Exhibit 99.15
VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 27, 2017
AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
May 23, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS | 3 | |||
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND VOTING INSTRUCTIONS | 4 | |||
Solicitation of Proxies | 4 | |||
Registered Owners | 4 | |||
Non-Registered Owners | 5 | |||
COMMON SHARES | 6 | |||
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES | 7 | |||
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING | 7 | |||
Financial Statements | 7 | |||
Appointment of Auditor | 7 | |||
Election of Directors | 7 | |||
Approval and Confirmation of Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 of the Comapny | 10 | |||
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS | 11 | |||
Compensation Discussion and Analysis | 11 | |||
Programs and Objectives and Reward Philosophy | 12 | |||
Compensation of Named Executive Officers | 16 | |||
Compensation of Directors | 24 | |||
Composition of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee | 26 | |||
INDEBTEDNESS | 26 | |||
AUDIT COMMITTEE | 26 | |||
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS | 27 | |||
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES | 27 | |||
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR’S ANNUAL MEETING | 31 | |||
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 31 | |||
DIRECTORS’ APPROVAL | 31 | |||
APPENDIX A | 32 | |||
SCHEDULE A | 39 | |||
SCHEDULE B | 40 | |||
APPENDIX B | 41 |
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VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the holders (the “Shareholders”) of common shares (the “Common Shares”) of Village Farms International, Inc. (“Village Farms” or the “Company”) will be held at 10:00 a.m., Pacific time, on the 27th day of June, 2017 at Village Farms, 4700 - 80th Street, Delta, British Columbia, V4K 3N3, for the following purposes:
1. | to receive the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 together with the report of the auditors thereon; |
2. | to appoint the auditor and authorize the directors of the Company (the “Directors”) to fix the remuneration of the auditor for the ensuing year; |
3. | to elect the Directors for the ensuing year; |
4. | to consider, and if thought advisable, pass an ordinary resolution to approve and confirm Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 of the Company, as more particularly described in the accompanying management information circular (the “Information Circular”); and |
5. | to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The accompanying Information Circular provides additional information relating to the matters to be dealt with at the Meeting and is deemed to form part of this notice. The Board of Directors has fixed May 23, 2017 as the record date for the Meeting (the “Record Date”). Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
DATED at Delta, British Columbia this 23rd day of May, 2017.
By Order of the Board of Directors | ||
By: | (signed) “John R. McLernon” | |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
If you are a Shareholder and you are not able to attend the Meeting in person, please exercise your right to vote either by (a) signing and returning the enclosed form of proxy to Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor, North Tower, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1 so as to arrive not later than 10:00 a.m., Pacific time, on June 23, 2017 or, if the Meeting is adjourned, 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the commencement of the reconvened meeting, or (b) completing the request for voting instructions in accordance with the directions provided.
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VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
DATED MAY 23, 2017
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
Solicitation of Proxies
The information contained in this management information circular (the “Information Circular”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies from registered owners of common shares (the “Common Shares”) of Village Farms International, Inc. (“Village Farms” or the “Company”) (and of voting instructions in the case of non-registered owners of Common Shares) to be used at the annual and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of holders of Common Shares (“Shareholders”) of the Company to be held at 10:00 a.m., Pacific time, on the 27th day of June, 2017 at 4700 – 80th Street, Delta, British Columbia, V4K 3N3, and at all adjournments or postponements of the Meeting, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice of meeting (the “Notice of Meeting”). It is expected that the solicitation will be made primarily by mail, but proxies and voting instructions may also be solicited personally by management of the Company. The solicitation of proxies and voting instructions by this Information Circular is being made by or on behalf of management of the Company. The total cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. The information contained in this Information Circular is given as at the close of business on May 23, 2017, except where otherwise noted.
Registered Owners
Appointment of Proxies
The individuals named in the form of proxy are representatives of management of the Company and are officers or directors of the Company or its affiliates. A Shareholder has the right to appoint someone else, who need not be a Shareholder, to represent that Shareholder at the Meeting, by inserting that other person’s name in the blank space in the form of proxy.
To be valid, proxies must be deposited with Computershare Investor Services Inc. (“Computershare”) at 100 University Avenue 9th Floor, North Tower, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, so as to arrive not later than 10:00 a.m., Pacific time, on June 23, 2017 or, if the Meeting is adjourned, 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the commencement of any reconvened meeting.
Revocation
A Shareholder who has submitted a proxy may revoke it by:
A. | completing and signing a form of proxy bearing a later date and depositing it with Computershare as described above; |
B. | depositing a document that is signed by that Shareholder (or by someone that the Shareholder has properly authorized to act on that Shareholder’s behalf) (i) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment of the Meeting, at which the proxy is to be used, or (ii) with the chairperson of the Meeting, prior to the commencement of the Meeting, on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment of the Meeting; |
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C. | electronically transmitting the revocation in a manner permitted by law, provided that the revocation is received (i) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment of the Meeting, at which the proxy is to be used, or (ii) by the chair of the Meeting, prior to the commencement of the Meeting, on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment of the Meeting; or |
D. | following any other procedure that is permitted by law. |
Voting of Proxies
In connection with any ballot that may be called for, the management representatives designated in the enclosed form of proxy will vote or withhold from voting the Common Shares in accordance with the instructions of the Shareholder as indicated on the proxy and, if the Shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the Common Shares will be voted accordingly. In the absence of any direction, your Common Shares will be voted by the management representatives FOR the appointment of the auditor, FOR the election of each director of the Company and FOR the approval and confirmation of Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 (as defined below) of the Company as indicated under those headings in this Information Circular.
The management representatives designated in the enclosed form of proxy have discretionary authority with respect to amendments to or variations of matters identified in the Notice of Meeting and with respect to other matters that may properly come before the Meeting. At the date of this Information Circular, the management of the Company knew of no such amendments, variations or other matters.
Non-Registered Owners
Shareholders who do not hold their Common Shares in their own name are referred to as non-registered owners. If your Common Shares are registered in the name of a depository (such as CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. (“CDS”)) or an intermediary (such as a bank, trust company, securities dealer or broker, or trustee or administrator of a self-administered Registered Retirement Savings Plan, Registered Retirement Income Fund, Registered Education Savings Plan or similar plan), you are a non-registered owner.
Currently, most issued and outstanding Common Shares are in a book-based system administered by CDS. Consequently, most of the Common Shares are currently registered under the name of “CDS & Co.” (the registration name for CDS). CDS also acts as nominee for brokerage firms through which beneficial holders hold their Common Shares. Common Shares held by CDS can only be voted upon the instructions of the beneficial holder of the Common Shares.
Only registered owners of Common Shares, or the persons they appoint as their proxies, are permitted to attend and vote at the Meeting. If you are a non-registered owner, you are entitled to direct how the Common Shares beneficially owned by you are to be voted or you may obtain a form of legal proxy that will entitle you to attend and vote at the Meeting.
In accordance with Canadian securities law, the Company has mailed copies of its 2017 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements to requesting shareholders and has distributed copies of the Notice of Meeting and this Information Circular (collectively, the “Meeting Materials”) to the intermediaries for onward distribution to non-registered shareholders who have not waived their right to receive them. Typically, intermediaries will use a service company (such as Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.) to forward the Notice of Meeting and this Information Circular to non-registered shareholders.
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If you are a non-registered shareholder and have not waived your right to receive the Meeting Materials, you will receive either a request for voting instructions or a form of proxy with your Meeting Materials. The purpose of these documents is to permit you to direct the voting of the Common Shares you beneficially own. You should follow the procedures set out below, depending on which type of document you receive.
A. | Request for Voting Instructions. |
If you do not wish to attend the Meeting (or have another person attend and vote on your behalf), you should complete the enclosed request for voting instructions in accordance with the directions provided. You may revoke your voting instructions at any time by written notice to your intermediary, except that the intermediary is not required to honour the revocation unless it is received at least seven (7) days before the Meeting.
If you wish to attend the Meeting and vote in person (or have another person attend and vote on your behalf), you must complete the enclosed request for voting instructions in accordance with the directions provided and a form of proxy will be sent to you giving you (or the other person) the right to attend and vote at the Meeting. You (or the other person) must register with the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare, when you arrive at the Meeting.
or
B. | Form of Proxy. |
The form of proxy has been signed by the intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature) and completed to indicate the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by you. Otherwise, the form of proxy is incomplete.
If you do not wish to attend the Meeting, you should complete the form of proxy in accordance with the instructions set out in the section titled “Registered Owners” above.
If you wish to attend the Meeting and vote in person, you must strike out the names of the persons named in the proxy and insert your name in the blank space provided. To be valid, proxies must be deposited with Computershare at 100 University Avenue 9th Floor, North Tower, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1 not later than 10:00 a.m., Pacific time, on June 23, 2017 or, if the Meeting is adjourned, 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the commencement of any reconvened meeting. You must register with the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare, when you arrive at the Meeting.
You should follow the instructions on the document that you have received and contact your intermediary promptly if you need assistance.
COMMON SHARES
At the close of business on May 23, 2017, the Company had outstanding 38,882,945 Common Shares, each of which carries the right to one vote at a meeting of the Shareholders of the Company, which represent all the outstanding voting shares of the Company. Each Shareholder of record at the close of business on May 23, 2017, the record date established for notice of the Meeting, will be entitled to vote on all matters proposed to come before the Meeting on the basis of one vote for each Common Share.
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PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
To the knowledge of the directors and officers of the Company, the following are the only persons or companies who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, more than 10% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company:
NAME | NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OWNED OR CONTROLLED | PERCENTAGE OF THE OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES | ||||||
MICHAEL A. DEGIGLIO | 10,004,149 | 25.72 | % | |||||
MASTRONARDI HOLDINGS LIMITED | 7,733,000 | 19.89 | % |
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING
Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, together with the report of the auditors thereon, were mailed to requesting Shareholders separately from this Information Circular. These financial statements are also available electronically on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Appointment of Auditor
The management representatives designated in the enclosed form of proxy (or voting instruction form) intend to vote FOR the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditor of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) to fix the remuneration of the auditor for the ensuing year. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has served as auditor of the Company and its predecessor, Village Farms Income Fund (the “Fund”), since its inception on November 10, 2003. The reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditor of the Company must be confirmed by a resolution of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders at the Meeting.
Election of Directors
The Board currently consists of seven directors. Management proposes to nominate the persons listed below for election as directors. The Company’s articles of arrangement provide that the number of directors of the Company will be a minimum of three and a maximum of ten. Shareholders will vote on each individual director separately.
Accordingly, the number of directors to be elected at the Meeting is seven. The management representatives designated in the enclosed form of proxy (or voting instruction form) intend to vote FOR the election as directors of each of the proposed nominees whose names are set out below. All nominees are now directors and have been directors since the dates indicated below. Management does not contemplate that any of the proposed nominees will be unable to serve as a director but, if that should occur for any reason before the Meeting, the management representatives designated in the enclosed form of proxy (or voting instruction form) reserve the right to vote for another nominee at their discretion. The Company adopted a majority voting policy in April 2013, which was amended on May 10, 2017, pursuant to which directors who are not elected by at least a majority (50% +1) on the votes cast with - 8 - respect to his or her election in an uncontested election are required to tender their resignation, absent exceptional circumstances. Each
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director elected will hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders or until his/her successor is elected or appointed, unless his/her office is vacated earlier in accordance with the Company’s articles of arrangement and applicable law. The following table sets forth the names of, and certain additional information for, the seven persons nominated for election as directors.
Name and Province or State and Country of Residence1 | Position with the | Principal Occupation | Director Since5 | Ownership or Control Over Common Shares2 | ||||||
Michael A. DeGiglio Florida, USA | Director and Chief Executive Officer | Chief Executive Officer of the Company | October 18, 2006 | 10,004,149 | ||||||
John P. Henry3 Florida, USA | Director | Retired Senior Executive | October 18, 2006 | 5,000 | ||||||
John R. McLernon4 British Columbia, Canada | Chair of the Board of Directors | Honourary Chairman and Co-Founder of the Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Group Inc. | January 18, 2005 | 68,000 | ||||||
Christopher C. Woodward3,4 British Columbia, Canada | Director | President, Woodcorp Investments Ltd. | November 10, 2003 | 115,000 | ||||||
David Holewinski3,4 Michigan, USA | Director | Management Consultant | June 21, 2011 | 115,000 | ||||||
Stephen C. Ruffini Florida, USA | Director and Chief Financial Officer | Chief Financial Officer of the Company | March 19, 2014 | 300,000 | ||||||
Dr. Roberta Cook California, USA | Director | Marketing Consultant | January 4, 2016 | 0 |
1 | The information as to residence and principal occupation, where not within the knowledge of the Company, has been furnished by the respective individuals listed in the table above. |
2 | The information as to Common Shares beneficially owned or over which a director exercises control or direction, not being within the knowledge of the Company, has been furnished by the respective directors. |
3 | Member of the audit committee of the Company (the “Audit Committee”). |
4 | Member of the compensation and corporate governance committee of the Company (the “Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee”). |
5 | Prior to December 31, 2009, the Company was a subsidiary of the Fund. Accordingly, the dates presented in this column include the period of time during which each individual served as a director of the Company while it was a subsidiary of the Fund, or alternatively, as a trustee of the Fund. |
Biographies of Directors
The following are brief profiles of the directors of the Company.
Michael A. DeGiglio, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. DeGiglio is a founder of Village Farms International through predecessor companies and has served as its Chief Executive Officer since its inception in 1989. Mr. DeGiglio joined EcoScience Corporation (NASDAQ) a biotechnology company, in November 1992 upon its acquisition of Agro-Dynamics Inc., a company Mr. DeGiglio founded
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in 1984 and where he served as President since its inception. Additionally, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of EcoScience from 1995 until its merger with Village Farms in 1999. Prior to commencing his business career in 1983, Mr. DeGiglio served on active duty in the United States Navy from 1976 through 1983, and in the Naval Air reserves from 1983 through 2001, retiring at the rank of Captain. Throughout his Naval career, Captain DeGiglio held multiple Department head positions, successfully completed a tour as Commanding Officer of a jet squadron, performed multiple tours overseas, accumulated over 5,000 hours of military flight time, and completed numerous senior management and military courses. Mr. DeGiglio received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Florida. He has served as the former Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Board of ERAU.
John P. Henry, Director of the Company. Mr. Henry has served as a director of the Company since 2006. From 1981 to 2000, Mr. Henry was employed by Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. (“Ocean Spray”), retiring as Senior Vice-President of Grower Relations and Chief Financial Officer in 2000. Ocean Spray grew from $400 million to $1.3 billion in revenues during his tenure. Mr. Henry also served as a Director of Nantucket Allserve Inc., a majority owned subsidiary of Ocean Spray. From 1980 to 1981, he was Chief Financial Officer of Castle Toy Co, Inc., and prior to that, Mr. Henry was employed by Laventhol and Horwath providing auditing, consulting and tax services to large public and private companies. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Masters in Taxation degrees from Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Mr. Henry is a non-practicing Certified Professional Accountant in the State of Rhode Island.
John R. McLernon, Chairman and Director of the Company. Mr. McLernon is Honourary Chairman and Co-Founder of Colliers International (“Colliers”), a global commercial real estate services company operating from 250 offices in 65 countries. Mr. McLernon is President of McLernon Consultants Ltd. He served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Colliers from 1977 to 2002 and as Chairman until December 2004. Mr. McLernon also serves as a director of several public and private companies as well as major nonprofit organizations, and is Chairman of A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund and City Office REIT, Inc.
Christopher C. Woodward, Director of the Company. Mr. Woodward has served as President of Woodcorp Investments Ltd., a venture-capital investment firm, since 1990. Mr. Woodward currently serves as a trustee and director of Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Woodward Medical Foundation, the Sea to Sky Gondola Co., Great Western Brewing Co. and a number of other private corporations. He is currently Chair of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the Keg Royalties Income Fund. Mr. Woodward received his Bachelor of Arts (Economics) degree from the University of Western Ontario. He is a past member of the Judicial Council of British Columbia.
David Holewinski, Director of the Company. Mr. Holewinski is a Management Consultant. He served as a director of Agro Power Development Inc. (“APDI”) from 2004 until October 2006. Between 1995 and 2000, Mr. Holewinski served as Senior Vice President of Business Development for APDI. Mr. Holewinski has co-founded two biotechnology companies, co-founded a company with computer and internet security, as well as co-founded a company with novel precast concrete technology for the construction industry. Between 1983 and 1988, Mr. Holewinski was a Manager of Business Development for ConAgra Foods, Inc. Mr. Holewinski has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University.
Stephen C. Ruffini, Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Ruffini joined Village Farms Income Fund in January 2009. He joined the Board of Directors of Village Farms International, Inc. in March 2014. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Ruffini was a Director and Chief Financial Officer of HIT Entertainment, Ltd., which was the preeminent young children’s entertainment company listed on the London Stock Exchange. From 2006 to 2008, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Performing Brands,
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which was a publicly listed U.S. company in the beverage industry. He was a Tax Manager with Arthur Andersen from 1984 to 1993. Mr. Ruffini has a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University.
Dr. Roberta Cook, Director of the Company. On July 1, 2016, Dr. Cook retired from her 31-year position as a Cooperative Extension Marketing Economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) at the University of California, Davis. She is currently an Emerita faculty member, and consults on a broad range of fresh produce marketing issues. She has a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University. She serves on the board of directors of Ocean Mist Farms, and has been a board member of Naturipe Farms and Sunkist, as well as numerous other advisory boards in the produce industry. For nearly a decade, Dr. Cook was Faculty Director of the California Agribusiness Executive Seminar co-sponsored by University of California, Davis and Wells Fargo Bank. In 2011, The Packer honoured her as one of the top 25 produce industry leaders.
Corporate Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies and Court Proceedings
Mr. McLernon was a director of Syscan International Inc. (“Syscan”), a public company whose shares were listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Mr. McLernon resigned as a director of Syscan within the year preceding Syscan making an assignment to a trustee pursuant to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) in December 2008.
On March 12, 1998, the United States District Judge for the Central District of California entered a Final Consent Judgment of Permanent Injunction, Disgorgement, and Civil Penalty against Mr. Holewinski relating to allegations of insider trading in the securities of Chantal Pharmaceutical Corporation. Mr. Holewinski, without admitting or denying the allegations, consented to a Judgment that permanently enjoined him from future violations of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and ordered Mr. Holewinski to disgorge losses avoided in the amount of US$28,162, plus prejudgment interest in the amount of US$4,921 and to pay a civil penalty in the amount of US$28,162.
Mr. Ruffini was an officer of Performing Brands, Inc. (“Performing”), a public company whose shares were listed on NASDAQ. Performing filed a voluntary petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court (North Texas District) under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, in December 2008.
Approval and Confirmation of Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 of the Company
On March 23, 2017, the Board amended and restated By-Law No. 3 of the Company setting out advance notice requirements for director nominations (“Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3”). At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if thought appropriate, pass an ordinary resolution approving and confirming Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3.
Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 amends and restates the Company’s previously approved advance notice by-law for director nominations, which was adopted by the Board on March 17, 2015 and confirmed by Shareholders on June 24, 2015. Just like the Company’s original advance notice by-law, Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 sets forth a procedure requiring advance notice to the Company by any Shareholder who intends to nominate a person for election as a director of the Company other than pursuant to (a) a requisition of a meeting made pursuant to the provisions of the Canada business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”), or (b) a shareholder proposal made pursuant to the provisions of the CBCA. Among other things, Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 sets a deadline by which Shareholders must notify the Company of their intention to nominate a director and sets out the information that Shareholders must provide in the notice in order for it to be valid.
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The advance notice by-law amendments recently adopted by the Board in Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 reflect the company’s adoption of certain recommended Canadian corporate governance best practices. Such changes include housekeeping amendments as well as amendments that remove any requirement that the nominating Shareholder (a) be present at the meeting at which his or her nominee is standing for election, and (b) make any representations to the Company. The substance of the Company’s previous advance notice by-law otherwise remains unchanged from what was previously confirmed by Shareholders in June 2015.
Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 has been effective since its adoption by the Board on March 23, 2017. Pursuant to the provisions of the CBCA, Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 will cease to be effective unless confirmed by a resolution of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at the Meeting. In the event that Shareholders do no approve and confirm Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 at the Meeting, the Company’s original advance notice by-law will remain in effect.
The above summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 which, along with the Company’s other by-laws, is available under the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Board encourages Shareholders to read the full text of Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 before voting on this resolution.
The full text of the resolution to approve and confirm Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 is attached hereto as Appendix B.
The Board recommends that Shareholders vote “FOR” the resolution approving and confirming Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3. The management representatives designated in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote FOR the approval and confirmation of Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3. Unless a Shareholder directs that his or her Common Shares are to be voted against this resolution, the persons named on the enclosed form of proxy will vote FOR the resolution approving and confirming Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes the major elements of the Company’s compensation program for the Named Executive Officers (defined below, in the Summary Compensation Table). This CD&A also discusses the objectives, philosophy and decisions underlying the compensation of the Named Executive Officers. This CD&A should be read together with the executive compensation tables and related footnotes found later in this Information Circular.
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for decisions respecting compensation of the Company’s senior executives. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is composed entirely of independent directors and reviews and approves executive compensation programs and specific compensation arrangements for the executive officers of the Company. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee reports to the Board, and all - 12 - compensation decisions with respect to the Chief Executive Officer are reviewed and approved by the entire Board, without participation by the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
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The principal elements of the Company’s executive compensation program for 2014, 2015 and 2016 were:
• | Base salary; |
• | Annual, performance-based cash incentives (“Bonus”); |
• | Long-term equity incentives; and |
• | Severance pay arrangements for certain Named Executive Officers as set forth in their employment agreements. |
The Board of Directors fully understands the need to continuously and rigorously manage risk. Risk assessment and analysis is an integral part of Board and committee meetings and decisions, including compensation.
Programs and Objectives and Reward Philosophy
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is guided by the following key objectives and reward philosophies in the design and implementation of the Company’s executive compensation program:
• | Competitive Pay. Competitive compensation programs are required to attract and retain a high-performing executive team. |
• | Pay for performance. The Company’s compensation program is designed to motivate its executive officers to drive the Company’s business and financial results and to reward near-term performance. The “at risk” portion of total compensation (i.e., the incentive programs under which the amount of compensation realized by the executive is not guaranteed, and increases with higher levels of performance) should be a significant component of an executive’s compensation. |
• | Alignment with shareholders. The interests of the Company’s executives must be aligned with the interests of the Company’s shareholders. The Company’s compensation program should motivate and reward its executives to drive performance which leads to the enhancement of long-term shareholder value. |
Key Considerations
In applying these program objectives and reward philosophies, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account the key considerations discussed below:
Competitive Market Assessment. The Company periodically conducts a competitive market assessment for each of the primary elements of the Company’s executive compensation program. In setting executive compensation levels, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee reviews market data from the following sources:
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• | Peer Group Information. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee considers information from the management information circular of “peer group” public companies. The peer group is composed primarily of food and related companies of similar size in terms of number of employees or revenue in Canada and the United States. The peer group was selected by the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee in 2014 based on input from Towers Watson, an independent consulting firm retained by the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee and from management. Compensation at the peer group companies is considered by the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, but compensation is not benchmarked to any particular level. The following companies were included in the Company’s peer group: |
Alico Inc. Boulder Foods Corp. Calavo Growers, Inc. | Annie’s Inc. Bridgford Foods Corp. Coffee Holding Company | |
Diamond Foods, Inc. | Farmer Brothers Co. | |
Golden Enterprises Inc. | Inventure Foods, Inc. | |
John B Sanfilippo & Son Lifeway Foods Inc. | Legumex Walker Inc. Limoneira Foods Inc. | |
Omega Protein | Rogers Sugar Inc. | |
SunOpta, Inc. | Ten Peaks Coffee |
• | The Company’s Financial and Strategic Objectives. Each year, the Company’s management team develops an annual operating plan or budget for review and approval by the Board. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee uses the financial plan in the development of compensation plans and performance goals for the Company’s Named Executive Officers for the next year. |
Additional Information and Considerations
The Role of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee and Its Use of Advisors. A summary of the role of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is found in the section entitled “Composition of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee” in this Information Circular. For more information on the role and responsibilities of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, we encourage you to review the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee charter, which is available on the Company’s website at www.villagefarms.com.
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee charter permits the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee to engage independent outside advisors to assist it in the fulfillment of its responsibilities. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee may engage an independent executive compensation consultant for information, advice and counsel. The consultant may assist the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee by providing an independent review of:
• | The Company’s executive compensation policies, practices and designs; |
• | The mix of compensation established for the Company’s Named Executive Officers as compared to external benchmarks; |
• | Market trends and competitive practices in executive compensation; and |
• | The specific compensation package for Mr. DeGiglio and other Named Executive Officers. |
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Executive Compensation Related Fees
In 2014, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee engaged Towers Watson as its independent compensation and benefit consultant. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee directly retained and instructed Towers Watson and Towers Watson reported directly to the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee. In 2014, Towers Watson charged approximately $16,000 for its advice to the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee previously retained Towers Watson for a similar study in 2009. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee did not engage a compensation and benefit consultant in 2015 or 2016.
The Role of Executive Management in the Process of Determining Executive Compensation
Mr. Ruffini, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for administering the Company’s executive compensation programs and provides information and analysis on various aspects of the Company’s executive compensation plans, including financial analysis relevant to the process of establishing performance targets for the Company’s annual cash incentive plan and the cost of long-term equity incentive plans. Mr. DeGiglio makes recommendations to the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee regarding executive compensation decisions for the other Named Executive Officers.
Hedging
The Company does not currently have any policies in place that would prevent Named Executive Officers or directors from purchasing financial instruments that might be designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held by Named Executive Officers or directors.
Elements of Compensation
The compensation program is comprised of salary, benefits and short term and long term compensation incentives based on the achievement of corporate and individual objectives. The key components of the short term compensation program are salary and the short term annual bonus incentive program. The long term compensation program is comprised of options.
Base Salary and Benefits
Base salaries for executives are based on positions with equivalent responsibilities in the peer company group. However, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee took into account the substantial holdings of Common Shares of Mr. DeGiglio at the time his 2017 base salary was determined. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee reviews annually and approves any changes in base salary for the Chief Executive Officer and considers and, if thought fit, approves changes in base salaries recommended by the Chief Executive Officer for the other Named Executive Officers.
The Company provides a comprehensive benefit program to senior management. The program provides all employees (including senior management) with medical and dental benefits and life insurance coverage. The Company is responsible for all costs associated with the benefit program; however, senior management is responsible for the co-payments under the Company benefits plan.
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Short Term Incentive Plan Bonus
The Company uses annual cash bonus plans to motivate and reward individual executives for the direct contribution which they make to the Company. Overall, senior management is responsible for achieving the annual business plan.
The executive is required to be employed through December 31 of the respective calendar year in order to earn a bonus. Each Named Executive Officer can earn 20% to 80% of their base salary depending on their position, subject to reduction at the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee’s discretion.
In determining the bonus plan for 2016, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee took into account the industry in which the Company operates, as well as the performance of the Company and its subsidiaries over the past three years. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee also took into account the contributions of the individual executives towards the implementation of special projects, such as the design, building and financing of a new greenhouse. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee determined the amount of the incentive award for the Chief Executive Officer and determined the amount of the incentive award for the other Named Executive Officers based on the recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer. Due to missing the Company’s financial performance target during 2016, no bonuses for the calendar year 2016 were awarded.
In administering the annual incentive bonus plan, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee may, in its judgment, vary incentive awards payable to executives to award exceptional performance or for other reasons determined by that committee.
Retirement Savings
The Company sponsors a retirement savings plan that is qualified under section 401(k) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and provides that participating employees are eligible to make contributions of 1% to 15% of their total salaries, subject to prescribed limits. The Company matches up to 25% of the first 6% of employee contributions.
The Company also sponsors a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for its named executive officers and executives under section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code and provides that participating employees are eligible to defer up to 80% of their salaries and annual cash bonuses on an annual basis. The Company may match up to 25% of the first 4% of employee salary deferrals. Since the summer of 2012 due to the under performance of the Company, the Company suspended the Company match on the nonqualified deferred compensation plan.
Performance Graph
The following graph shows the total cumulative return on a $100 investment made on December 31, 2011 in Common Shares, with the cumulative total return of the S&P/TSX Composite Total Return Index, for the period commencing on December 31, 2011 and ending on December 31, 2016, assuming reinvestment of all dividends, for which there were none.
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As a reflection of the Company’s 2016 financial performance, no cash bonus was declared for the Executives for the 2016 calendar year due to the Company’s performance. The Company believes that its EBITDA performance and its share performance are closely aligned, as reflected in the Company’s share performance and bonus payments over the five year period. The Named Executive Officers did not receive bonuses for the years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Compensation of Named Executive Officers
The Summary Compensation Table below provides a summary of compensation earned by each person who held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company in 2016 and the next three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
(in United States dollars)
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary | Share- Based Awards | Option- Based Awards(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | Pension Value | All Other Compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Incentive Plans | Long-Term Incentive Plans | Total Compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael A. DeGiglio | 2016 | $ | 575,000 | — | $ | 73,800 | — | — | — | $ | 117,827 | (3) | $ | 766,627 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Executive | 2015 | $ | 575,000 | — | $ | 53,900 | 260,167 | (3) | — | — | $ | 29,630 | (3) | $ | 918,697 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Officer | 2014 | $ | 453,000 | — | $ | 79,720 | — | — | — | $ | 17,916 | (3) | $ | 550,636 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen C. Ruffini Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | | 2016 2015 2014 |
| $ $ $ | 350,000 350,921 343,750 |
| | — — — |
| | — — $59,790 |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| $ $ $ | 3,500 25,571 14,039 | (4) (4) (2)(4) | $ $ $ | 353,500 376,492 417,579 |
| |||||||||
Douglas Kling Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer | | 2016 2015 2014 |
| $ $ $ | 295,000 272,383 256,399 |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| $ $ $ | 2,950 2,729 12,266 | (5) (5) (5) | $ $ $ | 297,950 275,612 268,665 |
| |||||||||
Bret Wiley Senior Vice President of Sales & Sales Operations | | 2016 2015 2014 |
| $ $ $ | 268,125 259,167 255,625 |
| | — — — |
| $
| 39,750 — — |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| $ $ $ | 3,352 3,079 10,670 | (6) (6) (2)(6) | $ $ $ | 311,227 262,245 266,2957 |
| |||||||||
Michael Minerva Senior Vice President Grower Relations & Supply Development | | 2016 2015 2014 |
| $ $ $ | 236,900 236,900 235,175 |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| | — — — |
| $ $ $ | 1,777 1,777 10,453 | (7) (7) (2)(7) | $ $ $ | 238,677 238,677 245,628 |
|
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(1) | The amounts listed in this column represent the grant date fair value of the Options granted to Named Executive Officers as calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions for 2016 (which are the same method and assumptions used to calculate the accounting fair value) – expected volatility – 52.5%, risk free rate – 1.52%, expected life – 6.5 years – resulting in a fair value of $0.738/Option for DeGiglio and expected volatility – 51.9%, risk free rate – 1.26%, expected life – 6.5 years – resulting in a fair value of $0.795 for Wiley. For 2015 – expected volatility – 59.6%, risk free rate – 1.47%, expected life – 6.5 years – resulting in a fair value of $0.539/Option for DeGiglio. For all 2014 options—expected volatility – 57.0%, risk free rate – 1.52%, expected life – 6.5 years – resulting in a fair value of $0.822/Option. |
(2) | Amounts for Messrs. Ruffini, Kling, Wiley and Minerva in 2014 include retention bonus amounts of $10,833, $9,563, $8,033 and $8,625, respectively that were awarded for their performance during the Company’s financial improvement from 2012 through 2014 following the May 2012 hail storm in Marfa, Texas that severely damaged the Company’s Marfa, TX. greenhouses. |
(3) | Mr. DeGiglio received a $24,000 auto allowance, $1,498 in employer 401(k) matches and $2,932 in disability insurance during 2016, a $24,000 auto allowance, $2,698 in employer 401(k) matches and $2,932 in disability insurance during fiscal 2015 and a $12,000 auto allowance, $2,984 in employer 401(k) matches and $2,932 in disability insurance during fiscal 2014. In addition, in prior years, Mr. DeGiglio voluntarily took a lower salary than he was entitled to pursuant to his employment agreement, as well as agreed to voluntarily forego his 2012 bonus payment. In 2015, due to improvements in the Company’s operations, the Board approved payments to Mr. DeGiglio of $260,167 to compensate him for his reduced compensation in prior years. Additionally, Mr. DeGiglio received a distribution from the Company’s 403(b) deferral plan of $90,895 in 2016, which represents prior year wages that Mr. DeGiglio deferred into a future period pursuant to the executive deferral plan. |
(4) | Mr. Ruffini received $3,500, $3,646 and $3,206 in employer 401(k) matches during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, Mr. Ruffini received a distribution from the Company’s 403(b) deferral plan of $21,925, in 2015, which represents prior year wages that Mr. Ruffini deferred into a future period pursuant to the executive deferral plan. |
(5) | Mr. Kling received $2,950, $2,729 and $2,703 in employer 401(k) matches during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. |
(6) | Mr. Wiley received $3,352, $3,079 and $2,637 in employer 401(k) matches during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. |
(7) | Mr. Minerva received $1,177, $1,777 and $1,828 in employer 401(k) matches during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. |
Option-Based Awards
The following table sets out the Option and Performance-based restricted share unit awards outstanding for the Named Executive Officers as at December 31, 2017.
Option-based Awards | ||||||||||||||||
Name | Number of Common Shares Underlying Unexercised Options | Option Exercise Price (C$) | Option Expiration Date | Value of Unexercised In-The-Money Options (US$)(1) | ||||||||||||
Michael A. DeGiglio | 100,000 | $ | 1.27 | March 14, 2022 | $ | 5,959 | ||||||||||
Michael A. DeGiglio | 100,000 | $ | 1.48 | March 18, 2024 | — | |||||||||||
Michael A. DeGiglio | 100,000 | $ | 0.94 | March 19, 2025 | $ | 30,539 | ||||||||||
Michael A. DeGiglio | 100,000 | $ | 1.43 | March 29, 2026 | — | |||||||||||
Stephen C. Ruffini | 99,399 | $ | 0.70 | January 13, 2020 | $ | 48,125 |
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Stephen C. Ruffini | 50,000 | $ | 1.24 | May 20, 2021 | $ | 4,097 | ||||||||||
Stephen C. Ruffini | 50,000 | $ | 1.27 | March 13, 2022 | $ | 2,979 | ||||||||||
Stephen C. Ruffini | 100,000 | $ | 0.85 | March 14, 2023 | $ | 37,243 | ||||||||||
Stephen C. Ruffini | 75,000 | $ | 1.48 | March 18, 2024 | — | |||||||||||
Douglas Kling | 100,000 | $ | 0.70 | January 13, 2020 | $ | 48,416 | ||||||||||
Michael Minerva | 100,000 | $ | 1.24 | May 20, 2021 | $ | 8,193 | ||||||||||
Bret Wiley | 50,000 | $ | 1.24 | May 20, 2021 | $ | 4,097 | ||||||||||
Bret Wiley | 50,000 | $ | 1.10 | September 26, 2023 | $ | 9,311 | ||||||||||
Bret Wiley | 50,000 | $ | 1.55 | June 30, 2026 | — |
(1) | The value is calculated by multiplying the number of outstanding Options by the difference between the exercise price of the Options and the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 30, 2016, which was C$1.35. The value was converted into United States dollars based on the Bank of Canada closing exchange rate on December 30, 2016 of $0.74486. |
The number of Options granted in 2016 to the Named Executive Officers was determined by the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee and the employment agreement with Michael DeGiglio dated January 1, 2014, as further described under “Termination and Change of Control Benefits”.
Share-Based Compensation Plan
The Company adopted a compensation plan (the “Compensation Plan”), effective January 1, 2010, on completion of its conversion into a corporation, in order to attract and retain directors, officers, employees and service providers to the Company and to motivate them to advance the interests of the Company by affording them with the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the Company. The Compensation Plan has been drafted to comply with the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) as they exist at the date of this Information Circular. The Compensation Plan was most recently approved by the shareholders on June 24, 2015. The following information is intended as a summary of the Compensation Plan.
The Compensation Plan – “Rolling” Maximum Reserve
The TSX permits the adoption of a “rolling” type of share-based compensation plan whereby the number of shares available for issuance under the plan will not be greater than a rolling maximum percentage of the outstanding shares. The Compensation Plan provides that the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise or redemption of awards granted under the Compensation Plan is a rolling maximum of ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Common Shares at any point in time. Currently, the Company has 38,882,945 Common Shares outstanding. Therefore, up to 3,888,295 Common Shares may be reserved for issuance under the Compensation Plan. The purpose of adopting a “rolling” type of share based compensation plan is to ensure that a sufficient number of Common Shares remain issuable under the Compensation Plan to meet the overall objective of the Compensation Plan. Any exercise, redemption, expiry or lapse of awards will make new grants available under the Compensation Plan effectively resulting in a “re-loading” of the number of awards available to be granted. The Compensation Plan must be approved by shareholders every three years.
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The Compensation Plan—Types of Awards
The Compensation Plan is an omnibus share-based compensation plan, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to award Options, stock appreciation rights, deferred share units, restricted share units, restricted stock and other share-based awards, which may be settled in shares issued from the treasury or in cash. To date, only Options have been awarded under the Compensation Plan. As of May 23, 2017, Options to purchase 2,109,399 Common Shares were outstanding, which represents approximately 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. The Company had 1,778,896 Common Shares available for future Option grants, which represents approximately 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares.
An Option is a right to purchase a Common Share for a fixed exercise price. A stock appreciation right is a right to either a cash payment or the issuance of Common Shares with a market price equal in value to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of a Common Share. A stock appreciation right may be granted in relation to an option or on a stand-alone basis. A deferred share unit is a right to a Common Share or a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a Common Share redeemable only after the participant has ceased to hold all positions with the Company and its affiliates. A restricted share unit is a right to a Common Share or a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a Common Share redeemable after the passage of time, the achievement of performance targets or both. A restricted share is a Common Share issued to a participant subject to conditions which may include the passage of time, the achievement of performance targets or both. Any voting rights and entitlements to dividends in respect of restricted shares will be determined by the Board on the date of grant and will be set out in the applicable award agreement. Other share based awards are awards which provide for the issuance of a Common Share or a payment equal to the fair market value of a Common Share on such terms and conditions as the Company determines.
When dividends are paid on the Common Shares, an additional number of restricted share units and deferred share units, as the case may be, will be credited to the eligible holder thereof. The additional units credited will be determined as the amount of the dividend multiplied by the number of restricted share units or deferred share units, as the case may be, credited to the eligible holder thereof at the dividend payment date, and divided by the market price of a Common Share on the dividend payment date.
The Compensation Plan – Other Terms
The Compensation Plan authorizes the Board (or a committee of the Board if so authorized by the Board) to grant awards to “Eligible Persons”. Eligible Persons are directors, officers, employees, consultants, management company employees and any other service providers of the Company or its affiliates. - 20 - The aggregate number of Common Shares issued to insiders of the Company within any one (1) year period under the Compensation Plan, together with any other security based compensation arrangement, cannot exceed 10% of the outstanding Common Shares. In addition, the aggregate number of Common Shares issuable to insiders of the Company at any time under the Compensation Plan, together with any other security based compensation arrangement, cannot exceed ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Common Shares. There are otherwise no limits on the maximum number of awards that may be issued to any single Eligible Person.
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The date of grant, the number of Common Shares, the vesting period and any other terms and conditions of awards granted pursuant to the Compensation Plan are determined by the Board, subject to the express provisions of the Compensation Plan.
The exercise price of an Option and a stock appreciation right will be the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX for the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant. There is no exercise price for other awards. The purchase price for restricted stock will generally be nil, although past service may be treated as consideration for the grant of restricted stock.
Unless otherwise specified by the Board at the time an Option is granted under the Compensation Plan, (i) the term of the Option will be ten (10) years from the date of the grant (which is the maximum allowable term under the Compensation Plan), unless the expiry of the term falls during a blackout (or within ten (10) days following the end of a blackout) from trading in the securities of the Company imposed on certain persons including the optionee pursuant to any policies of the Company; and where such a blackout applies, the expiry of the term of the Option shall automatically be extended to ten (10) business days following the end of the blackout; and (ii) the Option will vest as to one-third (1⁄3) on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.
Subject to the terms of the award agreement and the discretion of the Company to accelerate the vesting of an award, or extend the term of an award (but not to later that the original expiry date of the awards), awards will terminate immediately upon the holder ceasing to be an Eligible Person, provided however, in the event of: (i) death, the vested award continues to be exercisable or redeemable for a period up to six (6) months from the date of death, or (ii) termination without cause or resignation, the vested award continues to be exercisable or redeemable for a period up to ninety (90) days from the date of termination. No award is exercisable following expiry of the term.
For stock appreciation rights, the market appreciation is the fair market value of a share, based on the closing price on the date prior to the exercise date, minus the exercise price. Stock appreciation rights can be granted in relation to an Option either at the date of grant or at a later date.
For stock appreciation rights which are granted in relation to an Option, the vesting, term and other terms and conditions will be the same as for the related Option and the exercise of the stock appreciation right will result in a cancellation of the related Option and vice versa.
For stock appreciation rights which are not granted in relation to an Option and for all other awards, the vesting, redemption and expiry terms will be set out in the award agreement and the terms and conditions of the award will be as set out in the award agreement, or as otherwise set out in the Compensation Plan.
In the event an offer is made for the Common Shares which would result in the offeror exercising control of the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws, the Board may, in its discretion, provide that any Options then outstanding which are not otherwise exercisable may be exercised, in whole or in part, so as to allow the optionee to tender the Common Shares received upon such an exercise.
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Awards are non-assignable. No financial assistance is provided to any Eligible Person to facilitate the purchase of Common Shares under the Compensation Plan.
The Compensation Plan contains a formal amendment procedure. The Board may amend certain terms of the Compensation Plan without requiring the approval of the Company shareholders, subject to those provisions of applicable law and regulatory requirements (including the rules, regulations and policies of the TSX), if any, that require the approval of Shareholders. Amendments not requiring shareholder approval include, without limitation: altering, extending or accelerating Option vesting terms and conditions; amending the termination provisions of an Option; accelerating the expiry date of an Option; determining adjustments pursuant to the provisions of the Compensation Plan concerning corporate changes; amending the definitions contained in the Compensation Plan; amending or modifying the mechanics of exercising or redeeming awards; amending provisions relating to the administration of the Compensation Plan; making “housekeeping” amendments, such as those necessary to cure errors or ambiguities contained in the Compensation Plan; effecting amendments necessary to comply with the provisions of applicable laws; and suspending or terminating the Compensation Plan.
The Compensation Plan specifically provides that the following amendments require shareholder approval: increasing the number of Common Shares issuable under the Compensation Plan, except by operation of the “rolling” maximum reserve; amending the Compensation Plan which amendment could result in the aggregate number of Common Shares issued to insiders within any one year period or issuable to insiders at any time under the Compensation Plan, together with any other security based compensation arrangement, exceeding ten percent of the outstanding Common Shares; extending the term of any award beyond the expiry of the original term of the award; reducing the Option price or cancelling and replacing Options with Options having a lower exercise price; amending the class of Eligible Persons which would have the potential of broadening or increasing participation in the Compensation Plan by insiders; amending the formal amendment procedures; and making any amendments required to be approved by the Company’s shareholders under applicable law.
Incentive Plan Awards
The following table sets out the value of all incentive plan awards that vested during 2016. As at December 31, 2016, the Company has not made any share-based awards.
Named | Option-Based Awards – Value Vested During 2016 ($)(1) | Share-Based Awards – Value Vested During 2016 ($)(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation – Value earned during 2016 ($)(1) | |||||||||
Michael A. DeGiglio | $ | 5,214 | — | — | ||||||||
Stephen C. Ruffini | $ | 1,242 | — | — | ||||||||
Doug Kling | — | — | — | |||||||||
Michael Minerva | — | — | — | |||||||||
Bret Wiley | $ | 3,600 | — | — |
(1) | The value is calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the vesting date. The value was converted into United States dollars based on the Bank of Canada closing exchange rate on December 30, 2016 of $0.74486. |
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Security-Based Compensation Arrangements
The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Compensation Plan as at December 31, 2016.
Plan Category | Name of Plan | Number of Common Shares to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | Weighted- Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | Number of Securities Remaining for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans | ||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders | | Share-Based Compensation Plan |
| 2,116,065 | C$ | 1.19 | 1,772,230 | |||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total: | 2,116,065 | C$ | 1.19 | 1,772,230 | ||||||||||||
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Termination and Change of Control Benefits
Mr. DeGiglio entered into an employment agreement with Village Farms, L.P., the material terms of which are summarized below:
Michael A. DeGiglio. Village Farms, L.P. entered into an employment agreement with Mr. DeGiglio, dated as of January 1, 2017, for his services as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and its affiliates. The agreement is for a term of three years and provides for, among other things, an annual salary of US$575,000. The agreement provides standard confidentiality, non-solicitation and noncompetition covenants in favour of Village Farms, L.P. and its parent and affiliates, which apply during the term of each agreement and for a specific period of time following the termination of the agreement. Mr. DeGiglio’s employment contract provides, among other things, that (i) if it is not renewed by the Company for an additional three year term, is terminated by the Company without cause, or is terminated by Mr. DeGiglio for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement, including a change in control), he will be paid severance compensation at his then-current base salary when it would be payable to him if his employment had continued for another three years from the effective date of termination, and (ii) if Mr. DeGiglio’s employment is terminated due to death or disability, he shall continue to receive salary payments at his then-current salary (or to Mr. DeGiglio’s heirs in the case of his death), reimbursed for expenses incurred prior to such death or disability and benefits shall continue in the event of disability, and to the extent then applicable to heirs of Mr. DeGiglio in the event of his death, until the remaining months of the current term or twelve months, whichever is greater. Mr. DeGiglio is subject to a three year non-competition and non-solicitation obligation in respect of employees who were employed with the Company within the year preceding the termination of his employment, customers and suppliers of the Company, as well as a confidentiality obligation. If Mr. DeGiglio breaches these obligations, the Company is entitled to injunctive and equitable relief.
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Any modification or renewal of the above-noted employment agreement will be subject to the prior review of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee.
Stephen C. Ruffini. Village Farms, L.P. has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Ruffini, dated as of April 1, 2017, for his services as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and its subsidiaries. The agreement with Village Farms, L.P. outlines Mr. Ruffini’s day-to-day executive activities. The agreement is for a term of three years and provides for, among other things, an annual salary of US$350,000. The agreement provides standard confidentiality, non-solicitation and noncompetition covenants in favour of Village Farms, L.P., which apply during the term of the agreement and for a specific period of time following the termination of the agreement. Mr. Ruffini’s employment agreement provides, among other things, that (i) if it is not renewed by the Company for an additional three year term, is terminated by the Company without cause, or is terminated by Mr. Ruffini for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement, including change in control), he will be paid severance compensation at his then-current base salary when it would be payable to him if his employment had continued for eighteen months from the effective date of termination, and (ii) if Mr. Ruffini’s employment is terminated due to death or disability, he shall continue to receive salary payments at his then-current salary (or to Mr. Ruffini’s heirs in the case of his death), reimbursed for expenses incurred prior to such death or disability and benefits shall continue in the event of disability, and to the extent then applicable to heirs of Mr. Ruffini in the event of his death, until the remaining months of the current term or twelve months, whichever is greater.
Douglas Kling. Village Farms, L.P. has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Kling, dated as of January 1, 2012, for his services as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Company and its subsidiaries. The agreement with Village Farms, L.P. outlines Mr. Kling’s day-to-day executive activities. The agreement provides for, among other things, an annual salary of US$255,000, which will be reviewed annually. In subsequent years, Mr. Kling received increases in his annual salary base to his current annual salary of US$295,000. The agreement provides standard confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition covenants in favour of Village Farms, L.P., which apply during the term of the agreement and for a specific period of time following the termination of the agreement. Mr. Kling’s employment agreement provides, among other things, that if Mr. Kling is terminated for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement, including change in control), he will be paid severance compensation at his then-current base salary when it would be payable to him if his employment had continued for eighteen months from the effective date of termination.
Bret Wiley. Village Farms, L.P. has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Wiley, dated as of June 16, 2016, for his services as Senior Vice President of Sales and Sales Operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. The agreement with Village Farms, L.P. outlines Mr. Wiley’s day-to-day executive activities. The agreement provides for, among other things, an annual salary of US$275,000, which will be reviewed annually. The agreement provides standard confidentiality, non-solicitation and noncompetition covenants in favour of Village Farms, L.P., which apply during the term of the agreement and for a specific period of time following the termination of the agreement. Mr. Wiley’s employment agreement provides, among other things, that (i) if Mr. Wiley is terminated for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement, including change in control), he will be paid severance compensation at his then-current base salary when it would be payable to him if his employment had continued for twelve months from the effective date of termination, and (ii) if Mr. Wiley’s employment is terminated due to death, he shall continue to receive salary payments at his then-current salary (or to Mr. Wiley’s heirs in the case of his death), for six months.
Michael Minerva. Village Farms, L.P. has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Minerva, dated as of October 1, 2012, for his services as Vice President Grower Relations and Supply Development of the Company and its subsidiaries. The agreement with Village Farms, L.P. outlines Mr. Minerva’s dayto-day executive activities. The agreement provides for, among other things, an annual salary of US$230,000, which will be reviewed annually. In 2014, Mr. Minerva received an increase in his annual salary to his
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current salary of US$236,000. The agreement provides standard confidentiality, nonsolicitation and non-competition covenants in favour of Village Farms, L.P., which apply during the term of the agreement and for a specific period of time following the termination of the agreement. Mr. Minerva’s employment agreement provides, among other things, that if Mr. Minerva is terminated for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement, including change in control), he will be paid severance compensation at his then-current base salary when it would be payable to him if his employment had continued for twelve months from the effective date of termination.
The following table outlines the incremental values that would have been paid to the Named Executive Officers if they had separated from the Company on December 31, 2016.
Name | Separation Terms | Payment in the event of: Death or Disability | ||
Michael A. DeGiglio Chief Executive Officer and President | 3 x base salary = US$1,725,000 for non-renewal of Agreement, Termination without Cause, Resignation for Good Reason or Change in Control. | The greater of:
1) The end of the contract term – December 31, 2019 or
2) 12-months (US$575,000) | ||
Stephen C. Ruffini Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 1.5 x base salary = US$525,000 for non-renewal of Agreement, Termination without Cause, Resignation for Good Reason or Change in Control. | The greater of:
1) The end of the contract term – March 31, 2020 or
2) 12-months (US$350,000) | ||
Douglas Kling Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer | 1.5x base salary = US$442,500 for Termination without Cause, Resignation for Good Reason or Change in Control. | None | ||
Bret Wiley Senior Vice President of Sales and Sales Operations | 1.0x base salary = US$275,000 for Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason. | None | ||
Michael Minerva Vice President Grower Relations Supply Development | 1.0x base salary = US$236,900 for Termination without Cause, Resignation for Good Reason or Change in Control. | None |
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
(in United States dollars)
Name | Fees Earned | Share- Based Awards(3) | Option- Based Awards | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | Pension Value | All Other Compensation | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
John R. McLernon(1) | $ | 36,383 | — | $ | 18,450 | — | — | — | $ | 54,833 | ||||||||||||||||||
Christopher C. Woodward(1) | $ | 31,678 | — | $ | 18,450 | — | — | — | $ | 50,128 | ||||||||||||||||||
John P. Henry(2) | $ | 32,234 | — | $ | 18,450 | — | — | — | $ | 50,684 | ||||||||||||||||||
Dave Holewinski(2) | $ | 32,237 | — | $ | 18,450 | — | — | — | $ | 50,687 | ||||||||||||||||||
Roberta Cook(2) | $ | 21,618 | — | $ | 18,450 | — | — | — | $ | 40,068 |
(1) | Paid in Canadian dollars. The US dollar amount shown was converted monthly at the average exchange rate for each month as posted by the Bank of Canada. |
(2) | Paid in US dollars. |
(3) | The amounts listed in this column represent the grant date fair value of the Options granted to Directors as calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions for 2016 (which are the same method and assumptions used to calculate the accounting fair value) – expected volatility – 52.5%, risk free rate – 1.52%, expected life – 6.5 years – resulting in a fair value of $0.738/Option. |
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Each non-management director of the Company receives a retainer of C$18,000 per year, payable in monthly installments of C$1,500, plus C$1,500 per meeting and C$750 per teleconference. The Chairman receives an additional annual fee of C$10,000 payable in monthly installments. The Audit Committee Chairman receives an additional C$5,000 per year, payable monthly. The Compensation Committee Chairman receives an additional C$3,000 per year, payable monthly. The Audit Committee members receive an annual fee of C$6,000, payable monthly, plus C$1,000 per meeting and C$500 per teleconference. The Compensation Committee members receive an annual fee of C$3,000, payable monthly, plus C$1,000 per meeting and C$500 per teleconference. Directors are also entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with their services as directors. Directors of the Company are also eligible to participate in the Compensation Plan. Options were granted to non-management directors in 2016.
Option-Based Awards
The following table sets out the option-based awards outstanding for the non-management Directors as at December 31, 2016. As at December 31, 2016, the Company has not made any share-based awards.
Option-Based Awards | ||||||||||||||
Name | Number of Common Shares Underlying Unexercised Options | Option Exercise Price (C$) | Option Expiration Date | Value of Unexercised In-The-Money Options (US$)(1) | ||||||||||
John R. McLernon | 25,000 | $ | 1.48 | March 18, 2024 | — | |||||||||
John R. McLernon | 25,000 | $ | 1.43 | March 29, 2026 | — | |||||||||
Christopher C. Woodward | 25,000 | $ | 1.48 | March 18, 2024 | — | |||||||||
Christopher C. Woodward | 25,000 | $ | 1.43 | March 29, 2026 | — | |||||||||
John P. Henry | 25,000 | $ | 1.48 | March 18, 2024 | — | |||||||||
John P. Henry | 25,000 | $ | 1.43 | March 29, 2026 | — | |||||||||
Dave Holewinski | 25,000 | $ | 1.48 | March 18, 2024 | — | |||||||||
Dave Holewinski | 25,000 | $ | 1.43 | March 29, 2026 | — | |||||||||
Roberta Cook | 25,000 | $ | 1.43 | March 29, 2026 | — |
(1) | The value is calculated by multiplying the number of outstanding Options by the difference between the exercise price of the Options and the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on December 30, 2016, which was C$1.35. The value was converted into United States dollars based on the Bank of Canada closing exchange rate on December 30, 2016 of $0.74486. |
Incentive Plan Awards
The following table sets out the value of all incentive plan awards that vested during 2016. As at December 31, 2016, the Company has not made any share-based awards.
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Named | Option-Based Awards – Value Vested During 2016 ($)(1) | Share-Based Awards – Value Vested During 2016 ($)(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation – Value earned during 2016 ($)(1) | |||||||||
John R. McLernon | — | — | — | |||||||||
Christopher C. Woodward | — | — | — | |||||||||
John P. Henry | — | — | — | |||||||||
Dave Holewinski | — | — | — |
(1) | The value is calculated using the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on the vesting date. The value was converted into United States dollars based on the Bank of Canada closing exchange rate on December 30, 2016 of $0.74486. |
Composition of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee
The Board established the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to setting the compensation of its directors and shaping the Company’s approach to corporate governance and recommending to the Board corporate governance practices to be followed by the Company. Since June 2013, the committee was comprised of three directors, namely John R. McLernon, Christopher C. Woodward and Dave Holewinski. Each of these directors is independent.
John McLernon has served on the Compensation Committee of A&W Income Trust and has served on the Compensation Committee of BC Rail, BC Lottery and Colliers International.
Christopher Woodward serves on the Compensation Committee for The Keg Royalties Income Fund and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
INDEBTEDNESS
None of the current, former or proposed nominee directors or executive officers of the Company or its subsidiary entities, nor any known associate of such director or executive officer, is, or has been at any time during the past fiscal year, indebted to the Company, its subsidiary entities, associates or affiliates. None of such persons’ indebtedness to another entity is, or has been, the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement, undertaking or understanding provided by the Company, its subsidiary entities, associates or affiliates.
Aggregate Indebtedness
(in United States dollars unless otherwise noted)
Purpose | To the Company or its Subsidiaries | To Another Entity | ||||||
Common Share purchases | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Other | $ | 95,732(1) | $ | — |
(1) | Village Farms, L.P. advanced a loan of $379,000 to an employee of Village Farms, L.P. on June 18, 2007, in connection with the relocation of this employee at the request of Village Farms, L.P. The $379,000 promissory note is non-interest bearing and has a current balance of $95,732. |
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Information regarding the Company’s audit committee can be found in the Company’s Annual Information Form (“AIF”) for the financial year ended December 31, 2016. Each member of the Audit Committee is independent and financially literate, as such terms are defined in National Instrument 52- 110 – Audit Committees. A copy of the AIF can be obtained by contacting the Company at 4700-80th Street, Delta, British Columbia, V4K 3N3, or is also available electronically on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
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INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
None of the principal holders of Common Shares or any director or officer of the Company and its subsidiaries, or any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing persons, has or had any material interest in any transaction since January 1, 2016 or any proposed transaction that materially affected, or will materially affect, the Company or any of its affiliates.
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The following table describes the Company’s governance practices. Where applicable, reference is made to the governance practices of the Company’s predecessor, the Fund. For convenience, these are organized by reference to the requirements set out in National Instrument 58-101—Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“NI 58- 101”).
Form 58-101F1 Required Disclosure | Comments Regarding the Company’s Corporate Governance Practices | |
1. Board of Directors | A majority of the Board is independent.
The independent directors are as follows:
• John R. McLernon
• Christopher C. Woodward
• John P. Henry
• David Holewinski
• Dr. Roberta Cook | |
The following directors are not independent:
• Michael A. DeGiglio
• Stephen C. Ruffini | ||
The Board has determined that Mr. DeGiglio and Mr. Ruffini are not independent by virtue of their employment as executive officers of the Company. | ||
The chairman of the board from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 was John R. McLernon. Mr. McLernon is an independent director. | ||
Mr. McLernon presently serves as a trustee or director, as the case may be, of two other reporting issuers, namely A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund and City Office REIT, Inc.
Mr. Woodward presently serves as a trustee of one other reporting issuer, namely The Keg Royalties Income Fund. |
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The attendance record of each director or Board meetings and teleconferences held from January 1, 2016 to May 23, 2017 was as follows:
• John R. McLernon: 15 of 15 meetings
• Christopher C. Woodward: 14 of 15 meetings
• John P. Henry: 15 of 15 meetings
• Michael A. DeGiglio: 15 of 15 meetings
• David Holewinski: 15 of 15 meetings
• Stephen Ruffini: 15 of 15 meetings
• Dr. Roberta Cook: 13 of 15 meetings | ||
The independent directors held 7 separate meetings or teleconferences from January 1, 2016 to May 23, 2017 at which non-independent directors and members of management did not attend.
The Chairman’s role is to facilitate open and candid discussion among the independent directors. | ||
2. Board Mandate | The Board has a written mandate (the “Board Mandate”), which is attached hereto as Appendix A. | |
3. Position Descriptions | The written position descriptions for the chair of the Board and for the chair of each Board committee are set out in the Board Mandate.
The written position description for the Chief Executive Officer of the Company is set out in the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee charter. | |
4. Orientation and Continuing Education | Orientation materials relating to the Company’s business and affairs are provided to new directors regarding the role of the Board and its committees including materials with respect to the Board Mandate and the mandate of each committee of the Board. Education of the directors is continuing so that they maintain and enhance their understanding of their responsibilities and the Company’s business. On an annual basis, the directors meet at one of the Company’s facilities, receive a tour of such facility and are provided an opportunity to ask questions. | |
5. Ethical Business Conduct | A Code of Ethics and Whistleblower Policy (the “Code”) applicable to all employees, officers and directors was implemented by the Fund in 2006 and was adopted by the Board upon completion of the conversion transaction on December 31, 2009 and is available electronically on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. To facilitate compliance with the Code, the Code includes mandatory procedures with respect to the reporting of conflicts of interest. |
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Since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year, no reports have been filed pertaining to any conduct of a director or executive officer that constitutes a departure from the Code. The Code includes requirements with respect to the avoidance of self-dealing conflicts of interests. The Code provides for a complaint procedure which allows employees to report (anonymously, if they wish) any conduct that does not comply with the Code.
Through the Code, the Board encourages and promotes a culture of ethical business conduct in which it can monitor compliance with the Code. | ||
6. Nomination of Directors | The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for the nomination of directors. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of three directors, all of whom are independent. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee examines the size, composition and structure of the Board and makes recommendations with respect to individuals qualified for appointment to the Board.
The Board aspires to the highest standards of governance and is committed to ensuring that its practices are consistent with those considered to be the most beneficial to shareholders. Accordingly, the Board has approved a policy that in an uncontested election of directors, any nominee who is not elected by at least a majority (50% + 1) of the votes cast with respect to his or her election will tender his or her resignation immediately. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee will consider the offer of resignation and, absent exceptional circumstances, will recommend that the Board accept the resignation. The Board will promptly accept the resignation absent exceptional circumstances, and will make its decision and announce its decision and the reasons for its decision in a press release no later than 90 days after the date of the applicable Shareholders’ meeting. | |
7. Compensation | On an annual basis, the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, composed entirely of independent directors, reviews and recommends to the Board, for approval, the remuneration of directors. For further particular, please see “Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers – Compensation Discussion and Analysis”. | |
8. Other Board Committees | The Company does not have any standing committees other than the Audit Committee and the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, as discussed herein. |
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9. Assessments | The mandate of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee provides that the committee is responsible for assessing the composition of the Board, the effectiveness of the Board and its committees and the contribution of individual directors. The objective of these assessments is to ensure the continuous efficiency of the Board and its committees in performing their duties and to promote continuous improvement. Along with any issue that it deems significant, during the assessment of the Board or a committee, the committee takes into account the mandate or applicable rules, and during the assessment of each director, it takes into account the applicable position descriptions as well as the skills and abilities that each director should in principle contribute to the Board. | |
10. Director Term Limits and Other Mechanisms of Board Renewal | The Company does not impose term limits on its directors as it takes the view that term limits are an arbitrary mechanism for removing directors which can result in valuable, experienced directors being forced to leave the Board solely because of length of service. Instead, the Company believes that directors should be assessed based on their ability to continue to make a meaningful contribution. | |
10. Diversity | The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee believes that having a diverse Board and senior management team offers a depth of perspective and enhances Board and management operations. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee identifies candidates to the Board and management of the Company that possess skills with the greatest ability to strengthen the Board and management.
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee does not specifically define diversity, but values diversity of experience, perspective, education, race, gender and national origin as part of its overall evaluation of director nominees for election or re-election as well as candidates for management positions. Recommendations concerning director nominees are, foremost, based on merit and performance.
The Board does not support fixed percentages for any selection criteria, as the composition of the Board and management is based on the numerous factors established by the selection criteria and it is ultimately the skills, experience, character and behavioral qualities that are most important to determining the value which an individual could bring to the Board or management of the Company.
At the senior management level, no executive officer of the Company and its subsidiaries (0%) is female. There is currently one female director (14%). The Company does not have a formal policy on the representation of women on the Board or senior management of the Company. The Board does not believe that a formal diversity policy will necessarily result in the identification or selection of the best candidates. As such, the Company does not see any meaningful value in adopting a formal policy in this respect at this time as it does not believe that it would further enhance gender diversity beyond the |
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current recruitment and selection process carried out by the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee. However, the Board is mindful of the benefit of diversity on the Board and management of the Company and the need to maximize the effectiveness of the Board and management and their respective decision-making abilities. Due to the size of the Company, its activities, and its number of employees, the Company has not yet set measurable objectives for achieving gender diversity. The Company will consider establishing measureable objectives as it develops. |
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR’S ANNUAL MEETING
The Canada Business Corporations Act permits certain eligible shareholders of the Company to submit shareholder proposals to the Company, which proposals may be included in a management information circular relating to an annual meeting of shareholders. The final date by which the Company must receive shareholder proposals for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2018 is February 22, 2018.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Financial information for the financial year ended December 31, 2016 is provided in the Company’s comparative consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”). Shareholders who wish to request copies of the annual and interim financial statements and MD&A should contact the Company at 4700-80th Street, Delta, British Columbia, V4K 3N3.
The financial statements and MD&A, the AIF and other information relating to the Company are available electronically on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
DIRECTORS’ APPROVAL
The contents of this Information Circular and its sending to Shareholders of the Company have been approved by the directors of the Company.
DATED at Delta, British Columbia this 23rd day of May, 2017.
By Order of the Board of Directors | ||
By: | (signed) “John R. McLernon” | |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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APPENDIX A
VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (the “Company”)
MANDATE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The purpose of this document is to summarize the governance and management roles and responsibilities of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”).
1. | ACCOUNTABILITY |
The Board is responsible to shareholders.
2. | ROLE |
The role of the Board is to focus on governance and stewardship of the business carried on by the Company as a whole. The Board will review strategy, assign responsibility for achievement of that strategy, and monitor performance against those objectives. In fulfilling this role, the Board will regularly review the strategic plans developed by management so that they continue to be responsive to the changing business environment in which the Company operates.
3. | RESPONSIBILITIES |
In order that the Board fulfills its role, the Board will:
(a) | Define Shareholder Expectations |
• | Satisfy itself that there is effective communication between the Board and the Company’s shareholders, other stakeholders, and the public. |
• | Determine, from time to time, the appropriate criteria against which to evaluate performance, and set corporate strategic goals and objectives within this context. |
(b) | Establish Strategic Goals, Performance Objectives, Operational Policies and Identify Principal Risks |
The Board will review and approve broad strategic corporate objectives and establish corporate values against which the performance of the Company will be measured. In this regard, the Board will, at least annually:
• | Approve long-term strategies; |
• | Review and approve management of the Company’s strategic and operational plans so that they are consistent with long-term goals; |
• | Approve strategic and operational policies within which management of the Company will operate; |
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• | Identify the principal risks of the Company and ensure implementation of appropriate systems to manage these risks; |
• | Set targets against which to measure corporate and executive performance of the Company; |
• | Satisfy itself that a portion of executive compensation is linked appropriately to Company performance; and |
• | Satisfy itself that a process is in place with respect to the appointment, development, evaluation and succession of senior management of the Company. |
(c) | Delegate Management Authority to the Chief Executive Officer |
• | Ensure that the Board delegates to the Chief Executive Officer the authority to manage and supervise the business of the Company and decisions regarding the ordinary course of business and operations. |
• | Determine what, if any, executive limitations may be required in the exercise of the authority delegated to management. |
(d) | Monitor Corporate Performance |
• | Understand, assess and monitor the principal risks of all aspects of the businesses in which the Company is engaged. |
• | Monitor performance of the Company against both short-term and long-term strategic plans and annual performance targets, and monitor compliance with Board policies and the effectiveness of risk management practices. |
• | Ensure that the boards of directors of the Company’s subsidiaries monitor compliance by management of its subsidiaries with internal controls and effective management information systems. |
(e) | Develop Board Processes |
• | Develop an approach relating to the conduct of the Board’s business and the fulfillment of the Board’s responsibilities. |
• | Develop the Board’s approach to corporate governance through the Board’s Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee. |
4. | QUALIFICATIONS OF DIRECTORS |
Directors are expected to have the highest personal and professional ethics and values and be committed to advancing the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. They are also expected to possess skills and competencies in areas that are relevant to the Company’s activities and that enhance the ability of the Board to effectively oversee the business and affairs of the Company.
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A majority of the Board must be independent. Independent shall have the meaning, as the context requires, given to it in National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees, as may be amended from time to time. The chairperson of the Board (the “Chair of the Board”) must be an independent director. The Chair of the Board should act as the effective leader of the Board and ensure that the Board’s agenda will enable it to successfully carry out its duties. The position description for the Chair of the Board is attached hereto as Schedule A.
Each director must have an understanding of the Company’s principal operational and financial objectives, plans and strategies, financial position and performance as well as the performance of the Company relative to its principal competitors. Directors must have sufficient time to carry out their duties and not assume responsibilities that would materially interfere with, or be incompatible with, Board membership. Directors, who experience a significant change in their personal circumstances, including a change in their principal occupation, are expected to advise the chairperson of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Committee Chair”) and, if determined appropriate by the Board on the recommendation of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, resign from the Board.
5. | MEETINGS |
The Board has meetings at least once in each quarter, with additional meetings held when required. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair of the Board or any two directors on proper notice. Board meetings may be held by telephonic means.
The Chair of the Board is primarily responsible for the agenda. Prior to each Board meeting, the Chair of the Board will discuss agenda items for the meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and other members of the Board. Any director may propose the inclusion of items on the agenda, request the presence of, or a report by any member of senior management of the Company, or at any Board meeting raise subjects that are not on the agenda for that meeting.
The Audit Committee of the Company has meetings quarterly, with additional meetings held when required. The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee of the Company has meetings as often as it deems necessary. Meeting frequency and agendas for the standing committees may change from time to time, however, depending on opportunities or risks faced by the Company and its subsidiaries. The committee chairperson or any two members of a committee may call a committee meeting, request that an item be included on the committee’s agenda or raise subjects that are not on the agenda for that meeting.
Audit Committee meetings can also be called by the Company’s auditor or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Notice of the place, day and time of each Board or committee meeting must be served on each director or manager at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Directors or committee members, however, may waive notice of any meeting. Attendance of a director, in person or by telephone, at a Board meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting except, with respect to Board meetings, in circumstances described in the By-laws of the Company (the “By-laws”). The notice needs to state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting of directors or managers is being held.
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(a) | Procedures for Board Meetings |
• | Subject to the Company’s By-laws, procedures for Board meetings are determined by the Chair of the Board unless otherwise determined by a resolution of the Board. |
• | Subject to the Company’s By-laws, procedures for committee meetings are determined by the committee chairperson unless otherwise determined by a resolution of the committee or the Board. |
• | A quorum for any Board or committee meeting shall be as required by the constating documents of the Company. |
6. | DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES |
(a) | Attendance and Participation |
• | Each director is expected to attend all meetings of the Board and any committee of which he or she is a member. A director who is unable to attend a meeting in person may participate by telephone or teleconference. The Board or any committee may also take action from time to time by unanimous written consent. |
• | In advance of each Board or committee meeting, members will receive the proposed agenda and other materials necessary to the directors’ understanding of the matters to be considered. Directors are expected to spend the time needed to review the materials in advance of such meetings and to actively participate in such meetings. |
(b) | Service on Other Boards and Audit Committee |
• | The Board does not believe that its members should be prohibited from serving on the boards of other public companies so long as these commitments do not materially interfere and are compatible with their ability to fulfill their duties as a member of the Board. Directors must advise the Chair of the Board in advance of accepting an invitation to serve on the board of another public company and, as a general rule, directors are not allowed to join a board of another public company on which two or more other directors of the Company serve. |
(c) | Access to Independent Advisors |
• | The Board and any committee may at any time retain outside financial, legal or other advisors at the expense of the Company and have the authority to determine the advisors’ fees and other retention terms. Any director may, subject to the approval of the Chair of the Board, retain an outside advisor at the expense of the Company. |
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7. | EVALUATION OF BOARD, DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES |
The Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, in consultation with the Chair of the Board, will ensure that an appropriate system is in place to evaluate and perform an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board as a whole as well as the committees of the Board, and the boards of directors or managers and board committees of the Company’s subsidiaries, to ensure they are fulfilling their respective responsibilities and duties. In connection with these evaluations, each director will be requested to provide his or her assessment of the effectiveness of the Board and each committee as well as the performance of individual directors. These evaluations should take into account the competencies and skills each director is expected to bring to his or her particular role on the Board or on a committee, as well as any other relevant facts. The position description for a committee chairperson is attached hereto as Schedule B.
8. | MANAGEMENT |
(a) | Management’s Role |
• | The primary responsibility of management of the Company is to safeguard the Company’s assets and to create wealth for shareholders. When performance is found to be inadequate, the Board has the responsibility to bring about appropriate change. |
• | Management of the Company is under the direction of its Chief Executive Officer. The Board shall take such steps as it deems necessary to satisfy itself as to the integrity of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers of the Company and that such individuals create a culture of integrity throughout the Company. |
(b) | Management’s Relationship to the Board |
• | Senior management of the Company, primarily through the Chief Executive Officer, reports to and is accountable to the Board. |
• | Business plans are developed to ensure the compatibility of shareholder, Board and management views on the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries’ strategic direction, performance targets and utilization of shareholders’ equity. A special meeting of the Board is held each year to review the strategic initiatives and the business plan submitted by senior management of the Company. |
(c) | Board Access to Management |
• | Information provided by management to directors is critical to their effectiveness. In addition to the reports presented to the Board at its regular and special meetings, the Board is also kept informed on a timely basis by management of the Company with respect to developments and key decisions taken by management in pursuing the Company’s business plan. The directors periodically assess the quality, completeness and timeliness of information provided by management to the Board. |
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(d) | Management Performance Review and Rewards |
• | The Corporate Governance and Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee of the Company annually reviews the position description of the Chief Executive Officer and establishes objectives against which his or her performance is reviewed, with his or her compensation or level being assessed against these agreed objectives. Similar reviews and assessments are undertaken for other members of senior management in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. |
• | The compensation plans of the Company are based on maintaining a direct link between management rewards and the wealth created for shareholders. |
9. | COMMUNICATION AND DISCLOSURE POLICIES |
The Company has adopted a Disclosure and Insider Trading Policy, which summarizes its policies and practices regarding disclosure of material information to investors, analysts and the media. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Company’s communications with the investment community are timely, consistent and in compliance with all applicable securities legislation. The Disclosure and Insider Trading Policy is reviewed annually by the Board and is available on the Company’s website.
The Company endeavors to keep its shareholders informed of its progress through a comprehensive annual report, annual information form, quarterly interim reports and periodic press releases. It also maintains a website that provides summary information about the Company and ready access to its published reports, press releases, statutory filings and supplementary information provided to analysts and investors. Directors and management meet with the Company’s shareholders at the annual meeting and are available to respond to questions at that time.
The Company also maintains an investor relations program to respond to inquiries in a timely manner. Management meets on a regular basis with investment analysts, financial advisors and interested members of the public to ensure that accurate information is available to investors, including quarterly conference calls to discuss the Company’s financial results. The Company also endeavors to ensure that the media is kept informed of developments as they occur, and have an opportunity to meet and discuss these developments with the Company’s designated spokespersons.
10. | CODE OF ETHICS AND WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY |
The Board expects all directors, managers, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest ethical standards and to adhere to the Company’s Code of Ethics and Whistleblower Policy (the “Code”). Any waiver of the Code for officers, directors or managers may only be made by the Board or the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee and will be disclosed to shareholders by the Company to the extent required by law, regulation or stock exchange requirement.
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11. | PROHIBITION ON PERSONAL LOANS |
The Company will not, either directly or indirectly, including through its subsidiaries, extend or maintain credit, arrange for the extension of credit, or renew an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or executive officer.
12. | FEEDBACK |
The Board welcomes input and comments from shareholders of the Company. Input or comments for the Board or its committees should be directed to the Company Secretary at:
Board of Directors of Village Farms International, Inc.
c/o Stephen C. Ruffini, Company Secretary
Village Farms International, Inc.
4700 - 80th Street
Delta, British Columbia
V4K 3N3
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SCHEDULE A
Position Description of Chairperson of the Board (the “Chair of the Board”)
The Chair of the Board of the Company is principally responsible for overseeing the operations and affairs of the Board. In fulfilling his or her responsibilities, the Chair of the Board will:
(a) | provide leadership to foster the effectiveness of the Board; |
(b) | ensure there is an effective relationship between the Board and senior management of the Company; |
(c) | ensure that the appropriate committee structure is in place and assist the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee in making recommendations for appointments to such committees; |
(d) | in consultation with the other members of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, prepare the agenda for each meeting of the Board; |
(e) | ensure that all directors receive the information required for the proper performance of their duties, including information relevant to each meeting of the Board; |
(f) | chair Board meetings, including stimulating debate, providing adequate time for discussion of issues, facilitating consensus, encouraging full participation and discussion by individual directors and confirming that clarity regarding decision-making is reached and accurately recorded; |
(g) | together with the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, ensure that an appropriate system is in place to evaluate the performance of the Board as a whole, the Board’s committees and individual directors, and make recommendations to the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee for changes when appropriate; |
(h) | work with the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and other members of senior management to monitor progress on strategic planning, policy implementation and succession planning; and |
(i) | provide additional services required by the Board. |
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SCHEDULE B
Position Description of a Committee Chairperson (a “Committee Chair”)
A Committee Chair is principally responsible for overseeing the operations and affairs of his or her particular committee. In fulfilling his or her responsibilities, a Committee Chair will:
(a) | provide leadership to foster the effectiveness of the committee; |
(b) | ensure there is an effective relationship between the Board and the committee; |
(c) | ensure that the appropriate charter is in effect and assist the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee in making recommendations for amendments to the charter; |
(d) | in consultation with the other members of the committee and Board, where appropriate, prepare the agenda for each meeting of the committee; |
(e) | ensure that all committee members receive the information required for the proper performance of their duties, including information relevant to each meeting of the committee; |
(f) | chair committee meetings, including stimulating debate, providing adequate time for discussion of issues, facilitating consensus, encouraging full participation and discussion by individual members and confirming that clarity regarding decision-making is reached and accurately recorded; and |
(g) | together with the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, ensure that an appropriate system is in place to evaluate the performance of the committee as a whole, the committee’s individual members, and make recommendations to the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee for changes when appropriate; and provide additional services required by the Board. |
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APPENDIX B
Approval and Confirmation of Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3
The resolution to approve and confirm the Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 is as follows:
“Be it resolved as an ordinary resolution that:
(b) | Amended and Restated By-Law No. 3 of the Company, in the form available under the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, being an amended advance notice by-law setting out the process for director nominations, is approved and confirmed; and |
(c) | any one or more directors or officers of the Company are hereby authorized, for and on behalf of the Company, to take, or cause to be taken, any and all such acts and things and to execute and deliver, under the corporate seal of the Company or otherwise, all such deeds, instruments, notices, consents, acknowledgments, certificates, assurances and other documents (including any documents required under applicable laws or regulatory policies) as any such director or officer in his or her sole discretion may determine to be necessary or desirable to give effect to the foregoing resolution, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the taking of any such action or such director’s or officer’s execution and delivery of any such deed, instrument, notice, consent, acknowledgement, certificate, assurance or other document.” |
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