17. Key management compensation and related party transactions
The Company reports the following related party transactions:
(a) Key management compensation
Key management personnel are persons responsible for planning, directing and controlling activities of the Company, including officers and directors. During the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, there was no compensation paid or payable to these individuals (or companies controlled by such individuals).
During the nine months ended July 31, 2020 and 2019, these parties were not awarded any options.
(b) Trade payables and other liabilities
As at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the Company reports in trade payables and other liabilities, a balance owing to the former President of MAST of $193,174 which represents alleged outstanding wages payable, see Note 18(b).
As at July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the Company reports $167,000 in trade payables and other liabilities owing to a company whose major shareholder has been a director of the Company and who has also previously served as its Chief Technology Officer. This individual was elected as a director on February 19, 2014 through September 8, 2020 (Note 22). The balance reported relates to alleged services provided in 2015; there have been no invoices submitted by this related party after October 31, 2015.
(c) Convertible debentures
In May 2019, the CEO of the Company subscribed for a short-term loan of $15,000 CDN ($11,450 USD). At July 31, 2020, the loan principal was fully repaid (October 31, 2019 - $10,000 CDN, $7,582 USD).
In January 2018, the CEO of the Company subscribed for a convertible debenture of $150,000 CDN ($114,086 USD). At July 31, 2020, $15,001 CDN ($11,191 USD)(October 31, 2019 - $52,319 CDN, $39,756 USD) in loan principal remains outstanding.
18. Contingencies
(a) The Company has agreed to indemnify its directors and officers and certain of its employees in accordance with the Company's by- laws. The Company maintains insurance policies that may provide coverage against certain claims.
(b) On October 7, 2018, the former President of MAST, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary), Mr. Steven Van Fleet, filed a lawsuit against Micromem and MAST in New York State Supreme Court, Dutchess County. In the action, Mr. Van Fleet is seeking payment of $214,574 plus interest relating to alleged remuneration and expense reimbursements due to him prior to his resignation as an officer and director of Micromem and MAST on August 17, 2018. The Company answered the complaint on December 7, 2018 by denying the material allegations in Mr. Van Fleet's claims. In addition, the Company interposed 7 counterclaims against Mr. Van Fleet seeking, among other things: (i) damages of not less than $2.75 million, (ii) specific performance to compel Mr. Van Fleet to comply with his contractual obligations which were required for the period of time that he served as an officer and director through to his resignation date; (iii) repayment of certain salary and expenses paid to Mr. Van Fleet; (iv) a direction for Mr. Van Fleet to turn over all Company property in his possession or control; (v) an accounting to determine all money and property belonging to the Company and/or MAST. On January 24, 2019, the Company amended its original answer and counterclaims to include, among other things, a demand for additional damages based on new information that had come to light. On February 8, 2019, Mr. Van Fleet, through his counsel, replied to and denied the material allegations in Micromem's counterclaims. The Company reports an accrual of $205,788 at October 31, 2019 with respect to alleged remuneration and expense reimbursements claimed by Mr. Van Fleet but, nonetheless, has denied the allegations in Mr. Van Fleet's claims. The matter is currently at the pre-trial stage, pending discoveries and remains as a contingency at September 25, 2020.