THIS PERFORMANCE ESCROW AGREEMENT made as of the 31st day of December, 1995.
THIS PERFORMANCE ESCROW AGREEMENT made as of the 31st day of December, 1995.
AMONG: | MONTREAL TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA, a company having an office at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, X0X 0X0 (the "Escrow Agent'); |
AND: | RESPONSE BIOMEDICAL CORP., a company duly incorporated pursuant to the laws of the Province of British Columbia having an office at Suite 2020, 1055 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2E9 (the "Issuer); |
AND: | THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDERS IN RESPONSE BIOMEDICAL CORP. named in Schedule C to this Agreement (the "Shareholders" ) (the Escrow Agent, Issuer and Shareholders are, collectively, the "Parties" ). |
WHEREAS:
A. | The Parties hereto entered into an escrow
agreement with Little Bear Resources Ltd. dated May 15, 1985) the “Former
Escrow Agreement”) pursuant to the then policies of the Vancouver
Stock Exchange; |
B. | The Issuer changed its name from little
Bear Resources Ltd. to Response Biomedical Corp. on October 15, 1991; |
C. | The Parties hereto wish to terminate
the Former Escrow Agreement and enter into this escrow agreement pursuant
to the present policies of the Vancouver Stock Exchange; and |
D. | The Escrow Agent has agreed to act as
escrow agent in respect of the shares upon the acquisition of the shares
by the shareholder; |
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that in consideration of the covenants contained in this agreement and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged), the Parties agree as follows:
- 2 -
1. | INTERPRETATION In this Agreement: |
|
(a) |
“Acknowledgement” means the
acknowledgement and agreement to be bound in the form attached as Schedule
A to this Agreement; |
|
(b) |
“Act” means the Securities
Act, S.B.C. 1985, c. 83; |
|
(c) |
“Exchange” means the Vancouver
Stock Exchange; |
|
(d) |
“IPO” means the initial public
offering of common shares of the Issuer under a prospectus which has been
filed with, and for which a receipt has been obtained from, the Superintendent
under section 42 of the Act; |
|
(e) |
“Local Policy Statement 3-07”
means the Local Policy Statement 3-07 in effect as of the date of reference
of this agreement and attached as Schedule B to this Agreement; |
|
(f) |
“Shareholder” means a holder
of shares of the Issuer who executes this Agreement or an Acknowledgement; |
|
(g) |
“Shares” means the shares
of each Shareholder set out in Schedule C as amended from time to time
in accordance with section 9; |
|
(h) |
“Superintendent” means the
Superintendent of Brokers appointed under the Act; and |
|
(i) |
“Superintendent or the Exchange”
means the Superintendent, if the shares of the Issuer are not listed on
the Exchange, or the Exchange, if the shares of the Issuer are listed
on the Exchange. |
|
2. PLACEMENT
OF SHARES IN ESCROW
The Shareholders shall place the Shares in escrow with
the Escrow Agent and shall deliver the certificates representing the Shares
to the Escrow Agent as soon as practicable. |
||
3. VOTING
OF SHARES IN ESCROW
Except as provided by section 4(a), the Shareholders
may exercise all voting rights attached to the Shares. |
-3 -
4. WAIVER OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS The Shareholders waive the rights attached to the Shares |
||
(a) |
to vote the Shares on a resolution to
cancel any of the Shares, |
|
(b) |
to receive dividends, and |
|
(c) |
to participate in the assets and property
of the Issuer on a winding up or dissolution of the Issuer. |
|
5. ABSTENTION FROM VOTING AS A DIRECTOR A Shareholder that is or becomes a director of the Issuer shall abstain from voting on a directors' resolution to cancel any of the Shares. |
||
6. TRANSFER
WITH ESCROW |
||
(1) |
The Shareholders shall not
transfer any of the Shares except in accordance with Local Policy Statement
3-07 and with the consent of the Superintendent or the Exchange. |
|
(2) |
The Escrow Agent shall not
effect a transfer of the Shares within escrow unless the Escrow Agent
has received |
|
(a) |
a copy of an Acknowledgement executed
by the person to whom the Shares are to be transferred, and |
|
(b) |
a letter from the Superintendent or
the Exchange consenting to the transfer. |
|
(3) |
Upon the death or bankruptcy
of a Shareholder, the Escrow Agent shall hold the Shares subject to this
Agreement for the person that is legally entitled to become the registered
owner of the Shares. |
|
(4) |
Upon the death or bankruptcy
of a Shareholder or upon a Shareholder ceasing to be a principal of the
Issuer, the Shareholder or the estate of the Shareholder, as the case
may be, is entitled to retain any Shares then held by him and is not obligated
to transfer or surrender the Shares to the Company or any other person
except as provided for in any additional agreements the Shareholder may
have entered into. |
- 4 -
7. RELEASE
FROM ESCROW |
||
(1) |
The Shareholders irrevocably
direct the Escrow Agent to retain the Shares until such Shares are released
from escrow pursuant to subsection (2) or surrendered for cancellation
pursuant to section 8. |
|
(2) |
The Escrow Agent shall not
release the Shares from escrow unless the Escrow Agent has received a
letter from the Superintendent or the Exchange consenting to the release. |
|
(3) |
The approval of the Superintendent
or the Exchange to a release from escrow of any of the Shares shall terminate
this Agreement only in respect of the Shares so released. |
|
8. SURRENDER FOR CANCELLATION The Shareholders shall surrender the Shares for cancellation and the Escrow Agent shall deliver the certificates representing the Shares to the Issuer if |
||
(a) |
at the time of a major reorganization
of the Issuer, if required as a condition of the consent to the reorganization
by the Superintendent or the Exchange, |
|
(b) |
where the Issuer's shares have been
subject to a cease trade order issued under the Act for a period of two
consecutive years, |
|
(c) |
any shares not released from the escrow
hereby created before December 31, 2005 shall be surrendered by the shareholder
for cancellation forthwith and the Company and the Escrow Agent hereby
agree to take all such actions as may be necessary to expeditiously effect
such cancellation, |
|
(d) |
where required by section 6(4). |
|
9. AMENDMENT
OF AGREEMENT |
||
(1) |
Subject to subsection (2),
this Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement among the Parties
and with the written consent of the Superintendent or the Exchange. |
|
(2) |
Schedule C to this Agreement
shall be amended upon |
|
(a) |
a transfer of Shares pursuant to section
6, |
|
(b) |
a release of Shares from escrow pursuant
to section 7, or |
|
(c) |
a surrender of Shares for cancellation
pursuant to section 8, |
- 5 -
and the Escrow Agent shall note the
amendment on the Schedule C in its possession. 10. |
|
10. INDEMNIFICATION OF ESCROW AGENT The Issuer and the Shareholders, jointly and severally, release, indemnify and save harmless the Escrow Agent from all costs, charges, claims, demands, damages, losses and expenses resulting from the Escrow Agent's compliance in good faith with this Agreement. |
|
11. RESIGNATION
OF ESCROW AGENT |
|
(1) |
If the Escrow Agent wishes to resign
as escrow agent in respect of the Shares, the Escrow Agent shall give
notice to the Issuer. |
(2) |
If the Issuer wishes the Escrow Agent
to resign as escrow agent in respect of the Shares, the Issuer shall give
notice to the Escrow Agent. |
(3) |
A notice referred to in subsection (1)
or (2) shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth above
and the notice shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery.
The Issuer or the Escrow Agent may change its address for notice by giving
notice in writing to the other party in accordance with this subsection. |
(4) |
A copy of a notice referred to in subsection
(1) or (2) shall concurrently be delivered to the Superintendent or the
Exchange. |
(5) |
The resignation of the Escrow Agent
shall be effective and the Escrow Agent shall cease to be bound by this
Agreement on the date that is 190 days after the date of receipt of the
notice referred to in subsection (1) or (2) or on such other date as the
Escrow Agent and the Issuer may agree upon (the "resignation date"). |
(6) |
The Issuer shall, before the resignation
date and with the written consent of the Superintendent or the Exchange,
appoint another escrow agent and that appointment shall be binding on
the Issuer and the Shareholders. |
12. FURTHER ASSURANCES The Parties shall execute and deliver any documents and perform any acts necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement. |
|
13. TIME Time is of the essence of this Agreement. |
-6-
14. GOVERNING LAWS
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable in British Columbia.
15. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute one agreement.
16. LANGUAGE
Wherever a singular expression is used in this Agreement, that expression is deemed to include the plural or the body corporate where required by the context.
17. ENUREMENT
This Agreement enures to the benefit of and is binding on the Parties and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns.
18. APPROVAL
This Agreement is subject to the approval of the Vancouver Stock Exchange and of the shareholders of the Issuer.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have executed and delivered this agreement as of the date of reference of this agreement.
The Corporate/Common Seal of | ) | |
MONTREAL TRUST COMPANY OF | ) | |
CANADA was affixed in the presence of | ) | |
) | c/s | |
) | ||
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx | ) | |
Authorized Signatory | ) | |
) | ||
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ) | |
Authorized Signatory | ) |
- 7 -
The Corporate/Common Seal of | ) | |
RESPONSE BIOMEDICAL CORP. | ) | |
was affixed i s the presence of | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ) | |
Authorized Signatory | ) | c/s |
) | ||
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxx | ) | |
Authorized Signatory | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
SIGNED, SEALED and DELIVERED | ) | |
by XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX in the | ) | |
presence of: | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
/s/ Altert X. Xxxx | ) | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx |
Witness | ) | XXXXXX HNRADVAK |
) | ||
) | ||
SIGNED, SEALED and DELIVERED | ) | |
by XXXXXXX X. XXXXXX in the | ) | |
presence of | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ) | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
Witness | ) | XXXXXXX X. XXXXXX |
) | ||
) | ||
SIGNED, SEALED and DELIVERED | ) | |
by XXXXXX ENGINEERING LTD. | ) | |
in the presence of | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx | ) | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx |
Witness | ) | XXXXXX ENGINEERING LTD. |
SCHEDULE A TO ESCROW AGREEMENT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND
TO: | Superintendent | or | Vancouver Stock Exchange |
#0000 - 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | 609 Granville Street | ||
Vancouver, B.C. | Xxxxxxxxx, X.X. | ||
X0X 0X0 | X0X 0X0 | ||
(if the shares are not listed on the VSE) | (if the shares are listed on the VSE) |
I acknowledge that |
|
a. |
I have entered into an agreement with
_______________________________________________ under which _________________
shares of Response Biomedical Corp. (the "Shares") will be transferred
to me upon receipt of regulatory approval, and |
b. |
the Shares are held in escrow subject
to an escrow agreement dated December 31, 1995, a copy of which is attached
as Schedule A to this acknowledgement. |
In consideration of $1.00 and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged) I agree, effective upon receipt of regulatory approval of the transfer to me of the Shares, to be bound by the Escrow Agreement in respect of the Shares as if I were an original signatory to the Escrow Agreement.
Dated at___________________ on __________________ 19____
Where the transferee is an individual:
Signed, sealed and delivered | ) | |
by [transferee] in the presence of | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
Name | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
Address | ) | [Shareholder] |
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
Occupation | ) |
- 2 -
Where the transferee is a company: | ) | |
) | ||
The Corporate/Common Seal of | ) | |
(transferee) was affixed in the | ) | |
presence of: | ) | c/s |
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
Authorized Signatory | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
Authorized Signatory | ) |
SCHEDULE B
Province of | |
British Columbia | |
BRITISH COLUMBIA SECURITIES COMMISSION | |
OFFICE OF THE | |
CHAIRMAN | |
LOCAL POLICY STATS 3-07 POLICY GUIDELINES RESPECTING TRADING SHARES, PERFORMANCE SHARES AND OTHER CONSIDERATION |
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART | TITLE | PAGE | |
1. | IMPLEMENTATION | 1 | |
2. | APPLICATION | 1 | |
2.1 Pre-prospectus | |||
2.2 Reactivations and reorganizations | |||
3. | TRANSITION | 2 | |
3.1 Agreements made under former policy | |||
statement | |||
3.2 Option of conforming with new policy | |||
statement | |||
4. | DEFINITIONS | 2 | |
4.1 Defined terms | |||
4.2 Terms defined in legislation | |||
5. | GENERAL MATTERS | 5 | |
5.1 Review of opinions and reports | |||
5.2 Requirement for valuation opinion | |||
5.3 Out of pocket costs | |||
5.4 Confirmation of fair value | |||
6. | ISSUANCE, OF TRADING SHARES | 6 | |
6.1 Minimum price and maximum aggregate value | |||
6.2 Interest in operating subsidiary | |||
6.3 Value assigned to non-cash assets | |||
6.4 Purchase of interest in mineral property | |||
6.5 Accumulated deficit related to issuer's | |||
stated business purpose | |||
6.6 Exclusion of amounts by Superintendent | |||
December 21, 1989 |
- ii -
PART | TITLE | PAGE | |
7. | ISSUANCE OF PERFORMANCE SHARES | 8 | |
7.1 Issuance to principals | |||
7.2 Natural resource issuer | |||
7.3 Industrial issuer | |||
7.4 Escrow requirement | |||
7.5 Escrow agreement | |||
7.6 Limitations on rights of holders of | |||
performance shares | |||
7.7 Rights on ceasing to be a principal | |||
7.8 Undertaking of holding company | |||
8. | TRANSFER OF PERFORMANCE SHARES WITHIN ESCROW | 10 | |
8.1 Permitted transferees | |||
8.2 Request for consent to transfer | |||
8.3 Documents to be filed with request for | |||
consent to transfer | |||
8.4 Letter of consent or objection | |||
8.5 No transfer during period between | |||
prospectus receipt and listing | |||
9. | RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE SHARES FROM ESCROW | 11 | |
9.1 Release of shares of natural | |||
resource issuer | |||
9.2 Reduction in release for natural resource issuer | |||
9.3 Release of shares of industrial issuer | |||
9.4 Adjustment of release calculation | |||
9.5 Requirements for release | |||
9.6 Annual release based on annual audited | |||
financial statements | |||
9.7 Request for consent to release | |||
9.8 Documents to be filed with request for | |||
consent to release | |||
9.9 Letter of consent or objection | |||
9.10 Request by holder of performance | |||
shares for consent to release | |||
10. | SURRENDER OF PERFORMANCE SHARES FOR | 14 | |
CANCELLATION |
- iii -
PART | TITLE | PAGE | |
11. | OTHER CONSIDERATION | 14 | |
11.1 Natural resource issuer | |||
11.2 Industrial issuer |
Appendix A | Escrow Agreement |
Appendix B | Examples of earn-out prices for performance shares issued by an industrial issuer |
Appendix C | Undertaking Required from Non-Reporting or Closely Held Company |
- 1 -
PART 1. IMPLEMENTATION |
||
1.1 . |
The following local policy
statements are hereby rescinded and this local policy statement substituted
therefor, effective March 1, 1990: |
|
(a) |
Local Policy Statement 3-07, dated February
6, 1987 (the "Former Policy Statement"), and |
|
(b) |
Local Policy Statements 3-08, 3-09 and
3-10, each dated February 1, 1987. |
|
PART 2. APPLICATION |
||
2.1 |
Pre-prospectus -
This local policy statement sets out guidelines guidelines issuance of
shares and payment of consideration for assets by an issuer intending
to do an initial public offering and obtain a listing on the Vancouver
Stock Exchange. This local policy statement addresses |
|
(a) |
the issuance of trading shares, which
are common shares issued as consideration for cash or assets contributed
to the issuer and, in certain cases, expenses incurred to advance the
business of the issuer, |
|
(b) |
the issuance of and escrow restrictions
imposed on performance shares, which are common shares issued to directors,
officers, promoters and other principals of the issuer to provide them
with both a reasonable assurance of control` during the formative stages
of the issuer's development and an incentive to support the issuer, and |
|
(c) |
the payment of other consideration by
the issuer for assets or services. |
|
2.2 |
Reactivations and reorganizations - This
local policy statement applies, with the necessary changes, to |
|
(a) |
the reactivation of an issuer by way
of a prospectus, carried out in accordance with Local Policy Statement
3-35 and the policies of the Vancouver Stock Exchange, and |
- 2 -
(b) |
a major reorganization of an issuer,
including a reverse take over, carried out in accordance with the policies
of the British Columbia Securities Commission and the Vancouver Stock.
Exchange. |
|
PART 3. TRANSITION |
||
3.1 |
Agreements made under
former policy statement - Subject to section 3.2, shares issued in
accordance with the Former Policy Statement .will continue to be governed
by any agreements made in accordance with the Former Policy Statement.
Such shares, however, will be subject to the transfer restrictions and
procedures set out in Part 8 and the release criteria and procedures set
out in sections 9.5 through 9.10 of this local policy statement. |
|
3.2 |
Option of conforming
with new policy statement - An issuer that has issued shares in accordance
with the Former Policy Statement may reorganize its capital to fully conform
with this local policy statement. Before doing so, the issuer must obtain
the approval of its shareholders and the written consent of the Superintendent
of Brokers, if the issuer's shares are not listed oh the Vancouver Stock
Exchange, or the Vancouver Stock Exchange, if the issuer's shares are
listed on that exchange. Both the approval and consent must be obtained
by March 1, 1991. |
|
PART 4. DEFINITIONS |
||
4.1 |
Defined terms - In this local policy statement: "Act" means the securities Act, S.B.C. 1985, c. 83; "arm's length transaction" means a transaction other than a non-arm's length transaction; "cash flow" means net income or loss before tax, adjusted to add back the following expenses: |
|
(a) |
depreciation, |
|
(b) |
amortization of goodwill and deferred
research and development costs, excluding general and administrative costs, |
- 3 -
(c) | expensed research and development costs, excluding general and administrative costs, and | ||
(d) |
any other amounts permitted
or required by the Superintendent; |
||
"cumulative cash flow" means, at any, time, the aggregate cash flow of an issuer up to that time from a date no earlier than the issuer's financial year end immediately preceding the date of its IPO, net of any negative cash flow; "earn-out factor" means the number obtained by squaring the performance share percentage, expressed as a decimal, and multiplying by four; "earn-out price" means the IPO price multiplied by the earn-out factor; "escrow agreement" means an agreement in the form attached as Appendix A to this local policy statement; "Exchange" means the Vancouver Stock Exchange; "industrial issuer" means an issuer other than a natural resource issuer; “IPO” means the initial public offering of common shares of an issuer under a prospectus which has been filed with, and for which a receipt has been obtained from, the Superintendent under section 42 of the Act; "IPO price" means the price per share paid by the public on an issuer's IPO; "non-arm's length transaction" means a transaction between the issuer and a person that, at, any time from the date of the transaction until the date of completion of the issuer's IPO, is |
|||
(a) |
an insider, associate, affiliate
or principal of the issuer, |
||
(b) |
a person that |
||
(i) |
has a control person, insider or promoter
that is a control person, insider or promoter of the issuer; or |
- 4 -
(ii) |
has a control person, insider or promoter that is an associate or affiliate of a control person, insider or promoter of the issuer | ||
except where the person's
insiders that are described in paragraphs (i) and (ii) hold in total less
than 10% of the voting securities of the person, or |
|||
(c) |
determined by the Superintendent
not to be at arm's length to the issuer; |
||
"performance shares" means common shares of an issuer issued in accordance with Part 7 of this local policy statement, so long as they are held in escrow in accordance with this local policy statement; "performance share percentage" means the percentage, determined on the date the issuer's shares are listed, posted and called for trading on the Exchange, that the issued- performance shares of the issuer are of the total issued and outstanding voting securities of the issuer; "principal" means, in relation to an issuer, |
|||
(a) |
a promoter of the issuer, |
||
(b) |
a director of. the issuer
or of an operating subsidiary of the issuer, |
||
(c) |
a full time management employee
of the issuer, or of an operating subsidiary of the issuer, whose direct
or indirect employment is with the issuer or the subsidiary, |
||
(d) |
a person who has provided
key services- or contributed a fundamental asset to the issuer and has
elected to be treated as a principal, or |
||
(e) |
a company all the voting
securities of which are owned by one or more of the persons referred to
in subsections (a) through (d); |
||
"Regulation" means the Securities
Regulation, B.C. Reg. 270/86; |
- 5 -
"Superintendent or the Exchange" means the Superintendent, if the issuer's shares are not listed on the Exchange, and the Exchange, if the issuer's shares are listed on the Exchange; "trading shares" means shares of the class of common shares issued on an issuer's IPO, excluding performance shares issued-in accordance with Part 7 of this local policy statement; "valuation opinion" means, in respect of |
||
(a) |
a natural resource issuer, a written
opinion prepared by a qualified expert as to the fair market value of
a resource property, determined either through the computation of present
value or some other recognized method of valuation acceptable to the Superintendent,
and |
|
(b) |
an industrial issuer, a written opinion
prepared in accordance with generally applied valuation approaches by
a Chartered Business valuator, or another expert acceptable to the Superintendent,
as to the highest price available for the issuer's business, assets or
shares in an open and unrestricted market between -informed, prudent parties,
acting at arm's length and under no compulsion to act, expressed in terms
of money or money's worth. |
|
4.2 | Terms defined in legislation
- Subject to section 4.1, terms defined in the Act, the Regulation and.
the Interpretation Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 206 and used in this local policy
statement have the same meaning as in the Act, the Regulation and the
Interpretation Act. |
|
PART 5. GENERAL MATTERS | ||
5.1 | Review of opinions and
reports - The Superintendent may, with the agreement of an issuer,
seek the opinion of an engineer, appraiser, business valuator, accountant
or other expert to determine the acceptability of a valuation opinion
or other report filed pursuant to this local policy statement and, in
such circumstances, the issuer will be liable for the fees charged by
such person in connection with providing the opinion. |
- 6 -
5.2 |
Requirement for valuation
opinion - she Superintendent may at the time of reviewing an issuer's
prospectus for its IPO, require a valuation opinion in support of the
value attributed to any non-cash assets. |
|
5.3 |
Out of pocket costs
- Where this local, policy statement provides that the value of trading
shares issued or other consideration paid to a person by an issuer for
a non-cash asset must be calculated on the basis of the out of pocket
costs incurred by the person in respect of the non-cash asset,-those out
of pocket costs must |
|
(a) |
be resonable, | |
(b) |
have contributed or be reasonably executed to contribute to the future operations of the issuer, | |
(c) |
be supported by an audited statement of costs, and | |
(d) |
in respect of a resource property, be
restricted to acquisition costs and such other costs as are necessary
to secure a preliminary evaluation of the resource property and to lead
to the identification of exploration targets. |
|
5.4 |
Confirmation of fair
value - The onus will be on an issuer, if questioned, to satisfy the
Superintendent that fair value was received for costs or expenditures
associated with a non-arm's length transaction. |
|
PART 6. ISSUANCE
OF TRADING SHARES |
||
6.1 |
Minimum price and maximum
aggregate value - Although in most cases trading shares will be paid
for in cash, trading shares may be issued for consideration other than
cash. Subject to sections 6.2 through 6.6, an issuer may issue trading
shares at a minimum price of $.25 per share up to an aggregate value equal
to: |
|
(a) |
the amount of cash paid in as share capital; plus | |
(b) |
the fair market value of any non-cash assets contributed as share capital; plus | |
(c) |
the issuer's retained earnings, if any; less | |
(d) |
where the issuer has an accumulated deficit, that portion of the accumulated deficit that does not directly relate to the issuer's stated business purpose at the-time of its IPO. |
- 7 -
6.2 |
Interest in operating
subsidiary - Where an issuer has an operating subsidiary, or is proposing
to issue trading shares in order to acquire an operating subsidiary, and
the value of that operating subsidiary is not supported by a current valuation
opinion, the principles of this Part will apply to the operating subsidiary
for the purpose of determining the number of trading shares that may be
issued by the issuer in respect of its interest in the operating subsidiary. |
|
6.3 |
Value assigned to non-cash
assets - For the purpose of section 6.1(b), where non-cash assets
are contributed to an issuer by a. person in a non-arm's length transaction,
the fair market value attributed to the non-cash assets must be either |
|
(a) |
supported by a valuation opinion, or |
|
(b) |
limited to an amount equal to the out
of pocket costs incurred by the person in respect of the non-cash assets,
determined in accordance with section 5.3. |
|
6.4 |
Purchase of interest
in mineral property - A natural resource issuer that, in an arm's
length transaction, agrees to issue trading shares as. consideration -for
a mineral property or an option on a mineral property, the value of, which
is not supported by a current valuation opinion, will generally be required
to meet the following conditions: |
|
(a) |
The consideration must consist. of not
more than 200,000 trading shares issuable in no fewer than four blocks,
each block consisting of not more than 50,000 trading shares. |
|
(b) |
one block of shares may be issued prior
to the date the issuer's shares are listed, posted and called for trading
on the Exchange. |
|
(c) |
The remaining blocks of shares may be
issued in stages upon the filing with the Exchange 'of engineering reports,
acceptable to the Exchange, recommending further work on the mineral property. |
|
6.5 |
Accumulated deficit related
to issuer's stated business purpose - For the purpose of section 6.1(d),
that portion of the issuer's accumulated deficit that directly relates
to the issuer's stated business purpose at the time of its IPO includes |
- 8 -
(a) |
for a natural resource issuer,
expenses incurred |
||
(i) |
in exploring and developing the resource
properties upon which the issuer's IPO proceeds are to be spent, and |
||
(ii) |
in exploring and developing other resource
properties, provided that these expenses do not exceed the expenses referred
to in paragraph (i), and |
||
(b) |
for an industrial issuer,
expenses incurred in respect of the project or business to be financed
by the issuer's IPO proceeds. |
||
6.6 |
Exclusion of amounts
by Superintendent - The Superintendent may require that an amount
be excluded from the determination of the number of trading shares that
may be issued under this Part if in the circumstances he considers that
to include any such amount would be inappropriate or unconscionable. For
example, the Superintendent would question the appropriateness of issuing
trading shares for non-cash assets unrelated to the issuer's stated business
purpose at the time of its IPO or for excessive administrative expenses. |
||
PART 7. ISSUANCE
OF PERFORMANCE SHARES |
|||
7.1 |
Issuance to principals
- Performance shares may be issued for cash to the principals of an issuer |
||
(a) |
to provide the principals
with a measure of control to facilitate the development of the issuer
in an orderly fashion, |
||
(b) |
to provide an incentive
for the principals to diligently support the affairs of the issuer, and |
||
(c) |
to provide an incentive
for the principals to contribute management services or fundamental assets
to the issuer. |
||
7.2 |
Natural resource issuer
- A natural resource issuer may issue to its principals up to a total
of 750,000 performance shares, at a minimum price of $.01 per share. |
||
7.3 |
Industrial issuer
- An industrial issuer may issue performance shares to its principals,
at a minimum price of $.01 per share, provided that the resulting performance
share percentage does not exceed 65%. |
- 9 -
7.4 | Escrow requirement - Performance shares are
required to be escrowed. It should be noted that the higher the performance
share percentage, the more difficult it becomes to obtain a release of
- the performance shares from escrow. The table attached as Appendix B
to this local policy statement provides some examples of the operation
of the release provisions for industrial issuers set out in Part 9 of
this local policy statement. |
7.5 | Escrow agreement - Prior to or at the time
of acquiring performance shares, principals must execute an escrow agreement.
The certificates representing the performance shares must be registered
in the names of the holders of the shares and deposited with the escrow
agent in accordance with the terms of the escrow agreement. Only a trust
company carrying on business in British Columbia or a company approved
by the Superintendent may act as an escrow agent. |
7.6 | Limitations on rights of holders of performance
shares - The escrow agreement provides that the holders of performance
shares waive any rights attached to those shares to receive dividends
or to participate in the assets and property of the issuer on a winding
up or dissolution. Holders of performance shares do retain the right to
vote those shares, except on a resolution respecting their cancellation.
|
7.7 | Rights on ceasing to be a principal - The
escrow agreement requires that the parties to it set out in the agreement
any rights or obligations of a person who ceases to be a principal, dies
or becomes bankrupt to retain, transfer or surrender to the issuer for
cancellation any performance shares then held by the person. |
7.8 | Undertaking of holding company - Where performance
shares are to be issued to anon-reporting or closely held company, wherever
situate, rather than to an individual, the company must, prior to or at
the time of acquiring the performance shares, execute an undertaking in
the form attached as Appendix C to this local policy statement. In the
undertaking, the company agrees not to effect or permit any transfer of
ownership of shares of the company nor to issue further shares of any
class in the company without the consent of the Superintendent or the
Exchange, so long as the company continues to hold any of the issuer's
performance shares. An application for consent should be made in the same
manner as an application for consent to a transfer of performance shares
pursuant to Part 8 of this local policy statement. |
- 10 -
PART 8. TRANSFER OF PERFORMANCE SHARES WITHIN ESCROW | ||
8.1 |
Permitted transferees
-- Performance shares may be transferred, only to |
|
(a) |
other principals, including incoming
principals, |
|
(b) |
the issuer of the performance shares,
or |
|
(c) |
an offeror under a formal bid (as defined
in section 74 of the Act). |
|
8.2 |
Request for consent to
transfer - In order to transfer performance shares, the holder of
performance shares must deliver to the Superintendent or the Exchange
a written request for consent to the transfer. The request for consent
to the transfer must include: |
|
(a) |
the name of the escrow agent and the
reference date of the escrow agreement, |
|
(b) |
an explanation of the reason for the
transfer, |
|
(c) |
a description of the consideration to
be paid for the performance shares, |
|
(d) |
where the performance shares are to
be transferred to a principal, confirmation that the transferee is a principal
or will become a principal on or before the date of the proposed transfer,
and |
|
(e) |
a description of the exemptions in the
Act or the Regulation, if any, being relied upon to make the transfer. |
|
8.3 |
Documents to be filed
with request for consent to transfer - The request for consent to
the transfer must be accompanied by: |
|
(a) |
a copy of the transfer agreement, |
|
(b) |
an acknowledgement and agreement to
be bound in the form attached as Schedule A to the escrow agreement, executed
by the transferee, |
|
(c) |
where the performance shares are to
be transferred to a non-reporting or closely held company, wherever situate,
rather than to an individual, an undertaking by the company in the form
attached as Appendix C to this local policy statement, |
- 11 -
(d) |
where applicable, evidence that the
proposed change of control has been approved by the shareholders of the
issuer, and |
|
(e) |
the appropriate application fee. |
|
8.4 |
Letter of consent or
objection - Upon receiving a request for consent to a transfer and
accompanying documents that comply with sections 8.2 and 8.3, the Superintendent
or the Exchange will issue to the applicant a letter that either consents
or objects to the transfer. A letter consenting to the transfer will be
copied to the escrow agent. |
|
8.5 |
No transfer during
- Period between prospectus receipt and listing - The Superintendent will
generally refuse to consent to a transfer of performance shares during
the period between the date of the receipt for the issuer's prospectus
for its IPO and the date the issuer's securities are listed, posted and
called for trading on the Exchange. |
|
PART 9.
RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE SHARES FROM ESCROW |
||
9.1 |
Release of shares of
natural resource issuer - Holders of performance shares of a natural
resource issuer will be entitled to the pro-rata release of those performance
shares on the basis of 15% of the . original number of performance shares
for every $100,000 expended on exploration and development of a resource
property by |
|
(a) |
the issuer, or |
|
(b) |
a person other than the issuer in order
to earn an interest in the resource property, but only in respect of that
proportion of the expenditure equal to the issuer's remaining proportionate
interest in the resource property after the person's interest has been
earned, |
|
provided that | ||
(c) |
no more than 50% of the original number
of performance shares may be released in any 12 month period, and |
|
(d) |
no expenditure on exploration and development
made prior to the date of the receipt for the issuer's prospectus for
its IPO may be included. |
- 12 -
9.2 |
Reduction in release
for natural resource issuer - Where administrative expenses exceed
33% of total expenditures during the period on which the calculation in
section 9.1 is based, |
|
(a) |
the pro-rata release factor of 15% will
be reduced to 7.5%, and |
|
(b) |
the percentage of the original number
of performance shares available for release in any 12 month period will
be reduced to 25%. |
|
9.3 |
Release of shares of
industrial issuer - Holders of performance shares of an industrial
issuer will be entitled to the pro-rata release of a number of performance
shares equal to the amount of cumulative cash flow, not previously applied
towards release, divided by the earn-out price. |
|
9.4 |
Adjustment of release
calculation - On a consolidation, subdivision, amalgamation or reclassification
of the issuer's shares, the release calculation must be adjusted so that
the proportion of the outstanding performance shares available for release
is unaffected by the consolidation, subdivision, amalgamation or reclassification. |
|
9.5 |
Requirements for release
- No performance shares may be released from escrow unless, at the time
of the application for release, |
|
(a) |
the issuer is meeting its current obligations
in the ordinary course of business as they generally become due, as evidenced
by a statutory declaration of the president or chief financial officer
of the issuer, |
|
(b) |
the Issuer's shares 'are listed, posted
and called for trading on all stock exchanges having jurisdiction over
it, as evidenced by letters from those stock exchanges, |
|
(c) |
the issuer is not in default of. any
requirement of the Act or the Regulation, as evidenced by a certificate
issued by the Commission, and |
- 13 -
(d) |
the issuer is in good standing with
respect to its filing of returns with the Registrar of Companies under
the Company Act or, if the issuer is incorporated, organized or continued
in a jurisdiction other than British Columbia, with the registrar of companies
or similar authority in that jurisdiction, as evidenced by a certificate
issued by the Registrar of Companies or by that similar authority. |
|
9.6 |
Annual release based
on annual audited financial statements - Performance shares may be
released only once during an issuer's financial year. The release calculation
must be based on the issuer's annual audited financial statements for
the year or years during which the release requirements were met in respect
of the performance shares to be released. |
|
9.7 |
Request for consent to
release - In order to obtain a release of performance shares, the
issuer must deliver to the superintendent or the Exchange a written request
for consent to the release. The request for consent to the release must
include the name of the escrow agent and the reference date of the escrow
agreement. |
|
9.8 |
Documents to be filed
with request for consent to release - The request for consent to the
release must be accompanied by: |
|
(a) |
written evidence of compliance with
the requirements of section 9.5, |
|
(b) |
annual audited financial statements
of the issuer for the financial year or years during which the release
requirements were met in respect of the performance shares to be released, |
|
(c) |
where expenditures on a resource property
were . made by a person other than the issuer, an audited statement of
costs, |
|
(d) |
a calculation, prepared by the issuer's
auditor, of the number of performance shares to be released; and |
|
(e) |
the appropriate application fee. |
- 14 -
9.9 |
Letter of consent or
objection - Upon receiving a request for consent to a release and
accompanying documents that comply with sections 9.7 and 9.8, the Superintendent
or the Exchange will issue to the issuer a letter that either consents
or objects to the release. A letter consenting to the release will be
copied to the escrow agent. |
|
9.10 |
Request by holder of
performance shares for consent to release - A holder of performance
shares may apply to the Superintendent or the Exchange for release where
the issuer is unable or unwilling to do so. If the president or chief
financial officer of the issuer refuses to provide the statutory declaration
referred to in section 9.5(a), the Superintendent or the Exchange may
waive that requirement. |
|
PART 10. SURRENDER
OF PERFORMANCE SALARIES FOR CANCELLATION |
||
10.1 |
Performance shares must
be surrendered to the issuer for cancellation |
|
(a) |
at the time of a major reorganization of the issuer, if required as a condition of the consent to the reorganization by the Superintendent or the Exchange, | |
(b) |
where the issuer's shares have been subject to a cease trade order issued under the Act for a period of 2 consecutive years, or | |
(c) |
10 years from the later of the date of issue of the performance shares and the date of the receipt for the issuer's prospectus for its IPO. | |
PART 11. OTHER
CONSIDERATION |
||
11.1 |
Natural resource issuer
- where a natural resource issuer proposes to acquire from a person a
resource property or an option on a resource property, the value of which
is not supported by a valuation opinion, the following principles apply: |
|
(a) |
In an arm's length transaction, the issuer may pay the person cash consideration. |
- 15 -
(b) |
In an arm's length transaction, the
issuer may agree to pay the person additional consideration at such time
as the resource property commences commercial production. Such additional
consideration may, depending on the circumstances, consist of cash consideration,
reasonable payments from net profits, securities, or any combination of
these. |
|
(c) |
In a non-arm's length transaction, the
issuer may pay the person cash consideration up to the amount of the out
of pocket costs incurred by the person in respect of the resource property,
determined i:, accordance with section 5.3. |
|
(d) |
In a non-arms length transaction, the
issuer may agree to pay the person additional consideration at such time
as the resource property commences commercial production, where the person
has carried out extensive exploration with results that indicate that
the resource property appears to have substantial merit. The extent of
the person's effort, skill and risk in developing the resource property
will be taken into account by the superintendent in determining whether
additional consideration is justified. Such additional consideration may,
depending on the circumstances, consist of cash consideration, reasonable
payments from net profits, securities, or any combination of these. A
15% net profits interest would normally be considered reasonable. |
|
11.2 |
Industrial issuer -
Where an industrial issuer proposes to acquire from a person non-cash
assets, the value of which are not supported by a valuation opinion, the
following principles apply: |
|
(a) |
In an arm's length, transaction, the
issuer may pay the person cash consideration, a royalty or a combination
of these. |
|
(b) |
In a non-arm's length transaction, the
issuer may pay the person cash consideration up to the amount of the out
of pocket costs incurred by the person in respect of the non-cash assets,
determined in accordance With section 5.3. |
|
DATED at Vancouver, British
Columbia, this 21st day of December 1989. |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Chairman
APPENDIX C TO LOCAL POLICY STATEMENT 3-07
UNDERTAKING REQUIRED FROM NON-REPORTING
OR CLOSELY HELD COMPANY
To: | Superintendent of Brokers | or | Vancouver Stock Exchange |
11100 - 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | 609 Granville street | ||
Vancouver, B.C. | Xxxxxxxxx, X.X. | ||
X0X 0X0 | X0X 0X0 | ||
( if the Issuer's shares | (if the Issuer's shares | ||
are not listed on the | are listed on the | ||
Vancouver Stock Exchange) | Vancouver Stock Exchange) |
________________________________________________(the "Company") undertakes, for the duration of the time that the Company is the registered owner of escrowed shares of _________________________________________________ (the "Issuer"), | |
(a) | to effect or permit transfer of ownership in the shares of the Company, or |
(b) | to allot and issue further shares of any class of shares of the company |
only upon receipt of the
written consent of the Superintendent of Brokers, if the Issuer's shares
are not listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"), or the
Exchange, if the Issuer's shares are listed on the Exchange. |
|
Dated at _______________________ on _______________________ 19_______. |
The Corporate/Common Seal of | ) | |
[Company] was affixed | ) | |
in the presence of: | ) | |
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
Authorized signatory | ) | c/s |
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
) | ||
Authorized signatory | ) |
SCHEDULE C TO ESCROW AGREEMENT
NAME OF SHAREHOLDER | NUMBER OF SHARES HELD IN ESCROW |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | 275,000 |
Xxxxxx Engineering Ltd. | 275,000 |
Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx | 275,000 |
EARN OUT FORMULA FOR RELEASE OF ESCROW SHARES
The holders of the Shares will be entitled to the pro-rata release of a number of Shares equal to the amount of cumulative cash flow produced by the Company, not previously applied towards release, divided by the earn-out price of $0.02.
The earn-out price of $0.02 was calculated pursuant to the following formula:
Price of shares | ||||||
being offered | x | (Escrow Share Percentage2 x 4) | ||||
= | $1.26 | x | (825,000)2 x 4 | |||
12,007,202 | ||||||
= | $0.02 |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND
TO: | Vancouver Stock Exchange |
4th Floor 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Xxxxxxxxx, X.X | |
X0X 0X0 |
I acknowldege that
(a) | I have entered into an agreement with
Montreal Trust Company of Canada and Response Biomedical Ltd. (the "Company")
under which 125,000 shares of the Company (the "Shares") will be transferred
to me upon receipt of regulatory approval and |
(b) | the Shares are held in escrow, subject
to an escrow agreement dated December 31, 1995 (the "Escrow Agreement"),
a copy of which is attached as Schedule A to this acknowledgement. |
In consideration of $1.00 and other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged) I agree, effective upon receipt of regulatory approval of the transfer to me of the Shares, to be bound by the Escrow Agreement in respect of the Shares as if I were an original signatory to the Escrow Agreement.
Dated at Vancouver on May 27 , 1997.
SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED by | ) | |
XXXXX X. XXXXXXXX | ) | |
in the presence of |
) | |
) | ||
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | ) | |
Signature of Witness | ) | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
) | XXXXX X. XXXXXXXX | |
Xxxx Xxxxxx | ) | |
Name | ) | |
) | ||
206 - 0000 Xxxx 0xx Xxxxxx | ) | |
Address | ) | |
) | ||
Xxxxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0 | ) | |
) |
Montreal Trust
A Member of the Scotiabank Group
Corporate Services
Montreal Trust Centre, 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx X0X 389
Tel: (000) 000-0000 Fax:
(000) 000-0000
September 18, 1997
Vancouver Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Tower
P.O. Box 10333
Vancouver, B.C.
V7Y IHI
Dear Xxxxx Xxxx:
Re: RESPONSE BIOMEDICAL CORP.
Escrow
transfer #31874
In response to your letter of July 30, 1997, we confirm the following:
1. | The escrow transfer was completed on September 16, 1997. |
2. | The escrow shares transferred were: |
From | To | Number of Shares | |
Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx | Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | 125,000 |
3. | The list of the escrowed shareholders and quantum of shares held after the transfer: | ||
Name | Number of Shares | ||
Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx | 150,000 | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | 125,000 | ||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | 275,000 | ||
Xxxxxx Engineering | 275,000 |
Yours truly, | ||
/s/ signature | ||
per | Xxxx Xxxxxx | |
Account Administrator | ||
Stock Transfer Services | ||
Telephone (000) 000-0000 | ||
Fax (000) 000-0000 | ||
cc: | Superintendent of Brokers | |
Attention: Corporate Finance | ||
Catalyst Corporate Finance Lawyers | ||
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||
Response Biomedical Corp. | ||
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxx |