MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR
2007 ANNUAL AND SPECIAL SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING
June 20, 2007 AT 10:00 A.M.
Your Participation is Important – Please Take a Minute to Vote.
Voting Instructions on Pages 2 and 3.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
1
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
1
VOTING BY REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
2
Voting by Proxy
2
Voting by Attending the Meeting in Person
2
VOTING BY NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
2
Voting by Providing Instructions to the Intermediary
2
Voting by Attending the Meeting in Person
3
EXERCISE OF DISCRETION BY PROXIES
3
RECORD DATE AND SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
3
HOW A VOTE IS PASSED
3
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
4
BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
4
Presentation of Financial Statements
4
Election of Directors
5
Change of Auditor
5
Amendment to the Share Incentive Plan and the Deferred Share Unit Plan
5
THE NOMINATED DIRECTORS
7
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
10
REPORT ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
10
Board of Directors
11
Audit Committee
12
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
13
Compensation Committee
13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
14
Summary Compensation Table
15
Aggregate Option Exercises and Financial Year-End Option Values
17
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES AND FINANCIAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
17
EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
17
RETIREMENT ARRANGEMENTS
18
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
18
Aggregate Indebtedness
18
Indebtedness under Securities Purchase and Other Programs
18
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
19
Executive Compensation Program
19
Base Salary
20
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Annual Incentive Compensation
20
Long Term Incentive Compensation
20
Compensation of President and Chief Executive Officer
21
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
21
Share Incentive Plan
21
Deferred Share Unit Plan
25
Amendments to Security Based Compensation Arrangements
26
EXECUTIVE BENEFIT PLAN
26
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
26
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH
27
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE
27
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
27
GENERAL INFORMATION
28
SCHEDULE A
29
NOTICE OF CHANGE OF AUDITOR AND AUDITORS’ RESPONSE LETTERS
29
SCHEDULE B
33
AMENDMENT RESOLUTION
33
SCHEDULE C
34
STOCK SPLIT RESOLUTION
34
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May 14, 2007
Dear Shareholder:
You are invited to attend our Annual and Special Shareholders’ Meeting which will be held at:
Design Exchange
Trading Floor
Toronto Dominion Centre
234 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B2
onWednesday, June 20, 2007at10:00 a.m. (Toronto time).
The items of business to be acted upon are included in the Notice of the 2007 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and accompanying Management Proxy Circular. Following the custom of past annual meetings, we will also review our business operations and will be answering your questions following the formal part of the meeting.
Your participation in Dundee Corporation’s business is important. We have made it easy for you to vote, by using any of the telephone, Internet, mail or facsimile or by coming to the meeting in person.
Please consult the attached Management Proxy Circular which contains all of the information you need about the meeting and how to exercise your right to vote. Your vote does count.
Sincerely yours,
Harold P. (Sonny) Gordon
Ned Goodman
Chairman
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Management Proxy Circular, our 2006 financial statements, annual report, annual information form, quarterly financial information and other information regarding Dundee Corporation can be found onwww.sedar.com.
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28TH FLOOR
1 ADELAIDE STREET EAST
TORONTO, ONTARIO
M5C 2V9
NOTICE OF 2007 ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of the shareholders ofDUNDEE CORPORATION (the “Corporation”) will be held at the Design Exchange, Trading Floor, Toronto Dominion Centre, 234 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B2 on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time), for the following purposes:
1.
to receive the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation for the financial year ended December 31, 2006, together with the auditor’s report thereon;
2.
to elect the directors of the Corporation for the ensuing year;
3.
to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditor of the Corporation for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors of the Corporation to fix the remuneration of the auditor;
4.
to consider and, if deemed advisable, pass an ordinary resolution (the text of which is set out in Schedule B to the accompanying Management Proxy Circular (the “Circular”)) to authorize the amendment of the Share Incentive Plan and Deferred Share Unit Plan of the Corporation;
5.
to consider, and, if deemed advisable, pass a special resolution (the text of which is set out in Schedule C to the Circular) to authorize the amendment of the articles of the Corporation, which amendment subdivides the class A subordinate voting shares and class B common shares of the Corporation on the basis of three (3) class A subordinate voting shares for each class A subordinate voting share held and three (3) class B common shares for each class B common share held; and
6.
to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
DATEDat Toronto, Ontario as of the 14th day of May, 2007.
By Order of the Board
Joanne Ferstman
Executive Vice President,
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Chief Financial Officer and
Corporate Secretary
We ask that you promptly sign, date and return the enclosed proxy in the enclosed return envelope if it is not your intention to be present at the Meeting. All instruments appointing proxies to be used at the Meeting, or at any adjournments thereof, must be deposited with Computershare Investor Services Inc. at 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1, via facsimile at (416) 263-9524 or 1-866-249-7775 or by telephone or Internet as provided in the Circular prior to 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on June 18, 2007 (see “Appointment and Revocation of Proxies” on page 1 and “Voting by Registered Shareholders” and “Voting by Non-Registered Shareholders” on page 2 for voting instructions). Instruments appointing proxies not so deposited may not be voted at the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
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MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR
GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
This management proxy circular (the “Circular”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management and directors of Dundee Corporation (the “Corporation”) to be used at the annual and special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation (the “Meeting”) to be held at the Design Exchange, Trading Floor, Toronto Dominion Centre, 234 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B2 on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time), and at any adjournments thereof.
The Corporation will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. Proxies may be solicited by mail and the directors, officers or employees of the Corporation may solicit proxies personally, by telephone or by facsimile. None of these individuals will receive extra compensation for such efforts. The Corporation has also engaged D.F. King & Co. Inc. to solicit proxies on behalf of management and the directors of the Corporation. A fee of US $6,500 and reasonable expenses incurred in soliciting proxies by D.F. King & Co. Inc. will be borne by the Corporation. The Corporation will reimburse banks, brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred in sending proxy material to beneficial owners of class A subordinate voting shares (“Subordinate Voting Shares”) and class B common shares (“Common Shares”) of the Corporation (the Subordinat e Voting Shares and the Common Shares are, hereinafter, collectively referred to as the “Shares”) and obtaining proxies therefrom.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in this Circular and, if given or made, such information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Corporation. The delivery of this Circular shall not, under any circumstances, create an implication that there has not been any change in the information set forth herein since the date of this Circular.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE FORM OF PROXY ACCOMPANYING THIS CIRCULAR ARE DIRECTORS AND/OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION. A SHAREHOLDER HAS THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A PERSON OR COMPANY (WHO NEED NOT BE A SHAREHOLDER), OTHER THAN THE PERSONS SPECIFIED IN SUCH FORM OF PROXY, TO ATTEND AND ACT FOR AND ON BEHALF OF SUCH SHAREHOLDER AT THE MEETING AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF. SUCH RIGHT MAY BE EXERCISED BY EITHER STRIKING OUT THE NAMES OF THE PERSONS SPECIFIED IN THE FORM OF PROXY AND INSERTING THE NAME OF THE PERSON TO BE APPOINTED IN THE BLANK SPACE PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF PROXY, OR BY COMPLETING ANOTHER PROPER FORM OF PROXY AND, IN EITHER CASE, DELIVERING THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED FORM OF PROXY TO COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC. IN TIME FOR USE AT THE MEETING IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED IN THE NOTICE OF THE MEETING WHICH ACCOMPANIES THIS CIRCULAR. A shareholder cannot appoint a person to vote his o r her Shares other than the persons whose printed names appear on the form of proxy if the shareholder decides to vote by telephone. It is important to ensure that any other person that is appointed is attending the Meeting and is aware that his or her appointment has been made to vote the Shares of the shareholder. Proxyholders should, at the Meeting, present themselves to a representative of Computershare Investor Services Inc. (“Computershare”).
Any shareholder of the Corporation who executes and returns a form of proxy may revoke it at any time prior to use by: (i) depositing an instrument in writing or transmitting an instrument by telephone or electronic means executed in writing or by electronic signature by such shareholder or such shareholder’s attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a corporation, by an officer or attorney thereof properly authorized, either at the registered office of the Corporation or with Computershare at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the Meeting or any adjournments thereof; (ii) depositing such instrument in writing with the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of, and prior to the start of, the Meeting or any adjournments thereof; or (iii) in any other manner permitted by law. See also
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“Voting by Non-Registered Shareholders” with respect to the revocation of a form of proxy by a non-registered shareholder of the Corporation.
VOTING BY REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
Voting by Proxy
Registered shareholders can vote their Shares by proxy in the following four ways:
·
by telephone by calling the separate telephone number set out in the form of proxy included with this Circular for holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and for holders of Common Shares from a touch-tone phone and following the instructions set out on the proxy form (the required access codes being the control number, holder account number and access number found at the bottom of the enclosed proxy form);
·
on the Internet atwww.computershare.com/proxy by following the instructions set out on the proxy form (the required access codes being the control number, holder account number and access number found at the bottom of the enclosed proxy form);
·
by mail by completing, dating and signing the enclosed proxy form and returning same to Computershare in the envelope provided; or
·
by facsimile by completing, dating and signing the enclosed proxy form and forwarding same by fax to Computershare at (416) 263-9524 or 1-866-249-7775.
Proxies must be received by Computershare no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Monday, June 18, 2007 or, in the case of any adjournment of the Meeting, not less than 48 hours, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, prior to the time of the adjournment of the Meeting.
Voting by Attending the Meeting in Person
Registered shareholders who wish to vote their Shares in person at the Meeting should not complete or return their proxy form and should present themselves to a representative of Computershare at the Meeting.
VOTING BY NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
Non-registered shareholders are shareholders who hold Shares in the name of an intermediary (such as a securities broker, trust company or other financial institution).
Voting by Providing Instructions to the Intermediary
Non-registered shareholders should follow the directions of their intermediaries with respect to the procedures to be followed for voting their Shares. These procedures generally allow voting in the following four ways:
·
by telephone at 1-800-474-7493 by following the instructions set out on the proxy form (the required access code being the control number found on the enclosed voting form);
·
on the Internet atwww.proxyvotecanada.com by following the instructions set out on the proxy form (the required access code being the control number found on the enclosed voting form);
·
by mail in accordance with the instructions found on the enclosed proxy form; or
·
by facsimile in accordance with the instructions found on the enclosed proxy form.
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Non-registered shareholders must not use the facsimile number or mailing address of Computershare provided in this Circular as these are reserved for registered shareholders and should instead use the information provided by the intermediary. If a non-registered shareholder of the Corporation who has voted his or her Shares by following the directions of the intermediary wishes to revoke his or her vote, such shareholder must contact his or her intermediary to determine the procedure to be followed.
Proxies must be received by no later than 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Monday, June 18, 2007 or, in the case of any adjournment of the Meeting, not less than 48 hours, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, prior to the time of the adjournment of the Meeting.
Voting by Attending the Meeting in Person
The Corporation does not have access to the names and shareholdings of its non-registered shareholders. Therefore, if a non-registered shareholder of the Corporation wishes to attend the Meeting and vote in person at the Meeting, he or she should insert his or her own name in the space provided on the voting form or request for voting instructions to be sent to the non-registered shareholder by the intermediary and then follow the signing and return instructions provided by the intermediary to appoint himself or herself as a proxyholder. As the non-registered shareholder will be attending the Meeting in person, he or she should not otherwise complete the voting form or request for voting instructions sent by the intermediary. Non-registered shareholders who instruct their intermediary to appoint themselves as proxyholders should, at the Meeting, present themselves to a representative of Computershare.
EXERCISE OF DISCRETION BY PROXIES
All properly executed forms of proxy, not previously revoked, will be voted or withheld from voting on any ballot taken at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholders contained therein. FORMS OF PROXY CONTAINING NO INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE MATTERS SPECIFIED THEREIN WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOUR OF SUCH MATTERS. IN THE EVENT, NOT PRESENTLY ANTICIPATED, THAT ANY OTHER MATTER IS PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF AND IS SUBMITTED TO A VOTE, THE FORM OF PROXY MAY BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JUDGMENT OF THE PERSONS NAMED THEREIN. THE FORM OF PROXY ALSO CONFERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY IN RESPECT OF AMENDMENTS TO, OR VARIATIONS IN, ALL MATTERS WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
RECORD DATE AND SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
The directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) has fixed May 1, 2007 as the record date for the determination of shareholders of the Corporation entitled to receive notice of the Meeting. Only shareholders of the Corporation of record at the close of business on such record date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting, and at all adjournments thereof, except to the extent that a shareholder has transferred any Shares after the record date and the transferee of those Shares (i) produces properly endorsed share certificates, or (ii) otherwise establishes that such transferee owns the Shares and requests not later than ten days before the Meeting that the name of such transferee be included in the list of shareholders of the Corporation entitled to vote at the Meeting, in which case the transferee is entitled to vote at the Meeting and at all adjournments thereof.
HOW A VOTE IS PASSED
All matters that are scheduled to be voted upon at the Meeting other than the Stock Split Resolution are ordinary resolutions. Ordinary resolutions are passed by simple majority, meaning that if more than half the votes that are cast are in favour, then the resolution passes. The Stock Split Resolution must be passed by a special resolution passed by the holders of the Subordinate Voting Shares and the Common Shares, each voting separately as a class, meaning that if not less than two-thirds of the votes that are cast for each class vote are in favour, the resolution passes.
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VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
As of May 1, 2007, there were issued and outstanding 24,067,586 Subordinate Voting Shares and 1,040,303 Common Shares. Each Subordinate Voting Share has the right to one vote and each Common Share has the right to 100 votes on each matter to be voted on at the Meeting. The Common Shares represent an aggregate of 81.2% of the outstanding votes and the Subordinate Voting Shares represent an aggregate of 18.8% of the outstanding votes.
Ned Goodman, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, owns in aggregate, directly and indirectly, 1,018,861 Common Shares, which includes 166,935 Common Shares under options, and 1,219,019 Subordinate Voting Shares, which includes 475,000 Subordinate Voting Shares under options. These holdings represent 97.9% of the Common Shares and 5.0% of the Subordinate Voting Shares and collectively an 80.2% voting interest assuming the exercise of such options.
AIC Limited has reported that, through managed accounts, it holds, in aggregate, 2,484,359 Subordinate Voting Shares representing 10.3% of the class and a 1.9% voting interest.
Private Capital Management, LPhas reported that, through managed accounts, it holds, in aggregate, 4,420,431 Subordinate Voting Shares representing 18.4% of the class and a 3.5% voting interest.
Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc. has reported that, through managed accounts, it holds, in aggregate, 2,779,526 Subordinate Voting Shares representing 11.6% of the class and a 2.2% voting interest.
Other than as set out above, to the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Corporation, no person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, voting securities of the Corporation carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to any class of outstanding voting securities of the Corporation.
The share provisions of the Corporation provide “coat-tail” protection to the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares. In the event an offer to purchase Common Shares is made which must, by reason of applicable securities legislation or the requirements of a stock exchange on which the Common Shares are listed, be made to all or substantially all of the holders of Common Shares, each Subordinate Voting Share will be convertible at the option of the holder into one Common Share at any time from the day the offer is made until: (a) in the case of an offer other than an offer made through the facilities of a stock exchange, the latest time for deposit of Common Shares under the offer, and (b) in the case of an offer made through the facilities of a stock exchange on which the Common Shares are listed, 12:30 p.m., Toronto time, on the business day immediately preceding the last date upon which holders of Common Shares may accept the offer. The right of conversion into Common Shares will not come into effect if an identical offer in terms of price per share, percentage of shares to be taken up and other essential terms is made to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares concurrently with the offer to purchase Common Shares. All Subordinate Voting Shares so converted into Common Shares will be automatically reconverted into Subordinate Voting Shares immediately after the Common Shares are taken up and purchased under the offer or immediately after the Subordinate Voting Shares are released to the holder thereof.
Subordinate Voting Shares will be automatically converted into Common Shares in the case of an exempt take-over bid for Common Shares which is made (i) at a price per Common Share exceeding 115% of the trading price of the Subordinate Voting Shares, and (ii) by an offeror (other than certain exempt persons) that acquires voting shares which have attached thereto 50% or more of the votes attached to all of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation.
BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
Presentation of Financial Statements
The audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation for the financial year ended December 31, 2006 and the auditor’s report thereon will be placed before the Meeting.
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Election of Directors
Nine (9) directors are to be elected to the Board of Directors. Please see “Nominated Directors” for more information. The number of directors has been fixed at nine by a resolution of the Board of Directors.
The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy which accompanies this Circular intend to vote FOR the election of the nine nominees listed above as directors of the Corporation unless the shareholder of the Corporation has specified in the form of proxy that the Shares represented by such form of proxy are to be withheld from voting in respect thereof.
Management of the Corporation does not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director of the Corporation, but if that should occur for any reason prior to the Meeting or any adjournments thereof, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy have the right to vote for another nominee in their discretion. Each director elected will hold office until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation unless his or her office is earlier vacated or until his or her successor is elected or appointed in accordance with the by-laws of the Corporation.
Change of Auditor
The Board of Directors of the Corporation recommend, on the advice of the Audit Committee, that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PWC”) be appointed as auditors of the Corporation to replace Ernst & Young LLP, Chartered Accountants (“Ernst & Young LLP”), at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board. Ernst & Young LLP was initially appointed as the auditor of the Corporation on June 19, 2002. Information with respect to audit and non-audit fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP is contained under the heading “External Auditor Service Fees” in the annual information form of the Corporation dated March 29, 2007 for the financial year ended December 31, 2006 (the “2006 AIF”) which can be found on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com.
Pursuant to National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“NI 51-102”), the Corporation prepared and filed a Notice of Change of Auditor dated March 8, 2007 (the “Notice”). The Corporation has obtained response letters from each of Ernst & Young LLP and PWC confirming the statements contained in the Notice (the “Response Letters”). In accordance with NI 51-102 the Notice and Response Letters have been reviewed by the Audit Committee of the Board, have been filed on SEDAR and are attached as Schedule A to this Circular.
The persons named in the form of proxy which accompanies this Circular intend to vote FOR the appointment of PWC as the auditor of the Corporation to hold office until its successor is appointed and authorize the Board to fix the remuneration of the auditor, unless the shareholder of the Corporation has specified in the form of proxy that the Shares represented by such form of proxy are to be withheld from voting in respect thereof.
Amendment to the Share Incentive Plan and the Deferred Share Unit Plan
At the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the shareholders will be asked to consider, and, if deemed advisable, to pass with or without amendment, a resolution in the form set out in Schedule B to this Circular (the “Amendment Resolution”) authorizing the confirmation of amendments to the Share Incentive Plan and the Deferred Share Unit Plan of the Corporation that were approved by the Board on March 28, 2007, subject to shareholder approval. The Amendment Resolution must be approved by simple majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
For a description of the Share Incentive Plan and Deferred Share Unit Plan, see “Equity Compensation Plans – Share Incentive Plan and Deferred Share Unit Plan” below.
The TSX has recently advised that TSX issuers with general amendment provisions in their security-based compensation plans will no longer be able to make amendments to those plans and any outstanding awards under the plans, including amendments considered to be of a “house-keeping nature”, without shareholder approval. The Share Incentive Plan and the Deferred Share Unit Plan currently contain general amendment provisions that permit the Board to amend any of the provisions of
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such plans or amend the terms of any award under such plans, subject to certain limited restrictions described in the plans and subject to obtaining TSX approval, if required.
The TSX now requires that issuers obtain shareholder approval of amending provisions to security based compensation plans to clarify when shareholder approval for amendments to such plans and outstanding awards will not be required. It is therefore proposed that the Share Incentive Plan and the Deferred Share Unit Plan be amended to provide that such Share Incentive Plans may be amended, at any time and from time to time, by the Board, without notice or shareholder approval for purposes of, among others: (i) making changes to the vesting provisions of awards; (ii) making amendments to entitlements on termination of employment; (iii) making amendments for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect, clerical omission or mistake; and (iv) making amendments to comply with new legal or regulatory requirements. In accordance with the new TSX requirement, proposed amendments to the Share Incentive Plans w ill provide that shareholder approval is required for any amendment to the Share Incentive Plans or to the terms of any award from treasury under the Share Incentive Plan and the Deferred Share Unit Plan that (i) increases the number of shares reserved for issuance from treasury under such plans (except for the purpose of maintaining award value in connection with a stock split, spin-off, share dividend, recapitalization, merger, change of control or other similar event); (ii) with respect to the Share Incentive Plan, reduces the exercise price of an award from treasury to the benefit of an insider (except for the purpose of maintaining award value in connection with a stock split, spin-off, share dividend, recapitalization, merger, change of control or other similar event); or (iii) extends the exercise term of a treasury award beyond the original expiry date of the award.
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the Amendment Resolution.
The persons named in the form of proxy which accompanies this Circular intend to vote the Shares represented by such form of proxy FOR the approval of the Amendment Resolution, unless the shareholder of the Corporation has given contrary instructions in such form of proxy.
Stock Split
At the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the shareholders will be asked to consider, and, if deemed advisable, pass, with or without amendment, a special resolution in the form set out in Schedule C to this Circular (the “Stock Split Resolution”) to authorize the amendment of the articles of the Corporation, which amendment subdivides the Subordinate Voting Shares and Common Shares of the Corporation on the basis of three (3) Subordinate Voting Shares for each Subordinate Voting Share held and three (3) Common Shares for each Common Share held (the “Stock Split”).
The Stock Split must be approved by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by holders of Common Shares, present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, each voting separately as a class.
The Stock Split will not change the rights of holders of the Subordinate Voting Shares or the relative rights attached to Subordinate Voting Shares and Common Shares. After the Stock Split, each Subordinate Voting Share outstanding will continue to be entitled to one vote and each Common Share will continue to be entitled to 100 votes. All shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. As a result of the Stock Split there will continue to be certain consequential amendments to outstanding rights and options to acquire Subordinate Voting Shares and Common Shares and to outstanding awards under the Corporation’s equity compensation plans to preserve proportionately the rights of holders of outstanding rights and options. The number of outstanding deferred share units, bonus shares and options will triple and option exercise prices will be divided by three (3).
Under existing Canadian income tax laws and published administrative practice, the proposed Stock Split will not result in taxable income or in any gain or loss. The adjusted cost base of each share held immediately after the Stock Split will be an amount equal to one-third of the adjusted cost base of each share held immediately before the Stock Split.
If the Stock Split Resolution is passed at the Meeting and the Stock Split is implemented, articles of amendment will be filed to subdivide the Subordinate Voting Shares and Common Shares. Holders of
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Subordinate Voting Shares and Common Shares of record on a date to be specified by the Corporation through the issuance of a press release (the “Stock Split Record Date”) will keep their current share certificates and will be provided with additional share certificates representing the Subordinate Voting Shares and/or Common Shares to which they are entitled as a result of the Stock Split. Currently outstanding share certificates representing Subordinate Voting Shares and Common Shares should be retained by shareholders and should not be forwarded to the Corporation or Computershare. Pursuant to the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Subordinate Voting Shares will commence trading on a subdivided basis on a date to be set in the press release, which date will be two trading days prior to the Stock Split Record Date.
Shareholders voting against the Stock Split Resolution are not entitled to exercise any statutory rights of dissent or similar appraisal remedies that would require the Corporation to repurchase their shares if the Stock Split Resolution is approved by shareholders and implemented by the Corporation.
The Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Stock Split as the Board believes that the Stock Split may encourage greater market liquidity and wider distribution of shares among retail investors, as a lower share price makes a board lot of shares more affordable, and recommend to the shareholders of the Corporation that they vote in favour of completing the Stock Split as described in this Circular and as authorized by the Stock Split Resolution.
The persons named in the form of proxy which accompanies this Circular intend to vote the Shares represented by such form of proxy FOR the approval of the Stock Split Resolution, unless the shareholder of the Corporation has given contrary instructions in such form of proxy.
Notwithstanding the approval of the Stock Split Resolution by Shareholders of the Corporation, the Board may determine, without further notice to the Shareholders of the Corporation, and in its sole discretion, not to proceed with the Stock Split, or may revoke the Stock Split Resolution at any time before a certificate of amendment is issued.
THE NOMINATED DIRECTORS
The following table provides the name of each person nominated by management of the Corporation for election as a director of the Corporation, their place of residence, all positions and offices with the Corporation now held by such person, each such person’s principal occupation, the year in which the person first became director of the Corporation and the number of voting or other securities of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such person, directly or indirectly, or over which each such person exercises control or direction as of May 1, 2007:
| | | | |
Director – 2006 Meeting Participation | Director Since | Committees 2006 | Holdings(1) |
Normand Beauchamp(2) | | | | |
Quebec, Canada President of Capital NDSL Inc., an investment company. Also a director of Astral Media Inc., Chemins de fer du Québec and Lipso Systems Inc. Mr. Beauchamp participated in 7 of the 8 Board meetings held and 12 of the 12 respective committee meetings held. | 1991 | Audit Compensation | Subordinate Voting Options Deferred Share Units | 10,000 10,000 7,595 |
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| | | | |
Director – 2006 Meeting Participation | Director Since | Committees 2006 | Holdings(1) |
Jonathan Goodman | | | | |
Ontario, Canada President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Precious Metals Inc. Prior to 2004, Mr. Goodman was also President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Resources Limited, an investment company. Also a director of Breakwater Resources Ltd., Cogitore Resources Inc., Eurogas Corporation, Frontier Pacific Mining Corporation, Major Drilling Group International Inc., Odyssey Resources Ltd. and Tahera Diamond Corporation. Mr. Goodman participated in 6 of the 8 Board meetings held. | 1996 | N/A | Subordinate Voting Options Deferred Share Units | 274,768 120,000 5,238 |
Ned Goodman (3) | | | | |
Ontario and Quebec, Canada President and Chief Executive Officer, Dundee Corporation and Dundee Wealth Management Inc., and Chairman of Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Ltd. Also Chancellor of Brock University, Chairman Emeritus of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews and a Governor of Junior Achievement of Canada, a director of Breakwater Resources Ltd., Dundee Precious Metals Inc., Cogitore Resources Inc., Eurogas Corporation, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dundee REIT. Mr. Goodman participated in 8 of the 8 Board meetings held. | 1991 | N/A | Subordinate Voting Common Options Subordinate Voting Common Deferred Share Units | 744,019 851,926
475,000 166,935 14,461 |
Harold P. Gordon, Q.C.(4) | | | | |
Sunny Isles, Florida, U.S.A. Chairman, Dundee Corporation Also a director of Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., Dorel Industries Inc., Pethealth Inc., Transcontinental Inc. and Madacy Holding Inc. and the Chairman and a director of the Sauvé Scholars Foundation. Mr. Gordon participated in 8 of the 8 Board meetings held and 6 of the 6 respective committee meetings held. | 2000 | Compensation, Chair Corporate Governance and Nominating | Subordinate Voting Options Deferred Share Units | 9,502 75,000 53,635 |
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| | | | |
Director – 2006 Meeting Participation | Director Since | Committees 2006 | Holdings(1) |
Dr. Frederick H. Lowy | | | | |
Quebec, Canada President Emeritus of Concordia University. Also a director of the Montreal Jewish General Hospital and of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and has served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Also is a former director of the Montreal Board of Trade, Neurochem Inc., Centraide (The United Way) and the National Ballet of Canada as well as a past trustee of several Toronto hospitals and the Ontario Cancer Institute. Dr. Lowy participated in 8 of the 8 Board meetings held and in 3 of the 3 respective committee meetings held. | 1999 | Corporate Governance and Nominating, Chair | Subordinate Voting Options Deferred Share Units | 1,500 30,000 6,488 |
Garth MacRae | | | | |
Ontario, Canada Also director and Chairman of Breakwater Resources Ltd., director of GeneNews Limited, Dundee Precious Metals Inc., Dundee Wealth Management Inc., Eurogas Corporation, Torque Energy Inc., Great Plains Exploration Inc. and Uranium Participation Corporation and a member of the Board of Governors of Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Ltd. Mr. MacRae participated in 8 of the 8 Board meetings held and in 7 of the 9 committee meetings held. | 1991 | Audit | Subordinate Voting Common Options Deferred Share Units | 171,586 291 120,000 14,635 |
Robert McLeish, CFA | | | | |
Ontario, Canada Chairman of Dundee Wealth Management Inc. and Consultant with over 35 years of experience in the investment business. Has been a member of various committees of the TSX, including the Conflicts of Interest Committee and is currently also a director of Dundee Wealth Management Inc., Airboss of America Corp., Welton Energy Corporation, and a number of private corporations and former director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Mr. McLeish participated in 8 of the 8 Board meetings held and 9 of the 9 committee meetings held. | 2002 | Audit | Subordinate Voting Options Deferred Share Units | 3,000 45,000 5,609 |
K. Barry Sparks | | | | |
Ontario, Canada President of Torvan Capital Group, a corporate advisory and management company. Also President and a director of Cencotech Inc. and a director of Dundee Bank of Canada. Mr. Sparks participated in 7 of the 8 Board meetings held and 9 of the 9 committee meetings held. | 1993 | Audit, Chair | Subordinate Voting Options Deferred Share Units | 15,000 10,000 210 |
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| | | | |
Director – 2006 Meeting Participation | Director Since | Committees 2006 | Holdings(1) |
Harry R. Steele(5) | | | | |
Nova Scotia, Canada Chairman of Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, a publicly-traded company which operates over 70 radio licences across Canada. Mr. Steele participated in 6 of the 8 Board meetings held and 6 of the 6 respective committee meetings held. | 1991 | Compensation Corporate Governance and Nominating | Subordinate Voting Options Deferred Share Units | 20,000 30,000 6,765 |
(1)
Information with respect to the class and number of securities beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised, not being within the knowledge of the Corporation, has been provided to the Corporation by the respective director nominees.
(2)
Mr. Beauchamp became a director of CINAR Corporation, after CINAR Corporation became the subject of a cease trade order.
(3)
See “Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof”.
(4)
Mr. Gordon was a director of Great Northern Paper, Inc. until June 3, 2002, approximately seven months before such corporation filed for an arrangement under Chapter 11 of theU.S. Bankruptcy Code on January 9, 2005, followed by liquidation on May 22, 2003 pursuant to Chapter 7 of such Code.
(5)
Mr. Steele was a director of Canada 3000 Inc. between May 16, 2000 and November 10, 2001, a company that sought protection under theCompanies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) on November 11, 2001.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The Corporation pays directors’ fees of $35,000 per annum plus $1,500 per meeting of the Board or a committee thereof attended by each of its directors. In addition, the Chairman of the Corporation is entitled to an annual retainer of $250,000 in respect of the financial year ended December 31, 2006, all of which he receives in units under the deferred share unit plan of the Corporation (the “DSU Plan”) and Subordinate Voting Shares, and an annual travel allowance of $12,000. Under the Share Purchase Plan of the Corporation, the Chairman of the Corporation is entitled to contribute up to $25,000 annually of which such amount is matched by the Corporation. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Chairman received an aggregate of 620 Subordinate Voting Shares of the Corporation resulting from the matching contribution made by the Corporation under the Share Purchase Plan. The chairman of each of the corporate governance and nominating committee of the directors of the Corporation (the “Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee”) and the compensation committee of the directors of the Corporation (the “Compensation Committee”) receive an additional $5,000 per annum. As of January 1, 2007, the chairman of the audit committee of the directors of the Corporation (the “Audit Committee”) receives an additional $35,000 per annum. All directors of the Corporation are reimbursed for their expenses and travel incurred in connection with attending directors’ meetings. All of the directors are eligible to participate in certain components of the Share Incentive Plan and have the option of receiving their fees in units of the DSU Plan. The directors’ fees are reviewed periodically and may be changed from time to time.
During the financial year ended December 31, 2006, the Corporation paid an aggregate of $776,000 in directors’ fees to the directors of the Corporation not including the Chairman’s retainer and associated travel allowance. As of the date hereof, six of the nine directors of the Corporation have chosen to receive all or substantially all of their directors’ fees in units under the DSU Plan. During the financial year ended December 31, 2006, the Corporation did not grant any Options to independent directors of the Corporation.
REPORT ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Corporation and the Board of Directors recognize the importance of corporate governance to the effective management of the Corporation and to its shareholders. The Corporation’s approach to corporate governance is designed with a view to ensuring that the business of the Corporation is effectively managed and that the Board functions independently of management. Set out below is the
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Corporation’s overview of its corporate governance practices, as assessed in the context of National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“NI 58-101”) and National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines (“NP 58-201”). This overview has been prepared by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board and has been approved by the Board.
Board of Directors
The Board is responsible for oversight of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including the Corporation’s strategic planning and direction. The Board discharges its responsibilities directly and through the committees of the Board – the Audit Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Compensation Committee. Each Committee of the Board operates under a formal charter or mandate which is reviewed, and if necessary, updated on an annual basis. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Board delegates day-to-day authority to management of the Corporation, while reserving the ability to review management decisions and exercise final judgment on any matter. While the Board has not adopted a formal Board Mandate, management of the Corporation reviews with the Board on a periodic basis its strategic plan and delivers to the Board ongoing reports on the status of the b usiness and operations of the Corporation. In addition, in accordance with applicable legal requirements and historical practice, all matters of a material nature are presented by management to the Board for approval.
The Board of Directors is comprised of nine directors. The Board of Directors has resolved that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors shall be fixed at nine. The Board is of the view that the size of the Board of nine directors allows for a diversity of experience and knowledge and is the appropriate size to foster and promote effective decision making and oversight of the Corporation.
Director Independence
Of the nine directors nominated for election, the Board has determined that seven are independent as that term is defined in NI 58-101 including Mr. Harold Gordon, the Chairman of the Board (the “Chairman”). NI 58-101 defines an “independent director” as a director who has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Corporation. A “material relationship” is defined as a relationship which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of such member’s independent judgment, and certain relationships are deemed to be material.
The Board has determined that Mr. Ned Goodman is not independent by virtue of his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Dundee Wealth Management Inc. and DWM Inc., and as Chairman of Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Ltd.; and that Mr. Jonathan Goodman is not independent because he is the son of Ned Goodman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
The Board has established procedures to enable it to function independently of management and to facilitate open and candid discussion among the independent directors. The Board holds in camera independent director meetings following scheduled Board meetings. During 2006, the independent directors met on 5 occasions. In addition to the above-noted independence measures, all committees of the Board are comprised entirely of independent directors and independent directors engage in informal discussions outside of regularly scheduled directors’ meetings.
Role of the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer
While the Board has not adopted a written position description for the Chairman of the Board or for the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Corporation, the roles of each are well established. The responsibilities of Harold Gordon, the Chairman, include the efficient organization and operation of the Board. The Chairman is also responsible for ensuring effective communication between the Board and management and that the Board effectively carries out its mandate. The corporate objectives for which the CEO is responsible are determined by strategic and financial plans initiated by the CEO, and developed with input from senior management.
The Compensation Committee, when reviewing the compensation of the CEO, makes an overall assessment of the performance by the CEO of such objectives and in directing the Corporation in the
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execution of its strategic plan and corporate objectives. The Board annually reviews and evaluates the Corporation’s strategic plan and corporate objectives.
Disclosure Policy
The Board has recently approved a new disclosure policy (the “Disclosure Policy”) that is designed to formalize the Corporation’s policies and procedures relating to the dissemination of all material information. The Disclosure Policy designates certain employees as authorized spokespersons of the Corporation and establishes disclosure guidelines for determining whether information is material and how it is to be disclosed. The Disclosure Policy also includes procedures designed to avoid selective disclosure and to ensure that timely and accurate information is provided by the consolidated subsidiaries of the Corporation to senior management of the Corporation for inclusion in the Corporation’s statutory disclosure documents. Disclosed information is released through mailings to shareholders, newswire services, the general media and the Corporation’s website. The Board and, as a pplicable, the Audit Committee, approve the statutory disclosure documents prior to their distribution to shareholders.
Director Attendance
Board members are expected to attend all board meetings and meetings of committees on which they serve. Each director’s attendance record during the 2006 financial year is disclosed under the heading “The Nominated Directors” in the chart above.
Orientation and Continuing Education
The Corporation has a practice with respect to the orientation and education of its directors. Directors are provided with a directors’ information guide updated on a periodic basis which contains information about the Corporation and its affiliates, the Corporation’s recent regulatory filings such as its annual information form and proxy material, the regulatory environment applicable to the Corporation and its subsidiaries, the reporting requirements of the directors of the Corporation, information with respect to the committees of the Board and the written mandates of each such committee and certain policies and procedures of the Board. The Corporation also makes available to its directors, at its expense, certain third-party professional development courses to further enhance the education of the Corporation’s directors. In the event that a new director is elected or appointed to the Board, he or she will be given the opportunity to meet with senior management and other directors of the Corporation in order to become familiar with the business and activities of the Corporation and his or her responsibilities as a director of the Corporation.
Ethical Business Conduct
Although the Board has not adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics for the Board, the Board has adopted policies, in addition to the relevant provisions of theBusiness Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “OBCA”) applicable to directors of the Board, to promote a culture of ethical business conduct. In accordance with the OBCA, directors are required to disclose all actual or potential conflicts of interest and refrain from voting on matters where the director has a conflict of interest. Also, directors are required to recuse themselves from any discussion or decision on any matter in which the director is precluded from voting as a result of a conflict of interest.
The Corporation permits the Board, any committee thereof and any individual director to engage independent external advisors at the expense of the Corporation when necessary.
Audit Committee
Members: Normand Beauchamp, Garth MacRae, Robert McLeish and K. Barry Sparks (Chair)
The Audit Committee is comprised of four independent directors and is mandated to assist the Board in fulfilling applicable public company obligations respecting audit committees and its oversight responsibilities with respect to financial reporting. Each of the members of the Audit Committee are financially literate within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 52-110-Audit Committees (“MI 52-110”). An individual is financially literate if he or she has the ability to read and understand a set of financial
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statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Corporation’s financial statements. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing, among other matters, the work of the Corporation’s external auditors, the integrity of the Corporation’s financial statements and financial reporting process, the qualifications and independence of the external auditor and the work of the Corporation’s financial management and external auditors in these areas. The Audit Committee reviews and recommends to the Board for approval, the Corporation’s annual and interim consolidated financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis, selected disclosure documents including, the Corporation’s annual information form and any other f inancial statements required by regulatory authorities, before they are released to the public or filed with the appropriate regulators. The Audit Committee reviews it charter at least annually and recommends changes to the Board with respect to its charter, as necessary.
Through the Audit Committee, the directors also monitor the principal financial risks and the implementation of the Corporation’s risk management systems. Such principal risks and the implementation of systems to manage these risks are disclosed in the Corporation’s annual information form and in management’s discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2006 (“MD&A”). In addition, in accordance with MI 52-110, the Audit Committee ensures that there are procedures in place for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. In this regard, the Corporation has established a Whistleblower Policy outlining such confidential reporting process.
For additional information about the Audit Committee see the section “Audit Committee Information” beginning on page 35 of the 2006 AIF. The 2006 AIF is available on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Members: Harold P. Gordon, Frederick H. Lowy (Chair) and Harry R. Steele
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Governance Committee”) is comprised of three members, each of whom is an independent director. The Governance Committee is responsible for developing the Corporation’s approach to corporate governance issues and is charged with enhancing the Corporation’s governance through an ongoing assessment of the Corporation’s approach to corporate governance. The Governance Committee also coordinates an annual evaluation of the Board, identifies individuals qualified to become Board members and recommends such individuals to the Board for nomination for election to the Board in consultation with the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
The mandate of the Governance Committee includes reviewing the size and overall composition of the Board with a view to assisting the Board in determining whether it is appropriate to undertake a program to increase or decrease the number of directors of the Corporation, reviewing proposed new nominees to the Board and reviewing and assessing, on a periodic basis, the performance and contribution of the directors of the Corporation. Typically, directors complete self-evaluation, corporate governance evaluation and assessment of board performance evaluation forms in this regard.
In respect of 2006, the Governance Committee conducted a survey of the directors with respect to their views on the effectiveness of the Board and each committee of the Board and its chair and, at the request of the Audit Committee, provided similar evaluation forms to members of the Audit Committee, which assessments were completed in respect of fiscal 2006. The results of these assessments shall be used by the Board and its committees to evaluate past performance and identify areas for continued improvement.
The Governance Committee conducts an annual review of its mandate, and recommends changes to the Board with respect to such mandate, as necessary.
Compensation Committee
Members: Normand Beauchamp, Harold P. Gordon (Chair), Harry R. Steele
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The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of three members, all of whom are independent directors. The Compensation Committee is charged with overseeing the administration of the Corporation’s equity compensation plans, discharging the Board’s responsibilities relating to the compensation of certain of the Corporation’s executives, reviewing and making recommendations on director compensation, and preparing the Corporation’s report on executive compensation as required by securities laws.
As part of its oversight of the implementation of the Corporation’s compensation plans, the Compensation Committee will review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the adoption or amendment of incentive compensation and equity compensation plans for the Corporation. The Compensation Committee also approves the compensation for certain senior executives and makes recommendations to the Board respecting approval of the CEO’s compensation package. In setting compensation, the Compensation Committee considers all factors it deems relevant, including individual performance, the Corporation’s performance and relative shareholder return, the value of similar incentive awards to those with similar responsibilities at comparable companies and the awards given by the Corporation in prior years. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews the adequacy of the compensation of directors of the Corporation, including the chairman of each of the committees of the Board, to ensure that their compensation adequately reflects the responsibilities and risks involved in being an effective director of the Corporation.
The Compensation Committee conducts an annual review of its mandate, and recommends changes to the Board with respect to such mandate, as necessary.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table (presented in accordance with NI 51-102) sets forth all annual and long term compensation for services in all capacities to the Corporation and its subsidiaries for the financial years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 (to the extent required by the Instrument) in respect of each of the individuals who were, at December 31, 2006, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the other three most highly compensated executive officers of the Corporation and those individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided but for the fact that the individuals were not serving as officers of the Corporation at December 31, 2006 (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”). As of May 1, 2007, the Corporation owned an approximate 55.2% equity interest, and control or direction over shares with an approximate 57.8% voting interest in Dundee Wealth, in each case on a non-diluted basis, a 78.3% equity interest in Dundee Realty Corporation (“Dundee Realty”) and a 100% equity interest in Dundee Resources Limited (“Dundee Resources”). Certain of the Named Executive Officers also provide services to Dundee Wealth and/or Dundee Realty and certain of its subsidiaries. The following disclosure includes, as required, compensation paid to certain of the Named Executive Officers by Dundee Wealth and/or Dundee Realty and certain of its subsidiaries where indicated. For details with respect to all of the compensation paid to such Named Executive Officers in respect of services provided to Dundee Wealth, please see the Circular dated May 11, 2007 of Dundee Wealth for the annual and special meeting of shareholders to be held on June 20, 2007 (the “Dundee Wealth Circular”).
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Summary Compensation Table
| | | | | | | | | |
| Annual Compensation | Long Term Compensation |
Awards | Payouts | |
Name and Principal Position as at December 31, 2006 | Year | Salary Allocated to Dundee Corporation ($)(1) | Salary Allocated to Subsidiaries(1)(9) | Bonus Allocated to Dundee Corporation ($)(1)(2) | Bonus Allocated to Subsidiaries ($)(1)(2)(9) | Other Annual Compensation ($)(3) | Securities Under Options Granted (#)(5) | LTIP Payouts ($)(6) | All Other Compensation ($)(4)(7) |
Ned Goodman President and CEO, Dundee Corporation and Dundee Wealth | 2006 2005 2004 | 200,000 200,000 200,000 | 700,000 700,000 700,000 | 1,800,000 1,000,000 1,466,667 | 1,400,000 See Note 2 1,200,000 | 99,500 74,813 71,000 | 0 0 300,000 | 398,000 390,000 0 | 99,000 98,250 97,750 |
Joanne Ferstman Executive Vice President, CFO, and Corporate Secretary, Dundee Corporation and Executive Vice President and CFO, Dundee Wealth | 2006 2005 2004 | 212,500 187,500 187,500 | 212,500 187,500 187,500 | 650,000 600,000 300,000 | 850,000 See Note 2 400,000 | 6,956 5,210 4,772 | See Note 5 0 50,000 | 174,125 170,625 56,125 | 55,513 46,932 38,593 |
David Goodman President and CEO, Goodman & Company, Investment Counsel Ltd., Deputy Chairman, Dundee Wealth | 2006 2005 2004 | 0 0 50,000 | 600,000 500,000 450,000 | 0 0 100,000 | 2,400,000 See Note 2 1,433,333 | 53,000 34,000 33,000 | 0 0 25,000 | 348,250 341,250 402,500 | 66,965 59,817 61,837 |
Murray John(8) President and CEO, Dundee Resources | 2006 2005 2004 | 0 0 0 | 300,000 300,000 100,000 | 0 0 0 | 3,214,937 150,000 100,000 | 0 0 0 | 0 0 0 | 225,900 9,300 8,800 | 41,974 0 0 |
G.F. Kym Anthony Deputy Chairman, Dundee Wealth and President and Chief Executive Officer, Dundee Securities, Dundee Private Investors Inc., and Dundee Private Investors Ltd. and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Mortgage Services Inc. and Dundee Insurance Agency Ltd. and Executive Chairman of Dundee Bank of Canada | 2006 2005 2004 | 0 0 N/A | 600,000 56,923 N/A | 0 0 0 | 1,400,000 0 N/A | 52,500 2,242 N/A | 0 600,000 N/A | See Note 10 0 N/A | 61,167 0 N/A |
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(1)
For the financial years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, denotes salary or bonus, as applicable, paid to each such Named Executive Officer for his or her services both as an executive officer of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and with respect to his or her functions with Dundee Wealth, Dundee Realty and/or Dundee Resources and each of their subsidiaries, where applicable.
(2)
On May 11, 2007, Mr. Ned Goodman, Ms. Ferstman and Mr. David Goodman were each granted bonuses by Dundee Wealth in respect of the financial year ended December 31, 2006 in the amounts of $1,400,000, $850,000 and $2,400,000 respectively, to be paid by Dundee Wealth in cash or Units under Dundee Wealth’s DSU Plan, at the election of each Named Executive Officer. For 2005, each of Mr. Ned Goodman, Ms. Ferstman and Mr. David Goodman received 100% of their annual bonus relating to Dundee Wealth in deferred share units of Dundee Wealth. On May 15, 2006, Mr. Ned Goodman received 115,990 deferred share units of Dundee Wealth with a value of $1,400,000, Mr. David Goodman received 132,560 deferred share units of Dundee Wealth with a value of $1,600,000 and Ms. Ferstman received 49,710 deferred share units of Dundee Wealth with a value of $600,000. The value of these deferred share units is based on $12.07 per unit, which was the value of the units on the date of grant.
(3)
Taxable benefits did not exceed minimum threshold disclosure levels for any of the Named Executive Officers in 2006, 2005 or 2004. In respect of Mr. Ned Goodman, the figures provided represent directors’ fees paid by the Corporation in cash, Subordinate Voting Shares or deferred share units, as applicable, and by Dundee Wealth in cash or deferred share units. In respect of Mr. David Goodman, the figures provided represent directors’ fees paid by Dundee Wealth. In respect of Ms. Ferstman, the figures provided represent an imputed interest benefit on an employee loan from the Corporation. See “Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers” for additional information on such employee loan. See “Compensation of Directors” below and in the Dundee Wealth Circular for additional information on directors’ fees payable by the Corporatio n and Dundee Wealth.
(4)
Messrs. Ned Goodman, David Goodman and Ms. Ferstman were granted bonuses with respect to the financial year ended December 31, 2003 in the amounts of $675,000, $450,000, and $168,750, respectively, which were paid by Dundee Wealth in January 2007, in cash and/or deferred share units under the Dundee Wealth DSU Plan and $675,000, $50,000 and $168,750 for Mr. Ned Goodman, Mr. David Goodman and Ms. Ferstman, respectively, which bonuses were paid by the Corporation in January 2007, in cash and/or deferred share units under the DSU Plan of the Corporation. Mr. Ned Goodman received 100% of each bonus in cash, Mr. David Goodman received 100% of each bonus in deferred share units of the applicable corporation, and Ms. Ferstman received 75% of each bonus in cash and 25% of each bonus in deferred share units of the applicable corporation. Messrs. Ned Goodman, David Goodman and Ms. Ferstm an were also granted bonuses with respect to the financial year ended December 31, 2004 in the amounts of $600,000, $716,667, and $150,000 respectively, to be paid by Dundee Wealth in cash, common shares or in units under the Dundee Wealth DSU Plan, and $733,333, $50,000 and $150,000 to be paid by the Corporation in cash, Subordinate Voting Shares or units under the Corporation’s DSU Plan, in each case on January 1, 2008, provided that they remain employees of Dundee Wealth, the Corporation, or affiliates thereof until such date. In addition, Mr. Ned Goodman, Ms. Ferstman and Mr. David Goodman were awarded 120,000, 15,000 and 30,000 bonus shares of Dundee Wealth in 2004, which bonus shares vested, or will vest, in equal instalments on each of January 1, 2007, 2008 and 2009. In May 2006, Mr. David Goodman and Ms. Joanne Ferstman were each awarded 50,000 bonus shares under the Dundee Wealth Share Incentive Plan, which bonus shares vested or shall vest on each of January 1, 2007, 2008, 2009, 20 10 and 2011 provided that the Named Executive Officer remains an employee of Dundee Wealth or an affiliate. On May 11, 2007, Ms. Ferstman and Mr. David Goodman were awarded 50,000 and 200,000 bonus shares, respectively, under the Dundee Wealth Share Incentive Plan, which bonus shares shall vest in equal instalments on January 1, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 provided that the Named Executive Officer remains an employee of Dundee Wealth or an affiliate. These long term compensation arrangements are not reflected in the Summary Compensation Table above as no payments were paid or payable in 2006.
(5)
Represents Options granted under the Corporation’s Share Incentive Plan. For options granted to the Named Executive Officers by Dundee Wealth, see the Dundee Wealth Circular. On May 11, 2007, Dundee Wealth approved the award of 100,000 Options to purchase Common Shares of Dundee Wealth to Ms. Ferstman, which Options will vest 20% per year over 5.5 years provided that Ms. Ferstman remains an employee of Dundee Wealth or an affiliate on such dates.
(6)
The LTIP Payouts to certain of the Named Executive Officers in 2006, 2005 and 2004 represent the value of bonus shares awarded in prior years to the Named Executive Officers under the bonus share component of the Share Incentive Plan of Dundee Wealth that vested and were released to the Named Executive Officer in 2006, 2005 and 2004, as applicable, except for $56,125 released to Ms. Ferstman in 2004 and $8,800 and $9,300 released to Mr. John in 2004 and 2005, respectively, which amounts were paid in respect of bonus shares issued to such Named Executive Officers under the Share Inventive Plan of the Corporation.
(7)
The amount for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, represents a contribution by the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof to a registered retirement savings plan specified by the Named Executive Officer pursuant to a group retirement savings plan in which certain employees of the Corporation and certain subsidiaries thereof are eligible to participate. The amount for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, also represents the matching contribution paid by the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof on behalf of the Named Executive Officer to the share purchase plan of the Corporation or of Dundee Wealth.
(8)
Mr. John’s bonus relates to the performance of certain assets that he manages. Mr. John became President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Resources on September 1, 2004. Prior to that date Mr. John was Senior Investment Banker - Mining with Dundee Securities Corporation, a subsidiary of Dundee Wealth, and received remuneration $1,100,467 in 2004 related to this position. Mr. John’s compensation attributable to Dundee Securities prior to September 1, 2004 has not been reported in the summary compensation table. See also “Employment Arrangements”.
(9)
In respect of 2004, 2005 and 2006, $600,000 of the portion of Mr. Ned Goodman’s salary relating to subsidiary operations was allocated to Dundee Wealth and $100,000 was allocated to Dundee Realty. For Ms. Ferstman, Mr. David Goodman, and Mr.
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Anthony the portions of such Named Executive Officers salary and bonus relating to subsidiary operations were allocated in each year to Dundee Wealth. For Mr. John, such amounts were allocated to Dundee Resources.
(10)
In connection with the acquisition of KL Nova Financial Ltd., Mr. Anthony joined Dundee Wealth on November 28, 2005. In connection with the acquisition, Mr. Anthony received 800,000 Common Shares of Dundee Wealth, of which 640,000 are being held in escrow. 160,000 Common Shares were released to Mr. Anthony on November 28, 2006 with a value of $1,960,000 based upon the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on such date. The Common Shares that remain in escrow will be released in equal instalments on November 28, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. See also “Executive Compensation – Employment Arrangements” below.
Aggregate Option Exercises and Financial Year-End Option Values
The following table sets forth details of all exercises of Options during the financial year ended December 31, 2006 by each of the Named Executive Officers and the value as of December 31, 2006 of unexercised Options held by the Named Executive Officers on an aggregate basis:
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES AND FINANCIAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
| | | | |
Name | Securities Acquired on Exercise (#) | Aggregate Value Realized ($) | Unexercised Options at Financial Year-End (#) Exercisable/ Unexercisable | Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at Financial Year-End ($)(5) Exercisable/ Unexercisable |
Ned Goodman(1) | 0 | 0 | 295,000 / 180,000 | 8,699,050 / 3,931,200 |
Joanne Ferstman(2) | 0 | 0 | 110,000 / 30,000 | 3,617,300 / 655,200 |
David Goodman(4) | 10,000 | 195,700 | 130,000 / 15,000 | 3,801,900 / 327,600 |
Murray John(5) | 0 | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 |
G.F. Kym Anthony | 0 | 0 | 120,000 / 480,000 | 559,200 / 2,236,800 |
(1)
Mr. Ned Goodman exercised a stock appreciation right in respect of 34,000 Options on July 14, 2006 at an exercise price of $17.45 per share for proceeds of $691,801.40.
(2)
Ms. Ferstman exercised a stock appreciation right in respect of 10,000 Options on August 31, 2006 at an exercise price of $13.15 per share for proceeds of $297,136.
(3)
Mr. David Goodman exercised 10,000 Options on August 14, 2006 at an exercise price of $17.45. The market price on the date of exercise was $37.02.
(4)
The value of unexercised in-the-money Options has been calculated using the closing price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX on December 29, 2006 of $49.35, less the exercise price of in-the-money Options. Based on the closing price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX on December 29, 2006 of $49.35, 535,000 vested Options were in-the-money.
EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
Mr. Murray John, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Resources, is entitled to receive an annual bonus equal to 10% of the performance fee earned by certain of the underlying resource assets under management for which he is responsible and 12.5% of the performance fee on new products. For the years ending 2004 and 2005, Mr. John’s bonus was to be not less than $100,000 and $150,000, respectively.
In November, 2005, the Corporation acquired KL Nova Financial Ltd. (“KL Nova”). In connection with this acquisition, Mr. Kym Anthony was appointed as a director and Deputy Chairman of the Corporation and DWM Inc.; a director and President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Securities Corporation and Dundee Private Investors; a director and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Mortgage Services Inc. and Dundee Insurance Agency Ltd.; and a director and Executive Chairman of Dundee Bank of Canada.
Effective November 28, 2005, the Corporation and Mr. Anthony entered into an employment agreement. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Anthony will receive a base salary of $600,000 per annum and will be included in a bonus pool to be created by the Compensation Committee based on a
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percentage of pre-tax earnings of the entities for which Mr. Anthony is responsible, taking into account the overall profitability of the Corporation commencing for the year ending December 31, 2007. For the year ending December 31, 2006, Mr. Anthony’s employment agreement provides that he will receive a bonus of not less than $1.4 million, of which one third shall be deferred and paid to Mr. Anthony on January 1, 2010, provided Mr. Anthony remains employed with the Corporation. Mr. Anthony also received options to acquire Common Shares of the Corporation. Pursuant to a share purchase agreement entered into between the Corporation and certain shareholders of KL Nova (the “KL Nova Agreement”), Mr. Anthony received 800,000 Common Shares of the Corporation for the sale of his KL Nova interest of which 640,000 remain in escrow and will be released to Mr. Anthony over a four year period. In th e event that Mr. Anthony is terminated for cause or resigns his positions with the Corporation, he will not be entitled to receive any shares remaining in escrow at such time.
In respect of 2006, the Compensation Committee has waived the requirement for Mr. Anthony to defer one-third of his bonus in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement.
RETIREMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Compensation Committee and the Board has approved the establishment of a special retirement plan (the “Dundee Corporation Supplementary Executive Retirement Plan”) for Mr. Ned Goodman. The Dundee Corporation Supplementary Executive Retirement Plan is in the process of being finalized by the Compensation Committee and outside consultants. The pension is intended to supplement the maximum pension prescribed by theIncome Tax Act (Canada) if, as and when applicable. The expected annual retirement benefits for Mr. Ned Goodman is $300,000. Obligations in respect of such arrangements are unfunded and may be allocated to Dundee Wealth, a subsidiary of Dundee Wealth. Garth MacRae, formerly the Vice Chairman of the Corporation and currently a director of the Corporation, retired as Vice-Chairman on March 22, 2004. Mr. MacRae receives from the Corporation an annual retirement allo wance of $300,000 until March 31, 2007 and $50,000 annually thereafter.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Aggregate Indebtedness
The following table sets out the aggregate indebtedness of all current and former executive officers, directors and employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as of May 1, 2007 to (i) the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and (ii) another entity if the indebtedness is the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries:
| | |
Aggregate Indebtedness ($) |
Purpose | To the Corporation or its Subsidiaries | To Another Entity |
Share purchases(1) | 17,261,230 | 0 |
Other(2) | 12,480,245 | 0 |
(1)
Includes the aggregate loan amount outstanding under the Share Loan Plan of Dundee Wealth as of May 1, 2007. See the “Equity Compensation Plans – Share Loan Plan” in the Dundee Wealth Circular for additional information.
(2)
Includes advances to financial advisors in connection with the transfer of assets under administration to Dundee Wealth or its affiliates.
Indebtedness under Securities Purchase and Other Programs
The following table sets forth details of the aggregate indebtedness in the amount of $173,653 outstanding to the Corporation and its subsidiaries by each person who was, at May 1, 2007 or at any time during the financial year ended December 31, 2006, a director, executive officer, or proposed nominee for election as a director of the Corporation and each associate of any such director, executive officer or proposed nominee, during the year ended December 31, 2006 and as at May 1, 2007:
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| | | | | | |
Name and Principal Position(1) | Involvement of Company or Subsidiary | Largest Amount Outstanding During 2006 ($) | Amount Outstanding as at May 1, 2007 ($) | Financially Assisted Securities Purchases During 2006 (#) | Security for Indebtedness | Amount Forgiven During 2006 ($) |
Securities Purchase Programs |
Joanne Ferstman | Loan from the Corporation | 103,503(3) 70,150(3) | 103,503 70,150 | - - | 3,802(2) 5,000(2) | - - |
(1)
The principal positions of Ms. Ferstman are set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” above.
(2)
Shares pledged as security for the indebtedness are Subordinate Voting Shares. As additional security for the $103,503 loan to Ms. Ferstman, Ms. Ferstman has also pledged 5,704 common shares of Dundee Wealth.
(3)
In connection with these loans, the Corporation and Ms. Ferstman have entered into a promissory note and a share pledge agreement dated December 9, 1999 in respect of the $103,503 loan and March 31, 2000 in respect of the $70,150 loan. Each of the loans is non-interest bearing until default, at which time the entire principal amount becomes due and payable and bears interest at a rate equal to the prime rate of interest charged by a Canadian chartered bank. The loans must be repaid within five business days after December 9, 2009 in respect of the $103,503 loan and March 31, 2010 in respect of the $70,150 loan, provided that earlier repayment may be required upon the resignation or termination of the employment of Ms. Ferstman with the Corporation. The Corporation may extend the repayment dates. Ms. Ferstman used the proceeds of her loans to purchase the number of Subord inate Voting Shares set forth above and has pledged such Subordinate Voting Shares as security. Ms. Ferstman is permitted to dispose of securities pledged as security for the loans in certain circumstances and upon the repayment of all or a portion of the loans. If, after default or in certain other circumstances, the after-tax sale proceeds of the pledged securities are insufficient to permit full repayment of the loans, the Corporation is required to pay to Ms. Ferstman an amount equal, on an after-tax basis, to the unpaid balance of the loans and Ms. Ferstman is required to repay that balance. Ms. Ferstman is entitled to set off any amount owing to the Corporation against any amounts which she may be owed by the Corporation. The sole recourse of the Corporation in respect of each of the loans is to the securities pledged as security for the loans.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Compensation Program
The executive compensation program is designed to encourage, compensate and reward employees on the basis of individual and corporate performance, both in the short and long term. Compensation for the Named Executive Officers, as well as for other executive officers, consists of a combination of base salary, annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation. These components are reviewed in more detail below. Together, these components of the executive compensation program form a comprehensive strategy for achieving the following objectives with respect to the Corporation’s executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers: (i) to attract and retain highly qualified management; (ii) to motivate performance by linking incentive compensation to the achievement of business objectives, financial performance and individual performance; (iii) to link the interests of senior management and executives with those of the shareholders of the Corporation; and (iv) to encourage retention of key senior executives for the succession of management of the Corporation.
In reviewing and approving the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and certain other senior executive officers of the Corporation in respect of the financial year ended December 31, 2006, the Compensation Committee (i) received and reviewed recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, (ii) reviewed the corporate achievements of the Corporation and its major subsidiary, Dundee Wealth, including certain strategic transactions involving the Corporation or Dundee Wealth undertaken during the financial year ended December 31, 2006, (iii) reviewed the individual contribution by the President and Chief Executive Officer and such other senior executive officers, (iv) reviewed compensation practices of other public companies in the wealth management business including financial planning companies, investment management companies and insurance companies and other relevant businesses, (v) reviewed certain compensation reports or corporate governance reports commenting on executive compensation, and (vi) discussed executive compensation with the Chairman of the compensation committee of the directors of Dundee Wealth as a result of the fact that the President and Chief Executive Officer and two of the other Named Executive Officers also provide services to Dundee Wealth and its subsidiaries. The compensation of the Named Executive Officers in respect of 2006 was comprised of base salary, cash annual incentive compensation and long term incentive compensation.
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Base Salary
The Compensation Committee determines the base salaries and annual incentive compensation of the executive officers of the Corporation taking into consideration the recommendation of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, the position and responsibilities of the executive officers, the past, current and potential contribution to the success of the Corporation by the executive officers and competitive industry pay practices for comparable positions at similar corporations within similar industries and of a comparable size, thereby enabling the Corporation to compete for and retain executives critical to the Corporation’s long term success.
Annual Incentive Compensation
Incentive compensation is directly tied to corporate and individual performance. The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation presents recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to the eligible executive officers. The Compensation Committee approves the annual incentive cash compensation for executive officers of the Corporation and reports the amounts to the directors of the Corporation for approval thereof. At the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and with the approval of the directors of the Corporation, the Corporation established the DSU Plan in 2002 to, among other things, permit eligible participants to receive a portion of their compensation in deferred share units. In order to encourage retention of certain of the Named Executive Officers, total cash annual incentive compensation payable to such Named Executive Officer in respect of 2004 was payable on Janua ry 1, 2007 and in respect of 2005 is payable on January 1, 2008, in each case, in cash or units under the DSU Plan provided that such Named Executive Officer remains an employee of the Corporation or its affiliates until such date.
Long Term Incentive Compensation
Share ownership opportunities, provided through the Share Incentive Plan, align the interests of executive officers with the longer term interests of the shareholders of the Corporation. Each of the components of the Share Incentive Plan being the Share Purchase Plan, the Share Option Plan and the Share Bonus Plan, is designed to give individuals an interest in preserving and maximizing shareholder value in the long term, to enable the Corporation to attract and retain individuals with experience and ability and to reward individuals for current performance and expected future performance. Executive officers are eligible to participate in the Share Incentive Plan on the same basis as all other employees of the Corporation. See “Share Incentive Plan” for a description of the Share Incentive Plan and each of its components.
The Compensation Committee reviews annually the eligibility and participation criteria in connection with the Share Purchase Plan and the recommendations of management of the Corporation. The Compensation Committee approves annually whether the Share Purchase Plan is renewed and, if so, the terms of such renewal.
In determining the number of Subordinate Voting Shares subject to Option granted under the Share Option Plan, the Compensation Committee gives consideration to, among other things, the individual’s former, current and potential contribution to the success of the Corporation, the relative position of the individual, the years of service of the individual and the exercise price and the aggregate number of Options that would be held by the individual after the grant under consideration is made. The exercise price of Options that have been granted has been set at 100% of the market value of the Subordinate Voting Shares when the Options are granted. Although previously Options have been granted with a term of ten years and vested over a period of 33.3% of the term of the Options, commencing in 2003, the Corporation and the Compensation Committee determined that future Options granted pursuant to the Share Incentiv e Plan will become exercisable as to 20% of the Subordinate Voting Shares subject to such Options on each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the date of the grant and have a term of five years and six months.
No Options were granted to the senior executive officers of the Corporation and the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the Share Option Plan during 2006. See “Share Incentive Plan” for details with respect to outstanding Options and “Executive Compensation - Summary Compensation Table” for information on Option grants to Named Executive Officers.
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Compensation of President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Ned Goodman, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, is the principal shareholder of the Corporation. See “Voting Securities and the Principal Holders Thereof”. The components of the total compensation of Mr. Goodman and the manner in which they are reviewed and evaluated by the Compensation Committee are similar to those for other executive officers of the Corporation and are discussed above. Mr. Goodman receives a base salary and annual incentive compensation, if any, based on the performance of the Corporation and individual performance. Mr. Goodman is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Wealth, a subsidiary of the Corporation, and, accordingly, also provides services to Dundee Wealth and its subsidiaries. The review of Mr. Goodman’s performance generally also includes strategy, management development and financial performance of the Corporation and Dundee Wealth.
Mr. Goodman’s total base salary for the financial year ended December 31, 2006 was $900,000 of which $200,000 was paid by the Corporation, 100,000 was paid by Dundee Realty, and $600,000 was paid by Dundee Wealth. The cash annual incentive compensation for the financial year ended December 31, 2006 paid to Mr. Goodman was $3,200,000, of which $1,800,000 was paid by the Corporation and $1,400,000 was paid by Dundee Wealth. Mr. Goodman was not awarded any options or bonus shares pursuant to the share incentive plans of the Corporation or Dundee Wealth in the financial years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006. In 2004, Mr. Goodman was granted Options to purchase 300,000 Subordinate Voting Shares exercisable as to 20% thereof over a period of five years at a price of $27.51. Mr. Goodman was also granted options to purchase common shares of Dundee Wealth and common shares of Dundee Wealth issu able between January 1, 2005 and January 1, 2009 (please see Dundee Wealth Circular). Mr. Goodman elected to receive 100% of his annual bonus for 2005 for Dundee Wealth in deferred share units of Dundee Wealth. In May 2006, Mr. Goodman received 115,990 deferred share units, with a value of $1,400,000.
The foregoing report as at May 8, 2007 was submitted by the Compensation Committee.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
Share Incentive Plan
The Share Incentive Plan of the Corporation is designed to advance the interests of the Corporation by encouraging employees, officers and directors of the Corporation and affiliates thereof, which may be designated from time to time in accordance with the share incentive plan, to hold equity in the Corporation through the acquisition of Subordinate Voting Shares. The Share Incentive Plan consists of a share purchase component, a share bonus component and a share option component which are described in greater detail below.
Awards under the Share Incentive Plan are not assignable or transferable other than pursuant to a will or by the laws of descent and distribution unless otherwise approved by the directors of the Corporation, except for the assignability in certain circumstances of options awarded pursuant to such share options component. See “Share Incentive Plan – Share Option Component” below.
The Share Incentive Plan and any awards thereunder may be amended by the directors of the Corporation provided that amendments which (i) materially increase the benefits under the Share Incentive Plan or any options awarded thereunder (ii) increase the number of Subordinate Voting Shares which may be issued under the Share Incentive Plan (other than as a result of certain events including a consolidation, merger, amalgamation, a separation of the business of the Corporation into two or more entities or a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to another entity, stock dividend, subdivision or reclassification, in respect of which the Share Incentive Plan provides for adjustments in the entitlements of participants under such plan), or (iii) materially modify the eligibility requirements, shall be subject to approval, if required, by any required regulatory authority. If approved by Sharehold ers at the Meeting, the amendment provision will be revised in accordance with the Amendment Resolution. At the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, Shareholders will be asked to consider, and if deemed advisable, to pass the Amendment Resolution authorizing certain changes to the amendment provisions contained in the Share Incentive Plan and the Deferred Share Unit Plan set out in
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Schedule B to this Circular. See also “Business of the Meeting – Amendment to Share Incentive Plan and Deferred Share Unit Plan” above.
The aggregate maximum number of Subordinate Voting Shares available under the Share Incentive Plan is 5,160,000 (subject to the aggregate maximum number of Subordinate Voting Shares available under each plan) which represents 21.4% of the Corporation’s outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares as of May 1, 2007. The number of Subordinate Voting Shares remaining available under each plan is discussed below.
The Share Incentive Plan has recently been amended to provide that the number of shares issuable to insiders of the Corporation, at any time under all security based compensation arrangements of the Corporation, shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares then issued and outstanding, and the number of shares issued to insiders, within any one year period, under all security based compensation arrangements of the Corporation, shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares then issued and outstanding. The Board determined that shareholder approval of the amendments was not required under the rules of the TSX.
Share Purchase Component
The share purchase component comprising part of the Share Incentive Plan (the “Share Purchase Plan”) permits eligible participants, who are designated from time to time and elect to participate in the Share Purchase Plan, to contribute to the Share Purchase Plan up to the amount established from time to time in accordance with the Share Incentive Plan, which amount may not exceed 10% of the basic annual remuneration of the participant or such other maximum amount to be determined in accordance with the Share Incentive Plan. The Corporation may match up to the full amount of each participant’s contribution to the Share Purchase Plan. Under the Share Purchase Plan (i) Subordinate Voting Shares may be issued to each participant from treasury having a value equal to the aggregate amount contributed to the Share Purchase Plan by the participant and the Corporation in respect of such participant (the “ ;Treasury Alternative”), or (ii) Subordinate Voting Shares may be issued to each participant from treasury having a value equal to the amount contributed to the Share Purchase Plan by the participant and Subordinate Voting Shares may be purchased on the open market having a value equal to the amount contributed to the Share Purchase Plan by the Corporation in respect of such participant instead of issuing Subordinate Voting Shares from treasury (the “Market Alternative”).
Pursuant to the Treasury Alternative, the Corporation will issue from treasury to each participant, each calendar quarter, Subordinate Voting Shares having a value equal to the aggregate amount contributed to the Share Purchase Plan by the participant and the Corporation in respect of such participant based on the simple average of the high and low trading prices of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX or such other stock exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Subordinate Voting Shares are then listed or quoted, as the case may be, for the five prior consecutive trading days ending three trading days immediately prior to the date the Subordinate Voting Shares are issued to a participant (the “Market Price”). Unless otherwise determined by the directors of the Corporation, such Subordinate Voting Shares will be delivered to the participant twelve months following the date of the issue thereof . Pursuant to the Market Alternative, the Corporation will issue from treasury and release to each participant, at the end of each calendar quarter, Subordinate Voting Shares having a value equal to the amount contributed to the Share Purchase Plan by the participant based on the Market Price of the Subordinate Voting Shares. The Corporation will pay the contributions which it makes on behalf of participants throughout the calendar year into a trust set up specifically for the Share Purchase Plan. The trustee will purchase Subordinate Voting Shares on the open market throughout the calendar year and will allocate and distribute such Subordinate Voting Shares to the participants at the end of the calendar year in accordance with the terms of the Share Incentive Plan.
If there is a take-over bid or issuer bid (within the meaning of theSecurities Act (Ontario)), other than an exempt take-over bid or exempt issuer bid for the purposes of theSecurities Act (Ontario), made for outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares, or if the Subordinate Voting Shares become convertible into Common Shares as a result of a take-over bid being made for the Common Shares, the directors of the Corporation may permit the issue and/or delivery to participants of Subordinate Voting Shares under the Share Purchase Plan prior to the expiry of the twelve-month period referred to above in order to permit Subordinate Voting Shares or Common Shares to be tendered to such take-over bid or issuer bid.
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Subject to any employment agreement, in the event of a participant ceasing to be employed by the Corporation and its designated affiliates due to retirement, long term disability or death, the participant shall automatically cease to be entitled to participate in the Share Purchase Plan. The issue and delivery of Subordinate Voting Shares in the case of the Treasury Alternative and the participant’s contribution in the case of the Market Alternative shall not be accelerated and shall occur on the date the Subordinate Voting Shares would otherwise have been delivered and the Corporation shall return any unused portion of the contribution. Under the Market Alternative, the participant shall receive the Subordinate Voting Shares purchased by the trust up to the date of retirement, long-term disability or death and the Corporation shall pay to the participant or the participant’s estate, as the case may be, a ny unused portion of the participant’s and the Corporation’s contributions, in each case to be made on the date it would otherwise have occurred.
Subject to any employment agreement, in the event of a participant ceasing to be employed by the Corporation and its designated affiliates for any reason other than retirement, long term disability or death, the participant shall automatically cease to be entitled to participate in the Share Purchase Plan and any cash portion of the participant’s contribution shall be paid to the participant and any cash portion of the Corporation’s contribution shall be forfeited. Under the Treasury Alternative and subject to the discretion of the directors of the Corporation to release Subordinate Voting Shares to the participant, in respect of the Subordinate Voting Shares then held in safekeeping for the participant, the participant will receive an amount equal to the lesser of the participant’s contribution and one-half of the then current Market Price of the Subordinate Voting Shares. Under the Market Alternati ve and subject to the discretion of the directors of the Corporation to make any other determination with respect to the release of the subject Subordinate Voting Shares, in respect of the Subordinate Voting Shares purchased by the trust with the Corporation’s contribution up to the end of the fiscal quarter immediately prior to the date of termination, such Subordinate Voting Shares shall be delivered to the participant on the date on which they otherwise would have been delivered. The participant shall also forfeit the Corporation’s contribution and any Subordinate Voting Shares purchased with such contribution after the end of such fiscal quarter.
An aggregate maximum of 660,000 Subordinate Voting Shares may be issued under the Share Purchase Plan. During the year ended December 31, 2006, 6,660 Subordinate Voting Shares were issued by the Corporation. As of May 1, 2007, an aggregate of 355,197 Subordinate Voting Shares have been issued (representing 1.48% of the Corporation’s outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares) and an aggregate of 304,803 Subordinate Voting Shares remain available for issuance from treasury (representing 1.27% of the Corporation’s outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares) under the Share Purchase Plan.
Share Option Component
Under the share option component comprising part of the Share Incentive Plan (the “Share Option Plan”), options (“Options”) to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares may be granted to eligible participants (collectively, “Optionees”) designated under the Share Incentive Plan. Optionees to whom Options will be granted, the number of Options to be granted and the exercise price of each Option will be determined in accordance with the Share Incentive Plan. The exercise price per Common Share may not be less than the closing price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) or on such other stock exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Subordinate Voting Shares are then listed or quoted, as the case may be, on the last trading day immediately preceding the day the Option is granted or, if the Subordinate Voting Shares are not then listed or quo ted on a stock exchange or over-the-counter market, as otherwise determined in accordance with the Share Incentive Plan. Each Option, unless terminated pursuant to the Share Option Plan, will expire on a date to be determined in accordance with the Share Incentive Plan at the time the Option is granted, which date may not exceed ten years from the date of the grant of the Option. If the directors of the Corporation do not otherwise determine the Option Period for an Option, the Option Period shall be ten years commencing on the date of grant of the Option. Each Option will be exercisable over such period as determined at the time of issue; provided that, if no vesting period is determined at the time of issue, the Option will be exercisable as follows: as to 1/3, after one year from the grant of such Option; as to an additional 1/3, after two years from the grant of such Option; and as to the remaining 1/3, after three years from the grant of such Option.
If there is a take-over bid or issuer bid (within the meaning of theSecurities Act (Ontario)), other than an exempt take-over bid or exempt issuer bid for the purposes of theSecurities Act (Ontario), made for
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outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares, or if the Subordinate Voting Shares become convertible into Common Shares as a result of a take-over bid being made for the Common Shares, all Options outstanding may be permitted by the directors of the Corporation, in accordance with the Share Option Plan, to become immediately exercisable in order to permit Subordinate Voting Shares issuable under such Options, or the Common Shares into which they are exercisable, as the case may be, to be tendered to such take-over bid or issuer bid. If, pursuant to a take-over bid and any compulsory acquisition, an offeror acquires 100% of the Subordinate Voting Shares, or the Subordinate Voting Shares become convertible into Common Shares as a result of a take-over bid being made for the Common Shares and an offeror acquires 100% of the Common Shares, and, in either case, the consideration under the take-over bid includes equity securities of the offeror, the directors of the Corporation may send a notice to all Optionees requiring them to surrender their Options within 10 days of the mailing of such notice provided that (i) the offeror delivers with such notice an irrevocable and unconditional offer to grant replacement options to purchase such equity securities; (ii) the directors of the Corporation have determined, in good faith, that such replacement options have substantially the same economic value as the Options being surrendered; and (iii) the surrender of Options and the granting of replacement options can be effected on a tax free roll-over basis under theIncome Tax Act (Canada).
The Share Option Plan also provides for share appreciation rights. An Optionee may, rather than exercise any Option which such Optionee is then entitled to exercise under the Share Option Plan, terminate such Option, in whole or in part, and, in lieu of receiving the Subordinate Voting Shares to which the terminated Option relates, (a) receive that number of Subordinate Voting Shares (disregarding fractions) which, when multiplied by the fair value of the Subordinate Voting Shares (which shall be the weighted average price of the Subordinate Voting Shares on the TSX for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of termination of such Option or, if the Subordinate Voting Shares are not then listed or quoted on a stock exchange or over-the-counter market, as otherwise determined in accordance with the Share Incentive Plan) to which the terminated Option relates, has a total value equal to the product of the numb er of such Subordinate Voting Shares multiplied by the difference between the fair value and the exercise price of the terminated Option, less any amount required to be withheld on account of income taxes, or (b) with the consent of the Corporation, receive cash equal to the product of the number of Subordinate Voting Shares to which the Option so terminated relates multiplied by the difference between the fair value of the Subordinate Voting Shares to which the terminated Option relates and the exercise price of the terminated Option, less any amount required to be withheld on account of income taxes.
Subject to approval by the directors of the Corporation, and, if required, regulatory approval, an Optionee may assign Options to: (i) the spouse of the Optionee; (ii) any minor children of the Optionee; (iii) any minor grandchildren of the Optionee; (iv) a corporation controlled by the Optionee where the only shareholders of such corporation are the spouse, minor children or minor grandchildren of the Optionee; (v) a family trust, where the Optionee is the trustee of such trust and the beneficiaries of such trust do not include anyone other than the spouse, minor children or minor grandchildren of the Optionee, provided that no consideration shall be paid in connection with the assignment and that the Options shall be deemed, for purposes of the limitations set out in the Share Option Plan relating to the ownership of Options by insiders, to be held by the Optionee for as long as such Options are outstanding.
Subject to any employment agreement, in the event of retirement, long term disability or death of an Optionee, any vested Options held by the Optionee shall become immediately exercisable and shall be exercisable by the Optionee, or the person or persons to whom the rights pass by the will of the Optionee or the laws of descent and distribution, for a period of time that is the earlier of (i) 12 months after the date of retirement, long term disability or death, and (ii) the expiry of the period during which the Options are exercisable. All unvested Options terminate immediately on the date of termination of employment.
Subject to any employment agreement, in the event of an Optionee ceasing to be employed by or provide services to the Corporation and its designated affiliates for any reason other than retirement, long term disability or death or termination for “cause” or in the event of a participant ceasing to be a director of the Corporation and its designated affiliates, the Optionee may only exercise vested Options for the period that is the earlier of (i) 60 days following such event, and (ii) the expiry of the period during which the Options are exercisable. All unvested Options terminate immediately on the date of termination of employment. See “Amendments to Security Based Compensation Arrangements” below.
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The total number of Subordinate Voting Shares under Options cannot exceed 4,000,000 Subordinate Voting Shares. As of May 1, 2007, 1,309,305 Subordinate Voting Shares have been issued on the exercise of Options, Options to purchase an aggregate of 1,388,048 Subordinate Voting Shares were outstanding (representing 5.77% of the Corporation’s outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares) and an aggregate of 1,302,647 Subordinate Voting Shares remained available for the grant of Options (representing 5.41% of the Corporation’s outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares) under the Share Option Plan.
Share Bonus Component
The share bonus component comprising part of the Share Incentive Plan (the “Share Bonus Plan”) permits Subordinate Voting Shares to be issued as a discretionary bonus to eligible participants who are designated under the Share Incentive Plan from time to time on terms established in accordance with the Share Incentive Plan.
The Corporation did not issue any Subordinate Voting Shares under the Share Bonus Plan during the year ended December 31, 2006. As of May 1, 2007, a maximum of 500,000 Subordinate Voting Shares may be issued, an aggregate of 72,000 Subordinate Voting Shares have been issued (representing 0.3% of the Corporation’s outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares) and an aggregate of 428,000 Subordinate Voting Shares remain available for issue from treasury (representing 1.78% of the Corporation’s outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares) under the Share Bonus Plan.
Deferred Share Unit Plan
The purpose of the DSU Plan is to significantly strengthen the link between the interests of eligible directors, officers and employees of the Corporation and affiliates thereof (the “Participants”) and the interests of the shareholders of the Corporation by providing Participants with long-term incentive tied to the long-term performance of the Subordinate Voting Shares. The DSU Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee. Under the DSU Plan, a Participant may be granted, on an annual or more frequent basis, deferred share units (the “Units”) in such number and effective as of such date as the Compensation Committee shall specify and based on certain criteria determined by the Compensation Committee including services performed or to be performed by the Participant. In addition, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, impose certain conditions on the grant of Units w hich would have to be met for the Participant to be entitled to receive payment in respect of the Units granted. The Units are credited to an account maintained for the Participant by the Corporation or its affiliates, as specified by the Compensation Committee, and are subject to adjustment for dividends and anti-dilution events including the subdivision, consolidation or reclassification of the outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares.
A Participant is only entitled to payment in respect of the Units granted to him or her when the Participant ceases to be employed by the Corporation or an affiliate thereof for any reason and the Participant is not a director of the Corporation or an affiliate thereof. Upon termination, the Participant (or the legal representative of such Participant’s estate) may irrevocably elect the date as of which the value of his or her Units shall be determined and paid (the “Entitlement Date”) based on certain criteria set out in the Plan. The value of the Units in respect of a Participant at the Entitlement Date (the “Redemption Value”) will be the product of (i) the number of Units credited to the Participant’s account and (ii) the market value of a Subordinate Voting Share on the TSX as at the Entitlement Date. The Redemption Value shall, as specified by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, after deduction of any applicable taxes and other required source deductions, be satisfied and paid to the Participant (or the legal representative of such Participant’s estate) in its entirety or as a combination of (i) a conversion into and issuance from treasury of Subordinate Voting Shares; (ii) a cash payment; or (iii) Subordinate Voting Shares acquired in the open market.
The maximum number of Subordinate Voting Shares that may be issued from treasury is 500,000. For the year ended December 31, 2006, 15,087 Units were granted under the DSU Plan. As of May 1, 2007, 3,793 Subordinate Voting Shares have been issued on the exercise of Units, an aggregate of 116,472 Units were outstanding and an aggregate of 379,735 Subordinate Voting Shares remained available for the grant of Units under the DSU Plan.
Dundee Corporation | 25 | Management Proxy Circular |
The Deferred Share Unit Plan has recently been amended to provide that the number of shares issuable to insiders of the Corporation, at any time under all security based compensation arrangements of the Corporation, shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares then issued and outstanding, and the number of shares issued to insiders, within any one year period, under all security based compensation arrangements of the Corporation, shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares then issued and outstanding. The Board determined that shareholder approval of the amendments was not required under the rules of the TSX.
Amendments to Security Based Compensation Arrangements
Share Incentive Plan and Deferred Share Unit Plan
In 2006, pursuant to the terms of the amendment provisions contained in the Share Incentive Plan and the Deferred Share Unit Plan, the Board authorized certain amendments to the Share Incentive Plan and Deferred Share Unit Plan to provide for (i) revisions to the termination provisions under the Share Incentive Plan to clarify that there is no entitlement to accelerated vesting of options or bonus shares, and (ii) revisions to the definition of retirement applicable to all security based compensation arrangements of the Corporation.
The Board determined that shareholder approval of the amendments was not required under the rules of the TSX.
EXECUTIVE BENEFIT PLAN
The Corporation has an Executive Benefit Plan in which certain executive officers are eligible to participate. The Executive Benefit Plan is funded by the Corporation and uses contributions made by the Corporation to purchase previously issued Shares. The Executive Benefit Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which determines the timing and terms of any awards granted to participants under the Executive Benefit Plan. An option to purchase 166,935 Common Shares at a price of $31.50 until June 9, 2009 was granted to Mr. Ned Goodman pursuant to the Executive Benefit Plan.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth details of the securities authorized for issuance under the Corporation’s equity compensation plans as at December 31, 2006.
| | | |
Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights(1) (a) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) |
Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders |
Share Incentive Plan | | | |
Share Purchase Component | 0 | N/A | 305,118 |
Share Bonus Component | 0 | N/A | 428,000 |
Share Option Component | 1,394,548 | $20.53 | 1,302,647 |
Deferred Share Unit Plan | 108,617 | N/A | 387,590 |
Total | 1,503,165 | N/A | 2,423,355 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders |
Total | N/A | N/A | N/A |
(1)
Please see “Share Incentive Plans” for information relating to securities authorized for issuance under the Corporation’s equity compensation plans as of May 1, 2007. In addition, Dundee Corporation has issued an option to purchase 166,935 Common Shares at $31.50 pursuant to the Executive Benefit Plan. See “Executive Benefit Plan” above.
Dundee Corporation | 26 | Management Proxy Circular |
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Subordinate Voting Shares (“SUB VTG”), for the last five financial years, with the cumulative total return of the S&P/TSX Composite Index (“S&P/TSX”), assuming an investment of $100 on December 31, 2001 and assuming dividend reinvestment and excluding trading commissions and taxes. The Corporation has not paid dividends on the Subordinate Voting Shares since 1991. The Corporation has, however, since 1993 purchased for cancellation an aggregate of 11,250,932 Subordinate Voting Shares and Common Shares at an average price of $14.28 per Share.
The Common Shares were delisted from the TSX on January 31, 2000.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE
A copy of the following documents will be made available, without charge in the case of a security holder of the Corporation, upon request to the Secretary of the Corporation: the 2006 AIF, together with one copy of any document, or the pertinent pages of any document, incorporated by reference therein and the Corporation’s most recently filed comparative annual audited consolidated financial statements, together with the accompanying report of the auditor, and any interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation that have been filed for any period after December 31, 2006, in each case, together with the management’s discussion and analysis (“2006 MD&A”) of the Corporation related thereto. Financial information is provided in the Corporation’s comparative annual audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2006. The 2006 MD&A , the 2006 AIF and additional information relating to the Corporation is available on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Except as otherwise disclosed in this Circular or disclosed in the 2006 AIF under the heading “Relationship Between the Company and Certain Related Parties”, which disclosure is incorporated by reference herein, there has been no transaction since January 1, 2006 or a proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries in respect of which any director or executive officer of the Corporation, any director or executive officer of any of its subsidiaries, any proposed nominee for director of the Corporation, any person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or who exercises control or direction over, voting securities of the Corporation carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting securities of the Corporation, any director or executive officer of such a person or company, or any associate or affilia te of any of the foregoing had a direct or indirect material interest.
Dundee Corporation | 27 | Management Proxy Circular |
GENERAL INFORMATION
The information contained in this Circular is given as of May 1, 2007, except as otherwise indicated. The contents of this Circular and the sending thereof to the shareholders of the Corporation have been approved by the directors of the Corporation.
By Order of the Board
Joanne Ferstman
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and
Corporate Secretary
May 14, 2007
Dundee Corporation | 28 | Management Proxy Circular |
SCHEDULE A
NOTICE OF CHANGE OF AUDITOR AND AUDITORS’ RESPONSE LETTERS
[See attached Schedule A]
Dundee Corporation | 29 | Management Proxy Circular |
DUNDEE CORPORATION
NOTICE OF CHANGE OF AUDITOR
(National Instrument 51-102)
TO:
Alberta Securities Commission
British Columbia Securities Commission
The Manitoba Securities Commission
New Brunswick Securities Commission
The Deputy Superintendent of Securities, Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
Ontario Securities Commission
Registrar of Securities, Prince Edward Island
Autorité des marchés financiers (Québec)
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission, Securities Division
AND TO:
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Dundee Corporation (the “Corporation”) hereby gives notice pursuant to National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“National Instrument 51-102”) as follows:
1.
On March 1, 2007 (the “Termination Date”), the board of directors of the Corporation, by written resolution, decided not to propose Ernst & Young LLP for reappointment as auditor of the Corporation on the expiry of its term of office at the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation to be held on June 20, 2007 (the “Meeting”).
2.
The Corporation proposes that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP be appointed as auditor of the Corporation by the shareholders of the Corporation at the Meeting.
3.
There were no reservations in the auditor’s reports on the Corporation’s financial statements for the period commencing at the beginning of the Corporation’s two most recently completed financial years and ending on the Termination Date.
4.
The board of directors of the Corporation has considered and approved the proposal not to reappoint Ernst & Young LLP and has approved the proposal to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditor of the Corporation.
5.
In the opinion of the Corporation, as at the date hereof, there have been no Reportable Events (as such term is defined in National Instrument 51-102) in connection with the audits for the period commencing at the beginning of the Corporation’s two most recently completed financial years and ending on the Termination Date.
Dated at Toronto, Ontario this 8th day of March, 2007.
DUNDEE CORPORATION
Joanne Ferstman
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Dundee Corporation | 30 | Management Proxy Circular |
| |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chartered Accountants PO Box 82 Royal Trust Tower, Suite 3000 Toronto Dominion Centre Toronto, Ontario Canada M5K 1G8 Telephone +1 416 863 1133 Facsimile +1 416 365 8215 |
March 8, 2007
To:
Alberta Securities Commission
British Columbia Securities Commission
The Manitoba Securities Commission
New Brunswick Securities Commission
The Deputy of Superintendent of Securities, Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
Ontario Securities Commission
Registrar of Securities, Prince Edward Island
Autorité des marchés financiers (Québec)
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission
We have read the statements made by Dundee Corporation in the attached copy of Change of Auditor Notice dated March 8, 2007, which we understand will be filed pursuant to Section 4.11 of the National Instrument 51-102.
We agree with the statements in the Change of Auditor Notice dated March 8, 2007based on our knowledge of such information at this time.
Yours very truly,
[Signed] PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chartered Accountants
cc:
Joanne Ferstman, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Dundee Wealth Management Inc.
Ross Pearman, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Dundee Corporation | 31 | Management Proxy Circular |
| Ernst & Young LLP Chartered Accountants Ernst & Young Tower P.O. Box 251, 222 Bay St. Toronto-Dominion Centre Toronto, Canada M5K 1J7 | Phone: (416) 864-1234 Fax: (416) 864-1174 |
March 8, 2007
TO:
Alberta Securities Commission
British Columbia Securities Commission
The Manitoba Securities Commission
New Brunswick Securities Commission
The Deputy Superintendent of Securities, Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
Ontario Securities Commission
Registrar of Securities, Prince Edward Island
Autorité des marchés financiers (Québec)
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission, Securities Division
Dear Sirs/Mesdames:
Re:
Dundee Corporation
We have read the Notice of Change of Auditor dated March 8, 2007 from Dundee Corporation (the “Notice”), delivered to us pursuant to National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations. We confirm our agreement with each statement contained in the Notice based on our knowledge of such information at this time.
Yours sincerely,
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
c.c.
Board of Directors – Dundee Corporation
Dundee Corporation | 32 | Management Proxy Circular |
SCHEDULE B
AMENDMENT RESOLUTION
RESOLVED THAT:
1.
The Share Incentive Plan and the Deferred Share Unit Plan (together, the “Plans”) be amended to clarify that shareholder approval is not required for amendments, except for any amendment or modification that (i) increases the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plans (except for the purpose of maintaining award value in connection with a stock split, consolidation, share dividend, recapitalization, change of control, or similar event), (ii) with respect to the Share Incentive Plan, reduces the exercise price of an award to the benefit of an insider (except for the purpose of maintaining award value in connection with a stock split, consolidation, share dividend, recapitalization, change of control, or similar event), or (iii) extends the exercise term of an award beyond the original expiry date of such award; and
2.
Any director or officer of the Corporation is authorized to do all such things and execute all instruments and documents on behalf of the Corporation as such director or officer, in such director’s or officer’s sole discretion, considers necessary or desirable to carry out this resolution.
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SCHEDULE C
STOCK SPLIT RESOLUTION
RESOLVED AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT:
1.
Pursuant to Section 168 of theBusiness Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “Act”), the articles of the Corporation be amended to subdivide the Subordinate Voting Shares and Common Shares, on the basis of three (3) Subordinate Voting Shares for each Subordinate Voting Share and three (3) Common Shares for each Common Share held.
2.
Any one of the directors or officers of the Corporation is hereby authorized to sign such documents, including, without limitation, articles of amendment, and to do all such things and execute all instruments and documents on behalf of the Corporation including delivering articles of amendment to the director under the Act, as such director or officer in such director’s or officer’s sole discretion, considers necessary or desirable to carry out this resolution.
3.
The directors of the Company may, in their discretion, without further approval of the shareholders, revoke this special resolution at any time before a certificate of amendment is issued in respect of the foregoing.
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