Corporations Act
(Alberta);
|
(b)
|
"Annual
Salary"
means the annual salary of the Employee described in Clause 3.1;
|
(c)
|
"Board
of Directors"
means the Board of Directors of the
Corporation;
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(d)
|
"Bonus"
shall mean the bonus entitlement of the Employee described in Schedule
"A";
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(e)
|
"Confidential
Information"
means information, data, technology, material or other property,
of any
kind and in whatever form, that is confidential or proprietary to
the
Corporation or any Affiliate or Associate, including without limitation:
engineering reports, geological information, maps, well data, prospect
data and seismic information, financial data or any other
information, the disclosure of which could be reasonably expected
to
materially adversely affect the Corporation or any Affiliate or Associate
or which the Corporation or any Affiliate or Associate is obliged
by
contract or law to treat as confidential. Confidential Information
does
not include information which is or becomes generally available to
the
public, other than as a result of a disclosure in violation of this
Agreement, information which the Employee can conclusively establish
was
already lawfully in the possession of the Employee prior to the Employee's
employment with the Corporation or information, the disclosure of
which is
required by regulation or law;
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-2-
(f)
|
"Date
of Termination"
shall mean the date of cessation of the Employee's employment with
the
Corporation, regardless of the reason for cessation of
employment;
|
(g)
|
"Just
Cause"
means any act or course of conduct which at law constitutes just
cause and
shall include, without limitation:
|
(i)
|
the
continued failure by the Employee to substantially perform duties
according to the terms of employment after the Corporation has given
the
Employee reasonable notice of such failure and a reasonable opportunity
to
correct it;
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(ii)
|
a
breach of any provision in Article 5 (provided that the Corporation
acts in good faith in determining that such a breach constitutes
Just
Cause) or a material breach of any other provision of this
Agreement;
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(iii)
|
the
conviction of the Employee of an indictable offence or fraud;
or
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(iv)
|
fraud,
theft or wilful misconduct by the Employee that relates to or affects
the
Corporation or the Employee's employment with the
Corporation;
|
(h)
|
"Perquisites"
means the perquisites set out in Schedule
"B";
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(i)
|
"Person"
means any individual, corporation, limited liability corporation,
limited
or general partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock
corporation, trust, plan, unincorporated organization or government
or any
agency or political subdivisions
thereof;
|
(j)
|
"Protected
Interests"
shall mean all current projects that the Corporation is actively
exploring
at the time of the termination of the Employee's employment, as well
as
those projects that are planned, as disclosed in the Corporation's
public
filings or press releases;
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(k)
|
"Severance
Amount"
means a lump sum amount representing the Annual Salary payable for
a
period of three (3) months plus one additional month for each completed
year of employment with the Corporation up to a maximum of twelve
(12)
months, less applicable statutory deductions;
and
|
(l)
|
"Stock
Option Plan"
means the Triangle Petroleum Corporation 2005 and 2007 Incentive
Stock
Plans, in force from time to time and any agreements or confirmations.
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-3-
ARTICLE
2
EMPLOYMENT
2.1
|
Engagement
|
Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, the Corporation shall employ the Employee
as
the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Employee hereby accepts
such
employment in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The
Employee agrees to perform those duties and functions and have those
responsibilities which are normally associated with the position, in addition
to
carrying out such other duties and responsibilities as are assigned from time
to
time.
2.2
|
Performance
|
The
Employee shall devote substantially full time, energy, skill and best efforts
to
the performance of duties hereunder, in a manner which will faithfully and
diligently further the business and interests of the Corporation. The Employee
shall at all times comply with all applicable laws and instructions of the
Corporation and shall comply with all policies of the Corporation.
2.3
|
Term
|
This
Agreement shall be for an indefinite period and may be terminated by the
Employee or the Corporation in accordance herewith.
ARTICLE
3
REMUNERATION
AND BENEFITS
3.1
|
Annual
Salary
|
As
consideration for the services provided herein, the Corporation shall pay to
the
Employee an Annual Salary of $288,000 in arrears by semi-monthly instalments
during the term of this Agreement. The Annual Salary will be reviewed by the
Corporation annually.
3.2
|
Bonus
|
The
Employee shall be eligible to receive a Bonus, based on the Employee's
individual performance in accordance with Schedule "A". The Bonus structure
and
targets will be reviewed by the Corporation annually.
3.3
|
Stock
Options
|
During
the term of this Agreement and at the discretion of the Board of Directors,
the
Employee will be eligible to participate in the Stock Option Plan. All issuances
shall be subject to applicable stock exchange approvals and shall be made in
accordance with applicable securities legislation and the Stock Option Plan.
3.4
|
Expenses
|
The
Corporation shall reimburse the Employee for all reasonable travelling and
other
expenses actually and properly incurred in connection with the Employee's
duties. For all such expenses, the Employee shall furnish the Corporation with
such statements, receipts or other reasonable documentation and within the
applicable time period as may be reasonably required by the
Corporation.
-4-
3.5
|
Benefits
|
The
Employee shall participate in all employment benefits that the Corporation
provides for its employees, unless such benefits are relinquished by the
Employee. The Corporation shall provide benefits in accordance with the formal
plan documents or policies, and any issues with respect to entitlement or
payment of benefits shall be governed by the terms of such documents or policies
establishing the benefit in issue.
3.6
|
Perquisites
|
The
Employee shall be entitled to receive the perquisites set out in Schedule "B".
3.7
|
Vacation
|
The
Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid annual vacation.
ARTICLE
4
TERMINATION
OF EMPLOYMENT
4.1
|
Termination
by the Corporation for Just Cause
|
(a)
|
The
Corporation may, at any time, immediately terminate the Employee's
employment for Just Cause by giving written notice setting forth
the
nature of the Just Cause.
|
(b)
|
The
Employee may terminate employment with the Corporation for any reason
upon
sixty (60) days' written notice.
|
(c)
|
If
the Employee's employment is terminated either by the Corporation
for Just
Cause, the Corporation shall pay to the Employee, within five (5)
business
days following the Date of Termination, the amount of unpaid Annual
Salary
to and including the Date of Termination, plus all outstanding vacation
pay and expense reimbursements (in each case less applicable withholdings
and deductions).
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4.2
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Termination
by the Corporation Without Just
Cause
|
(a)
|
The
Corporation may, in its absolute discretion, immediately terminate
the
Employee's employment at any time without Just Cause, for any
reason.
|
(b)
|
If
the Employee's employment is terminated either by the Corporation
without
Just Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason, then the Corporation
shall
pay to the Employee, less statutory
withholdings:
|
(i)
|
the
amount of unpaid Annual Salary to and including the Date of Termination,
|
(ii)
|
all
outstanding vacation pay and expense reimbursements,
and
|
(iii)
|
within
five (5) business days of receipt of an executed release, the Severance
Amount.
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(iv)
|
In
the event that there is a change in control resulting in termination,
the
Severance Amount shall be deemed to be 12 months of base
salary.
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4.3
|
Payment
of Termination Amount
|
The
Severance Amount payable to the Employee pursuant to Sections 4.2(b) shall
not
be reduced in any respect in the event that the Employee shall secure or shall
not reasonably pursue alternative employment following the termination of the
Employee's employment.
4.4
|
Resignation
from Offices and
Directorships
|
Effective
on the Date of Termination, the Employee shall resign from all offices in the
Corporation and shall not be entitled to receive any payment or compensation
for
loss of office or otherwise by reason of the resignation.
4.5
|
Options
|
In
the
event of termination of the Employee's employment, any options granted under
the
terms of the Stock Option Plan must be exercised in accordance with and shall
expire in accordance with the Stock Option Plan.
4.6
|
Return
of Property
|
On
the
Date of Termination, the Employee shall promptly surrender to the Corporation
all information in whatever form (including all Confidential Information) and
any other documents, materials, data, property, information and equipment
belonging to the Corporation or relating to the Corporation's business in his
possession, custody or control, and the Employee shall not thereafter retain
or
deliver to any other Person any of the foregoing or any summary or memorandum
thereof.
ARTICLE
5
CONFIDENTIALITY
AND NON-COMPETITION
5.1
|
Confidentiality
|
(a)
|
During
the period of employment with the Corporation and at any time thereafter,
the Employee shall receive and hold all Confidential Information
absolutely secret, undisclosed, in trust and in confidence, and shall
comply with the Corporation's policies and guidelines and use best
efforts
for the protection of Confidential
Information.
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(b)
|
The
Employee shall not reveal or disclose to any Person outside the
Corporation or use for Employee's own benefit, whether by private
communication or by public address or publication or otherwise, any
Confidential Information without the Corporation's specific written
authorization or except as required by a mandatory provision of applicable
law, provided
however, that
prior to any unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information
that is required by law, the Employee shall give the Corporation
reasonable prior notice of any disclosure of Confidential Information
required by law and, if requested by the Corporation, shall use reasonable
efforts to obtain a protective order or similar protection for the
Corporation and shall permit and cooperate with any effort by the
Corporation to obtain such an order. The Employee shall take such
action
as is reasonably necessary to ensure that no other employee, agent,
contractor or associate of the Corporation, or any family member
of the
Employee or other person discloses or permits the disclosure of any
Confidential Information.
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-6-
(c)
|
All
originals, copies and other forms of Confidential Information, however
and
whenever produced, shall be the sole property of the Corporation,
not to
be removed from the premises or custody of the Corporation, except
in the
normal course of business.
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5.2
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Non-Competition
|
(a)
|
The
Employee agrees that for a period of time commencing on the Date
of
Termination and extending for twelve (12) months (the "Period"),
the
Employee shall not be employed by, consult for, act as an officer
or
director for or provide services to any Person which has an interest
in or
seeks to gain an interest in the Protected Interests.
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(b)
|
During
the Period, the Employee shall not directly or indirectly solicit
or
attempt to solicit any employee of the Corporation with a view of
having
that employee resign his or her employment to accept employment with
any
other Person.
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(c)
|
Nothing
contained in this Article 5 shall prohibit the Employee from being
involved as an investor or shareholder in securities issued by
corporations that have, or seek to have, an interest in the Protected
Interests where such investment constitutes not more than 5% of the
outstanding securities of a corporation whose shares are traded on
a
national security exchange, so long as the Employee has no participation
in the management of such business or
corporation.
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5.3
|
Acknowledgement
|
The
Employee acknowledges and agrees that:
(a)
|
As
a result of the acquisition of Confidential Information, the Employee
will
occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Corporation and
its
Affiliates and Associates and the Employee's position of trust and
knowledge of Confidential Information would enable the Employee to
put the
Corporation at a significant competitive disadvantage if the Employee
breaches the restrictions in this
Article 5;
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(b)
|
The
Employee hereby confirms and agrees that the covenants and restrictions
contained in this Article 5 are reasonable and valid and are each
of a
special, unique and extraordinary character, the breach or abrogation
of
which cannot be adequately compensated by damages in an action at
law. The
Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the Corporation would
suffer
irreparable injury in the event of any breach by the Employee of
his
obligations under any such covenant or restriction and it shall be
reasonable for the Corporation to seek injunctive and/or other equitable
relief to prevent or rectify any breach or threatened breach of the
covenants and restrictions in this Article 5 and that the Corporation
seeking such equitable relief shall be in addition to, and not in
substitution for, any other remedies or actions available to the
Corporation at law or in equity.
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(c)
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Any
breach of this Article 5 shall constitute grounds for termination of
the Employee's employment for Just
Cause.
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5.4
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Survival
|
Notwithstanding
the termination of this Agreement and the Employee's employment, the provisions
of this Article 5 shall survive such termination and be continuing
obligations.
ARTICLE
6
GENERAL
6.1
|
Enurement
|
This
Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Corporation,
its
successors and permitted assigns.
6.2
|
Notices
|
Any
notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be properly given if delivered personally, by telecopy, by
prepaid courier service or by certified or prepaid registered mail, addressed
as
follows (or to such other address provided by one party to the other
party):
Employee:
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
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Corporation:
|
Xxxxx
0000, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx X.X.
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attn:
President
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Any
such
notice shall be deemed to be received (i) on the date of delivery, if
delivered by hand, (ii) one (1) business day after delivery, if delivered
by courier, (iii) one (1) business day following receipt of an appropriate
electronic confirmation, if sent by telecopy, and (iv) five (5) business
days following the date of mailing, if mailed.
6.3
|
Governing
Law
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws in
force in the Province of Alberta and the parties attorn to the jurisdiction
of
the courts of the Province of Alberta.
6.4
|
Entire
Agreement
|
This
Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the Employee and the
Corporation in respect of the matters set forth herein. Except as otherwise
specified herein or in writing by the Corporation after the date hereof, to
the
extent of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement
and
any other agreement or document between the Employee and the Corporation or
otherwise related to the Employee's employment with the Corporation, this
Agreement shall govern to the extent of such inconsistency or
conflict.
-8-
6.5
|
Severability
|
The
provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable. If any provision of
this
Agreement shall be held unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction,
such provision shall be modified to the extent necessary to be enforceable,
and
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
6.6
|
Amendments
and Waivers
|
All
modifications, amendments and supplements to this Agreement must be made in
writing and signed by both parties. No waiver by any party hereto of any
provision hereof or of any breach of this Agreement shall be effective or
binding unless such waiver is in writing, and any such waiver shall not limit
or
affect such party's rights with respect to any future breach.
6.7
|
Counterparts
|
This
Agreement may be signed in two (2) counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
an original and both of which shall together constitute the same
instrument.
6.8
|
Legal
Advice
|
The
Employee acknowledges having had the opportunity to seek independent legal
advice in connection with negotiation and execution of this
Agreement.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by the parties
hereto:
Witness
to the signature of
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SCHEDULE
"A"
BONUS
The
Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual Bonus, calculated based upon
the
following criteria:
1)
|
Net
asset value
|
2)
|
Stock
market share price
|
3)
|
Finding
and development costs
|
4)
|
Cash
flow per share
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5)
|
Production
growth
|
6) | Discretionary component. |
SCHEDULE
"B"
PERQUISITES
The
Employee shall be entitled to receive the following Perquisites during the
term
of employment under this Agreement:
1.
|
Reimbursement
for the monthly cost of parking;
|
2.
|
Reimbursement
of annual professional dues.
|